How Many Meal Prep Containers Do You Need?
Most people either buy too few meal prep containers and run out midweek, or buy a huge mixed set that becomes lid clutter. The right number depends on how many meals you prep, whether you freeze portions, and how often you run the dishwasher.
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Compare the dedicated buying guides for budget meal prep containers, mid range glass containers and premium meal prep containers before choosing a set.
Container sets by quantity
Compare a large budget multipack, a five-day glass set, and a larger premium weekly setup.
50 Pack 3-Compartment Meal Prep Containers
A large divided-container pack for people who want low cost per tub and enough boxes for serious batch cooking.
- Price band
- Budget: under £15 target
- Material
- Reusable plastic
- Best for
- Bulk weekday lunches, freezer portions, and beginner meal prep
- Three compartments for protein, carbs, and vegetables
- Lightweight enough for commuting or gym bags
- Good choice when you want many tubs for batch cooking
Watch out: Plastic tubs can stain with tomato sauces or curries over time.
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Harbour Housewares Glass Food Storage Containers
A strong mid-range pick for people moving from plastic to glass meal prep containers.
- Price band
- Mid range: £15-£30 target
- Material
- Glass
- Best for
- A balanced glass upgrade without paying premium-set prices
- Airtight-style lids for fridge storage
- Glass base avoids staining from curry or tomato sauce
- Good everyday size for weekday lunches
Watch out: Glass is heavier than plastic for commuting.
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BOROHOUSE 10-Pack Glass Storage Containers
A larger glass set for meal preppers who want enough containers for lunches, dinners, and leftovers.
- Price band
- Premium: £30+ target
- Material
- Borosilicate glass
- Best for
- A fuller glass setup for serious weekly meal prep
- Ten-piece coverage for a fuller weekly prep
- Borosilicate glass bases suit reheating and freezer storage
- Airtight lids help keep batch-cooked meals fresh
Watch out: A larger glass set takes more cupboard space and is heavier to carry.
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The simple formula
Count the number of meals you want ready at the same time, then add 25 percent spare capacity. If you prep five work lunches, buy at least six or seven suitable containers. If you prep five lunches and five dinners, buy twelve or thirteen.
Spare capacity matters because one container will be in the dishwasher, one will hold leftovers, and one lid will temporarily vanish. A tiny buffer keeps the system working.
Recommended container counts
These numbers assume you cook once or twice per week. If you cook daily and only store leftovers, you can get away with fewer containers.
| Household | Minimum useful setup | Better setup |
|---|---|---|
| One person, lunches only | 5 lunch containers | 6-8 lunch containers plus 3 small tubs |
| One person, lunches and dinners | 10 meal containers | 12-14 meal containers plus freezer tubs |
| Couple, lunches only | 10 lunch containers | 12-16 containers with mixed sizes |
| Student batch cooking | 5-8 containers | 10+ budget tubs for freezer portions |
| Family batch cooking | 10 mixed containers | 20+ mixed tubs and larger batch boxes |
How many glass containers?
For one person, five glass lunch containers is the sweet spot. It covers Monday to Friday and keeps the cost sensible. Add plastic freezer tubs or small snack tubs rather than buying every size in glass.
For serious weekly prep, a 10-pack glass set starts to make sense. It covers lunches and dinners, or one person plus backup leftovers.
Avoid lid clutter
The easiest way to keep containers usable is to buy repeated shapes. Five identical lunch boxes are better than five almost-identical sizes with different lids. If you buy mixed sets, store lids upright in one basket and remove any container whose lid is missing for more than a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many meal prep containers do I need for 5 days?
For lunches only, buy at least five, but six to eight is more practical. For lunches and dinners, aim for ten to twelve.
Is a 10 pack of meal prep containers enough?
For one person, yes. A 10 pack can cover five lunches and five dinners, or five lunches plus freezer and leftover capacity.
Should all my containers be the same size?
Your main lunch containers should be the same size for easy stacking. Add smaller sauce tubs and larger batch tubs separately.
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