Best food storage containers for keeping leftovers fresh

The Sistema Brilliance range is our pick for the best way store your food. Whether you're batch cooking a delicious stew in your slow cooker or want to save your leftovers for lunch, this reliable brand offers a few different sizes in the range, so you can choose the capacity that suits you best.

The containers are all made with Tritan plastic which is super durable and safe to use in the microwave, fridge, and freezer. They have a really tight seal and a leakproof design so they keep food perfectly fresh in the fridge too. We think they look super stylish, and many reviewers praise how resistant they are to stains so they should keep their sleek look for a while.

IKEA’s PRUTA food container set is fantastic value and will cover most of your storage needs. Stackable when full and easily stored inside each other when not in use, this set includes a range of sizes so there will be a tub to suit all your leftover needs.

They can be used in both sections of your fridge freezer and are also microwave safe. They are easy to clean, with rounded corners that won’t warp when washed in the dishwasher. We love the transparent plastic that makes it easy to see the contents of each tub, even when stacked. This set would work best as a solution for storing food in the house, however, as some reviewers found the lids popped off easily when transported, so we’d recommend another set if you’re wanting something that doubles up as a lunch box.

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Lock & Lock make the best food storage containers for leftovers as they are 100% airtight, so your food will stay fresh until you want to eat it. They are also fantastic for portable lunches as the robust four-lock closing system makes them genuinely leakproof.

This food storage brand is loved and recommended by Mumsnet users thanks to their stackability too; they will tuck into each other neatly when not in use, so they are great for space-saving. They are also sturdy enough to be placed on top of each other when full.

Reviewers were particularly impressed by how easy this food storage set was to clean. The corners are slightly rounded, so food doesn’t get stuck, and the BPA-free plastic is resistant to most marking, although as with the majority plastic containers, some reviewers did find orange stains after using them for tomato sauce.

Another way to save money with the cost of living crisis is taking snacks from home with you, instead of buying things when you’re out and about. And this tub is perfect for popping a little something into to enjoy on the go.

The small 515 ml capsule comes with a lift-out compartment so you can store two different snacks in it at the same time – we think it'd be great for keeping yoghurt in the bottom and fruit on the top. It’s fridge and freezer safe, can go in the microwave as long as you take the lid off, and can go through the dishwasher on the top rack.

Do bear in mind, however, that there's only one small container included – it may be quite pricey if you're kitting the whole family out. It will save you buying expensive snack-sized portions day-to-day though, so you may find it's worth the initial outlay.

Alternatively, if you're wanting to pack up snacks alongside your lunch, the best bento box might just be the solution. These handy containers have different compartments so you can store food separately.

Stackable storage that will keep your kitchen cupboards, fridge, freezer and pantry neat is the dream that Lakeland’s colourful Stack-A-Boxes make a reality. Even better, these containers are so durable they will last for many years. Made from food safe and BPA-free plastic, these compact tubs are in a size that is ideal for batch cooking toddler meals, storing soups and sauces, or dishing up leftovers for the next day.

Dishwasher safe, they are also suitable for use in the microwave and the perfect size for stacking in a chest freezer. We also love how easy the different coloured lids make keeping track of what is inside of them. The only downside is that the containers aren’t clear, so you can’t see what’s inside them without opening them up.

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Lock & Lock have got some pretty solid eco credentials which is why we think they’re the best eco-friendly food storage containers out there at the moment. They’re made from 100% food grade waste plastic, which basically means they’re using leftovers to create products for your leftovers. They also come in paper packaging that can easily be recycled.

Their patented lock and lock system means that these containers are completely leakproof and waterproof so they’re perfect for any kind of leftovers. The company is so confident in the quality of their products that they offer a lifetime guarantee on them, so you’ve got nothing to lose by giving them a try.

The Joseph Joseph brand always injects colour and fun into their kitchenware range. This clever set of nesting food storage containers is a fantastic example of practicality and style and would make us smile every time we opened the cupboard.

The brightly coloured lids make organising your storage and remembering what is in each tub much more manageable and we love the way each box sits snugly inside each other, with the lids stacked securely on top.

Each lid snaps onto the base quickly, and the durable seals around the lids make the tubs airtight so that your food stays fresh, and there will be no leaks to make a mess of your fridge or bag. The only downside is the cost, but they are built to last.

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If you’re looking for the best food storage containers to decant things into at home to keep them fresh for ages, then these OXO Pops ones are a great choice. They come in all sorts of sizes so whether you want to dry storage for rice, flour, cereal, or leftovers you can find a container that’s just perfect.

The lid has a button on it that you press to create an airtight seal, then just press again to release and open the container. They’re not the cheapest option, but reviewers say they last for ages and keep whatever you put inside lovely and fresh. The only grumble we have is that they're not freezer or microwave safe, but we think they're much better suited to long-term cupboard storage anyway so this shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Family of cereal lovers? Keep your cupboards looking neat and organised with a set of these cereal containers. They come in a set of three so you can quickly get your cereal stash looking shipshape. There’s a set of reusable labels and a whiteboard marker that comes with these containers too, so you can clearly mark which cereal is which.

The locking lids have clips on all four sides so they stay on really securely and create an airtight seal to keep the cereal fresh. And the ergonomic grip on the container makes it comfortable and easy to pour your cereal out each morning.

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If you need some short-term food storage to keep meals like soup warm, a food flask is a great addition to your kitchen kit. While it's an expensive option, Black + Blum comes highly recommended by Mumsnet users, and their vacuum insulated flask can keep food warm for up to six hours. It's also 100% leakproof, so you can pop it in your work bag with confidence, and we love the handy eco spoon that's attached to the pot.

Aside from the cost, the other main downside is that it's not microwave safe, so you can't actually use it to heat food up, it's for storage only. It's also not dishwasher safe, but it's pretty easy to clean, and the nylon strap that holds the spoon in place can be popped in the washing machine incase of any spills.

Overall, we think it's a sleek and stylish, eco-friendly storage solution.