How To Organize Food Storage Containers And Tupperware

Learn how to organize food storage containers with these practical tips and strategies.

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From kitchen to kitchen and cook to cook, there is no standard semblance of organization dedicated solely to food containers. My mom stores her food containers on a shelf in her pantry, my mother-in-law stores hers in a large kitchen cabinet drawer, and my friend tosses her containers in a basket on her countertop. There may even be more than one specific dedicated space in a kitchen. I’m guilty of storing containers in my pantry and multiple cabinets, which in most cases leads to an avalanche of plastic containers and Tupperware tumbling out while trying to locate the elusive top of the container. There are challenges when it comes to organizing food containers. They are necessary, though, especially for keeping cookies fresh, storing and reheating leftovers, and transporting food.

“Usually, most people have lots of different styles, sizes, materials, so it can be a big mish-mash in the cabinet,” says Tara Bremer, Founder and Owner of House Peace.

And because of the difficulties in keeping these precious containers ready to go after your next big meal, we’ve curated expert tips on organizing these necessary kitchen essentials.

Pile all your food containers on the counter for a quick decluttering project. Look closely at the food container pieces you always grab when you need one, and keep these. Set aside the lone pieces that you rarely or never use. “Think about how you cook, how you take lunches to school and work, and assess what you need,” suggests Bremer. Chances are, if you haven’t used them in a while, then you aren’t going to use them, and they are just taking up space. It might be time to throw out our plastic food containers if they are showing wear and tear. Consider glass containers which tend to stack better and keep food fresher than plastic.

If a lone top is missing its container, it obviously cannot be used. Get rid of it. It is causing you to lose precious time by rifling through extra items to find a container with matching top and bottom that you can actually use. “Discard containers that have broken or missing lids, any sort of damage, and microwave damage or stains,” says Bremer. It might be time to analyze what you have and replace worn-out pieces.

Problems arise when containers are spread throughout different spaces in a kitchen (speaking from personal experience), and collecting food container items into one centralized location is essential to keep them organized and tidy. Choose an easily accessible large drawer, cabinet, or pantry space that is near your food prep area. This way you can quickly and easily access the container you need when you need it.

There are many options when it comes to organizing your food containers. Consider stacking all the lids together and using a lid organizer in your cabinet. “Put the lids in a bin, filed vertically like books on a shelf,” says Bremer. They are easier to view, increasing the chances of finding the correct one quickly. You can then nest the remaining containers in each other to save space. Another way (and one I like to use myself) is to pair the lids with the container after they are washed and then stack them, one on top of the other. With this method, you can avoid the challenge of hunting for a lid in addition to the container because they are already matched together and ready to go.

If you have a variety of round containers, there might be better options for food storage, considering that cabinets, shelves, and pantries are rectangular. To maximize space, rectangular pieces work better in a kitchen. “It’s okay to start from scratch and get an all new matching set of containers so that they are the same shape and can stack nicely,” explains Bremer. Remember that rectangular containers fit easier and utilize space better than round food containers.