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I’ve shared before the non-toxic and non-scratch cookware I use, and how we avoid chemicals in our water, but I get quite a few questions about how to store food without plastic in the fridge of freezer.
Plastic containers and plastic bags are the normal fare for this, and it can be a difficult switch. It has taken me years, but I’ve finally phased out all of our plastic food storage containers in favor of glass, metal or silicon options. The bonus here is that most things can be put directly in an oven or convection oven to re-heat, which minimizes dishes in the long run.
Refrigerator Food Storage
Instead of plastic bags and plastic containers, I now use these to store foods in the fridge:
- Glass Mason Jars– Quart and half-gallon size jars work great for storing things like soups, sauces, broth, and even leftover casseroles and sides.
- Silicon Food Storage– I love my collapsible fridge storage containers from Xtrema since they don’t take up much room in the cabinets when not in use and are easy to stack in the fridge.
- Glass and Silicone Storage– Lifeactory makes some great all-glass food storage containers that have a silicon cover to help avoid breakage
- Zip Top silicone containers are a great alternative and they come in fun colors to use in the kitchen or use in kids lunch boxes.
- Glasslock Oven Safe Food Storage– I also have this set and use it all the time to store almost everything
- I also recently discovered these silicon suction lids that turn bowls you already have into fridge storage
Pyrex Glass Containers with Lids– These do have plastic lids but they are pretty inexpensive and some of the first containers I got when I made the switch.
I also ditched the plastic wrap (plastic and BPA), wax paper and foil (aluminum) when we made the switch and instead I use this homemade reusable food wrap from Mommypotamus to cover bowls and dishes instead.
Freezer Storage
Finding safe freezer storage options is a little more difficult because liquids need room to expand when they freeze and glass can be tricky.
I use a few of the same things in the freezer:
- Pyrex Glass Containers with Lids– I’ve never had a problem with these in the freezer.
- Glasslock Oven Safe Food Storage– I also have this set and use it all the time to store almost everything
- Natural Parchment Paper – Natural Parchment Paper is great for wrapping meats, fish, etc for storage.
- Stainless Steel Latch Containers– These are my favorite for freezer storage since they are non-breakable and fit a lot.
Non-Toxic Plates, Cups and Bowls
Once we had children, I wanted to make sure our plates, bowls and cups were non-toxic and not plastic. We originally used Corelle plain white dishes, but have slowly been switching to metal dishes (which have the added benefit of being non-breakable). We use:
The bonus to all of these options is that they are all dishwasher safe and most are oven safe. We don’t use a microwave, but most are microwave safe too.
How do you store food without plastic?
Hi. I would love ideas for packing school lunches w/o using plastic containers. I use reusable pouches for some things, but other things (sandwiches, crackers, etc.) need a hard container. I’m nervous about sending glass (even LifeFactory w/ the silicone). Would love some ideas.
Thanks!
We have a planet box and they are awesome. Stainless steel and nearly invincible. https://www.planetbox.com/
Problem with new pyrex: it explodes.
Problem with vintage pyrex: it contains lead in both the white glass and exterior paint.
I have read this a few places, here is one that talks about a scientific study of many items including pyrex.
http://synergies.oregonstate.edu/2010/buyer-beware-dangerous-levels-of-lead-found-in-used-consumer-products-2/
I have no problem with non-plastic storage for my fridge or dry bulk items as I always use glass jars or pyrex containers, and I use glass jars in the freezer for my bone broth, but I do bake bread in large amounts on a day and freeze them in plastic bags and haven’t found a good alternative for that. Any ideas?
The only plastic I use at this point is for cold storage. Cooled leftovers when the glass boxes are all used and dividing bulk meat purchases into FoodSaver bags for freezing usually with a marinade. How are you freezing bulk meats for freezing without using plastic bags?
Is there risk when using plastic bags for freezer storage when they are never being heated? I never defrost with microwave, only by putting in the refrig.
There is less of a risk here, but I still like wrapping in natural parchment paper or freezer paper first, even if I’m putting plastic around it, so the food isn’t in contact with the plastic. Natural freezer paper is my favorite alternative.
What brand would you recommend for the natural freezer paper? I have a vacuum sealer but would like to put the paper around the meat before putting in the plastic. Thank you!
Katie,
Thanks to all your hard work researching and writing…I know what to take before I become pregnant, during and how to help my clients by providing them with all the wonderful information. I am studying to be a certified doula.
My family and I are eliminating all plastics out of our life as we are able.
My question is this:
What would you recommend for long term storage of dry bulk materials? If a plastic bucket had to be used, as a last resort, then it could be lined with nontoxic paper so that the food would never come into contact with the plastic. What do you think? What are all the options?
Long term storage is tough. There are glass and metal options but they are cost and size prohibitive. I’d probably line in paper or organic parchment paper and put the food inside a linen bag.
I work in an enviroment where we are not allowed to bring glass or metal containers into the workplace. Most people use the plastic but i am trying to phase my plastic out. I am looking for something that will keep my tea hot, my homemade juices cold, and to store my lunch in. They provide us with stryofoam and wax filled paper cup. Do you have any suggestions?
Something like this maybe? https://www.ecoproducts.com/world_art_insulated_hot_cups.html
No plastic and no metal is tough to work around.
Any suggestions for sippy cups? My kids drink out of a plastic cup with a lid. We use stainless steel straws but have no idea where to find cups with lids that are not plastic.
Klean Canteen now makes bottles and sippy cups.
Also check out pura. We love them!
What’s the issue with Corelle dishes? Why did you stop using them?
5 kids + non-breakable dishes = lots of broken dishes 😉
Other than the dishes breaking, was there a reason you stopped using them?
I’ve heard conflicting advice about them, but I want to buy them for my family if they’re safe!
My husband and I still use them, and for other adults when we have friends over for dinner, but just use the stainless for the kids now.
Katie…which containers have you found work the best for storing stock in the freezer??
What is the solution to fresh produce storage (especially greens) in the crisper? I buy the plastic freezer bags because they are sturdier and I wash them +25 times before I recycle them.
I bought cotton bags from simple ecology: https://www.simpleecology.com/. If you spray the produce with water, it helps keep produce fresh like plastic bags.
My secret to long lasting greens in the fridge is to 1. wash them well then spin VERY DRY in a salad spinner, then 2. store them in a GLASS jar in the fridge. I have kept cilantro up to 2 weeks in the fridge like this. The dryness keeps the greens from rotting, and the glass keeps it colder than any plastic ever could. Kale should last for at least a month if you harvest it from the garden, wash and spin dry, and then store in an airtight glass jar in the fridge.