If you’re new to meal prep and looking to get started this week, you should order yourself some decent meal prep containers which can help divide your portions, keep your meals fresh, and you can easily take them to work.
The hard work has been done for you and we have listed the best meal prep containers which Meal Plan Weekly have tried and tested multiple times.
You can choose plastic or glass, or even both, but it really depends on how frequently you plan to prepare make-ahead meals.
Top Rated Meal Prep Containers
Here is a selection of the best meal prep containers which you can buy in 2022 which we have used in the past and still use today to post recipes on this website.
If you’re totally new to cooking and storing food in bulk, we recommend trying the plastic containers first because they’re cheaper, sold in larger quantities, and can be reused multiple times.
However, if you consider yourself a cooking pro or someone who regularly batch cooks, then glass meal prep containers will be better for you in the long term because of the far superior durability and material.
Best Plastic Meal Prep Containers
Here are the best plastic meal prep containers in 2022.
We recommend Igluu Meal Prep because are a fast and reliable brand which we trust and can safely recommend to you. They always deliver quickly and have a fantastic customer service support team.
Igluu Meal Prep 1 Compartment Containers [10 pack + BPA + reusable]
These are perfect for many meal prep recipes. We love this version because it can be portion controlled for one serving.
Igluu Meal Prep 2 Compartment Containers [10 pack + BPA + reusable]
Ideal if you want to separate foods like nuts and fruits from your main meal. It’s the ideal lunchbox container that gives you options.
Igluu Meal Prep 3 Compartment Containers [10 pack + BPA + reusable]
Good for splitting up foods in three compartments which gives you a chance to include fruits, veggies, and nuts in your meal preps.
Igluu Meal Round Plastic Containers [10 pack + BPA + reusable]
Perfect if you love salads, and curries and want to include plenty of food in your meal prep. Also, good for prepping pizza dough in the fridge!
Best Glass Meal Prep Containers
Here are the best glass meal prep containers in 2022.
These are the exact containers that we have ordered in the past and are still with us today. They’ve been in top condition and it’s one of the best one-time purchases we’ve made for meal prep.
Glass Meal Prep 1 Compartment Containers [10 pack + BPA + reusable]
A popular choice for meal prep pros as these will last forever. You can store plenty of food in each container which is good for all types of meal prepping.
Glass Meal Prep 1 Compartment Containers [5 pack + BPA + reusable]
Smaller pack but enough for one person. You can store your meals in the fridge or freezer, and you can also reheat them in the oven or microwave directly.
Glass Meal Prep 2 & 3 Compartment Containers [4 pack + BPA + reusable]
A mixture of compartments which is a great bundle here. Ideal for spilling up food and making the most out of the storage containers.
Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lids [13 pack + BPA + reusable]
Overall, a fantastic value pack and bundle for those who meal prep every week. You can store pretty much everything in these food storage containers.
Plastic vs Glass Containers
Should you choose plastic or glass meal prep containers? Which is better? These are questions we hear all the time.
To answer it simply, glass meal prep containers are the best overall choice and are the better long-term investment simply because of the material and hard durability.
However, plastic meal prep containers do have their advantages because they often come in bulk and can be easier to take to work or store in the fridge because they’re easier to portion control.
It all depends on what is best suited for you and how you plan to meal prep which is why we have listed the pros and cons of plastic and glass meal prep containers below.
Pros and cons
| Type | Pros | Cons |
| Plastic | 1) Budget Friendly 2) Very Lightweight 3) Often Sold In Bulk 4) Ideal For Travel 5) Better For Individual Portions 6) Variation In Shapes & Sizes 7) Freezer Friendly 8) Reusable 9) BPA Free | 1) Shorter Longevity 2) Not Resistant To Odors 3) Not Ovenproof 4) Shouldn’t Use Directly In Microwave 5) Need To Be Gentle With The Lid |
| Glass | 1) Oven Proof 2) Better Longevity 3) Better Material 4) No Odors 5) Highly Durable 6) Variation In Shapes & Sizes 7) Can Store More Portions 8) Freezer Friendly 9) BPA Free | 1) More Expensive 2) Not Always Best For Individual Portions 3) Could Take Up More Room |
Food Storage Container Benefits
Master Portion Control
It is easy to overlook how we often overfill our plates and disregard portion control because as the old saying goes, our eyes are bigger than our belly, and when you are hungry it is likely you will fill up more than you need.
Meal prep containers will help control your portions which is easier to manage calories and build a balanced healthy meal.
It is also a money-saving hack because you can evenly distribute a large cooked meal into several portions for the week which brings down your cost per meal extremely low.
For example, if you cook a large pot of spaghetti bolognese, these can be stored in multiple containers which gives you the flexibility to use for the following week or freeze for the month ahead.
It can be a key strategy for losing weight because meal planning can help you determine the number of calories you will be eating per week and this allows you to create macro-friendly meals.
Keeps Recipes Fresh
If you are going to prepare a week’s worth of food, chances are you will need storage space for your containers to fit inside your fridge or freezer.
These containers are made specifically to be leak-proof too which is great to store in your bag for work, gym, or travel.
Always ensure you look out for containers with airtight lids because that is what will keep your food staying super fresh.
This is why you can be comfortable allowing your meals to last up to 3 – 4 days.
The quality of the seal is essential, and it is a huge factor in ensuring the container is durable and locks properly which is what you should always look out for.
One hack which we often encourage is to add a slice of lemon or lime to your container or individual compartment because not only does it prevent bad odors of certain foods, but it keeps it super fresh!
Meal Prep Container FAQ
Are Plastic Meal Prep Containers Safe?
The answer is yes and no. Yes – it’s safe in terms of storage. No – unsafe if you use it directly in the microwave. Most food storage containers you see sold online or in shops are made from plastic. It should be labeled BPA-free too.
Are BPA-Free Products Safe?
For dry storage, yes. BPA-free sounds great at first and could help you make a decision to buy the product, but new research adds to growing evidence that BPA-free alternatives may not be as safe as consumers think, and the chemical can get into the food with excessive microwaving. In this instance, for storing dry food, you should be okay because these are dry ingredients that you will be using for cooking.
However, if you can, choose a glass food storage container which may seem expensive at first sight, but this is the ultimate long-term winner in terms of quality material that is free of odors and is more durable.
How Many Containers Do You Need For Meal Prep?
10 packs are more than enough for one person. Not everyone will meal prep for the entire week because it’s all about flexibility and working around your schedule. Here is a quick comparison between glass and plastic: 1 plastic meal prep container = 1 portion and 1 glass meal prep container = 3 portions. As a result, you will only need to purchase one pack of glass meal prep containers for a
Can You Freeze Meal Prep Containers?
Yes, both plastic and glass meal prep containers are freezer-friendly.
What makes meal prep containers freezer-friendly is their extremely air-tight strength. Bacteria love oxygen, but these meal prep containers will not air in. It also helps prevent freezer burn! If you have come across this before, you will know it’s a nightmare and ruins frozen food.
It will never happen with these containers!
Can You Freeze Meal Prep Containers?
Yes, both plastic and glass meal prep containers are freezer-friendly.
What makes meal prep containers freezer-friendly is their extremely air-tight strength.
Bacteria love oxygen, but these meal prep containers will not air in.
It also helps prevent freezer burn! If you have come across this before, you will know it’s a nightmare and ruins frozen food.
It will never happen with these containers!
Can You Microwave Meal Prep Containers?
It’s a yes and no answer. Yes – for glass meal prep containers. No – for plastic meal prep containers. While glass is totally fine to reheat in the microwave, plastic containers are not.
We are dedicated to providing the best and most effective meal plans to help you stay on track with your goals. Our team constantly tests and experiments with different recipes and approaches to ensure our offerings are of the highest quality. We also collaborate with a network of nutrition and data experts from around the globe to bring you innovative and advanced meal plans.