An absorbent insert for a food container can be made of a three layer expanded foam material. The expanded plastic foam material comprises bottom and top layers having a closed cell structure and a middle layer having an open cell structure. The top layer has apertures formed in it such that liquids can pass through the top layer and into the middle layer. The middle layer can have a surfactant that attracts and retains grease or other drippings. The insert can be sized to fit within a food container.