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Swap the single-use plastic for a more durable option. Coffee Bean Sacks
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
From the rising popularity of beeswax wraps to classic food storage containers, you have plenty of options to keep foods fresher for longer without relying on single-use plastics. Reusable food storage bags are a newer entry into the market, but they can be just as useful (and far less bulky) than conventional plastic containers or glass storage.
We tested sets from a dozen of the best reusable storage bag brands, totaling 83 bags. We filled them with sliced produce to test for freshness, water to test for leaks, and more. Our final choices came down to performance, durability, design, cleaning, and overall value. So, next time you’re packing up leftovers from a dinner party or realize you’ve chopped more green onions than you needed, consider reaching for a reusable food bag. Our five favorite sets are below.
These are sturdy bags that keep food fresh for days. They can also be used for cooking.
They’re a little pricey.
These bags are by far our favorite. What sets Stasher’s reusable storage bags apart is that they’re microwave and oven-safe up to 425°F, which means you can use them to reheat food. You can even use these bags for sous vide cooking thanks to their ultra-strong seal. We were even able to boil fish in water without any water getting into the bag.
The Stasher bags aced our avocado test, keeping two halves fresh for three days. Baked goods stayed soft and moist for up to five days, bananas froze with no ice crystals, and sliced apples and pears both fared well with minimal browning. We also love that Stasher bags are stain- and odor-resistant, holding up nicely through boiling, baking, and dishwashing. Stasher reusable bags may cost more upfront than some competitors, but using them at home, we believe their durability and multi-purpose functionality make them worth the investment.
Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.25, 10.25 x 8.25, 7.5 x 4.5 inches | Number included: 4 | Care instructions: Wash with dish soap and warm water, or put in the dishwasher
Food & Wine / Kathryn Standing
Food & Wine / Kathryn Standing
Food & Wine / Kathryn Standing
We love the tight, leak-proof seals and useful stand-up bottoms.
They're technically dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is recommended.
re(zip)’s reusable stand-up food storage bags rivaled Stasher in terms of quality, durability, and a trustworthy seal. These bags flew through our tests with no lingering stains, smells, warping, or stretching, and food stayed nice and fresh — including the halved avocado.
While re(zip) also offers lay-flat reusable bags, too, we love the space-saving convenience of the stand-up base. These bags are great for stashing in the fridge or freezer, and even though re(zip) doesn’t recommend putting them in the dishwasher, they’re easy to wash by hand. We found that the bags came out perfectly clean (including tomato sauce residue) with just a few drops of Dawn dish soap.
Material: PEVA material | Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.75, 8.5 x 5 inches | Number included: 5 | Care instructions: Wash with dish soap and warm water, or place in the top rack of the dishwasher
Food & Wine / Rachel Thalhuber
Leakproof and effective at keeping foods fresh, this pack is a great value.
The frosted-transparent material may require a closer look to confirm contents.
If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, this 10-pack of reusable storage bags should do the trick. Our tests proved that the performance of these bags rivaled more expensive competitors, holding strong during leakage tests and keeping produce fresh for days. We love that you can prep ingredients for big cooking projects ahead of time and store them in the fridge without taking up too much space. And with ten included in one purchase, we think it’s a steal. We've also used these bags to hold toiletries and other beauty products on vacation, as we find the bags easy to clean and the seal reliable for preventing spills.
Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 11 x 10, 8.5 x 7.5, 8.5 x 5.25 inches | Number included: 10 | Care instructions: Wash with dish soap and warm water
Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman
Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman
Use these super-sturdy, ultra-versatile bags for more than just food storage.
They cost more than others.
Just like our Stasher pick for Best Overall, these versatile bags are capable of a lot more than food storage. Use these bags in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, freezer, or even for sous vide cooking. This set passed our tests with flying colors, cleaning up easily with no residual stains or smells. Commerce Editor Mary Claire Lagroue bought the Stasher Starter Bundle in 2020 and used the bags so often that she bought a second set. She recommends the bundle for its versatile sizes and shapes.
"I typically use the large bag for meat or big batches of vegetables and sometimes dark chocolate bars. I like the stand-up bag for the pantry and freezer, and I'll use the sandwich bag and snack bag for keeping sliced produce fresh, storing cheese in the fridge, and so on," says Lagroue. "I've also used the entire set to pack everything from snacks to tea bags, shampoo to makeup. They're easier to clean than toiletry bags I've used in the past." The bags have held up well over the years, she says, but they can be punctured, so keep them away from sharp objects for longevity.
Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.25, 7.5 x 7, x 7.5 x 7.5, 4.5 x 7.5 inches | Number included: 4 | Care instructions: Wash with dish soap and warm water, or put in the dishwasher
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
Food & Wine / Laurel Randolph
Food & Wine / Laurel Randolph
Food & Wine / Laurel Randolph
These are large-capacity bags perfect for use in the freezer.
These aren’t dishwasher or microwave safe.
Even if you're not one to prep whole meals ahead of time, sometimes it’s nice to be able to throw some vegetables in a chopper and stash them for later. These bags from IDEATECH are durable, spacious, and, thanks to the generous pack of 20, you’ll have plenty on hand whenever you need them. They proved to be effective at preventing leaks and keeping food fresh — though, admittedly, our avocado had noticeably browned after three days. Unlike some of the other bags on our list, these reusable food storage bags are not safe for use in either the microwave or the dishwasher, so be sure to wash them by hand and keep them away from heat sources.
Material: PEVA material | Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.8 inches | Number included: 20 | Care instructions: Wash with dish soap and warm water
Food & Wine / Elizabeth Theriot
Food & Wine / Elizabeth Theriot
Food & Wine / Elizabeth Theriot
We’re big fans of reusable bags from Stasher, whether the Lunch/Travel Bundle (our Best Overall) or the Starter Bundle. These bags are ultra-durable, and the flexibility to also use them for reheating and cooking makes them well worth the investment.
We tested 13 different reusable bags, putting each through a series of tests to make our final assessments based on design, performance, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value.
First, we tested against leaking. Each bag was filled to capacity with water, then tightly sealed and left to lay on its side atop a kitchen towel for five minutes. We recorded how much, if any, water had leaked. Bags were then used to store foods with a propensity for staining — think tomato sauce, red beets, turmeric, and so on. After three days, we washed and dried the bags, noting whether any stains or odors remained. Next, we tested for freshness. For this test, we halved an avocado, peeled it, and pitted it before placing in a storage bag and checking its appearance three days later.
Finally, we incorporated food storage bags into our daily lives. This could mean anything from meal prep to produce storage, wet or dry ingredients, fridge or freezer, or countertop. Bags that were touted as dishwasher- or microwave-safe were used in these appliances, making notes on how well the bags held up.
The material of your reusable food storage bags should be determined by how you plan to use them. If you’d like to store cheese, bread, or anything else that benefits from a breathable material, opt for beeswax wraps or bags. Otherwise, most produce or leftovers can be safely placed in silicone or PEVA. If you need freezer capability, silicone or PEVA is also a good choice. In addition, look for bags with seals that easily open and close and won't leak in your bag or into your fridge when placed on its side.
It’s best to have reusable storage bags in a variety of sizes so you’re always prepared. Smaller, snack-size bags are great for packing quick snacks to take on the go or if you have a small handful of leftover herbs, and medium and sandwich-size bags are good for leftovers or storing fruits and veggies. Finally, it’s always a good idea to have larger bags on hand if you need to freeze something in large batches or you’ve ended up with more leftovers than anticipated. Also, reusable bags that stand up straight are great for storage and organization and aid when pouring things like drippy sauces.
Read the care instructions on your specific food bags, but you’re generally safe to rinse them in cool water and allow them to air dry. Some storage bags can go in the dishwasher, though watch out for warping after exposure to heat.
“Don’t underestimate the power of hot water,” says Cara Harbstreet, MS RD LD of Street Smart Nutrition. “Sometimes all you need to sufficiently clean your reusable food bags is some hot water. A scrubbing brush can lift residue, but be careful not to use a material that is too abrasive for the bag.” Harbstreet also notes that some bags are dishwasher-safe. For those that aren’t, or for other bags that shouldn’t be used with hot water, she recommends natural solutions like baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice to remove stains and odors.
“But I also recommend making peace with the fact that some foods will naturally stain other materials, including reusable food storage bags,” says Harbstreet. “As long as there is not a food safety risk involved, the extra effort or time spent trying to remove any evidence of the foods a bag once held may not be worth it.”
Some storage bags are microwave-safe, others are not. Be sure to check the use and care instructions of your chosen bags before putting them in a microwave oven.
“The biggest threats to perishable food are air (oxidation), moisture (which can lead to mold), and time,” says Harbstreet. “Reusable storage bags can be a good environment to store leftovers or prepared food, but don’t let the bags fool you into thinking you don’t still have to be mindful about storage.”
Harbstreet recommends removing excess air and moisture before sealing food bags and placing them in visible areas of the refrigerator to keep them top of mind.
Homelux Theory Reusable Freezer Bags (Amazon)
Though these bags proved versatile thanks to their ability to stand upright and be used in microwaves and dishwashers, fresh produce didn’t keep as well as expected.
Xomoo Reusable Silicone Food Bags (Amazon)
We liked these bags for simple produce storage, but they weren’t leakproof, and a banana put in the freezer developed ice crystals after just a few days.
W&P Porter Flat Bags Bundle, 3-Pack (W&P)
These bags performed well overall, but they stained too easily for the price point.
Poly Bags For Food Packaging We also tested reusable food storage bags from SPLF, Bumkins, and Lunchskins, but these bags either lacked in durability, stained too easily, or weren’t airtight.