Essential Meal Prep Tools That Save So Much Time

Meal prepping helps you eat healthy, save money and cut down on the number of takeout meals. Having the right tools on hand for simple meal prep is key. We’ve rounded up the most highly-rated meal prep essentials to make prepping meals easy and stress free!

Ready for some quick-win recipes for meal planning? Check out 21 Mouthwatering Recipes Using Rotisserie Chicken and 21 Easy and Delicious Recipes Using Your Air Fryer.

collage of the best meal prepping tools and supplies

If you’ve been wondering “What should I buy for meal prepping?”, look no further! We’ve got you covered with just the best essentials you need to have on hand for fast, easy, and healthy meal prep to make the entire process go smoothly and save you tons of time during your busy weeks.

Beginner’s Guide to Meal Prepping

Meal prep is a popular and efficient way of ensuring that you have healthy, home-cooked meals on hand, even when you have a busy schedule. By preparing meals in advance, you save time, reduce stress, and make healthier choices.

However, to make meal prep a success, it’s crucial to have the right tools and equipment in your kitchen. Take it from someone who’s learned a few tricks over many years of making meals (especially during really busy seasons); these meal prep essentials will make cooking easier, simpler, and way less stressful.

Once I had the right tools making meals actually became enjoyable. I made sure to choose tools in colors and finishes that looked pretty in my home, and honestly that make a huge difference as well!

apron with baking utensils for meal planning

My Must-Have Meal Prep Supplies

Many people wonder… what tools do you need for meal prepping, and do I have the right supplies? Honestly, while I don’t believe in overconsumption there are a few kitchen tools that make this process so much easier. Here’s my must-have supplies for a smoother, easier meal-prep experience.

What tools do you need for Meal Prepping?

Glass containers: Glass containers are an essential for meal prep because they are safe for the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. They also keep your food fresh for longer periods and are BPA-free, ensuring that your food doesn’t absorb any harmful chemicals.
Reusable silicone bags: Silicone bags are great for storing sauces, marinades, and leftovers. They are durable, leak-proof, and can be reused multiple times, making them a more environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic bags.
Cutting board: A good cutting board is crucial for meal prep as it provides a stable and flat surface for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients. Look for a cutting board made of durable and sanitary materials, such as bamboo or plastic.
Measuring cups and spoons: Measuring cups and spoons are essential for accurate portion control and recipe preparation. Invest in a set that includes both liquid and dry measuring cups, as well as a variety of spoon sizes.
Recipes: My recipes are stored in a binder (and sorted by category), making my go-to recipes a cinch to find.
Good quality kitchen knives: A sharp and durable kitchen knife is essential for any kitchen, especially for meal prep. Invest in a set of high-quality knives, including a chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated knife, to make meal prep easier and more efficient.
Slow cooker: A slow cooker is a great tool for meal prep because it allows you to prepare meals in advance and have them ready when you need them. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a delicious, hot meal in the evening.
Instant Pot: Not only can Instant Pots cook food quickly and efficiently (allowing you to make large batches of meals that can be enjoyed throughout the week), they can also cook food you’ve previously prepped and stored in the fridge or freezer. Gamechanger!
Meat Thermometer: Having a good quality meat thermometer ensures that your food is cooked to the appropriate temperature, reducing the risk of foodborne illness and ensuring that your meals are safe to eat.
Apron: While it feels like an extra step, using an apron protects your clothes from spills and stains, allowing you to cook with confidence and avoid ruining your favorite outfit.
Garlic Mincer:
Ramekins or small bowls: allow you to portion out individual ingredients ahead of time, making meal prep a breeze. When you prep all the ingredients BEFORE starting to cook, you will find you’re less stressed and have everything on hand ahead of time.
Mixing bowls: Good quality mixing bowls provide ample space to mix and combine ingredients, and their durability ensures that they can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use. I prep bowls with a rubber bottom to prevent skidding across the countertops, and I always have one on hand to use as a ‘trash bowl’ while prepping. SO much easier than constantly running to the trash can with dripping hands!
Parchment Paper: Parchment paper prevents food from sticking to baking sheets and pans, making cleanup quick and easy. My go-to are these parchment paper sheets which are super easy to use.
Over-the-sink colander: I use this helpful tool at least once a day. It expands to fit over the sink, and I use it for everything from washing veggies to draining pasta. I’ve even been known to carry it into the garden when I gather my tomatoes.

BONUS TIP #1: Use a mixing bowl to collect scraps as you prep your food. No more running back and forth to the trash can with dripping hands, drop everything into the bowl instead and empty all at once when you’re done.

BONUS TIP #2: Have a good playlist or podcast going in your headphones. This makes the process more enjoyable and relaxing, and can also helps to pass the time more quickly. Plus, you get to devour a great book, podcast or tv show while you work so it’s multitasking at it’s finest.

Meal Prep Supplies from Amazon

Getting great meal prep accessories inexpensively is as easy as shopping on Amazon (especially if you have Amazon Prime and enjoy fast, free shipping.) Here’s my favorites from Amazon:

collage of the best meal prep tools and essentials

Easily shop the above post using the links below:

Best Meal Prep Containers

When it comes to meal prepping, using the right kind of food storage container is key to maintaining the quality, freshness, and safety of your food. Using containers that are airtight and leak-proof helps to prevent your meals from spoiling, drying out, or becoming contaminated by bacteria.

Choosing containers that are made from high-quality materials, such as glass or BPA-free plastic, ensures that they can be reused safely and will not affect the flavor of your food. Additionally, using containers that are the right size and shape for your meal portions can help you to avoid overeating and waste.

Overall, investing in the right food storage containers can make a big difference in the success of your meal prepping efforts, allowing you to save time, money, and stay on track with your health and nutrition goals.

Favorite Meal Prep Cookbooks

While there are hundreds of meal prep cookbooks on the market, the secret sauce to making sure you find one you love is to make sure it fits your lifestyle. Think about what type of food you eat (and what you don’t eat, too) as well as who you’re feeding. Here’s some details to think about before deciding which cookbooks are a great fit:

What type of food do you enjoy?
Do you follow a specific type of diet?
Who are you feeding? For example, kids, large families, one other person, or just yourself?
How much time do you have for prepping?
What dietary restrictions do you have?
Who is doing the meal prepping?

With that in mind, here’s 5 highly rated meal prep cookbooks that appeal to busy families:

The Ultimate Meal Prep Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen: One grocery list, a week of meals, no waster– sounds just about perfect!
SkinnyTaste Meal Prep: these recipes are as described– tasty yet healthy. I have all of her cookbooks because I can’t resist the delicious recipes she creates!
Cook Once, Eat All Week: the title says it all.
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook: healthy ideas for prepping ahead.
The Complete Young Chef: great for kids who are starting to make their own meals or help out with cooking