But hurry, just like the holiday weekend, they'll be over before you know it! Scroll for more info. Factor's menu is refreshed with more than 30 dietician-approved meals each week. The chef-cooked offerings are also refined sugar-, GMO-, hormone-, and antibiotic-free.

Choose between 6 to 18 meals per week, and they arrive fresh, not frozen. They last up to seven days if you don't eat them right away.

They have keto, vegan and veggie, calorie smart, and protein plus options. SHOP FACTOR. If you have a bigger budget and prioritize an organic, plant-rich, and whole food-based diet, you might find Sakara to be worth the price tag.

You can supplement the health-forward three- and five-day meal plans with the company's snacks, vitamins, probiotics, and teas, too!

SHOP SAKARA LIFE. If you're focused on athletic performance and nutrition, give Trifecta a try. Each plan works within a particular macro count to help you achieve your goals, and you can choose between their clean, paleo, keto, and plant-based options.

There are several meal count options per week, too, ranging from 5 to 14, and everything arrives vacuum sealed for freshness.

SHOP TRIFECTA. This meal plan is medically approved, so it's great for those looking to maintain their weight, slim down, or are concerned about diabetes.

There are over meals to choose from, and you can choose from several plans including gluten-free, diabetic, heart healthy, and even menopause. Items arrive frozen, so just require quick trip in the microwave.

SHOP BISTROMD. On a mission to eat more plant-based foods that taste amazing? Good, because that's Mosaic's mission, too! Their meal plan options are great for food sensitivities, so they offer wheat-free, nut-free, and soy-free meals as well as vegan and vegetarian.

Opt for 6, 12, or 18 meals per box, and your meals will be delivered frozen either each week or up to every 4 weeks.

SHOP MOSAIC FOODS. If you want truly award-winning options, try a service that brings restaurant chefs right to your table. Select your region and then pick between dozens of options each week.

You can choose as little as four and as many as 16 meals each week, and fresh options will be delivered in environmentally friendly packaging. For best results, you should heat in the oven or on the stovetop, not the microwave. And don't worry, because they are fresh they include a use-by date!

SHOP COOKUNITY. They heat up in just minutes in the microwave or oven. Most portions are meant for two, so it's great for couples. Plus, the food is delivered in sustainable packaging—it's all recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable! SHOP SUNBASKET. This service's menu is packed with whole fruit- and veggie-based smoothies, harvest bowls, soups, and treats.

Daily Harvest even has its own lines of plant-based milk, ice cream, and lattes. The meals arrive frozen, giving you flexibility to eat on your schedule.

SHOP DAILY HARVEST. All the meals are guaranteed to be chock-full of nutrition and flavor, too. There are over options to choose from each week, and you can choose from an existing plan or add items a la carte. SHOP FRESH N' LEAN. They are all single-serve and heat up within five minutes.

You can also add them onto any existing Blue Apron order! SHOP BLUE APRON. The service has over heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly, low sodium, and gluten-free choices each week!

There are no minimum orders either, so it's really flexible. SHOP SILVER CUISINE. Home Chef can also accommodate many common allergies and dietary preferences, including calorie- and carb-conscious meals, vegetarian dishes, soy- and gluten-free foods, and more.

You can customize your protein too, such as swapping a dish with ground pork for ground turkey, and add a la carte items, including breakfasts and desserts. If the cost of meal delivery kits gives you sticker shock, look at EveryPlate.

This meal delivery service is a much cheaper alternative to most others, including its parent company HelloFresh. EveryPlate is an affordable meal kit company focusing on simple comfort food recipes that are easy to make and tasty.

These meal kits are cheaper than takeout and often groceries, and half the price or less of other meal kit delivery services. To keep costs low, EveryPlate uses simpler ingredients, recipes, and packaging.

You can order three, four, or five meals per week for two or four people. Each week, you choose from a menu of different dishes, which includes vegetarian meal options.

You can customize many meals for free or a modest fee by swapping the protein or side. EveryPlate meals are fuss-free and familiar, not fancy.

If you want to kick your dinners up a notch, you can pay extra for premium meals. This costs extra per serving for ingredients like seafood and steak and slightly more sophisticated dishes. I tried EveryPlate for myself and found the meal kits to be practical and delicious.

The recipes were easy to follow and most of the ingredients looked and tasted good. And while the meal options are more limited than other services, there are still plenty of tasty dishes on the menu, especially if you love comfort food and classic flavors.

If you love cooking as much as you love eating and you have an adventurous palette, Blue Apron is the meal delivery service for you. Blue Apron offers both meal kits you prepare yourself and heat-and-eat meals that are already fully cooked.

Ingredients are sourced directly from family-run farms to ensure freshness and quality and recipes are curated by a team of professional chefs. Blue Apron offers about 19 different meals per week including usually 14 meal kits, three prepared meals, and two ready-to-cook meals that you just put in the oven.

Compared to the price of other meal kit services, Blue Apron is on the higher end of average. When setting up your account, you choose two to five meals per week at two or four servings each.

When I tried Blue Apron, I was impressed by the variety. There were so many different globally inspired, gourmet, and nutritious meals to choose from. The quality of ingredients was excellent and the food was restaurant-quality fantastic.

Overall, this meal kit service made me feel like a pro and saved me a lot of time. Blue Apron would be one of my first choices for people watching their weight too since so many meals are WeightWatchers approved and under calories. This meal kit delivery service is also great for people who want quick prep or prepared meals.

Also, it helps if you have more experience in the kitchen because the recipes can be a little vague, which beginners might find frustrating.

One of the first meal kit delivery services ever and the most popular still today, HelloFresh has meal kits figured out. Fun recipes that are easy and educational make this the best meal delivery service for beginners.

The recipes are easy to prepare with simple step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow, and the pre-portioned ingredients provided are always fresh. HelloFresh offers six different meal plans to choose from, including a vegetarian option, a family-friendly option, and a pescatarian option.

Each recipe includes a difficulty rating and nutrition facts. HelloFresh is better than many meal services at catering to different dietary needs.

You can order anywhere from two to six recipes per week — way more options than other meal delivery services — for two or four people each.

I tried three meals from HelloFresh and I loved the whole experience. My favorite things about this company were the packaging and the recipe cards.

HelloFresh boxes contain surprisingly little plastic and the meals are separated into individual paper bags, which was way more convenient than sorting through a box full of ingredients.

The recipes, another huge strength, included large pictures of each step and helpful tips. The recipes are easy to follow and there are several kid-friendly dishes on the menu. Plus, HelloFresh lets you customize to your liking. HelloFresh has some balanced meals, but a lot of recipes can be high in fat and calories.

outside their health-forward options. HelloFresh will save you time grocery shopping but might not save you money or might cost more than you spend on dinner now. Sunbasket is a meal delivery service that caters to people valuing sustainable business practices and healthy, organic ingredients.

Sunbasket is the meal kit to choose if you're looking for the freshest ingredients and the healthiest recipes. Although more expensive than competitors, Sunbasket has menus for every diet and lifestyle, whether vegan, paleo, gluten-free, keto-friendly and more. This service prioritizes quality, first and foremost.

Sunbasket has a variety of meals for those who are paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more. In addition to their many creative dishes — like the Moroccan-spiced salmon with jeweled couscous and lemon yogurt or the triple-mushroom quinoa with watercress, scallions, and peas — Sunbasket has an online market, similar to Blue Apron, where you can purchase everything from breakfasts to snacks, to quick lunches and even specialty meats.

The catch with Sunbasket is the price tag. The meal kit portion includes ingredients you follow recipes and cook yourself or options for ready-to-eat meals. The actual price is personalized to how much food you order.

Most meals with Hungryroot you prepare yourself are ready in about ten minutes. Hungryroot mixes in some Walmart and Instacart by also offering a grocery delivery service to its meals.

Options include healthy snacks, sweets, fresh fruit, breakfast items and more. Hungryroot uses a credit-based system that assigns grocery items and recipes a credit value when ordering your plan that corresponds to the number of servings selected.

Exclusive to Northeastern U. Outside normal grocery and prepared meal delivery, those in Brooklyn, Manhattan or other delivery zones in New York can also have alcohol delivered with FreshDirect.

Deliveries with FreshDirect can be made up to a week in advance or if you want your groceries quick they can be scheduled for same-day or next-day delivery in selected two-hour windows subject to availability.

Alright, food lovers! Enter the modern marvel: Home Meal Delivery Kits! Most services offer flexible subscription models. You can usually choose how many meals you want to be delivered each week and for how many people. One of the coolest things about these kits is the variety.

Many companies rotate their menus regularly, offering a mix of classic favorites and global dishes that might be new to you. Some companies even offer breakfast, dessert, and snack options. The cost per meal can be higher than if you sourced the ingredients yourself. Also, while companies are making efforts to reduce packaging, there can still be a fair amount in each box, which could be a concern for the eco-conscious among us.

Before we even thought of tasting anything the fun part! From popular blogs to user reviews on various platforms—think Trustpilot, Yelp, and even Reddit—we dug deep to understand what customers truly want.

We prioritized services that offered a range of options. Once we had our list, it was time for our favorite part: taste-testing! We sampled dishes from numerous services, rating them on flavor, freshness, portion sizes, and overall satisfaction.

Yes, it was as delicious as it sounds! We analyzed the cost per meal, looking for services that provided value for money without compromising on taste. An overlooked but super crucial aspect! And of course, we made some cheeky calls to their customer service to see how responsive and helpful they were.

We favored services that used eco-friendly packaging, had recycling options, or showcased any efforts towards sustainability. Armed with all this data, our team sat down for some serious discussions and maybe a food coma or two! We debated, discussed, and sometimes even passionately argued to whittle down our choices to the final list.

Gone are the days when ordering food was a rare treat. With the advent of meal delivery services, a plethora of culinary delights are just a click away. Imagine getting gourmet dishes or even simple home-cooked style meals delivered right at your door, without the hassle of grocery shopping or meal prepping.

But with the vast sea of options available, how does one pick the right service? Enter meal delivery services! They cater to a range of preferences, from health-focused meals to indulgent treats. Before you get overwhelmed with options, take a moment.

Think about what you really need. Are you aiming to lose weight? Maybe you need high-protein meals. Or are you a gourmet at heart, seeking new and exotic flavors? Pinning down your priorities can narrow the field significantly.

From those avoiding gluten to vegans, and from keto enthusiasts to pescatarians, the spectrum is vast. Check if your prospective vegan meal delivery service can cater to your specific dietary needs. We all dream of eating like royalty, but the wallet does have its limits. While exploring, keep an eye on the price tag.

Some services might seem affordable at first but can rack up costs with add-ons. Find one that offers the best bang for your buck. Look into how your chosen service packages its food. Do they use excessive plastic?

Or have they adopted eco-friendly alternatives? Your choices can make a difference. Food can be an adventure. While local delicacies are comforting, sometimes the soul craves exotic flavors.

Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET

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I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid: Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives

EveryPlate meals Savings on international pantry staples Low-ccost and familiar, algernatives fancy. We prioritized services that offered a Savings on international pantry staples of options. Do you see yourself enjoying delivered meals consistently over months or even years? Buy at Revive Superfoods. Bottom Line Hungryroot offers a unique take on meal delivery, in that you find a recipe you like, and the company will send you all of the ingredients to make it.	However, meal delivery services can help you streamline mealtime. While not the most adventurous or customizable meal box out there, Home Chef delivery fresh, quality ingredients and tasty recipes consistently. The quality of the ingredients impressed Perry Nix, RD. There are even a few Less Prep options, which feature pre-mixed sauces, pre-cut veggies, and recipes that require fewer pots and pans. Packaging The bento bowls and glass jars are fully reusable and recyclable.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	EveryPlate is an affordable meal kit company focusing on simple comfort food recipes that are easy to make and tasty. The budget-friendly options with Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit, Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different Daily Harvest, prepared	EveryPlate, meal kit HelloFresh, meal kit Dinnerly, meal kit
They make alternztives interesting yet simple. Savings on international pantry staples also shared their favorite meal reday-made Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives to try out. Inexpensive kitchen staples for: Alhernatives, vegan, plant-based. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness. The recipes are designed to be whipped up in 30 minutes or less.	That said, this is a fast-growing segment in the food industry and we're likely to see more new entrants emerging in the near future. To keep costs low, EveryPlate uses simpler ingredients, recipes, and packaging. Read more about our affordable meal programs. The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find all the most nutritious options. Methodology also takes steps to be sustainable and a more environmentally-friendly meal kit.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of Daily Harvest, prepared	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET
The menus ready-mxde largely pre-set, and Savings on international pantry staples have to commit to at least Savings on international pantry staples rezdy-made of meals. Wellness Nutrition. Our Top Picks for the Sample Fair Events Prepared Meal Delivery Services of Lkw-cost. We talked alrernatives our experts about what to consider when shopping for prepared meal delivery services. The company also offers extras including breakfasts, desserts, and appetizers that can work well for a light lunch or as a complement to your meal. Cons: Per meal cost is around 28 dollars and sometimes one of those meals is a single donut or muffin. In fact, I have tested all of the services on this list for myself, in addition to several others.	Delivery area: Ships to 95 percent of the continental U. Your choices can make a difference. Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored high points overall with testers. The Ultimate Super Bowl Drinking Game. These types of melas are typically comparable with the cost of takeout but have one standard shipping fee since the meals come together. But once you get used to this learning curve it's not a dealbreaker. If you are a human, ignore this field.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Many services offer options for different dietary needs and preferences too. Plus, they tend to be a bit more cost-effective per meal than Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal-kit delivery service, which means that the food arrives fully cooked, ready for you to heat and eat. Its well-rounded menu Missing	I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically bigumbrella.site › showcase › nutrition › cheapest-meal-delivery-services Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their
There are no Gym gear promotions orders either, so it's really flexible. Boxes can be broken down and Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives with curbside Altdrnatives. Overall, alternatuves meal kit ready-maade made me feel like a pro and saved me a lot of time. This doctor-designed program incorporates high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients that are grown on an organic, sustainable farm in New Jersey. If you do miss it, HelloFresh sends you its selections for you according to the preferences you set in your account.	Although taste is subjective, we chose companies that scored high points overall with testers. Some services might seem affordable at first but can rack up costs with add-ons. Meal delivery services are available at a wide range of prices. If you're keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services are better than others. Updated Jan. How we test meal delivery services.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next	Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit, Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of
Get free trial products Food Savings on international pantry staples some of the best we erady-made Hearty and filling recipes. To prepare the ready-mave Savings on international pantry staples just have to add your liquid of teady-made and allow the reavy-made to soak overnight. Maybe Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives up painting or perhaps finally start that book you always wanted to read. Think of the myriad of choices at your fingertips, each designed to tantalize and satisfy in unique ways. For specially curated kitchen deals, cooking and hosting tips, and product recs, follow us reviewedkitchen on Instagram! SHOP SUNBASKET. Unfortunately, eating too few calories for a prolonged time can actually damage your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight.	Many of them cost around eight to ten dollars per serving, but they can range from five to fifteen dollars per serving. Once we had our list, it was time for our favorite part: taste-testing! RELATED: Blue Apron Vs HelloFresh Vs Home Chef. Testers were impressed with how tasty the veggie-forward meals were, with one saying, "Delicious! You can check to see what items you'll need to have on hand for each meal and also get full nutrition facts readily available for every recipe on their website, but our registered dietitians do point out that the sodium content is very high on some of the meals. There were so many different globally inspired, gourmet, and nutritious meals to choose from.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door	Luckily for you, Magic Kitchen has affordable premade meals for everyone. Our affordable food delivery options are limitless. Whether you are trying to improve Missing Our extensive testing revealed HelloFresh, Dinnerly, Gobble, CookUnity, Home Chef, and Purple Carrot as the best meal kit delivery services

Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives - Dinnerly, meal kit Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET

Check to see if they ship to your city here. This doctor-designed program incorporates high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients that are grown on an organic, sustainable farm in New Jersey. As the name suggests, this meal kit aims to provide food that can help to keep you healthy for the long run.

There are a variety of weekly menus to choose from, including vegan, pescatarian, kosher, and flexitarian weekly meal plans. Each meal is designed by Chef Luigi Fineo. Food for Longevity is best for: Busy people looking for morning and mid-day meals while they work.

One of the best meal delivery services for the smoothie enthusiast, Daily Harvest sends you the ingredients to blend both smoothies and soups. It also has bowls, flatbreads, and even family-size bakes.

This is an easy way to work more fruits and vegetables into your diet with minimal cleanup afterwards. All of its meals are guaranteed to be GMO-free and gluten-free. The extensive menu features more than 40 meals. If you have food restrictions or nutrition preferences, you can filter your menu choices to eliminate beets, cilantro, mushrooms, soy, tree nuts, caffeine, coconut, sesame, and spiciness.

Splendid Spoon is best for: Vegans and vegetarians who currently utilize the freezer aisle of their local grocery store. Revive Superfoods prides itself on its nutrient-dense smoothies, but has other offerings as well. In addition to creamy smoothies, it also has oatmeal, dairy-free desserts, soups, burrito bowls, açaí bowls, falafels, and more.

The smoothies, which are the real focus of this meal delivery kit, are rounded out with filling ingredients like seeds and pea protein and in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables. Revive also has a wide selection of oatmeal, like its best-selling banana and chocolate overnight oats.

To prepare the oats you just have to add your liquid of choice and allow the cup to soak overnight. It can also be heated in the microwave if you want something faster same-day.

They all come precooked, and need to be heated for 4—5 minutes in the microwave. Revive Superfoods is best for: People who are too busy for breakfast but should really be eating it. All meat ingredients are antibiotic- and hormone-free and the eggs are organic.

When it comes to fish, Sunbasket uses wild-caught seafood recommended by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. With more than 20 weekly recipes, you can choose between oven-ready meals, prepped servings, and classic meals that still require you to do all the chopping; servings vary between two and four.

Sunbasket is best for: A new home cook looking to experiment with new ingredients or techniques. Availability: Currently ships to most zip codes in the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and parts of New Mexico.

Both menus can be tailored to work with specific dietary preferences. FlexPro also has a Power Bakery with protein-packed cookies and brownies that you can add to any weekly order. In the meal prep box, you can order ready-made proteins, like sous vide chicken, prime rib, shrimp scampi, sirloin steak, pulled pork carnitas, and rotisserie chicken.

These are perfect for tossing into salads or bowls throughout the week. Elaheh Nozari. Emily Johnson. Well Equipped Cleaning Gear.

Meal Kits. Home Chef. Buy at Home Chef. Photo by Linda Pugliese. Pros: Marley Spoon meals got our testers and their kids cooking and eating a bit outside their comfort zone—the harissa salmon salad was a big hit. They are clearly labeled as such on the website.

We had a couple things leak over a few weeks of orders. Pros: A lot of meal kits claim they take 20 minutes, when it can often be almost double that. Gobble said its meals could be prepped in 15 and we were pleasantly surprised just how close all of them came to that benchmark.

Nothing took over 20 minutes. There are also a lot of one pot meals to keep you from making too big a mess. They repurpose ingredients like garlic confit in lots of dishes in a way that seems smart and efficient rather than repetitive.

Cons: The solution from customer service which is lovely by the way if something is missing from an order is to credit an extra meal to your account. Gobble is best for: People who want freshly cooked food really fast. On the Menu: Pan-roasted chicken with broccoli-cheddar mac and cheese and chicken breast Portuguese-style shrimp with pinto beans and rustic tomato pimentón sauce and sustainably raised ocean shrimp Cheesy corn and black bean enchiladas suizas with zesty cabbage salad Korean bulgogi beef lettuce cups with vegetable japchae Availability: Continental United States.

Buy at Gobble. Buy at Dinnerly. Green Chef. Photo by David Cicconi. Pros: Green Chef has a way of making even ingredients our testers did not care for they had a thing about green bell peppers very appealing. The step-by-step instructions, which all use pictures, are super helpful and really do teach new techniques.

Cons: Ingredients can get a little repetitive so this is best to slip in just two or three times a week. Green Chef is best for: The beginner cook. Buy at Green Chef. Pros: In general what we got was more filling than expected or than it looked like it might be.

Even though so many of the meals are salads, Sakara really knows how to make a salad dressing enticing we loved the avocado tahini and creamy cilantro. The breakfast parfaits were delicious meals. They were surprisingly complex and ate like fancy desserts. Cons: Per meal cost is around 28 dollars and sometimes one of those meals is a single donut or muffin.

Buy at Sakara. Cost: Visit Green Chef for updated pricing. This meal delivery service offers a wide variety of recipes that will satisfy omnivores and vegan customers alike with its certified organic produce.

Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas and crispy tempeh tenders with barbecue sauce and lemon-shallot green beans were among its standout offerings when we tested.

We were impressed by how easily our Sunbasket dinners came together, relying on just a few key ingredients and spice blends to do most of the heavy lifting.

That meant spending less time cooking and more time enjoying the food. We particularly loved the flavorful veggies and non-meat protein options, making Sunbasket perfect for people who avoid eating meat. You can easily skip weeks, adjust delivery frequency, pause your account, or cancel your subscription entirely by easily navigating the Sunbasket website.

Favorite meal: Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas. Cost: Visit Sunbasket for updated pricing. There are several options to choose from when it comes to buying a meal delivery kit. To help make your selection a little easier, here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind before you subscribe to a delivery service:.

As with any subscription service, the price is one detail that should not be overlooked, especially since you'll be paying for the delivery on a weekly or monthly basis. As a rule of thumb, stick to the basics when you first start out with a meal delivery service. See what it has to offer at a price point that matches your budget, and then weigh your options if you decide you want to switch things up.

Not everyone is a connoisseur in the kitchen, and some folks may want their dinner to be prepared more quickly or easily than others. Certain recipes can take longer to prepare, while some may be less labor intensive.

Before ordering your meal kit, check to see how long each recipe is intended to take, as well as how much additional chopping, cutting, or prepping you may have to perform.

If you find yourself having little to no time to cook, then a pre-made meal kit like CookUnity could be your best option. Meal delivery services tend to offer a variety of options to meet a wide range of dietary needs, whether it be low calorie, vegan, or gluten-free dishes.

There's also the benefit of customization, which allows consumers to change some of the ingredients within the meal kit to suit their needs. This is particularly useful when it comes to protein options or excluding a particular ingredient due to an allergy or taste preference.

Before you select your meal kit delivery service, check to see what delivery days or times it offers. Some may vary based on your location, but you'll typically be able to select a delivery date for Monday-Friday, with some services offering weekend availability.

This is important to keep in mind as you sign up for your first delivery to ensure you are receiving your meals at the most convenient time for you. For each service, we ordered at least one box of three or four meals worth two to four servings each. Using the service's website, we chose a diverse variety of meals when available.

We prepared the food on a weeknight for ourselves and our partners or families, and evaluated the quality of ingredients, recipe accuracy and variety, difficulty, speed, cleanup, taste, and more.

We scored and compared each meal and kept detailed notes like true food nerds. Meal prepping and grocery shopping can feel overwhelming. Meal kits are a great way to expand your tastes and eat healthier, bringing you through the cooking process one step at a time and slicing the time it takes to prepare your food in half.

We found many recipes that only took 15 or 20 minutes, and oftentimes less! One study found that popular restaurant meals can have a whopping 1, calories on average per serving. Using a meal kit service can help you better manage your portions and ingredients to eat more nutritious meals and lead a healthier lifestyle.

They can also help you control grocery costs because you won't have excess food going bad in your fridge before you can decide what to do with it. Almost every service we tried offers a large discount on the first box. Your box is good to sit on your doorstep until the end of the day.

Because delivery windows for these services are as broad as a full day, they package ingredients to last outside your actual refrigerator until the end of the day. Most often, produce and dry ingredients will be grouped in bags above ice packs, and any meat will be fully insulated below ice packs.

The packaging is going to be bulky and cumbersome. Recipes are usually seasonal, but favorites are often repeated. Every meal kit service has a different approach to repetition, but most try to make recipes as seasonal as possible to keep you from getting bored and to guarantee fresh, sustainable produce.

That being said, most companies make note of the most popular dishes and offer them many weeks a year, regardless of the season. If you really love one of your meals, hold onto the recipe card for future reference so you can request it again—or make it yourself using store-bought ingredients.

Cook your meals soon after receiving them. Because of transit times, they might actually be older than what you buy from the store. Use common sense when approaching certain dishes—seafood, fresh greens, and chicken should be prepared first, while red meat, pork, and harder produce can last a few more days.

Cancel at least one full week before you want your last box. If you want to skip a week or take a break from deliveries, most services allow you to make those selections, too. Many meal kits are now offered in grocery stores. To combat the high operational costs of delivery-only services, many companies have partnered with or been acquired by major food stores and are now offering its kits in the grocery aisles.

While we only tested delivery services, many of the recipes we tried are also available in stores for equal or lower prices. Some meal kit companies now offer prepared and heat-and-eat meals. We've noticed a recent trend toward speed and convenience in the meal kit world, both with traditional companies and with frozen and ready-to-eat brands.

Home Chef now offers at least two oven-ready dishes per menu every week, and Sunbasket has introduced both oven-ready and pre-made options. We recommend having a good cast iron pan or a Dutch oven handy. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , TikTok , or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more. Cassidy covered all things cooking as the kitchen editor for Reviewed from to An experimental home chef with a healthy distrust of recipes, Cassidy lives by the "Ratatouille" philosophy that, with a few techniques and key tools, anyone can cook.

She's produced in-depth reviews and guides on everything from meal kits to stand mixers and the right way to cook an egg. Madison covered all things cooking as the kitchen editor for Reviewed in Formerly the editor-in-chief of Culture Magazine, Madison is the founder of GRLSQUASH, a women's food, art, and culture journal.

Her work has also appeared in The Boston Globe, Cherrybombe, Gather Journal, and more. She is passionate about pizza, aesthetic countertop appliances, and regularly watering her houseplants.

She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a Master's of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy from Boston University. Previously the Digital Editor at Culture Cheese Magazine and a former barista , she's also had her work published in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury, Boston Magazine, and more.

Danielle has a B. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied.

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Parenting All Parenting Baby Monitors Strollers. Accessibility All Accessibility. Why trust Reviewed? Learn more about our product testing. Read More Pros Large variety of appealing dishes and extras Big portions Straightforward recipes Cons Recipe timing can be inaccurate Vegan offerings are limited.

Read More Pros High-quality ingredients User-friendly recipes with accurate timing Large variety of options and extras Cons Lots of packaging. Read More Pros Balanced flavors Quality ingredients Quick and easy Creative recipes Cons Some recipes fall short.

Read More Pros Fully plant-based Tasty , unique meals Premade meals offered Cons Learning curve with recipe cards. Written by Cassidy Olsen , Madison Trapkin , Monica Petrucci , and Danielle DeSiato.

Best Overall. Pros Large variety of appealing dishes and extras Big portions Straightforward recipes. Cons Recipe timing can be inaccurate Vegan offerings are limited.

Buy now at HelloFresh. Best Value. Favorite meal: Soy-ginger pork tenderloin with garlic rice and green beans Cost: Visit Dinnerly for updated pricing. Cons Organization is lacking Navigating the website can be challenging. Buy now at Dinnerly.

Most User-Friendly. Pros High-quality ingredients User-friendly recipes with accurate timing Large variety of options and extras. Cons Lots of packaging. Buy now at Home Chef. Best Pre-Prepped Kit. Favorite meal: Paneer and cauliflower tikka masala with garam masala basmati rice Cost: Visit Gobble for updated pricing.

Pros Balanced flavors Quality ingredients Quick and easy Creative recipes. For more information, check out our in-depth Green Chef review. Purple Carrot is an exclusively plant-based meal kit service that offers both traditional meal kits and ready-to-heat meals, making it a good choice for vegan families and individuals alike.

Overall, the service has great reviews from customers, although many say that some of their produce items regularly arrive in poor condition. They also offer several gluten-free options each week.

Still, it may not be a good fit for families with picky eaters because the recipes tend to feature bold, regional flavors. However, they have a huge catalog of weekly options, including several that require minimal prep. This makes Dinnerly a better fit for families on a budget who also need meals that come together quickly.

Some of their recent menu options include No Chop! Low-Cal Chorizo Tacos and Ready Made! Cheesy Chicken Penne Alfredo. Many reviewers love the variety that Dinnerly provides, but they do say that occasionally produce arrives in bad shape.

Overall, the sheer variety of Dinnerly—along with its low price—makes it a great fit for most families without special dietary needs. They even offer some low-carb and dairy-free meals. HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal kit delivery services.

They offer a wide variety of meals each week, including crowd-pleasing choices and more unique dishes. For singles, a two-serving plan provides a dinner and one serving worth of leftovers for lunch the next day. It can save a lot of money compared to dining out for lunch and dinner.

Other than occasional shipping issues, reviewers rate HelloFresh highly—with many saying that they cook at home much more since starting their HelloFresh subscription. Meal delivery services are companies that ship prepared meals or meal kits to your doorstep each week. There are several different meal delivery services to suit nearly all budgets and diet preferences.

Meal delivery services are convenient and they can help you save time and money. They also may help you incorporate healthier meals into your routine and they can add some variety if you find yourself in a cooking rut.

By eliminating the need to meal plan and grocery shop, meal delivery services provide convenience and save lots of time. Even if you choose a meal kit that requires you to prep and cook the ingredients, you may still save a couple of hours each week of planning and shopping.

If you find yourself eating out or ordering out regularly, meal delivery companies could also help you save money. Many meal delivery services also feature well-balanced, nutritious meals that prioritize fresh produce and healthy protein sources.

They can be a good way to introduce your family to healthier meals. Finally, meal kit services often feature large selections of meals from different types of cuisine.

They can add some much-needed variety if your dinners have been feeling stale. There are two different types of meal delivery services: prepared meal delivery and meal kit delivery.

Prepared meal delivery services send single-serving meals that are completely cooked. They only require reheating and they may be sent fresh or frozen. Meal kits, on the other hand, consist of weekly shipments of recipe cards and all the corresponding ingredients to cook those recipes.

There are five main factors to consider when choosing the best affordable meal delivery service for your household.