The Best Fridge Organizers for Streamlined Food Storage

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Keep fresh fruits and veggies at their peak and cut down on food waste with our top picks.

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Professional chefs have refrigerator organization down to a science. An organized refrigerator can mean the difference between streamlined dinner service and a frenzied disaster in restaurant kitchens. Even more importantly, an efficient food storage system helps reduce waste due to food spoilage. So if you're ready to start creating an organized fridge any chef would admire, you'll want to stock up on some of the best refrigerator organizers for the job.

When searching for refrigerator organizers, consider which areas of the fridge you're trying to put in order. From there, you'll want to choose sturdy items that are the right size to fit comfortably in your fridge. Though these organization tips might seem time-consuming, they'll become a habit before you know it. In search of the best refrigerator organizers, we considered a variety of bins and containers to store produce, eggs, and other foods. Then we assessed each product on durability, ease of use, ease of cleaning, and value overall. These are the best refrigerator organizers we found to help you narrow down your choices.

When you have raw meat in the fridge, keeping foods separate is key to preventing cross-contamination. These refrigerator organizer bins make it easy to see what you're working with while containing leaks or spills if juices were to seep out of the packaging. They also make cleaning up that much easier.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 12.4 x 6.2 x 3.5 inches | Quantity: 6

This 1.6-quart container is perfect for keeping delicate fruits like raspberries and blackberries fresh for as long as possible. The three-part container includes an elevated basket that allows airflow from all sides and keeps fruits and veggies in peak condition — the basket also doubles as a colander when it's time to wash your produce before eating. And depending on what you're storing, the OXO Produce Saver's lid has an adjustable vent for different humidity levels. In addition, the container's replaceable carbon filter slows the aging process by absorbing ethylene gas.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 6.75 x 4.75 x 5.75 inches | Quantity: 1

These locking food storage containers create an airtight seal that keeps your foods fresh for longer. Ideal for leftovers of any size, they can be stacked in the refrigerator and placed directly into the dishwasher. They’re BPA-free and leakproof, so you can even store your favorite soups or sauces without the concern of anything dripping. This 14-piece set comes in various sizes, so you can easily and efficiently store all your leftovers in these convenient and easy-to-clean containers.

Material: BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: Various | Quantity: 7 containers with lids

When marinating or brining, it's best to have a container that can accommodate large quantities of liquid without spilling or sloshing. This industrial-grade container can be used to brine a whole turkey in the refrigerator or bulk-store dry goods in the pantry. It’s commercial grade and break-resistant, making it a durable option for storing heavy foods like short ribs or an entire bird.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.5 x 7.75 inches | Quantity: 1

Eggs are particularly delicate, so it's a good idea to store them in something more sturdy than cardboard. We love that these plastic egg containers have sturdy lids to keep them safe. The strategic design even lets you stack heavy foods on top without cracking or crushing. The best part? The clear construction makes it easy to see how many eggs you have left.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 14.5 x 4.3 x 3 inches | Quantity: 2

Labeling food is an essential way to track how fresh your food is. To help cut down on food waste and to save yourself from the dreaded sniff test, keep a permanent marker and some labels on hand. If you're unsure if something is still good, you can save yourself the worry by knowing exactly when it was purchased.

Material: Paper | Dimensions: 1 x 2 inches | Quantity: 300

Loose foods should always be put away properly to avoid cross-contamination. That includes cut lemons, nubs of ginger, and loose garlic cloves. These deli containers help to keep all the odd bits and pieces floating around in your vegetable drawer safe, clean, and fresh. The locking lids prevent spills, and the streamlined design makes them easy to stack.

Material: BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: 3 x 4.5 inches | Quantity: 48 sets

Wine bottles are notoriously hard to keep in the refrigerator. No matter how you store them, they always manage to roll around, clanking against other ingredients and spilling or dripping. That’s why we love this stackable plastic organizer. Like the shelves of a wine fridge, it keeps bottles safely in place. This stackable set can hold up to 16 bottles.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 7.9 x 14.76 x 14.3 inches | Quantity: 4 tiers

If you’re guilty of losing sauces and condiments in the back of your refrigerator, this handy kitchen turntable is for you. The spinning container lets you store all your salad dressing, ketchup, and hot sauce in one convenient container that allows you to see it from all angles. It’s perfect for use inside the refrigerator but can be just as efficient in a pantry or cabinet.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 11 x 1.5 inches | Quantity: 1

We tested 13 reusable storage bags and named this Stasher set the Best Overall. These BPA-free, food-grade silicone bags are the perfect sustainable swap for plastic ones. We were impressed with their tight, leak-resistant seal, in addition to how long they kept food fresh. They're microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up. They can also go in the freezer and withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (perfect for sous vide cooking), which makes them a functional and versatile addition to any kitchen.

Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.25, 10.25 x 8.25, 7.5 x 4.5 inches | Quantity: 4

Just like wine bottles, soda and beer cans are known to roll around refrigerator shelves, making for a disorganized and inefficient mess. That’s why drink dispensers are essential for refrigerator organization. This can dispenser comes with an accompanying lid, so you can easily stack and store things on top. Instead of storing cans upright, this container stores them on the side to save space while holding them neatly in place.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 5.75 x 13.75 x 5.75 inches | Quantity: 1

Keeping produce fresh can be a challenge, and it’s especially difficult if you don’t have the proper storage containers. Set yourself up for success with these sustainable and reusable grocery bags. Opt for a 20-pack of varying sizes for maximum storage capacity.

Material: Plastic | Dimensions: Various | Quantity: 20

*Editor's note: This is an iDesign collaboration with one of our sister sites, The Spruce. Our editors have tried and loved them, so we feel they are worthy of inclusion.

The Spruce recently teamed up with iDesign to create this functional, eco-friendly line of refrigerator organizer bins. The collection is available in sets of three, five, or seven containers, depending on your storage needs or refrigerator size, and each bin is designed to stack on each other to maximize space.

Due to the expertly designed lids and notches that prevent moisture from seeping in and, therefore, prolonging the freshness of its contents, our editors found they love these bins for storing fruits and veggies. In addition, their durable design is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, making them shatter- and spill-proof. Another fun fact we love? Just one container from this line equals 50 water bottles from a landfill. That’s a win-win for everyone.

Material: Recycled plastic | Dimensions: Various | Quantity: 3

We recommend the Utopia Home Fridge and Pantry Organizers as our top pick for a few reasons. The bins allow you to see exactly what's in your fridge, while the size is great for separating items by kind, keeping your fridge organized and preventing cross-contamination.

When thinking about how to organize your refrigerator, keep temperature and gravity in mind — ingredients that need to be cooked should never be stored on top of anything that can be served raw. Foods that are harmful when eaten raw (like chicken) should always be stored on the bottom. That way, if anything drips or spills, there's no concern of contaminating other fresh produce. Foods that are already thoroughly cooked or foods that can be enjoyed uncooked, like fruit, vegetables, and leftovers, should be stored at the top to lower the risk of contamination.

If you’re wondering how to store vegetables in the refrigerator, it’s important to remember that they should always be stored above any meat or eggs. Most vegetables need to breathe, so don’t store them in an airtight plastic bag. Air circulation is also important, so don’t pack them in too closely either. Placing vegetables in a crisper drawer or in a container that allows for air circulation, like this OXO Good Grips Storage Container, is your best bet.

If you find that you throw out food more often than you'd like, your storage practices might be to blame. Chefs are taught to memorize the mantra "first in, first out," when stocking refrigerator shelves because it helps cut down on food waste. When putting away multiple units of the same food, always put the older unit towards the front, so you're more likely to use it first. If you bought a pint of berries on Tuesday and another on Saturday, place the new set at the back when putting them away so the Saturday berries won't get touched until you've eaten the Tuesday berries. If you’re wondering how to organize a side-by-side refrigerator, remember that the front and door will be warmest, so it’s a good idea to use those foods first.

To ensure you're using food efficiently, keep a permanent marker and some labels handy. Taking the time to label foods makes it easier to remember when you bought them and helps keep purchase dates top-of-mind.

The first thing restaurants do when they receive a food delivery is transfer loose goods into durable containers. Designate different containers for different items, and utilize heavy-duty containers to store everything from raw meat to loose citrus. This way, messes are easily contained, and any germs won't spread. To cut down on time spent digging into the back of your fridge for one rogue lemon, store your raw meat in one container and fruit, veggies, and dairy in others.

It's also a good idea to transfer delicate items (like eggs) from their cardboard containers into more sturdy plastic egg dividers. Cardboard attracts bugs, so it's best to steer clear of storing any cardboard or paper products in the refrigerator.

"There's a lot to consider when it comes to refrigerator organization, from aesthetics to practicality to food safety to functionality,” says Ariel Kanter, a food writer and former editor at Serious Eats. “Fridges these days come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Much of how you organize your fridge will come down to your personal preferences. To me, it's all about reducing food waste and the chances that I'll find some accidental science experiment in the back of my fridge when I'm reaching for the milk," she says.

"Keep produce in the produce drawers. This might seem obvious, but those crisper drawers often allow you to set a certain humidity level. Remember, most produce thrives at high humidity levels, so give them what they want. Moisture! Speaking of produce, keep your ethylene producers separate from the ethylene-sensitive items, whether that means bagging them separately or keeping items like freshly washed greens in separate glass storage containers," she says.

"Got multiple cartons of milk and dairy products? Keep items that are newer in the back to ensure you use up the older cartons first. If you have multiple cartons of eggs (lucky you!), store the oldest carton on top of the newer one. If you have any raw meat, make sure it's bagged up extra tight (or vacuum sealed!) to prevent dripping. Sometimes I'll store it on a mini sheet tray to be extra safe. Keep it on a lower level so if there's a spill, it won't leak down onto everything else. The fridge door is going to be slightly warmer than the rest of the fridge. It's a great place for condiments, butter, and eggs,” she says.

"If you have a smaller fridge, taking produce out of its original packaging, prepping or washing it, then putting it into glass storage containers can save a lot of space. Vacuum seal any meats you have. Always keep an eye out for rogue takeout containers that have been sitting around too long. Got an obsession with canned sparkling waters? Pick up a soda maker instead. Removing all those six-packs from the fridge is going to save you a ton of space," says Kanter.

“I've seen a lot of The Home Edit pictures that show refrigerators full of bins with nicely stacked items, but I don't think bins are necessary for a well-organized fridge. In fact, they might get in your way if you're in and out of your fridge all day, like me. Follow the rules above, use your crisper drawers, pretend your food is Tetris blocks, and you'll be nice and organized in no time,” says Kanter.

Laura Denby is a food and drink writer who specializes in finding the most efficient, functional, and versatile kitchen equipment for home cooks. She has a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and has worked as a professional chef in catering kitchens, restaurant kitchens, and private homes throughout the New York area. Laura’s product recommendations can be found on FoodNetwork.com, Forbes Vetted, Taste of Home, Real Simple, and Saveur.