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Jul 22, 2023

21 Best Meal Prep Containers For Easy Food Storage In 2023

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us? There's nothing like good leftovers. Whether you’re learning how to meal prep

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us?

There's nothing like good leftovers.

Whether you’re learning how to meal prep so you can develop a healthy work lunch routine, or just want some cute and functional vessels to stash leftovers in, having a selection of high-quality, air-tight meal prep containers in your kitchen is key.

A great meal prep container keeps your food fresh by keeping out air while sealing in moisture and flavor. Plus, it locks things in, so you can avoid messy spills (no one needs soup contents in every corner of their purse).

Whether you're looking for glass, silicone, or plastic options, something lightweight you can commute to work with, or a container that won't break easily if you're on the clumsier side, there are legit endless options of food storage containers out there. In fact, here's a whole list of them. See below for the 21 best meal prep containers on the market for every kind of home cook in 2023.

This set of five square glass containers has tight-fitting lids held in place by a snap closure on each side. The identical containers hold four cups worth of food, and the lids are all interchangeable, so there’s no need to hunt for the right fit. These containers are also fully BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, making clean-up a breeze.

Rave Review: “We use ours to take lunches to work—completely leakproof. I’ve been known to take milk for my coffee, soups, and pudding without issue. I love these things. I also have the glass ones for things like fish, enchiladas, or other stinky or colored foods.”

If you like some separation between your meal components, these deep, clear plastic containers are a great choice. They have two compartments—one for a larger entree and a smaller second pocket that’s great for a side dish. These also become leak-proof when locked on each side and are made from BPA-free plastic that’s dishwasher-safe.

Rave Review: “I have been using these boxes as lunch boxes for my toddler for six months now. They have never leaked, are easy to clean, and to open/close even for a child. They also haven't shown any discoloration despite the food containing varied spices including turmeric."

This bento box stacks three trays high and offers eight unique compartments for your meal components, including a cute round dip holder for ketchup, mayo, or salad dressing. A leak-proof silicone ring divides the trays to ensure no liquids escape, and there’s plenty of room in the 50-ounce capacity box to stash a satisfying meal.

Rave Review: “The bottom two compartments are deep enough to cut a sandwich in half and place inside, or a nice chicken breast, and there is plenty of room in the middle for fruit and veggies as well. It stacks very nicely and cleanly and the fact that it's dishwasher safe is a huge bonus.”

These plastic containers are about as basic as they come, and they’re great for meal preppers who want to do minimal dishes. They’re made from thick black plastic with see-through lids and are durable enough to use in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. Plus, you can’t beat the price for 50 containers.

Rave Review: “I purchased these for meals and meal prep. I make homemade meals for my hubby and me, and I always cook extra to freeze for later dates when I don't feel like slaving over the stove. These are good portion-sizes and easy to wash. I even put them in the dishwasher with no issues.”

This 14-piece set is as beautiful as it is functional. Though you’ll pay a bit more for it, you can be confident that it will last for years of regular use. The set includes one large container, two mediums, two smalls, and a series of “inserts” that nest inside the larger containers to divide food.

As a bonus, you’ll also get a neat storage container system to display and easily access your containers (which are notoriously difficult to organize).

Rave Review: “The airtight seal and added strap let me feel safe my food isn't going to spill when I travel with it. Also, the fact that I don't have to transfer food out of the container to go into the stove or microwave is a huge win and lessens what I have to clean. 10/10”

These deeper plastic meal prep containers are perfect for transporting leafy salads, grain bowls, and even soups. They have tight-fitting clear lids and nest together neatly for easy storage.

If you’re measuring out ingredients, the bowls even have volume measurements embossed on the inside of the container for at-a-glance prep.

Rave Review: “They are deep and very durable. They don't change colors like the flimsy black containers. The lids also fit really snugly. I will be ordering more from this brand.”

This fully-stainless steel bento box has two levels and removable trays. Two of the trays hold three cups each, and one smaller insert holds three-fourths of a cup for a side dish or dip. The trays nest securely together and two clamps hold everything in place. This is a great environmentally-friendly choice that’s free of plastic and is built to last for years.

Rave Review: “This Bento box is exactly what I’ve been looking for. The box is sturdy (re: has weight to it). I didn’t purchase it for foods that are runny, so it works well for my purposes. The locking caps are pretty tight in a good way, but I think would be difficult to open for a small child or elderly person. I would buy it again.”

Regardless of what you’re eating, you’ll be the envy of the lunchroom with this sleek, minimalist container. Its one-liter capacity is ample space for salads, bowls, and pasta dishes.

The opaque lid is held in place by a secure, grippy silicone strap. Though this is an extra piece you’ll have to keep track of, it does a great job of preventing leaks on-the-go. Plus, the unbreakable BPA-free plastic construction makes this bowl exceptionally durable.

Rave Review: “These Porter bowls are the best traveling lunch containers we have ever owned. They hold just the right amount of food, they clean perfectly in the dishwasher, and their design is sleek and clever. The strap-sealed lid works perfectly—nothing EVER leaks! We own four of these, and the one that is four-years-old looks as brand new as the three we just got. Great product!!”

This set of three squishy silicone boxes is super lightweight and portable. The three 40-ounce rectangular containers collapse nearly flat, which is a great feature for storing in a small kitchen space. They’re heat resistant up to 428°F, so you can pop them in the freezer or microwave with no issues. Plus, they come in three cute colors!

Rave Review: “I bought these to take to restaurants for our leftovers. They easily fit into my purse when going out. They work perfectly for our leftovers. Plus, we don’t use a styrofoam carry-out container! So it’s a win-win situation.”

Though a bit heavier than plastic, stainless steel, or silicone, ceramic is a great material for heating and storing food, as it’s very resistant to heat and cold. This set of three 23-ounce containers has tight-fitting silicone lids held in place by a seal that prevents leaks on-the-go. They have colorful designs, so the containers can double as serving dishes, too.

Rave Review: “These things are so cute—microwave and dishwasher safe!!! So pretty and perfect for taking my bowls of soup to work! Wonderful purchase!”

These heavy-duty plastic reusable meal prep containers are inexpensive and highly practical, with two spacious compartments to divide up your meal. They’re lightweight and highly packable, making this a great set of containers for travel.

Plus, they’re freezer safe down to -40°F and microwave safe up to 270°F, so you can reheat food right in the container.

Rave Review: “These are the perfect size for prepping three meals per day for seven days. The fifty-pack is a great pack for two people prepping together.”

If you’re packing an intricate meal with four different components you’d like to keep separate, these are the containers for you. The larger bottom compartment can hold a quartered sandwich, a serving of pasta, or a burrito.

Three equally-sized smaller sections are a good size for snacks and dips. The containers are also freezer and dishwasher-safe.

Rave Review: “The plastic is strong and durable. The tops click nice and snug. What's better is they stack snugly inside of each other whether storing away in the cabinet or stacking in the fridge.”

Stash a big veggie-packed salad into this deep bowl-style bento box. In addition to the spacious 38-ounce container, there is also a smaller 10-ounce tray insert that can hold salad toppings that would otherwise get soggy or messy like croutons, fruit, or dressings. Both pieces are dishwasher-safe.

Rave Review: “Two weeks in, and I'm in love with this product...The setup is great, and so far, I have not had any leaks with the sauce container. I just recommend washing everything by hand, especially the sauce container, as its closure piece is delicate. But, for under $10, I'm beyond impressed with this product. I may even buy the larger size for my fiancé if he decides he wants to start making salads for lunch, too.”

No one wants to open their lunch bag at the office to find their homemade soup has leaked all over their laptop. This glass bowl container has a tightly-fitting screw-on lid that prevents leaks. Plus, it’s microwave-safe and the grippy silicone exterior won’t get too hot. You can heat your lunch, and remove it from the microwave without burning your fingertips. The bowl also comes in five colors and two size options (16 and 24 ounces).

Rave Review: “I absolutely love this container and it keeps the food warm for hours. I use it for my son's lunchbox and it fits perfectly inside with a little room to spare. Great product. Great value."

Keep hot food hot and cold food cold for hours in this heavy-duty insulated container. It has 24-ounce capacity, which is great for storing hot tea or stashing soup or pasta for lunch. Plus, the lid doubles as a serving bowl!

Rave Review: “The Thermos met all my expectations. The oatmeal stays warm for more than 12 hours. Drinks [also stay] very hot during this period of time. The Thermos is very easy to clean, even without a dishwasher. The only thing is that in order to thoroughly wash the inside of the Thermos, it's better to use a brush with a long handle.”

These small 12-ounce containers make it easy to pack snacks or meal components in totally separate boxes. They’re made from lightweight but durable plastic with tight-fitting see-through plastic lids. The containers stack snugly into each other for storage and take up minimal space.

Rave Review: “Great food storage, meal prep containers—they’re the exact right size for portion-conscious people. I bought these to make several breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals in advance for busy days. I've used them in the microwave and in the refrigerator, and cleaned them in the dishwasher.”

This robust set of storage containers will have all of your bases covered with 14 containers in various shapes, depths, and sizes. It includes everything from a spacious 101-ounce deep round bowl to a travel-ready 12-ounce round dish. All containers also happen to look great and come in four color options to match your kitchen aesthetic.

Rave Review: “What a difference quality makes! These are solid, clean easily, and fit in the fridge easily. My old containers were wayyy past the 'update these now' date and I am loving these!!!"

This set of eight heavy-duty BPA-free glass containers is designed to keep snacks separated and everything inside. They seal closed with plastic snaps and are dishwasher, microwave, and even oven-safe (though the lids should not be used in the microwave or oven). This is a highly durable set of compartmented glass containers for kids and adults.

Rave Review: “[These are] great for meal prep since [they have] little compartments. People at work loved them. The Glass is NOT cheap and thin. I dropped one in my driveway when I came home and it didn't break or even crack.”

The cute and colorful checkered silicone siding on these glass meal prep containers serves multiple purposes. They add grippiness so you’re unlikely to drop the glass, and provide shock absorption if the containers bump up against anything in transit.

The silicone also tempers the heat so you can safely remove the hot container from the microwave. Without the lid, these containers are safe in the oven up to 450°F.

Rave Review: “These are a perfect size for my husband's lunches. I don't have to worry about plastic leaching into his lunch when he reheats it. I love the silicone on the outside, so after reheating your lunch you can get it out of the microwave without potholders. I wish though that the lid could go in the microwave too, but that isn't a huge deal for me. Great product.”

You don’t have to shell out the big bucks for a set of quality food storage containers in a variety of shapes and sizes. This 14-piece set includes four rectangular containers and three round containers, plus an airtight locking lid for each one. The highly durable glass is oven-safe up to 752°F, which is well above what conventional home ovens can reach. The plastic lid is also microwave-safe (with proper venting to avoid explosions).

Rave Review: “I have had these containers for almost a year now and they remain my favorite—durable, clean, and showing no signs of damage so far. I use these constantly in a rotation for leftovers and for bringing [food] to work. I highly recommend them and will be purchasing them again when the time (if it ever) comes!”

Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.

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