8 Best Food-Storage Solutions For Leftovers, Meal Prep & More

Leftovers often get a bad rap. It’s rare to spend the day looking forward to diving into a bowl of reheated pasta or day(s)-old stir-fried rice, but we think that should change. There’s no reason the delicious dinner you enjoyed the night before, or the second half of that sandwich you loved, can’t be something you’re excited to finish off the next day. When done right, a meal made of leftovers can be a treat and a time-saver. After all, how often are any of us making single-servings of our favorite meals?

The key to enjoying leftovers is all in how they’re stored and how easily they can be reheated. This is where Mepal comes in. The Dutch brand is known for its ergonomic, easy-to-stack, and easy-to-heat storage containers. They’re the masters of combining form, style, and function in the realm of reusable food storage. Whether it’s a stackable multi-piece set, a full pantry-organization kit, or a single-serving salad bowl with a built-in dressing container, their designs cater to the way you serve and store your meals.

Knowing this, and seeing how much our community loves Mepal’s products (five of their best-sellers have an average 5-star rating), let’s dive into a few of our favorites. Keep reading for eight Mepal food-storage solutions that are worth adding to your collection.

1. Mepal Lunch Pot Mini, $32

This two-piece container is ideal for soups, yogurt parfaits, or even a small salad with dressing. The bottom part of the container is deep enough to fit the main component of the meal—think: greens or Greek yogurt—and the smaller top part of the container is ready to hold your mix-ins like dressing, granola, fruit, or nuts. The two containers nest without touching, allowing everything to stay separate while still being compact. The best part? It’s microwave and dishwasher safe, making both heating and cleaning a breeze.

2. Mepal Circula Bento Bowl, $40

If your kid hates when their foods touch, this bento bowl will save them from potential lunchroom meltdowns. It has a three-compartment design that helps keep everything separate without requiring multiple containers. It’s also leakproof, airtight, microwave-safe, fridge- and freezer-safe, and dishwasher-safe—what can’t it do?

3. Mepal Fruit and Veggie Cup, $37

Snacking on the go has never been easier. Thanks to its airtight seal, this to-go cup keeps your fruit and vegetables fresh. It features a double-layer design that lets you rinse fruit in the mini colander and pop it right back inside, where it can drain. It also comes with a small fork, can hold up to 20 ounces, and comes in five colors.

4. Mepal Modula Stackable Storage Containers, $40+

Streamline your fridge and pantry with these smart, stackable containers. With their clear design (the top of each lid has a clear window), you can easily see what’s inside without having to remove the lids or label the containers. The straight sides also allow them to fit snugly into any drawer or cabinet, unlike rounded jars. Whether they’re living on your fridge shelves, pantry shelves, or both, they’re bound to keep things nice and tidy.

5. Airtight Stackable Storage Containers (Set of 3), $55

Similarly, these stackable storage containers are also made with organization in mind. Their lids are made of solid silicone, allowing for an air-tight seal that’ll keep your dried goods fresh as can be—no more stale potato chips taking up space on the shelves. The tab on one corner of the lid makes them easy to open and their wide mouths help for easy cleaning and pouring, too.

6. Mepal EasyClip Glass Food Storage Boxes, $38+

If you prefer glass storage containers, Mepal still has you covered. They come in a range of sizes (15-ounce, 23-ounce, 34-ounce, 51-ounce, and 76-ounce), have lids that open and close with one quick click, and (just like all Mepal containers) are leak-proof, airtight, and safe for microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers.

7. Mepal Prep Bowls (Set of 4), $55

These round bowls are not only great for storing leftovers or meal-prepping, they always work magic with baking and cooking prep. Pre-portion your ingredients for a streamlined experience in your kitchen. It doesn’t matter if you’re prepping fruits and yogurt for smoothies, ingredients for a cake, or divvying up portions of soup—these bowls have got your back.

8. Mepal Ultimate 7-Piece Nested Storage Bowl Set, $130+

If you’re starting from scratch in the food-storage department—or have been looking to upgrade your current collection—it might be time to look into getting a full seven-piece set. This group of Mepal’s best comes in shallow or deep sizes, to fit your specific storage and space needs. There are three boxes and four bowls in each set, giving you a solid foundation to build off.

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