What Is a Deli Container? | Food Service Basics

Walk behind any deli counter and you’ll see them stacked by the register: those translucent cups with snap-on lids holding coleslaw, potato salad, cut fruit, and soup-to-go. Deli containers are the workhorses of the food-service industry, and they’ve become a staple in home kitchens too. Understanding what they’re made of, what sizes they come in, and how to use them safely helps you buy the right ones for your needs.

What Materials Are Deli Containers Made From?

Deli containers are typically molded from one of three plastics: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polystyrene (PS). A growing number of suppliers also offer RPET, which is recycled PET material.

The resin determines the container’s limits. PP is the most versatile—it handles both cold and hot foods and is generally considered microwave-safe. PET and RPET are excellent for cold items like deli salads and cut fruit, but they aren’t meant for reheating.

Common Sizes and Typical Uses

Deli containers range from small 8 oz cups to large 64 oz tubs. The most common sizes are 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz, 24 oz, 32 oz, 48 oz, and 64 oz. Performance Container’s S-series line offers all eight of these sizes and describes them as leak-proof and usually translucent.

What each size is used for depends on the setting:

• 8 oz to 12 oz: condiments, dips, dressings, side sauces
• 16 oz to 24 oz: single deli salads, cut fruit, pasta salad portions
• 32 oz: family-sized sides, mixed nuts, ready-to-eat snacks
• 48 oz to 64 oz: large take-out portions, deli meats, party platters

Both round and square versions are sold; square containers store more efficiently on shelves and in fridges. When you’re ready to stock up, see our roundup of the best deli containers for tested recommendations.

Are Deli Containers Microwave-Safe?

Only if the container is made of polypropylene. PET, RPET, and polystyrene containers are not microwave-safe, so check the bottom of the container for a resin identification code before reheating anything.

Manufacturers also publish temperature limits per product. Pactiv Evergreen’s RPET hinged-lid containers are rated for cold use only, and Domo Industry notes that its deli containers are available in PP or PET across 8 oz to 34 oz sizes. When in doubt, transfer food to a glass or ceramic dish before microwaving.

Do Lids Interchange Between Brands?

No. Lids are model-specific, and that’s a common source of frustration. Hofmann Plastics lists separate lid model numbers—including HTL115 and HTL409—on its deli-container spec sheets, and those lids won’t necessarily fit another brand’s containers of the same nominal size. If you’re buying replacement lids, match the exact model number printed on your container.

Mixing brands also means mixing wall thicknesses. Hofmann’s HT08, HT16, and HT24 containers all use a 0.37 mm wall, but other manufacturers may use thinner plastic that cracks sooner. Stick with one brand and one product line to keep lids fitting and stacking neatly.