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I must confess, I was embarrassingly slow to join the masses in reducing my kitchen usage of landfill-destined single-use plastics. While I knew that it would take long-term systemic environmental progress to safeguard the future of our planet, I also knew the least I could do was curb my dependence on wasteful plastic products. But I dragged my feet. Plastic gallon and sandwich bags were so convenient, whether for freezing a bounty of blueberries or taking a sandwich on the go. Surely, I thought, making the switch to reusable storage containers wouldn’t be as easy or efficient, and it certainly wouldn’t be cute. But then I discovered eco-friendly Stasher bags, the microwave-, freezer-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe silicone pouches that also come in colors like aqua, rose quartz, and the pastel bubblegum pink of my Y2K dreams.
As you’d expect, these reusable zipper bags will run you a few more bucks than standard single-use plastic bags, but the investment is worth it. And luckily, they're on sale now for Amazon's October sales event.
My first order consisted of a variety of colors and sizes, and I looked forward to the organization they’d bring to my fridge; no more stained food meal prep storage containers and haphazardly plastic-wrapped bowls cluttering the shelves. It wasn’t long before I had filled my lime green reusable gallon bag with dozens of cookie dough balls destined for the freezer and an aqua-hued sandwich Stasher with crackers from a half-eaten charcuterie board. Snack- and pocket-size Stasher bags meant I was no longer wasting half-cans of tomato paste or the last chipotle in adobo. And it took me no time at all to realize there’s no better way to store raw meat than inside a lavender midsize Stasher. The super tight seal means I can marinate chicken without the risk of juices seeping out into the fridge, and when you’re done using your bag for cooking or food storage, just sanitize it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Another word about that seal—Stasher bags close so tightly (shout-out to the airtight Pinch-Loc™ seal technology) that they double as leakproof freezer bags, and you can even sous vide in them. Place your ingredient of choice—whether it’s a cut of steak or some vinegared onions ready for quick-pickling—in one of the extra-thick baggies, submerge in hot water, and let the sous vide magic happen. This guide on how to steam veggies in Stashers allayed any concerns I had about boiling my pretty little silicone pouches, and now I’m fitting more produce into my meals without laboring in front of a stove. Not in the mood to boil even water? Microwave a stand-up bag filled with last night’s chicken tagine and basmati, leaving it half-open for optimal ventilation and half-closed to contain splatters and keep that meat moist. This one’s for you, Team No Microwave: You can use the same method to reheat your Stasher leftovers in the oven too.
Stasher Bags are a no-brainer for banishing single-use plastics from your kitchen, and I’ll certainly be adding to my pastel-hued collection. I knew that making the switch to silicone storage bags would be easier on the environment. I didn’t anticipate they’d make my life so much easier too.