The Best Meal Prep Supplies to Save Time, Money & Sanity
This post may contain affiliate links. That means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Sorta Sorted!
Why Meal Prep Supplies Matter
Let’s be real—meal prep can be a lifesaver… or a total pain. The right supplies can turn your kitchen into a well-oiled machine, cutting down on stress, saving you money, and making healthy eating actually doable.
So if you’re tired of mismatched containers and dull knives slowing you down, I’ve got you covered. These are the best meal prep supplies to make your life so much easier.
1. Containers (Because, Obviously, You Need Somewhere to Put the Food)
Why You Need Them:
Sure, containers are a no-brainer, but the right ones can make meal prep way easier.
- Glass containers keep food fresher, resist stains, and are microwave/oven safe. Plus, they make your fridge look effortlessly organized—hello, Pinterest-worthy meal prep!
- Plastic containers are budget-friendly, lightweight, and great for on-the-go meals. And let’s be real—we’ve all had to toss something from the fridge after it turned into an accidental science experiment. It’s ok to toss these if you have to!
- Freezer bags– Surprisingly handy! They’re perfect for freezing soups flat, saving space, and making storage a breeze.
No matter what you use, having a solid stash of containers is key to keeping your meal prep game strong!
![Ez Prepa [20 Pack] 32oz 3 Compartment Meal Prep Containers with Lids - Bento Box - Plastic - Stackable, Reusable, Microwaveable & Dishwasher Safe](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Y2Psht0lL._SL500_.jpg)
2. Good Cutting Tools
Why You Need It:
A dull knife = frustration. A sharp, quality knife = smooth slicing, faster prep, and fewer accidents. Not to mention, cutting your food evenly helps everything cook at about the same time, which just raises the quality of your meal overall.
🔗 My go-to chef’s knife for meal prep
ISN'T SHE PRETTY?
If you really want to level up your game and save time without splurging on a food processor—grab one of these food slicers. We adore salsa in this house, and with this tool, I can whip up a batch for the week in minutes. I even keep a backup—because somehow, kitchen tools have a way of vanishing when you need them most.
This really makes cooking go so much quicker. It's a bit cumbersome to get the food out of the little grooves when it comes time to wash, but it's doable, and totally worth it for the time savings.
3. A Big Cutting Board (Because Tiny Boards Are a Recipe for Disaster)
Why you need it:
More space = less mess. A large cutting board keeps everything contained, making cleanup faster and easier. Bonus points if it has a juice groove to catch spills.
🔗 This extra-large cutting board is my favorite,
PICTURE THIS:
Instead of juggling veggies on a tiny, overcrowded board, you have plenty of space to chop everything at once. No more onions rolling onto the floor.
4. Stackable Mixing Bowls (Because You Need More Than One Bowl—Trust Me)
Why you need them:
You’ll use them for mixing, marinating, storing, and even serving. A nesting set saves space and keeps your kitchen organized.
🔗 These stainless steel mixing bowls are my go-to.
The lids are key.
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You’re tossing a fresh salad in one bowl, marinating chicken in another, and still have room to mix up some pancake batter for tomorrow’s breakfast.
5. Meal Prep Planner (Because “What’s for Dinner?” is the Worst Question)
Why You Need It:
Like any journey, you need a map if you want to get there in a decent amount of time. Sure, you can just head in the general direction and go off vibes—but that’s a surefire way to end up making three grocery store trips, prepping 1.5 meals, and ultimately ordering a pizza because you’ve had enough.
(Actually—bonus meal prep tip: pop something in the crockpot or have a frozen pizza on hand to avoid making dinner decisions after spending all that time cooking!)
Even if you’re not doing a lot of cooking, a little planning will keep you on track. The ground beef is on sale this week? Perfect! Stock up and prep ahead—freeze some for later, roll up some meatballs, and shape a few burger patties for easy meals throughout the week.
🔗 Coming soon: My printable meal planner to help you stay organized!
PICTURE THIS:
No more midweek panic over what to cook. You’ve got your meals planned, your ingredients prepped, and your fridge stocked with ready-to-go meals.
6. A Digital Food Scale (Because Accuracy Matters in the Kitchen)
Why You Need It:
Keeping your meals roughly the same size helps with consistency—whether it’s making sure your meal prep portions are balanced, your pancakes are the same size, or your burger patties cook evenly. A food scale also ensures baking precision (because eyeballing flour? Risky move). And if tracking macros is your thing, this tool makes it effortless.
🔗 This digital food scale is the best one I’ve found
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You’re meal prepping your favorite dish and instead of eyeballing it, you get perfectly portioned meals every time—no overdoing it, no waste.
7. A Vacuum Sealer (Because Freezer Burn is the Enemy)
Why you need it:
Vacuum sealing extends the shelf life of your food, keeps it fresher, and prevents freezer burn. Perfect for bulk prepping proteins, veggies, and even leftovers.
🔗 This vacuum sealer is the one I swear by
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Your freezer is stocked with perfectly portioned, airtight-sealed meals that look just as fresh a month later as the day you packed them. No more dried-out chicken or mystery ice-covered meals!
8. An Instant Pot (Because Who Has Time to Stand Over the Stove?)
Why you need it:
The Instant Pot does everything—pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés, steams… It’s a game-changer for batch cooking.
🔗 Check out this best-selling Instant Pot
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You throw in some chicken, rice, and seasoning, press a button, and boom—dinner is ready in under 30 minutes with barely any effort.
9. A Salad Spinner (Because Soggy Lettuce is Just Sad)
Why you need it:
Fresh greens last longer when they’re properly dried. A salad spinner keeps your lettuce crisp and ready to go.
🔗 This top-rated salad spinner is a must-have
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Instead of limp, wilted greens, your salads are crisp, vibrant, and restaurant-level fresh.
10. A Freezer Meal Labeling System (Because Mystery Meals Aren’t Fun)
Why you need it:
Labeling your meals with dates and descriptions prevents waste and keeps your freezer organized.
🔗 Grab these meal prep freezer labels
PICTURE THIS:
No more guessing what’s in that frosty container from three months ago. Everything is labeled, dated, and ready to reheat.
Final Thoughts: The Right Supplies Make All the Difference
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, you can cut down on cooking time, eat healthier, and actually enjoy the process.
Start with the essentials, and build up your collection as you go. Before you know it, meal prep will feel way easier—and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without these game-changing supplies!
📌 Did I miss any must-haves? Drop your favorite meal prep tools in the comments!
This post may contain affiliate links. That means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting SortaSorted!