Whether you’re making meals for the week or simply need the right adult lunch box to keep your packed lunch neat for hours, here I share the ones I’ve been using for years that work!
Below, you’ll find the best plastic and glass containers for all your needs: microwavable and freezable ones, the best for packing salads and sandwiches, small ones for dressings, and more!
How to Choose Meal Prep Containers
As someone who packs a lunch for the office daily, I own several types of meal prep containers that I use depending on what I’m packing.
Lucky for you, I’ve tried many different ones over the years, so today, I’m only sharing the ones that work, last, and won’t waste your money.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Will it need to be microwaved? While most plastic containers are free of BPAs and phthalates and can be microwaved, many people prefer glass containers for this.
- Are you packing liquids? Containers that have a good seal are preferred for soups.
- What material do you prefer? Plastic or glass is a personal preference.
- Will you be making meals and freezing them? Plastic containers are usually best for meal-prepping and freezer meals because they hold up better to the expansion in the freezer and are also more affordable in bulk.
- How much do you want to spend? All the containers below are quite affordable, even the glass containers; however, plastic is always cheaper.
- Do you need to keep food hot? If so, you’ll need a thermos container.
What are the Best Plastic Meal Prep Storage Containers?
Each of these plastic lunch containers are completely BPA-free, dishwasher, and microwave safe. I prefer containers with compartments so you can pack multiple items in one container. These are best for building bento and bistro box style lunches like the Chicken & Hummus or Pizza Bistro Box.
The Best Glass Meal Prep Storage Containers
If you go from home to the office, glass meal prep storage containers are the most durable -I’ve owned many of mine for over a decade! Here are my go-to favs:
Don’t know where to start? Watch this video where I show you some of my favorites:
How Many Meal Prep Containers Do You Need?
I recommend having 2-3 containers per person and one of each type. One for salads, one for meal prep, and another that’s freezer-safe. Having a few containers available will give you the most options for packing leftovers as well as making work lunches ahead of time.
Can Meal Prep Containers be Reused?
I’ve been reusing meal prep containers for years even after running them through the dishwasher a few times per week. Glass ones have lasted me nearly a decade, and some of the plastic ones are going on five years strong!
I will say that the cheaper meal-prep containers you get from takeout can be reused a few times, but they lose their quality and crack after a few uses.
How Long Can I Leave My Meal Prep in the Fridge?
Most of my dinner leftovers and meal-prepped meals stay in my fridge between 2 and 4 days. If I don’t think I’ll eat the leftovers within 3 days, I will take the container and transfer it to the freezer, where it can stay frozen for about a month. The first set of plastic freezer-safe containers is great for that.
Whether you pack an epic chili to heat up at the office, a BLT Salad, or Lettuce Wraps, there’s a container that’s right for the job so you can eat healthy at work.
Check out this blog post with 50+ recipes you can use to start your weekly lunch prep today!
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