MEAL PREP STARTER PACKS
Everything you need to start meal prepping like a pro.
Choose what level you want to start at
The bare bones starter kit. Only the essentials are included here.
The best of the best. If you’re serious about meal prep, here are the best tools to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and easily.
ROOKIE LEVEL
If you’re introducing yourself to meal prep or just want to acquire the basics for what you need to start, here is a list of what I would recommend to make the process as smooth as possible. Many of the things you need are regular kitchen items but seeing how meal prep is mainly batch cooking, larger items are nice to have. If you are meal prepping for more than one person, they are almost a necessity.
CONTAINERS
When it comes to containers there are 3 main choices: Plastic, Glass with Snap Lids, Glass with Regular lids. I have always used plastic because I don’t like the shape of any of the glass containers on the market. The plastic ones can be hit or miss as far as quality goes. It seems like every time I find one I like on Amazon they change the plastic formulation by the next time I need to order them.
A good rule of thumb is to have 10 containers for each person you are prepping for. This usually allows for extra in case some break or you need to use them for something else. Choose one of the following:
KITCHEN GEAR
You’re going to need at least 1 knife and 1 cutting board as well as bowls, pots, pans, bakeware, etc. The more the better obviously but this is the Rookie Level after all. I’d recommend 2 cutting boards though so you can have 1 for vegetables and one for raw meat. At the bare minimum you should have: 1 high quality chef’s knife, 1 cutting board, a 12-in skillet, 1 large stock pot, 1 small sauce pan, 2 large sheet pans, and 2 large mixing bowls. You can make it happen with just those tools.
THE WRAP UP
All things considered, the equipment you have on hand shouldn’t be a barrier to meal prep. You can make whatever you have work. This list is more of a “here’s what I think you should have to make meal prepping easier” rather than an absolute must have before you begin. So if we add everything up, assuming you don’t have any of this already at your home, here is what we are looking at:
- 10 Meal Prep Containers – $15.00 USD
- 1 – 8″ Chef’s Knife – $55.00 USD
- 1 – Big Cutting Board – $26.00 USD
- 1 – 12″ Skillet – $40.00 USD
- 2 – 15″x10″ Sheet Pans – $37.00 USD
- 1 – Small Sauce Pan – $20.00 USD
- 1 – 8 quart Stockpot – $35.00 USD
- 6 – Mixing Bowls – $25.00 USD
ALL PRO LEVEL
If you’re more of a meal prep veteran and ready to go all in, here are some products to level up your game. Many of the products in this section will be the same as the rookie section as containers are containers and bowls are bowls, there isn’t much differentiation between them. However, I have included more high ticket items such as blenders, mixers, and cooking utensils that I have found have helped me.
CONTAINERS
The container section is the same for both Rookie and All Pro levels, you just need to choose what you like best. The glass are obviously more expensive but I actually prefer the plastic because I feel that they are a better size and shape.
A good rule of thumb is to have 10 containers for each person you are prepping for. This usually allows for extra in case some break or you need to use them for something else. Choose one of the following:
KITCHEN GEAR
Seeing how this is the All Pro level, the products included below are what I would consider to be the best to optimize your kitchen for all of your meal prep needs. I don’t even have all of these items in this list but boy do I wish I did. The most important tools for any kitchen are high quality knives. If you don’t have good knives, get them first. I also recommend 2 cutting boards so you can have 1 for vegetables (wooden) and one for raw meat (plastic). A nice set of pots and pans and mixing bowls are more must haves. Everything else included here is a nice to have instead of a requirement. My air fryer and Vitamix are two appliances that I can’t imaging not having. The Vitamix turns anything you put in it to liquid and I use the air fryer literally every day. My KitchenAid is something I use sparingly but I don’t bake much. The Holy Grail of any meal prep kitchen is a big flat top grill. Obviously this is a premium item and to have one in your kitchen would likely require a remodel, but they do make some that go outside. The best meal prep set up I ever had was at my apartment in Seattle that had a community flat top outside. It makes batch cooking a breeze.
THE WRAP UP
As I said at the end of the Rookie Level, the equipment you have on hand shouldn’t be a barrier to meal prep. You can make whatever you have work. This list contains the items I would have in my perfect meal prep kitchen. So if we add everything up, assuming you don’t have any of this already at your home, here is what we are looking at, it’s going to be a lot but whatever:
- 10 Meal Prep Containers – $15.00 USD
- 1 – Knife Set – $210.00 USD
- 1 – Big Cutting Board – $26.00 USD
- 1 – Big Wood Cutting Board – $90.00 USD
- 1 – Cookware set – $400.00 USD
- 2 – 15″x10″ Sheet Pans – $37.00 USD
- 6 – Mixing Bowls – $25.00 USD
- 1 – Instant Vortex Air Fryer – $60.00 USD
- 1 – KitchenAid Mixer – $400.00 USD
- 1 – Vitamix 5200 – $400.00 USD
- 1 – Cuisinart Food Processor – $200.00 USD
- 1 – 36″ Flat Top Grill – $250.00 USD
- 1 – Digital Scale – $20.00 USD