How to Organize Your Pantry So It Works for You (Not Instagram) — and Keep It That Way

Some foods do just fine in their original containers, including items that are used quickly, that don’t need an airtight container to stay fresh, or that come in sturdy packaging (beware flimsy, shapeless, un-resealable bags!). And if you know you’re not the type to decant pantry goods into canisters as needed, there’s no rule that says you must use them.

When you’re thinking about what type of dry-food storage containers will suit you best, there are several factors to consider:

An airtight seal. For longer-term storage of many pantry items, you need to use containers that will lock in freshness. Our top-pick dry-food storage container set, the Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, kept Goldfish crackers crunchy for three weeks—longer than any other canisters we tested.

Top pick

These durable, well-sealed plastic containers fit easily in most cabinets. They come in many sizes, stack securely, and are easy to scoop or pour from.

Transparent material. If you can see what’s inside food containers, you’ll know when you’re running low on certain ingredients and need to restock.

Stackability. If your pantry shelves are spaced widely apart, make the most of that space by using stackable containers (especially sets that come in varying volumes).

Footprint. Do not buy containers before measuring to make sure they’ll fit on your shelving. Containers that are as deep as your shelves work especially well, to cut down on items getting lost in the back.

Our two top picks for the best dry-food storage containers—the Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers and the Rubbermaid Commercial Space-Saving Square Food Containers—are made of see-through plastic. And they have the tightest lids of all the containers we tested. Marguerite said she especially likes the latter set for storing baking ingredients and supplies. “They’re easy to scoop from because they’re so wide,” she said. “They’re also big and wide enough that I can use them to store my decorating odds and ends, like sprinkles, food coloring, piping tips, etc.”

Best for…

These containers are designed for use in restaurant kitchens, so they’re incredibly sturdy. They also come in sizes ranging from 2 quarts to 22 quarts. But they’re bulky and better for those with a lot of space.

For a no-cost storage solution: You can repurpose deli and takeout tubs, which stack well, are typically see-through, and usually offer a good seal. Keep in mind, however, that they may not maximize your space. “Because they’re both tapered and round, they leave you with a lot of unused space between containers,” Marguerite said. “They also don’t come in any size options larger than a quart, which is too small to fit standard amounts of staple ingredients, like a 4-pound bag of sugar or even a box of cereal.”

If you want to avoid using plastic: We like Williams Sonoma Hold Everything FSC Stacking Glass Square Canisters, which stack nicely and have a good seal. Many Wirecutter staffers also rely on canning-style glass jars from companies like Ball and IKEA. These jars seal very tightly. But, as we note in our dry-food storage-container guide, they’re also “breakable, they don’t always stack, most won’t fit a measuring cup, and their sizing can be limited.”