The 6 Best Meal Prep Containers of 2023

Meal prep containers can simplify your life and set you up for success on your meal prepping journey by making it easy to store, transport, and reheat pre-portioned meals. The best meal prep containers are made from durable and food-safe material, easy to clean, and sized to your specific needs.

While meal prepping can be tedious, it's a great way to plan what you'll eat. According to MS, RD, CDN, "Investing in high-quality meal prep containers is a great way to set you up for success with your nutrition goals. Planning—and preparing—meals and snacks ahead of time makes sticking to your meal plan simple. If meal prep feels overwhelming, I suggest starting with one meal, such as breakfast. Mixing up a large batch of overnight oats and storing it in individual containers makes mornings easier."

Other features to look for include compartments for different foods, lids with a secure closure system, and whether or not the container is microwave-safe, dishwasher-safeor oven-safe. We researched a variety of options with these helpful features in mind. A registered dietitian nutritionist from our reviewed this article for accuracy and safety in regard to different types of materials and how they handle temperature changes such as freezing and reheating.
 

We like this set from Pyrex and named it our top pick because it's durable and extremely versatile. You can prep, bake, serve, store, freeze, and reheat meals, all in the same container. Made from nonporous borosilicate glass, these containers won’t stain or absorb odors and flavors. They can also adapt to and withstand extreme temperatures from minus 40 to 300 degrees, making them oven-, freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe.

This six-piece set comes with three specially sized round containers with lids, including a 2-cup, 4-cup, and 7-cup container. The smaller containers can be used for smaller portion sizes, with the bigger size being a good option to keep larger amounts of food stored in the fridge. The blue BPA-free lids deliver a leakproof fit and are also safe for use in the freezer, microwave, and on the top rack of the dishwasher. The only downside is the containers do not have sectioned compartments.

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers deliver an airtight seal with innovative latches that keep food from leaking. When released, the latches reveal built-in vents that eliminate microwave splatter. This set is conveniently safe for use in the dishwasher, freezer, and microwave. 

Rubbermaid's stackable containers are crystal clear, so you can easily keep track of your meal prep inventory. Made from BPA-free Stainshield plastic, Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers look like glass but are durable and much lighter. Additionally, these containers are stain- and odor-resistant, keeping their pristine appearance through many meals and dishwasher cycles. Plus, they come with two compartments so you can separate food as needed.
 

In comparison to plastic, glass withstands higher heat and repeat usage, so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into your food. Prep Naturals' two-compartment meal prep container is made from high-quality borosilicate glass, which is safe to use in the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher. The lid is not dishwasher- or microwave-safe.

Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers are leakproof and remain odorless, even if you cook with garlic on repeat. This set includes five 29-ounce containers that measure 7 x 5.1 x 2.6 inches and weigh 1.6 pounds.

If you’re looking to prep meals and freeze them, try these sturdy Glass Meal Prep Containers, which can go straight from the freezer to the microwave. However, the lid is not microwave-safe. These containers are made from lead-free borosilicate glass, a durable glass that won’t break under extreme temperatures—like the freezer. The containers (not the lids) can also withstand oven heat up to 700 degrees.

The lids are BPA-free plastic and snap on to prevent leaks. It is recommended to wash them by hand, but the glass containers can go in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The silicone seal inside the lid is removable, which is not a defect but rather allows for thorough cleaning under the seal. These containers stack neatly, keeping your freezer tidy and organized.

These glass bowls from S’well are great for portioning out meals that need to be reheated, like soup, oatmeal, or pasta. Made from durable tempered glass, these bowls are safe to pop in the microwave, and the lids are too. The pop-top lids are leak-resistant, and you can further prevent leaks by putting these bowls inside S'well Eats food bowls, sold separately. The glass bowls include measurement lines on the outside, making it easy to portion out food.

These bowls hold 12 ounces, about 1.5 cups, which may work best for breakfast or sides versus an entire meal. The other downside is that they are heavier than plastic containers since they are made from glass. S’well glass bowls are BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe.
 

The most annoying part of meal prep containers is storing them when not using them. That’s not a problem with Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Food Storage Container Set. These five containers fit neatly inside each other, with accompanying color-coded lids that keep organizing easy, whether in the cabinet or the fridge. This set comes in five different sizes, from 8 to 101 ounces, so you can keep the main dish separate from sides and sauces and portion them out as you go throughout the week.

The airtight lids snap shut, preventing leaks. Both the containers and lids are BPA-free and can safely go in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. Joseph Joseph sells a variety of sets and sizes, so you can add more as you go, depending on which sizes you like best.