Shopping for the best meal delivery service can be challenging, especially if you value organic, sustainably sourced ingredients for cooking at home. But, with so many meal delivery services on the market, finding a service that fits your budget, needs, and dietary preferences is possible.
Our team reviews each delivery service we test as if we were normal, everyday customers. This helps us assess the quality, cost, and convenience of getting meals and groceries delivered to our homes. We personally try the meals, cook with the ingredients, and rate them to find the best overall value and quality. Here’s where we landed on the best organic meal delivery services.
Best organic meal delivery service overall: Hungryroot
Hungryroot earned our pick for the best organic meal delivery service overall, thanks to its high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. You can read more of our insights on Hungryroot below.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
Our picks for the best organic meal delivery service
- Best overall: Hungryroot
- Best with grocery service: Misfits Market
- Best meal kit: Purple Carrot
- Best for weight loss: Trifecta
- Best prepared meals: Sunbasket
- Best plant-based: Thistle
Compare organic meal delivery services
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| Hungryroot | Misfits Market | Purple Carrot | Trifecta | Sunbasket | Thistle | |
| Rating | ||||||
| Price | $68.34 per box | Varies per location | $11-$13.25/serving | $15-16/serving | $9.99/serving | $14 |
| Number of meals per week | 3 | 7 | 3-4 | 7-21 | Up to 6 | 6 |
| Delivery zone | Continental U.S. | Continental U.S. | Continental U.S. | All 50 states | Continental U.S., except MT, ND, and parts of NM | Limited east and west coast locations |
Best organic meal delivery service overall: Hungryroot
Key product features
What you should know
Hungryroot is an organic meal delivery service and online grocery store to help you have healthy meals at home. You can choose high-protein, gluten-free, vegetarian, peanut-free, and dairy-free.
- Our tester was pleased by the variety of pasture-raised meat and organic veggies in their Hungryroot order.
- A subscription starts at $70 per box, which is on par with meal delivery services.
- Hungryroot is a great option for people looking for a mix of organic grocery staples mixed with prepared meals.
Why we like Hungryroot as best overall
There’s a few reasons Hungryroot earns our pick as the best overall organic meal delivery service: a wide variety of organic meats and produce, meal kits with printed recipe cards, prepared meals you can heat and eat, and pantry items.
Our tester was also impressed with Hungryroot’s comprehensive and detailed questionnaire that asked for her dietary preferences as she signed up for the service. That said, she would have preferred to browse outside of the paywall. Nonetheless, once she had entered her credit card information, she found searching for meal kits and grocery items fairly user-friendly. She likes to support ranches with pasture-raised meat to ensure the animals are cared for humanely.
Our tester chose a mix of organic meats, produce, salsa, meal kits, and prepared meals, including Kevin’s Natural Foods Thai-Style Coconut Chicken. She liked how intuitive the website was. For example, when she put spinach in her cart, the website recommended recipes for that ingredient.
“This intuition is a nice addition to the site, as it can help save money by using what’s available and reducing food waste,” says Chris Mohr, PhD, RD.” So often when you make a recipe, you might need just a small portion of one ingredient or another, then the rest may sadly go to waste.”
The food arrived in a recyclable cardboard box with vacuum-sealed meat and frozen items kept cool with ice packs. When the food arrived, everything looked and smelled fresh. Our tester was excited about the pasture-farmed lamb cubes she ordered but they weren’t as cold as she thought they should be. In the end, she cooked them and paired them with jasmine rice and broccoli, and the dish was fine. The temperature at which food gets into the danger zone and risks spoiling is 40 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), so it’s undoubtedly important to test the food shipped if there’s a concern. (1)
Our tester is experienced at home cooking, but she thought the instructions could be numbered and a bit more detailed, especially for those who might not be familiar with them. For example, it wasn’t clear how many saucepans she needed to cook her dish or any other utensils that might be needed to prepare the food. The instructions did a good job of estimating the time to cook her lamb dish, and she was within three minutes of the recipe’s estimated time. Overall, our tester was pleased with Hungryroot.
The subscription box starts at $70 per box plus $6.99 in shipping, which seems reasonable when comparing what you’d spend at the grocery store feeding a family of four.
Check out our full Hungryroot review for more information.
What customers are saying
Hungryroot has 4,106 reviews on Trustpilot.
“Easy to use app. Food selection is fantastic. I now have access to food items I usually do not have living in a small town in northern Michigan. Easy to choose low sodium meals. Also easy to watch my carbs. Dependable delivery and food arrives in perfect condition.”
Amanda, Trustpilot
Another verified reviewer, Miranda B., also likes Hungryroot.
“I have tried other meal mail services,” she writes. “This one is different. I love that I can choose some pre-made items, breakfast items, protein shakes, etc. The choices are amazing. The meals are so easy to make yet so delicious. For someone with very little time, I can finally cook nutritious food again.”
But, not everyone has had a great experience.
Verified reviewer, Liz R., was struggling to find low-calorie options, but was able to swap out meals.
“The meals are tasty and very easy to make,” she writes. “But…we signed up for Hungryroot to help manage our calorie intake–I selected (what I thought was) the low-cal package. But the default choices that the system makes each week include some pretty high-cal options. I have to be vigilant about getting in there and tweaking the choices to remove things like pastas and cheesy/cream-based dishes. We save those splurges for nights out.”
Specs
| Starting price | $70 |
| Shipping cost | $6.99 for orders under $70, otherwise free |
| Shipping area | Continental United States |
| Meal options | Grocery items, meal kits, and prepare meals |
| Fresh or frozen | Both |
| Subscription | Yes |
Best organic meal delivery and grocery service: Misfits Market
Key product features
What you should know
Misfits Market offers rejected items from grocery stores, like slightly funny looking organic produce and surplus meat and dairy, to cut down on food waste.
- Our team likes that Misfits Market offers a mix of pantry staples, organic produce, and meat.
- The average price of Misfits Market products is on par with or less than that at a traditional grocery store.
- Misfits Market is a great choice for people who want to prioritize cutting down on food waste.
Why we like Misfits Market as best with groceries
More than one-third of the food grown in the United States goes uneaten and is wasted each year, which is a major concern for climate change and, of course, the costs of waste. (2) Misfits Market is trying to improve food waste by providing seasonal organic fruits and veggies as well as surplus meat and dairy. Our team is a big fan of this mission.
But what makes food a “misfit?” The website lists items that are slightly discolored or not as pretty as those on produce shelves. Our tester was ready for misshapen or ugly fruits and veggies, but she was surprised that her apples, strawberries, and broccoli looked great and smelled fresh.
Additionally, her order arrived on time and in good condition. It’s worth noting that the box weighed 30 pounds, which might be difficult for some to pick up. The box contained four large ice packs and the insulation was made of recyclable water bottles. Everything was cold and in excellent condition, except for one cracked egg.
She checked for expiration dates and everything with a date was still good. The three filet mignons she received didn’t have an expiration date, so she cooked that right away and paired it with roasted broccoli. Our tester also purchased one “heat and eat” shrimp chimichurri dish to try out, but the small portion left her hungry and needing another snack to round out the meal.
You can pause or cancel your Misfits Market subscription at any time. You can also skip a week, or donate your order and give someone a box of groceries and prepared meals.
Overall, our tester found Misfits Market to be a great grocery delivery service. She spent $68 dollars on her first box, which was a little less than she spends at the grocery store. You can also purchase wine at Misfits Market; in that case, an additional $8.99 delivery fee is added.
What customers are saying
Misfits Market has earned 867 reviews on Trustpilot.
“I love using Misfits Market for many of my grocery needs, it’s great I can shop from home on the couch,” says one verified reviewer, Heather S. “I love that they use produce that would otherwise be tossed out and it has saved me so much money on groceries!”
“Absolutely love Misfit Market! Everything I’ve gotten from them has always been amazing. Great quality and price. Super fast shipping and yummy foods. My kids are always excited when we get our boxes.”
Lindsey G., Trustpilot
But a few folks have had issues with their customer service.
Verified reviewer, Lou P, writes, “I was satisfied with my first three deliveries that were made on time with everything I ordered. The fourth order was not as good or fresh. Now I’m waiting three days past the delivery date for this box and have not heard anything from customer service in response to this. I have waited up to 48 hours after submitting my problem. There is no live chat or phone number to call. So frustrated!”
Our tester found an online form shoppers can fill out to reach customer service. If you have an issue with your order, Misfits Market recommends you contact them seven days within receipt of damaged or incorrect items.
Specs
| Starting price | $5 minimum for ala carte items |
| Shipping cost | $5.99 |
| Shipping area | Continental United States |
| Meal options | Grocery item and prepared meals |
| Fresh or frozen | Both |
| Subscription | Yes |
Best organic meal kit delivery service: Purple Carrot
Key product features
What you should know
Purple Carrot is a mission-focused company that reaches out to communities living in food deserts to provide wholesome ingredients for meal kits.
- Purple Carrot is our top pick for plant-based meal kits with a lot of variety.
- We found Purple Carrot’s price per serving, $11–$13.25, to be reasonable and on par with similar services.
- Purple Carrot is a great option for people who eat a vegan diet and like to cook.
Why we like Purple Carrot as best meal kit
Purple Carrot is our top pick for best organic meal kit delivery service because it appeals to a wide range of dietary preferences. Vegan, vegetarian, family-friendly, chef’s favorites, keto-friendly, low-calorie, high-protein, and low-carb meal kits are all filters you can use when choosing what meal kits you’d like delivered. You can also add breakfast, which is a feature many meal delivery services don’t have. Each meal kit comes with easy instructions, so even beginners can whip up tasty dishes.
When choosing to subscribe to Purple Carrot, you select the type of plan you want based on your dietary needs. The meal kits come with step-by-step instructions on recipe cards with pictures to show you how the dish should look when completed, which our tester appreciated. She easily cooked the chipotle tofu tacos and thought they were delicious. She found the second dish she made need more seasoning, which she added and then really enjoyed. That’s one thing we love about meal kits—the ability to add or subtract ingredients or seasonings based on your personal preferences.
Our team also really likes Purple Carrot’s mission. The company supports people in need, through the Farmlink Project, by connecting farms with a surplus of nutritious produce to communities in need, cutting down on food waste while feeding people who may not normally have access to fresh produce. Approximately 40.5 million people in the United States live in food deserts, which are places short on grocery stores and farm stands, according to the USDA.(3) Companies like Purple Carrot are helping folks eat healthier by shipping fresh organic food to their front door.
If you’re short on time or or just want a heat and eat lunch, Purple Carrot also offers prepared meals. Our tester tried the tahini caesar broccoli bowl and falafel bowl, but found the meal kits to be tastier.
Purple Carrot costs range from $11 to $13.25 per serving and you can buy ala carte items starting at $5, Shipping costs between $10 and $20 for orders under $100. Once you hit $100, shipping is free.
Check out our full Purple Carrot review for more information.
What customers are saying
Purple Carrot has earned 885 reviews on Trustpilot.
“I ordered some produce I can’t get locally and some I haven’t heard of before but looked interesting, along with some packaged foods that looked good. It arrived just as expected and my husband was even impressed with the packaging and the quality of the food. It’s all been delicious and we’re eating a bigger variety of plants and loving it,” says one verified reviewer, Gretchen.
“I love using Purple Carrot for many of my grocery needs, it’s great I can shop from home on the couch. I love that they use produce that would otherwise be tossed out and it has saved me so much money on groceries!”
Heather S., Trustpilot
But a few shoppers have had issues with Purple Carrot’s customer service.
“I tried Purple Carrot a couple of years ago and then they stopped delivering to my area,” says verified reviewer Liz Porteus. “They have great recipes, but their order fulfillment department is terrible. My orders are often missing items. I can’t find these products in my local grocery store. The whole purpose of buying from them is that I could get unique recipes and ingredients without having to go to the store. Recently, I tried the ready-made meals, they gave me a shipping date of almost 3 weeks away. I don’t know what’s going on with this company. I thought they would have their act together by now. I don’t have the patience to deal with them.”
Specs
| Starting price | $5 minimum for ala carte items |
| Shipping cost | $10–$20 for orders under $100; free for orders over $100. |
| Shipping area | Continental United States |
| Meal options | Meal kits and prepared meals |
| Fresh or frozen | Both |
| Subscription | Yes |
Best organic meal delivery service for weight loss: Trifecta
Key product features
What you should know
Trifecta is our selection for best meal delivery service for weight loss because it offers portion-controlled, ready-to-eat meals that take meal planning and cooking out of your daily routine.
If you track macronutrients—protein, fats, and carbs— Trifecta may be the meal delivery service for you. Macros influence energy, body composition, and health outcomes, so having a balanced diet is important not only for overall health but also for weight loss and performance goals. (4)
- We like that Trifecta offers low-calorie pre-portioned meals you can heat up in minutes.
- At $15 to $16 per serving, Trifecta is a little more expensive than some other premade meals on the market.
- Trifecta is great for busy people who still want to track their macros.
Why we like Trifecta as best for weight loss
If you find meal planning and cooking tedious, or you’re just short on time, Trifecta has a wide range of meal types that could benefit you. The “clean” option includes organic veggies, whole grains, and whole foods with proteins. If you select the keto plan, you will get high-protein, high-fat, and low-carb meals. The Whole 30 plan focuses on whole foods and omits dairy. Lastly, the plant-based plan is just as it sounds: lots of beans, veggies, legumes, and whole grains.
Eating pre-portioned meals can play a helpful role in many people’s weight loss journeys, since portion control can be a challenge for many people . (5) Meals from Trifecta range between 350 and 500 calories, depending on needs. Most weight loss research suggests that you should aim for a 500-calorie deficit per day to lose weight. (6)
It is worth noting that Trifecta meals range from 300 mg to 500 mg of sodium, which is important for those who monitor their intake or have been encouraged by a doctor or dietitian to do so. The American Heart Association and other governing bodies suggest keeping sodium at or below the 2,300 mg total recommended daily amount, particularly for those with high blood pressure. (7)
When you sign up for the Trifecta subscription, you will complete a questionnaire that asks about your nutrition goals as well as your dietary preferences. This is important, since Trifecta chooses the meals you receive for you. You can choose “Chef’s Choice” where they rotate the meals for you, or “My Choice,” where you can choose your own meals. You can choose to order seven, 10, or 14 meals per week with optional breakfast meals, but Trifecta requires you to order a minimum of seven meals per week. You can also buy protein in bulk ala carte.
The meals are vacuum sealed and arrive in cooler boxes. You can refrigerate your meals or put a few in the freezer for later in the week.
Trifecta costs between $15 and $16 per meal and shipping is $9.99, which is on the more expensive side, but what you’re getting is pre-portioned ready-to-eat meals, which may be worth the money.
Check out our full Trifecta review for more information.
What customers are saying
Trifecta has 62 reviews on Trustpilot.
Verified reviewer MaryAnne N. is a returning customer.
”My previous experience two years ago was awesome. At that time I was following a vegan diet and the meals were both nutritionally sound and delicious. Ingredients have been high quality as well. Now I’m 75 with osteoporosis and need to be careful shedding a few pounds. [Customer service] gave me excellent nutritional advice to plan my meals so that I’m able to prevent bone loss while shedding pounds.”
MaryAnne N., Trustpilot
Several verified reviewers, including Debra B., have given personalized shout outs to Dave, one of Trifecta’s customer service representatives.
“I called Customer Service and spoke with Dave. I had LOTS of questions about the meal plan subscription and he was very patient, answered every question and took the time to explain how everything works in a way I could understand. I had made a mistake in ordering due to my lack of understanding and Dave took care of me. So not only is the food delicious but Dave in Customer Service is EXCELLENT and truly cares, which in my experience is rare to find these days,” she writes.
That said, not everyone is pleased with the seasoning or texture of the meals.
“I was extremely disappointed with the vegan menu,” says verified reviewer Diedre S. “I have been vegan most of my life enjoying tasty nutritious foods. The food I received is inedible. It’s bland, pretty much tasteless and devoid of real fresh ingredients and protein. It’s literally a mash of rice, unseasoned tofu, with a few pieces of what I believe to be canned veggies or beans. A chef did not design this stuff. Absolutely no one with any culinary skills designed the menu.”
Specs
| Starting price | Starts at $104.93 per week |
| Shipping cost | $9.99 |
| Shipping area | All 50 states |
| Meal options | Prepared meals |
| Fresh or frozen | Fresh |
| Subscription | Required |
Best organic prepared meal delivery service: Sunbasket
Key product features
What you should know
Sunbasket offers meal kits that serve two or four people and ready-to-eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Our team appreciates the range of food options that Sunbasket offers.
- Starting at $9.99 per serving, Sunbasket is budget-friendly compared to other options on the market.
- Sunbasket is great for people who want a mix of prepared meals, including breakfast, meal kits, and snacks.
Why we like Sunbasket as best prepared meals
We chose Sunbasket at the best organic prepared meal delivery service because of its variety of eating plans for different dietary needs, as well the diversity of flavors and ingredients offered.
If you have a specific eating style or preference, Sunbasket offers many options including Mediterranean, pescatarian, gluten-free, low-carb, diabetes-friendly, keto, and paleo. Although you can opt out of meals that have nuts and other allergens, every Sunbasket meal is prepared in a facility with cross-contamination risks, so people with severe food allergies should find another service.
Sunbasket uses a wide variety of ingredients to make interesting premade dishes from its “Fresh and Ready” meals, including barbacoa shrimp over brown rice with spiced beans, corn, and chimichurri and also salmon mole verde with red rice, sweet peas, and pumpkin seeds.
Packaging can be cumbersome with meal delivery services, but Sunbasket keeps the environment in mind. The boxes are made from recycled paper and the insulation is made from shredded recycled paper and upcycled denim to keep the food cold. The ice packs are made from non-toxic materials. The Sunbasket website provides some ideas for how to reuse the box and materials and encourages subscribers to take a picture and show them their cute and quirky recycled boxes on instagram @sunbasket.
It’s worth noting that Sunbasket is the cheapest meal delivery service on our list. Starting at $9.99 per serving, Sunbasket is a bit more budget-friendly compared to other options on the market. Sunbasket gives subscribers free delivery on their first box and then its costs $9.99 for each box.
Check out our full Sunbasket review for more information.
What customers are saying
Sunbasket has 3,404 customer reviews on Trustpilot.
“We’ve been a customer for about a year now,” says verified reviewer Adam C. “Your Fresh & Ready meals are the best, exactly what my wife and I need, we’re both very busy working professionals who travel for work. We also have a 6-year-old who enjoys your spaghetti and your mac-n-cheese. Knowing that 4-6 of our family’s lunches are taken care of throughout the week is extremely beneficial to the 3 of us. Keep up the good work everyone at Sun Basket! We appreciate the quality food and service.”
Verified customer Jamie R. originally tried Sunbasket because her insurance gave her a discount code. But, she liked it so much she’s become a loyal customer.
“I figured it would be ‘one and done.’ But, I don’t see myself canceling this any time soon! I order the premade, refrigerated meals that I can pop in the microwave and I’m so impressed with the flavors and the quality of the meals. They may seem pricey but they are filling, and I’m saving money by not buying a bunch of stuff at the supermarket that I say I’m going to make or eat and then never do.”
Jamie R., Trustpilot
But not all customers are happy with the service they’ve received from Sunbasket.
“Sunbasket is not serving organic meals anymore.” says verified reviewer, Beth R. “I have been a customer for YEARS and my fresh and ready meals ALWAYS had organic ingredients listed. There have been several price increases in the last few years which is ok, BUT what’s not ok is to no longer provide organic meals and not tell the customers. The fresh and ready meals are no longer organic – the labels have NO organic ingredients.”
Specs
| Starting price | $9.99 |
| Shipping cost | First box is free; $9.99 after first box |
| Shipping area | Most zip codes in the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico |
| Meal options | Prepared meals and meal kits |
| Fresh or frozen | Both |
| Subscription | Required |
Best plant-based organic meal delivery service: Thistle
Key product features
What you should know
Thistle is a plant-based meal delivery service which is good for flexitarians, who mainly eat a plant-forward diet but also eat some animal proteins or have dairy product as part of their diet.
- Our tester liked Thistle’s packaging and easy instructions for heating up meals.
- A Thistle subscription starts at $13 per meal, which is more expensive than other services on the market.
- Thistle is great for people who are shopping for plant-based proteins like lentils, nuts, and tofu.
Why we like Thistle as best plant-based
Thistle is a plant-based subscription meal delivery service that offers locally sourced and organic ingredients for lunch and dinner. If you’re someone who prefers proteins like lentils and quinoa in favor of animal products, Thistle might be for you. And, no matter what protein is included, all Thistle meals are plant-forward. While Thistle is plant-based, they offer chicken, turkey, and pork in some meals. They do not offer beef.
Many studies suggest that plant-forward diets may reduce the risk of diabetes and overall mortality by supporting heart health. (8) They’re also a challenge for many people,” explains Mohr. “How do you prepare or incorporate foods like lentils, quinoa, or other similar foods into your diet? It’s nice to have a delivery service that does this for you to make eating more plants more attainable.”
As part of the sign-up process, Thistle leads you through a questionnaire to help match your preferences, like gluten-free or dairy-free with its offerings. Based on your answers in the questionnaire, Thistle will pre-select meals for you, but you can swap them for something else you prefer.
Thistle also has gluten-free and dairy-free options. And, the service omits artificial ingredients, additives, and refined sugars. You can also buy add-ons like snacks, side dishes, and cold-pressed juices.
This service delivery to select areas in the United States and the east coast and west coast facilities offer different mentions for those areas. Delivery is limited to once or twice per week, depending on the plan you choose.
When choosing a subscription, you select the number of meals you want per week, select a protein, and indicate any allergies you may have. You can choose to skip and week or pause the service at any time.
Our tester liked the minimal packaging and the easy instructions for the Thistle meals she ordered to cook at home. But, she would have liked a few more customization options. Most of the sides are soups, and a lot of the breakfasts are different flavors of oatmeal. That said, the meals she had were very tasty.
Thistle is a bit more expensive than the other services, at $13 per meal plus $4.95 per delivery, but if you consider how much it costs to get a takeout dinner or eating at a restaurant this cost may align with your budget. Or if this is outside of your regular budget, consider buying fewer meals to round out your weekly meal planning.
What customers are saying
Thistle has earned 1,076 reviews on Trustpilot.
“I switched from CookUnity to Thistle for the summer due to the lack of ice packs CookUnity provides during the sweltering summer heat. Thistle has been excellent so far. They have a good delivery system established, with great packaging and enough ice packs (2 big ones!). They also deliver at around 5 AM in my 100+degrees city so my food is always cold by the time I get up to go to work and grab the food. The food itself is great! I get their lunch and their salad has always been fresh and their salad dressing is just delicious. The portion is a bit on the medium side but still filling enough for me because I don’t personally eat big meals during lunch. I will definitely continue to subscribe to this service every summer.”
Vikki, Trustpilot
Thistle delivery gets mixed reviews from customers.
“Love the convenience of having fresh and healthy meals delivered two times per week right to my door,” according to verified reviewer K White. “Food quality, taste, and quantity has been very good for the cost. Customer service has been good when our orders have been missing items ($ credited back to my account). Unfortunately, I am considering canceling or reducing my deliveries to once per week because my deliveries consistently arrive after the 6-10 PM quoted window and I am exhausted by waiting until after 11pm to collect and unpack my perishable delivery. “
Specs
| Starting price | $13 |
| Shipping cost | $4.95 local delivery |
| Shipping area | East Coast: New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Arlington VA, and parts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts + the greater Boston area, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Atlanta. West Coast: San Francisco Bay Area, Napa & Sonoma, Sacramento, Davis, Reno, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Orange County, Inland Empire, Ventura County, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Portland, and Seattle-Tacoma. |
| Meal options | Flexitarian, vegan, vegetarian, |
| Fresh or frozen | Fresh |
| Subscription | Required |
How we test meal delivery services
Signing up for an organic meal delivery service can save you planning and prep time. For people who prioritize eating organic foods, who want a pre-portioned meal and/or don’t have time to cook, some meal delivery options can help. We test to see if the meal is enough, too much, or just right. For new chefs, meal delivery kits can be a great way to learn to cook with pre-measured ingredients. We make sure everything is fresh, confirm the foods are as advertised, and well packaged. Delivery services can also provide meals that meet your dietary, caloric, and macronutrient needs, no matter your goal or situation.
Not every meal delivery service is a great fit for every person or scenario. That’s why our team aims to personally test every meal delivery service we review. Our goal is to provide unbiased, honest feedback to help you pick the right service for you.
Here’s why you can trust our organic meal delivery reviews.
Every Fortune meal delivery review features:
- In-depth analysis by testers and/or authors who are certified nutritionists and/or registered dietitians
- Testing for portion/ingredient accuracy, taste, and freshness
- Fact-checking and reviewing by qualified experts
At times, we may feature meal delivery services we haven’t yet tested. Until we can try them, we examine each service’s cost, meal variety, nutrition breakdown, and customization options. We then update our reviews once we’ve tested them to highlight everything we liked and didn’t like.
Learn more about how we test meal delivery services here.
Testing criteria
Meal choices—30%
A meal delivery service should provide numerous healthy, nutritious options for every meal of the day. It should also give you as much authority as you want over what you order. Here’s what we take into account in our meal choices rating:
- Multiple options
- Substitutions
- Guidance
- Label transparency
Food quality—30%
If you’re not looking forward to the meals from your delivery service, that’s a problem. We aim to match you with companies that use delicious chef-designed recipes and have the dietary firepower of nutritionists and/or registered dietitians behind them. Here’s what goes into our quality rating.
- Flavor
- Healthiness
- Freshness
Value—20%
Meal delivery services run the gamut in price, but what you receive should feel reasonable for what you’re paying. Here’s what we factor into a program’s value rating:
- Fair price
- Multiple quantity options
- Customization
Customer experience—20%
A consumer’s experience with a supplement or company influences their satisfaction, loyalty, and the likelihood of buying again. The customer experience influences purchasing decisions, which is why it’s part of our evaluation process.
Our factors in this rating include:
- Packaging
- Ease of preparation
- Reviews
- Customer service
How to choose the best organic meal delivery service for you
Choose the best organic meal delivery service depending on your dietary preferences or restrictions, budget, and location.
Dietary preference
We like Hungryroot for its organic groceries and recipe inspiration for home chefs as well as ready-made meals when you’re short on time. If you’re a flexitarian, you may want to consider a meal service that offers some fish and animal products, but you can also find services that are completely vegan, if that is something that is important to you.
Budget
Getting an organic meal delivery service is very convenient and it may save you money because you’re purchasing exactly what you need for a specific meal, which can help with meal planning. You won’t walk out with unnecessary items like you might at the grocery store, but you will only receive enough to make specific portions, without leftovers. You are paying a delivery fee in most cases, unless you reach a certain dollar amount, and in which case some deliveries are free. The least expensive service in our testing is Sunbasket, at $9.99 per serving.
Location
One of the first things you should check is whether the meal service delivers to your area. Most of the meal services are delivered to the continental United States, which means they do not deliver to Alaska and Hawaii. Thistle has more restrictions and delivers only to select east and west coast locations.
Benefits of eating organic
Focusing on organic foods may confer some health benefits, though the data are limited and inconsistent enough to confirm these outcomes. While some studies show promise, most aren’t as convincing (8, 9) Organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, though “biological pesticides” may be used on this difference. The data are not consistent enough to confer any specific benefits (or harms). (8)
FAQs
Which is the healthiest meal delivery?
The healthiest meal delivery service is one that most fully aligns with your nutritional needs and preferences. If you are trying to lose weight, we like Trifecta, for the variety and customization. All of the brands we reviewed include some organic food, but Hungryroot is our all-around favorite for its comprehensive offerings, tons of fresh ingredients, and an intuitive website to help you create healthy meals with the veggies you choose to buy.
What are the disadvantages of ready-made meals?
While ready-made meals are very convenient and pre-portioned, some customers notice the meals that must be microwaved can leave the vegetables soggy and proteins a bit chewy. Others who are used to eating larger portions may find themselves hungry soon after eating a ready-made meal or may need to eat two to feel full.
What meal delivery service has the best meat?
Of the meal delivery services we tried we like Misfits Market, which includes premade meals and individual grocery items as the one with the best meat. Our testers tried the fresh, non-frozen petite filet mignon and found the quality to be on par with fine-dining restaurants.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Our experts
Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD
Dr. Chris Mohr is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and speaker and performance coach. Through his facilitation and online resources, he works closely with some of the largest corporations in the world including Deloitte, Delta Airlines, Johnson & Johnson and more to help busy executives all over the world, develop the energy to thrive personally and professionally.
Victoria Burgess, Ph.D., CSCS, CISSN
Victoria Burgess earned her Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance from Concordia University Chicago and holds her NSCA CSCS and Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). She is an adjunct professor in the Human Performance and Nutrition department at Concordia University Chicago & Parker University, where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level courses.
Lily Moe, Editor
Lily is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor with over seven years of experience in health media. As a former Fitness Coach, Lily’s editorial prowess has largely focused on fitness, nutrition, and weight management. She has also spent a fair share of time in testing labs, analyzing everything from protein powders to yoga mats. Her work has appeared in Verywell Fit, Verywell Mind, Health, and more.
Joana Neziri, M.S., NASM CPT
Joana is a writer, editor, and content strategist focusing on nutrition, fitness, and all things health. After earning a master’s degree in business from the University of North Florida, she began a career in research and digital marketing.
Kelly Uhler, Fact Checker
Kelly has a multifaceted background in elder care, health care, and copywriting. She has worked for organizations such as A Place For Mom and Homecare.com, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with families, providing reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their loved one’s health, safety, and quality of life.
Lauren Evoy Davis
Fortune Recommends Staff Writer
About Author
Lauren Evoy Davis is a health journalist with expertise in cancer and other chronic conditions. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from American University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Elon University. Her work has been published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Council on Aging, HelpGuide WebMD, Everyday Health and Verizon. She tests meal kits, meal delivery services, and fitness apps. When not writing or reading, Lauren enjoys paddle boarding on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, weightlifting, and gardening.