Despite what you’ve been told, you don’t need to invest in matching storage containers. As nice as these look on the store shelf… once in use, you’ll be challenged with keeping track of lids, finding stinky ones in the back of the car that you must then disinfect because, well, you paid for them; and other storage container mishaps.
Instead, do like your thrifty grandma did. Make use of the FREE containers provided with your purchase of a variety of prepared and packaged foods. They’re a thrifty way to store leftovers and stock bulk purchases in your pantry.
Grandma’s Frugal Storage Container Solutions for the Kitchen
Some ideas for upcycling storage containers that come with your favorite foods:
Chinese takeout containers (the plastic kind with the clear lids) make great containers for food storage. Use them to hold leftover lunches and dinners, cut-up fruit such as melon or pineapple, cold cuts, or extra rice or pasta you’ve prepped to use for your meals. Plastic Chinese food containers also work well for pantry and shelf storage of bulk snacks, such as leftover nuts, trail mix, crackers, cookies and dried fruits.
Upcycle dressing and condiment bottles, pickle, pepper and peanut butter jars to store your own, homemade sauces, condiments and dressings. How many times have you thought to whip up a nice vinaigrette but then didn’t know where to store it? Clear, lidded bottles and jars work perfectly for this purpose. They’re also easier to shake up the contents and pour from. Just make sure that you wash your jars and bottles well in hot, soapy water, before upcycling.
Country Crock and other similar containers have been used so much for the storage of leftovers that there are even memes about it. One great thing about using containers that you got free with your purchased food means that you won’t be too sorry if you accidentally leave your storage containers behind at a friend’s house, making these ideal for taking food to a potluck or to gift a friend.
Other, free food storage containers that are almost as cool as the Country Crock:
- Cool Whip bulk size container
- Smaller, lidded margarine tubs
- Yogurt, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese containers
- The plastic “canister” that some companies sell white sugar in
- Cans with lids – like the kinds that coffee and nuts come in
- Bulk jars of mayonnaise – the plastic ones. Perfect for tiny Legos as well as food!
- Bulk-sized, glass honey jars
- Giant Crisco can (may take extra cleaning of all that grease – but think of all the storage potential!)
- Cookie tins – like the ones that hold the Danish butter cookies (yum! one of my faves!)
- Small, lidded plastic containers that hold sprinkles, colored sugar. Perfect for tiny portions, or stowing away craft supplies like beads. I use these for salad dressing and other such foods when adding them to a packed lunch.
- Baby food jars – perfect for storing your own, homemade baby food and oh so handy in the workshop and craft room.