Best Marinating Container for Meat, Fish & Vegetable: Top 6 Picks

We all know that marinating is a great way to add flavor and tenderness to meat, fish, and vegetables. But what if you don’t have a container that’s up to the task?

While there are many different marinating containers, not all are ideal for the job. So this begs one question, “what makes the best marinating container?”

First, you’ll want to make sure it’s large enough to fit all of your food inside. You also want it to provide an airtight seal and keep your food safe from contamination and bacteria. Finally, you want something that you can clean easily while still being easy to store when not in use.

This article will look at some of the best container to marinate chicken, meat, fish, and vegetables. We’ll also discuss how each one works and what makes them great for this purpose! In addition, we’ll provide tips for choosing the right one for your needs.

The Advantage and Disadvantages of Using Marinade Pots

This section will take an in-depth look at the advantages of using marinade pots – and where they fall short.

Advantages

Tenderizes Tougher Cuts of Meat

This may seem like an obvious advantage, but it’s important! Marinade pots are a great way to tenderize tougher cuts of meat and also add flavor to the finished dish. Some even have grids for better distribution of the marinade, especially underneath your meats.

Slash Down Marinating Time

Marinating is an important part of food preparation. However, it can be a drag, especially if using old-fashioned methods. Marinating containers, particularly vacuum-sealed ones, will significantly reduce the amount of time you need to marinate your meat. Some models, such as Jaccard 201301Speedy Plus Instant Marinator, cut the time to as little as 5 minutes!

Keeps Your ingredients Together

Marinade pots keep your marinade ingredients together. So you don’t have to rummage through the fridge looking for them.

Prevents Cross-contamination

Marinade containers seal tightly, so there’s no way for air or bacteria to get in and ruin your marinade. Also, it helps keep all of your ingredients separate from one another. So there’s no chance they will be exposed to each other while stored in your refrigerator.

Portable

You can take them with you wherever you go, especially if you’re not cooking on site. You can bring them on a hike or when camping.

Reusable

Unlike vacuum seal bags, marinade pots are reusable. So you can use the same container to store different types of dressings and marinades, saving money over time.

Can Serve other Purposes

Marinade containers are not just for marinades. In fact, they can serve many other purposes!

You can use it as a pizza dough proofing box, bakeware (for oven-safe models), or storage container (for freezer-safe models). Marinade pots are also great for storing leftovers. If you don’t like leftovers, then these pots will come in handy when you want to preserve some of your favorite meals for later use.

Easy to Use and Clean

Marinade containers are super simple to use. Just open up the lid, put the meat in there with some marinade (spices or other seasonings), close it up again let it soak up all of that delicious flavor for a few hours or even overnight!

The containers are also easy to clean—just wash them out with warm soapy water or throw them in the dishwasher (for dishwasher-safe models)!

Disadvantages

• Finicky lids and clips are often a problem, leading to spills
• Materials used in marinade containers, especially plastic and metal,  can affect the taste of the food.
• Marinade pots require constant cleaning.

Note: You can avoid these setbacks by choosing the best marinade container.

Top 6  Best Marinating Container Reviews in 2022

We’ve spent hours researching and testing various products. And we think we have a good handle on what a quality marinating container should look like. This section gives you more in-depth information about each product. Keep reading!

1. FoodSaver 2129973 Preserve & Marinate 10 Cup Vacuum Seal Container

Highlighted Features

• Two modes for vacuuming and marinating
• A long-lasting vacuum seal marinates in minutes
• Stain and crack-resistant Tritan material (safest plastic available)
• Compatible with all Food-Saver vacuum sealer systems
• Dishwasher safe and microwave safe
• 10 cup capacity

You can’t beat the FoodSaver Marinate Vacuum Seal Container when it comes to marinating. This vacuum seal marinating container slashes down marinating time to minutes – not hours!

FoodSaver Marinate Container has two settings: Vacuum and Marinate. Air comes out when you flip the switch to “vacuum.” An airtight seal forms when you flip the switch to “Marinate.” And it even has a vacuum indicator that shows when air is removed – no guesswork here!

Once locked away in its vacuum-sealed goodness, you can keep that meat for five times longer than normal! So you can make those delicious marinades ahead of time and use them when the time is right.

You can use FoodSaver Vacuum Seal to marinate meat and vegetables or store them in the fridge or pantry for later. Plus, you can put it in the microwave for reheating purposes. The possibilities are endless!

In addition, it’s made with Tritan plastic, the safest plastic available. So no need to panic about harmful chemicals leaching into your meat while it sits in its own juices. Moreover, the clear plastic is resistant to cracking, shattering, stain, and odors.

The airtight lid seals in all the flavors of whatever you’re marinating or preserving. Easy-open tabs also mean you can snap off the lid without unnecessary strain.

FoodSaver marinate container can hold up to ten cups worth of liquid or solid. It’s large enough for up to three big steaks, five salmon fillets, or eight breasts of marinated chicken.

The best part of all? This container is dishwasher safe and stackable for easy cleanup and space-saving storage.

2. Tupperware Season-Serve Marinating Container

Highlighted Features

• Raised grids for superior coverage and flavor
• Unbreakable and dishwasher safe
• Lifetime warranty
• Not safe for microwave or freezer

Tupperware Season Serve Marinating Container allows you to marinate your food without turning it over. In fact, it receives the best feedback in terms of marinade distribution.

It has ridges inside the container (top and bottom), so the meat doesn’t sit flat. This allows the marinade to get underneath and reach every part of your meat. In addition, you can flip it over after a couple of hours to ensure that even the pieces at the top get some flavor.

This tenderizing container is designed to be leakproof. So there’s no risk of spills when flipping over or transporting food. Plus, it has a gripping area on the rim and base so you can hold and flip with confidence.

At 12.5 x 10.5 x 4.5 inches, it’s large enough to stack two big steaks or four chicken breasts in one go.

The container is durable plastic. It’s resistant to chipping, cracking, and breaking, so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart. Plus, it comes with Tupperware’s famous lifetime warranty—so if anything happens, you can send it back, and they’ll replace it for free!

Tupperware marinating container is dishwasher-safe and stackable, making them easy to clean and store.

The only thing we didn’t like about this product is that it’s not freezer safe or microwave safe. So it’s a bummer if you like to marinate food in advance and then freeze it. But overall, this product gets a thumbs up from us!

3. AGTRADE 120 Oz Large Glass Food Storage Container

Highlighted Features

• 3.5 liter (15 cups) capacity
• Borosilicate glass container with BPA-free lid
• The glass container is safe for microwave, freezer, and dishwasher
• Perfect for marinating, food storage, and serving
• Removable silicone seal

Are you making a big batch of something and need a lot of room for storage or marinating? This is the product for you.

The first thing that will strike you is its size. This marinating container holds 120 oz or 15 cups of whatever liquid you want to use. So you can get more creative with what goes into your marinade.

You can even toss a whole chicken in this super-sized marinating container with room to spare. After all, it holds a whopping 7 pounds worth of food.

Another thing that makes this container so awesome is its durability. It’s made from high-quality borosilicate glass. So, it will less likely break if dropped or knocked over onto the floor (which does happen sometimes).

Again, borosilicate glass is oven safe (up to 600° F) and freezer safe. Also, you can put the container inside the microwave. So, you can use the container part for baking, roasting, or storing food.

The lid is made of BPA-free plastic. And with its silicone lid sealer ring, it keeps freshness locked in airtight. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about moldy leftovers or meats going rancid before their time.

When it’s time to clean up, simply put it in the dishwasher or hand wash in warm water with mild detergent.

The only downside? It’s heavy. The glass is thick and sturdy, which means it weighs more than most marinating containers.

That said, we think this product is worth it. Being able to store your ingredients in such a large container makes it a fantastic choice for any home cook who wants to do things right!

4. Mr. Bar-B-Q 40252Y Marinade Tray

Highlighted Features

• Wave-like channels allow the marinade to get underneath the meat
• The universal lid fits similar-sized containers
• Special plastic is easy to label and erase
• Not safe for dishwasher, freezer, or microwave

Are you tired of your old, rusty marinating tray? It might be time to upgrade to something a little prettier. Luckily for you, we’ve got just the thing: the Mr. Bar-B-Q 40252Y Marinating Tray.

When you’re marinating meat, you want to make sure it’s evenly coated. After all, you don’t want one side to be super flavorful while the other is dry and bland.

That’s why we love this Mr. Bar-B-Q 40252Y Marinating Tray. It comes with a raised bottom grid so that every part of your meat receives an equal marinade. The lid, too, has grooves so you can flip over to consistency throughout the whole piece of meat.

At 12 x 17 inches, this plastic tray has a large surface area — large enough to use as a commercial marinade container. It can fit multiple cuts of steak and more than ten chicken breasts.

The universal lid fits on other similar-sized containers. So you don’t have to worry about finding the right size for each container. It’s all taken care of with this one product!

It’s easy to label this marinade tray with a dry erase marker. That way, you can tell what kind of meat is in there. Better still, you can change up your marinades and sauces depending on what you’re cooking. Just wipe off the old labels and write new ones! It’s so simple!

This marinade tray is not dishwasher safe. Therefore, you’ll have to hand wash. But it’s not like you’ll be doing it every day, so no big deal.

The only drawback is that the tray is not freezer or microwave safe. Therefore, you can’t use it to marinate your food before putting it in the freezer or microwave.

5. Jim Beam Vacuum Sealed Marinade Box with Pump

Highlighted Features

• Vacuum seal technology (comes with a vacuum pump)
• BPA-free plastic
• Dishwasher safe and freezer safe
• Large size ideal for barbeques

You might be surprised to learn that Jim Beam doesn’t just make bourbon whiskey—they also make vacuum-sealed marinade boxes! It’s something you need to know if you’re craving some steak with bourbon-infused BBQ sauce.

This marinating container comes with a pump. It makes it easy to remove all of the air from the container so you can seal the meat away from oxygen and bacteria.

All you need to do is put your food inside the box along with some marinade. Close the lid, connect the pump to the air spout, and suck out all of the air until there’s nothing left but a vacuum!

The vacuuming method offers a speedy way of marinating your favorite steak, fish, or vegetables. So no more waiting for hours.

Jim Beam’s vacuum marinating container is made of BPA-free plastic. So no more chemicals leaching into your food while it’s marinating.

In addition, the lid has four clips that hold it in place while you’re using it. So there won’t be any accidental spills or messes when transporting or flipping it over.

It’s dishwasher safe, so you can clean it easily after use. And since it’s freezer safe, you can also use it to store food in the freezer until you’re ready to cook it!

6. Jaccard 201301Speedy Plus Instant Marinator

Highlighted Features

• BPA-free, ADA-compliant plastic
• Marinates in as little as 5 minutes
• Bottom and top grids disperse marinade underneath meats and fish
• 4.5-liter size fits up to 12 chicken breasts
• Locking lid doubles as a sanitary platter for pre-cooked food

If you’re looking for a way to get your marinating done in a flash, this is your product. It’s fast, easy, and convenient—the perfect tool for any busy chef. With this quick marinator,  you can marinate food in 5 minutes!

The process is simple: place whatever you’d like to marinate inside (beef, chicken, pork, even tofu), and add your favorite marinade/seasoning. Lock the lid and use the included pump to suck out all the air, leaving nothing but a vacuum. The result? Deliciously tender meat without much effort on your part!

The lid has locking tabs to provide an airtight seal that keeps bacteria out and flavor in. Plus, it ensures juices don’t drip out while transporting or storing food.

In addition, the lid doubles as a sanitary platter for transporting pre-cooked food. This prevents cross-contamination between pre-cooked food and raw, marinated food.

The container is made from BPA-free, ADA-compliant plastic. So it won’t leach harmful chemicals into your food.

Jaccard 201301Speedy Plus is a large marinating container. The 4.5-liter size makes it perfect for marinating large quantities of meat or fish. It can fit up to 12 chicken breasts, which is ideal for family gatherings.

It’s top-rack dishwasher safe, and you can assemble and disassemble it easily.

But there’s a catch – the container is not see-through at all. So, you could only tell what’s inside if you open it up.

Top 6 Marinating Container Comparison Table

Marinating Container Buying Guide

Choosing the best marinating container is not as easy as it looks. With so many options, it’s hard to know what to look for when you’re shopping for a marinating container.

But worry not. Here’s a checklist for choosing one:

Marination Style

We have two styles:

• Traditional sealed containers
• Vacuum-sealed containers

So what’s the difference?

Traditional sealed containers come with sealed lids. This method prevents cross-contamination and also retains the flavor of the food. Plus, it’s excellent for serving meats, vegetables, and other food items.

But there’s a downside. Traditional marinating containers take longer to marinate food. You may want to leave your food marinated overnight to achieve the best results.

Vacuum sealed containers have special valves that allow air to be sucked out. The vacuum seal opens the pores in your food, allowing the marinade to seep deeper into your meats or vegetables. So instead of taking hours to marinate, you can do it in as little as five minutes.

Leakproof/Airtight Seal

It’s so easy for your marinade to leak out of whatever container you’re using. And not just leak—it can splash all over your countertops and floors, creating a mess.

So choose a marinating container with lid and ensure it’s leakproof. You may want to look at some reviews before purchasing any containers. They’ll give you an idea of how likely leaks will occur with regular use.

Material

Any container material can hold your marinade. But it’s important to choose wisely. If not, you might end up with food poisoning.

The best marinating container has food-safe materials. It ensures that they won’t leach chemicals into your food when they contact acidic or salty foods during marination.

The best options include stainless steel, glass (borosilicate), and sturdy BPA-free plastic. These materials are durable and non-reactive with acids and salts (as long as they’re not damaged).

Durability

If you’re marinating your food, you want to make sure you have a container that will last.

You want your marinade container to be durable enough to hold up under pressure. If it can’t do that, it will not work for you.

You’ll need something that can withstand being dropped onto a hard floor, used in the microwave (if necessary), and tossed into your dishwasher when it needs cleaning.

Size

The size will affect how much food you can marinate at once. For instance, if you want to marinate an entire turkey or several chicken breasts at once, you’ll need a large container. On the flip side, if all you need is enough marinade for one or two steaks or chops, then a small container will do just fine.

Also, you want something that will fit all of our ingredients without taking up too much space in your fridge.

Portability

If you’re traveling with your container, then portability is key. You want a container that’s easy to carry around and won’t break if dropped by accident.

Ease of Cleaning

Your marinade container needs to be easy enough to clean so that you won’t dread using it every time you want something tasty on hand!

Choose a material like stainless steel or glass rather than regular plastic. These materials will generally be easier to clean without worrying about damaging them while they’re in use. Also, putting it in the dishwasher would be a bonus.

Additional Features

When you’re shopping for a marinating container, it’s important to consider the additional features that it has.

If you want to be able to put your container in the microwave, then ensure that it is microwave-safe. If you want to be able to put your marinating container in the dishwasher, then make sure that it’s dishwasher-safe. Moreover, if you want to be able to freeze your food in the container, then make sure that it’s freezer-safe.

These features are not a must. However, they can make a good marinating container great.

Frequently Asked Question

Can you Marinate in Plastic Container?

Yes, you can marinate in plastic containers—as long as they’re BPA-free and re-sealable! Avoid regular plastic because the plastic will leach into your food and make it toxic.

Should I Cut Meat before Putting it inside the Marinating Container?

You don’t have to, but it’s a good idea. The marinade will most likely penetrate the surface of the meat a few millimeters at best. So, cutting your meat into thinner slices ensures each piece is soaked entirely in the marinade.

What Type of Container should not be used for Marinating?

Never, ever use a metal container unless it’s stainless steel. Metals, especially aluminum, will react with the acid in the marinade and cause dangerous chemicals to be released into your food.

Conclusion

So far, we hope you’ve learned something about marinating containers and how to choose the best marinating container for your needs!

We know that it’s difficult to choose a product when there are so many on the market. However, we believe we’ve done a good job of narrowing down your options and presenting you with some great choices.

What’s left is for you to decide which size container will work best for your needs.

Thanks for reading!