It’s Time To Throw Out That Takeout Meal Prep Container You Stashed Away

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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 the contents of their easy soup recipe or healthy breakfast in every corner of their purse). After all, you want lunch to taste like it was just made, from the crispness and crunch of a cucumber to the tenderness of a strip of your favorite protein.

The Best Meal Prep Containers

These containers make eating on the go as easy as eating at home. Shoot, working with a good meal prep container might even conjure up some nostalgia, bringing you back to those sweet days of packing your own tasty meal to school.

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. But you don't want to wade through the reeds—you deserve the very best.

What to consider

There are some considerations to take into account before shelling out your heard-earned dough. Think of it as a little check list of questions to ask yourself before buying. After all, one of the many merits of the food prep container is its longevity. If it's built to last, it needs to be the right build for your lifestyle.

So, are you prepping food for lunch at work or are you looking to store leftovers at home (or both)? Are you looking to save space? What kind of foods will you be transporting? Are you looking for a does-it-all piece or an entire set? Asking these questions will help you navigate the expansive field, landing on a real keeper.

How we selected

With meal prep containers, a few key traits can make or break the item. The very best are functional, meaning they're easy to use and make packing along various dishes and snacks no chore at all. They also lock in freshness, preserving those flavors and textures we adores.

Durability is important, as these items are so often banged around in fridges and freezers or shlepped to the office or weekend getaways. That said, they must seal well as you don't want to have to worry about things spilling. We also issue bonus points for innovative design and style. And it's 2024, so let's steer clear of too much plastic and think about the environment.

See below for the 10 best meal prep containers on the market for every kind of home cook in 2024.

28-Piece Plastic Food Storage Container Set

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.

Nobody wants to be scouring their drawers for the right lid before work in the morning or have to hand clean the items that evening. That said, we like the compatibility of this set as well as the fact that you don't have to hand wash them.

You don't have to worry about liquids as the seal is solid. That means you can also pack some of those tasty—albeit stinky—things to the office, like broccoli, eggs, or fish, and not have to worry about offending others. And the clarity of the set is a subtle bonus, as it's nice to see what's on the menu.

5-Piece Brilliance Food Storage Containers

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.

We like the durability and size of these options, making them great for not only the workplace but weekend outings like camping. The large volume means you can throw in an extra snack or even meal for those long days out and they reheat wonderfully, meaning less dishes.

Families will be especially fond of these containers as the lids are easy to open, even for little ones. They're lightweight and stackable and we like how fresh they keep things, from crunchy greens to moist meats.

Adult Bento Box

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.

Fans of multiple courses or items per meal will love this sophisticated box. We love that Hometall recognizes the importance of packing along a quality condiment or two and the design is so sharp you almost want to show it off.

Having the extra sections inspires a more well-rounded meal, encouraging important add-ons like fruits and vegetables. Frankly, we like how this bento box makes you feel like a kid again, not just because you're packing a mean lunch but because there's a Tetris-like element to the interlocking design.

Glass Food Storage Set

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). And we love this set for travel, as the quality seals and extra strap mean peace of mind and not having to worry about that leftover lasagna oozing out.

It's modular and cool, affording your food storage game some modern style points. Really, they look so good we're guilty of using them as dishes for guests during dinner parties or happy hour. The ceramic-coated glass is sleek and bonus points for a half dozen color options. They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Stainless Steel Bento Box

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.

We like the retro cool factor at play here, not to mention the rugged durability of this heftier box. There's room for a whole sandwich and in an era of plastic everything, it's nice to go a different direction, for the planet's sake.

There's no denying the ample space at play here, with six cups of volume to work with. We love that kind of wiggle room, and the snap closure is a nice touch. While not the best for liquids and sauces, it's still a strong choice and the stainless steel works as a great natural insulator.

Silicone Food Storage Containers

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!

We like them for days on the trail due to their flattening ability, or packed along to restaurants when you know there might be leftovers (just keep 'em in your purse). The seal cap is great for reheating things and cleanup is a breeze as they can just be tossed into the dishwasher.

We've taken a habit to using for to hang on to things in the freezer, as they can slide or tuck in to just about any nook or cranny. The pastel colors scream spring and we found the lids to do their job soundly.

Portable Salad Lunch Container

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.

And even if you pre-dress things, like a good Caesar, the lid will keep things pretty fresh all the way until the lunch bell rings. Washing by hand is the preferred way to go here, especially if you want to get residue out of any corners or in the seam of the lid.

It comes with a fork and packing is quick and simple. We like the BPA-free nature of the container and the sauce can keeps liquids secure. Given that it's best for salads, it's an inherently healthy option and will even challenge the top salad pros out there to step up their game and create something new and delicious.

Glass Lunch Bowl Container

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).

We like how insulated it is, able to keep things warm for hours on end after the first heat (or reheat). The container is easy on the eyes and substantial in terms of build, meaning it can stand up to some wear and tear. The shape offers some style points, as is typical for W&P products and in addition to perfectly housing broths and chowders, they do well with pastas and stews too.

Choose from seven color options and if one isn't enough for your meal portions, get a second and pair them up. They bring a clean and organized aesthetic to your fridge and we can't get over the simple functionality of this outstanding lunch bowl.

Seven-Piece Nested Storage Bowl Set

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.

There's no denying the quality here, so if you're looking for a first set or it's time for an upgrade, this is a great route to take. The clever design from the Dutch brand means the individual pieces can nest together, saving you precious kitchen or packing space (they stack with lids on too).

We like how they perform wherever you put them, whether it's the freezer, fridge, microwave, or dishwasher. The lids are unwavering and the translucent nature is nice for both seeing the contents and protecting more delicate foods from too much light.

Eight-Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers

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.

And about that durability. We've been known to drop them now and again and have yet to report any damage. That's pretty impressive for glass. And because we're clean freaks, we like the removable rubber ring that pops out of the seal when it's sanitizing time.

We like how they handle all kinds of foods, spanning the spectrum from bone dry to liquid wet. Just remember to take the lids off before throwing them in the dishwasher. And by all means, use them to reheat that hot dish in the over as they can handle temperatures all the way up to 700 degrees F.

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