Budget-Friendly Food Storage Ideas

Tired of throwing out food but don’t want to break the bank on fancy food storage containers? Here are some of the best budget-friendly food storage ideas!

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Proper food storage is essential to reduce the amount of food you throw out. The USDA estimates that between 30 and 40% of the food supply in the USA is wasted. That’s a colossal amount of food waste, much of which can be avoided with proper food storage.

There are all kinds of food storage ideas. From fancy plastic bins to glass and even beeswax pouches, there are plenty of ways to store your leftovers safely. But what are the best picks if you’re looking for affordable solutions?

The following are some of the best budget-friendly food storage ideas and why they’ve made this list.

Reusable Food Storage Bags

• Reusable food storage bags are a great alternative to disposable plastic bags. They can be used to store a variety of items, including sandwiches, snacks while hiking, and leftover foods.

Mason Jars

• Mason jars are a versatile and budget-friendly option for food storage. They can be used to store a variety of dry goods, such as grains, lentils, wheat berries, nuts, and seeds.
• They’re often free! Buying honey, pasta sauces, vegetables, and more in jars means you can reuse the jars as storage containers.

Bamboo-Topped Glass Containers

• Bamboo-topped glass containers are a sustainable and budget-friendly option for food storage. The lids are made of bamboo fiber, a renewable resource and biodegradable.
• Bamboo containers are durable and can be used to store a variety of items, including sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers.

Plastic Containers

• Reuse sour cream, Cool Whip, margarine, and cream cheese containers to store your leftovers. When they’re empty, wash them and use them to pack up soups, stews, meatloaf, or whatever you’ve had for lunch or dinner. They’re also great for storing dry goods like ruby chocolate.
• Write the name of the contents and the date on the plastic lids so you can quickly and easily identify what’s in them.
• You don’t get much more budget-friendly than reusing these plastic containers.

Deli Containers

• Deli containers can warp and melt in the microwave, so transfer the contents out of the container before reheating the contents.

Take-Out Containers

• Many restaurants have switched to packaging take-out in reusable plastic containers. They are often rectangular in size with black bottoms and clear tops. They are perfect for packing up leftovers!
• These containers stack nicely inside the fridge and the cupboard.
• They are recyclable; pop them into the recycling bin when you’re done with them.
• Food containers are one of the four largest plastic pollutants in the oceans. Reusing and recycling them when you’re done keeps them out of landfills and the oceans.

Silicone Stretch Lids

Forget the container and just use lids!

Silicone stretch lids will fit bowls, pots, cups, and casserole dishes – we use them for storing leftover chicken broccoli potato casserole -, and more so that you can pack up your leftovers in reusable dishes and store them in the fridge.

What You Can Store in Food Storage Containers

Food storage containers aren’t just ideal for leftovers, but they can be used for any number of consumables for long-term storage. From pantry staples like brown or white rice, beans, flour for baking, sugars, oatmeal, dry herbs, and spices to freezer jams, frozen soups, and tasty stews, preserving the freshness and shelf life of your food will help reduce the amount of waste in your kitchen cabinets.

You can also use these containers for non-edibles. They are perfect for organizing craft supplies, pet food, jewelry, things you want to keep dry while camping, and much more.

Don’t Forget the Labels

There’s nothing worse than opening your fridge to see a sea of food storage containers filled with mystery ingredients. You can use tape and a pen to label the top of your food storage containers to identify them, and by adding a date, you’ll know when the leftovers were added to the fridge.

Labels are especially helpful for long-term food storage when freezing leftovers because once frozen, it becomes hard to tell what’s inside the container.

Food Storage Tips

Many foods are sensitive to temperature and can spoil or become unsafe to eat if stored at the wrong temperature.

For example, perishable foods such as meat (chicken, beef, tuna), dairy, and produce should be stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Dry goods such as grains and legumes should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Always follow the USDA guidelines for food storage. Among other things, the USDA recommends storing refrigerated food under 40°F and consuming most leftovers within three to four days.

The Final Word

Using these budget-friendly food storage options can save money and reduce waste.

They are durable, affordable in many cases free, and easy to use, making them a great choice for anyone looking to save money on food storage.

Jenn Allen is a retired chef turned cookbook author, blogger, and traveler. She lives at home with her family and the cats that rule them all. Sign up for all her best recipes at CookWhatYouLove.com

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.

If you’ve tried any of these food storage ideas, please rate them and let us know what you think by leaving us a comment below. We’re always interested in feedback!

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