Storage Solutions for Meal Prep
Meal prep is a form of cooking that relies heavily on storage capacity. This includes containers, jars, mugs, cans, etc., all designed to neatly tuck away breakfast, lunch, and dinner in your fridge. We’re making portions that are spread throughout the week, so we need to optimize what we’re putting our food into.
Meal prep storage goes beyond refrigerators though. It also includes boxes and bags for dry goods and other pantry items. This is especially helpful for meal prep because bulk goods don’t normally come pre-packed. You’ll often need something sturdier than a cheap bag once you’re at home.
Bags
Many grocery stores are trying to move away from grocery stores, usually charging a few cents per bag. However, these stores tend to sell their own reusable branded bags at low prices. These are great for weekly trips to the grocers and often pay for themselves over time, but we decided to take it a step further and bring to you some of the best reusable bags for your specific grocery needs.
Depending on your grocery commute, it’s important to consider temperature controlled containers and other protective features. You don’t want to leave raw ingredients unprotected from the elements in your car while driving to multiple locations.
Containers
Containers are used to either hold your meals or to store away ingredients. It’s pretty straight forward, but the options can be overwhelming. So we’ve helped you with the best selection of containers for the fridge, pantry, and more to ensure your meal prep is in the best condition.
The way you reheat your prepped food plays a big part in the type of containers you use. Microwaves aren’t always available, nor are microwave-safe containers. It’s important to find that balance between nutrition and logistics. The shape of a container also factors in when we consider what foods are being cooked.
Dispensers
Dispensers, spouts, and spigots are ideal ways for storing away ingredients, but what makes them so great is how they help you measure as you pour. Not only does this help us move quicker in the kitchen, it also means less dishes and tools being used too.
Dispensers can contain all kinds of things too whether they’re dry or wet. Store away whatever you want with our best selection for meal prep. Nothing says efficiency like the simple press of a button.
Jars
Jars are great for liquid storage. They can be used to save soups, stocks, and other sauces and paste. Not just that though, jars can also be applied to the cooking process as a way to pickle ingredients or infuse flavors. Proper jarring techniques can create air-tight seals that are incredible for foods with long lasting shelf lives.
Jars don’t need to be that complicated though. They are also great for daily meals too. Breakfast dishes like overnight oats or yogurt parfaits hold up well in jars and are more practical than typically flat or rectangular storage containers.
Organizers
As your pantry grows, so will your need to remember everything within it. That can get pretty challenging, so labels and other organizational tools can really become helpful when logistics become the name of the game. Cooking can be an art form, but meal prep requires an extra level of organization to be successful.
If you’re using a number of similar ingredients frequently, labels and other indicators can smooth out your cooking routine, making it easier to focus on the food you’re cooking.
Tubs
Fan of bulk goods? Nothing’s better than a tub. These large containers are great for larger storage of ingredients and are most common for dry goods. They’re versatile and can hold a variety of ingredients, even pet food.
While we don’t expect any of these to fit in your refrigerators, they can still hold incredible value as you store ingredients at a lower cost. Additionally, they can be kept inside or outside, and even in a storage room or garage.
Wrappers
Wraps and other materials are helpful for preserving ingredients or meals. They can be used to protect your food from the elements (especially if you’re cooking outdoors) or as a cover while other food is being cooked.
A lot of wrappers can also be used while cooking to help shape, mold, or strain ingredients. It’s incredibly convenient when you’re trying to form something using your ingredients without things sticking together because sometimes oil isn’t a solution.