Best Meal Prep Containers

Meal prep and food storage containers aren’t something that you are necessarily looking at for the most bells and whistles. What really matters is that they are a strong, durable, and reliable product that can stand up to the rigorous demands of such a container. I’ve looked at a variety of products and will give you my recommendation for the best container for your money as well as a few more suggestions if you are looking for something more specific.
Here is a list of the Best Meal Prep Containers
Image | Meal Prep Containers | Rating |
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The Best:
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid Food Storage Container, BPA-Free Plastic, 42-Piece set (1880801)
The reason this takes my spot for the best product is its versatility. This set really allows options for whatever you need by providing a wide range of durable, reliable, and useful containers. To start out with, the brand name Rubbermaid still comes in as one of your best choices. It’s an established name with a history of long lasting, high quality product. With that in mind, here’s why I these containers take my top spot.
>>View Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid Food Storage Container here<<
Material:
There is a large debate over which is better; glass or plastic. Glass may get a bit of an edge due to the environmental factors, but plastic is still a good idea for a variety of reasons.
These include:
- The ability to be easily and safely transported frequently
- Better sealing lids to prevent spills
Rubbermaid’s plastic is BPA free to prevent the issues of this chemical making it’s way into your body
Price:
For around $20 you receive 21 containers, which are designed to last. It’s funny to think about it as such, but these are an investment. This $20’s should last you a good many years.
Convenience:
There are a few nice features that make these products more convient than a lot of their competition. When empty, the lids and containers stack to save space in your pantry as well as making them easier to find and store. They are safe to use in the microwaveable and dishwasher meaning that they are perfect for carrying lunches, leftovers, or ingredients or even a variety of uses outside of the kitchen.
What’s Included:
This is a big set. It includes: 5 (0.5 Cup), 5 (1.25 Cup), 5 (2 Cup), 2 (3 Cup), 2 (5 Cup), 2 (7 Cup), and 21 Easy Find Lids which should be plenty for most people. If need be, Rubbermaid also offers smaller and larger sets of the same containers to either expand the amount or simply to buy a smaller set. They are all interchangeable between products adding even further to the convenience.
Issues:
The only real faults with these are the occasional ability for the plastic to become stained with heavy uses or if they are accidentally exposed to very high temperatures. While they are microwave safe, anything more has the potential to melt or warp the plastic.
Pros
- 21 containers
- BPA Free
- Interchangeable lids
- Microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe
- Leakproof
Cons
- Discoloration
- Rare occasions where heat can warp
Other Suggestions
If you’re looking for something more specialized, I do have a few other suggestions. While Rubbermaid’s container set is good for a wide variety of uses, it doesn’t cover everything. Here are the best glass, compartmentalized, and drink containers in my opinion.
Glass
Pyrex Simply Store 10-Piece Glass Food Storage Set
If you want to move away from plastic, or simply prefer glass, I recommend Pyrex as they offer the perfect 5-container set to get you started. Another well known brand for their high quality products, the main reason this didn’t take the top spot was because I know not everyone wants to put up with the fragility of glass for uses such as ‘brown bag lunches.’ However, out of the glass containers available, I feel this one is a pretty clear winner.
>>View Pyrex Simply Store 10-Piece Glass Food Storage Set here<<
Material:
While glass, these containers are still durable and I’ve found that they don’t have the tendency to chip after heavy use. Like plastic, they also offer a PBA free container while including the ability to be used in the oven, unlike the plastic variety.
Price:
At under $20 you may not get as many containers as the plastic Rubbermaid, but the versatility of glass can easily make up for this. There is still a good variety in the containers you receive which justify the price of the pack.
Convenience:
As mentioned, these containers also offer the ability to be placed in the oven as well as still being dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe. While I have noticed that the rectangular containers do not have the tightest seal, they are still efficient at storing all sorts of food, as long as they remain upright. However, if you need something a bit more spill proof, the circular containers hold a very solid seal in most situations. These containers do take up a bit of space on the shelf, but that is mainly due to the fact that the largest size is quite big.
What’s Included:
You get 5 containers: (2) each 2-cup Round Dishes, (1) each 4-cup Round Dish, 3-cup Rectangular Dish, and 6-cup Rectangular Dish with Blue Lids.
Issues:
The one main fault with these containers is pretty much the same through all lines of glass containers. In extremely rare occurrences, you may receive a poorly manufactured set, which has the tendency to “explode” when exposed to heat. However, as mentioned, not only is this exceptionally rare, but one of the factors as to why this is recommended over other brands is that these will crack, but will not completely shatter as other brand appear to do. I have personally used these containers for years and never had an issue.
Pros
- 5 containers
- Glass
- BPA Free
- Dishwasher, microwave, fridge, freezer, and oven safe
- Durable
Cons
- Rectangular containers lids can be a bit loose
- After time, lids can split (~4 year lifespan)
- Very rare occasions have reported explosion in the microwave
Compartment
EasyLunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers, Set of 4, Classic
If you want to store multiple things in one box, EasyLunchboxes has the perfect solution. While not a major brand name, they have started putting out a range of well-respected products, specifically for transporting food. They also seem to be doing it better than their competitors.
>>View EasyLunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers here<<
Material:
These are again made from a durable, BPA free plastic.
Convenience:
The compartments within the container allow for a single one to transport or store food. These stack to save space during storage, but do take up a bit of shelf room due to their size. They are both microwave and dishwasher safe making it convenient to reheat and clean.
What’s Included:
Each container is 9.4" x 6.1" x 2" Compartment capacities: Large section-2.5 Cups, Smaller section-3/4 cup, Smallest section-1/2 cup. Inside of the largest compartment is approx. 4.5" x 5" Inch and 1.75" deep
Issues:
The only real issue with these containers is that they are not leak proof. However if you don’t plan on using these for runny or liquid foods, they work very well.
Pros
- 4 containers
- 3-compartment container
- BPA Free
- Freezer, dishwasher, and microwave safe
- Durable
Cons
- Liquids can leak out/into other compartments
- Lids can become loose
Drink
BlenderBottle Classic Loop Top Shaker Bottle, Clear Black, 20 Ounce
If your meals consist largely of protein shakes, smoothies, fiber drinks, or meal replacements, BlenderBottle might be what you need. I recommend the 20-ounce size as I find it more practical for all of its uses, but coming in your choice of three different sizes, you can pick what suits you best. Not to mention, you have tons of color options as well.
>>View BlenderBottle Classic Loop Top Shaker Bottle here<<
Material:
These are again made from highly durable, BPA free plastic for the container and a surgical-grade stainless steel BlenderBall inside.
Price:
None of the sizes of this container will cost you over $10. The 20oz size that I recommend comes in at about $7.00
Convenience:
If you need a container for a drink, this bottle gives you a wide variety of options, from being able to hold simple drinks up to things such as protein shakes, smoothies, chocolate milk, and others. It’s also super convenient for making scrambled eggs, or mixing things like pancake batter or salad dressing. It’s durable and leak proof to prevents spills, and holds up well to its purpose of vigorous mixing.
What’s Included:
A 20-ounce, 28-ounce or 32-ounce container, patented loop top, ergonomic flip cap and tapered spout, and stainless steel BlenderBall.
Issues:
The only real customer complaints seem to stem from faulty lids with the tendency to either break or leak. However, BlenderBottle seems to take customer service seriously and takes the time to work out these issues with it’s customers.
Pros
- BPA Free
- Leak proof
- Durable
- Protein shaker included
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in many different sizes
Cons
- Fairly specific use
- Some reports of breaking lids
Conclusion
There are a wide variety of highly specific containers out there for all of your meal prep and storage needs. Hopefully this list has been able to point you in the right direction to get what you need. I know there are thousands of reviews out there to wade thought, so maybe this make it a little easier to choose a reliable and high end product for your needs. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Other Suggestions