Meal Prep Container Size Guide UK
Container size is where many meal preppers go wrong. A tub that looks big online can be too small for a proper lunch, while oversized boxes make portions look mean and waste fridge space. This guide explains which sizes to buy.
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For buying advice on which type and material to choose, see the full best meal prep containers UK guide, which compares glass, plastic, leakproof, and budget options.
Start with the best meal prep containers hub for the quick comparison, then use the detailed buying guides below.
Compare the dedicated buying guides for budget meal prep containers, mid range glass containers and premium meal prep containers before choosing a set.
Useful Sizes To Compare
These picks cover full lunch boxes, mixed glass storage, and sauce-friendly tubs.
Product formats and care details follow current Amazon listing or manufacturer information, not hands-on testing. Check the live listing before buying.
Useful Sizes To Compare: quick comparison
Compare 3 options first, then scroll for the longer buying notes.
- Material
- Glass
- Price
- Mid-range
Best balanced glass set
5 pack - 1 compartmentA balanced glass upgrade without paying premium-set prices
A strong mid-range pick for people moving from plastic to glass meal prep containers.
- Material
- Glass
- Format
- 5 pack
- Layout
- 1 compartment
Avoid if: You commute with several meals at once and need lightweight tubs.
- Material
- Borosilicate glass
- Price
- Mid range: £15-£30 target
Best compact glass set
5 pack - 1 compartmentA compact glass set for weekday lunches and leftovers
A mid-range borosilicate glass set for buyers who want practical lunch boxes without a large 10-pack.
- Material
- Borosilicate glass
- Format
- 5 pack
- Layout
- 1 compartment
Avoid if: You prep lunches, dinners and snacks together.
- Material
- Plastic
- Price
- Budget: around £15-£25 target
Best big multipack
100-piece style multipack - Mixed plastic tubsHigh-volume batch cooking, freezer portions, and shared households
A high-count plastic set for buyers who want lots of usable tubs rather than a premium material.
- Material
- Plastic
- Format
- 100-piece style multipack
- Layout
- Mixed plastic tubs
Avoid if: You only need a tidy five-day work lunch set.
- Material
- Glass
- Price
- Mid-range
Harbour Housewares Glass Containers with Airtight Lids
A strong mid-range pick for people moving from plastic to glass meal prep containers.
Best for: A balanced glass upgrade without paying premium-set prices
Buy if: You want one sensible glass lunch box for each weekday.
Avoid if: You commute with several meals at once and need lightweight tubs.
- Price level
- Mid-range
- Material
- Glass
- Set format
- 5 pack
- Last checked
- 13 July 2026
Watch out: Glass is heavier than plastic for commuting.
See Amazon price →Pros, cons and key features
- Layout
- 1 compartment
- Storage fit
- Best all-round workweek glass setup
- Good workweek format
- Glass resists stains
- Strong mid-range value signal
- Heavier than plastic
- Only five containers
- Airtight-style lids for fridge storage
- Glass base avoids staining from curry or tomato sauce
- Good everyday size for weekday lunches
- Material
- Borosilicate glass
- Price
- Mid range: £15-£30 target
Borosilicate Glass Food Storage Containers with Clip Lids (5 Pack)
A mid-range borosilicate glass set for buyers who want practical lunch boxes without a large 10-pack.
Best for: A compact glass set for weekday lunches and leftovers
Buy if: You want a compact glass set without buying a large pack.
Avoid if: You prep lunches, dinners and snacks together.
- Price level
- Mid range: £15-£30 target
- Material
- Borosilicate glass
- Set format
- 5 pack
- Last checked
- 13 July 2026
Watch out: Five packs are less flexible if you also prep breakfasts and snacks.
See Amazon price →Pros, cons and key features
- Layout
- 1 compartment
- Storage fit
- Good for smaller kitchens
- Compact five-pack
- Glass resists odour
- Good workweek size
- Limited total capacity
- Less useful for family prep
- Five-container format suits a working week
- Glass bases resist odours
- Useful if your current cupboard has no reliable lunch boxes
- Material
- Plastic
- Price
- Budget: around £15-£25 target
Dealusy 100-Piece Meal Prep Containers
A high-count plastic set for buyers who want lots of usable tubs rather than a premium material.
Best for: High-volume batch cooking, freezer portions, and shared households
Buy if: You batch cook for more than one person or freeze many portions.
Avoid if: You only need a tidy five-day work lunch set.
- Price level
- Budget: around £15-£25 target
- Material
- Plastic
- Set format
- 100-piece style multipack
- Last checked
- 13 July 2026
Watch out: Large multipacks take cupboard space and can include mixed capacities.
See Amazon price →Pros, cons and key features
- Layout
- Mixed plastic tubs
- Storage fit
- Strong for shared households and bulk cooking
- Huge storage coverage
- Useful for freezer batches
- Good shared-house option
- Needs cupboard space
- Mixed sizes can be less tidy
- Large piece count suits freezer batches
- Good for prepping for more than one person
- Cheap enough to keep many portions ready
Quick Size Chart
Use container size as a buying filter before material or brand. For most adults, a full lunch or dinner portion needs around 900 ml to 1 litre unless the meal is very calorie dense.
| Size | Best use | Avoid using for |
|---|---|---|
| 250-350 ml | Sauces, dips, nuts, berries, small snacks | Complete meals |
| 400-500 ml | Overnight oats, yogurt bowls, sides, small lunches | Large reheated dinners |
| 650-750 ml | Light lunches, salads, smaller portions | High-volume rice or pasta meals |
| 900 ml-1 litre | Standard lunches and dinners | Tiny snacks or sauce storage |
| 1.2-1.5 litre | Large salads, family leftovers, batch ingredients | Compact work bags |
| 2 litre+ | Soups, stews, bulk batch storage | Individual portion control |
Best Size For Work Lunches
For a work lunch, 900 ml to 1 litre is the safest choice. It fits chicken and rice, pasta, curry and rice, chilli, burrito bowls, stir fry, and salads without crushing everything together.
If you eat smaller lunches, 750 ml can work. If you train hard or eat higher-calorie meals, choose 1 litre rather than trying to force food into a compact box.
Best Size For Freezer Meal Prep
For freezer portions, buy both individual tubs and larger batch tubs. Individual 750 ml to 1 litre portions are easiest for grab-and-go meals. Larger 1.5 to 2 litre tubs are better for freezing a family-size chilli, curry base, or soup.
Always leave headroom in freezer containers. Liquids expand as they freeze, and overfilled tubs are more likely to crack or force lids open.
How Many Sizes Do You Really Need?
Most people need three sizes: small sauce/snack tubs, standard 1 litre lunch containers, and one or two larger batch containers. More variety looks useful, but too many shapes creates lid clutter.
Which Size Should A Beginner Buy First?
If you are new to meal prep and want one size that covers most situations, start with 900 ml to 1 litre rectangular containers. They are large enough for a complete adult lunch or dinner, they stack efficiently, and most standard batch-cook dishes — chicken and rice, chilli, pasta, curry — fit without cramming.
Add 400–500 ml tubs once the habit is established, specifically for overnight oats, snacks, or sauces. Add 1.5–2 litre tubs only when you regularly cook large batch portions of soup, stew, or rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 500ml big enough for meal prep?
500ml is usually too small for a full adult lunch unless the meal is very dense. It is better for overnight oats, snacks, sides, or smaller portions.
Is 1 litre too big for lunch?
No. A 900ml to 1 litre container is the most useful size for a complete lunch because it has room for protein, carbs, vegetables, and sauce.
What size meal prep containers are best for weight loss?
A 750ml to 1 litre container works well. Use the portion inside the container to control calories rather than buying a tiny box that leaves you hungry.
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