Whether you're a regular in the office these days or simply don't want the hassle of having to cook lunch every day when working from home, you'll need a meal prep container.
Aside from making your meal times straightforward, they're a fantastic way to hit all your macros if you're into fitness, making your health journey much easier.
Having your meals ready to go also frees up more time for you to run errands on your lunch break, or go for a #hotgirlwalk and get some steps in. It's also a great way to save money - because as much as we love Pret, we absolutely can't afford it every day.
We've searched far and wide to find the best meal prep containers to make lunchtimes a breeze. Whether you're looking for a glass container, a bento box, or a breakfast container, we've got you covered.
The best meal prep containers
Editor's pick
www.ocado.com
Description
This Bento box from Brabantia is a great size but is lightweight and robust. It has two containers (one with a lid, one without) so it's perfect for a sandwich or main meal, plus some snacks. And don't forget the matching cutlery set.
Best glass meal prep container
AmazonDescription
Prefer a glass meal container? This pack of five glass food containers is ideal for an entire week's worth of meals, plus they're all dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.
Best meal prep container for large amounts of food
AmazonDescription
If you love your meal-prep-Sundays (we know we do), these meal-prep containers are excellent. You'll get 24 different cases, all of which are BPA-free, airtight and leakproof so your food won't get spoiled. We also love that they're oven and freezer-safe.
Best Bento box meal prep container
AmazonDescription
It wasn't long ago that Bento boxes took the world by storm, and they're still as popular as ever. With several compartments, there's plenty of room for different foods and snacks, so you can store your fruit and crisps, as well as your salads, too.
Best compact meal prep container
AmazonDescription
Have a smaller bag or backpack and the usual containers don't fit? This compact container can fix that problem and is great for yoghurt, cereal or porridge.
Best salad bowl meal prep container
www.dunelm.com
Description
If you're a salad fan, this bowl will be your new best friend. It features storage compartments for toppings and dressings. It's also microwave, dishwasher and freezer-safe.
Best meal prep container for snacks
AmazonDescription
Just need to carry some snacks during the day? This Viedouce pack of multipurpose bags are space-saving and affordable. On the hunt for low-calorie snack ideas? We've got you.
Best meal prep container for cold lunches
AmazonDescription
These stainless steel boxes will ensure your food is kept cool and fresh and are perfect for sandwiches, salads, or any other cold meals. It's an expensive option, but it is a high-quality product.
Best meal prep container for soup
AmazonDescription
Need to bring in soups rather than solid food? This soup mug from Sistema is the OG when it comes to portable soup containers. It's microwave and dishwasher-safe, and won't leak.
Best meal prep container set
AmazonDescription
Sometimes, you only want to bring in a tiny snack, and sometimes you want to travel with a Tudor-level feast. This set from FineDine lets you have that choice, from 38 ml containers to 3.7 l containers.
How to choose a meal prep container
There are plenty of different containers, some of which are best for cold foods and others for snacks. The best meal prep container for you is completely relative and depends entirely on what you'll need it for.
However, there are a few things to watch out for when it comes to selecting a container. These include if it's microwave-safe, and that it's airtight - especially for liquids such as soups. You should also see if it's dishwasher-safe if that's how you plan to wash yours.
A container that has different sections or additional internal boxes will make it easier to store all of your favourite foods, and it has to be the perfect size and weight for your rucksack or bag.
Meal prep ideas
Searching for some meal prep ideas? Here are some meal prep ideas we love here at team Closer:
Protein, carbohydrates and vegetables - Yep, it's the age-old meal prep classic, but for good reason. Simple to cook and reheat, many meal preppers love this option as you can tailor the main ingredients, plus the seasoning, and spice depending on what you fancy that day. Some popular options include chicken, salmon or tuna, paired with rice, quinoa or couscous, with broccoli, green beans or peppers.
Bean salad - Team filling and protein-rich chickpeas, beans or lentils with tomatoes, cucumber, sweetcorn, carrots, lettuce and more. The world is your oyster with this option (and it's cheap, too).
Soup - Another affordable option, simply blend your favourite ingredients to create a delicious, hearty meal that can also be frozen. We love tomato and basil or spicy butternut squash.
Wraps and pittas - Elevate the classic sandwich by using a wrap or a pitta instead. Simply make the fillings ahead of time and pop them into your carb of choice the morning of (unless you want soggy food!).
Pasta - One of the simplest options to batch cook, you can't go wrong with a delicious bowl of pasta. Pesto pasta, feta, tomato, red onion and chilli, or a lovely veg-packed ragu are great options. Check out some easy recipes for beginners, here.
Alternatively, a food subscription box can not only save you money but helps reduce waste and makes life easier. Plus, it means you don't have to do the dreaded big shop when you're tired and hungry. What's not to like?