We’ve talked the past two weeks about switching from Teflon to cast iron and stainless steel and switching from aluminum to safer bakeware.
Today, let’s talk about one of my favorites (right, like the others aren’t also my favorites too?). It’s just that this one involves jars and Pyrex. I super love jars, and with all the Pyrex I have in my kitchen now, it may look to an outsider that I have an addiction to glassware. I won’t deny it.
Why do I love glass so much? Because hello, it’s pretty. And then there’s all the others stuff about it being much healthier and safer for us to use. You can read this post to learn more about why storing food in glass is safer than storing food in plastic.
It has taken me a few years to switch out all my plastic containers and replace them with glass. Beyond better health, I love that I can see through my containers to easily identify my leftovers in the fridge! Glass is very nice like that. :)
One of my favorite ways to store leftovers is in wide mouth jars. Wide mouth pints and quarts are my favorites, which I use with lids like these. (I don’t mind these lids being plastic as they don’t touch the food to cause harm.)
And what about Pyrex?
I have two complete sets of this variety of bowls with lids. I love them so, so much.
See how perfect they are for prepping salads and fruits and veggies? These also double as mixing bowls, of course.
The following set, with a mixture of rectangle and circle containers with lids is one of my favorites for storing leftovers. I love the variety of sizes, and of course, I love that they have lids to match. A glass container without a lid is really not very beneficial to me.
Of course, I use the following oblong Pyrex dishes all the time for making and baking casseroles. I also use these to freeze extra casseroles for future meals on the fly.
Without a doubt, I have found that having a wide variety of shapes and sizes of jars and Pyrex dishes with lids is key to efficiently storing food. I use larger containers when I’m preparing food ahead of time for us to pull out and eat. I use smaller containers for leftovers, shredded cheese, or veggie dips.
Switching over from plastic to glass has been a huge help in my kitchen in so many ways! I’ll end with a contented sigh as I think about my lovely glass container selection. Some girls love jewelry and flowers; I love jars and Pyrex. What can I say?
What are your favorite ways to store leftovers?
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Lennie Riley says
I so agree. I was surprised to see that you have all the same glassware that I have. These have made the culinary life so much easier for everyone in the house. We have 9 children, most of who are grown and gone from the house. I always used unbreakables when they were little. So, my advice to all you mommies with small children: WARNING–glassware doesn’t work so well with little ones in the house. Be blessed!
Lovegreenbeans says
Laura,
I just wanted to add a tip, since you have gotten me hooked on that round Pyrex nesting set too (I have 5!!!). It seems I’m constantly watching them on Amazon and scoop them up when they go on sale!
Anyway, my tip is that I bought a set of dry erase crayons (not markers) and write on the lids to label what’s inside! Wipes right off with warm water , then I just relabel for the next time! It’s kept my fridge more organized, because now I can easily see what’s in there, but in case I can’t recognize it even after seeing it :-), it’s right there written down!!!
Laura says
That’s an awesome idea!
Kathleen says
We, too, made the switch to glass several years ago. Some of our pantry items are stored in plastic, but nothing that needs reheated. When the children were little and glass broke, I trained everyone to “freeze.” Someone outside of the glass shards zone would get shoes for Mom (me)–since I’m usually the one who broke the item–and then we’d get everyone else out safely.
One of the most essential items for storing leftovers, aside from Pyrex and shelves of canning jars, is the canning funnel. It makes pouring soup (and many other things) into the jar SOOO much easier (and less messy).
Laura says
YES! Love my canning funnel. :)
Terri F says
I have a question…I do a lot of freezing. I usually use the freezer bags from ziploc or something like that. Am I to assume that this type of plastic is also not safe? What do you recommend for freezing veggies and fruit and soups, etc. for later use? Thanks for your help…I really want to keep my food safe for my family! I have really enjoyed this series!
Laura says
Actually, Ziploc brand is a “better” kind of plastic, so I do use those freezer bags for veggies and fruits. Soups I freeze in jars – leaving a few inches at the top to allow for expansion in the freezer.
Karen S says
My husband doesn’t understand my affinity for glass right now. I don’t want to throw away any glass jar, because I’m sure I can find a purpose for it. :)
Kathy says
I would to get where you are with glass storage…but I have 2 questions…1) is it really bad to just store food in plastic if you don’t reheat in plastic? 2) how do you store empty glass containers in a organized, compact way ? My plastic stacks so nicely…does glass do the same thing?
Laura says
Liquid type foods I really feel glass is best. I do store some dry ingredients like pasta and rice in BPA free plastic sometimes. My pyrex dishes stack and nest nicely in a cabinet. Lids slide into a drawer. And I have a cabinet exclusively for jars. :)
Nancy says
Can you share how you organize your glass and lids? I can never seem to find a kid when I’m ready for it!
Laura says
My pyrex dishes stack nicely in a cabinet. Lids slide into a drawer. And I have a cabinet exclusively for jars. :)
LoraC says
Is BPA-free plastic really such a bad choice?
Laura says
I do store dry ingredients (like beans, rice, and pasta) in BPA free plastic. You’re right, that’s not such a bad choice!