When you've got a full plate of responsibilities, meal prepping can help you save valuable time. By dedicating a specific day of the week to chopping vegetables, browning meat, and taking other meal prep steps, you can really streamline the cooking process. But, you need some way to store all of that prepped food. You need meal prep containers. You can find meal prep containers made from a variety of materials, including glass and plastic. To help you narrow down the choices, here are five of the best meal prep containers on the market. These will help your food stay fresh and organized. Enther Meal Prep Containers [20 Pack] Single 1 Compartment with Lids Long Lasting Meal Prep ContainersMade from a durable food grade, BPA free material, these single compartment containers are durable. Best Overall Find on Amazon Are you looking for long-lasting meal prep containers that won’t crack after just a few uses? These containers are built to last, with most people getting 30 uses out of each container. They’re made from a durable food grade, BPA free plastic that is stain and odor resistant. The containers and the lids are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. The lid helps prevent leaks and seals in freshness. These containers are single compartment, and hold 28 ounces of food. They stack easily, reducing the amount of storage space you need. Pros Durable Stain resistant BPA free material Cons The lids are tight, and can be hard for kids to open on their own Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers (5 Pack, 30 Ounce) Single Compartment Glass ContainersYou can easily see the contents of these glass meal prep containers so you don't have to try to guess at what's inside. Runner Up Find on Amazon Do you prefer to store your food in glass containers? This set comes with five 30 ounce containers. They’re made from high-quality borosilicate glass, one of the strongest glasses available. These containers are oven and dishwasher safe. Just make sure you remove the lid before putting it in the oven. Once your containers are full and you’re ready to store them, snap the lid on and stack the containers in your fridge. Your food will stay fresh longer with the SmartestLock System. It’s designed to be completely airtight, keeping bacteria out. The meal prep containers will last for a long time. Pros Made from high-quality glass Oven safe Airtight lid design Cons The containers don’t stack without the lids, so storing them can take some extra space Bayco Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids (24 Piece) Comes with Twelve SizesYou don't always need containers that are the same size. Give yourself some options with this set. Best Variety Find on Amazon If you need meal prep containers in a variety of sizes, check this set out. It comes with twelve different containers, each with a lid. Your set includes three shapes of containers, rectangle, square, and round. There are four different sizes for each shape, giving you a total of twelve different sizes. You should always be able to find the size you need. The borosilicate glass is strong and holds up well to daily use. The lids are made from BPA free material, and are very durable. There’s a seal on the bottom of the lid that you can remove for cleaning. It’s easy to put back in place after everything is dry. Pros Variety of sizes and shapes Easy to clean Lid is easy to snap on and off Cons Recommended to not put lids in dishwasher to help them last longer Meal Prep Containers [30 Pack] Reusable Plastic Containers with Lids by Prep Naturals Portion Control BowlsYou get thirty round bowls that can help make healthy eating a little easier. Best Meal Prep Bowl Find on Amazon These bowls can make healthy eating easier, even when you’re a busy mom. They stack nicely on top of each other, so you can fill a whole bunch one day each week. Then you can just grab them and go when it’s time. Additionally, they are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe. You can use these containers over and over again. But, they don’t cost a lot so if one gets lost or broken, it’s not as big of a deal. The lid snaps on tightly to help prevent leaks. When you’re ready to open them, you can use the convenient flaps for an easy open experience. Each bowl holds 24 ounces, so they’re perfect for portion control. Pros Reusable with a lid Good size for portion control Are easy to stack for storage Cons Not for use in microwaves over 800 Watts Freshware Meal Prep Containers [21 Pack] 3 Compartment with Lids (24 oz) Prep a Whole Meal in One ContainerThese reusable meal prep containers have three different compartments so you can prepare a complete meal. Best Multi-Compartment Find on Amazon Sometimes, you need more than a single compartment container for your meal prep. If you want to prep a meal and a couple of sides, these containers are awesome. They have three compartments in each container, with one larger section and two smaller ones. Each container holds a total of 24 ounces of food. The largest one holds 12 ounces, and the other two each hold six ounces. Made from durable, BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free polypropylene, these containers will last for multiple uses. They’re perfect to fill and slip inside your child’s lunchbox. The lid snaps down tightly, making them easy to stack. The container is microwavable, but the lid is not so make sure to remove the lid before you heat it up. Pros Three sections Durable Good for portion control Cons No tab on the lid for easy opening Frequently Asked Questions What are meal prep containers for? You can use meal prep containers in many ways. Some people like to cook once, at the beginning of the week, and fill enough containers to last all week long. Since most meal prep containers freeze well, you can also use them to create grab and heat freezer meals for later. The limited size of the container helps with portion control. Some dieters prefer to create their own healthy meals instead of utilizing companies that send out food in single serve portions. You can also use meal prep containers for your child’s lunchbox. It makes packing their lunch easy. These containers are also great for storing chopped or washed produce until you’re ready to use them. Are meal prep containers microwave and oven safe? Most meal prep containers are microwave safe. However, you should always read the directions that come with the ones you purchase to ensure that yours are. Some meal prep containers come with lids that are not microwave safe. Meal prep containers made from glass are usually oven safe. However, the lids will not be able to withstand the heat from the oven so always remove it before heating. Also, it’s never a good idea to put a frozen glass container into a hot oven. The glass can shatter and cause injuries. Instead, defrost the meal first in your refrigerator. Then place the cold glass in a cold oven and let it come to temperature slowly. How do you clean meal prep containers? Some meal prep containers are dishwasher safe on the top rack. However, the heat from the dishwasher could reduce the life expectancy of the containers. Many people opt to wash them by hand in hot soapy water to help preserve them. Related posts: The 5 Best Dog Bowls With Lids For Safe Storage And Less Spillage Read more The 5 Best Dog Feeding Stations For Clean Kitchens And Content Canines Read more The 5 Best Dog Food Storage Cabinets For Kibble And More Read more