These Meal Prep Containers Make Us Actually Want To Eat Leftovers
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Now that you’ve done your shopping and your meal prep is done, what is your next step? Meal prepping doesn’t simply stop once you turn your oven off! Once you’ve completed the hard part, there’s one last hurdle to jump: how are you going to store your food?
In comparison to the work it takes to create a grocery list, prep your meals, and store the food, the storage containers you use might seem like a minor detail. However, the proper tools can help make your food last much longer and can be a huge asset when it comes to convenience. If you’re looking to spice up your preps, we’re here to help!
Benefits of Meal Prepping
When it comes to meal prepping, there are many benefits; some of the most notable perks are saving both time and money. If you prepare even one meal per day per week–whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner–you’ll eliminate the need to spend time cooking throughout the day. Also, having a meal already made means you won’t feel the need to go out to eat instead of eating a homemade dish!
Meal prepping is also a great way to incorporate healthy foods into your diet, and it will help with portion control as your meals are already individually planned out. All of these factors make meal prepping a great choice for those looking to save themselves time, money, and access to healthy meals.
What to consider when shopping for meal prep containers
Picking the perfect meal prep container isn’t as simple as throwing everything into one big container. This is almost guaranteed to make your crunchy food mushy and your other foods soggy.
Before purchasing a container set, think about what you plan on prepping. Are you going to be reheating food? Or, do you plan on having meals with many different components, like salads, which include dressing, nuts, and cheeses? Both of these require different types of containers to get the most out of your meals.
Below, we’ll detail some of our favorite types of containers with different materials and sizes. Take note of the features of each to select the best for your lifestyle!
Glass Containers with Lids
Image: Amazon
Seal Tight Lunch Bowl Container
W&P
Perfect for soups on the go, these glass containers are microwave and dishwasher-safe–not to mention adorable. Perfectly airtight and leak proof, you’ll be able to take your soup preps on the go with ease.
Image: Amazon
Glass All-in-One Salad Container
Bentgo
Keep your salads perfectly crunchy with this separated meal prep container. The upper portion of the Bentgo box keeps your salad dressing and toppings, while the bottom holds your salad base. Perfect salad on the go!
Image: Amazon
Glass Mason Jars With Leakproof Lid
DRKIO
As a certified Jar Girl, I love eating out of a Mason jar! This set is perfect for early morning overnight oats. It even comes with a handy spoon holder so you’ll never forget a utensil to eat with again.
Image: Amazon
3 Compartment Glass Prep Container
FIT Strong & Healthy
Food storage containers with separate compartments are one of the handiest things to have on hand for mixing and matching your meals. Create a big batch of protein at the beginning of the week and fill in the smaller compartments with different carbs and greens. It gives you a fresh new lunch every day!
Image: Amazon
Fluted Glass Containers
Joy Jolt
These leak proof glass containers are a great all-purpose way to store your food. Whether you’ve made stir fry for the week or a batch of pasta, this is the perfect container to hold lots of food at once.
Plastic Food Containers
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Deli Storage Containers
Stack Man
Deli containers are the cool girl way to drink water–at least according to The Bear! They’re also great at their original intended purpose: storing food. Use them to store sauces for the week, different soups, and so much more.
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Compartment Containers with Custom Fit Lids
Bentgo
Do you have lots of different items to store? These Bentgo boxes give you many storage variety options (a set of 60 pieces!) so that you can be sure that you’ll have whatever you need on hand and ready.
Image: Amazon
Plastic Leakproof Storage Containers
FIT Strong & Healthy
Having airtight, leakproof plastic containers on hand is really the biggest meal prep hack of all. You’ll never have to worry about throwing one of these into your tote bag while running out the door; your food will stay contained until you’re ready to enjoy it.
Image: Amazon
Round Reusable Containers With Lids
Prep Naturals
Imitate your favorite takeout place with these reusable plastic containers. Perfect for large quantities, you won’t feel bad if you forget them in the fridge at work. I also like to use them when I want to cook for a friend: I won’t be too upset if I don’t see the container again!
Image: Amazon
Dual Compartment Plastic Container
Glotoch
The same goes for this type of container! Now, you have the freedom of choice between separating your meal components or keeping them together in one.
Freezer containers
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Freezerware Food Storage Containers
Glad
Nothing wrong with a classic! These specially designed freezer containers will stand any temperature test that you throw at them, from the freezer straight into the microwave. You’ll never have to eat a cold meal again!
Image: Amazon
Souper Cubes Silicone Trays
Souper Cubes
If you’re a fan of making your own stocks and broths, then you know just how difficult it is to store them; unless you’re an avid canner, it’s incredibly difficult to dole out portions. That’s where the Souper Cube comes in! Turn your soup into perfectly measured ice cubes to have on hand whenever you’re ready for them.
Image: Amazon
Freezer Food Block Maker
YouCopia
More of a gallon freezer bag believer? Make the most use of your space with this handy block freezer. Your freezer may look like the inside of an igloo, but your space will be used oh-so-efficiently.
Image: Amazon
Silicone Storage Bags
Stasher
Silicone bags are the ultimate kitchen hack–store snacks, sous vide, or throw them in the freezer with ease. Every cook needs at least a few on hand at all times.
Image: Amazon
Stacking Square Storage Set
Tupperware
The amount of surface area your food takes up in the freezer can turn a good frozen meal into an excellent one. By having more surface area in the freezer, your food will freeze easier and more evenly, greatly reducing the amount of ice crystals in a meal. Boom! Delicious food with the hit of the defrost button.
Storage Sets
Image: Food 52
Microwavable Nested Storage Set
Mepal
When it comes to storing your storage containers, it's helpful to make the most of your space. Nesting storage containers is an incredibly efficient use of your cabinet space, and this set is perfect for the job.
Image: Amazon
Green Glass Storage Set
iwaki
Aesthetically pleasing and efficient? Your glass container set will be competing with your delicious food for the spotlight the next time you prepare a meal.
Image: Walmart
Plastic Food Storage Set
The Pioneer Woman
More is more when it comes to storage! This set includes some of the most commonly used Tupperware sizes. You’ll never need to root around for the best-sized container again!
Image: Amazon
Produce Saver Containers
Rubbermaid
Prepping meals doesn’t mean you have to cook everything all at once! Sometimes, it can be as simple as cutting up fruits and veggies for the upcoming week. These special food storage containers make your prepared produce stay perfectly delicious until you’re ready.
