Freezing food is a common method for preserving ingredients, prepping meals or just creating aesthetic storage organization. And who doesn’t love seeing beauty when they open their freezer (or anywhere really)? But there are lots of women asking about the best containers for the job and if you really can freeze food in glass jars or other glass like Pyrex containers. I’m here to tell you that you can & how to do it.
Glass storage containers are an excellent choice for freezing because they’re quite durable (compared to plastic). And they don’t leach nasty byproducts which I love when reheated (also compared to plastics). Here’s some best practices though for using Pyrex glass containers in your freezer(s). Because yessssss girl, you can stack your deep freezer (or upright freezer) with these if you are into batch cooking at home.
Pyrex is the trade name (I think) you might be most used to hearing. As I was learning about freezing glass, I discovered Pyrex used to be manufactured by Corning but when they sold it off it became pyrex (with lower case font) in America. This type of pyrex is made with soda-lime glass. The European version PYREX (with capitol font ahahaha) is made of borosilicate glass. Both have durability factor, but it’s said the European version is stronger than the soda-lime version in America.
Anyway, this post will apply to other glass food storage container systems like those made by Anchor or OXO too. I actually have taken a liking to Anchor lately myself. Compare brands side-by-side by reading through The Spruce Eats article on the glass food prep & organizing systems; it’s pretty informative!
Benefits of Freezing Food in Glass Pyrex

These are some of the advantages of Pyrex when it comes to freezing food. No need to go find professional use equipment because it’s right there in your cabinet! Girl lemme tell you when you start working it out with the glass, you’ll be seeing various sizes every.where.
- Durability: Like I mentioned, Pyrex glassware, or special borosilicate glass options are incredibly durable. They can withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or breaking. And that makes them perfect for freezer storage. However, don’t introduce sudden temperature changes because that comes with a higher risk of breakage! It’s called thermal shock & should be avoided. Just like in the case of canning.
- Non-Toxic: Unlike some plastic containers & plastic lids, glass food storage containers like Pyrex don’t leach chemicals into your food. That’s important if you value health and safety along with flavor.
- Transparency: The clear glass makes it easy to see what you have stored without opening the containers. And THIS alone is worth some gold. Eliminating that guessing game when you’re doing your freezer inventory is incredible. I hate coming across unlabled ziploc bags of something freezer burned beyond recognition. Save the time and effort & use mason jars or glass casserole dishes to store food but still don’t forget to label it. You might not be the only one pulling something out to eat!
- Versatility: Pyrex containers can transition seamlessly from the freezer to the oven or microwave, providing convenience and flexibility in meal preparation & batch cooking. The convenience here is that you don’t have to dirty up another vessel or tray. What you cook in, it can cool in, then it can be stored in. It’s a 3-for-1 deal! And if you’re not using extra dishes, you’re not leaving food behind in them which means you’re minimizing food waste too, girl! Check you out!
- Heat resistance: A Pyrex dish is particularly effective because of its heat resistance and durability, especially the borosilicate glass dishes. This type of glass can withstand extreme temperature changes, which makes it ideal for both freezing and heating in a microwave oven or preheated oven.
- Timeless beauties: These dishes retain their value as long as they aren’t cracked/damaged. They come in a variety of sizes so there’s truly one for every occasion. And they aren’t prone to discoloration like plastic food storage containers are; that’s good stuff!
How Freezing Food Preserves It
So, let’s talk about why you’re freezing food in the first place. Other than that’s just the first use everybody & their momma thought of growing up. (After the invention of actual freezers that is).
Freezing food is a great way to preserve your meals and ingredients for a long time. We can’t dispute that. When food is frozen, the lower temperature slows down the growth of bacteria, yeast & mold, generally all undesirable things. And this decrease in microbial activity is what ensures food safety.
So freezing food in glass pyrex containers also maintains the nutritional value of the food. When you freeze fresh food, you lock in that flavor & the texture usually keeping your food in good condition while extending its shelf life. That makes this method one of the best ways to enjoy seasonal produce year round. Whether you’re freezing tomato sauce, liquid foods, or your favorite healthy foods, always use a container with an airtight seal for the best results.
Best Practices for Freezing Food in Glass Pyrex
Some good questions about using pyrex glass to freeze food can be answered by following best practices. And if you do so, you’ll retain the highest quality in your food & also the best care of your glass storage containers. They’re truly an asset in a well-equipped, self-sufficient kitchen. And if you want access to wholesome, comfort food all the time – you’ll need more than a couple to make it happen.
1. Cool before freezing.
Don’t take food straight out from hot water or high oven heat & then try to put it in the freezer. No, no, no. This is just begging for thermal shock (or mechanical shock). You should always allow hot food to cool (at least to room temperature) before placing it in the freezer. That shock is usually caused by putting a hot Pyrex dish directly into the freezer which can cause the glass to crack due to extreme temperature changes.
It also overworks your freezer as it then tries to cool that dish down, putting your other frozen foods at risk of partially defrosting before the fresh dish is frozen. Not cooling also introduces the risk of deformation. So, it’s crucial to let hot glassware cool to room temperature before freezing.
Place hot dishes on a cooling rack for optimal airflow and allow them to reach a cool surface temperature before storing. This is also something to keep in mind when you pull a glass dish off a direct heat source to place it on a hard surface or even metal surface like a stainless steel trivet. Use a dry cloth to prevent the same thermal shock from happening from direct contact with a potentially cool item.
2. Leave space for expansion.
Liquids expand when they freeze, so make sure to leave plenty of room at the top of the jar or Pyrex dish. This is often a reason some have suggested only freezing in wide-mouth jars (or wide-necked jar) that has no shoulders. The thought is that using a jar without a narrow opening will prevent this. But, if you overfill, that becomes irrelevant hello. Either way, leaving a good amount of headspace will ensure your good food freezes properly.
3. Use airtight seals.

Eliminating air is the whole task of anyone trying to extend the shelf life of any food. It’s most often the #1 enemy to food storage. So making it obsolete is one way to prevent freezer burn. This could be a well-fitting lid on your Pyrex dish (or plastic wrap secured tightly).
But my favorite way to do this is by using a Food Saver vacuum sealer. This of course is just the food. But if you freeze food in glass Pyrex containers with parchment underneath, you can slide that item out after it freezes completely. Then vacuum seal it up!
Even if you don’t though, avoid using a non-watertight product since it probably won’t provide the necessary protection your frozen lasagna needs.
4. Label & date.
I preach this everywhere! For the best answer to keeping track of your frozen foods, label and date any food you freeze in glass pyrex containers. This helps you know the shelf life of each item and ensures you use it while still in good condition. You should also track this sort of data in a kitchen logbook.
I think it’s a good idea to write the date (at least) on the top of the jar or the most prominent place you see at a glance so you don’t have to go searching for it. You can even put the types of food or instructions on how to re/heat food when ready. All this because you may not be the only one pulling food out the freezer.
5. Gradual temperature changes.
When ready to use the frozen food, thaw it gradually in cold water or in the refrigerator overnight. Again, trying to avoid thermal shock here. Despite being a glass product that holds up well to high (& low) temperatures, avoid placing a cold Pyrex container directly into a hot oven, microwave oven or pre-heated toaster oven.
Keep your temperatures alike. Cold dishes in cold glassware into a cold environment to defrost. Likewise, don’t place cold Pyrex directly into a hot dishwasher either. Hot glassware to cool to room temperature or very low heat first. This is best practice – you may skate by without any pretty consequential damages but the wear on your cookware over time may make this scenario more likely to occur.
Extra Tips to Freeze Food in Glass Pyrex
- Smaller Portions: Freeze food in smaller portions for quicker freezing and thawing. This also allows you to use just the amount you need without defrosting the entire container. So if you absolutely despise leftovers, this makes this nearly irrelevant. And if you hate reheating food more than once like me, it’s great for that too.
- Avoid Overfilling: Similar to above, resist the temptation to overfill your Pyrex containers. Leave space for the food to expand as it freezes to avoid cracking the glass. Yes. Even food may expand (because remember there’s usually a good bit of liquid in most foods. That would expand.)
- Stacking: Pyrex containers are great for stacking, but be mindful not to overload your freezer with too much weight. That can restrict air circulation and affect the freezing process.
- Freezer Safety: Ensure your freezer is set to the correct temperature (0°F or -18°C) to keep your food safe and properly preserved.
- Avoid Abrasive Cleaners: Clean your Pyrex dishes with care to avoid scratches. Using abrasive cleaners can damage the smooth surface and increase the risk of cracks. Stick to gentle, non-abrasive cleaners to maintain the integrity of the soda lime glass or borosilicate glass you’re gonna love so much.
Conclusion

Freeze food in glass pyrex containers for the durability and versatility. I have frozen many containers of leftovers sauces from dinners over the years. (They make great time savers when I pull ’em out!) But pyrex dishes & others like it are reliable & also an efficient way to preserve food or batch cook whole meals.
Whether you’re freezing lemon zest or pie crusts, I think glass storage containers are an incredible solution. With careful handling and proper storage techniques, your Pyrex dishes can serve as a reliable part of your kitchen toolkit for a long time. And the more they work for you & grow on you, the more you’ll enjoy being in the kitchen.
You’ve got this lovely!

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