Buying guide
Meal Prep Starter Kit
Updated How we research
Everything a first-time meal prepper needs to portion, store, and reheat a week of food with confidence. The page is split into four sections (Reliable Everyday Containers; Portion Your Plates Right; Prep Jars for Layers and Dressings; A Sturdy Bowl for Mixing and Prep), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 15 picks. Our scores range from 7.2 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:eleganttime Wide Mouth Mason Jars 32 oz with Lids and Bands, Set of 12. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set with Lids, 5 Pieces. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Priority Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids, 3 Grater Attachments (Black). Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:FIT Strong & Healthy Glass Meal Prep Containers 2 & 3 Compartment, 32oz, 4 Pack. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Reliable Everyday Containers
- FIT Strong & Healthy Glass Meal Prep Containers 2 & 3 Compartment, 32oz, 4 PackOur score8.4/10
- KICHLY 24 Pc Borosilicate Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lid,12 Pack, GreyOur score7.8/10
- FIT Strong & Healthy Glass Meal Prep Containers 3 Compartment, 32oz, 3 PackOur score7.8/10
- Vtopmart 5-Pack 22oz Glass Storage Containers with Snap LidsOur score7.2/10
Portion Your Plates Right
- FIT Strong & Healthy Glass Meal Prep Containers 2 & 3 Compartment, 32oz, 4 PackOur score8.4/10
- Efficient Nutrition Portion Control Containers DELUXE Kit (14-Piece)Our score7.9/10
- FIXBODY 7PCS Portion Control Containers, Color-Coded Labeled, 21 Day Lose Weight System (Use Guide, 21 Day Tracker and Recipe Ebook Include)Our score7.6/10
- GoodCook Meal Prep Containers Set Microwave & Dishwasher-Safe Round Food Organizers with Labeled Compartments BPA-Free Food Storage Set with Snap Shut Lids Portion Control, 10-Pieces, RedOur score7.4/10
Prep Jars for Layers and Dressings
- eleganttime Wide Mouth Mason Jars 32 oz with Lids and Bands, Set of 12Our score8.6/10
- 6 Pack 16 oz Wide-Mouth Glass Mason Jars with Metal Airtight Lids and BandsOur score8.4/10
- 24 oz Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Metal Lids and Bands, 12 PackOur score7.8/10
- GLING 3 Count 64 oz Wide-Mouth Glass Mason Jars 2 QuartOur score7.4/10
A Sturdy Bowl for Mixing and Prep
- Priority Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids, 3 Grater Attachments (Black)Our score8.6/10
- FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set with Lids, 5 PiecesOur score8.6/10
- FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set, 6 Piece, NestingOur score8.0/10
- FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 5, NestingOur score7.8/10
All 15 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1eleganttime set of 12 wide mouth 32 oz mason jars with lids and bands for layered salads, soups and bulk prep.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 32 oz quart jars fit full meal salads layered with dressing at the bottom
- + Set of twelve supports a full week of jar lunches for two people
- + Lids and bands included, so jars are ready to use right away
- - Twelve quart jars take up a lot of cupboard and fridge room
- - Glass jars with metal bands should cool before freezing to avoid cracks
#2Priority Chef stainless steel mixing bowls with lids and 3 grater attachments in black for prep and storage.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Lids allow bowls to double as marinade or leftovers storage
- + 3 grater attachments shred cheese and vegetables into the bowl
- + Black exterior finish looks modern on the counter
- - Grater attachments add parts to wash and store
- - Black coating may scratch with heavy use over time
#3FineDine stainless steel mixing bowls set with lids, 5 pieces, for mixing and storing prepped ingredients.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Lids turn bowls into fridge storage for chopped ingredients
- + Five sizes suit small dressings through large salads
- + FineDine steel bowls are durable and nest compactly
- - Lids may loosen over time with frequent washing
- - Fewer bowls than the six piece FineDine set
#4FIT Strong & Healthy 4-pack of 32oz glass meal prep containers with a mix of 2 and 3 compartment layouts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Mix of 2 and 3 compartment bases suits both simple and balanced meals
- + 32oz capacity comfortably fits a main plus two sides for active eaters
- + Glass compartments avoid the staining plastic dividers pick up over time
- - Only four containers, so daily prep for a full week needs another pack
- - Compartment dividers limit how you portion one-dish meals like pasta bakes
#5A 6 pack of 16 oz wide-mouth glass mason jars with metal airtight lids and bands for overnight oats and jar salads.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 16 oz size is ideal for overnight oats, chia pudding and parfaits
- + Wide mouths make filling and eating straight from the jar much easier
- + Metal lids and bands give a classic, secure airtight seal
- - Metal lids can rust if left wet, so dry them thoroughly after washing
- - 16 oz is too small for layered meal-size salads
#6FineDine stainless steel mixing bowls set, 6 piece, nesting for compact storage and meal prep.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Six nesting bowls store together in one cabinet spot
- + Stainless steel will not absorb odors or stain
- + Range of sizes covers marinating, mixing and serving
- - No lids, so bowls cannot store prepped food on their own
- - Steel bowls may slide on counters without non-slip bases
#7Efficient Nutrition 14-piece DELUXE portion control container kit for measured food groups on structured eating plans.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Color-coded containers make each food group portion quick to measure
- + Deluxe kit suits people following container-based plans with color-coded pots
- + Compact containers double as snack pots for work or the gym
- - Small pots measure portions but will not hold a complete meal
- - Plastic construction can stain with tomato or turmeric heavy foods
#8A 24-piece borosilicate glass set: 12 containers with 12 airtight lids, listed as safe for microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher. A good fit for prepping a full week of lunches and dinners at once.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Twelve glass containers with twelve lids in one box, enough to portion lunches and dinners for most of a week
- + Borosilicate glass is listed as safe for microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher, so you can store, reheat and serve in one dish
- + Containers stack when in use and nest inside each other when empty, which keeps a 12-container set from taking over the cabinet
- - The listing highlights do not give the capacity or dimensions of the containers, so check the size chart before ordering
- - No divided compartments are mentioned, so mains and sides share one space unless you pack them separately
#9FIT Strong & Healthy 3-pack of 32oz glass containers with 3 compartments for balanced protein, carb and veg meals.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Three compartments per base suit macro-balanced meal prep routines
- + 32oz capacity fits a full dinner portion with separate sides
- + Glass holds up to reheating without the warping plastic can show
- - Just three containers, so this is a starter set rather than a full week
- - Fixed compartments do not suit soups or single-dish meals
#10A 12 pack of 24 oz wide mouth mason jars with metal lids and bands, a middle size for smoothies and soups.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 24 oz size fits a smoothie, soup serving or generous overnight oats
- + Twelve jars give plenty of rotation for weekly breakfast prep
- + Metal lids and bands suit both storage and gifting homemade foods
- - Check the glass thickness and finish before buying multiples
- - Metal lids are not microwave safe, so remove them before reheating
#11FineDine stainless steel mixing bowls, set of 5, nesting, a simple set for everyday mixing tasks.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Nesting design saves cabinet space in small kitchens
- + Stainless steel bowls are dishwasher friendly
- + Five sizes handle whisking eggs through tossing salads
- - No lids included for storage of prepped food
- - Thinner steel bowls can dent if dropped on a hard kitchen floor
#12A 7-piece color-coded portion kit: 1 cup green and purple, 3/4 cup red, 1/2 cup yellow, 1/3 cup blue and two 2 tbsp orange containers. A low-cost way to start portioning by food group.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Each color maps to a food group with a stated volume, from 1 cup for vegetables down to 2 tbsp for seeds and dressings
- + Polypropylene containers listed as microwave safe, freezer safe and top-rack dishwasher safe
- + Includes a guide, a recipe ebook and a 21-day PDF planner delivered by email
- - One set of 7 measures a single meal at a time, so prepping several days ahead takes more than one kit
- - The guide, recipes and planner are digital files sent by email, not printed material in the box
#13Round, plate-style GoodCook containers with three embossed sections: 1 cup for grains, 1 cup for protein and 2 cups for fruits and vegetables. Portion control built into a full meal container.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Embossed sections of 1 cup grains, 1 cup protein and 2 cups fruits and vegetables guide portions without measuring cups
- + Round, dinner-plate layout follows balanced-diet portions and holds a full meal in one container
- + Microwave and freezer safe per the listing, with snap-shut lids and a starter guide with 3 recipes
- - Not a color-coded cup kit: it portions a whole plate, so it does not match 21-day style container plans
- - The title says 10 pieces and the highlights say 10 containers, so confirm the count of containers and lids before ordering
#14GLING 3 count of 64 oz (2 quart) wide-mouth glass mason jars for bulk dry goods, cold brew or batch soups.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Half gallon capacity handles cold brew, broth or bulk grains
- + Wide-mouth opening makes cleaning big jars much less awkward
- + Three jars are a tidy way to store pantry staples on the counter
- - 64 oz jars are heavy when full and tall for many fridge shelves
- - Too large for single portion meal prep like oats or jar salads
#15Vtopmart 5-pack of 22oz glass storage containers with snap lids, a compact size for lunches and portioned snacks.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 22oz capacity is a practical size for a single lunch or big salad
- + Snap lids close quickly, which speeds up packing containers each morning
- + Compact footprint slides into office fridges and smaller lunch bags
- - Too small for family dinners or batch cooking a large casserole
- - Five containers leave little spare when some are in the dishwasher
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Meal Prep Gear Hub curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.