Best Containers for Meal Prep (Have You Tried Any of These?)

If you’ve decided to start meal prepping (or, maybe you already do!), you’ll want to make sure you have the best containers for meal prep available. Because, honestly? It takes some planning,  time and energy to meal prep. With all of the work and pre-planning that you put into those nutritious and easy meals, you’ll want to make sure you store them in containers that are convenient and best for organization and on-the-go dining.

Nothing is as frustrating (or messy!) as discovering your well-planned and executed lunch is leaking from a supposed airtight container and into your bag or refrigerator. My poor container choices have even resulted in liquids expanding in the freezer and busting the lids off the top of the container. 

Best Containers for Meal Prep

 

Here are some of my favorite containers for meal prep:

• GladWare plastic freezer containers: These aren’t huge, but they’ll resist cracking, and were designed for the freezer. I have one of these full of soup in my freezer right now. I also have one I periodically toss veggies into that are about to go bad – this way, they can be used for soups later.
• Plastic salad containers with dressing cups: These containers make for super easy meal prep and are perfect for salads on-the-go (here are some easy, prep-ahead salad recipes).
• Pyrex Glass Storage Containers: We have lots of Pyrex glass containers. These are freezer, oven, and microwave-safe, and have secure lids, making them easy to take with you. And because they are glass, they’re also great if you’re trying to reduce plastic in your home.
• These Ball Mason Jars are nice for storing soup (don’t fill to the very top as the soup will expand when it freezes, and could shatter the glass in the freezer!). They are also great for pastas and make-ahead salads.
• Classic Mason Salad Jar: This jar is plastic, but has a lot of room for salad – and a place for dressing!
• Bento Lunch Storage Boxes: If you take your lunch to-go, or prep a lot of healthy foods, these look perfect (BONUS: they’re also great for kids). However, a note about these – they aren’t for liquids! 
• This Metal Bento Box is heavy duty and another convenient way to store lunches.
• Make your own healthy freezer meals and store them in these containers.
• Vacuum Sealer: If you buy large quantities of meat or find yourself using the freezer a lot, you might want to look into a vaccuum sealing system for food.

Here are some general tips to keep in mind when looking for containers for meal prep:

Choose ultra-sturdy plastic for the best leak-proof lids and less tendency to crack if dropped or heated at high levels. Look for BPA-free containers. If this is something you’re worried about, choose glass containers instead (we are slowly transitioning to glass, although I still have many plastic containers that I love and continue to use).

{Side note: If you’re cleaning out your Tupperware drawer (that’s what we call ours, even though there’s no *actual* Tupperware, ha), toss out any scratched, dented or old plastic containers as they’re more likely to leak chemicals. Here’s more information about chemicals in plastics. An even better option would be to find another use for those containers around the house.}

Freezing your food is also an option for meal-preppers. You can protect the quality of the food you prepare by choosing quality freezer containers such as plastic which seal tightly, glass containers such as Mason jars, and zip lock bags (when possible, buy baggies designed for the freezer).

Make sure that you rotate the freezer meals in a timely manner so they don’t spend too much time in the freezer. 

Also, consider the portability of your pre-planned meals and choose containers accordingly. Lightweight and slender containers which can easily be packed away in a travel or lunch bag are perfect for lunches or breakfasts-on-the-go.

To save money in the long run, select meal prep storage containers that will last. Look for FDA labels that say it’s safe to use in the microwave and that freezing temperatures won’t cause cracks.

Also, make sure it will survive the dishwasher for quick and easy cleanup. If I can’t throw it in the dishwasher, it’s not for me.

I’d love to know how you organize all your food for meal prep and how you store it!

Be sure to join us on Facebook for more meal planning fun! And if you need some help with meal planning, you can join my 30 Day Meal Planning Challenge here.