(the cover photo is actually misleading — I have no idea whether anything like that is good or not)
I have two favorites for storing leftovers:
1: a set of glass Pyrex in convenient sizes with press-on lids.
2: durable plastic tubs that nest beautifully and have tight-fitting interchangeable lids.
Plastic deli storage containers:
I first discovered these handy plastic containers when my city banned styrofoam and my favorite thai place started using them for takeout. I think they're pretty standard use for restaurants.
They're durable, their lids fit super-tightly (and are interchangeable for all the different sizes), they stack for great space-saving in the cupboard, and they also stack well in the fridge.
*Note: I don't know which brands work the best. I've heard of some breaking (though I've never experienced that myself), so maybe looking for something that claims to be "freezer-safe" would be a good idea? I've ordered two different ones from Amazon over the years and they've all been great.
For most people, my advice would just be to recognize them and keep them when you order out, but if you're in a situation where you have greater needs, they can also be ordered online in 8oz, 16oz, and 32oz sizes.
Glass storage containers
I primarily use these glass Pyrex ones for both cooking and leftovers — I love that they're oven and microwave safe and they clean up beautifully in the dishwasher (I keep the lids on the top rack).
(I don’t microwave the lids because of concerns around plastic and because The best microwave cover is a pig.)
Costco has a similar set but the lids are glass+silicone.
There are also ones with snap lids and you can get them at Costco or Amazon — the 18 piece set has all the sizes I seem to want.
The snap lids are probably harder to clean than the press-on lids (currently out of stock at walmart or amazon), but they’re more secure if you’re transporting food. The force and sound of the snap ones are a bit much for me right now, but I used to find them very satisfying.
Here’s a set with the press-on lids from Target. I use the 3-cup rectangular ones for leftovers and for something roughly the size of “lunch” and they stack well in the fridge, so I have more of those than anything else at this point. (they sometimes offer them with tinted glass: green, blue, and pink; so I have a bunch of blue ones now 🌈)
Note: after acquiring a bunch of mason jars for fermenting as well as sous viding, I also highly recommend getting a few different sizes which do double duty as an alternative to cups or bowls as well as storage for leftovers.
I use the regular mouth 4oz ones for wine and jello and chia seed pudding as well as warmed olives and marinated artichoke hearts as appetizers.
I use the 8oz wide mouth ones for sous viding yogurt or créme brûlée.
I use the 8oz regular mouth ones for pickled beets and the 16oz wide mouth ones for dry goods storage: chia seeds and popcorn; they’re also great for when my kimchi doesn’t make sense to keep in its fermenting container anymore.
1qt wide mouth jars are great for congee storage and
1/2 gallon jars are good for fermenting sauerkraut when my fermenting gear is occupied with kimchi.
(and a bunch of the sizes work for casual bouquets 💐 from the yard.)
I’ve tried the off-brand plastic lids, but based on kimchi smell as a proxy for degree of airtightness, I think it’s worth splurging on the dark grey plastic Ball lids. (Available at Walmart and Target for less than Amazon.) e.g.
