What Fits in a 32 oz Meal Prep Container?
Choosing the right meal prep container size can make weekly food prep much easier. Too small, and your meal feels cramped. Too large, and you may end up using more refrigerator space than you need.
For many everyday lunches and dinners, 32 oz meal prep containers provide a useful amount of room for a complete meal while still being easy to stack, store and take with you.
So what actually fits inside a 32 oz container?
Is 32 oz a Good Size for Meal Prep?
A 32 oz meal prep container works especially well for complete lunches and dinners that combine a main dish with sides.
For example, you can use one container for:
Chicken, rice and vegetables.
Pasta with meatballs or grilled chicken.
A rice or grain bowl with protein and toppings.
Stir-fry with rice or noodles.
A large salad with protein.
Leftovers from dinner.
Prepared meals that you want to refrigerate or freeze for later.
If you regularly prepare full meals instead of small snacks or side dishes, 32 oz is a versatile size to consider.
Planning your meals for the week? Explore our 32 oz meal prep containers with matching lids.
SHOP 32 OZ MEAL PREP CONTAINERS →
Meal Idea #1: Chicken, Rice and Vegetables
Chicken and rice is one of the easiest meals to prepare in batches.
A 32 oz container gives you room to combine your protein, rice and vegetables in one container instead of using separate containers for every part of the meal.
Prepare several meals at once, close the lids and stack the containers in your refrigerator for the week.
This type of meal is also easy to customize. Change the protein, vegetables, sauce or grain and you can prepare several different meals using the same basic setup.
[IMAGE: 32 oz WePacks container filled with chicken, rice and broccoli]
Meal Idea #2: Pasta
Pasta dishes can take up more room than you expect, especially after adding meat, vegetables and sauce.
A larger meal prep container gives you enough room to mix everything together without packing the container too tightly.
Try combinations such as spaghetti and meatballs, chicken Alfredo, pasta primavera or baked pasta.
[IMAGE: 32 oz container filled with pasta]
Meal Idea #3: Rice and Grain Bowls
Rice bowls are another good match for 32 oz containers because they often combine several ingredients.
Start with rice or another grain, add your favorite protein and finish with vegetables, beans, corn, salsa, sauce or other toppings.
The larger container makes it easier to keep everything together in one meal.
[IMAGE: finished rice bowl in 32 oz container]
Meal Idea #4: Salads
Meal prep isn't limited to hot food.
A 32 oz container can also work well for larger lunch salads with greens, vegetables, chicken or another protein.
Keep dressing separate until you're ready to eat if you prefer your salad crisp.
[IMAGE: salad with grilled chicken in WePacks container]
Meal Idea #5: Leftovers
Meal prep containers are also useful when you aren't meal prepping at all.
After dinner, portion leftovers into individual containers instead of storing everything in one large bowl.
That makes it easier to grab tomorrow's lunch, send food home with family or save individual portions for later.
Why Choose a 32 oz Container Instead of a Smaller Size?
The biggest advantage is flexibility.
Smaller containers are useful for snacks, sides and lighter portions. But when you want to put a complete lunch or dinner into one container, a 32 oz size gives you more room.
That makes it particularly useful for meals containing a protein, carbohydrate and vegetables together.
If you're deciding between different sizes, think about the type of food you prepare most often rather than choosing a container based only on its stated capacity.
For smaller meals, a smaller container may be a better choice. For complete lunches, dinners, rice bowls and larger portions, 32 oz is often the more flexible option.
READ NEXT: 28 oz vs. 32 oz Meal Prep Containers — Which Size Is Right for You?
Meal Prep for the Entire Week
One advantage of buying meal prep containers in larger quantities is that you can prepare several days of meals at one time.
For example, fill containers with different combinations throughout the week:
Monday: chicken, rice and broccoli.
Tuesday: pasta and grilled chicken.
Wednesday: beef stir-fry and rice.
Thursday: chicken burrito bowl.
Friday: leftovers or your favorite prepared meal.
Using the same container size also makes stacking and organizing your refrigerator easier.
What About Freezer Meal Prep?
If you're preparing more food than you'll eat during the next few days, freezer-compatible meal prep containers give you another option.
Instead of preparing only tomorrow's lunch, you can prepare meals for future use and freeze them according to the food's appropriate storage requirements.
The WePacks 32 oz meal prep containers are designed for freezer use as well as reheating in the microwave.
Always follow appropriate food-storage practices and the container manufacturer's instructions when storing, reheating or freezing food.
Can 32 oz Containers Be Used for Takeout?
Yes. The same size can be useful beyond traditional weekly meal preparation.
They can be used for restaurant-style takeout, family leftovers, parties, sending food home with guests and sharing cooked food with friends or family.
That versatility is useful if you don't want to buy a different container for every occasion.
Need More Than a Few Containers?
If you meal prep regularly, having only four or five containers can quickly become inconvenient.
WePacks offers its 32 oz meal prep containers in a 50-pack with matching lids, giving you enough containers for meal preparation, leftovers and everyday food storage without constantly running out.
They are designed to be stackable and can be used in the microwave and freezer.
SHOP 32 OZ MEAL PREP CONTAINERS – 50 PACK →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 32 oz too big for meal prep?
It depends on what you're preparing. If you mainly pack snacks or small portions, you may prefer a smaller size. If you prepare complete lunches and dinners with a main dish and sides, 32 oz gives you more flexibility.
What meals work well in a 32 oz container?
Chicken and rice, pasta, stir-fry, rice bowls, grain bowls, salads, leftovers and many other complete meals work well in this size.
Are 32 oz meal prep containers good for leftovers?
Yes. They're particularly convenient when you want to divide a larger dinner into individual portions for lunches or future meals.
Can I freeze meals in WePacks 32 oz containers?
The WePacks 32 oz meal prep containers are designed for freezer use. Follow normal food-storage guidelines for the food you're freezing.
Can I microwave the containers?
The WePacks 32 oz meal prep containers are designed for microwave reheating. Follow the product's use instructions when reheating food.
Ready to Start Meal Prepping?
Whether you're preparing lunches for the week, organizing leftovers or sending food home with family and friends, a 32 oz container gives you plenty of flexibility.
WePacks 32 oz Meal Prep Containers
50 containers with matching lids.
Microwave safe.
Freezer safe.
Stackable for easier storage.
SHOP 32 OZ MEAL PREP CONTAINERS →
Or explore all of our Meal Prep Containers to find the size that works best for you.