The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find So Good I Went Back for 7 More

I’ve always appreciated kitchen tools that can multitask as much as I do. Between full-time work, making most of my family’s meals from scratch, and trying to reduce waste, I’m constantly looking for products that help to simplify my routines.

During a recent Dollar Tree run, I spotted these glass storage bowls with lids and figured they might be helpful for leftovers. I didn’t expect them to become one of the most versatile items in my kitchen. That single bowl quickly turned into a collection of eight. 

Why I Love Dollar Tree’s Glass Storage Bowls with Lids

I’m most impressed by how adaptable they are. For just $1.25 each, they seamlessly transition from prep work to dining table to storage to reheating. The label says they’re microwave-safe (without the lid), but Dollar Tree’s website also lists them as dishwasher-safe. I’ve extrapolated this to mean that I can put them in the freezer, as well.

In practical terms, this means that I can use them to mix a quick sauce, serve it at dinner, store any leftovers in the fridge (or freezer), reheat them in the microwave the next day (if appropriate), and then toss the bowl in the dishwasher—all with the same container.

The glass is sturdy and handles gradual temperature changes well. However, I’m careful not to shock it by going straight from the freezer to the microwave and always ensure any frozen food is thawed first.

The glass also doesn’t absorb food odors and resists staining. Nothing I’ve put in them has affected the lid quality either—I’ve stored curry one day and whipped cream the next without any flavor transfer or discoloration. When it’s time to clean up, they go straight into the dishwasher and come out spotless. I handwash the lids, but that’s the case for any plastic. 

How I Use Dollar Tree’s Glass Storage Bowls 

The 5-inch wide by 3-inch high bowls are particularly indispensable for meal prep. I’ve been craving salads lately, so I keep chopped veggies, grains, proteins, and fun toppings separate in individual bowls. At lunchtime, I’ll take some from each and toss it together with some dressing and a couple of handfuls of greens right before eating. My salad is always fresh and crisp and tastes like it was just made.

During busy work weeks, the bowls are especially useful as make-ahead mise en place. The bowl-lid combo makes it easy to prep ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate until we’re ready to use them. For example, I often prep shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and some of the ingredients for guacamole (like the chili, tomato, and onion) for taco nights ahead of time.

They all keep well refrigerated in these containers until we’re ready to use them, and any leftovers can go right back into the fridge. I also do this with some baking projects, mixing and storing dry and wet ingredients separately until I’m ready to bake.

These glass bowls have simplified my kitchen workflow in ways I never expected from a $1.25 purchase. They’ve reduced my dish usage, streamlined my meal prep, and made reheating leftovers infinitely more convenient—making them possibly the most practical kitchen addition I’ve made this year.

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