The Best Meal Prep Containers Of 2023

Meal prepping isn't just for bodybuilders who need to eat six carefully portioned meals throughout the day, or working parents trying to get ahead of the game for the week. Meal prepping can save you time, energy, and money, and it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing commitment to cook and store a week's worth of meals in a single day. In fact, small meal-prep solutions, like washing and storing fruits and veggies after you get home from the grocery store, or portioning out your smoothie ingredients into separate freezer bags for easy access in the morning, can help ensure you're eating more produce and making healthier choices even when you're pressed on time. 

Whether you're ready to go big with your meal prep game plan or you're just hoping to save some time and energy throughout the week, having the right containers can make your plan easier to follow. Here we've rounded up some of the best meal preparation and storage containers available to help make meal planning, prepping, and eating a little more enjoyable. 

When selecting the best meal prep containers, we first considered the different ways you're most likely going to meal prep. Maybe you plan to make your lunches for the week on Sunday night, or perhaps you want to make freezer meals for nights when you're not prepared to cook. Maybe you want a grab-and-go breakfast at the ready in the morning, or you want to make and freeze baby food (or even breastmilk) to save money. 

We considered every possible meal prep need before searching for containers to suit the purpose. We then assessed functionality for factors such as microwave and freezer use, whether the contents are easily visible, separate compartments, and easy labeling options. Price range and whether or not the containers are available as a set were also relevant to our research. Finally, we considered user reviews and popularity to ensure the products hold up to the task. Based on our findings, these are the best meal prep containers available for every purpose, price point, and person. 

When it comes to satisfying a wide-ranging assortment of meal prep and storage needs, it's hard to beat the fullstar food storage sets. The 17-piece set includes 17 separate containers of varying sizes and shapes with matching, lockable (or in the case of the small sauce containers, screwable) lids. The lids are color-coded for easy container matching, while the containers themselves are clear — great for seeing what's available at a glance. 

Plus, at roughly $35, the set is an affordable way to get started with meal prepping of all types, whether you want to wash and store carrots and celery for the week or you plan to portion out your lunches on Sunday night. The fullstar brand also comes in larger and smaller set sizes, so you can choose the one that's right for you. Just keep in mind that only the 17-piece set comes with different color lids — the other sets all come with black lids. 

Order the fullstar 17-piece food storage set from Amazon for $34.99 as of March 2023. 

The Latchlok stack, steam, and store containers are a bargain for the price given the features they offer. These clear-sided containers have an interior silicone gasket that provides a watertight and airtight seal. That means you can use them to store soups and other saucy meals without worrying about leakage if you put them in your work bag. The containers come in a range of formats and different-sized sets, giving you lots of options when it comes to finding a collection that meets your personal needs. 

Some of the most innovative features include the fact that they can be stacked on top of each other in the microwave to heat up multiple meals at once, and they also have built-in steam-release vents and lid lips designed for easy pouring. The larger containers are great for storing cut fruits, veggies, and salads, while the smaller containers are perfect for individual lunches or dinners.

Order the Latchlok meal prep set from Prepara for $24 as of March 2023.

It's true that you may not need to spend over $200 on a set of food prep containers, but if you prefer a mix-and-match system that could be considered "designer," Caraway's glass food storage set is the way to go. This 14-piece set includes five larger containers of varying sizes, as well as smaller "dot" and "dash" containers that can be used independently or as inserts within the larger containers (bento box style) to create separate food compartments. The set also comes with container straps to help keep the lids secure as well as a storage system you can use in your kitchen to keep your containers organized. 

The glass containers come in six different colorways, each with clear lids so you can easily see what's inside. The classy design makes them a good option for serving as well as storing. Plus, the ceramic-coated glass is microwave-, oven-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe, which makes this set one of the most versatile on the market, as you can easily transfer the dishes from the freezer to the oven. Just keep in mind the lids and inserts aren't microwave-safe. 

Order the Caraway glass food storage set from Caraway for $245 as of March 2023.

Many athletes are on a strict dietary regimen that requires perfectly portioned meals eaten at specific times throughout the day. Not only does this require a lot of prep work to make sure meals are ready-to-go, but it may mean packing and toting food to have it available at all times. The Isolator Fitness 6-meal ISOCUBE has everything the serious athlete or meal prepper needs to make sure their dietary plan stays on track. 

In addition to 12 different sizes of meal prep containers, the set includes a fully insulated lunch bag cooler to keep your meals cold for up to 16 hours and three ice packs to use inside the bag. The bag also has zippers at the top and sides for easy access to your meals, and outer mesh pockets for water bottles or other snacks and supplies. 

Order the Isolator Fitness meal prep management set from Amazon for $99.99 as of March 2023.

Sometimes the best containers are the simplest and most straightforward. Bentgo offers a wide range of meal prep solutions, and we love its two-compartment containers. The set comes with 10 trays and 10 lids separated into 1-cup and 2-cup sections. The trays are freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe and come in three classy colors — rose gold, burgundy, or blush pink. They're perfect for portioning out your weekly lunches in a way that lets you design your own frozen meals. After all, you can store them in the freezer and pop them straight into the microwave when you're ready to chow down. 

One thing to keep in mind is that these containers aren't intended to last forever. Each tray is good for up to 10 uses, so keep track by marking the lid with a permanent marker every time you use it. If you're using them just to pack your workweek lunches, you'll enjoy about 20 weeks' worth of use from a single set (unless, of course, you're packing lunches for multiple people).

Order the Bentgo Prep 2-compartment meal prep containers from Bentgo for $12.99 as of March 2023.

For anyone who wants to perfectly portion out servings of veggies, grains, and proteins (especially if you don't like your foods to touch), the Freshware three-compartment meal prep containers are a good choice. The freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe vessels hold a total of 32 ounces of food, broken down into a larger 16-ounce compartment and two 8-ounce compartments. Just keep in mind that while the containers are microwave-safe, the lids aren't, so be sure to remove the lid before heating your food. 

The 21-container set is reusable, but it's not clear up to how many times. Pay attention to any possible wear and tear and toss the containers out if they become cracked or warped with use. Reviewers on Amazon are big fans of the brand, with the containers receiving more than 40,000 reviews and maintaining an impressive 4.6-star rating.

Order the Freshware three-compartment meal prep containers from Amazon for $19.99 as of March 2023.

You don't always need large containers when it comes to meal prepping. Reusable storage bags are another great option to keep on hand, especially if you like to set apart individual servings of snacks or veggies to throw in your bag before leaving the house. Likewise, if you need to keep pills or supplements at hand on a daily basis, baggies are a more space-efficient manner to carry them around. 

The SYEENIFY set of 24 reusable storage bags is a great option because the bags come in a variety of different sizes with color-coated leakproof seals that make it easy to grab the right bag for your needs. They're also freezer-safe, so you can portion out smoothie ingredients and throw the bag in the freezer to make it easier to whip up your breakfast in the morning. Just keep in mind that they're not microwave- or dishwasher-safe. 

Order the SYEENIFY reusable food storage bags from Amazon for $14.99 as of March 2023.

If your idea of meal prepping is pre-making casseroles and other main dishes to store in the freezer until you're ready to pop them in the oven, then you need the Spare Essentials set of 55 aluminum pans and lids. At 8.7 x 6.2 x 2.1 inches, they're roughly half the size of a standard casserole dish, with the capacity to hold up to 2.25 pounds of food. This means a small family can dine on a main dish cooked in one of these containers, and if you're cooking for one or two, you'll probably have leftovers for lunch the next day. 

The cardboard lids are also perfect to label the container with the contents and the date it was prepped and stored, so you don't have to worry about losing track of when the frozen meal may exceed its freshness. Just keep in mind, these aren't intended to be reused. While the 55-pack is likely to last you a long time, you'll need to be prepared to replace the set when you run out of trays.

Order the Spare Essentials aluminum pan containers from Amazon for $26.99 as of March 2023.

Tupperware is the OG when it comes to high-quality meal prep containers, and the brand has only continued to hone its craft with time, remaining one of the top options for food prep and storage. The Tupperware 7-piece set of Vent 'N Serve containers is the perfect option for anyone who uses a microwave to reheat their prepped meals. These long-lasting containers come in multiple sizes and can be transferred directly from the freezer to the microwave without missing a beat. Unlike some containers, the lids on this set are microwave-safe and come with a unique venting system to allow steam to escape as you reheat your food. 

You can even store any leftovers back in the fridge without worrying about food safety or quality. The set comes in a see-through blue color — a nice change from the standard clear, while still making it possible to see what food you've stored inside.

Order the Tupperware Vent 'n Serve 7-piece set from Tupperware for $189 as of March 2023.

Pyrex is another brand that's been in the meal prep and storage game for a very long time. And while you probably already have a Pyrex casserole dish or two in your arsenal, it may be time to grab this 14-piece set of glass storage containers in a range of sizes and shapes. The set comes with seven containers with matching lids. Each product has a two-year limited warranty, and all the glass containers are safe for use in the dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and preheated oven. While the lids aren't oven-safe, they're fine to use in the freezer and microwave, and can also be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher. 

This set is perfect if you want to make larger meals ahead of time in the casserole-sized pans and then store leftovers for lunches throughout the week. It's also a good option for people who value long-term durability and don't want to have to replace plastic containers over time.

Order the Pyrex Easy Grab Bake 'N Store 14-piece set from Pyrex for $48 as of March 2023.

Like glass, stainless steel is a good option for meal prep containers if you want to avoid using plastic. This set of five stainless steel food containers from Everusely is suitable if most of the food you plan to prep doesn't need to be heated in the microwave. After all, stainless steel is a metal and therefore not microwave-safe. That said, these containers and their matching silicone lids are freezer-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe, so if you have food you need to reheat, you can pop the box in the oven to get it nice and hot. 

The containers come highly reviewed on Amazon with more than 600 reviews and an average 4.8-star rating. Reviewers note that they appreciate the clean look of the dishes and how they nest easily when stored, although some people wish there were larger sizes (the largest holds 32 ounces). Also, because the lids and containers are opaque, you can't see what's inside at a glance. 

Order the Everusely stainless steel containers with lids from Amazon for $39.90 as of March 2023.

Soup is an excellent meal to make ahead, but where it's reasonably easy to prep and store at home, it's a little trickier to take it on the go for weekday lunches. With the right container though, you can easily store and transport your favorite soup without worrying about it leaking inside your lunch bag. 

Tupperware's Crystalwave Plus set of two soup mugs features a generous 2-cup capacity and comes with leakproof lids with a built-in steam release valve that enables you to put the whole thing straight in the microwave without worrying about it splattering or overflowing. The mugs also have heat-resistant handles so you can remove them from the microwave immediately after reheating without needing to let them cool. The main downside is they're only available in an opaque coral color. If you prep more than one type of soup, you won't be able to see what is inside each container. 

Order the Tupperware Crystalwave Plus soup mugs from Tupperware for $22 as of March 2023.

Salads are another item that can be tricky to prep in advance. While veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and sweet peppers can certainly be washed and cut ahead of time, mixing salad greens with other salad fixings (especially crispy croutons, shredded cheese, and dressing) can leave you with a wilted, soggy mess come lunchtime. That's where the Bentgo glass salad containers come in handy. These vessels are designed to allow you to completely prep your salad in advance — including portioning out toppings and dressings — without actually mixing the goodies together until you're ready to eat. 

Each set comes with two 7.6-cup capacity glass bowls that can be used with or without the snap-on compartment container and a sauce tray that holds up to four toppings or dressings. The set also comes with a reusable fork that snaps onto the provided lid, so you don't even need to think about toting around other utensils. 

Order the Bentgo glass salad container set from Bentgo for $39.99 as of March 2023.

Depending on what you like to eat for breakfast, it's not always a meal that's easy to prep in advance. This is especially true if you're a fan of cereal, yogurt, or smoothies with wet ingredients that will turn other items soggy in the blink of an eye. But if you want to prep yogurt parfaits, cereal cups, or overnight oats with added toppings in advance, all you need are the right containers. 

The Salda breakfast on-the-go cups feature two separate containers that stack together, along with a side-mounted, reusable fork and spoon. This allows you to keep wet ingredients in one container and dry ingredients in the other container, completely isolated from one another until it's time to mix and enjoy. Just keep in mind that these containers aren't microwave-safe, so it's best not to use them for oatmeal or soups that need to be heated before eating. 

Order the Salda breakfast on-the-go cups from Amazon for $22.99 as of March 2023.

Meal prep doesn't always need to involve individually-sized meal containers or the ability to take dishes on the go. Some of the best meal prep can be done when you get home from the grocery store to save you time in the middle of the week. Washing salad greens and fruits, chopping veggies, grating cheese, and even marinating meat in advance are helpful tasks that don't require you to cook a single meal. That said, you need a safe and secure way to store the prepped food items until you're ready to use them. 

Tramontina offers a 10-piece set of covered stainless steel mixing bowls (five bowls and five lids) that are perfect for this purpose. They nest easily inside each other when not in use, and the lids make them perfect for storing your pre-prepped ingredients without worrying about spoilage or cross-contamination.

Order the Tramontina 10-piece covered stainless steel mixing bowl set from Tramontina for $49.95 as of March 2023.

It's not just meals that benefit from being prepped ahead of time. If you're the type who likes to make your own granola, trail mix, protein bars, or even dog treats, you need a way to store these snacks once they're ready. Tramontina offers the perfect 4-piece stainless steel canister set for this purpose. Of course, these canisters can be used to store pre-purchased dry goods, but they're an excellent choice for storing homemade snacks, too. 

For one, they're incredibly durable and come with a lifetime warranty, so a single purchase is guaranteed to last you a long time. Plus, the lids are airtight and made of shatter-resistant tempered glass to keep moisture out. The glass lid also makes it easy to see what's stored inside. The stainless-steel containers come in four different sizes, and you can choose between three different lid colors — black, mint green, or blue.

Order the Tramontina 4-piece stainless steel canister set from Tramontina for $74.95 as of March 2023.

Any parent who packs lunches for their kids knows that it's not the time to figure out what to throw in a lunch bag five minutes before leaving the house in the morning. Just as meal prepping your own lunches for the week can save time (and sanity), meal prepping your kids' lunches can, too. Bentgo's kids lunch box set is the perfect solution to keep hectic mornings a little more controlled. 

It comes as a pack of three lunch boxes (so, it's a good idea to buy at least one set for each of your children), each with five separate compartments so you can prepare and store a full lunch. The compartments are all sealed when the box is closed, so you don't have to worry about moisture from one compartment seeping into another section and making food soggy. The inner tray is also removable and dishwasher-safe to make it easier to clean between uses.  

Order the Bentgo kids lunch box 3-pack from Bentgo for $67.99 as of March 2023.

If you don't want to purchase pre-made baby puree from the store and would prefer to make your own, there's one thing to keep in mind: Baby portions are small — much smaller than adult-sized portions. Individually prepping a single serving of baby food at every meal is bound to become a time- and energy-zapper, fast. Your best bet is to prep several servings in advance, then portion and freeze them until you're ready to serve them to your little one. The key here is having meal prep containers sized for a baby. 

KeaBabies has the perfect set of 12 glass baby food containers with lids to make the process simple. Each container holds up to 4 ounces of food and is freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe. The lids are airtight to help ensure freshness and prevent leaks. The glass is also marked with 3D measurement lines, so you know exactly how much is in each container (and how much your little one is eating). You can also write on the lids with a dry-erase marker to note the contents of the container and the date it was stored. 

Order the KeaBabies prep jars glass baby food storage from Amazon for $24.26 as of March 2023.

You may not immediately think of breast milk storage when you think of meal prep, but really, breast milk storage is meal prep for the littlest of humans. Plus, it can be a huge time and sanity saver for new moms, especially those who need to return to work but don't want to switch to formula. The key to breast milk storage is to have the tools and plan in place to make it happen. 

Motif Medical's Luna Starter Essentials Kit is the perfect first-step solution to getting on track with pumping and milk storage. The set comes with a Luna breast pump of your choice, along with two accessories to make pumping and storage easier. For instance, you can choose a 40-count of milk storage bags and a set of two Luna milk collection containers to start storing pumped milk in your fridge and freezer. Other accessory options include helpful items like a hands-free pumping bra and a breast pump backpack to make it easier to stay on track with pumping. 

Order the Luna starter essentials bundle from Motif Medical for $165.58 as of March 2023.