Make meal prepping easier with these top-rated meal prep containers. From glass to plastic, find the best containers to keep your food fresh!

Here's a practical guide to help you stay organized, reduce waste and make your meal prep routine more efficient.
It all starts with the right containers
Having the proper containers is the first step to being more organized with your weekly meal prep! Iāve rounded up the best containers for the job, including pros and cons for each option.
Thereās no long and complicated list ā just the basics, so you can buy what you need, leave what you donāt, and get right down to prepping with ease.
What to look for in meal prep containers
- Leak-proof and air-tight: You want containers that wonāt spill in your bag and can keep food fresh until lunchtime. A secure, air-tight seal helps preserve meals longerāand no need to worry about carrying them upright.
- Dishwasher safe: Look for containers that can go straight into the dishwasher. It saves time, especially if you're prepping multiple meals during the week. Check that both the base and lid are dishwasher safe before buying.
- Microwave safe: If you're reheating meals at work or home, microwave-safe containers are a must. They make it easier to heat and eat without extra cleanup.
- The right material and size for your routine: Glass is great if you're working from home or donāt mind a bit of extra weight. Plastic is lighter and more portable for meals on the go. Choose a size that fits your portions well so thereās less empty space and air exposure.
- Long-lasting and budget-friendly: Good containers donāt need to be expensive, but they should hold up to daily use. A quality set will last through weekly meal prep, travel, and plenty of dishwasher cyclesāmaking it a worthwhile investment over time.
What you need to know about different container types
When it comes down to it, there are three different materials for meal prep containers – plastic, glass and stainless steel. I rounded up the pros and cons of each to help you decide what works best for you.
Plastic
- Pros: Microwave safe, dishwasher safe, leakproof (mostly), lightweight, cheaper than other options
- Cons: Can stain, can contain chemicals (make sure you buy BPA-free plastic), can't be used in the oven, might not be freezer friendly, not as durable
Glass
- Pros: Microwave safe, dishwasher safe/easy cleaning, leakproof, oven safe, doesn't stain, eco friendly, no chemicals, more durable
- Cons: Can be quite heavy, more expensive than plastic
Stainless steel
- Pros: Doesn't stain, lightweight, durable, eco friendly
- Cons: Not microwave safe, not dishwasher safe, not oven safe, can leak more (doesn't seal as well), often quite expensive
My personal recommendations
I've rounded up my favourite brands here to take out the guesswork. Let me know what you think of them!
Glass meal prep containers
Best for: Everything! Individual servings, fruits, veggies, meat, salads
My pick: Prep Natural Glass Meal Prep Containers
These are my fave because you can easily reheat your leftovers in the microwave and they're dishwasher and freezer-safe!

Round glass containers
Best for: Smaller portions, sauces, side dishes, ingredient prep
My pick: Anchor Hocking Glass Storage Containers
These round glass containers are great for smaller portions of leftovers and ingredient prep.

Mason jars
Best for: Layering salads, homemade dressings, sauces, yogurt parfaits, overnight oats, smoothies, marinades
My pick: Ball Glass Mason Jars
I like to have a bunch of different mason jar sizes on hand. They're just so handy and are amazing for meal prepping salads!

Bento boxes
Best for: Lunches, snacks, kid lunchboxes
My pick: Prep Naturals Glass Bento Box Containers
These are so fun for your work week lunches and are super kid friendly! Keep everything separated in different containers.

Foil containers
Best for: Freezer meals
My pick: Plastible Disposable Foil Pans
These are SO perfect for freezer meals. Freeze the food in them then stick the container right in the oven.

Freezer bags
Best for: Freezing soups, dump dinners, marinated protein
My pick: Ziploc Gallon Freezer Bags
These are great for freezing a bunch of meals that you can thaw in the fridge and then dump in the crock pot.

Reusable silicone food bags
Best for: Anything you'd put in a regular Ziploc bag
My pick: Stasher Bags
These reusable bags get the same job done as the plastic bags but are made of a safer material and produce less waste.

Silicone cubes
Best for: Freezing soups, sauces, liquids, stews and fillings
My pick: Souper Cubes
These are great for freezing soups, sauces, liquids and fillings while saving space in your freezer.

Disclosure: Please note that these are affiliate links – I will get paid a small percentage of the sale if you make a purchase. This is money that helps keep my blog up and running so I can continue to send you free recipes š There is no extra cost to you whatsoever and I only recommend products I genuinely love from companies I trust!
Comments & Reviews
wendy says
I signed up for the challenge and I like what I have seen so far. Only on day 2. I had to email you my homework because I am still waiting to join the facegroup to post. Not sure why it is taking two days to be excepted. I sent this challenge to a friend so we can do it together.
Question: How do you freeze jars in the freezer? My friend says she does it a lot and she freezes the jar before putting the top on it, then adds the top. I tried to freeze something in glass and it busted. Thanks
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Wendy, we are a very small business and do not work weekends. This is also a free challenge. This likely explains the delay with the Facebook group. We don’t recommend freezing anything in glass jars, we recommend smaller glass containers that are freezer and oven safe, or using silicone stasher bags.
bvar says
Do you feel you need both the rice cooker and the instant pot? I find the instant pot replaces the rice cooker!
Taylor Stinson says
I like having both because my Instant Pot is so big and a pain to wash after sometimes. My small rice cooker is easier to disassemble and put in the dishwasher, plus I sometimes like to make rice while prepping something else in the Instant Pot at the same time š
Debbie says
Just got an Instant Pot and absolutely love it. I’ve made 3 of your recipes so far and they’ve turned out great.
Taylor Stinson says
Iām so happy you enjoyed Debbie, thank you for the kind words š