Meal prepping means that you can be on autopilot while you’re able to eat a meal or snack, says Dr. Lisa Younger, an adjunct professor of vitamin at New York College and a nutritionist in personal follow. As a substitute of getting to organize breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll be able to attain into your fridge and pull out pre-made meals, eliminating time spent standing over the range or chopping substances.
Since meal prepping entails cooking a number of servings of a dish or bigger portions of meals without delay, you’ll want containers to retailer every part in. We talked to vitamin specialists about methods to determine which meal prep container is best for you and the options it is best to think about whereas procuring. We additionally rounded up a few of our favourite choices, plus expert-recommended picks.
SKIP AHEAD Containers with compartments | Single compartment container units | Containers for packing lunch | Containers for snacks and smaller meals | Finest kitchen instruments for meal prep
How to buy meal prep containers
Deciding which meal prep container is finest for you is basically a matter of non-public choice. However there are a number of elements specialists suggest fascinated about.
Materials: Meal prep containers are sometimes comprised of plastic, glass, silicone or stainless-steel, and the fabric they’re product of impacts whether or not they’re secure to place within the oven, microwave, freezer or dishwasher. Every materials has its personal execs and cons, which we broke down intimately under. However usually talking, containers which can be secure to place within the microwave or oven assist you to reheat meals in them, and people which can be dishwasher-safe are typically simple to scrub. BPA-free: Make sure to purchase containers whose supplies are free from the BPA chemical, says Younger. Some analysis has proven that BPA can leak into meals or drinks when saved in containers made with the chemical, doubtlessly resulting in destructive well being results. The entire containers we suggest under are BPA-free.Compartments: Containers with compartments are finest for portioning out full, particular person meals, specialists say. Due to that, you’ll be able to eat from them immediately. Inside one container, you’ll be able to add a serving of a vegetable, grain and protein, for instance, and meals keep separated because of built-in dividers. Should you’d slightly retailer massive portions of meals in devoted containers, like one with a number of days value of greens and one other with grains, it’s finest to buy these with out compartments. Then, while you’re prepared for a meal, you’ll be able to serve meals from the containers onto dinnerware. Capability: To find out what dimension meal prep container you should purchase, take into consideration how a lot meals you propose to make and retailer at one time. This all depends upon the sorts of dishes you usually cook dinner and the way many individuals you’re feeding. Small and medium-sized containers are often adequate for snacks and singular meals one individual will eat. However you’ll want bigger choices in case you’re meal prepping meals for the week forward that two or extra folks will eat, says Shelby Yaceczko, a sophisticated follow medical dietitian within the Division of Digestive Illnesses at UCLA Well being. Lids and/or hermetic seal: It’s essential to purchase containers with tightly becoming lids and/or hermetic seals to scale back the danger of spills, leakage and micro organism progress on saved meals, says Yaceczko.The most effective meal prep containers to buy
To suggest the perfect meal prep containers, we rounded up skilled picks and choices Choose employees love. The entire containers on our record are BPA-free and freezer-safe. We observe which of them are oven-safe, microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe.
The most effective meal prep containers with compartmentsM Mcirco Glass Meal Prep Containers
I meal prep dinner for the work week each Sunday and retailer meals in these containers. They arrive in a set of 5 with snap lock silicone lids and have two compartments inside that assist me portion out meals. I’ve used the containers for about two years and discover them to be tremendous sturdy. Additionally they haven’t stained, in my expertise, even once I’ve poured tomato sauce and curries inside.
Materials: Glass | Capability: 4.5 cups | Compartments: Three | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Oven-safe | Microwave-safe
EasyLunchboxes Bento Lunch Packing containers
These meal prep containers are similar to the glass one above, however they’re comprised of plastic, in order that they’re much less fragile. They arrive in a set of 4 and have tight becoming lids. The stackable containers — which have a 4.6-star common score from 16,424 critiques on Amazon — are designed with three compartments, the biggest of which holds 2.5 cups of meals and the smallest of which holds 1/2 cup of meals. Every container within the set has a distinct colour lid, so you’ll be able to designate one for every meal or day of the week.
Materials: Plastic | Capability: 5 cups | Compartments: Three | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
Bentgo Prep 3-Compartment Meal-Prep Containers
Beneficial by Yaceczko, Bentgo presents stackable, multi-compartment containers that you should use to construct snack packs or meals. These are available in a pack of 10 with lids and the quantity of meals that every compartment holds is embossed on the underside of the tray, serving to you measure parts. You should purchase the containers in colours like lilac, blue and silver. They’re reusable as much as 10 occasions, in accordance with the model.
Materials: Plastic | Capability: 4 cups | Compartments: Three | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
Sistema Multi Break up To Go Container
These meal prep containers are a decrease profile choice in comparison with others on our record, making them significantly appropriate for stacking in your fridge or freezer. The containers have three compartments inside and the clips on their lids create a leak-proof seal across the prime, in accordance with the model. They’re out there in a set of 5 and have a 4.7-star common score from 23,197 critiques on Amazon.
Materials: Plastic | Capability: 3.5 cups | Compartments: Three | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
The most effective single compartment meal prep container setsPyrex Freshlock 14-Piece Glass Meals Storage Set
Yaceczko recommends Pyrex containers due to the lid’s superior air-tight seal, which is supported by their built-in locking tabs. This set comes with seven stackable containers in a mixture of sizes, plus spherical, sq. and rectangular shapes. The containers are designed with labels you’ll be able to write on with dry erase markers, serving to you retain observe of what’s inside and while you made it.
Materials: Glass | Capability: Containers vary in capability from 1 to six cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
OXO Good Grips Good Seal 12-Piece Container Set
OXO additionally presents glass containers with dependable leak-proof lids, says Yaceczko. The model’s 12-piece set comes with six stackable containers and lids in a number of sizes, plus rectangular and round shapes.
Materials: Glass | Capability: Containers vary in capability from 4 oz. to three.5 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Oven-safe | Microwave-safe
Caraway Meals Storage Set
Caraway despatched me these containers a couple of yr in the past and I’ve used them ever since for every day meal prep and storing snacks like muffins and minimize fruit. The set consists of one massive container, two medium containers and two small containers, plus inserts that nest inside to carry condiments or toppings like nuts and seeds. The containers’ matching lids create a really tight seal and are comprised of clear glass, which permits me to see what’s inside. You additionally get two straps to wrap across the bigger containers, including an additional layer of assurance that they gained’t open in transport. Moreover, that can assist you manage the containers when not in use, they arrive with a handy storage system I preserve in my pantry.
Materials: Ceramic-coated glass | Capability: Containers vary in capability from 4.4 cups to 10 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Oven-safe | Microwave-safe
Finest meal prep containers for packing lunchW&P Porter Lunch Field
I convey my W&P Porter Lunch Field to the workplace virtually day-after-day and pack meal prepped meals in it the evening earlier than. The lunch field has a modular design that means that you can take away the divider, so you’ll be able to change the scale of every compartment or take out the divider fully. There’s additionally a detachable tray you’ll be able to place contained in the field, splitting it into two ranges, serving to you separate a sandwich from chips or a salad from crackers, for instance. The container has a built-in silicone strap that helps preserve the air-tight lid in place once I’m strolling to work, making me assured that it gained’t open inside my lunch field.
Materials: Plastic | Capability: 4-cup bowl and 2-cup detachable tray | Compartments: Three | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
Bentgo Fashionable Bento Lunch Field
Should you’re on the lookout for a meal prep container that’s as fashionable as it’s purposeful, I like to recommend Bentgo’s two-tone field with metallic accents. There’s two components to it: a meals tray and a meals tray holder. The holder homes the meals tray inside and has a lid with a locking clip plus a silicone seal. The meals tray is designed with three compartments, which you’ll flip into 4 compartments by inserting an included detachable divider. You’re in a position to raise the tray out of the holder to microwave or clear it.
Materials: Plastic | Capability: 5.5 cups | Compartments: 4 | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
Klean Kanteen Rise Massive Meal Meals Field
Because it’s comprised of stainless-steel, this container is further sturdy, lowering the possibility that it’s going to break or get broken if it’s jostled round in a backpack or work tote. The container comes with a detachable divider and its lid has a silicone tab that extends over the facet, providing you with a spot to grip whereas lifting it off the bottom. There are additionally snap-and-lock tabs on the lid that connect with the container’s base, conserving it much more safe. Klean Kanteen despatched me a number of of its meals bins to attempt, and I favor this one as a result of its massive dimension, which accommodates virtually any meal I need to pack inside. I additionally love the model’s smaller 2.8-ounce and 10-ounce snack containers, which I exploit for nut butters, hummus and dressing.
Materials: Chrome steel | Capability: 6.9 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Oven-safe | Microwave-safe
Finest meal prep containers for snacks and smaller mealsBall 16-ounce Mason Jars
You should use glass jars of varied sizes to retailer meals like chopped greens, salads, in a single day oats, cooked grains, snacks and parfaits, says Younger. Ball Mason Jars can be found in sizes from 4 to 32 ounces, and so they are available in multipacks so you should buy a number of at a time, making certain you at all times have one readily available. Every jar has a screw-on metallic lid and band to kind a good seal across the mouth, in accordance with the model.
Materials: Glass | Capability: 2 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
Stasher 4-Pack Storage Starter
Reusable silicone baggage take up minimal house, in order that they’re an amazing container choice in case you don’t have numerous kitchen storage, says Yaceczko. Stasher Luggage — a few of my favourite eco-friendly kitchen instruments — are available in quite a lot of kinds, sizes and colours, and a few fashions have flat bottoms in order that they stand upright. I meal prep smoothies in these baggage by portioning out frozen fruit, greens and milk ice cubes, in addition to pack snacks, sandwiches and salads inside. You’ll be able to label Stasher Luggage by writing immediately on them with dry erase markers, and so they have an air-tight Pinch-Loc seal. Stasher’s Starter Package 4-Pack comes with one 15-ounce sandwich bag, one 9.9-ounce snack bag, one 56-ounce stand-up mid bag and one 64-ounce half gallon bag.
Materials: Silicone | Capability: Luggage vary in dimension from 0.5 cups to 13 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe | Oven-safe
Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Snacking Meals Storage Containers
Younger suggests utilizing small stackable containers to retailer condiments like dressing and snacks akin to dried fruit and nuts. These spherical plastic containers from Rubbermaid are available in a pack of three and have a twist and seal lid.
Materials: Plastic | Capability: 1.2 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe | Microwave-safe
What’s the perfect materials for meal prep containers?
Under, we broke down the professionals and cons of various supplies meal prep containers are generally comprised of.
Glass: Most glass containers are secure to place within the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher, making them extremely versatile, says Younger. However they’re fragile, so in case you plan on taking meals with you on the go, they is probably not the most suitable choice.Plastic: Plastic is a sturdier materials in comparison with glass, making it higher for journey. Plastic containers are additionally helpful for these with kids who regularly eat out of them or who like serving to within the kitchen — if the container falls, it’s much less more likely to break, says Younger. However understand that not all plastic meal prep containers are secure to place within the dishwasher, microwave or oven.Silicone: Silicone is a extra versatile materials in comparison with glass, plastic and stainless-steel. Many meals storage choices comprised of silicone take up minimal house, and both lay flat or fold down when not in use, says Yaceczko, however they’re not at all times secure to place within the dishwasher, microwave or oven.Chrome steel: Like plastic, stainless-steel is sturdy and straightforward to move, specialists informed us. And whereas many stainless-steel containers are dishwasher- and freezer-safe, they’re usually not microwave- or oven-safe, so you’ll be able to’t at all times reheat meals immediately in them.
Past the professionals and cons of every materials, specialists suggest fascinated about the next elements:
Transparency: Having the ability to see via the container, or not less than a portion of it, means that you can view the contents inside. Should you’re storing portioned meals made up of the identical dishes, seeing contained in the container might not matter. However in case you’re placing every dish in its container, with the ability to see what’s inside might be useful while you’re serving.Colour: Some folks favor to buy containers in a number of colours, or with completely different coloured lids, says Younger. You’ll be able to designate a colour for every day of the week or for various meals teams, like one colour for greens and one other for grains.BPA-free: Whichever materials you select, make sure that the container is BPA-free, which suggests it doesn’t comprise the BPA chemical. BPA is a priority as a result of some analysis has proven that it may well leak into meals or drinks when saved in containers made with the chemical, resulting in attainable destructive well being results, says Younger.
What meals are you able to meal prep?
You’ll be able to meal prep just about any meals you take pleasure in consuming for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to for snacks, specialists informed us. For instance, you may make yogurt parfaits for breakfast, grain bowls for lunch, pasta and veggies for dinner and crudités with hummus as a snack. As you’re fascinated about what to cook dinner, there are a number of guidelines of thumb Younger recommends conserving in thoughts to create healthful, well-balanced meals.
Half of your meal must be composed of fruits and/or greens, which might be uncooked, cooked or included into ready meals like soups, salads and purees.Protein must be a part of each meal, whether or not it’s animal protein like meat, fish, eggs and dairy-based merchandise, or plant-based protein like tofu, beans and nuts.Meals ought to embody starch, ideally an entire grain like brown rice, wheat bread or oatmeal.While you’re making ready snacks, attempt to pair a fruit, vegetable or starch with a protein, creating what Younger calls a “excellent pair” that retains you full for an extended time period than the meals would when eaten on their very own. For instance, an apple with nuts, crackers and hummus or greens and bean dip.
How lengthy does meal prepped meals final?
Usually talking, meal prepped meals that’s refrigerated and saved in a container with an air-tight lid stays contemporary for about seven days, says Patrick Guzzle, the vice chairman of meals science for the Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation, the group that writes and publishes ServSafe merchandise. After that, it tends to say no in high quality, which means it’d develop an odor, discolor, develop mildew or change in texture. Needless to say the seven day guideline depends on a most fridge temperature of 40 levels Fahrenheit, says Guzzle. Your fridge ought to by no means be above this temperature to scale back the possibility of spoilage and food-borne sickness, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and the Meals and Drug Administration.
To verify your fridge stays at or just a little bit under 40 levels Fahrenheit, Guzzle recommends shopping for a fridge thermometer and checking it regularly. Why? As a result of if the equipment’s inside temperature rises above 41 levels Fahrenheit for any purpose, that seven day freshness time-frame begins to get shorter, says Guzzle.
Are you able to freeze meal prepped meals?
Whereas meal prepping, do not forget that the freezer is your buddy. You may make a big batch of soup, sauce, chili or broth and freeze it to eat at a later date. If meals is frozen strong, it’s good for months, if not longer, as long as it doesn’t develop freezer burn, says Guzzle.
When you’re able to eat one thing you froze, take it out of the freezer and place it within the fridge to thaw. There, meals is nice for about seven days, as long as you freeze it immediately after initially cooking it, says Guzzle. Should you don’t, you’ll should do some math to determine how lengthy the meals will keep contemporary within the fridge. “Seven days are cumulative, so in case you wait to freeze one thing, it’s important to scale back these seven days by the variety of days earlier than you froze it,” says Guzzle. “For instance, in case you make one thing on Thursday however wait till Saturday to freeze it, you’ll have 4 days to eat it as soon as it’s thawed,” he defined.
The most effective kitchen instruments that can assist you meal prep
Along with the best containers, there’s a handful of kitchen instruments that may provide help to meal prep. Measuring cups and a meals scale help with portioning out meals, and freezer trays protect soups and sauces for future use. Under are a number of highly-rated kitchen instruments we suggest, which all have over 4-star rankings on Amazon.
Meet our specialists
At NBC Choose, we work with specialists who’ve specialised data and authority primarily based on related coaching and/or expertise. We additionally take steps to make sure that all skilled recommendation and proposals are made independently and with no undisclosed monetary conflicts of curiosity.
Dr. Lisa Younger is an adjunct professor of vitamin at New York College and a nutritionist in personal follow. She’s an writer who has written books together with “Lastly Full, Lastly Slim.” Shelby Yaceczko is a sophisticated follow medical dietitian within the Division of Digestive Illnesses at UCLA Well being.Patrick Guzzle is the vice chairman of meals science for the Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation, the group that writes and publishes ServSafe merchandise. He’s labored in retail meals security for 20 years and advises the Affiliation and its members on meals questions of safety like pathogen and allergen management.Why belief NBC Choose?
Zoe Malin is an affiliate updates editor at NBC Choose who writes about kitchen instruments and home equipment, together with tales on ice cream makers, Dutch ovens, cookie baking and pie baking. For this text, she interviewed three specialists about how to buy meal prep containers and rounded up skilled picks and NBC Choose employees suggestions.
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