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How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. We tested the best meal delivery services to help you decide which are actually worth subscribing to. Sunbasket, Factor, and HelloFresh are just a few that made the list.
Finding the time to shop for ingredients, plan meals, and cook just isn’t possible for people leading busy lives working, caring for a family, or running a household.
There are a number of meal delivery services that can help make meal prep easier. However, they differ in meal types, suitability for various diets, quality of ingredients, variety of flavors, and cost.
Healthline editors and registered dietitians tried more than 25 of the most popular meal delivery services on the market to help you decide which one is right for you.
Whether you’re looking for meal kits you cook yourself or fully prepared meals that are ready to heat and eat, keep reading to see our picks of the 12 best meal delivery services.
Related: Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services
Disclaimer: All the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.
Best overall meal delivery service Price per serving: $9.99–$25.99 Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals Menus: Gluten-Free, Paleo, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Keto-Friendly, and Diabetes-Friendly Shipping: $9.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Sunbasket is our top pick if you’re looking to add more diversity to your diet, thanks to its high quality ingredients, unique flavor combinations, and large variety of menu options.
How it works: This popular meal kit delivery service offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options prepared with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients.
For those short on time, Sunbasket also offers single-serving Fresh & Ready meals, which take as little as 4 minutes to heat in the microwave.
The company offers meals that fit into a number of popular dietary patterns, and all recipes are approved by an in-house dietitian.
What our tester says Sunbasket Black Angus Rib-Eyes | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Sunbasket was by far my favorite meal delivery service. The ingredients arrived fresh, the flavor combinations were delicious and not ones I’d regularly make, and most entrees took 30 minutes or less to prepare.
“I also enjoyed the Fresh & Ready meals — the White Chicken Chili was my favorite — though I still prefer the taste of the meal kits over the convenience of the premade dishes.”
Read more about why this meal kit delivery service was my favorite in this comprehensive review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Sunbasket Black Angus Rib-Eyes | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Sunbasket was by far my favorite meal delivery service. The ingredients arrived fresh, the flavor combinations were delicious and not ones I’d regularly make, and most entrees took 30 minutes or less to prepare.
“I also enjoyed the Fresh & Ready meals — the White Chicken Chili was my favorite — though I still prefer the taste of the meal kits over the convenience of the premade dishes.”
Read more about why this meal kit delivery service was my favorite in this comprehensive review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons large variety of meals, which change weekly excellent taste and exciting flavors easy to skip weeks when needed provides premeasured ingredients requires less than 30 minutes to prepare most meals nutrient-dense meals suitable for a variety of diets all organic produce and some organic eggs, dairy, meat, and poultry eco-friendly packaging expensive and doesn't include shipping not suitable for severe food allergies or intollerances not available in Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Montana, New Mexico, and North Dakota large variety of meals, which change weekly excellent taste and exciting flavors easy to skip weeks when needed provides premeasured ingredients requires less than 30 minutes to prepare most meals nutrient-dense meals suitable for a variety of diets all organic produce and some organic eggs, dairy, meat, and poultry eco-friendly packaging expensive and doesn't include shipping not suitable for severe food allergies or intollerances not available in Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Montana, New Mexico, and North Dakota Product details Meals per week: 2–5 Servings available: 1, 2, or 4 Diet friendliness: gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, keto, low carb, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly Ingredients: some organic ingredients, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States except for Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico Meals per week: 2–5 Servings available: 1, 2, or 4 Diet friendliness: gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, keto, low carb, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly Ingredients: some organic ingredients, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States except for Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico
Best prepared meal delivery service Price per serving: $10.99–$13.49 Meal type: prepared meals Menus: Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, Protein Plus, Flexitarian Shipping: $10.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Factor, formerly known as Factor 75, offers chef-created, dietitian-approved, fully prepared meals that reheat well, are nutritionally balanced, and are satisfying to eat.
How it works: Made with fresh, never-frozen ingredients, Factor meals can be heated and enjoyed within minutes.
Factor offers a weekly rotating menu and allows customers to build their own custom box with 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 meals per week.
Customers can choose meals based on dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free , keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free.
What our tester says Factor Creamy Parmesan Chicken | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I’m usually skeptical when it comes to prepared meals, since it’s hard to compete with freshly made dinners. However, Factor pleasantly surprised me. Not only were the dishes flavorful, but the textures of the ingredients were also spot-on.
“Specifically, the salmon was moist and not fishy, the chicken was juicy, and the vegetables were tender without being mushy. Even the quinoa in the Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl had a soft yet chewy texture.”
See why Factor won out as my pick for the best prepared meal delivery service in our comprehensive review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Factor Creamy Parmesan Chicken | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I’m usually skeptical when it comes to prepared meals, since it’s hard to compete with freshly made dinners. However, Factor pleasantly surprised me. Not only were the dishes flavorful, but the textures of the ingredients were also spot-on.
“Specifically, the salmon was moist and not fishy, the chicken was juicy, and the vegetables were tender without being mushy. Even the quinoa in the Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl had a soft yet chewy texture.”
See why Factor won out as my pick for the best prepared meal delivery service in our comprehensive review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons no cooking required appropriate for many popular dietary patterns can freeze meals for longer shelf life great taste and texture expensive per serving limited number of plant-based meal options offers only single-serving meals not available in Alaska or Hawaii no cooking required appropriate for many popular dietary patterns can freeze meals for longer shelf life great taste and texture expensive per serving limited number of plant-based meal options offers only single-serving meals not available in Alaska or Hawaii Product details Meals per week: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free Ingredients: some organic ingredients, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free Ingredients: some organic ingredients, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best meal delivery service for families Meal type: meal kit Menus: Veggie, Quick and Easy, Pescatarian, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Meat & Veggies Price per serving: $8.99–$12.49 Shipping: $10.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: HelloFresh offers over 30 menu options each week, including several kid-friendly recipes. Additionally, because HelloFresh is moderately priced, it’s a more realistic choice for families on a budget.
How it works: HelloFresh is a good option for families with children. The service offers a wide range of menu items to choose from each week, including many that would appeal to younger kids.
Most of the recipes are fairly straightforward and take 30 minutes or less to prepare. Because of this, HelloFresh is also great for families who want to get their older kids involved in the kitchen.
The meals are packed with vegetables and highlight flavors from around the world, and most are kid-friendly.
What our tester says HelloFresh Thai Shrimp Salad | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “As a dietitian and mom of two, I appreciated that HelloFresh offered lots of healthy options that were still kid-friendly. I appreciated that the ingredients arrived organized by recipe, which made it easy to get dinner started every night.
“My kids also really liked the meals, especially the Salmon in a Creamy Lemon Chive Sauce with Roasted Potato Wedges & Lemony Zucchini. I have saved several of my HelloFresh recipe cards to make again later because we enjoyed the recipes so much.”
You can read more about my experience trying HelloFresh in this hands-on review .
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
HelloFresh Thai Shrimp Salad | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “As a dietitian and mom of two, I appreciated that HelloFresh offered lots of healthy options that were still kid-friendly. I appreciated that the ingredients arrived organized by recipe, which made it easy to get dinner started every night.
“My kids also really liked the meals, especially the Salmon in a Creamy Lemon Chive Sauce with Roasted Potato Wedges & Lemony Zucchini. I have saved several of my HelloFresh recipe cards to make again later because we enjoyed the recipes so much.”
You can read more about my experience trying HelloFresh in this hands-on review .
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
Pros & cons over 30 menu options each week several kid-friendly menu items offers many recipes that are easy for kids to help prepare additional shipping fee not a good option for families of more than four people not appropriate for households with certain dietary needs, such as gluten-free or vegan not available in Alaska or Hawaii over 30 menu options each week several kid-friendly menu items offers many recipes that are easy for kids to help prepare additional shipping fee not a good option for families of more than four people not appropriate for households with certain dietary needs, such as gluten-free or vegan not available in Alaska or Hawaii Product details Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low calorie, low carb Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low calorie, low carb Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best meal delivery for quick dinners Meal type: meal kit Menus: Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Vegetarian, Family Price per serving: $9.99–$11.99 Shipping: $10.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Home Chef offers several types of easy-prep meal kits, including Oven Ready, Fast & Fresh, Express, and meal bundles. These meal kits make it easy to get dinner on the table, especially on busy weeknights.
How it works: Home Chef is a meal kit service offering a variety of family-friendly recipes, as well as several easy-to-prepare meal kit options.
Home Chef’s Oven Ready meals come ready to bake in oven-safe trays. The service also offers Express meals, which take about 15 minutes to prepare, and Fast & Fresh meals, which are healthier options that can be prepared quickly.
For busy families, Home Chef just debuted its new Family Menu plan, which features 10+ weekly rotating recipes, all of which are designed to be quick and easy to make.
What our tester says Home Chef Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake | Photography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “My family really enjoyed trying Home Chef. We tried two meals from their Carb Conscious selections: Chicken Lorraine and Turkey Burrito Skillet.
“Everyone really liked the Chicken Lorraine. It came together really quickly, and the sauce for the chicken was delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by how much my kids liked the Turkey Burrito Skillet too — especially since it was full of vegetables. We would definitely use the service again if we ever needed some easy, quick weeknight meals.”
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
See how Home Chef compares to HelloFresh in our head-to-head comparison.
Home Chef Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake | Photography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “My family really enjoyed trying Home Chef. We tried two meals from their Carb Conscious selections: Chicken Lorraine and Turkey Burrito Skillet.
“Everyone really liked the Chicken Lorraine. It came together really quickly, and the sauce for the chicken was delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by how much my kids liked the Turkey Burrito Skillet too — especially since it was full of vegetables. We would definitely use the service again if we ever needed some easy, quick weeknight meals.”
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
See how Home Chef compares to HelloFresh in our head-to-head comparison.
Pros & cons offers a variety of traditional and easy-prep meal kits includes low calorie and low carb options provides meals for up to six people not appropriate for food allergies or specific dietary needs additional shipping fee limited vegetarian options offers a variety of traditional and easy-prep meal kits includes low calorie and low carb options provides meals for up to six people not appropriate for food allergies or specific dietary needs additional shipping fee limited vegetarian options Product details Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4, 6 Diet friendliness: vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4, 6 Diet friendliness: vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds
Best organic meal delivery service Price per serving: $11.99–$13.49 Meal type: meal kit Menus: Keto, Mediterranean, Plant Based, Fast & Fit, Protein Packed, Gluten Free, Delicious Discoveries, Calorie Smart, and Quick & Easy Shipping: $9.99 contiguous United States Healthline's review Why we love it: Green Chef is a certified organic meal kit subscription service that provides ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions for creating nourishing meals.
How it works: In addition to being certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) , Green Chef holds a California Certified Organic Farmers accreditation.
This means that unless an organic item is unavailable, all of the ingredients in Green Chef’s meal kits are organic. When conventional items need to be subbed in, the company includes inbox communications to notify customers.
With eight meal types to choose from, Green Chef caters to several dietary patterns, including keto , paleo, and plant-based, as well as anyone who is simply looking to improve the quality of their diet.
Because it offers two, four, or six servings per meal, Green Chef is also a great option for families.
What our tester says Green Chef Butternut and Porcini Linguine | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Deserving of the best runner-up for meal kits, Green Chef meals were the fastest and easiest to make, as many of the ingredients came chopped or shredded.
“Perhaps most importantly, the meals were flavorful and fresh and contained a generous portion of vegetables — an aspect that’s often lacking with other meal delivery services. Read my full review after trying 1 week of Green Chef meals.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Green Chef Butternut and Porcini Linguine | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Deserving of the best runner-up for meal kits, Green Chef meals were the fastest and easiest to make, as many of the ingredients came chopped or shredded.
“Perhaps most importantly, the meals were flavorful and fresh and contained a generous portion of vegetables — an aspect that’s often lacking with other meal delivery services. Read my full review after trying 1 week of Green Chef meals.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons good mix of family-friendly recipes and exciting flavor combinations easy-to-make recipes with premeasured ingredients less than 30 minutes required to cook most meals easy to skip or change your weekly order certified organic company eco-friendly packaging not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances additional shipping fee not available in Alaska or Hawaii good mix of family-friendly recipes and exciting flavor combinations easy-to-make recipes with premeasured ingredients less than 30 minutes required to cook most meals easy to skip or change your weekly order certified organic company eco-friendly packaging not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances additional shipping fee not available in Alaska or Hawaii Product details Meals per week: 2–4 Servings available: 2, 4, or 6 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, gluten-free, and keto Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 2–4 Servings available: 2, 4, or 6 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, gluten-free, and keto Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best cheap meal delivery service Meal type: meal kit Menus: Meat & Veggie, Veggie, Quick & Easy, Nutrish & Delish, Family Friendly Price per serving: $4.99–$7.49 Shipping: $9.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Owned by the parent company of HelloFresh and Green Chef, EveryPlate is an affordable, family-friendly alternative to pricier meal kit services.
How it works: EveryPlate is designed for people without specific dietary restrictions or preferences and offers five meal plans to choose from.
The Veggie plan features vegetable-forward recipes that aren’t necessarily vegetarian or vegan, while the Nutrish & Delish plan includes meal kits that contain fewer than 650 calories per serving.
Plus, most meals are ready to enjoy in 30 minutes or less and require only six steps of preparation.
What our tester says EveryPlate Chicken Fajitas | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Compared with others on this list, EveryPlate’s flavor and ingredient pairings aren’t quite as exciting. Plus, while EveryPlate’s ingredients are good quality, I found Green Chef’s and Sunbasket’s meat and seafood to be a bit better.
“Still, EveryPlate is a great option if you want the convenience of a meal kit at a more affordable price. After all, the ingredients arrive fresh, the recipes are easy to follow, and the meals are tasty.”
Learn more about this budget-friendly meal kit delivery service in my comprehensive review of EveryPlate .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
EveryPlate Chicken Fajitas | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Compared with others on this list, EveryPlate’s flavor and ingredient pairings aren’t quite as exciting. Plus, while EveryPlate’s ingredients are good quality, I found Green Chef’s and Sunbasket’s meat and seafood to be a bit better.
“Still, EveryPlate is a great option if you want the convenience of a meal kit at a more affordable price. After all, the ingredients arrive fresh, the recipes are easy to follow, and the meals are tasty.”
Learn more about this budget-friendly meal kit delivery service in my comprehensive review of EveryPlate .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons affordable family-friendly flavors easy-to-follow recipes additional shipping fee limited variety of flavors and ingredients not suitable for specialty diets or severe food allergies or intolerances not great for those who prefer to eat organic affordable family-friendly flavors easy-to-follow recipes additional shipping fee limited variety of flavors and ingredients not suitable for specialty diets or severe food allergies or intolerances not great for those who prefer to eat organic Product details Meals per week: 3–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Diet friendliness: vegetarian Ingredients: no organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 3–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Diet friendliness: vegetarian Ingredients: no organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best meal delivery service for weight loss Price per serving: $13.79–$15.85 Meal type: prepared meals and a la carte items Menus: Clean, Paleo Whole30, Keto, Plant-Based Shipping: $9.99 in the contiguous United States ($49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii) Healthline's review Why we love it: Featuring dietitian-designed meals that are calorie and portion controlled, Trifecta Nutrition is one of the best options for those looking to lose weight.
How it works: Trifecta Nutrition delivers fresh, fully prepared meals that are suitable for several popular diet patterns, designed to be nutritionally balanced, and made with whole foods.
Meals are also calorie- and portion-controlled, making this a good option for those interested in losing weight.
Meals are selected for you, but you can purchase extra proteins and side dishes individually. There’s also an option to add seven breakfasts to your delivery.
What our tester says Trifecta Teriyaki Bowl | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “Trifecta’s meals feature a good amount of variety of ingredients and textures. I also found that the foods maintained their flavor and texture, even after reheating.
“With that said, I found that I occasionally needed to add a few extra spices and seasonings to add a little oomph to certain dishes.”
Read more about my experience trying Trifecta in our comprehensive review.
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Trifecta Teriyaki Bowl | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “Trifecta’s meals feature a good amount of variety of ingredients and textures. I also found that the foods maintained their flavor and texture, even after reheating.
“With that said, I found that I occasionally needed to add a few extra spices and seasonings to add a little oomph to certain dishes.”
Read more about my experience trying Trifecta in our comprehensive review.
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Pros & cons meals suitable for many popular dietary patterns fully prepared, fresh meals prioritizes organic produce and humanely raised meat can freeze meals for longer storage calorie- and portioned-controlled meals for weight loss only offers single-serve meals relatively expensive per serving meals suitable for many popular dietary patterns fully prepared, fresh meals prioritizes organic produce and humanely raised meat can freeze meals for longer storage calorie- and portioned-controlled meals for weight loss only offers single-serve meals relatively expensive per serving Product details Meals per week: 7, 10, 14, or 28 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included) Meals per week: 7, 10, 14, or 28 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Best meal delivery service for beginners Meal type: meal kit Menus: Chef Favorites, Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy, Veggies Price per serving: $7.99–$12.49 Shipping: $10.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Blue Apron provides simple, easy-to-make recipes that can help you build confidence in the kitchen while enjoying more nutritious meals at home, earning it our choice as the best meal delivery service for beginners.
How it works: Blue Apron offers a variety of oven-ready meals and flavorful meal kits, many of which are easy to prepare and feature fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Optional add-ons are also available, including salads, soups, proteins, and heat-and-eat meals.
The recipes come with easy-to-follow recipe cards and don’t require quite as much multitasking as some of the other services we tried.
What our tester says Blue Apron Spanish-Spiced Salmon | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Overall, I enjoyed my two Blue Apron meals and saw plenty of other recipes that I would’ve been excited to try as well.
“While it doesn’t cater to many specialty diets, based on the price, ingredient quality, and recipe variety, I’d say it’s tied with Green Chef as my second-favorite meal kit delivery service.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Blue Apron Spanish-Spiced Salmon | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Overall, I enjoyed my two Blue Apron meals and saw plenty of other recipes that I would’ve been excited to try as well.
“While it doesn’t cater to many specialty diets, based on the price, ingredient quality, and recipe variety, I’d say it’s tied with Green Chef as my second-favorite meal kit delivery service.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons offers meal kits and heat-and-eat options provides many health-conscious recipes, including some nutritionist-approved recipes uses sustainably sourced seafood and hormone-free meat not suitable for certain dietary restrictions or severe food allergies not available in Alaska or Hawaii may not be good for larger families or households offers meal kits and heat-and-eat options provides many health-conscious recipes, including some nutritionist-approved recipes uses sustainably sourced seafood and hormone-free meat not suitable for certain dietary restrictions or severe food allergies not available in Alaska or Hawaii may not be good for larger families or households Product details Meals per week: 2–5 Servings available: 2, 4 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low carb Ingredients: sustainably sourced fish and seafood Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 2–5 Servings available: 2, 4 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low carb Ingredients: sustainably sourced fish and seafood Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best plant-based meal delivery service Price per serving: $11–$13.25 Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals Menus: Meal Kits, Prepared Meals, Less Prep, Frozen Meals Shipping: $10, or free for orders of $99 or more Healthline's review Why we love it: Purple Carrot makes it easy to eat more plant-based meals by offering creative flavor and ingredient combinations as well as a line of prepared meals for dinner in a flash.
How it works: Catering to those who are vegan, Purple Carrot provides customers with nutritious plant-based ingredients to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also sells premade snack foods.
For those short on time, the service offers single-serving microwaveable meals, as well as Less Prep meals, which are recipes that feature shortcuts to help you put dinner on the table faster, such as pre-chopped vegetables.
What our tester says Purple Carrot New England Lobster Rolls | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “While the recipes took a bit longer to prep and cook compared with other meal kits I tried, I appreciated the variety of flavors and textures in each dish.
“If you’re looking for creative plant-based recipes and don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen, chances are you’ll really enjoy Purple Carrot.”
Read more about the types of meals I made and how long they took to prep in my full Purple Carrot review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Purple Carrot New England Lobster Rolls | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “While the recipes took a bit longer to prep and cook compared with other meal kits I tried, I appreciated the variety of flavors and textures in each dish.
“If you’re looking for creative plant-based recipes and don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen, chances are you’ll really enjoy Purple Carrot.”
Read more about the types of meals I made and how long they took to prep in my full Purple Carrot review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons tasty and creative flavors gluten-free and high protein meal options easy-to-follow recipes option to pause or cancel your subscription at any time offers both meal kits and prepared meals offers only vegan meals not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances uses conventional produce in many meals, which isn't great if you prefer to eat organic not available in Alaska or Hawaii tasty and creative flavors gluten-free and high protein meal options easy-to-follow recipes option to pause or cancel your subscription at any time offers both meal kits and prepared meals offers only vegan meals not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances uses conventional produce in many meals, which isn't great if you prefer to eat organic not available in Alaska or Hawaii Product details Meals per week: 2–4 Servings available: 1, 2, or 4 Diet friendliness: vegan Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 2–4 Servings available: 1, 2, or 4 Diet friendliness: vegan Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best meal delivery service for singles Meal type: prepared meals Menus: Smoothies, Soups, Noodles, Dishes, Shots, and Juices Price per serving: $9.99–$13.49 Shipping: $12.99, or free for orders with 14 or 21 meals Healthline's review Why we love it: Easily stackable in the fridge or freezer, Splendid Spoon’s prepared soups, noodle dishes, entrees, and smoothies are a convenient, space-saving option for singles.
How it works: Splendid Spoon is a plant-based meal delivery service offering a variety of frozen prepared meals and snacks, all of which are vegan and gluten-free.
The company has several plans to choose from, which include breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Depending on which plan you select, you can customize your order with a wide range of ready-to-eat smoothies, soup and grain bowls, noodle bowls, and Dishes, which are larger entree items.
Though Dishes are designed to be a bit more filling than other items on the menu, you still may need to pair each entree with a side, such as fresh fruit, plant-based yogurt, or nuts, depending on your calorie needs.
The company also offers customizable boxes for those who prefer to occasionally stock up on favorites rather than commit to weekly deliveries.
What our tester says Splendid Spoon smoothies | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane MS, RD “While I’m not a fan of some of the company’s health claims around its wellness shots and reset days, I thoroughly enjoyed every meal and smoothie I tried.
“Although the noodle bowls were frozen, I found their texture to be great after reheating — I still regularly crave the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles. I also appreciated that the smoothies were tasty but not overly sweet.”
See which items I’d order again in our comprehensive review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Splendid Spoon smoothies | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane MS, RD “While I’m not a fan of some of the company’s health claims around its wellness shots and reset days, I thoroughly enjoyed every meal and smoothie I tried.
“Although the noodle bowls were frozen, I found their texture to be great after reheating — I still regularly crave the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles. I also appreciated that the smoothies were tasty but not overly sweet.”
See which items I’d order again in our comprehensive review .
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons offers meals that can be stored in the fridge or freezer offers both subscription-based and on-demand boxes quick and easy to reheat great flavor and texture despite being frozen options for some dietary needs, including high protein, low fat, low sodium, and low carb not designed for keto or paleo diets some health claims about the company’s wellness shots aren’t strongly supported by research certain items may be better suited for breakfast or lunch than dinner not available in Alaska or Hawaii offers meals that can be stored in the fridge or freezer offers both subscription-based and on-demand boxes quick and easy to reheat great flavor and texture despite being frozen options for some dietary needs, including high protein, low fat, low sodium, and low carb not designed for keto or paleo diets some health claims about the company’s wellness shots aren’t strongly supported by research certain items may be better suited for breakfast or lunch than dinner not available in Alaska or Hawaii Product details Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, specific avoidances, higher protein, higher fiber, low calorie, low carb, low fat, low sodium, low sugar Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, specific avoidances, higher protein, higher fiber, low calorie, low carb, low fat, low sodium, low sugar Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best meal delivery service for smoothies Price per serving: $6.79–$9.79 Meal type: prepared meals Menus: all items vegan and gluten-free Shipping: $9.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Featuring flavorful smoothies made from nutrient-dense ingredients, Daily Harvest is one of the best meal delivery services for smoothie lovers and those looking to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their day.
How it works: Daily Harvest is a meal delivery subscription company that offers nutrient-rich smoothies, snacks, and meals made from high quality plant-based ingredients.
Though the company is best known for flavorful and nutrient-dense smoothies , it also offers oat bowls, chia bowls, flatbreads, harvest bowls, and energy bites.
Customers create their own boxes, which are delivered weekly and include 9, 14, or 24 items.
What our tester says Daily Harvest delivery box | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “I tried 18 items, including 4 smoothies. Overall I found the items easy to prepare and particularly enjoyed the smoothies, oat bowls, chia bowls, and snack bites.
“However, it’s worth noting that blending the smoothies definitely required a bit of patience (or a very high powered blender ).”
Find out more about the products I tried and which were my favorite in my Daily Harvest review .
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Daily Harvest delivery box | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “I tried 18 items, including 4 smoothies. Overall I found the items easy to prepare and particularly enjoyed the smoothies, oat bowls, chia bowls, and snack bites.
“However, it’s worth noting that blending the smoothies definitely required a bit of patience (or a very high powered blender ).”
Find out more about the products I tried and which were my favorite in my Daily Harvest review .
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Pros & cons whole, unprocessed ingredients, such as fresh fruit and veggies, whole grains, and nuts, in every recipe easy to cancel, skip, or change your order all items free of refined sugar, gluten, fillers, and preservatives meals are premade, frozen, and easy to prepare dishes are flavorful and enjoyable to eat uses mostly organic ingredients may not be filling enough for a main meal high powered blender required for smoothies texture of some products may be too soft for some whole, unprocessed ingredients, such as fresh fruit and veggies, whole grains, and nuts, in every recipe easy to cancel, skip, or change your order all items free of refined sugar, gluten, fillers, and preservatives meals are premade, frozen, and easy to prepare dishes are flavorful and enjoyable to eat uses mostly organic ingredients may not be filling enough for a main meal high powered blender required for smoothies texture of some products may be too soft for some Product details Meals per week: 9, 14, or 24 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, gluten-free, low calorie Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 9, 14, or 24 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, gluten-free, low calorie Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best prepared meal delivery service for families Meal type: prepared meals Menus: Veggie Bowls, Family Meals, Pizzas, Smoothies, Soups, Oat Bowls Price per serving: $5.99–$11.99 Shipping: free for boxes with 12 or 18 items; otherwise $9.99–$19.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Offering a line of bake-and-serve frozen meals, Mosaic Foods makes it easier than ever to serve up balanced, veggie-packed meals that the whole family can enjoy.
How it works: While most prepared meal delivery services offer only single-serving entrees, Mosaic’s lineup includes dishes to serve a family of two or four, along with single-serving smoothies, soups, veggie bowls, and oat bowls.
All of Mosaic’s Family Meals come fully prepared and frozen , so you can keep a stack of quick and nutritious dinner options in your freezer.
What our tester says Mosaic Foods Pumpkin Lasagna | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Mosaic’s Family Meals were a hit in my household. While my husband and son loved the flavors and textures, I appreciated the plant-forward and nutritionally dense ingredients.
“Plus, as the entrees are stored, baked, and served in the same container, cleanup was a breeze.
“The only downside was that some of the meals took more than 75 minutes to reheat in the oven.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Mosaic Foods Pumpkin Lasagna | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “Mosaic’s Family Meals were a hit in my household. While my husband and son loved the flavors and textures, I appreciated the plant-forward and nutritionally dense ingredients.
“Plus, as the entrees are stored, baked, and served in the same container, cleanup was a breeze.
“The only downside was that some of the meals took more than 75 minutes to reheat in the oven.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons offers family-size bake-and-serve frozen dinners at least four types of vegetables in each entree creative flavor and ingredient combinations free of added sugar and artificial ingredients offers only plant-based meals not suitable for families of more than four people family meals can take 60 minutes or longer to reheat limited delivery area offers family-size bake-and-serve frozen dinners at least four types of vegetables in each entree creative flavor and ingredient combinations free of added sugar and artificial ingredients offers only plant-based meals not suitable for families of more than four people family meals can take 60 minutes or longer to reheat limited delivery area Product details Servings available: 1, 4 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States Servings available: 1, 4 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
Note: Many Splendid Spoon items contain two servings per container. However, most people will likely eat the full container in one sitting. So, the price per serving for Splendid Spoon reflects the price per item.
At Healthline, we know that meal delivery services aren’t a small investment, which is why we’ve taken the time to test more than 25 of the most popular meal delivery services on the market.
Testers select a week’s worth of meals from multiple menus to get a well-rounded view of the types of flavors and ingredients offered.
During testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the signup and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, how easy the meals are to cook, and, of course, the taste.
Learn more about how we test meal kits .
When choosing a meal delivery service, it’s important to consider the following factors:
Meal kits versus prepared meal delivery: If you like to cook and don’t mind prep work, opt for a meal kit delivery service. On the other hand, if you’re short on time or don’t like to cook, a fully prepared meal delivery service is a better option. Meals provided: Meal kits are generally geared toward dinner, as they provide larger portions and take longer to cook. Meal delivery services often offer prepared options suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some even offer snacks and desserts. Specialty diets: If you follow a specific dietary pattern, such as a vegetarian, vegan, keto, or paleo diet, it’s important to choose a company that offers several menu choices that are appropriate for you.Cost: When selecting a service, be sure to have a weekly or monthly food budget in mind. You’ll also want to factor in costs such as shipping and additional groceries you’ll need for the week. Servings: Many prepared meal delivery services provide only single-serving meals. In contrast, meal kits often cater to households of two or four, with some even offering up to six servings per meal. Sustainability: It’s no secret that meal delivery services use a lot of packaging. However, some companies have made strides to be more eco-friendly by focusing on seasonal or local ingredients and using recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials. Are meal delivery programs worth it? Meal delivery services are worth the price tag if you value their convenience.
Depending on the service you choose, a meal delivery service can also help you eat healthier, make it easier to follow a special diet, and expose you to new ingredients and flavor combinations.
What is the best meal delivery service for one? Splendid Spoon is our pick as the best meal delivery service for singles, thanks to its wide selection of stackable soups, noodle bowls, smoothies, and dishes. Meals are fully prepared, individually portioned, and easily portable for extra convenience.
Sunbasket, Trifecta, Daily Harvest, and Mosaic also offer single-serve meals, which can be a great choice for individuals looking to add more flavor and variety to their diet and spend less time in the kitchen.
What is the most affordable meal kit? EveryPlate is one of the cheapest meal delivery services, at $4.99–$7.49 per serving, depending on the number of meals you select each week. However, there’s also a $10.99 shipping fee on every order.
Is HelloFresh cost effective? With prices starting at just $8.99 per serving and $10.99 for delivery, HelloFresh is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market.
Keep in mind that there is an additional charge for certain meals made with premium ingredients, which are labeled on the weekly menu. Additionally, ordering more recipes with additional servings per week can help reduce the total cost per serving.
Although many meal kit delivery services are available, only some offer both nutritious and delicious options.
The meal delivery services listed above have been tested to ensure they provide satisfying, tasty meals. Many also offer dishes that are suitable for a variety of dietary needs, food preferences, and common food allergies.
You can use the list above to choose the best meal delivery service based on your lifestyle and nutritional needs.
