I’ve been meal prepping for over a decade, and one thing I’ve learned is that the right food storage containers make a huge difference.
Over the years, I’ve tested a lot of different glass meal prep containers for weekly meal prep, leftovers, freezer meals, lunches, mason jar salads, overnight oats, and food storage – and not all containers hold up the same.
Some leak, some stain, some break easily, and some simply don’t work well for everyday meal prep.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best glass meal prep containers I personally use, what I love about each one, and which containers work best for different meal prep needs.
Quick Look at the Best Glass Meal Prep Containers
- Best mason jars for meal prep: Wide-mouth 32-ounce and 16-ounce mason jars for salads, overnight oats, smoothies, soups, sauces, and food storage.
- Best overall glass meal prep containers: Pyrex Simply Store containers for weekly meal prep, leftovers, cooked proteins, chopped vegetables, and everyday food storage.
- Best leakproof glass meal prep containers: Snap-lock glass containers for work lunches, salads, road trips, and transporting meals without leaks.
- Best glass containers for larger meal prep portions: 36-ounce snap-lock glass containers for bigger salads, rice bowls, pasta dishes, and bulk meal prep.
- Best divided glass meal prep containers: Prep Naturals 2 and 3-compartment containers for portion-controlled meals, snack boxes, and bento-style lunches.
👉 SHOP MY FAVORITE GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS IN MY AMAZON STORE
Why I Switched From Plastic to Glass Meal Prep Containers
When I first started meal prepping back in 2010, I used whatever containers I had in the kitchen – which mostly meant mismatched plastic containers with missing lids.
At the time, there weren’t nearly as many meal prep container options as there are now, and honestly, plastic worked just fine in the beginning.
But over the years, especially once I started making mason jar salads and prepping meals every single week, I slowly switched almost completely to glass containers.
The biggest thing I noticed was how much fresher food stayed in glass containers compared to plastic. I also loved that glass containers don’t stain, hold odors, or get that greasy residue that plastic containers often do over time.
Now, after more than a decade of meal prepping, glass containers are what I use for almost everything — weekly meal prep, leftovers, freezer meals, lunches, overnight oats, chopped veggies, sauces, and food storage.
And after testing many different brands over the years, these are the glass meal prep containers I personally use and recommend the most.
I hope you find this helpful.
Best Mason Jars for Meal Prep
Mason jars are still one of my most-used meal prep containers, especially for overnight oats, mason jar salads, smoothies, soups, sauces, and chopped fruits and vegetables.
I use both 32-ounce and 16-ounce mason jars regularly, but if I had to choose just one, I’d definitely recommend wide-mouth jars because they’re easier to fill, clean, and eat from.
What I love most about mason jars is that they’re:
- affordable
- leakproof
- easy to clean
- easy to stack
- and great for keeping ingredients fresh for days.
What I Use 32-Ounce Mason Jars For
- Mason jar salads
- Smoothies
- Cut fruit
- Chopped vegetables
- Lettuce storage
What I Use 16-Ounce Mason Jars For
- Overnight oats
- Soups
- Sauces
- Dressings
- Seasonings
- Yogurt parfaits
Where to purchase mason jar containers and supplies?
You can buy mason jar containers at your local grocery or retail store. I’ve seen them at Wegmans, Tops, Publix, Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Aldi’s, and even Rite Aid and Walgreens. Sometimes these stores have a low supply or don’t offer the size(s) you need. In this case, you can turn to Amazon. Amazon prices are often higher than stores, but it’s easier to find what you need.
Here are the links to purchase mason jars and supplies on Amazon:
👉 SHOP MY FAVORITE GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS IN MY AMAZON STORE
Best Overall Glass Meal Prep Containers
Pyrex Simply Store containers are probably the glass meal prep containers I use the most overall.
I originally bought a starter set years ago at Target, and since then, I’ve continued adding different sizes to my collection because they work so well for everyday meal prep and leftovers.
I use these containers constantly for:
- shredded chicken
- taco meat
- cooked rice
- roasted vegetables
- meal prep lunches
- leftovers
- chopped ingredients
- and storing recipe components throughout the week.
One of the things I love most about the Pyrex containers is the variety of sizes. I can always find the right container whether I’m storing a small amount of leftovers or prepping meals for the entire week.
The lids fit tightly, the containers stack nicely in the refrigerator, and everything cleans up easily in the dishwasher.
The only downside is that the lids don’t lock, so I don’t typically use these if I’m transporting food and need something completely leakproof.
Best For
- Weekly meal prep
- Leftovers
- Meal prep ingredients
- Refrigerator food storage
- Families
- Everyday kitchen use
Where to purchase Pyrex containers and supplies?
If you prefer one size over another, you can purchase all of these Pyrex Simply Store containers individually on Amazon or a retail store like Target.
Here are links to purchase the “starter kit” and individual sizes on Amazon:
- Pyrex Simply Store Starter Kit
- 6-cup rectangle containers
- 3-cup rectangle containers
- 4-cup round containers
- 2-cup round containers
- Extra pyrex container lids
👉 SHOP MY FAVORITE GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS IN MY AMAZON STORE
Best Leakproof Glass Meal Prep Containers
If you want glass meal prep containers that are truly leakproof, then I highly recommend snap-lock glass containers.
I originally purchased these ELLO containers (I also love these Pyrex ones) for my husband’s work lunches because he needed something durable, portable, and leakproof for salads and meal prep meals.
And honestly, they worked perfectly.
The locking lids cIreate a very tight seal, so I never have to worry about food leaking into lunch bags or coolers. I’ve also used these containers for road trips, leftovers, freezer meals, sauces, and transporting food to parties and gatherings.
Over the years, I’ve used both the Ello containers and larger 36-ounce snap-lock containers, and both have held up really well.
I especially love these for:
- meal prep salads
- rice bowls
- pasta dishes
- leftovers
- shredded chicken
- soups
- and saucy recipes.
Best For:
- Large meal prep portions
- Lunches
- Leakproof meal prep
- Travel
- Work meals
- Cooler meals
- Saucy recipes
Where to Purchase Leakproof Glass Meal Prep Containers
You can find these snap-lock leakproof glass meal prep containers at stores like Target, Walmart, and other retailers. However, in my experience, Amazon usually has the biggest selection, the best variety of sizes, and the easiest way to compare different styles and sets.
Here are the snap-lock glass meal prep containers I personally use every single week.
- 30-ounce snap-lid Ello glass meal prep containers
- 36-ounce snap-lid glass meal prep containers
- 30-ounce Pyrex snap-lid meal prep containers.
👉 SHOP MY FAVORITE GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS IN MY AMAZON STORE
Best Glass Meal Prep Containers with Dividers
If you like bento-style meals or prefer keeping ingredients separated, then divided glass meal prep containers are a great option.
I use these containers the least out of all the styles I own, but they still work really well for certain types of meal prep.
They’re especially helpful for:
- portion-controlled meals
- school lunches
- snack boxes
- bento-style lunches
- charcuterie-style meal prep
- and meals where you want ingredients separated.
One thing I really like about the Prep Naturals containers is that the dividers are built directly into the glass container, so you never have to worry about losing inserts or separate divider pieces.
The locking lids also help keep everything secure and leak-resistant.bout losing it. Of course, this might not be a problem for you, but I need things attached.
Where to purchase bento-style glass meal prep containers
You can purchase these glass meal prep containers on Amazon:
👉 SHOP MY FAVORITE GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS IN MY AMAZON STORE
What to Look for in Glass Meal Prep Containers
Over the years, I’ve learned that not all glass meal prep containers are created equal.
Before purchasing glass containers, here are a few things I recommend looking for:
- Leakproof lids if you plan to transport meals regularly
- Freezer-safe glass for freezer meal prep
- Microwave-safe containers for easy reheating
- Dishwasher-safe lids and containers for easier cleanup
- Stackable designs to save refrigerator and cabinet space
- Divider options if you like portioned or bento-style meals
- Multiple sizes for different meal prep needs
I also recommend having a mix of container styles and sizes instead of trying to use one type for everything.
My Final Thoughts on Glass Meal Prep Containers
After more than a decade of meal prepping, I can confidently say that switching to glass meal prep containers was one of the best upgrades I made in my kitchen.
Glass containers keep food fresher longer, clean up easier, don’t stain or hold odors, and work incredibly well for meal prep, leftovers, freezer meals, lunches, and everyday food storage.
Over the years, I’ve tested many different brands and styles, but these are the glass meal prep containers I continue to use and recommend the most.
👉 SHOP MY FAVORITE GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS IN MY AMAZON STORE
Gayla says
Can these glass containers go directly from refrigerator to the microwave? I’m worried they may break if I put them cold from the refrigerator right into the microwave.
Diana says
I just discovered you! I’m so excited. I’m a elementary school teacher, and this is what I need. Could you give me a break down of what I might need? I figure 5 mason jars for salads. I have glass dishes with on main compartment. How many of the 2 and 3 compartments do you think I might need to start off with?
Carolyn says
I am so excited to try these mason jar recipes. My sweet daughter-in-law has been talking about them. She makes them for work lunches, I went out and bought the mason jars and I will be going to the store tomorrow to get ingredients. Anything that makes life easier is what I want!
Tammy Overhoff says
Yes! You’ll love mason jar salads! I’ve been making them for over 10 years! They make life waaaaaay easier!
Kathleen Meara says
Mason jar salad recipes please
naomi winkel says
I like the glass containers because I can put them in my dishwasher and use them over and over without them shrinking.