No matter if you’re a first timer or a seasoned meal prep vet, it never hurts to check out a few new tools that can help you be efficient in the kitchen! These 12 meal prep tools will help you from the start when you’re grocery shopping, all the way up to the point of stocking the fridge for the week!
Let’s Get the Prep Started!
I borrowed an insulated grocery bag from my sister to take a few things home from the grocery store in the early part of the summer, and I wondered how in the world I had lived without one of these! Not super expensive, really durable and a great investment. Especially if you shop at Costco or Sam’s Club and then hit up the regular grocery for smaller items. Or if you’re traveling to a BBQ and need to keep things cool for a couple hours, it’s perfect.
Kitchen Essentials
In an attempt to use less plastic I’m working to switch to glass storage containers. Now, I’m saying this, and in two seconds when you scroll down you’ll see my all time favorite 3-compartment meal prep containers. Yes, like a lot of plastic containers, they are microwave and dishwasher safe…and yes, it may seem contradictory to have both on my list. But I do, so sue me. I think they both serve a great purpose.
This happens to be a great set of various sizes for a really reasonable price!
Next up is a staple in every meal prep session, good o’l cutting boards. I particularly like this set because I like having the individual plastic boards to do my proteins on. Then I just toss them in the dishwasher when I’m all done. I don’t have to take the time to wash the board in-between each item I’m prepping. See, we’re saving time already!
Time to Cook!
Not sure about you, but I can be all over the place with my prep. Some weeks I don’t have time to cook at all. Some weeks I try to have 80% of all meals and snacks ready to go (this btw, is not the norm). But on average, the two pieces of cookware that get used the most for meal prep are my cast iron skillet and Instant Pot.
When it comes to cast iron cooking, some weeks it’s a big dish of healthy breakfast fried cauliflower rice that I portion off for post workout meals. Some weeks it’s a pan of skillet cornbread that is a family fave all the way around! Not to mention, if there is any veggie prep happening that needs seasoned cooking, cast iron skillet is the only way to go.
When it comes to batch cooking/prep, I used to be a loyalist to my slow cooker. But once I invested in an Instant Pot, it was all over. Now, that’s not to say I don’t still use my slow cooker, I do! But when it’s crunch time, or I need to do multiple proteins, say chicken breasts and hard boiled eggs, and I want them both done in less than 45 minutes, there simply isn’t any other way to go.
If you haven’t made the plunge, do it! I got mine on a killer Amazon Black Friday deal (I have the 8qt DUO), but a 6qt is great if you’re cooking for 2-4 people. Where eggs are concerned, this method also works awesome if you don’t have an IP.
Meal Prep Gadgets
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t have at least two drawers full of kitchen gadgets at your house? I really should do some purging, but this is one area of my life I have a hard time letting go. Ask my husband… 😉
These are three great gadgets that help us keep things tasty and safe during the meal prep process. First is a meat thermometer. There are so many out there, but I have come to love my digital version. It’s accurate, gives the safe temps for all forms of protein and can be used in the oven or grill.
This next one was on my Christmas list a few years back and I have loved it. Again, there are a lot of versions out there, but the Misto has been awesome. Really durable, easy to use and holds a good amount of oil. Not to mention, it is super affordable. This would also make a great stocking stuffer for the cook in your life!
I have EVOO in mine and use it in the kitchen and on the grill. Just a few pumps of air and you get a nice even oil spray.
This one is a little different and outside the box when it comes to meal prep. It actually is my weeknight dinner-for-one primary cooking mechanism. And now that I think about it, these should be up the page with the cast iron and Instant Pot, but frankly I’m being lazy, so here they are! If you like to prep steamed veggies this bad boy does the cooking in 3 minutes flat! Another dishwasher safe tool and you would be amazed by the things you can make in it, including dessert!! There is this option that’s sized to cook meals for 1-2 people and another one (which I prefer) that is for 3-4 people.
Where am I Putting All of This?!
Okay, so you’ve done a week’s worth of meal and snack prep. Now where the hell do you put it all and still have room in the fridge for wine and milk? You’ll love these. Nothing Earth-shattering, just things I use, trust and love.
My all time fave is these three compartment containers. They stay sealed when you travel to and from work or the kid’s practice. Dishwasher and microwave safe and they stack nicely, both when they’re clean in your cabinet and full in the fridge.
See how nicely they stack up?
Of course, Mason Jars are amazing for so many things. From storing salads that can stay fresh for 3-5 days, to overnight oats, homemade salad dressings or simply as the vehicle for your morning smoothie. They truly have evolved from your standard canning jar.
This last one is a little different, but comes in super handy when you’re on the road or want to send snacks with your kids to school! This GoStack comes in 10 colors and the stacks can be adjusted to where you use all four or just a couple!
Or combo it up with a Blender Bottle for your post workout shake and the storage container!
Drink Up!
Okay, okay… ya got me. This is not an actual meal prep tool, but it will make your meal prep go by faster! Or you can belling up to some bourbon, that works equally as well. 😉 Find yourself a nice bottle of wine, maybe make some risotto with it, drink a little and just let the magic happen!
Well, that’s a wrap for this little round up of meal prep tools. Affordable, practical and will make your weekly prep sesh so much more manageable and less time consuming!
xo, Tiff