The 4 Greatest Meal Prep Containers of 2023

I like meal planning. Each week I provide you with a brand new 7-day meal plan so I don’t must stress about what to make for my household. You’ll want a few of the finest meal prep containers to organize meals upfront and save leftovers for lunch, so that you’re not cooking on a regular basis. I’ve a few of my favorites that I’ve discovered that helps me save money and time and keep on monitor of main a wholesome life-style.

That can assist you discover the most effective ones, I compiled my high picks that I’ve used for years. I’ve additionally discovered another top-recommended meal prep containers that deserve a spot in your kitchen. Whether or not you favor the flexibility of glass containers or the comfort of light-weight silicone ones, there’s an possibility for you. Listed below are my high picks for the most effective meal prep containers you should purchase.

Our High Picks: 

1. What’s in My Kitchen: Ello Duraglass Meal Prep Containers – $31.28 at Walmart
2. Greatest Glass Set: Pyrex Merely Retailer 24-Piece Glass Meals Storage Container Set – $47.29 at Amazon
3. Greatest for Freezing: Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Trays – $19.95 at Amazon 
4. Greatest for Microwaving: Anyday Meal Prep Set – $170 at Williams-Sonoma

Opinions of The Greatest Meal Prep Containers

1. What’s in My Kitchen: Ello Duraglass Meal Prep Containers

My go-to containers are the Ello Meal Prep Containers as a result of they verify all of my bins, they usually’re so cute and colourful! The duraglas materials gained’t stain or odor, whereas the BPA-free protecting silicone sleeve presents a no-slip grip, which implies I can simply decide them up even when I’ve oven mitts on. The silicone leads are hermetic and leak-proof together with useful sealing snaps for on-the-go use. 

The entire elements may be saved safely within the freezer and washed within the dishwasher. They’re additionally microwave- and oven-safe (as much as 450 levels Fahrenheit!) with out the lids. 

The Specs:

• Materials: Glass and BPA-free silicone
• Capability: 3.4 cups
• Protected for: Microwave, dishwasher, freezer, oven

The Execs:

• Doesn’t retain odors
• Protected for meals storage
• Oven secure as much as 450 levels F
• Leak-proof lids

The Cons:

• Heavy
• Lids may be tedious to scrub

What Others are Saying:

The Ello Duraglass Meal Prep Containers have greater than 800 critiques and a 4.8 score on Amazon. Moreover, Ladies’s Well being named them the most effective microwave-safe meal prep containers.

Purchase the Ello Duraglass Meal Prep Containers: 

2. Greatest Glass Set: Pyrex Merely Retailer 24-Piece Glass Container Set

With 24 items in a wide range of sizes, together with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-cup choices, you should utilize this glass set for all the pieces from sauces to leftover meatloaf. I additionally love that the glass materials is secure to make use of within the microwave — as long as you’re taking the stretchy silicone lids off. They will also be used within the oven, freezer, and dishwasher too! Pyrex is understood for its robust design, so fortunately this set gained’t shatter into items if by chance dropped.

The Specs:

• Materials: Glass and BPA-free plastic 
• Capability: (3) 4 cup, (3) 2 cup, (3) 1 cup spherical containers with lids, and (3) 3 cup rectangle containers with lids
• Protected for: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer, oven

The Execs:

• Sturdy
• Number of sizes
• Lids are hermetic and leak-proof

The Cons:

• Heavy
• Lids should not microwave secure
• They don’t nestle nicely

What Others are Saying:

The Pyrex Merely Retailer 24-Piece Glass Container Set has greater than 24,000 critiques and a 4.8 score on Amazon. Meals & Wine named it the most effective stackable set, Store At present calls it the most effective oven-safe containers, and Forbes Vetted calls it the most effective meal prep containers.

Purchase the Pyrex Merely Retailer 24-Piece Glass Container Set: 

3. Greatest for Freezing: Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Trays

Souper Cubes are food-grade, BPA-free silicone molds which are particularly designed to freeze liquid-based meals like soups, lasagnas, and stews. The entire compartments have measuring strains so you may portion them out to 1/2, 1, or 2-cup increments, which implies you may make an enormous batch of hen broth or pasta sauce and freeze some for later. 

While you need to defrost your meals, simply pop one of many completely portioned squares or rectangles out of the plastic like an ice dice. It may get dear to purchase a ton of them, so you may at all times switch the frozen cubes to a gallon freezer bag to maximise freezer house or use the Souper Cubes for one thing else. 

The Specs:

• Materials: Glass and BPA-free plastic 
• Capability: 2 tablespoons/1 ounce tray, 1/2-cup tray, 1-cup tray, and 2-cup tray
• Protected for: Freezer, dishwasher, oven (trays solely)

The Execs:

• Constructed from food-grade silicone
• Portion managed
• Maximize freezer house
• Lids are interchangeable

The Cons:

What Others are Saying:

The Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Trays have greater than 1,000 critiques and a 4.9 score on Amazon. Moreover, Meals & Wine named it the most effective freezer container for soup.

Purchase the Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Trays: 

4. Greatest for Microwave: Anyday The Meal Prep Bundle

These bowls should not the identical as the opposite bowls in your kitchen. Anyday’s line of meal prep containers have hermetic and leakproof lids with borosilicate glass and platinum-grade silicone. They had been designed so you may really prepare dinner your meals within the microwave, and whereas they’re a little bit of an funding up-front, they’ll prevent hours on meal prep over time. 

Earlier than the beginning of a busy week, you may microwave large batches of meals to retailer within the fridge or portion out meals within the freezer trays. While you’re able to eat, merely pop one out and thaw it in one other Anyday dish. Meal prep can’t get any simpler!

The Specs:

• Materials: Borosilicate glass, platinum-grade silicone, microwave-safe stainless-steel
• Contains: Massive deep dish, massive shallow dish, medium deep dish, medium shallow dish, 2-Tbsp tray, ½-Cup tray
• Protected for: Freezer, microwave, dishwasher, oven 

The Execs:

• All-in-one answer
• Cooks meals within the microwave
• Versatile

The Cons:

• Might leak throughout transport
• Costly

What Others are Saying:

The Spruce Eats recommends the Anyday Meal Prep Bundle of their testing.

Purchase the Anyday Meal Prep Bundle: 

Different Meal Prep Containers to Take into account

Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers

This set has compartments for a Bento-style lunch and is fabricated from high-quality borosilicate glass so that they gained’t stain, retain odors, or leach chemical substances into your meals. Additionally they stack properly, which saves house in your kitchen or fridge. Plus, they can be utilized within the oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. The Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers can be found at Amazon for $31.99.

OXO Good Grips Good Seal Meals Storage Container Set

The general high quality of those containers is with a sturdy borosilicate glass design that’s constructed to go from freezer to oven (or microwave!) with out the necessity to absolutely thaw. They’re additionally dishwasher-safe and stainproof with lids that match tight and are leakproof. However, as a result of the lids may ultimately put on out, this set didn’t make my listing. OXO Good Grips Good Seal Meals Storage Container Set is obtainable at Amazon for $54.

Bentgo Prep 3-Compartment Meal-Prep Containers

The Bentgo Prep 3-Compartment Meal-Prep Containers are nice for lunches as a result of you may separate meals into little pockets. They’re straightforward to retailer with trays and lids that nest collectively and stack neatly. I like that they’re secure for the microwave, however they didn’t make the reduce as a result of they put on out fairly shortly. The Bento Prep 3-Compartment Meal-Prep Containers can be found at Amazon for $13.99.

Ziploc Endurables Silicone Containers

The Ziploc Endurables Silicone Containers can go straight from the freezer to the oven (as much as 425 levels Fahrenheit) and are microwave secure. Additionally they have an easy-grab deal with, which might make them simpler to pluck out of a scorching oven or microwave. The Safe Seal Know-how is really leak-free however they’re cumbersome to scrub and reuse. The Ziploc Endurables Silicone Containers can be found at Amazon for $13.99.

Why You Can Belief Me

Again in 2008, I launched Skinnytaste to characteristic scrumptious, wholesome, family-friendly recipes made with seasonal, clear, entire meals. At Skinnytaste.com, you’ll discover wholesome dishes that don’t sacrifice any of the flavour that may be discovered of their full-fat origins. My creations must be “tasty” since this is identical meals I prepare dinner every day for family and friends, and they’re a few of my hardest critics!

After making an attempt out dozens of meal prep containers over time that I’ve used for meal prep myself, I targeted on my private favorites to create this listing. For those I didn’t personal, I learn by way of tons of on-line critiques from high culinary websites to determine which of them deserve a spot in your kitchen. I checked out supplies, measurement, efficiency, sturdiness, and ease of use to make my last selections. 

Every part to Know Earlier than Shopping for a Meal Prep Container

What to Take into account Earlier than Shopping for a Meal Prep Container

There are a number of issues to bear in mind to be sure to’re shopping for the most effective meal prep containers to your wants and preferences. Listed below are some issues that I feel are an important:

Measurement: Meal prep containers are available a wide range of sizes and styles, so make sure that they’re massive sufficient to suit the parts and sorts of meals you need to put together.

Materials: Most meal prep containers are comprised of plastic or glass. There are professionals and cons to every one: Plastic containers are light-weight, moveable, and straightforward on the funds, however they’ll stain and aren’t probably the most sturdy. You additionally must double verify what sort of plastic is used to make sure they gained’t leach into your meals when heated. I choose glass containers which are sturdy, straightforward to scrub, and versatile as a result of they’ll go within the oven, however they’re heavy. 

Ease of Use: When you plan to make use of your containers for long term meal prep and storage, verify to see if the containers are secure to retailer within the freezer and may be heated up within the microwave or oven. Dishwasher-safe containers make for simple cleansing. 

Stackability: There’s nothing worse than grabbing for a container amongst a mountain of lids and bottoms that don’t nestle. When you’re prioritizing space-saving containers, you’ll need a stackable set. 

Are Plastic Meal Prep Containers Protected?

Most pliable meal prep containers available on the market are secure, however at all times search for containers labeled as BPA-free and food-safe to be sure to aren’t permitting dangerous chemical substances to leach into your meals. Since some plastic containers will not be appropriate for heating within the microwave or oven, at all times verify the producer’s directions on easy methods to use them. In any other case, you’ll must switch them to a separate microwave-safe plate or bowl to warmth them, making extra cleanup for you.

Can You Freeze Meal Prep Containers? 

So long as the producer’s directions say the supplies can stand up to the acute temps of the freezer, you’re good to go. I even have a number of suggestions that will help you guarantee the most effective outcomes with frozen meals:

• Go away some room for the meals to broaden because it freezes. That is particularly essential for liquids.
• Permit your meals to chill right down to room temperature earlier than putting it within the freezer. Not solely does it stop your freezer from working additional time, quickly cooling scorching meals has an elevated danger of rising micro organism.
• Label and date every container with its contents and the date it was frozen. This can allow you to maintain monitor and be sure to eat the meals inside a sure time! 

Are Meal Prep Containers Microwave- and Dishwasher-Protected?

Most meal prep containers comprised of glass and microwave-safe (BPA-free) plastic are advantageous in each the microwave and dishwasher, however generally you’ll discover a container set the place the dishes are dishwasher-safe however not the lids. Double verify the packaging to learn the producer’s really helpful directions to ensure.

How Lengthy Can You Retailer Leftovers?

Most leftovers may be left within the fridge for 3 to 4 days and within the freezer for two to three months. Listed below are a number of basic tips for various meals:

• Cooked meat, poultry, fish: 3 to 4 days within the fridge, 2 to six months within the freezer
• Cooked rice and pasta:  3 to 4 days within the fridge, 2 to three months within the freezer
• Soups, stews, sauces: 3 to 4 days within the fridge, 2 to three months within the freezer
• Cooked veggies: 3 to 4 days within the fridge, 10 to 12 months within the freezer

All the time use your finest judgment and toss out leftovers that really feel slimy or don’t move a sniff check!

The Greatest Recipes to Meal Prep

When you’ve chosen your favourite meal prep containers from my high picks, attempt your hand at a few of my favourite recipes which are fast to whip up and retailer nicely for leftovers. Additionally be sure you try my weekly 7-day meal plans for much more inspiration:

Costs had been correct at time of publication.