Our Top 10 Must-Have Items for Meal Prep

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.

(The tools that make our Sundays smoother and our weeknights easier!)

Meal prep can feel like a mountain—or a moment of calm—depending on how you approach it. Over the years, we’ve figured out that having the right tools turns the kitchen from chaos into confidence. If you want to get ahead on meals, reduce stress, and feel good about what you’re feeding your family, here are our top 10 meal prep essentials that we actually use every single week.

1. Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet Pans (2-Pack)

These sheet pans are the meal prep MVP. We use them for roasting veggies, baking chicken, and even freezing things flat before transferring to storage. They hold up beautifully and never twist or warp.

Meal Prep Tip: Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and faster prep transitions.

2. M MCIRCO 10-Pack 22oz Glass Meal Prep Containers

These glass containers are perfect for portioned lunches and dinners. They're leak-proof, easy to clean, and look way nicer than stained plastic.

Meal Prep Tip: Label with masking tape and a Sharpie to track what you made and when!

3. HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Fry Pan Set (8", 10", 12")

These pans are the real deal—sears like stainless but cleans like nonstick. We use them for browning meat, sautéing veggies, and scrambling eggs. We also love to make One Pot Meals in the largest pan.

Meal Prep Tip: Use all three pans at once to batch cook proteins and sides simultaneously.

4. Professional Jumbo Silicone Baking Cups (12-Pack)

Reusable | BPA-Free | Versatile & Easy to Clean

Perfect for egg muffins, oatmeal cups, or even single-serve freezer items. These wash up beautifully and pop out without sticking.

Meal Prep Tip: Set them in a muffin tin for structure when baking, then store in a container.

5. Riveira Bamboo Wooden Spoons (6-Piece Set)

This is the set we reach for every day. They’re easy on our pans and feel great in the hand. Different shapes let us stir, scrape, flip, and sauté without hassle.

Meal Prep Tip: Assign one spoon for savory and one for sweet to keep flavors clean during big prep sessions.

6. Babish 6.5” Santoku Knife – High Carbon German Steel

We didn’t know we needed this knife until we had it. Now we chop everything faster and more confidently. The size is just right for most prep work.

Meal Prep Tip: Keep a damp paper towel under your cutting board to prevent sliding while chopping!

7. Hiware 4-Piece Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Boards

These cutting boards are thick, solid, and beautiful. The juice groove keeps things tidy, and the large surface area is perfect for big prep jobs. You can also use the flip side if you don't want to use the grooved side!

Meal Prep Tip: Use one for raw meat, one for produce, and one for ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross-contamination.

8. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer (AG301)

This powerhouse does so much. We use it for quick weeknight dinners, air-fried sweet potatoes, or roasting veggies without heating up the oven. We had no idea how much we would use this until we actually had one. Amazing!

Meal Prep Tip: Use it to batch cook chicken thighs or pork carnitas during weekend prep—you’ll thank yourself later!

9. Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale

Perfect for measuring protein, portioning ingredients, or tracking macros. Super accurate and simple to use.

Meal Prep Tip: Weigh out your cooked rice or meat into your meal prep containers for even portions every time.

10. Stainless Steel Cooking Tongs (3-Pack: 7", 9", 12")

These tongs are sturdy, easy to grip, and work for everything—grilling, air frying, tossing salads, or flipping meat.

Meal Prep Tip: Designate your long pair for grilling, medium for stove-top, and short for plating or delicate items like egg cups.

Final Thoughts

Meal prep is so much more enjoyable when you’re not battling flimsy pans, dull knives, or plastic containers that leak. These 10 items help us prep smarter, store better, and cook with more confidence—every single week.

Have a tool you can’t live without in your kitchen? We’d love to hear your favorites too!