A Nourished Life
A Nourished Life
This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read out full affiliate disclosure.
Feeling overwhelmed by meal prep container choices? We’ve got you covered! Simple, straightforward advice for stress-free food storage.
Let’s be real – meal prepping is already challenging enough without having to stress about where to put all that food you just made! Trust me, I’ve been there – staring at a mountain of food with a drawer or cabinet full of mismatched containers and wonky lids. It’s enough to make anyone want to give up and order takeout! But here’s the thing: having the right containers can be a total game-changer. Having the right containers can make meal prep easy. You will thank yourself on the days you open the refrigerator and remove your meal-prepped container. Not to mention, you will save money in the process. There will be fewer lunch and dinner takeout expenditures.
Did you know the average American spends over $2,000 annually on lunch takeout alone? Having the right containers can make meal prep easy and save you serious money. You’ll thank yourself on those busy weekdays when you open the refrigerator and remove your perfectly portioned, ready-to-go meal.
Looking for something specific? Use this quick guide to jump to any section:
Before we dive into the details, here’s a helpful overview of your main options:
| Feature | Glass | Plastic | Stainless Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $20-50/set | $10-30/set | $25-60/set |
| Durability | High | Medium | Very High |
| Weight | Heavy | Light | Medium |
| Heat Safe | Microwave & Oven | Microwave Only | No |
| Stain Resistant | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best For | Home & Office Use | Commuting & Kids | Active Lifestyle |
Having the right container is an essential piece to meal prep. This will make reheating your meal easier. The right container will provide better heat distribution for your food, rather than just heating one side of your meal more than the other.
Lids are another piece of the puzzle. You want a lid that will stay on your container, eg. during transport.
There is nothing worse than having your meal dumped all over the contents inside your bag or backpack. I do not use a conventional lunch box to transport my meals. Because of the various things I need for work, I use a backpack and this is where I store my lunch. Sometimes the container is on its side or finds a way to get flipped upside down. So having a good lid is very important.
There are several different types of containers you can use. There are snack stacking containers, salad bowls, glass containers, plastic containers, and divided containers. And do we need to be that technical about the containers we use? The answer is no. Container choices don’t have to be hard or make you want to pull your hair out.
One simple question you should ask yourself is, “What type of meals or snacks am I going to bring with me”? That should help you narrow down the type of container you need. Having the answer to this question will help guide your purchasing decision.
No More Mystery Stains!
Reheating is a Breeze
See-Through Benefits
Built Like a Tank
Better for You and the Planet
Let’s look at why plastic containers might be the right choice for you:
Commuter-Friendly Features
Budget-Friendly Benefits
Practically Indestructible
Storage Space Savers
Meal Prep Versatility
Safety Tips
Stainless steel containers are the unsung heroes of the meal prep world. Here’s why they might be worth the investment:
Temperature Control Champions
Built for the Long Haul
Eco-Warrior’s Dream
The Trade-Offs
Before we dive into specific recommendations, here’s a quick comparison of our top picks:
| Feature | Glasslock Set | Pyrex Simply Store | Rubbermaid Brilliance | Sistema To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $40-45 | $30-35 | $25-30 | $15-20 |
| Capacity Options | 6 sizes | 4 sizes | 8 sizes | 5 sizes |
| Leak-Proof | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Durability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Weight | Heavy | Heavy | Light | Light |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 2 years | Lifetime | 1 year |
Some of the various products on the market have features you might like. Some of the containers have lids with rubber seals. When the lid closes on the container, there is a much tighter fit. Keeping more of what you want in the container and less outside of it.
Some products have lids with snap locks on four different sides. This helps to ensure a tight fit when closing your container, which will help to keep food from spoiling faster.
I have seen some lunch containers with utensils provided as well as salad dressing containers. This keeps everything in a neat package. No need to search around the office for spoons and forks because you forgot to grab some from the convenience store.
Here’s one way to figure out what size you will need for your meal. Measure what you’re currently eating using measuring cups. Divide your dinner plate into thirds and if it fits on a plate, that’s your portion size. Start with 1 cup of proteins, 1 cup of grains, 2 cups of veggies as a basic template. Remember: better to slightly undersize and use two containers than have one overpacked container.
Try this method and as time goes on, you can tailor the food portions to your daily needs. Somedays you may have more food and others you may have less. This would depend on the activities you have for the day. Especially if you are going to the gym or have a physically demanding career.
It’s important to keep your containers clean and in good shape. You don’t want to worry about cross-contamination, stained, or warped containers, or lids. In my opinion, it’s best to hand wash plastic containers and all lids. Sometimes the dishwashing detergent can leave behind residue. Plus over time from the heated dry cycle, lids and containers can lose their shape and you’ll have no use for them.
Glass containers can be washed in the dishwasher with little to no problems. I would wash the lids by hand, however. You can put the lids on the glass containers when you are going to store them. This will help keep the correct number of lids for containers. You can do the same for plastic containers, to keep the lid-to-container ratio the same. It’s frustrating when you have to search long and hard for the matching lid to the container you want to use.
Meal prep can seem daunting but if you keep it basic to start with, you will enjoy saving money over time because you will be eating out less. Start with just work lunches. Start by prepping 2-3 days at a time.
Stick to simple meals you’ll eat. If you like to eat chicken, vegetables and rice, stick to that until you are ready to try something new. When putting the portions in your containers, don’t overfill. This will make the container harder to close and it makes re-heating your food take longer.
You don’t want to overfill your container because you want to leave some room between the food and the lid. This will help to compensate for steam. Keep sauces separate. You can date your food and follow the FIFO method, (First In, First Out). This will ensure you are rotating your meals and nothing gets spoiled. Store tomorrow’s food in front. To save time, cook double portions. You can use Sunday as a prep day for the week.
Q: How long should my containers last?
A: With proper care:
Q: What size containers do I need to start? A: Begin with:
Q: Can I put hot food directly in my containers?
A: Let food cool for 10-15 minutes first. This prevents excess condensation and helps maintain food quality.
Q: How do I prevent salads from getting soggy?
A: Layer your ingredients properly:
Listen, meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated, and neither does choosing your containers! Pick what works for your lifestyle, your budget, and the kinds of meals you will eat. Start small, maybe with just a few containers for your lunches, and build from there. The right containers are out there waiting to make your meal prep journey so much easier – no stress required!
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
