Where will it live?
The fridge, the freezer, a backpack and an office shelf each ask something different of a container.
Gear guide
Meal prep containers: start with a cheap set you can reuse.
I prep one dish as four meals. Here is the container I use, what I don’t like about it, and the questions that decide which one fits your routine.
What I use: GoodCook 4-cup containers
Plastic, single compartment, 4 cups each, sold in packs of 10. I pick the black ones because they don’t seem to stain.
I like one compartment because it is the most flexible. Whatever the dish is, it goes in the same open space. My four meals from one dish go in four containers, so when I double my batches, one pack of 10 still covers a batch.
The lids warp with heat. They have lasted through several reuses anyway, and they are fairly inexpensive. For heating, follow the maker’s instructions for the container and lid, because my results are one kitchen’s experience and not a safety rating.
I haven’t compared other containers, so there is no ranking on this page. I’ll update it when I change containers or double the batch.
Why I haven’t bought expensive containers yet
I’m still working out my routine, so I don’t want money tied up in containers I may not need in that size or shape. Buy a cheap set, learn how many you fill and which ones you reach for, then upgrade the ones that let you down.
Four questions before you buy
Only buy a container if it fixes something in your routine.
How will it heat?
Follow the maker’s instructions for the container and lid. A microwave-safe base does not imply a microwave-safe lid.
What is the useful size?
Check how much it really holds and what shape it is, not just the size on the box.
Will you clean it?
If it’s a pain to wash or won’t stack, you’ll stop using it.
Plan your first week of meals
Containers come second. Start with one meal you can repeat and buy for that.
Guides
Gear guides go here once we have tested the products and taken our own photos.