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Meal preppingcan help you cut back on buying lunch at work or ordering takeout most nights.

Image may contain Food Lunch Meal Jar and Plate

Jessica Kasparian / Kathryne Hall / Amy Winderl / Laneen Wells

I got theDot & Dash Containersas add-ons, and I highly recommend scooping these up too.

While theyre pricey, theyll replace almost every other container in your pantry.

(It doesnt take up too much room inmy work bag, either.)

Food Storage + Minis Set in cream and light gray color way

And the condiment cups are a nice additionthey hold just enough salad dressing or dip for my lunches.

And the smaller ones can be your go-tos for yogurt, smoothies, or homemade ice cream.

They stack well and make my leftovers look so much more organized in my fridge!

Food Storage + Minis Set in multiple colors on table

And the most important factor: Theyll keep your surfaces safe.

It actually creates a little bit of a vacuum seal, which is spill-proof.

Ive never had a disaster where they leaked or broke open.

Porter Seal Tight Glass Bowls in multiple colors on table

Wired: Reusable silicone pouches.

Theyre high-quality silicone bags with a really secure seal, she says.

The pinch loc seal is very thick and easy to feel when it locks.

Porter Seal Tight Glass Bowl in soft sage color way

you’ve got the option to use them to store ingredients (even liquid ones!)

or prep your lunch for the next day.

What should you look for in meal prep containers?

Good Grips Prep & Go Leakproof Containers in clear and teal color way

You probably need a few medium containers.

Do you tend to prepare ingredients for one meal at a time?

You might like some smaller options instead.

Good Grips Prep & Go Leakproof Container with food

Material

We tested glass, plastic, and stainless steel containersand they all have their perks.

(Were in the office four days a week, so these were in heavy rotation.)

We also followed the instructions to clean each container properlymost are dishwasher-safe, but we also hand-washed some.

Twist & Stack Container Set in clear and blue color way

During the testing process, we took notes on where they excelled or fell flat.

But honestly, all of the options on this list became staples in our kitchens.

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Twist & Stack Container Set in clear and blue color way

Brilliance Airtight Food Storage Containers in clear and gray color way with food

Brilliance Airtight Food Storage Containers in clear and gray color way

Salad Bowl Kit in marbled blue and white color way

Salad Bowl Kit in marbled blue and white color way with model and food

Stasher in purple color way with popcorn

Stasher bags in multiple colors with various foods

Insulated Food Jar in soft sage and silver color way

Insulated Food Jar in soft sage and silver color way

Modern Lunch Box with various foods

Modern Lunch Box with various foods