I’m a big fan of meal prepping. Cooking meals ahead of time makes it easier to eat well during a busy week, saves money compared with frequent takeout, and reduces food waste. With a few reliable tools—and the right weekly meal plan—it’s simple to prepare a variety of healthy dishes in advance.
After years of meal prepping, I’ve narrowed down the essentials that make the process faster, neater, and more efficient. Below are 12 kitchen tools I reach for repeatedly—my favorite containers, freezer trays, a food scale, and other practical items that simplify prepping and storing meals.
My Top Picks
- Best Meal Prep Containers: Ello Glass Meal Prep Container Set — $34.76 at Walmart
- Best Food Scale: OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Food Scale — $55.95 at Amazon
- Best Freezer Trays: Souper Cubes silicone trays — $34.99 at Amazon
- Best Salad Dressing Containers: VITEVER stainless steel dressing cups — $12.99 at Amazon
- Best Vegetable Chopper: Cuisinart Core Custom 4-Cup Mini Chopper — $44–50
Reviews of Meal Prep Essentials
1. Best Meal Prep Containers: Ello Glass Meal Prep Container Set
Meal prep containers are the foundation of a great prep routine. The Ello Glass set is my favorite: durable glass bodies with silicone sleeves for grip and protection, plus airtight, leak-resistant lids. They’re oven- and dishwasher-safe, so reheating and cleanup are simple.
If you prefer compartmentalized meals, Bentgo’s 3-compartment containers are a budget-friendly option. The BPA-free plastic is microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe, and the separate sections keep mains and sides from mixing.
For general leftovers and multi-size storage, a classic Pyrex glass set is useful. Pyrex containers come in several sizes with colorful, freezer- and dishwasher-safe lids—handy for prepping different components for the week.
2. Best Food Scale: OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Food Scale
A food scale ensures consistent portions when you’re filling multiple containers. The OXO Good Grips scale has a large weighing plate and a pull-out digital display that makes it easy to read when measuring into larger bowls. It measures in grams, ounces, pounds, and kilograms—ideal for precise meal prep.
3. Best Freezer Trays: Souper Cubes
Souper Cubes silicone trays are perfect for freezing soups, stews, sauces, and cooked grains in single-serving portions. Each cavity holds about one cup, the flexible silicone makes portions easy to pop out, and the rigid lids allow trays to stack neatly in the freezer.
4. Best Salad Dressing Containers: VITEVER Salad Dressing Containers
To keep salads crisp, pack dressing separately. Small stainless-steel dressing cups with silicone caps hold about 2.4 ounces—perfect for single servings. They tuck into meal containers easily and are also handy for condiments.
5. Best Vegetable Chopper: Cuisinart Core Custom 4-Cup Mini Chopper
A mini chopper speeds up prep for salads, salsas, and vegetable-heavy recipes. Cuisinart’s 4-cup chopper quickly dices ingredients to uniform pieces so you can assemble meals faster without spending a lot of time at the cutting board.
6. Best Overnight Oats Containers: Ball Mason Jars
Mason jars are ideal for single-serving breakfasts like overnight oats or layered salads. An 8-ounce jar is convenient, leak-proof, and portable. Swap in sturdier plastic lids if you prefer a different look or a more durable option for travel.
7. Best Storage Bags: Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags
Reusable silicone bags are a sustainable replacement for single-use plastic. They’re sturdy, form a tight seal, and are dishwasher-safe—great for prepped produce, snacks, or marinating proteins before cooking.
8. Best Muffin Pan: Wilton Recipe Right Muffin Pan
Muffin pans are surprisingly versatile for meal prep: make egg muffins, mini quiches, or baked oatmeal cups for grab-and-go breakfasts. A nonstick set with multiple pans helps you portion smaller batches without committing to a full dozen each time.
9. Best Salad Spinner: OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner
A large salad spinner makes washing and drying greens effortless—especially when prepping salads for several days. Look for a model with a non-slip base, an easy pump, and a braking feature to stop the spin quickly. The outer bowl can double as a serving dish.
10. Best Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
An Instant Pot speeds up batch cooking—use it for soups, grains, beans, and one-pot meals. The multi-function models also work as slow cookers, rice cookers, and steamers, making them a versatile centerpiece for weekly prep.
11. Best Egg Cooker: Dash Rapid Egg Cooker
Hard- and soft-boiled eggs are an easy protein to add to breakfasts and salads. A compact electric egg cooker prepares multiple eggs to the exact doneness you want in a matter of minutes and can also poach or scramble small quantities.
12. Best Mixing Bowls: Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl Set
Nesting mixing bowls with tight-fitting lids are ideal for prepping large batches and storing them in the fridge. Choose a set that stacks, includes a range of sizes, and has microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe lids for maximum convenience.
13. Best Sheet Pans: Nordic Ware 3-Piece Baker’s Set
Roasting vegetables in bulk is a cornerstone of meal prep. A set of sheet pans in multiple sizes helps you manage oven space and different batch sizes for roasted veggies, sheet-pan proteins, and baked components.
Why You Can Trust Me
I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste. My focus is sharing healthy, family-friendly recipes made with seasonal, whole-food ingredients. I publish free weekly 7-day meal plans that make planning ahead easy—whether you prep every meal or just a few components for a busy week.
This list is based on years of testing in my own kitchen. Many of the products are items I use regularly because they save time, reduce waste, and help keep meals organized. Where I haven’t personally used an item, I selected highly rated options recommended by other cooking professionals and by many reviewers.
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.