If you’re serious about meal prepping, investing in suitable food containers can make all the difference. Discover the best buys on the market, plus find meal prep ideas and recipe inspiration. Using glass containers, like the ones from Zwilling, reduces the risk of contamination. Plastic storage vessels can leach harmful chemicals into food—this risk increases as the material degrades. To limit exposure, avoid heating food in plastic and dispose of scratched or chipped containers.
nther Bento Style 20 Pack Meal Containers
We tested the Tritan plastic and they were durable yet lightweight, the flip-style lids were easy to clean and, when locked, the set proved to be airtight. So many people these days are getting clued up to the importance of a well-balanced diet and enjoying healthy nutritional meals at home and on the go. You can’t just throw all that good food and planning into last weekend’s Indian takeaway container! What you really need are a good set of meal prep containers to make life easier and that are portable and secure when you’re on the move too.
JoyJolt JoyFul 24pc Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids
At the end of the day, only you know what you’re looking for in a meal prep container. Between the locking, airtight lid, and the utensil cover there is enough room for the included reusable fork and other items, like a paper napkin. These food prep containers were honestly the closest I found to truly “leak proof”, which is probably why the 16-pack costs roughly $1.30 per container. MealPrep utilizes snap locking BPA-free lids that come with built-in silicone gaskets to keep food fresh and free from spills. This isn’t the biggest deal in the world… just take the lid off and use a paper towel or heating cover. Every food storage container has pros and cons, and it often comes down to personal preference and use.
The container is also lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and store. Featuring a sleek and stylish design, this meal prep container adds a touch of elegance to your snack time routine, no matter where you are – at work, school, or on the go. Cleaning this meal prep container is a breeze, as it can be easily washed by hand or popped in the dishwasher. Thanks to its stainless steel construction, this meal prep container won’t rust or stain over time, ensuring long-lasting use. When it comes to meal prep containers, the reviews of unimeal quality of the airtight seal can make all the difference in keeping my food fresh. I’ve learned that a high-quality airtight seal minimizes air exposure, which is vital to preventing spoilage and odors.
Plus, they’re freezer and microwave-safe, so you can store what you need and warm it up straight away without dirtying up another container. The Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Containers are very popular but in our testing, they weren’t quite leakproof. These Pyrex containers were also one of only a few sets we tested that didn’t have locking lids. They are experts in all things storage, meaning their best meal prep containers are chosen not just for holding food, but for optimizing space and making your life easier. If you’re tired of playing the quality lottery on massive online marketplaces, Bed Bath & Beyond is your trusted haven. Think of it as the curated boutique for home goods, where you go when you want to find the best meal prep containers without sifting through a mountain of no-name brands.
Set Options and Variety
Owners benefit from the modular stacking system, which conserves fridge space and matches lids across the same size containers for convenient interchangeability. Plus, the containers are safe for microwave, dishwasher, and freezer use, adding versatility to storage and reheating. Here at the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we’ve tested over 85 food storage containers, including models from Caraway, Rubbermaid, Pyrex, and more.
Why You Should Choose the JoyJolt JoyFul 12 Glass Storage Containers
The ability to grab your order the same day is an unbeatable perk for last-minute meal preppers. The bowls can also be bought individually and come in an assortment of colors. There’s a smaller 24-ounce size as well that’s perfect for sandwiches or smaller amounts of food. This comprehensive meal prep set keeps your food cool, and the additional shaker bottle and supplement case are nice touches. For a thoughtfully presented meal on the go, this box offers tons of space for food and is totally leakproof.
- With three separate compartments, they make healthy eating a breeze and deliver a total of 32 oz.
- The Reditainer Deli Food Storage Containers are typically used in professional restaurant kitchens because they’re cheap to buy in bulk, they’re uniform, and they store very neatly.
- It caters to a discerning customer who wants reliable, long-lasting products that bring a little joy to the weekly meal prep routine.
- This blend of digital browsing and physical store access is perfect for busy parents who plan on the fly.
- So, we bring you the Workweek Lunch guide to finding the right meal prep containers for you!
- It features lids that can be shared across some of the brand’s other container collections, and was the only container in our durability test not to break.
You’re in!
I’ve tested several salad prep containers and my favorite remains this Rubbermaid Brilliance Salad Container, though this Bentgo one is solid too. Prep Kitchen have a long list of pro athletes who regularly enjoy their meals, just take a look at their Instagram. This ethos of food as fuel was reflected in the meals which, although not always pretty to look at, provided a good balance of protein and carbs. We can’t deny, we were happy to tuck into a healthy, portioned meal which took no longer than a few minutes in the microwave to prepare.
In our most recent tests, we considered how easy it was to open and close each set’s containers, how well they stacked, and how well their shapes and sizes would work with different types of foods. Like our Pyrex and Snapware lock-top glass picks, the Snapware Total Solution 20-piece Plastic Food Storage Container Set’s containers stayed fully sealed during our leak tests. And after being repeatedly dropped from waist height, they sustained only minor cracks on the edges of the lids. Compared with other plastic containers we’ve tested, these didn’t stubbornly hold onto stains and smells, and any odors that remained faded after a second washing. That said meal prepping can also be challenging, especially for beginners. Cooking 14-plus meals for the week can seem like a daunting task—not to mention hitting up the grocery store for all that food.
Premium Pick: JoyJolt 12 Airtight Food Storage Containers
This 20-ounce size is a good middle ground for a single portion or a heftier one. It’s made with premium stainless steel and a powder coating that Hydro Flask says can hold up to dishwasher use. We’ve used many of their products with this same coating and can confirm it lasts. In our Lab tests, this container scored a five in our cleanability test and showed no signs of degradation or deformation after five cycles in the dishwasher. They particularly excelled in the staining test — the glass containers did not stain at all after microwaving them filled with sauce. For anyone who eschews plastic, this set from Glasslock is a tried-and-true favorite.
When to Choose Glass
These big and deep silicone molds hold pre-proportioned amounts of food, making it easy to pop them out and reheat. Start building your own time-saving and budget friendly meal prep for only $6 a meal using Trifecta pre-cooked meal prep ingredients. Make your meal prep a breeze with organic, nutrient-dense meals delivered right to your door. They transition seamlessly from the refrigerator to the microwave and even to the oven in many cases. This makes them an excellent choice for dishes that require reheating or baking directly in the container. Their transparency also allows for easy identification of stored contents.
If you’re prepping for a busy month, freezing is the clear winner, but for weekly routines, refrigeration strikes the perfect balance between freshness and practicality. If you believe your meal prep containers should be as stylish as the rest of your home, Target is your happy place. It’s less of an overwhelming warehouse and more of a curated boutique for kitchen essentials. Target excels at offering a selection of the best meal prep containers that blend function with aesthetics, making your organized fridge look like something straight out of a Pinterest board.
Moreover, repeated use and exposure to heat can degrade plastic, increasing the risk of leaching chemicals into your meals. For health-conscious individuals, the best glass meal prep containers offer peace of mind and a cleaner meal prep experience. High-quality glass meal prep containers are built for durability and daily use.
Comparison of the best meal prep containers
For meal preppers, I’ve included the best Tupperware for meal prep, which keeps your food fresh and safe while staying organized. I also share options for storing food in stainless steel containers, perfect for both hot and cold meals. Selecting the right capacity and size for your meal prep containers is essential to meet both your dietary needs and organizational goals.
Best Meal Prep Containers: Your Complete Guide
This set of containers allows you to separate and store all sorts of ingredients or ready-made meals. There are 17 pieces in all different sizes, so https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/ you can store everything from small portions of sauces and toppings to large batches of leftovers. To maximize your meal-prep potential and make it worth your while, you need products that help you plan, prep, and store food efficiently and safely.
