Making three meals a day, every day, for the rest of our lives feels like an impossible task. How can we keep it healthy, delicious, and exciting while also working and taking care of our families? The answer, for many, is meal prepping, AKA preparing food in advance, be it cooking rice, freezing large portions, or chopping fruits and veggies, so you can grab and go without fuss or frustration.  You can prep any dish, of course, but lunch is a great meal to start with. If you work, it’s a meal you may not have a ton of time to prepare, and if you’re in an office, it’s tempting to order out with the rest of your coworkers when you don’t have something tasty waiting in your lunchbox. 

The dishes are up to you, but to meal prep effectively, you need the right mindset and functional containers to hold your go-to ingredients. And if you’re staring into an abyss of beat-up, stained Tupperware or a sea of single-use plastic, it’s time to upgrade your food-storage solutions! 

_{Prices are accurate as of March 16, 2026. Subject to change.}

You Can’t Meal Prep Everything

Certain foods don’t hold up once they’ve been chopped or combined with other ingredients. So if you love avocados and cucumbers in your salads, wait until the morning of to toss them in. If you’ve already prepped everything else, you’ve saved yourself a ton of time by doing most of the legwork in advance. 

Plan Ahead, But Don’t Go Too Far

It’s easy to make five servings of chicken and rice on Sunday for the week ahead, but by Thursday, you might be ordering takeout instead out of pure boredom. Make smaller portions and different dish varieties to keep life easy and efficient without wasting money or food along the way! 

Or, instead of prepping entire meals in advance, pick a few foods that work in several dishes and prep by each ingredient instead. You can then put them together as you feel like each day. 

Still afraid you’ll be sick of your pre-planned daily options? Start slow! Vow to meal prep two or three days a week at first. Eventually, you’ll find your groove and enjoy all the delicious pre-planned provisions all week long!

Don’t Stress It

We should all probably be making healthier food choices, and meal prepping makes it possible to do that without thinking about it every single day. But don’t get stuck on the idea of constant variety and healthy-only options! If you have leftover spaghetti and meatballs from the night before, throw them in a container and take that for lunch the next day. It doesn’t always have to be protein-heavy meals with a side of veggies.

Save Your Takeout Containers

Whether you’ve received a quart of soup in a plastic jar or takeout in sectioned black containers, save them for future use! These nifty containers make the perfect vessel for salads and sides.

Our Favorite Meal Prep Containers

If you don’t get takeout as much as we do, we’ve compiled some of our favorite containers for different needs and preferences, from glass containers to smart storage systems, making it easier to find the perfect fit for you and your kitchen.

8-Piece Anyday Glass Food Storage Set

Anyday has received a ton of buzz for its sleek glass storage solutions that are free of harmful microplastics and coatings. Source exactly what you need, whether that’s the whole expansive set or single deep-dish sizes. The do-everything pieces are microwave, freezer, oven, and dishwasher-safe with secure airtight, leakproof lids, so you can go wild in the kitchen prepping, serving, and saving all your delicious cuisine!

OmieBox Bento Box

If you prefer one hard shell bento box to call your own, don’t pass up the OmieBox. This durable and fan-favorite food storage system is great for kids and grown-ups alike, with a built-in thermos insert, a removable ice pack, and a removable divider so you can customize meals exactly to your preference. I utilize this easy-to-organize container when I’m packing soups, pastas, breakfasts, or any meal that requires keeping food hot or cold for long periods of time. The versatility and functionality of the OmieBox make it a great option for work, school, or on-the-go meals, and the colorful hues bring a playful touch to mealtime prep. 

Silicone Freezer Trays

These freezer trays are a game-changer for meal prepping and food storage in general. They pop out individual portion sizes, so you don’t have to reheat the whole meal. If you’re saving leftovers or want to freeze things like pasta, soups, proteins, and sauces, these oven and dishwasher-safe containers are the perfect convenient solution. My favorite feature is how well they stack in my freezer, making it easy to knock out a ton of meal prep without compromising space. 

BeneLabel Stackable Jars

I recently upgraded to these twist-locking containers that make reaching for snacks on the go super convenient and organized. The leak-proof, air-tight containers come packaged with 7, 9, and 12-ounce sizes, so you can portion out exactly what you need. And while they’re meant for snacks, they work for keeping meal-prepped ingredients separate until you’re ready to combine them. The best part? The containers fit easily into a tote, beach bag, purse, or baby bag, so you can keep one with you wherever you venture. 

Featured Image Credit: Monika Grabkowska/ Unsplash+

Gozney may not be a household name with home cooks just yet, but the brand has earned quite a reputation with professional chefs and restauranters. Its original product, the Roccbox, was a movable, home-cook-friendly pizza oven. It was a massive hit on Indiegogo — a crowdfunding platform meant to connect prospective buyers with potential sellers — raising $1,200,000 in 30 days. That largely went to fulfilling orders, and it would, in turn, propel Roccbox and Gozney to new heights, putting its ovens into the homes, backyards, campsites, alleyways, and beyond of more novice culinary talents. Now, after a detour into bigger, more commercial-ready designs, Gozney is returning to its roots with the Tread oven, a go-anywhere, cook-anything model built to get to temperature quickly and cool down just as fast.

_{Prices are accurate as of April 14, 2025. Subject to change.}

Between the Roccbox and the Tread, the company’s compact ovens became less, well, compact. First came the Dome, a versatile, high-performance outdoor-only oven meant for more serious chefs. It ran on both wood and gas fuels, meaning you could experiment with the raw power (and pleasure) of cooking with wood or opt for convenience (gas). Then came a gas-only version, which offered the same wood-fired-style flame but without the difficulty of maintaining a live fire. Then, Gozney found its sweet spot, it seemed: the Arc and Arc XL — one of our favorite pizza ovens — which married the compactness of the Roccbox with the robustness of the Dome. It could fit into well-assembled outdoor kitchens or rove from outdoor space to outdoor space. It could still be moved if you really wanted to take it to go.

The Tread, however, with its aluminum and steel body, 12-millimeter (0.5 inches) removable cordierite stone, and lightweight layers of insulation, moves with ease — and, actually, that’s what it’s meant to do. It can live in your backyard or on your back deck, but it can also be taken to a remote campsite, to the shores of some isolated beach, or set up on the sidewalk outside your buddy’s house. With the Tread, you can take not only your pizza but your pizza oven to go, too.

Gozney Tread Portable Pizza Oven

It’s Simple and Easy to Use — Even If You’ve Never Made a Pizza Before

I am no pizza expert. I have friends who grew up working in pizza shops, and I’ve seen just about every pizza-making YouTube video ever produced, but I can’t, for the life of me, imagine having to crank out perfectly round pizzas on repeat. Luckily, the Gozney Tread is very forgiving and super easy to use. 

Before your first fire, set the oven in a fire-safe zone, preferably outside and away from other flammable materials, place in the burner guard, and attach the 1.2m gas hose and regulator. And because this thing runs on propane, the initial set up couldn’t be easier, given you’ve ever grilled before. To ignite, simply twist a knob found on the righthand side of the oven until you hear clicking and then hear the combustion — just like a gas stove. 

On your first fire, you have to let the oven cure, which basically means kick on the fire, let it heat up on low for a half-hour before turning up the lateral burner — which mirrors the type of arced flame you see in a wood-fired oven. 

What you do from here is up to you. Whether you hand-toss a perfectly circular pie or come out with something oval- or square-shaped, it doesn’t matter much. The Tread gets up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes and can cook a small pizza in basically a minute. Your first few might burn, but the beauty of this oven is that it’s easy to maintain once on — just make sure you have enough propane. Therefore, you can keep the pizzas coming until you feel content (or full).

Unlike Other Pizza Ovens, You Can Take It To Go

You can take the Tread pretty much anywhere. We were limited because of the weather — it was still the tail end of winter where we were when the Tread first came out — that’s not to say a more adventurous chef (or non-chef) wouldn’t test its limits. Just ask pro skier Sage Cattabriga-Alosa. “The Tread is the ultimate in road trip fueled cooking,” he says “It provides seamless setup and top-level cooking in a streamlined package, perfectly designed for on-the-go use and versatility.” For someone who regularly summits, and subsequently nosedives down, mountains, that’s quite the compliment.

I found it was easy to lift on my own, but it might be too much for my fiancée or one of her friends to conquer themselves. With or without the handy carrying bag, the Tread offers two spots for hands atop it, making it easy to tag team the oven out to your desired cooking site with or without the stand in tow.

It’s Compact But Not Too Small 

While it could be a bit cumbersome for someone who can’t easily lift 30 pounds, that doesn’t mean the oven is oversized. It’s the perfect dimensions for a personal pizza or a thinner pie meant to be split between two or three people alongside other snacks. Plus, I never felt constrained when I needed to rotate a pizza, put a pizza in, or pull one out. You have plenty of space to maneuver in there, especially if you’re using Gozney-made tools, like the Venture Turning Peel or Placement Peel.

It Makes Open-Fire Cooking Easy

While I obviously made my fair share of pies during the testing period, I was frankly equally excited to try, well, basically anything else: chicken wings, steak, dessert, potatoes, you name it. Sure, there’s a learning curve when it comes to cooking with an oven that gets two times hotter than the one in your kitchen, but for those that love wood-fired food, extra-charred potatoes or a good steak with a significant crust on it, you’ll find that the Tread almost beats cooking over charcoal — at least it did for me.

Some may look at it and just see pizza, and therefore feel like it’s not worth the investment. But the Tread, and all of the Gozney ovens, for that matter, offer a whole lot more. The Tread just does it in a slighter, more portable package. 

Feature Image Credit: Image Courtesy of Gozney

There’s nothing worse than reaching for a head of lettuce or a package of berries you bought just a few days prior, only to find it’s already gone bad. Using produce before it’s past its prime often feels like a losing game. The good news? Plenty of products on the market help extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables, giving you more time to enjoy them before they turn rotten. Here are a few top products to help you cut food waste and save money.

_{Prices are accurate as of March 4, 2025. Subject to change.}

Debbie Meyer Green Bags

These bags have been helping folks preserve produce for decades. Scientifically proven to help fruits, vegetables, and even fresh-cut flowers last longer, these innovative bags absorb the ethylene gas released by fruits and vegetables as they ripen which causes rot. Each bag can be reused up to 10 times — just rinse with cool water and allow the bag to dry fully before reusing. They’re available in packs of 20, 32, and 40, featuring varying sizes to fit all types of produce.

Prepara Eco Herb Saver Pod

The recipe calls for just a handful of freshly chopped parsley, but your grocery store only sells parsley in bunches. The solution? This genius storage pod is designed to keep herbs fresh for up to three weeks. Rinse your herbs, add water to the bottom of the pod, and store them standing upright. For best results, make sure you empty and refill the water every three days.

Dualplex Fruit & Veggie Life Extender Liners

Ever wonder why fruits and vegetables spoil in your refrigerator’s produce storage drawer? The lack of air circulation contributes to the rotting process. These shelf liners help prevent this thanks to their raised material, which allows air to flow through the drawer more freely. Available in nine different colors in packs of four, these sheets are easily trimmable with scissors, making them customizable for any drawer size.

Fruit Storage Containers

What if you could not only extend the life of your produce but cut down on the amount of containers you’re using to wash and store them? This container set functions as a colander for washing fruits and veggies and an airtight storage solution that works as a moisture drainage system. Simply wash your produce in the basket, then store in the container for up to two weeks. Available in packs of three to six, these containers are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe.

Bluapple Produce Savers

Looking for a low-maintenance way to keep produce fresh for longer? Toss one of these apple-shaped produce savers, equipped with an ethylene gas-absorbing packet, into any fruit basket or vegetable drawer. This bundle comes with two plastic apples and two packets that last up to three months each. Keep the apples and replace just the packets, available in bags of eight, to get a year of fresh produce.

Vegetable Storage Tins

Root vegetables like potatoes, onions, and garlic can last for months when stored properly. These vegetable storage tins create an optimal environment to keep potatoes from sprouting and onions and garlic from going mushy, with strategic holes for optimal air circulation. The deep bins provide storage for up to 5 pounds of potatoes, 2 pounds of onions, and 8 bulbs of garlic.

Food Huggers Reusable Silicone Food Savers

You’ve chopped up half a cucumber, onion, and tomato for your salad. Keep the other halves fresh thanks to these clever food savers that easily slide over half-used produce. Reusable and dishwasher safe, these silicone covers create an airtight seal that prevents browning and keeps produce fresh for longer. They’re available in five colors and have a lifetime warranty.

Joie Avocado Food Saver Stretch Pod

Avocados are hands down the hardest produce items to store and preserve. Depending on where you live and the time of year, they can also be pricey and hard to come by, so it’s all the more upsetting when you reach for your saved half only to find it’s gone bad. This silicone solution is arguably better than any avocado storage hack you’ll find to keep an avocado half from browning or turning to mush. Its patented pod-like design creates an airtight seal against the exposed edge to stop the oxidation process that turns avocados brown. It’s a worthwhile storage option for avocado enthusiasts.

Featured Image Courtesy of Food Huggers

How do you like your eggs in the morning? If you’re anything like me, you prefer them in pancake form — fluffy, golden, and impossibly satisfying. There’s nothing like a stack of perfectly cooked pancakes to start your day on the right note, but let’s be honest: getting them just right is an art. And like any artist, you need the correct tools. From precision batter dispensers to the ultimate non-stick pan, I’ve rounded up the must-have kitchen gadgets to help you flip, stack, and serve pancakes like a head chef. Read on to get cracking on the breakfast of champions.

_{Prices are accurate as of September 25, 2025. Subject to change.}

di Oro Living Pancake Spatula

The right spatula can make or break your pancakes. With the di Oro Living Pancake Spatula, you’ll garner quite a reputation as the resident pancake aficionado. Made from BPA-free food-safe silicone, this kitchen must-have ensures your pancake-flipping is executed seamlessly, and mess-free, every time. Toss it in the dishwasher after use, and get munching on your culinary creations without the impending doom of post-brunch cleanup.

Gotham Steel Double-Sided Pan

Thanks to the Gotham Steel Double-Sided Pan, you’ll never again suffer the perils of stuck (thus, ruined) pancakes. This non-stick pan is crafted with copper, titanium, and ceramic — and crucially, is free of the nasties that often come with non-stick equipment. It’s as easy to clean as to use, and you’re guaranteed evenly cooked pancakes every time. This is no one-trick-pony, either: you can whip up quesadillas, tortillas, and tasty omelets, too. Oh, and if you’re trying to keep the indulgence to a minimum, rejoice. You can skip the butter and oil, and pour your batter straight in. 

KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser

Never been able to achieve that dreamy, uniform pancake stack? The KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser is primed to become your personal sous chef, featuring an easy-pull trigger to ensure each pancake is perfectly portioned. With a 4-cup capacity, you’ll be set to serve up to 12 pancakes without the need to refill. Brunch banquet? Incoming.

OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk

Make lumpy pancake batter a thing of the past with this balloon whisk. Made by the crème de la crème of kitchenware, OXO, this stainless steel whisk effortlessly beats any pesky lumps from your batter, leaving it smooth, creamy, and ready for the pan. 

Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Ladle

If you prefer to stay analog in your quest for the perfect pancakes, you’re going to need a ladle worthy of the task. The Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Ladle helps you create pristine pools of batter in the pan, making for a pile of rustic, grandma-style pancakes at the finale. I love the non-slip handle, giving you precision pouring control.

Gibson Home Gracious 3-Tier Serving Stand

Presentation deserves as much thought as preparation, so do your lovingly-made pancakes a favor and serve them right. The Gibson Home Gracious 3-Tier Serving Stand will take pride of place at the breakfast table with its large, 16-inch plates offering up plenty of room for sumptuous stacks of pancakes. Make your next breakfast one to remember, and garnish any extra plate space with sliced fruit, muffins, and other tastebud-teasing treats.

Betty Crocker Bisquick Original Pancake & Baking Mix

If you’re all about the results and less about the process, Betty Crocker’s got your back. The famous Bisquick Original Pancake & Baking Mix takes the stress out of prepping — just add milk and eggs for a pro-level batter in minutes. Add your own stamp with maple syrup, lemon, blueberries, and, if you’re feeling fancy, some Chantilly cream.

Featured Image Credit: Michelle54/ Shutterstock