Best Food Storage Containers to Keep Leftovers Fresh
Regardless of whether you make meals at home, eat out, or host a party, there always seems to be leftovers. Storing and reusing your leftovers can be a smart way to save time and money while minimizing food waste.
However, it can be easy to get lazy when it comes to storing food, especially when you're tired after a long day. It's important to know how to store your leftovers to avoid bacteria and food-borne illnesses. Read on for some of the best food storage containers and best tips on storing leftovers.
How Long Do Leftovers Last?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that the majority of leftovers can be kept in a refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Freezing leftovers can also a good idea since they can be safe for longer.
However, for the best quality, it's advised to eat frozen leftovers after 3 to 4 months because the quality degrades over time.
Make sure to put the date of storage on the leftovers to know their expiry date, and store them in sealed containers to avoid bacteria growth.
Best Temperatures For Storing Leftovers
It's important not to let food stay within the range of 40°F and 140°F because bacteria can grow, which can result in food poisoning.
To store leftover food safely, store it at 40°F or below within 2 hours of preparation.
For foods that have to be served hot, keep them at a temperature above 140F using warming trays, slow cookers, or chafing dishes.
For cold foods, place the dishes on ice to ensure the foods stay cold enough. It's recommended to check the temperature of the foods and to reduce the exposure time of foods to the danger zone (40°F to 140°F).
Choosing the Right Food Storage Containers
When it comes to storing your leftovers, you should know which food storage containers are best.
Glass Containers
Glass containers are great for use in food storage as they are strong, heat resistant and suitable for reheating.
They do not keep smell nor stains and are generally in a better position not to come in contact with food. Glass containers are ecofriendly and resuable without sacrificing the quality.
Plastic Containers
Plastic containers are portable and, in most cases, cheaper as compared to glass containers. They are available in a variety of sizes, so whether you're storing last night's dinner or your family's Thanksgiving leftovers, you can find the right fit.
Though it is better to choose those that are free from BPA since these chemicals may cause some adverse effects on the body.
Ziplock Baggies
Using reusable bags is friendly to the environment, and they can be stored easily in small spaces. They are usually made of strong material that can be washed and reused several times, hence minimizing wastage. These bags are handy for carrying leftovers especially in small portions or snacks.
Best Tips for Storing Leftovers
Once you have your food storage container ready, it's time to think about some of the best ways to store and reuse the leftovers.
Portioning Leftovers for Freezing
Dividing the portions of food before freezing is one way of preserving the quality of the food as well as making reheating easier. This minimizes the time taken to freeze food and also helps to lock in the texture and taste of the food being frozen.
This way, your leftovers are warmed up enough or reheated without having to thaw and freeze multiple times, which will eventually ruin the quality.
Place them in special freezing containers or bags, write the date of freezing and contents on them in case of a huge collection, and avoid stacking them. Proper portioning helps to have leftover food that will still be good to eat and safe for the stomach for several days.
Store Starches and Sauces Separately
When storing dishes that use both starchy noodles or rice and sauces, you'll want to store them in different containers.
Doing so saves the starches from getting too soft and mushy and also guarantees the same texture and taste of both.
This method has the advantage of more opportunities for reuse because it's possible to mix different types of starches and sauces for further use in meals.
Safe Thawing Methods
Thawing frozen food safely is crucial to maintaining quality and safety.
The USDA recommends three methods:
Thawing in the refrigerator is the most secure procedure recommended by the USDA. It's time consuming and may take several hours or even days if planning to prepare a large food. The low and constant temperature of a refrigerator preserves the safety of the food stored and its quality if it is not exposed to the danger zone (40°F to 140°F).
Cold water thawing is relatively quicker than refrigerator thawing, but it calls for constant supervision. Ensure that water does not congeal with the food by closing the food in a bag that cannot leak. Put the bag in cold water and rinse with fresh water every 30 minutes.
Microwave thawing is also the most effective and is recommended for situations where the food is required to be thawed almost instantly. Use the microwave's defrost option, and then the food should be reheated soon after its defrosting period in order to prevent bacterial growth. This will ensure that all the portions of the food are exposed to the same temperature for an equal amount of time.
Reheating Leftovers
Stovetop
Stovetop reheating is particularly suitable for soups, stews, and sauces. Cook the food to the boiling stage so that it is at the right temperature for it to be safe to take.
Stir after every few minutes to make sure all the food is heated equally and to avoid sticking. It also assists to keep the food moist and flavored so that nutrients are locked in for consumers to enjoy.
Microwave
When reheating food in a microwave, always put the leftovers in microwave-safe dishes, and ensure the lids are only partially closed.
Bake the food gently to make heat penetrate all parts of the food, and prevent hot areas from forming. This method is fast, easy, and ideal for portion sizes; therefore, more suitable for the small serving size.
Oven
Casseroles and meats should be reheated in the oven. Set the temperature to 325°F and put the food into an oven-safe dish before covering it with a lid or aluminum foil.
Cook until the inside temperature reaches 165F. This method helps to establish a consistent and uniform temperature of the substrate.
Avoiding the Slow Cooker for Reheating
Slow cookers are useful in preparing meals that require a longer time to cook but are not useful in warming foods.
The main issue that's associated with this appliance is the fact that the content of the slow cooker will take a long time to heat up to the recommended levels of safety.
This slow heating process takes food through the danger zone (40°F to 140°F) for some time, causing bacteria to grow and thus leading to food-borne diseases.
Best Food Storage Containers
If you're in need of new tupperware, now is the time to upgrade to the best food storage containers for safe and fresh leftovers.
Rubbermaid Brilliance
Brilliance containers from Rubbermaid are some of the best containers for storing foods in the refrigerator. They are tightly sealed and do not allow droplets of food to accumulate on the surface.
Food remains fresh and does not spoil. These containers are also microwave-safe and have integrated vents to allow you to use the container for microwaving food.
These are transparent so that one can see what is inside; they also do not absorb stains and, hence, remain clear even after some time.
Amazon Basics Tritan
Tritan containers from Amazon Basics for food storage are the best if one can work with a limited budget. They are made from Tritan plastic, which means that they are stain-resistant and cannot absorb smell, hence keeping your containers clean.
These containers are also microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe, which makes them very convenient to use. Food spills and leakage are not an issue. They have secure, tightly fitting lids that are ideal for road trips and such.
Zip-Top Reusable Bags
Zip-Top reusable bags are reusable bags that are perfect substitutes for regular containers used for storing foods.
These bags are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe and are made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone material. They do not come with zippers that are separately joined to form lids; they are built-in, they do not take much space, and they are easy to operate.
Using the Right Food Storage Containers
Storing leftover food and reheating it can greatly help minimize wasted food and money. Following the above guidelines will help you avoid compromising the quality of the leftovers you consume.
Store food in well-sealed containers, avoid exposing food to temperatures that endorse bacterial growth, and finally, reheat the food in the right ways. Spread it to others so that people will realize that they can do a lot to help improve the environment and prevent food wastage.
Spread the word on social media to familiarize others with the proper methods of storage and reuse of food alternately.
With these strategies in place, you can fully savor the meals you have and, at the same time, minimize wastage. Encourage these cultures in your society for improved health and sustainable living. Happy storing and eating!