7 Extra-Large Food Storage Containers for Make-Ahead Meals

What’s the sign of a truly masterful cooking routine? Cooking meals (or components of meals) ahead to make weeknight dinners easier. While it might not happen every week, it’s like magic on those weeks when you are able to make it part of your cooking schedule.

Of course, you’ll need a few larger food storage containers to keep all of those good-for-you meals in your fridge. Here are seven we like!

• Green Saver Containers, $14–$24, from OXO: Prepping food ahead isn’t just about full meals. Keeping fresh fruit washed and cut up, and greens and veggies washed and ready for a quick salad will make meal prep much easier. These new containers from OXO have carbon filters to keep food from spoiling too quickly.
• Modular Canisters, $7–$19 from Container Store: These canisters come in a variety of sizes, but we love the 5.8-quart and 7.65-quart sizes for storing batches of cooked grains or washed and chopped salad greens.
• Pyrex 6-Piece Bakeware Set, $20 from Bed Bath & Beyond: Don’t underestimate the value of the storage container that goes directly from oven to table to fridge for storing leftovers. You can also freeze Pyrex, just so long as you give it time to thaw before going into the oven.
• Ball 1 Gallon Jar, $14 from Target: One of the easiest make-ahead lunch options is a batch of soup made on the weekend and enjoyed all week. Storing your soup in this large mason jar will not only save space in your fridge, but it will also make it easy to pour out the perfect amount.
• Snapware 8-cup Food Storage Container, $8 from Organize.com: Store big batches of pasta salad or just pre-cooked noodles in this 8-cup container. Then you can add whatever sauce, dressing, or vegetables you like when you’re ready to eat.
• Keepeez Vacuum Sealed Food Storage Containers, $4.50–$13 from Bed Bath & Beyond: For food you want to last a little bit longer, consider these porcelain containers with vacuum-sealed lids.
• Snapware Airtight Rectangular Food Storage Container, $24 for six from Walmart: If you want to cook and pre-portion your meals, opt for containers like these from Snapware. They are divided into two compartments, and come in a set of six. Consider lunches for the week (and then some) done.

Have you tried any of these? Have a favorite or another product you like?