There are a lot of food items and pantry ingredients that can last up to a year when properly stored. However, the containers you use matter a lot, as the right containers help keep your food fresh for as long as possible, prevent insect infestation, and so on, and the wrong containers can cause your food to spoil sooner rather than later.
That’s why in this post, I’m sharing a round-up of containers that are perfect for long-term storage.
9 Long Term Food Storage Containers
Large long-term food storage containers
If you love buying in bulk, or you simply have a big family and use up your ingredients fast, here are some large long-term storage containers.
They’re great for keeping the food you might not use every day, but also for day-to-day things.
When buying in bulk, make sure to check the shelf-life of foods, and write it down somewhere on the container, so you can always know if your food is expired or not.
Extra Large Food Storage Containers
If you love buying in bulk, and you’re looking for a long-term way to store your food in bulk, these extra-large food storage containers are for you.
They’re plastic containers with locking lids. Plus, they come with measuring cups, so you can easily get your dry goods out of them when you’re cooking.
They’re perfect for dry foods and pantry staples such as flour, sugar, rice, pasta, dry beans, and so on. Essentially, anything that you normally buy in bulk, as these containers are very big – they can hold up to 8.5L or 287 Oz of food.
So, no matter if you’re storing large amounts of food because you have a big family and use food quickly, or you simply saw a deal at the grocery store and decided to buy in bulk, these containers are great for storing big quantities of food.
Of course, as I mentioned above, when buying in bulk, you just need to check the shelf-life of foods, so they don’t go bad without you noticing.
Storage Container With Measuring Cups
This rice storage container (that can be used for things that aren’t rice, obviously) is made with food-grade materials, it’s sealed with a rubber seal ring, and it will keep your food fresh. What’s great about it is that its simple design allows you to easily open the container with just one hand, which is perfect when you’re cooking and your hands are messy.
You can use it to store any dry foods you want – rice, lentils, pasta, flour, and so on.
Plus, it comes with a measuring cup for easy use. I love it for smaller foods (such as the ones I listed above) because you don’t have to struggle with a spoon, or find separate measuring cups.
It’s a great long-term solution for food storage.
Storage Containers With Wheels
If you’re buying in bulk, you’re going to love these containers with wheels! First of all, they’re huge, so you’ll be able to store a lot of food in them – rice, beans, lentils, oatmeal, and so much more.
Secondly, the wheels actually come in handy! If you’re storing the container somewhere in the back of your pantry, or in a not-so-reachable area, it’s so useful to be able to just slide the container out, without having to lift it if it’s heavy.
The sealing lid isolates the moisture and dirt, which keeps food fresh!
Glass Food Storage Containers
If you prefer storing your food in glass jars, here are some great ones to check out.
Tall Glass Jars With Airtight Lid
I actually love storing food in glass jars! And these tall ones are amazing for so many things!
The reason why they’re so handy is that they’re narrow but tall, so they won’t take up too much space on your counter or in your pantry. Their height allows you to store spaghetti in them, but they’re also great for other types of pasta, rice, beans, and lentils.
The silicone ring keeps them sealed, so your food won’t spoil. Even though they’re narrow, the opening is still wide enough to get a spoon in there, so you won’t have trouble getting the food out of them.
Wide Glass Jar
These 1-gallon wide glass jars are perfect for storing large quantities of food in glass containers. They have a metal lid, and they can be a great option for storing lots of dry foods such as pasta, beans, oats, and so on.
What’s good about this glass container is that it also works for fermentation – it’s great for kombucha! You can also put veggies and fruits in it, such as cucumbers, carrots, peaches, and so on – the wide opening allows you to easily put bigger food (like those fruits and veggies) and also take them out.
Plus, it’s dishwasher safe, which we always love.
Glass Meal Prep Containers
If you’re looking for a way to store your meal prep, these glass meal prep containers are just what you need.
Meal prep containers and bags need to be convenient enough to keep in your fridge, but they should also be good to bring with you to work or school, and these ones are just that! They come in lots of different sizes, and their lids keep your food good to eat.
When meal prepping, just make sure to check how long that food is safe to eat when kept in the fridge, so it doesn’t go bad.
These containers can also be used for storing certain foods in your pantry, so when you’re not meal-prepping, you have another use for them. They’re great with dry foods in the pantry or on the counter, but they also work really well with veggies and fruits (if you want to keep them in the fridge in these containers).
Bags For Food Storage
Bags for Food Storage with Oxygen Absorbers
I love these Mylar bags for so many reasons, and I think you will too.
First of all, they’re long-lasting and thick, which helps keep your food fresh and not stale. Secondly, oxygen absorbers are better than vacuum-sealed bags, because they require no electricity. That makes them perfect for any emergency situation. Oxygen absorbers also prevent bacteria from growing, so they essentially keep your food safe and protect your food from going bad sooner than it should.
They’re tear and puncture-resistant, and also waterproof, so you can even bring them with you when you go camping or somewhere outside.
But, the reason why I love them for long-term food storage, is how little space they take up. If you have little storage space in your pantry or in your kitchen, and those bulky and big food containers can’t fit in your space, these bags will be perfect for you. They’re a great way to store your lentils, rice, and more, and they can be stacked on top of each other.
Reusable Food Storage Bags
I also wanted to include an option that works for the freezer as well, and that’s where these reusable food storage bags come in.
These bags come in multiple sizes, and they’re great for lots of things. You can store nuts in them, or something smaller that doesn’t require a big container. Or, as I mentioned, you can use them for freezer, as they’re freezer-safe.
They’re leak-proof, easy to clean, and can even be used for marinating meat or storing leftovers in the fridge.
So, they can be stored in your pantry, or in your freezer, depending on what you’re keeping in them.
They’re also a great way to store food to keep in your dorm – if you want to pack some nuts, a leftover sandwich, or maybe some dry pasta, but you don’t have lots of space and don’t want to keep too much.
