The quality of the materials: We recorded any stains and odors from foods like curry or tomato sauce and how effectively we were able to remove them. Likewise, we asked ourselves if we'd be comfortable traveling or commuting with the containers based on their weight and size. We also recorded any chips in the glass or damage from the microwave, dishwasher, or oven. One thing is for sure, you definitely don’t want a meal-prep container that’s going to leak if you plan on taking it with you to work. No one wants to open their handbag after a long commute to find their laptop is now covered in tomato pasta and their planner is smeared with hummus. Containers like these air-tight ones from Joseph Joseph are ideal, plus the variety of sizes means you can take one for a starter, one for your main and one for pud (yay). Safety: Some glass types, like tempered and borosilicate, are made for heating or freezing without breaking. Regular glass can be frozen but needs to thaw slowly before heating. Treated glass is usually oven-safe up to around 220 degrees Celsius. Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience testing products for editorial inclusion. She tested six different sets for this list. Brigitt also holds a degree in culinary arts plus cooks multiple meals for her family of six every day of the week.

Easy to see the food. Glass containers are clear containers which mean everyone can see what’s inside making it more likely the food won’t go to waste. First, we conducted a leak test by filling a container with water and sealing it with the included lid. After sealing the lid, we vigorously shook the container for a minute to see if any liquid escaped. Rubbermaid Brilliance 8-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set: These containers kept food fresh and performed well in the leak test. That said, the glass was heavy and the containers don’t nest well together for storage. We also noticed that water was trapped between the rubber seal and the plastic of the lid, making it difficult to dry properly after cleaning.Katherine Gallagher, associate commerce editor at The Spruce Eats and author of this roundup, also participated in testing items on this list. In addition to more than 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, she has also written about sustainable living.

Meal prepping is a good way to get a head start on the week. It allows you take a look at your schedule and plan out how many meals you need to cook and what you need to shop for. It's also a great way to incorporate more veggies, like hearty salads, into your diet or try out a new recipe. Since there's no right way to meal prep — some people like to batch cook while others like to portion out each meal individually — we came up with a list of the top meal prep containers while keeping versatility in mind. The type of food storage container you choose comes down to personal preference, but Koren recommends glass. “ Glass and plastic food storage containers function the same when it comes to storing food, though I prefer glass and recommend them to people who utilize meal prep and leftovers often,” says Koren. Glass food storage containers generally have a longer lifespan(provided they don’t break), are oven-safe, and are less likely to retain odors or stains. But you can eat any fruit you love. Remember not to remove the skin if possible (if edible), as it contains most nutrients and antioxidants. And to chew it instead of juicing it. Get a bottle brush to wash the jars. This is especially helpful if you store smoothies in 32-ounce mason jars.We love these containers, though we do wish the lids were as well constructed as our Snapware glass containers. That being said we've owned them for nearly 3 years and have put them through the dishwasher dozens of times and they are still working. In our wide range of food storage, you’ll find lunch boxes and food containers that are both freezer friendly and microwave safe.

The airtight lids snap shut, preventing leaks. Both the containers and lids are BPA-free and can safely go in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. Joseph Joseph sells a variety of sets and sizes, so you can add more as you go, depending on which sizes you like best. Tempered Glass: This is heat-treated to handle more temperatures and breaks into small pieces. It’s used in various products, including some food containers. Both the tray in the mid-size container (that's perfect for salad and even comes with a small dressing container) and the two small containers are removable so you can keep foods separate, portion out your food or just not use them at all. All parts, including the lid (just unlatch them) are microwaveable, giving you the option to just microwave the parts you want. The containers in this line of meal prep containers come in an assortment of sizes and combinations. Plus, most of the lids are interchangeable or significantly different in size, which is super helpful when organizing or in a rush. Amanda McDonald, commerce editor at The Spruce Eats, has been writing and editing food, wellness, and recipe content for seven years. She tested the Caraway Storage Set in her tiny NYC apartment, using it to store Greek yogurt, beans, tofu, and more.You can freeze foods in glass containers. If you allow room for expansion and temperature change (don’t place a frozen glass container in a hot oven), it’s perfectly safe to store glass containers in the freezer. Meal prep containers can simplify your life and set you up for success on your meal prepping journey by making it easy to store, transport, and reheat pre-portioned meals. The best meal prep containers are made from durable and food-safe material, easy to clean, and sized to your specific needs. For most lunches and dinners I like to use a 30-ounce (roughly 3 cups) container," says Koren. "This size holds plenty of food for one portion and is easy to carry around."