Best Meal Prep Containers for Busy Families

Meal prepping saves the average family 4-5 hours per week and cuts grocery spending by up to 25%. But it only works if your containers don't leak in the fridge, stain after one use of tomato sauce, or lose their lids in the dishwasher abyss.

Here are the containers that actually hold up to family life.

Glass vs. Plastic vs. Stainless Steel

Glass: Best for reheating. Won't stain or absorb odors. Heavy and breakable — not great for kids to carry.

Plastic: Lightweight, cheap, kid-friendly. Look for BPA-free and don't microwave with the lid on.

Stainless steel: Most durable, eco-friendly. Can't microwave. Great for cold meals and snacks.

Best Meal Prep Containers for Families

1. Pyrex Simply Store (Glass) — Best Overall

The gold standard. Pyrex glass doesn't stain, doesn't absorb smells, and goes straight from fridge to microwave to dishwasher. The snap-on lids are leak-resistant (though not fully leak-proof). Comes in sets of 10+ pieces.

Why families love it: See-through glass means you actually know what's inside without opening everything.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. Rubbermaid Brilliance (Plastic) — Best Budget

Crystal-clear BPA-free plastic that's actually leak-proof (tested upside down with soup). Stacks perfectly in the fridge. Microwave-safe with the vented lid. Under $20 for a 10-piece set.

Why families love it: Cheap enough that you don't cry when one inevitably goes to daycare and never returns.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. Prep Naturals Glass Containers (Glass) — Best Set

Borosilicate glass with snap-lock lids. Comes in a 5-pack with 1, 2, and 3 compartment options — perfect for portioning out a full meal. Oven-safe up to 450°F.

Why families love it: The divided compartments keep foods separate without extra containers.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. Bentgo Meal Prep (Plastic) — Best for Kids

Designed specifically for portioned meals. Each container has 3 compartments with a shared lid. Comes in fun colors. Stackable and microwave/dishwasher safe.

Why families love it: Perfect for prepping 5 days of kids' lunches on Sunday.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. LunchBots Stainless Steel (Metal) — Best Eco Option

No plastic, no glass, no worries about dropping. These stainless steel containers last literally forever. Can't microwave, but perfect for cold lunches, snacks, and dry storage.

Why families love it: Buy once, use for a decade. Zero waste.

Check Price on Amazon →

Meal Prep Tips for Families

• Sunday prep, weekday peace. Spend 1-2 hours on Sunday prepping lunches and snacks for the whole week.
• Label everything. A piece of painter's tape with the day written on it saves morning confusion.
• Plan before you prep. Use an app like Kids Meal Planner to map out the week, then generate a shopping list automatically.
• Freeze extras. Most prepped meals last 3-4 days in the fridge. Freeze the rest.

Our Recommendation

Start with Rubbermaid Brilliance if you're on a budget — they punch way above their price. Upgrade to Pyrex when you're ready for glass. And grab a set of LunchBots for snacks and dry foods that go in backpacks.