Meal Prepping Is Saving Me More Money in 2025—Here’s My Full Setup

Meal prep quick picks

Best for small kitchens: Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer System

Best for precise slicing: Oxo Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

Most versatile pot: Le Creuset Cast-Iron Oval Dutch Oven

Best for most mixing needs: All-Clad Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set

Best for making your ingredients last longer: Stasher Storage Bags

Frequent takeout seems like a time-saver, but it’s expensive and can hinder financial goals. I used to rely heavily on takeout due to a busy schedule, but the high costs were unsustainable.

Switching to meal prepping has significantly improved my finances and reduced daily stress. I discovered numerous quick and delicious recipes online (https://taslicious.com) , making meal prep enjoyable.

Many people believe meal prepping is time-consuming and difficult. However, with the right tools, it can be efficient and effortless. I’ve personally tested and curated a list of essential kitchen tools to simplify your meal-prepping journey.

Make slicing and dicing quick and nick-free

Mastering slicing and dicing can be fun, but it’s often the most tiring part of cooking, especially with a long list of ingredients. Fortunately, there are tools to save time and prevent finger cuts.

One helpful tool is the mandoline slicer, like the one from Oxo. It became popular for slicing perfect cucumber rounds for salads, but it’s useful for more. I enjoy using it for caramelized onions or potatoes au gratin, as it makes the process quicker and easier.

For my chopping needs, the KitchenAid food chopper saves a lot of time, reducing chopping from minutes to seconds. It has a rechargeable battery lasting up to 24 minutes, so there’s no power cord hassle.

I love finely grated parmesan for my pasta, but doing it by hand is time-consuming. For daily meals, I use this rotary cheese grater for the cheese blocks I buy at Costco. I was skeptical about TikTok recommendations, but this tool lives up to the hype.

You can also get a bigger food processor like Cuisinart’s 14-cup model, great for family meal prep. Its strong motor and large container let you chop lots of produce, and the blade and disks are versatile. I’ve used it for everything, including shredding cheese, and it’s worth the cost.

If you choose the traditional way, there are ways to save time. Get a big, good cutting board, preferably with a juice groove for more space and easy cleanup. Use a sharp knife set, like the Schmidt Bros’ 10-piece set, which is sturdy, easy to handle, and cuts meats and veggies easily. Upgrading your board and knives can really save time and effort.

Oxo Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

KitchenAid Go Cordless Top-Down Chopper

Best for fast chopping

Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor

Best for most of your chopping and cutting needs

Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater

Best for shredding

Teakhaus Wood Cutting Board With Juice Groove

Schmidt Bros Bonded Steel 10-Piece Knife Block Set

Measure and mix effortlessly

Guessing ingredient amounts is one of my favorite parts of cooking, and it’s why I usually like cooking more than baking. But if you’re new to cooking, sticking to recipes and measuring ingredients can make it less scary. That’s a good way to begin your meal-prep journey if you’re not very experienced in the kitchen.

Measuring and mixing aren’t as hard as chopping, but you’ll still want the right tools. Avoid using regular spoons or coffee cups for spices, flours, and creams, as this can mess up the flavors. Get measuring cups and spoon sets that are easy to use and clean. I recommend Oxo’s measuring cups and spoons set because the liquid cups have markings that face up, so you don’t need to bend to check the amount, and the pieces snap together for easy storage. I also like the handles on All-Clad’s measuring cup set for dry ingredients.

I strongly suggest investing in a set of small glass bowls such as the ones from Xanllaxa. They may appear non-essential, but they’re incredibly useful. Having your ingredients measured and prepped significantly minimizes any cooking stress. While you can use your regular bowls, these are more convenient to clean.

I generally avoid glass mixing bowls for meal prep. While I do appreciate them, their weight makes them less convenient for storing in the fridge overnight. I reserve their use primarily for baking bread. Instead, I prefer plastic and stainless steel mixing bowls, such as the high-quality, easy-to-clean All-Clad set. For overnight marinating, I rely on the affordable nesting set from Thyme & Table, as each bowl comes with a lid.

OXO Angled Measuring Cups and Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set

Best value

I’ve misplaced countless measuring spoons and dry measuring cups over the years, so I appreciate that these from Oxo magnetically attach, making them easy to store. Additionally, the liquid measuring cups feature handy top-facing measurement markings.

All-Clad Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set

Best for most of your mixing needs

Glass mixing bowls have their advantages, but stainless steel options are often lighter and more durable. I particularly love the All-Clad stainless steel bowls, which feature large tab handles for a secure grip during mixing. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to clean and store.

Thyme & Table Nesting Mixing Bowl Set

Best for marinades

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For overnight marinating, using a mixing bowl with a lid is more convenient as it eliminates the need for transferring or using cling wrap. This nesting set from Thyme & Table is an excellent choice. Additionally, it’s quite affordable, priced under $20.

Xanllaxa 20-Piece Small Glass Bowl Set

Best for organizing ingredients

You can use regular bowls to organize ingredients before cooking, or opt for these compact, convenient glass bowls that are easier to clean. This 20-piece set is perfect for sorting and prepping your ingredients.

All-Clad Stainless Steel Mini Measuring Bowl Set

These All-Clad dry measuring cups might cost more, but I love their stylish tab handles and high-quality stainless steel look. They’re a perfect match for the All-Clad mixing bowl set.

Stress less when cooking

Once your ingredients are chopped, measured, and mixed, it’s time to cook! Take a moment to enjoy this phase, especially when equipped with the right tools.

For quick and easy cooking, an air fryer is a fantastic choice, using significantly less oil. With their rising popularity, you can find excellent options suited to your budget. To save even more time, consider the two-basket, dual-zone air fryer from Ninja, allowing you to prepare two different dishes at the same time. It even offers synchronized finish times, which is perfect for hosting dinner parties with friends.

It does occupy counter space, so if your kitchen is small like mine, you might prefer a smaller model. I love the Ninja Crispi air fryer for this reason. This portable air fryer has a stackable design, making it easy to store. It includes two glass bowls that serve as both air fryer baskets and food containers, reducing the number of items to wash.

While air fryers are great, it’s also smart to get high-quality pots and pans. I recommend the Hexclad line because they heat up quickly and resist scratches. Their 8-quart stock pot is perfect for pasta and stews. I’m also a fan of the 6.75-quart oval Dutch oven from Le Creuset. It’s versatile and ideal for cooking everything from stews to bread, ensuring even cooking for great results.

A reliable collection of spoons, such as the wooden ones from WoodenHouse, will prove invaluable. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure your meats are cooked perfectly, and an electric grinder set will help you manage the amount of salt and pepper in your dishes. To protect your hands, replace your old fabric pot holders with silicone ones like the Gorilla Grip oven mitts I use, which offer excellent heat resistance.

Remember to make the most of your oven, too. Roasting vegetables and meats is a favorite of mine since it requires minimal effort. Just make sure to invest in high-quality bakeware, such as this nonstick, easy-to-clean, and evenly cooking set from Caraway.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer System

Best for small kitchens and summer road trips

Compact kitchens, like mine, benefit greatly from portable kitchen appliances. That’s why I adore the Ninja Crispi air fryer system. In addition to its outstanding cooking capabilities, it features two versatile baskets that double as storage containers and can be disassembled for convenient storage or transport.

Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone FlexBasket Air Fryer

Best for saving time and making big portions

One downside of non-oven air fryers is their small basket size, which means waiting for another batch or dish to cook. This one solves that problem with two baskets, allowing you to cook two different dishes at once. What I love most is the ability to program it so both dishes finish together. It also comes in various sizes.

Hexclad 8-Quart Hybrid Stockpot With Lid

Sturdy pot for every day

This pot heats up fast and cooks evenly. Hexclad pots and pans might cost more, but they beat other brands in cooking performance, even at the same price. They’re tough and still look new after heavy use. I love these pots and own three of them.

Le Creuset Oval Dutch Oven

Most versatile pot

Dutch ovens can be expensive, but they are a great investment. They’re versatile and perfect for many dishes, including baking bread. I really like this larger oval one from Le Creuset. It allows me to cook bigger meals for dinners and holiday gatherings. Plus, it comes in various colors.

Caraway Bakeware Set

High-quality baking pans

Caraway is a top kitchen brand. Their bakeware set includes everything you need for cooking and baking, plus storage organizers. The ceramic-coated pans and sheets bake evenly and are of great quality. Available in full and half sets.

WoodenHouse 10-Piece Wooden Spoon Set

It might seem unnecessary to buy good cooking utensils, but flimsy ones can be a hassle. Consider a wooden spoon set; these spoons are sturdy, well-made, and lightweight, making them easy to use in the kitchen.

CDN ProAccurate Digital Thermometer

Cooking meat can be tricky for beginners, especially when you’re unsure if it’s safe to eat. I suggest using an affordable digital thermometer, like this one from CDN. It removes the guesswork and helps you achieve better results.

Gorilla Grip Silicone Oven Mitts

I used fabric pot holders and mitts for years until my friends introduced me to silicone ones. They are better at resisting heat and protecting your hands. I love the ones from Gorilla Grip because they are flexible and allow more movement.

Cospro Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

Who hasn’t accidentally added too much salt or pepper because of a flimsy lid? I like using these when I don’t need to measure the salt or pepper or just want to add a bit more to my dish.

Make your ingredients last longer

The more you meal prep, the more you realize you can save by making dishes with similar ingredients. Herbs are a good example. I often end up with soggy herbs in the fridge, but by choosing recipes with the same herbs, I make the most of my groceries.

Using the right storage bags helps too. I used to use disposable zip-close bags for leftover produce and freezer items, but now I use silicone storage bags from Stasher. They’re easier to clean and keep food fresh longer. I store my meats in the freezer and herbs in the fridge with these bags.

I also suggest getting airtight storage containers for pantry items like flour, sugar, or cereal. They keep items fresh, organize your pantry, and give easy access to ingredients. Be careful, as many options on Amazon claim to be airtight, but only a few really are. I recommend a set from Bentgo; they’re the best I’ve tried.

​​Stasher Starter Kit, 6-Pack

Best storage for ingredients

Food stays much fresher in these Stasher bags than in regular disposable zip bags, whether it’s meat in the freezer or leftover herbs in the crisper. They cost more upfront, but you’ll save money over time by wasting less food.

Bentgo Pantry Airtight Food Storage Container

Best for dry ingredients

I’ve tested many “airtight” food storage containers, but Bentgo is the only one that actually works. I enjoy using these containers to keep my pantry items fresh, dry, and easy to reach.

Prep your meals so they’re ready to go

You’ve cooked your meals for the week, and they look and taste amazing. What’s next? Let them cool, then divide them into convenient meal-prep containers for the fridge.

For complete meals, try Bentgo’s affordable bento boxes with three compartments for a main, a side, and dessert. For single meals, Stojo’s collapsible containers are super durable. Both are easy to stack and store, plus they’re dishwasher and microwave safe.

Once you’re done, congratulate yourself for your hard work. You’ve ensured your family eats well all week while saving money. Now, treat yourself!

Bentgo Prep 3-Compartment Meal Prep Containers

Best value lunch boxes

I adore bento boxes for their ability to neatly separate meal items into various compartments. Typically, they’re pricey, but Bentgo boxes are an exception. They’re both sturdy and dependable.

Stojo 10-Pack Food Storage Set

Best high-quality lunch boxes

If you prefer a single-compartment meal container, I suggest choosing Stojo’s option. Although slightly pricey, they are crafted from high-quality, food-grade silicone, are spillproof, and collapsible, making them convenient to store in your purse when not in use.

Make breakfast quick and easy

For many, mornings can be a whirlwind, leaving just enough time for a quick cup of coffee before rushing out the door. However, preparing your breakfast in advance can make a big difference.

You may not have the time for a full meal like eggs and bacon, but prepping smoothies the night before is a great alternative. Using a blender system like the Beast, which includes three portable containers with lids, you can easily prepare your smoothie ingredients in advance. In the morning, simply blend them and enjoy your nutritious breakfast smoothie during your commute.

Beast Mega 1200

Best for smoothies and soups on the go

Many popular products on social media fail to meet expectations, but the blender system from Beast stands out as a notable exception. With a powerful motor, a sleek and beautiful design, and versatile containers and lids, it’s perfect for creating soups and pasta sauces too.