The fastest places to buy meal prep containers
You can buy meal prep containers at grocery stores, big-box retailers, restaurant supply shops, and online marketplaces — each route has different prices, selection, and shipping times. Grocery stores like Walmart and Target stock basic plastic containers in the food storage aisle, usually $10 to $25 for a set of four to six. Restaurant supply stores like WebstaurantStore and Sam's Club carry commercial-grade containers in bulk, which costs less per unit if you buy 20 or more. Amazon and eBay let you compare dozens of brands and sizes without leaving home, though you pay shipping unless you have a membership.
The choice depends on what you need right now. If you need containers this week, a grocery store or Target is fastest. If you want to compare 50 options and read reviews, Amazon works. If you meal prep for a family or cook in volume, a restaurant supply store saves money over time because bulk containers cost $0.50 to $1.50 each instead of $3 to $5 at retail.
Key Takeaways
- Grocery stores and big-box retailers stock meal prep containers in the food storage aisle for $10 to $25 per set, with pickup the same day.
- Restaurant supply stores sell containers in bulk at $0.50 to $1.50 per unit, which saves money if you buy 20 or more at once.
- Amazon and eBay offer the widest selection and customer reviews, but you pay shipping unless you have Prime or a membership.
- Thrift stores and restaurant liquidation sales sometimes have commercial containers for a fraction of retail price, though selection is unpredictable.
- Buying in bulk from a warehouse club like Costco or Sam's Club costs less per container than single sets from grocery stores.
Grocery stores and big-box retailers
Target, Walmart, and Kroger stock meal prep containers year-round in the food storage or kitchen section. A typical set of four to six containers with lids costs $10 to $20. Brands you will see include Rubbermaid, Pyrex, and store brands like Good & Gather. You can pick them up the same day if you order online, or walk in and grab them off the shelf.
The downside is limited choice — most stores carry two to four styles, usually rectangular or square, in small and medium sizes. If you need tall narrow containers or want to compare 20 options, a grocery store will not have them. Prices are also higher per unit than bulk suppliers, so if you cook for four people and need 16 containers, you will spend more than buying from a restaurant supply store.
Costco and Sam's Club sell meal prep containers in larger quantities — usually 10 to 20 containers per package — for $15 to $30 total. That works out to $1.50 to $3 per container, cheaper than buying single sets at Target. You need a membership to shop at either store, but the savings add up if you meal prep regularly.
Restaurant supply stores and online wholesalers
WebstaurantStore, Webstaurant, and Restaurant Depot sell commercial-grade plastic and glass containers in bulk. A case of 50 clear plastic containers with lids costs $20 to $40, or $0.40 to $0.80 per container. These are the same containers restaurants use, so they are durable and stack efficiently. Many come in standard sizes — 16 oz, 32 oz, 64 oz — that fit most refrigerators.
The catch is minimum order quantities. Most wholesalers require you to buy a full case (usually 50 containers) rather than a single set. If you live alone or meal prep once a month, that is too many. If you cook for a family or prep for the whole week, a case lasts three to six months and costs far less than buying sets from retail stores.
Restaurant Depot requires a membership ($55 to $100 per year) but lets you buy smaller quantities than other wholesalers. WebstaurantStore ships to home addresses and does not require membership, but shipping costs $10 to $20 depending on order size. Compare the total cost — a case plus shipping — against buying multiple sets from Target before you order.
Amazon and online marketplaces
Amazon stocks hundreds of meal prep container brands and styles: glass, plastic, compartmentalized, stackable, microwave-safe, freezer-safe. You can filter by size, material, and number of containers, then read customer reviews before buying. Prices range from $15 for a basic set of four to $60 for premium glass containers with locking lids.
Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping on most containers. Without Prime, shipping costs $5 to $15 and takes five to seven days. eBay also carries meal prep containers from individual sellers and bulk suppliers, sometimes at lower prices than Amazon, though shipping varies by seller.
The advantage is selection and reviews — you can see photos of how containers stack, whether lids seal tightly, and whether they survive the dishwasher. The disadvantage is you cannot see or touch the product before buying, and returns can be slow. If you order on a Monday and do not like them, you may not have replacements by the weekend.
Thrift stores and liquidation sales
Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local thrift stores sometimes stock meal prep containers for $1 to $3 each. Selection is random — you might find 10 matching containers one week and none the next. Glass containers are more common than plastic at thrift stores because people donate them more often.
Restaurant liquidation sales happen when a restaurant closes or upgrades equipment. Local Facebook groups and Craigslist sometimes list these sales. You can buy commercial containers in bulk for pennies on the dollar, but you have to act fast and inspect everything before you buy. Many containers may have chips, stains, or missing lids.
What to look for when buying
Material matters for durability and use. Plastic containers are lightweight, cheap, and break-resistant, but they stain and retain odors over time. Glass containers cost more but last longer, do not stain, and work in the microwave and oven. Stainless steel is durable and does not retain flavors, but it is heavier and more expensive.
Lid fit is the biggest complaint with cheap containers. Lids that do not seal tightly let food dry out or leak in your bag. Read reviews specifically about lid quality before buying. Commercial containers from restaurant suppliers usually have better seals than retail sets.
Size and shape depend on what you cook. Rectangular containers stack better than round ones and fit more food in the same space. Compartmentalized containers keep proteins, vegetables, and grains separate, which is useful if you do not want flavors to mix. Tall narrow containers work for soups or sauces; short wide ones work for salads or rice bowls.
Microwave and dishwasher safety matter if you reheat or clean in those appliances. Not all plastic containers are microwave-safe — check the label. Glass and stainless steel are always safe, but some lids are not.
Comparing total cost
If you meal prep once a week for one person, you need four to six containers. A set from Target costs $15 and lasts two to three years. Total cost: $15.
If you meal prep for a family of four, you need 16 to 20 containers. Four sets from Target cost $60. A case of 50 from WebstaurantStore costs $30 plus $15 shipping, total $45. You save $15 and have extras.
If you meal prep daily for a year, containers get heavy use and may crack or warp. Buying durable glass or commercial plastic saves money in the long run because you replace them less often. A set of six glass containers costs $40 to $60 but lasts five to ten years. A set of six plastic containers costs $15 but lasts two to three years. Over ten years, glass costs $40 to $60 total; plastic costs $50 to $75.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy meal prep containers at dollar stores?
Yes, but quality is inconsistent. Dollar stores stock basic plastic containers for $1 to $3, but lids often do not seal well and containers crack easily. They work for short-term storage or if you are testing whether meal prep fits your routine, but they are not a good long-term choice.
What is the difference between retail and restaurant supply containers?
Restaurant supply containers are designed for commercial use, so they have thicker plastic, tighter-sealing lids, and stack more efficiently. Retail containers are lighter and cheaper but wear out faster. Restaurant containers cost less per unit when you buy in bulk, but you have to buy 20 or 50 at a time.
Do I need to buy containers with compartments?
No. Compartmentalized containers cost more and take up more space. You can use regular containers and pack different foods separately, or buy one set of compartmentalized containers and several regular ones depending on what you cook that week.
Where can I find containers in unusual sizes?
Amazon and WebstaurantStore carry the widest range of sizes and shapes. If you need tall narrow containers for soups or very small containers for sauces, those sites have options that grocery stores do not stock.
Is it worth buying glass containers instead of plastic?
Glass costs more upfront but lasts longer and does not stain or retain odors. If you meal prep regularly and keep containers for years, glass saves money over time. If you meal prep occasionally or replace containers every two years anyway, plastic is fine.