16 Best Kitchen Tools for Meal Prep: Containers, Gadgets, & Cookware

Streamlining your kitchen for meal prep is about more than just saving time. It's about crafting a space that bolsters your wellness and sustainability goals.

At Caraway , we're showcasing how the right tools can transform your meal prep from routine to revolutionary. From snappy storage solutions that keep food at its freshest to gadgets that turn chopping and mixing into a breeze, the right equipment can change the whole meal prep game.

Interested in discovering more? We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’re zeroing in on those indispensable kitchen tools every home chef needs for efficient, enjoyable, and eco-friendly meal prep.

What Is Meal Prepping?

Before we dive into all the tools and tips, you might wonder—what’s meal prepping? At its core, it’s the simple act of planning and preparing meals or ingredients ahead of time . Think chopping veggies, cooking proteins, or portioning out meals in advance.

Meal prepping has been around in various forms for ages, from large family batch cooking to weekly food prep routines. It’s all about setting yourself up for success in the kitchen by organizing your cooking ahead of time, whether that means prepping for a few days or an entire week.

What Are the Benefits of Meal Prepping?

We’ve covered what meal prepping is, but why should you bother with it? Turns out, there’s a lot more to it than just having meals ready to go.

Achieve a Non-Toxic Kitchen

When you prep meals ahead of time, you can take better control over the kitchen tools and cookware you’re using. Swapping out old, questionable gadgets for high-quality, non-toxic options ensures your food isn’t exposed to harmful chemicals like BPA or PFAS .

Choosing non-stick and stainless steel cookware can elevate your food prep routine while keeping your meals safer and healthier.

Be More Eco-Friendly

Meal prepping is a game-changer for cutting down on waste. By planning your meals, you can avoid overbuying ingredients that often end up in the trash.

Pair that with reusable food storage containers, silicone lids, and sustainable tools, and your kitchen becomes much kinder to the environment. It's not just good for you—it’s good for the planet.

Save Time and Money

Let’s face it—life is busy. Meal prepping helps you avoid those last-minute takeout runs by having home-cooked meals ready to go.

It also saves money by making better use of ingredients, reducing the need for expensive single-meal purchases. Whether you’re chopping veggies in bulk or portioning out soups for the week, a little effort up front means less stress and more savings later on.

What Are the Best Meal Prep Tools?

So, what are the must-haves for efficient meal prepping? While you can make do with the basics, having the right tools can save you time, energy, and even space in your kitchen.

Here are the top tools to take your meal prep game to the next level, starting with the essentials:

1. Food Storage Containers

Reusable, durable food storage containers are the backbone of meal prep. They keep your meals fresh, make portioning simple, and help you stay organized. Opt for high-quality containers that are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free for long-term use.

At Caraway, our Food Storage Set takes food storage to the next level. Complete with ceramic-coated glass containers and Air Release Technology, it locks in freshness and keeps odors out. Plus, it comes with complimentary organizers to keep your cabinets looking tidy.

2. Bakeware

Bakeware is essential for meal prep, allowing you to batch cook, bake, and portion meals with ease.

Here’s why our lineup of bakeware deserves a spot in your kitchen:

• Dutch Ovens: Caraway’s non-toxic Dutch Oven is ideal for soups, stews, and even one-pot meals. Its ceramic-coated interior ensures even cooking and easy cleanup, making it perfect for prepping large portions.

• Sheet Pans: Our Large Baking Sheet offers a naturally slick, non-toxic surface, perfect for roasting veggies, batch cooking proteins, or baking sweet treats.

• Muffin Pans: From egg bites to individual desserts, Caraway’s 12-Cup Muffin Pan is a non-stick, ceramic-coated essential for creating perfectly portioned meals with minimal fuss.

Whether you’re roasting, baking, or braising, having versatile bakeware in your kitchen is a total game-changer.

3. Cutting Boards

A reliable cutting board is a prep-time workhorse, and Caraway’s Cutting Board Set delivers durability, safety, and style. The set includes three sizes—Large, Medium, and Small—crafted from FSC-certified Birch Wood and finished with food-safe mineral oil and wax.

They’re gentle on your knives, easy to clean, and free from harmful chemicals. With this set, you’ll have the perfect surface for dicing veggies, trimming proteins, and preparing ingredients for all your meals.

4. Steamers

Steaming is the unsung hero of healthy cooking, and having a top-notch steamer can elevate this simple cooking method. Caraway’s Lunar New Year Celebration Bundle not only equips you with a versatile ceramic-coated stock pot and a large steamer perfect for those family-sized meal preps but also throws in a baking sheet and storage container to complete your set.

5. Blenders

Dive into silky smoothies, lush soups, or quick sauces with a trusty blender. Grab an immersion blender if you're short on space or just prefer simplicity. It'll whip up anything in a jiff without the usual sink-full of dishes afterward. Stick with blenders that boast durable stainless steel blades—they last longer and take the fuss out of prep.

6. Crock Pots

Pop your ingredients into a crock pot before you head out and let it do the heavy lifting while you're away—there’s nothing quite like returning to a home filled with the aroma of a meal that’s cooked to perfection! It’s the ultimate kitchen hack for busy individuals who want to savor homemade stews, tender roasts, or savory soups without having to stand over the stove.

7. Mixers and Mixing Bowls

Mixing up a storm? You’ll want a dependable mixer and some robust mixing bowls by your side. Go for a mixer with a variety of attachments that can handle anything from whipping cream to kneading dough. For the mixing bowls, pick ones with grips to keep things steady—no sliding around while you're in the middle of perfecting your batter.

8. Air Fryers

Who doesn’t love crispy food without the guilt? Air fryers deliver that delicious crunch without the oil overload. They're perfect for giving veggies a crispy twist, cooking up chicken wings, or even baking cookies. Plus, they work fast, so you can enjoy your favorite foods without the long oven preheat times.

9. Food Processors

Food processors are the multitaskers of the kitchen gadget world. Whether you're making salsa, slicing vegetables, or mixing dough, a good food processor can cut your prep time in half. Look for one that has various blade options to maximize its use in your meal prep routine.

10. Pressure Cookers

Want homemade meals fast? A pressure cooker is a meal prep lifesaver. It’s perfect for whipping up soups, stews, and even desserts like cheesecakes—no long cooking times required. And for those looking to do even more, an Instant Pot adds versatility with features like steaming and sautéing, making it easier to tackle multiple meal prep tasks in one device.

12. Slow Cookers

Imagine tossing ingredients into a pot, setting a timer, and coming back to a perfectly cooked meal. That’s the beauty of a slow cooker. It’s like having a personal chef simmering your soups, stews, or chilis while you tackle the rest of your to-do list.

Ideal for busy days, slow cookers help you prep large batches of comforting meals without fuss, ensuring you have delicious, ready-to-eat dishes all week long.

13. Mandolines

If slicing veggies feels like a chore, a mandoline is here to save you time. It helps you quickly and evenly slice cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, or onions—great for salads, stir-fries, or side dishes. Consistent cuts also mean your food cooks evenly, so you’re not left with a mix of raw and overcooked pieces.

14. Spiralizers

Spiralizers bring a fun twist to meal prep by turning veggies like zucchini or sweet potatoes into noodles. They're great for prepping low-carb meals or adding texture to salads. You can spiralize in advance, store your "zoodles," and have them ready for quick, healthy dinners or meal prep bowls.

15. Measuring Cups

Looking to dial in those flavors perfectly every time you cook? That’s where a solid set of measuring cups comes in handy. They help you get precise with ingredients, whether you're adding spices to a curry or measuring flour for your favorite baking recipes.

Consider getting a set that includes both dry and liquid measures to cover all your bases. And for an easier cleanup, go for options in stainless steel or those that can take a trip through the dishwasher. This small upgrade can make a big difference in your kitchen routine.

16. Kitchen Scale

A kitchen scale takes the guesswork out of meal prep by weighing ingredients accurately. It’s perfect for portion control, baking, or dividing bulk meals into even servings. Look for a digital scale that’s easy to use, lightweight, and compact enough to store. Meal planning is way simpler when you can quickly measure exactly what you need.

How Can You Make Meal Prep Work for You?

Meal prep doesn’t have to feel overwhelming . These tips can help you simplify the process and actually stick with it:

• Start Small: Don’t feel like you need to prep everything for the entire week. Begin with just a couple of meals or staple ingredients—like cooked chicken, rice, or chopped veggies—and build from there.

• Keep It Realistic: Prep meals you actually want to eat. Skip the overly complicated recipes and focus on dishes that you know you’ll enjoy and are easy to reheat.

• Label Everything: Write dates on your storage containers so you know what’s fresh and what needs to be eaten first. A little organization goes a long way.

• Set Aside Time: Dedicate a couple of hours on the weekend or your day off to prep. Put on music or a podcast to make it more enjoyable.

Wrapping Up

Meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s all about having the right tools and a plan that works for you. From versatile food storage containers to time-saving gadgets like air fryers and pressure cookers, the right kitchen essentials can make prepping meals as easy as pie.

At Caraway , we’re all about making your kitchen a healthier, more organized space. Whether you’re steaming veggies, roasting on a sheet pan, or storing leftovers, our non-toxic cookware and tools are designed to support your meal prep routine. Ready to upgrade your kitchen?

Explore our collection today and prep with ease.

Sources:

Meal Prep Guide | The Nutrition Source | Harvard

What’s the Difference Among Microplastics, Phthalates, BPA, and PFAS? | Consumer Reports

Meal Prepping Saves Time and Frustration | Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture

Meal Prep and Cooking Tips | Nutrition.gov