The Ultimate List of Essential Meal Prep Tools & Supplies

A chef's knife effortlessly cuts, slices, chops, and dices. It’s the cornerstone of any well-equipped kitchen and is especially crucial for meal planning and prepping. Look for a good knife that feels comfortable in your hand and is made from durable, high-quality materials.

⭐️Best For: All-purpose chopping, dicing, and slicing

🛒Our Pick: We recommend the Wusthof Classic Ikon Chef's Knife set for its exceptional sharpness and durability. It comes with a paring knife perfect for finer, more precise cuts. Together, these meal prep tools make tasks like deveining shrimp and slicing meat easier.

🔍Read more: 5 Types of Chef Knives Every Kitchen Should Have

2. A Good Cutting Board (More than One!)

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Using separate cutting boards for different types of food (raw meat, vegetables, etc.) is a must for safe and hygienic meal prep. Invest in cutting boards of different sizes and materials to suit your needs.

⭐️Best For: Preventing cross-contamination and keeping your workspace organized

🛒Our Pick: The Joseph Joseph NEST Chopping Board Set is one of the best kitchen tools for meal prep, with its clever design that includes three colour-coded boards and non-slip feet. This makes it easy to keep your workspace clean and germ-free. And as a bonus, it comes with a handy storage stand.

3. Mixing Bowls of All Shapes and Sizes

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Mixing bowls are a no-brainer for meal prep. Having a variety of sizes on hand will ensure you're prepared for everything from tossing salads to marinating meats. Choose from stainless steel, glass, or plastic bowls. 

⭐️Best For: Separating, mixing, marinating, and storing prepped ingredients

🛒Our Pick: If you want to boost your kitchen efficiency, the Cuisipro Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set is a game-changer. With three sturdy, dishwasher-safe bowls in graduated sizes, their durable design ensures they’ll last for years, making them a practical addition to your collection of food prep utensils.

4. Handy Measuring Cups and Spoons

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Accurate measurements are a key to successful meal prep and cooking. Keep a set of measuring cups and spoons within easy reach to ensure your recipes turn out perfect every time.

⭐️Best For: Precisely measuring ingredients for consistent results

🛒Our Pick: These Trudeau Stainless Steel Gold Measuring Cups add a touch of elegance to your kitchen, with four cups featuring easy-to-read measurements. It comes with a matching set of steel gold measuring spoons to keep your kitchen aesthetic consistent.

5. Airtight Meal Prep Containers

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Airtight food storage containers keep your food fresh, visible, and categorized—true meal prep essentials. These glass meal prep containers are great for reheating and storing leftovers, while BPA-free plastic containers are ideal for on-the-go meals.

⭐️Best For: Keeping food crisp, preventing spills, and organizing your fridge

🛒Our Pick: We love this set of Danesco Bulk Food Containers for keeping pantry staples in order. It comes with five containers in various sizes, two scoops, and a brown sugar saver. They also have a great glass option if you prefer!

6. Reliable Food Processor

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A food processor is a meal prepper's best friend. It can chop vegetables, shred cheese, grind meat, and even make dough in minutes, cutting your prep and cooking process by half.

⭐️Best For: Quickly chopping large quantities of ingredients, saving time, and with minimal effort

🛒Our Pick: The KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor with Dicing Kit is a true do-it-all. With various attachments for slicing, shredding, dicing, and kneading, it tackles any cooking challenge in a flash. 

🔍Read more: 5 Healthy Food Processor Recipes

7. Easy-Peasy Immersion Blender

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Perfect for blending soups and sauces directly in the pot, an immersion blender eliminates the need to transfer hot liquids to a traditional blender. It’s a convenient time-saving tool for slow-cooking stews and preparing multiple meals at once.

⭐️Best For: Making smooth, creamy soups and sauces without the mess

🛒Our Pick: Need a faster way to blend? The Waring Quik Stik Immersion Blender is a standout among the best tools for meal prep, and we think you’ll agree. Lightweight and easy to use, its 7-inch shaft and stainless steel blade make quick work of any task. Plus, cleanup is a breeze!

8. Dependable Air Fryer

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An air fryer is a meal prep essential for those looking to create healthy and delicious meals quickly. It uses hot air circulation to cook food with little to no oil, resulting in crispy textures and juicy interiors minus the guilt. Air fryers are incredibly versatile and can cook everything from chicken and fish to vegetables and even desserts.   

⭐️Best For: Busy individuals who need to heat and cook food quickly, and health-conscious people who want to reduce oil in food

🛒Our Pick: For preparing family-sized meals, the Salton XL 5L Digital Air Fryer is a solid choice. It comes with eight pre-programmed functions and intuitive controls to adjust the timer and temperature, making cooking a lot simpler and more convenient.

🔍Read more: Air Fryer vs. Oven & Other Cooking Methods

9. Versatile Sheet Pans

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Sheet pans are surprisingly useful for a range of tasks. Use them to roast sweet potatoes, bake chicken breasts, or even cook entire sheet pan dinners.

⭐️Best For: Preparing large batches of make-ahead meals for the week

🛒Our Pick: The Vollrath Wear-Ever Sheet Pan is a durable option for any home kitchen. Made from heavy-duty aluminum, it heats up quickly and evenly for consistent baking results.

Ready, Set, Prep Easily with Meal Prep Essentials from s.t.o.p Restaurant Supply!

With the best tools for meal prep from s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply, you'll be well on your way to conquering meal prep like a pro. Say goodbye to takeout and hello to delicious, home-cooked meals all week long!

Craving more culinary inspiration? Explore s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply's online catalogue for a treasure trove of meal prep tools and kitchen essentials. From top-of-the-line appliances to handy gadgets, we've got everything you need to unleash your inner chef.

Stock up and save on all the best brands. If you need help finding an item, contact us and we’ll gladly assist. Happy prepping!