Meal Prep Containers: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Welcome to my kitchen

How wonderful that you're here! Grab a cup of tea (or a coffee, if you've just had a busy morning like me), because we're going to talk about something I really can't live without anymore: meal prepping. Now I can hear you thinking: "Ivonne, that sounds like one of those modern terms for hip people on Instagram." But actually, we've been doing it for years, right? We used to just call it 'cooking ahead for tomorrow' or 'saving leftovers'. At our home, Sunday afternoon is often the moment the kitchen is full of pots of soup, fragrant sauces, and of course, a whole stack of meal prep containers.

Since the grandchildren arrived, our house has become a cozy open home. At those times, I don't want to spend the whole evening standing over pans, but just enjoy playing on the floor with the little ones or having a good conversation with my daughter. That's why I've become such a fan of preparing meals. It gives me peace of mind and a tidy kitchen. But I also know that starting out can be quite overwhelming. Which meal prep containers do you need? Will they fit in the cupboard? And do they really stay closed? Over the years, I've worn out quite a few, from those cheap containers that warped after one time in the dishwasher to the luxury glass versions. In this guide, I'll share all my honest experiences with you, so you don't make the same mistakes I did.

What are the best meal prep containers?

If you ask me what the best meal prep containers really are, I have to be honest: it just depends on what you want to do with them. I have a colorful collection in my kitchen cabinets, and each container has its own task. What I always do is look at the material. You roughly have two choices: glass or plastic.

Glass: the king of the oven

Personally, I love glass meal prep containers. Why? Because they don't absorb odors or colors. You know that feeling when you put that delicious pasta sauce in a plastic container and after washing, the container has an orange glow forever? You don't have that with glass. Moreover, they can go straight from the fridge into the oven (just take the lid off first, of course!). My tip: choose borosilicate glass, as it handles temperature differences well. According to the Consumer Association, glass containers are often more durable in the long run because they are less prone to scratching.

Plastic: lightweight and handy for on the go

Yet, for the grandchildren, I often swear by plastic meal prep containers. If my five-year-old grandson decides he wants to grab his lunch from the fridge 'himself', I don't have to worry about shards if the container hits the floor. Plastic meal prep boxes are also much lighter to take to work. Make sure they are BPA-free. In our Storage & Organization collection, we only have containers that I 100% stand behind myself.

A disadvantage of plastic is that they can become a bit dull over time, especially if you put them in the dishwasher often. And be careful with the microwave; some plastic containers can deform if the sauce gets too hot. I mainly use them for cold salads, sliced fruit, or a healthy wrap. Looking for something that really seals well? Then look for containers with a silicone rim in the lid and those handy clips on the side. Nothing is more annoying than a bag covered in dressing—believe me, I've been there!

How big should a meal prep container be?

This is a question I often get in the store: "Ivonne, what size should I get?" The answer is actually simple: ensure variety. When I cook for my husband and me, I often use meal prep containers of about 800ml to 1 liter for a full evening meal. That's exactly enough for a good portion of mash or a generous scoop of lasagna.

For the grandchildren, I use much smaller meal prep boxes. A container of 300ml or 400ml is perfect for some sliced cucumber, a few grapes, or a small leftover of pasta from the day before. What I always do when choosing new meal prep containers is check if they are stackable. Nothing is as frustrating as a kitchen cabinet where everything falls out as soon as you open the door.

Different compartments or one large compartment?

You also have those handy meal prep containers with different compartments, also known as bento boxes. They are fantastic if you don't want your food to mix. My daughter always uses them for her work lunch. The quinoa goes in the large compartment, the dressing in the small one, and some nuts or an egg in the other. This way, everything stays fresh and crunchy until the lunch break.

At our home, we mostly use containers with one large compartment for dinner. That's easier for reheating and saves on dishwashing around the edges of the compartments. For those who want to start seriously, I recommend beginning with a set of 5 to 10 identical meal prep containers. Not only does it look very neat in the fridge (honestly, that makes me so happy!), but it also ensures that all lids fit all containers. No more searching in that dreaded 'lid drawer'!

Healthy storage containers for your family

Healthy eating goes beyond just the ingredients you choose. It's also about how you store those ingredients. According to the Nutrition Center, it is essential to store food at the right temperature and in the right materials to prevent bacterial growth and preserve vitamins.

When you choose healthy meal prep containers, pay special attention to the 'BPA-free' label. BPA is a substance found in some plastics that you'd rather not have in your food, especially when reheating it. At Ivonne's Kitchentools, I am very strict about this; I only want the best for my family, and therefore for yours too.

Fresh storage boxes that actually keep things fresh

A good seal is half the battle. If air gets to your food, it spoils faster. That's not only a waste of your effort but also of money. I often use fresh storage boxes with a vacuum system if I know I won't be eating something for three or four days. For daily leftovers, standard meal prep containers with a good snap closure are more than sufficient.

What I often do when I cut vegetables for the whole week is place a small layer of paper towel at the bottom of the container. This absorbs moisture, keeping your bell pepper or cucumber crunchy for much longer. It's those little tricks that make the difference! And don't forget: if you put warm food in your meal prep containers, let it cool down on the counter first before putting the lid on and placing it in the fridge. Otherwise, you get condensation, and that makes your food soggy. For everything that needs to go straight into the cold, you can take a look at our Fridge collection.

My favorite meal prep Tupperware

Let's be honest, the term 'Tupperware' has since become a generic name for almost any plastic container, but there really is a quality difference. My favorite meal prep Tupperware is the kind that can go in the freezer, the dishwasher, and the microwave without deforming or getting those annoying white spots.

I have a set of meal prep containers that I've been using for at least ten years. They might be slightly more expensive to purchase, but when you consider how often they've been used, the price is very reasonable. That's also a piece of sustainability that they always emphasize at Milieu Centraal: buy items that last long instead of disposable containers.

Why I swear by transparent lids

My tip for everyone starting with meal prepping: buy containers with a transparent lid or a transparent side. Nothing is as frustrating as having to open five meal prep containers before finding what you're looking for. At our home, we have a system where the glass containers are for dinner and the colored plastic meal prep boxes are for lunches and snacks. This way, my husband also knows exactly what he can take and what I've reserved for Wednesday evening when I come home late from the shop.

If you want to reheat food, it's handy to have containers with a vent in the lid. Then you don't have to place the lid loosely on top (which often causes splattering), but the steam can still escape. In our Microwave selection, we have specific containers that are perfect for this. It saves you a lot of cleaning work in the microwave, and believe me, I absolutely hate that!

Smart food storage at our home

At our home, the freezer is my best friend. I often cook in large quantities. Since I'm already busy with that big pot of bolognese sauce, why not cook for three times at once? I divide the sauce into different meal prep containers and freeze them. This way, I always have a healthy meal on hand for those days when I really don't feel like cooking.

Storing food in the freezer does require a bit of organization. I always write with an erasable marker on the lid what's inside and when I made it. Because believe me, after two months in the freezer, that beef stew looks exactly like the goulash. For the best freezer-safe containers, you can visit our Freezer collection.

The fridge organization

I also try to be smart with the fridge layout. I put the meal prep containers that need to be eaten first at the front. In the store, we call this 'First In, First Out', but at home, I just call it 'eat what's almost expired first'. My grandchildren now know that the bottom shelf of the fridge is for them. That's where their own small meal prep containers with cherry tomatoes, pieces of cheese, or a container of yogurt are kept. This way, they can grab something healthy themselves and I don't have to walk with them every time.

What I also always do is have one day a week to 'eat out' the fridge. Then all the remaining meal prep boxes come onto the table and we turn it into a sort of tapas night. The kids love it, all those different snacks, and I don't have to cook and don't throw anything away. Now that's smart food storage!

Summary: Your start with meal prepping

Well, we've discussed quite a lot! If you're just starting, it might feel like a big undertaking, but just start small. You don't have to cook for the whole week right away. Try doubling your dinner on Sunday and save half in your new meal prep containers for Tuesday. You'll see how much peace that brings on a busy weekday.

Remember the key points:

• Choose the right material: glass for the oven and odors, plastic for weight and safety for children.
• Ensure a good mix of meal prep container sizes (from 300ml to 1 liter).
• Pay attention to quality: BPA-free and a good seal are a must.
• Organize your fridge and freezer so you maintain an overview.
• Make it easy for yourself with stackable meal prep boxes.

The most important thing is that it works for you. One week I have the whole fridge full of neatly organized meal prep containers, and the next week it's a bit of a scramble. That doesn't matter! It's about eating healthy more often and experiencing less stress in the kitchen. And if you have questions about which containers best suit your situation, you can always send me a message. I'm happy to think along with you, as if we were sitting together at the kitchen table.

Frequently Asked Questions

In conclusion

I hope that after reading this guide, you are just as enthusiastic about meal prepping as I am. It has truly made my life in the kitchen much more enjoyable and easier. No more panic at five o'clock in the afternoon about what we're going to eat, but just grabbing one of my trusted meal prep containers from the fridge.

Are you ready to organize your own kitchen? Then take a look at our Storage & Organization collection. I've set out my personal favorites there for you. Whether you choose glass or plastic, as long as you fill it with love, every meal tastes better.

Love, Ivonne