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Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here's how to make sure your food arrives safely and not all over your car
You worked hard making that holiday casserole — don't let it spill all over your trunk.
Several years ago, my husband and I were in charge of bringing the Thanksgiving turkey to a friendsgiving. When it was time to pack up the goods, my husband placed the turkey, juices not excluded, into the backseat of my car with just tinfoil protecting my cloth seats from the broth. "It's just a couple miles away, it'll be fine," he said as he sat it over a towel. But by the time I made it to the dinner, liquids had spilled all over the seat and my car smelled like broth for days.
I've since learned there are so many better options for transporting Thanksgiving dishes safely — carving the turkey ahead of time, for example, but also using proper food storage containers. It turns out that some containers are better for moving dishes from one house to another, depending on what the food item is.
Here's what Yahoo experts recommend using if you're going to be bringing a dish to a holiday dinner this year. In addition, check out the best food storage containers for everyday use if yours aren't doing the job the way they should.
Best containers for prepping and transporting Thanksgiving dishes
At the top of Yahoo Home and Garden Writer Kristin Granero's best containers list is the Rubbermaid Brilliance line. She told me she loves these containers for both prepping and transporting food, for two reasons: The plastic lids, which fit either glass or BPA-free plastic containers, are air-tight when locked — a great choice if you'll be transporting sliced turkey still soaking in broth. And if you're bringing multiple dishes, you can even stack these containers so they don't slide all over your trunk.
Best containers for transporting food straight from the oven
Another one of Granero's favorites is the Pyrex Simply Store glass containers, which look nicer than plastic dishes on the dinner table. The round bowls are suitable for carrying baked goods like cupcakes, while the rectangular containers are great for casseroles. Since these are glass containers, I do recommend individually wrapping them in towels or blankets to secure and prevent them from clanking together en route. And Granero recommends using one of Pyrex's lock-lid styles if you'll be transporting any liquids.
Best containers for bringing a dish to leave with the host
Cook with Color
As a kind gesture for hosting the Thanksgiving dinner, Granero says she likes the idea of splurging on a nice dish you'd be willing to leave with the host as a gift.
This can really be any dish you think is pretty or one you know will match the host's kitchen decor. These colorful mixing bowls are nice-looking and because they come with lids, they’re also highly portable. I also like these pretty Pyrex tinted glass mixing bowls.
Best portable slow cooker
Instant Pot
If you signed up to bring a slow cooker meal, you're already winning — especially if you're using plastic liners for a mess-free cleanup — because you can just throw the ingredients in and enjoy the rest of your day. However, not all slow cookers are suitable for traveling, and you’ll definitely need one with a lid that stays put.
One that my friends rave about is the Instant Pot Duo. Yes, this is technically a multicooker (and it even earned a spot on our list of the best multicookers), but its slow cooker setting makes it a good choice and, more importantly, it has a locking lid.
If you plan to travel with food already prepared in the Instant Pot, I do recommend using the slow cooker option. If you cook using the other settings, however, make sure you release the pressure nozzle ahead of time and secure it inside a zippered tote bag, like this one.
