Instead of frantically trying to make everyone’s lunches in the morning before they head off to school, I love to have healthy meals prepared in advance. Many of my meal prep recipes make for great weekday lunches, and some can even be packed ahead of time if needed! If you’re looking for ways to ease the transition into the new school year, the following are several of my meal prep essentials for back-to-school, all of which you can get from Walmart.
My Top Picks:
Reviews of Back-to-School Meal Prep Essentials at Walmart
1. Best Meal Prep Containers: Ello Glass Food Storage Meal Prep Container Set
These reusable glass containers from Ello are the best meal prep containers I’ve tried, and they’re great for older children and adults. They come in a set of four, and the thick glass has a colorful silicone sleeve that protects it against bumps and makes it easier to grip. The containers, which come with matching lids, are just the right size for a single serving, and because they’re made from glass, not plastic, they won’t stain or develop odors. They can also be put in the dishwasher for easy cleanup and can go in the microwave, as long as the lid isn’t on.
2. Best Bento Box: Bentgo Leak-Proof Lunch Box
For younger children—or adults who snack—this bento box is perfect for smaller portions of food, and it has five compartments to keep snacks separated. Recommended for ages 3 to 7, the bento box is made from BPA-free plastic, and the lid has rubber seals that prevent liquids from leaking. Plus, the edges of the box have a rubber lining, protecting it against drops. The design comes in a variety of kid-friendly colors and patterns, and the removable food tray is dishwasher-safe.
3. Best Soup Container: Thermos 16-oz Insulated Food Jar
If you’re meal-prepping something like my Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, this Thermos is a great option for keeping it warm and mess-free. The leak-proof, insulated jar holds 16 ounces—plenty of food for older kids—and it keeps its contents hot for up to 7 hours and cold for up to 9 hours. It’s small enough to tuck into a lunch box, and it even comes with a folding spoon that is stored inside the lid.
4. Best Mason Jars: Ball Wide-Mouth Mason Jars
While traditionally used for canning, Ball jars are a versatile tool for meal prepping, too! They’re great for storing make-ahead recipes like Cinnamon-Raisin Overnight Oats, which are a quick and filling breakfast for school days, and if you opt for larger jars, you can also use them for meals like Cobb Salad in a Jar. Not to mention, they’re ideal for storing chopped fruits and vegetables, which you can toss into lunch boxes for a healthy school snack.
5. Best Storage Bags: Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag
Do you go through dozens of plastic bags each week while packing lunches? If so, you might want to invest in Stasher Bags, which are convenient and reusable. They’re made from high-quality silicone, and you can get them in all different sizes, from sandwich and snack bags to larger half-gallon sizes. They’re easy to seal, and the best part is that you can clean them in the dishwasher and use them again and again. I like packing everything from sandwiches to fruit slices to pretzels for school.
6. Best Mandoline Slicer: OXO Softworks V-Blade Mandoline Slicer
A good mandoline slicer can help you quickly and easily prep fruits and vegetables for lunch. My favorite is this one from OXO, which comes with blades for straight and wavy cuts, as well as both thin and thick julienne cuts. There are four thickness options to choose from, and the slicer includes a food holder that protects your fingers from the sharp blades.
7. Best Ice Pack: Your Zone Reusable Ice Pack
Ice packs are a must-have for lunch boxes, and these reusable ones are budget-friendly, so you can stash several in your freezer to get you through the week. Each ice pack weighs just a few ounces, and it’s filled with a non-toxic gel that will keep food chilled until lunchtime. At just $1, you might as well grab a few.
8. Best Dressing Containers: Ello Duraglass Condiment Containers
These condiment jars are made by the same brand as my favorite meal prep containers, and they each can hold 4 ounces. They’re great if you want to pack salad dressing, hummus, or another dipping sauce, and you can easily fill them up in advance and store the containers in the fridge. This 3-pack is made from glass with colorful silicone sleeves for added protection, and they can be cleaned in the dishwasher at the end of the day.
9. Best Vegetable Chopper: Cuisinart Core Custom 4-Cup Mini Chopper
For meal prep recipes that require lots of chopping, like my Greek Orzo Salad, you can speed up the process with the help of this Cuisinart Mini Chopper. It’s essentially a mini food processor, and you can use it to quickly chop up ingredients—no chef’s knife needed! It holds up to 4 cups at a time, and it has separate buttons for chopping and grinding, depending on what you’re cooking. I like to use it to make dips and hummus for school snacks, too!
10. Best Freezer Trays: Souper Cubes 1-Cup Silicone Freezing Tray
One of my favorite ways to meal prep is to make big batches of pasta sauce, rice, or soup ahead of time, then freeze them in Souper Cubes. These handy silicone trays portion out ingredients into 1-cup increments, and each one has a sturdy plastic lid so you can stack them in the freezer. When you need to make a meal, just pop out one of the cubes and defrost it in the microwave. It’s great to have a few frozen servings for those busy school nights.
11. Best Muffin Tins: Wilton Bake It Better Non-Stick Muffin Pan
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins are a tasty grab-and-go breakfast for school days, but that’s not all you can make in a muffin tin, like this one from Wilton. For an extra boost of protein, you can whip up a batch of Loaded Egg Muffins for the family to eat in the morning. I love that this recipe can be customized based on whatever ingredients you have handy. Or, my High Protein Egg White Muffins are another easy option for busy days when you’re rushing out the door.
12. Best Sandwich Cutter: Ihvewuo Sandwich Cutter and Sealer
For younger children who like sandwiches but not the crust, this cool gadget creates adorable crust-free pockets that are perfect for their lunch box. It comes with two cutters—one square and one round—and all you have to do is place the sandwich inside the gadget and press it shut. It will chop off the crusts and seal the edges shut, keeping all the delicious filling in place until lunchtime.
13. Best Egg Cooker: MyMini Premium 7-Egg Cooker
Hard-boiled eggs are a protein-packed snack that works well in lunches, and this handy egg cooker lets you make up to seven at a time with minimal fuss. It can cook soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs in a matter of minutes, and it also comes with a bowl that lets you make poached or scrambled eggs.
About Me
I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste, which features hundreds of healthy recipes for the whole family. I have two daughters of my own, and over the years, I’ve found ways to make back-to-school a little less stressful, including meal-prepping lunches for the whole family. I’ve personally used many of the products featured in this article, and the ones I haven’t tried myself come highly recommended by other food publications and Walmart shoppers. Prices were accurate at time of publication.
