The One Amazon Item I Buy Every Year for Thanksgiving

I grew up in a family-owned restaurant and later worked in restaurants during high school and college, so I've been familiar with plastic deli containers for as long as I can remember. They are used for storing, organizing, and portioning ingredients and prepared foods.

About 10 years ago, I started buying them, especially around the holidays. I specifically buy the three-size JoyServe deli containers and stock up on them before Thanksgiving. Of all the deli containers I've used, I re-buy these for one simple reason: All three sizes in the set use the same lid.

JoyServe Deli Containers on Amazon

• Price: $20.99 for 48 containers

• Why I Love Them: They're inexpensive, durable, and versatile, with three useful sizes and interchangeable lids that make meal prep, storing leftovers, freezing food, and staying organized a whole lot easier.

Food Storage Containers in Three Sizes, One Lid

A 48-container set costs $20.99, or about 44 cents per containers. A set includes 16 containers in each size: eight ounces (one cup), 16 ounces (two cups), and 32 ounces (four cups), plus the lids. I use the smallest for cranberry sauce , measured ingredients (what chefs call mise en place), and prepped herbs. The two-cup containers are great for cooked veggies and soup, and the large ones handle bigger portions of stuffing, mashed potatoes , and leftover turkey.

These deli containers make it easy to organize prepped ingredients ahead of time, especially for dishes with several components, like stuffing. After dinner, they stack neatly in the fridge for leftovers or sending guests home with extras. They're also freezer-safe, perfect for make-ahead stock and gravy , or saving soup for quick lunches. And because the empty containers nest together, even a big supply doesn't take over my cupboard.

Their best feature are the one-size-fits-all lids. When packing a bunch of containers at once, I can hand a kitchen helper a stack of lids without anyone having to play matchmaker.

Why I Restock Before the Holidays

Over the years, these containers have held up surprisingly well. Although some have cracked or warped, I've found that it takes a lot to really damage them.

Some years, I order another pack before Thanksgiving; other years, I'm still well stocked. Either way, checking my supply has become part of my holiday prep, right alongside figuring out what I'm cooking.

They've long been a staple in my kitchen and in every restaurant kitchen I've worked in. Whether I'm prepping my mise en place, organizing the fridge before a big dinner, or packing up leftover turkey and dividing the gravy, I'm always reminded why I keep buying them.

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