If You’re Cooking at Home More Often, Invest in These Handy Meal Prep Tools

These reusable, microwave-ready, dishwasher-safe silicone bags are adorable. Not only do they cut down on plastic waste by eliminating an endless need for disposable baggies, but they’re also designed to stand up straight. That way, if you get hungry while you have a billion things to do, you can plop one of these bad boys down on your desk and easily snack as you work. 

Remember how exciting lunch boxes were when you were a kid? If you normally toss your lunch into a grocery bag or an old tote, it might be time to regain some of that childhood fun by gifting yourself a lunch container that’s actually appealing. This lunch bundle is bento inspired, so it includes a single bowl with an optional divider tray if you’d like to keep your food in separate tiers. It also comes with utensils that are packaged in their own little silicone carrying case. How quaint!

If you’re still stuck on the idea that microwaves are only good for heating up frozen dinners and leftover pizza, we think this cookware bundle will revolutionize the way you cook. These sleek containers are completely microwavable — yes, even the metal lids (the metal is smooth curved, so it’s perfectly safe). The containers are designed to lock in moisture while also venting excess steam, so you can actually cook a variety of dishes from scratch. And the cookware doubles as food storage, so after eating you can simply throw the containers in the fridge. 

If you’re intrigued by the idea of food storage containers that can be thrown in this microwave, this Public Goods set can do you one better: Each of these containers is also oven safe. If you bake above 300 degrees, you’ll have to remove the lid, but the containers themselves can handle temperatures up to 500 degrees. After you’re done eating, you can pop these containers into the fridge, freezer, or dishwasher — so clean-up is sure to be a breeze.

You know them, you love them, and some of you can’t live without them: The classic, handy, durable, endlessly versatile mason jar. They have a special place in our hearts for their ability to store dry goods, moist leftovers, and liquids of all kinds — all while giving off an effortless farmhouse chic vibe. If you haven’t experimented with mason jars, this wallet-friendly set is a great starting point. Oh, and if you need extra glassware, sipping from one of these is extra satisfying, for some reason.

This gorgeous dutch oven does it all: It can ​​boil, crisp, bake, braise, roast, steam, strain, pour, serve, and store. And with a 5.5-quart capacity, you can do some serious batching for the week ahead. Made of nonstick ceramic, this pot can be cleaned with a few thorough scrubs. And did we mention that with over 3000 reviews, this pot still has five stars? One glowing recommendation says that “it’s fast, light, and looks good enough to put on the table! It’s my favorite for steaming, pasta, soup, and even made sauce with no staining.” 

Of course, meal prep isn’t just about steaming and simmering. However, many of us have a cabinet or shelf cluttered with mismatched, clunky bakeware. If you’ve been avoiding your disorganized baking tins and pans, this set could help you fall back in love with homemade muffins, scones, cookies, and sheet pan meals. It comes with two baking sheets, a muffin pan, a rectangle pan, and — most importantly — cabinet organizers. And this set also does away with baked goods sticking to your sheet pans. One reviewer exclaims, “I have never had bakeware where I didn’t have to coat with some sort of non-stick product, and even then food would stick. Everything slides out of these!” No more scraping.

We seriously can’t get enough of the instant pot. This versatile appliance boasts nine different uses. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, sterilizer, and food warmer. If you’re in a rush, the pressure cooker function will whip up your favorite dishes “up to 70 percent faster than traditional cooking methods.” On the other hand, if you want that homey, luxurious feeling of letting something slow cook on the counter for hours, that’s an option, too. 

If you’re still using an old, stained, scratched plastic cutting board, it might be time to hit refresh. This kitchen reboard is so pretty, it will make you excited to chop and slice your vegetables and herbs. Oh, and if you feel guilty about replacing your old plastic board because you don’t want to feel wasteful, we’ve got good news: Each reboard is made from recycled kitchen plastic scraps and renewable sugar cane. Plus, buyers say the boards are remarkably easy to clean.

A dull knife can make food prep abysmally slow, not to mention dangerous. Luckily, all you need in your kitchen is a good chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated knife — and this set has all three. Plus, this set features colorful handles that can coordinate with your kitchen (we love the vibrant azul shade). If you pair these knives with an equally stunning cutting board, you’ll give your counter space the kind of makeover that will make ordering takeout seem like the least glam activity on earth.