If you’re trying to eat healthily but find it difficult to plan, shop for, and prepare meals, a meal delivery service may be a good option. Not only do these services save you time in the kitchen, but they can also cut costs—especially if you tend to lean on food delivery apps for most of your meals. But with so many options, each catering to different dietary requirements, budgets, and skill levels, finding the best meal delivery service for your lifestyle can be overwhelming.
To narrow down the best meal delivery service available today, our team tested over a dozen popular options. Whether you’re looking for a service that allows you to channel your inner chef, offers gluten-free or low-carb options, or prioritizes organic ingredients, there’s something for everyone.
Best meal delivery service overall
Home Chef was a favorite among our staff and testers, earning our pick for best meal delivery service overall. Whether you’re looking to experiment in the kitchen with new recipes or entirely avoid cooking, there’s a plan for you. Our product testers enjoyed the flavor, freshness, and ingredient quality of each Home Chef meal they tried. We also like the service’s ability to accommodate a variety of dietary needs.
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 meal delivery service
- Best overall: Home Chef
- Best healthy: Hungryroot
- Best vegetarian: CookUnity
- Best meal kit: Marley Spoon
- Best vegan: Purple Carrot
- Best prepared: Factor
- Best affordable: EveryPlate
- Best for seniors: Silver Cuisine by BistroMD
- Best organic: Green Chef
- Best for couples: Blue Apron
- Best for beginners: HelloFresh
- Best gluten free: BistroMD Gluten-Free Plan
- Best keto: Fresh N’ Lean Keto Meal Plan
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| Home Chef | Hungryroot | CookUnity | Marley Spoon | Purple Carrot | Factor | EveryPlate | Silver Cuisine by BistroMD | Green Chef | Blue Apron | HelloFresh | BistroMD Gluten-Free | Fresh N’ Lean Keto Meal Plan | |
| Rating | |||||||||||||
| Price per meal | Starts at $7.99 | Starts at $8.99 | Starts at $11.09 | Starts at $8.69 | Starts at $11 | $12.99 | Starts at $4.99 | Starts at $7.99 | Starts at $11.99 | Starts at $7.99 | Starts at $9.99 | Starts at $10.99 | Starts at $10.49 |
| Meals per week | Up to 6 meals per week; up to 4 servings per meal | Up to 8 recipes per week; up to 2 servings per recipe | Up to 16 meals per week | Up to 6 recipes per week; up to 4 servings per recipe | Up to 4 recipes per week; up to 4 servings per recipe | Up to 18 meals per week | Up to 5 meals per week; up to 6 servings per meal | Unlimited | Up to 4 meals per week; up to 6 servings per week | Up to 5 meals per week; up to 4 servings per meal | Up to 6 meals per week; up to 4 servings per meal | Up to 20 meals per week | Up to 21 meals per week |
| Delivery cadence | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | As needed | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly |
| Diet options | Low-calorie, low-carb, high-protein, vegetarian | Low-calorie, low-carb, high-protein, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian | Low-calorie, low-carb, dairy-free, vegetarian, keto, paleo | Standard and vegetarian | Vegetarian, vegan, high protein, low-calorie, gluten-free | Low-calorie, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, keto | Vegetarian, low-calorie | Vegetarian, gluten-free, heart-healthy, low sodium, menopause, diabetes, dairy-free, low-carb | Gluten-free, Mediterranean, low calorie, plant-based, high protein, keto | Vegetarian, pescatarian, low-carb, keto, low calorie | Pescatarian, vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carb | Gluten-free, heart-healthy, diabetes, vegan, keto flex, menopause | Keto, allergen-free, Mediterranean, high protein, Whole 30, vegan, and vegetarian |
Best meal delivery service overall: Home Chef
Key product features
What you should know
If you’re looking for a meal delivery service with a large meal selection that caters to various dietary preferences, Home Chef may be a good choice. The company offers everything from premade meals ready in under five minutes to meal kits for weight loss.
- Our product testers liked the flavor and ingredient quality of Home Chef meals. They also appreciated the variety of meal types, especially the oven-ready meals that required minimal cleanup.
- Meals start at $7.99 per serving and come with all the ingredients you need, except basics like salt and pepper.
- Home Chef may be a good choice for busy people who don’t have time to plan or shop for ingredients to prepare healthy, balanced meals.
- Home Chef doesn’t cater to people with food allergies or who follow a strict vegan diet.
Why we like Home Chef as best overall
Home Chef stands out for its variety of meal options and ability to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences. The service works on a weekly delivery model that allows you to choose a day of the week that’s most convenient for you.
Home Chef’s meal kits provide everything needed for a complete meal, along with pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. Each meal is intended to be ready in 25-50 minutes, though our testers note that the service’s traditional meal kits require the use of multiple dishes and cookware for chopping, mixing, and cooking ingredients.
For quicker prep and less clean-up, you can opt for Home Chef’s express meal kit, which comes with pre-chopped ingredients, ready in 15 minutes or less.
Home Chef also offers oven-ready meals that feature fresh, pre-portioned ingredients in a metal pan, which our testers found to make cleanup easier. These meals require minimal preparation and take 30-50 minutes to cook.
When you’re on the go, the service’s Fast & Fresh meals offer a quick solution–they can be cooked in the microwave in less than five minutes. Customer favorites include Hearty Steak and Potatoes, Winner Winner Chicken Orzo Dinner, and Creamy Shrimp Tagliatelle.
If you have a large family, you’ll appreciate that, unlike many other meal delivery services, Home Chef’s meal kits can accommodate up to six people per meal. And if you’re curious about the portion sizes, our testers found portions to be perfect.
“My husband and I are both satisfied after eating these meals.”
Team Product Tester
Home Chef received 5 out of 5 stars for taste from our tester, who said they have tried many popular meal delivery services and found Home Chef to be the best. “They send you recipe cards, so we’ve even made some meals using store-bought ingredients because we love them so much,” one tester shared.
I went through the ordering process and found it to be simple and straightforward. New customers take a quiz that asks questions about their experience with meal kits, level of interest in cooking, and dietary preferences to recommend meal plans.
And if you’re a healthcare professional, military worker, first responder, or teacher, you’ll receive monthly discounts when you sign up.
After signing up, you’ll be able to view your meal recommendations and the entire menu to make substitutions.
Our testers appreciated the variety of rotating options and loved that they were able to filter out ingredients that they disliked, such as seafood, beef, peanuts, and mushrooms.
Home Chef meals also cater to several dietary preferences, including:
- Calorie-conscious
- Vegetarian
- Carb conscious
- Gluten-smart
- Protein-packed
- Keto friendly
- Paleo friendly
- Pescatarian
While Home Chef’s dietary options offer excellent variety, we don’t recommend Home Chef for people with Celiac disease or dietary allergies, as the company’s facilities handle ingredients that contain major allergens, including milk, wheat, fish, and peanuts.
Further, while some vegetarian meal options may qualify as vegan, Home Chef does not guarantee that options will be available for weekly vegan subscriptions.
Check out our full Home Chef review for more information.
What customers are saying
Home Chef has over 3,100 reviews on Trustpilot. Positive reviews praise the meal variety and flavor, while negative ones mention missing ingredients or recipe cards.
Verified Trustpilot reviewer Theresa N. found Home Chef meals full of flavor, and she appreciated the company’s responsive customer service. But she mentioned that sometimes bottles with screw-on tops weren’t closed tightly, causing liquids to leak.
“Lots of choices; flavorful and interesting meals; packaging is nicest of all I have tried; responsive to any issues encountered. Would have given five stars, but frequently have encountered issues with bottles with screw-on tops that are not tightened properly and liquids leak.”
Theresa N., Trustpilot
Another customer, Elise, liked that Home Chef meals saved her time planning meals and grocery shopping, but didn’t like that several meals weren’t delivered at the right time and others were missing recipe cards. “Multiple packages delivered before the selected delivery date, multiple packages with missing recipe cards, a package with a completely incorrect recipe card, lots of the produce was of mediocre quality, and the prices per meal kit are a bit too steep for the value. Saves time planning meals and going grocery shopping, but that’s about it.”
Specs
| Starting price | $9.95 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $10.99; ships to 98% of the U.S. |
| Diet options | Low-carb, low-calorie, high-protein, vegetarian |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner with optional add-ons, including breakfast, appetizers, dessert, and snacks |
| Meal type | Meal kits, oven-ready meals, microwave meals |
Best healthy meal delivery service: Hungryroot
Key product features
What you should know
Hungryroot offers fresh, whole foods that are easy to prepare and taste great. They also provide personalized meal suggestions to fit a wide variety of taste buds and dietary needs.
- Overall, our testers were very satisfied with the quality and ease of preparation of the foods offered by Hungryroot and would order again. However, they found the ordering process to be confusing.
- Weekly plans start at $69, which includes three recipes with two servings per recipe. This may be more expensive than purchasing ingredients at your local grocery store. But the added convenience seems to be worth it for many people.
- We recommend Hungryroot for individuals or small families who want to eat healthy or follow a certain dietary pattern without spending a lot of time grocery shopping or cooking each week.
Why we like Hungryroot as best healthy
Hungryroot takes the guesswork out of grocery shopping and meal planning by delivering groceries and recipes for quick, healthy meals straight to your door.
We appreciate that Hungryroot uses fresh, whole foods but makes prep easier by offering pre-cut, pre-portioned ingredients. Some ingredients, such as the brown rice quinoa blend and smoked salmon, come pre-cooked. Further, all food from Hungryroot is free of artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives.
One of our testers said they only spent 10 minutes prepping and 12 minutes baking—this gave them a balanced meal in less than 25 minutes.
To get you started, Hungryroot will take you through an online quiz that asks questions about your household size, dietary needs, allergies, and the amount of time you’d like to spend cooking. You’ll also be asked what style of cuisine you prefer (Mexican, Korean, classic American, Chinese, etc.), what type of kitchen equipment you have available, and how often you want to receive meals.
After selecting a delivery date and checking out, you’ll see your final cart with recommendations. If you aren’t happy with Hungryroot’s recommendations, you can choose from over 3,000 recipes to find exactly what you want. The recipe database allows you to filter meals by dietary needs, protein preference, cook time, nutrition needs, and more.
Some filter options include:
- Carb-conscious
- 500 calories or less
- High protein
- Less sodium
- Less sugar
- Kid-friendly
- Vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian
- Dairy-, gluten-, soy-, peanut-, egg-, or shellfish-free
- Cook time
Note that some foods the company carries may be processed in the same facility as certain allergens. You can look at the item’s description to see if a food marked free from an allergen is still processed in the same facility as an allergen.
Some meal options include Everything Chicken Quesadillas, Shrimp Fajita Tacos, and Blackened Salmon + Pepper Rice. You also have the option to add on regular grocery items, including snacks, heat-and-eat meal trays, soup, salad kits, fruit, milk, and eggs.
The recipes make either two or four servings, so they’re not ideal for families who need to feed more than four people.
One drawback our testers noted was the ordering process, which they found confusing. For example, after checking out and paying, one of our testers felt like they essentially were getting a bunch of groceries and four recipes. “Once I actually get the order, maybe I will have a better understanding of the service and how many meals I am actually getting,” they said.
Still, our testers were very pleased overall with the service’s ingredient quality, customer service, packaging, and shipping. “I love this service. It’s something I would actually consider continuing to use,” one tester said.
For more information, check out our Hungryroot review.
What customers are saying
For the most part, Hungryroot’s online customer reviews are positive, having the highest Trustpilot rating out of all of the services we’ve reviewed. Hungryroot has over 3,700 reviews on Trustpilot. Positive reviews mention that they are pleased with the meal variety, ingredient quality, and portion sizes.
Verified customer Jean R. says Hungryroot has improved her and her husband’s meal quality during the busy workweek.
“Hungryroot has enabled my husband and I to eat healthier, fresh meals during our busy workweek. The proteins and vegetables are top-quality, often organic, and ethically sourced. Customer service has been incredible in solving problems quickly and satisfactorily. We love Hungryroot!”
Jean R., Trustpilot
Common complaints include incorrect or missing items, difficulty making changes at checkout, and poor communication.
For example, verified customer Glynna M. loved the food but wishes there were more ways to get in touch with customer service. “ I do not care for the communication options. Your bot chat option has not been of any help but that could just be me. I do not care for AI Bots in answering questions that are not specific. In solving an issue I am limited to email, which is also not efficient for getting to the exact answer. It takes several emails to resolve a question,” she said.
Specs
| Starting price | $9.69 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $6.99; Ships to the contiguous U.S. with free shipping for orders over $70 |
| Diet options | Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, low-calorie, carb-conscious, high protein |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner with optional add-ons, including breakfast, dessert, and snacks |
| Meal type | Meal kits, prepared meals |
Best vegetarian meal delivery service: CookUnity
Key product features
What you should know
Whether you’re following a vegetarian diet or simply looking to incorporate more vegetarian meals into your diet, CookUnity can be a solid choice. All vegetarian meals arrive fresh and require no preparation.
- CookUnity’s vegetarian meal plan allows you to choose up to 16 meals each week from a rotating menu crafted by a team of chefs.
- Meals start at around $11 per meal, around the same price as competing vegetarian or vegan meal delivery services such as Purple Carrot.
- We recommend CookUnity for busy people who want to reduce time spent in the kitchen while enjoying healthful meals.
Why we like CookUnity as best vegetarian
More people are moving towards a plant-based diet to improve their health. Over the past few years, numerous studies have linked plant-forward diets to a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and weight reduction. (1)
“Making plants the focus of your plate is really fantastic for your overall health, from the increase in fiber to added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.”
Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor
Enter CookUnity, a meal delivery service with vegetarian options that connects chefs with consumers to bring gourmet, quality premade meals to your table. While the service isn’t strictly for vegetarians, you’ll find over 25 vegetarian-friendly options crafted by Nahika Hillery, Einat Admony, and other award-winning chefs each week.
You can receive four, six, eight, 12, or 16 weekly meals, which arrive fresh in sustainable packaging. All meals arrive fully prepared and come with complete nutrition information, expiration dates, and heating instructions. The company recommends cooking your meals in the oven for up to 15 minutes, but they are able to be heated in the microwave if you’re short on time.
Our testers liked that complete nutritional information for each meal was easy to find, giving the service 5 out of 5 stars for access to nutritional information.
To get started with CookUnity, enter your zip code to ensure services are available in your area. The company currently ships to most places in the U.S. except Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
Once your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll take a three-question quiz about your dietary preferences and ingredients you want to avoid, such as wheat, tree nuts, and peanuts. Based on the information provided, CookUnity offers personalized meal recommendations, though you’re free to pick and choose meals that you’re craving.
We like that each meal includes ratings from past customers, so you can be sure you’re making a tasty choice each time.
Like many other services we’ve reviewed, we don’t recommend CookUnity for someone with a severe food allergy because meals are processed in a facility that uses major allergens.
Customer favorites include Sesame-Ginger Tofu Poke Bowl with Pickled Cabbage and Yum Yum Sauce, Curried Vegetable Fritters and Coconut Lime Sauce with Garlic Broccoli & Coconut Rice, and Caramelized Mushroom Quesadilla with Salsa Chipotle & Crema.
Although our testers didn’t try the vegetarian plan specifically, they did find that several of the meals on the standard plan didn’t live up to their expectations. After weighing them, they also found portions to be much lighter than advertised, which can impact the product’s nutritional value.
Check out our in-depth CookUnity review for more information.
What customers are saying
CookUnity has close to 10,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Many customers are happy with the vegetarian meal selection and portion sizes. They also enjoy that meals are simple to prepare.
After trying many brands, verified reviewer Maria M. found CookUnity to be her favorite.
“I’ve tried many other plans, but so far I think CookUnity is the best. Good choice of vegetarian options and meals large enough for two seniors. Very happy!”
Maria M., Trustpilot
Negative reviews mention a lack of vegetarian protein options, as well as a general lack of vegetables.
Verified reviewer Sajor M. suggested adding more vegetables to the vegetarian meals, as he says some are too grain-heavy and salty. “The vegetarian dishes tend to be on the salty side and heavy on the grains/portions of pasta. I would love to see more salad options as well as just more vegetables in the vegetable-to-grain/pasta ratios.”
Specs
| Starting price | $11.09 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $9.99; Ships to most of the contiguous U.S. except Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia |
| Diet options | Low-calorie, low-carb, dairy-free, vegetarian, keto, paleo |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner with optional add-ons, including breakfast, snacks, and cold-pressed juices |
| Meal type | Prepared meals |
Best meal kit delivery service: Marley Spoon
Key product feautures
What you should know
Marley Spoon offers vegetarian and standard meal plans with over 100 weekly recipes. Here’s what to consider before purchasing.
- Many customers appreciate the large recipe variety and are impressed by the taste. However, some customers, including our product tester, were disappointed by the ingredient quality, which didn’t meet their expectations.
- Starting at $8.69 per serving, Marley Spoon is slightly cheaper than some other competitors.
- The service may be good for couples or small families who still want to cook but want to skip trips to the grocery store and reduce food waste.
- Although Marley Spoon offers vegan, vegetarian, low-calorie, and low-carb meals, the service only offers vegetarian and standard menus.
Why we like Marley Spoon as best meal kit
Marley Spoon delivers Martha Stewart-created recipes along with pre-portioned ingredients directly to your door each week. One recent study found that meal kits, including Marley Spoon, can be an important part of a healthy diet by increasing meals cooked at home and reducing stress related to meal preparation. (2)
At this time, Marley Spoon only offers two plans: standard or vegetarian. However, you’ll still find a selection of meals that are low-carb, low-calorie, vegan, or free of gluten on the menu. You can see basic nutrition info like fat, calories, protein, and carbs for each recipe before ordering.
The service stands out in that it offers a large selection of over 100 interesting recipes that cater to a variety of dietary preferences. From Ginger-Hoisin Turkey Meatloaves to Cheesy Vegetarian Chilaquiles and beloved classics like Martha’s Best Cheeseburger & Potato Wedges, there’s a dish for everyone to enjoy. Our testers gave Marley Spoon 5 out of 5 stars for variety.
“Variety and meal planning are important in the overall diet; it not only provides more nutrition, from the different choices, but may also play a role in an overall healthier diet and even obesity prevention, according to research.” (3)
Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor
You can order up to six meals for two or four people each week. After a few weeks of choosing your own meals, the service’s ‘Taste Profile’ algorithm will help select recipes for you based on your previous picks. But you can always swap your meals before checking out.
All recipes include easy-to-follow recipe cards and everything you need to make the meal, except salt, pepper, oil, white wine vinegar, and other pantry staples.
We recommend Marley Spoon for those who like to cook and have more time to prepare meals. Although the meals are designed to be made in six simple steps, you’ll have to chop and cut multiple ingredients and experiment with different cooking techniques. Meals typically take 30-60 minutes to prepare. However, the company also offers a limited selection of Ready Made microwaveable meals that take less than 10 minutes to cook.
Our tester noted that, despite the large meal selection, the ingredient quality wasn’t what they had hoped for, and the meals tasted mediocre. In particular, the tester noted the Steak Frites recipe didn’t include enough spices and came with a tough cut of steak. He also said the portion sizes weren’t enough for two adults. He gave Marley Spoon 3.5 out of 5 stars for taste and 2 out of 5 stars for ingredient quality.
Check out our full Marley Spoon review for more information.
What customers are saying
Marley Spoon has over 4,700 reviews on Trustpilot. Positive reviewers appreciate the service’s large meal selection and uncomplicated preparation.
Verified reviewer Carrie T., who has been using Marley Spoon for over two years, said she loves the variety and easy recipes.
“I love the variety, trying new foods and cooking styles. Prep and recipes are easy. Food quality is incredible. So many options for gluten-free.”
Carrie T., Trustpilot
Negative reviews mention missing ingredients and poor customer service. Reviewer Sharron P. noted delivery inconsistencies and unresponsive customer service. “There is no accountability for damaged, rotten, or missing items. I have received bad fish and emailed with no response. The delivery is not consistent. If Tuesday is the assigned delivery day each week I may get a text that it will be delivered, then won’t show up for another day.”
Specs
| Starting price | $8.69 per serving |
| Shipping cost/area | $11.99; ships to the contiguous U.S. states |
| Diet options | Vegetarian and standard |
| Meal options | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with additional add-ons, including seasonal produce, snacks, and extra protein |
| Meal type | Meal kits, prepared meals |
Best vegan meal delivery service: Purple Carrot
Key product features
What you should know
Purple Carrot is one of the only meal delivery services that offers a decent selection of 100% plant-based meal kits and prepared meals. Choose from high-protein, low-calorie, and gluten-free options.
- Our product testers were very satisfied with the ingredient quality and taste of Purple Carrot’s meal kits. Additionally, they were pleased with the portion sizes and felt full after finishing their meal.
- Purple Carrot meal kits start at around $11, which is average compared to other vegan meal plans offered by similar services.
- In addition to people who follow a vegan diet, Purple Carrot is a good option for people looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet.
- Purple Carrot now offers frozen meals at retailers like Target, Publix, and Kroger.
Why we like Purple Carrot as best vegan
While vegan diets have been linked to a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, they’re not always easy to stick to. (4) Using a vegan meal delivery service such as Purple Carrot can introduce a variety of meals into your diet, so it doesn’t get boring.
Unlike many other meal delivery services, all meal kits and prepared meals offered by Purple Carrot are 100% plant-based. The service’s prepared meals arrive fresh and can be heated in just five minutes.
One of our product testers, a registered dietitian, did note that the prepared meal selection is limited, saying, “You’ll run out of options quickly.” However, this can be remedied by choosing a custom box that includes both meal kits and prepared meals.
You can filter meal kits to select recipes that are high protein, gluten-free, soy-free, under 600 calories, or require minimal prep. Unique to Purple Carrot is its “Plantry,” which offers a variety of plant-based pantry staples, including black bean burgers, chili, and vegan cheese.
Our lead product tester, a certified nutrition coach, noted that the ingredients arrived fresh, and the meals tasted great. He gave Purple Carrot 5 out of 5 stars for taste. His favorite was the Sloppy Joe, which swapped meat for tofu. “I was very satisfied with how my meal turned out. Most meals were simple to prepare and yielded generous portions, keeping me full.”
Other customer favorites include Peanut Pad Thai Noodles and Marry Me Cauliflower, which puts a vegan spin on the popular Marry Me Chicken.
Our tester felt the instructions could be more detailed, especially for those new to vegan meal preparation. For example, the instructions didn’t mention the need to pat tofu dry before cooking with it, which he felt was vital to the cooking process.
Since vegan diets tend to be lower in protein, a critical macronutrient for immune function and muscle maintenance, we appreciate that Purple Carrot offers high-protein vegan options. (5) For example, their Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe, made with chickpeas, provides around 23 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
You can easily access the full nutrition information for each recipe on the company’s website.
Check out our full Purple Carrot review for more information.
What customers are saying
Purple Carrot has over 800 reviews on Trustpilot. Many customers appreciate the flavor and quality of the ingredients. Reviewer Janette was impressed with the portion sizes, quality, and variety offered by Purple Carrot. However, she did note that she wished all meals were higher in protein.
“My only criticism would be that I wish every single meal option had at least 18-20 grams of protein. I appreciate that they offer a few “high protein” labeled options each week. However, I don’t think that something with only 11 grams of protein should be considered a meal and exist on the menu at all.”
Janette, Trustpilot
“Higher protein meals may not only help preserve muscle mass, but when combined with resistance training, may aid in weight loss” adds Mohr. “While 18-20 grams is a good start, the recommended daily total is a bit higher, so ideally each meal would have a higher total. If you want to choose Purple Carrot, complementing the meals with a source of protein would be helpful.”
Some reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with missing ingredients and disappointment with meal substitutions. “We had a substitute that was nasty. That sucks, and we paid for it. If you’re subbing meals you guys should pay for them or just don’t send anything,” commented one reviewer.
Specs
| Starting price | $11 for meal kits; $13 for prepared meals |
| Shipping cost/area | $10; Ships to the contiguous U.S. |
| Diet options | Vegan, vegetarian, low calorie, high protein, gluten-free |
| Meal options | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with optional add-ons, including plant-based milk, cheese, and snacks |
| Meal type | Meal kits, prepared meals |
Best prepared meal delivery service: Factor
Key product features
What you should know
Factor offers a variety of premade meals that are ideal for one person. They may also benefit people with dietary preferences, especially folks who follow keto, vegan, or low-calorie diets.
- Overall, our testers were very impressed with the quality, flavor, and portion sizes offered by Factor.
- Factor meals cost slightly more than its competitors. However, when you consider the larger portion sizes it averages out.
- Factor may not be ideal for feeding large families, as each meal comes in a single-serve container.
Why we like Factor as best prepared
Factor delivers tasty, dietitian-approved meals to your door that are ready to eat in minutes. When it comes to variety, Factor outshines many of its competitors, offering a new menu of 35 options each week.
Each meal is nutritionally balanced, consisting of protein, healthy fats, and a side of veggies or grains. Menu options include Shredded Chicken Taco Bowl, Roasted Garlic Chicken, and Stuffed Pepper Beef Casserole.
Our testers found ordering from Factor exceptionally easy. After signing up, you simply select your preferences and start choosing meals.
Like many meal delivery services, Factor’s meals can accommodate a variety of diet preferences. Meal plans offered by the service include:
- Protein plus
- Chef’s choice
- Calorie smart (fewer than 550 calories)
- Keto
- Vegan & Veggie
- Flexitarian
You can choose to receive six to 18 single-serve meals each week, with the option to add extras like apple cinnamon pancakes, breakfast sausage links, cold-pressed juices, and desserts. These meals are ready in about two minutes, and there’s no cleanup needed.
Our tester gave Factor a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on portion size.
“Out of all of the meal delivery services I’ve tried, Factor provided the largest serving sizes.”
Team Product Tester
You’ll want to consider your health goals when choosing meal plans. All nutrition information for Factor’s meals is easily found online and on the product package. Upon analyzing the nutrient composition of these meals, we did find several meals that contained as much as 900 milligrams of sodium. This can make it difficult to follow the American Heart Association’s recommendation of limiting daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day for optimal health. (6)
If you have any questions about your diet or need help setting nutrition goals, you can chat with one of Factor’s dietitians or set up a 20-minute phone consultation free of charge.
Since Factor doesn’t offer prepared meals with multiple servings, we don’t recommend it for large families. “The cost of buying several Factor meals for an entire family would quickly add up. It may not be the best option for families,” our lead product tester and registered dietitian commented.
Check out our full Factor review for more information.
What customers are saying
Factor has over 55,000 Trustpilot reviews. Most customers are happy with the taste, convenience, and menu diversity.
Reviewer Jennifer L. compares Factor to fine dining.
“Food is fresh and feels like fine dining! Always interesting dishes with flavor, never bland. Even my children enjoy them. It makes it very convenient for me as I work in the evenings and my kids have a good meal to prepare easily. Way better than having to call takeout. I definitely recommend it!”
Jennifer L., Trustpilot
Negative reviews mention issues with delivery and customer service. Several customers found Factor’s delivery method to be subpar.
Reviewer Kelz found the delivery process to be frustrating. “For the second week in a row, I did not receive my delivery on time and there were missing items due to product shortages. I ended up calling customer service for a refund because my delivery was dropped off after I had already left town. Unfortunately, they couldn’t even get this right and now I’m going to have to spend another 45 minutes on the phone trying to get the correct refund amount.”
Specs
| Starting price | $12.99 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $10.99; Delivers to the contiguous U.S. |
| Diet options | Low-calorie, low-carb, high protein, keto, vegetarian, vegan |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner with optional add-ons, including breakfast, cold-pressed juices, and dessert |
| Meal type | Prepared meals |
Best affordable meal delivery service: EveryPlate
Key product features
What you should know
EveryPlate minimizes costs by reducing packaging and using simple ingredients. But some meals can require a bit of cooking. Here’s what you should know:
- Overall, our testers were pleased with the flavor, variety, and ingredient quality. However, its meals do require more preparation than many other services.
- EveryPlate’s meals start at $4.99. The company also frequently offers substantial discounts that drop prices to as low as $2.00 per meal.
- This service is ideal for singles, couples, or larger families who enjoy cooking but want to save time planning and shopping for meals.
- Most recipes require additional ingredients, such as oil, butter, salt/pepper, and flour. Be sure to check the recipe card before beginning your meal preparation to ensure all ingredients are on hand.
Why we like EveryPlate as best affordable
With meals starting at just $4.99 per serving (before discounts), EveryPlate is our pick for the best affordable meal delivery service. The company keeps prices low by minimizing packaging and using simple, low-cost ingredients. Despite the low cost, our testers were impressed with the variety, flavor, and portion sizes offered by EveryPlate.
With over 26 weekly menu items that rotate each week, there’s something for just about everyone. Customer favorites include Cheesy Southwest Beef Tacodillas, Cuban-Style Black Bean & Rice Bowls, and White Bean Tomato Stew.
You can sign up by selecting one or more dietary preferences, including:
- Meat & Veggie
- Vegetarian
- Family Faves
- Quick & Easy (ready in 30 minutes or less)
- Calorie Smart (650 calories or less)
Our team of testers gave EveryPlate 4.5 out of 5 stars for ordering. They found it easy to choose meals and liked that several included customization options if you want to swap the veggies or protein included. You can make changes, rate your recipes, and easily manage deliveries with EveryPlate’s free app for Android and iOS.
Although the service offers a variety of weekly meals, one of our product testers found that options became a bit boring after using EveryPlate for several months.
Additionally, vegetarian options are limited, only offering around six meal options each week. So, if you’re following a strict vegetarian diet, you may want to choose a meal service like CookUnity or Purple Carrot that offers more variety.
Overall, our testers were pleased with the freshness of most ingredients. “The majority of ingredients arrive fresh in their whole-food form, which really improves the flavor of meals,” one tester commented.
However, she did find the estimated prep and cook times on the recipe cards to be inaccurate, saying “while the prep time was listed as 10 minutes, I’d say I spent closer to 60 minutes before starting to cook.” Still, she says the taste and quality of the meals make it well worth it.
You’ll want to read the recipe before beginning to cook, as some recipes often call for pantry staples, including salt/pepper, butter, flour, oil, and some condiments that aren’t included.
Ingredients arrive packed and shipped in a box with gel-based ice packs, which were slightly melted upon arrival at our tester’s home. However, she noted that the food remained cold, and she appreciated EveryPlate’s timely delivery.
I’ve personally tried EveryPlate and was pleased with the ingredient quality and meal taste. However, at the time I was looking more for a service that saved time in the kitchen, so I found myself discarding several ingredients that had gone bad before I got around to cooking them.
To learn more, visit our full EveryPlate review.
What customers are saying
EveryPlate has over 21,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Most customers are pleased with the service’s meal selection, ingredient freshness, and taste.
According to verified reviewer Maria B., EveryPlate is just as good or better than other similar meal delivery services, but for a fraction of the cost. She also appreciates the recipe instructions, saying they are easy to follow.
“Not only is EveryPlate just as good as (or better than) both Dinnerly and HelloFresh, but it’s also still the most affordable meal kit service out there.”
Maria B., Trustpilot
Negative reviews mention poor packaging, billing issues, and missing ingredients. Verified reviewer Lisa S. says that her first box arrived with everything she needed, but future boxes were missing ingredients. This led to her canceling future orders.
“The first box had all fresh produce and the correct ingredients. Subsequent boxes contained lesser quality produce & missing ingredients,” she says. “This last box that caused me to cancel was missing most of the ingredients for 2 out of the 3 meals.” She notes this is unfortunate because she loved the meals.
Specs
| Starting price | $4.99 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $9.99; Ships to most areas in the continental U.S. |
| Diet options | Vegetarian, low-calorie |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner with optional add-ons, including extra proteins, veggies, salad kits, breakfast, and dessert |
| Meal type | Meal kits |
Best meal delivery service for seniors: Silver Cuisine by BistroMD
Key product features
What you should know
Silver Cuisine by BistroMD doesn’t offer meal plans or require a minimum purchase, giving customers full control over their meal selection. These meals are ideal for older adults who want to keep ready-made, health-conscious meals on hand for times they aren’t able to cook.
- We appreciate that Silver Cuisine offers meals that fit a variety of diet patterns that are often challenging for older adults to follow at home. However, eating them too often could become monotonous.
- Silver Cuisine offers meals to fit a variety of budgets, with prices starting at $7.99 per meal. Shipping costs nearly $20 for orders under $99, so consider ordering more meals upfront to cut costs.
- Silver Cuisine is a good option for older adults who want to enjoy a balanced, healthy meal that can be reheated in the microwave in minutes.
Why we like Silver Cuisine as best for seniors
Silver Cuisine by BistroMD is a meal delivery service that offers physician-designed meals to support the nutritional needs of adults over the age of 50. All premade meals arrive frozen and can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. They can be reheated in the microwave within minutes.
Unique to Silver Cuisine is that no minimum order is required. You have total control of meals, including which ones you receive, how many, and how often. However, there is a pretty hefty delivery fee of $19.95 for all orders under $99, so we recommend ordering more meals at once to save on shipping costs.
The plan offers over 150 rotating meal options that can accommodate a range of diets often recommended to older adults, including:
- Heart healthy
- Low sodium
- Diabetes-friendly
- Low-carb
- Menopause
- Dairy-free
- Vegetarian
- Mediterranean
- Gluten-free
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options are available. Meal options include everything from Hickory Smoked BBQ Pork with Peach Crisp to Canadian Bacon and Swiss Omelet, and sweet and salty snacks.
While we haven’t gotten a chance to test Silver Cuisine, our product testers have tasted several frozen meals from BistroMD, the service’s parent company. “These meals are pretty darn good for being frozen,” one tester commented, giving the service 4 out of 5 stars for taste.
Silver Cuisine’s low-sodium meals contain less than 600 milligrams of sodium, meeting the American Heart Association’s recommendations for choosing premade meals. (7)
“Sodium consumption is often overlooked among many. Americans over consume sodium, which can be particularly more concerning for seniors since it could impact blood pressure and hydration status.”
Chris Mohr Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor
Silver Cuisine also offers menopause meals that are designed to provide a moderate amount of carbohydrates while focusing on lean protein to support hormone regulation. Studies suggest that higher protein diets can help preserve lean body mass while supporting weight management. In contrast, those who don’t increase their protein intake during menopause are more likely to gain body weight. (8)
Unlike many other meal delivery services that prepare foods in kitchens that handle allergens, Silver Cuisine’s gluten-free meals are prepared in kitchens that follow special protocols to ensure cross-contamination does not occur. As an extra precaution, meals from each batch are randomly sampled and tested to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) gluten-free standard. (9)
As a dietitian, I appreciate the convenience of the medically-tailored meals offered by Silver Cuisine. Many times, I find it difficult for many older adults to prepare meals that align with their dietary needs, especially if they live alone.
What customers are saying
Happy Trustpilot customers are pleased with Silver Cuisine’s meal selection, responsive customer service, and overall taste.
“The meals have great variety and that makes it easier to stick with the program. The food is tasty and I can tell a chef has had a hand in creating the dishes (lots of flavor in different layers). I have used several frozen meal programs like this one, and this is the best. It’s easy to make a couple meals a week myself and alternate it with these pre-made ones.”
Nicole C., Trustpilot
Negative reviews mention bland meals, and a few customers say the meat is tough. This could be a potential drawback for older adults with chewing difficulties.
One verified reviewer, Mean M., says their first order tasted good, but the second order didn’t live up to their expectations. “My first order from Silver Cuisine was, for the most part, good tasting. My second order was awful. Extremely bland, tough protein portions, and the mix of starch/vegetables was unpalatable,” they commented.
Specs
| Starting price | $7.99 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $19.95; Ships to the contiguous U.S.; Orders over $99 ship free |
| Diet options | Vegetarian, gluten-free, heart-healthy, low sodium, menopause, diabetes, dairy-free, low-carb |
| Meal options | Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks |
| Meal type | Prepared meals |
Best organic meal delivery service: Green Chef
Key product features
What you should know
Green Chef is a USDA Certified Organic meal delivery service, which is rare to find. If you’re looking to receive organic produce, pasture-raised chicken, and wild-caught seafood, this service may be a good option.
- While one of our product testers found meals delicious, she noted that portion sizes are often smaller than those offered by other services.
- Meals start at around $12 per serving, which is pricier than many other meal kits.
- Green Chef may be good for people who like to cook but want to reduce time spent planning and shopping for organic meals each week.
- If you’re unsure which Green Chef plan is best for you, take advantage of the company’s free 1:1 consultation with a registered dietitian.
Why we like Green Chef as best organic
Green Chef, a member of the HelloFresh company, is one of the best choices if you’re looking for a completely organic meal. You’ll find fresh, organic produce, sustainably sourced seafood, cage-free eggs, and antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken in each shipment.
With over 80 dietitian-approved recipes to choose from each week, the service caters to a variety of dietary preferences. Some options Green Chef offers include gluten-free, Mediterranean, calorie-smart, plant-based, protein-packed, and keto.
New to the service is Gut & Brain Health recipes, which focus on fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats to boost immunity and energy and reduce bloat. The plan’s Pineapple Chicken with Crispy Grains packs 10 grams of dietary fiber, supplying just over 35% of the daily value (DV). (10)
Despite most Americans not meeting their daily fiber needs, it has been shown to help improve digestion, weight loss, heart health, and blood sugar control. (11)
“If Americans could make one change in their diet, adding more fiber would be a good one to start with. Research suggests just 5% of the population, or 1 in 20 people, meet the fiber recommendations. Any way to boost intake is a step in the right direction.” (12)
Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor
Further, a diet high in antioxidants and fiber—abundant in fruits and vegetables—can help improve immune and gut health and inflammation, among other health benefits. (13)
Need help deciding which meal plan best aligns with your health and wellness goals? You can book a free 1:1 coaching session with one of Green Chef’s registered dietitians.
Recipe preparation typically takes around 30 minutes. But if you’re pressed for time during the week, Green Chef also offers Quick & Easy meals that are ready in less than 25 minutes.
Our testers liked that the recipe instructions were easy to follow and outlined everything you need, including equipment. However, one tester noted that you will use several pieces of kitchen equipment, which can add to clean-up time.
Despite finding the portion sizes smaller than other meal delivery services, our tester found the meals delicious. She rated the service 4.5 out of 5 stars for taste. Favorite dishes included the Chicken Burrito Bowl and Monterey Jack Cheese-Smothered Chicken with Mushrooms and Squash.
All packaging used by Green Chef is recyclable, except when it isn’t appropriate for quality and safety reasons.
Visit our full Green Chef review for more information.
What customers are saying
Green Chef has over 3,100 Trustpilot reviews. Positive reviews mention that the meals are tasty, the recipes are simple and easy to follow, and the ingredients are always fresh.
“We continue to enjoy the healthy, delicious meals which are so quick and easy to prepare and fill the kitchen with wonderful aromas! We are even looking forward to getting more meals per week. The freedom to substitute pre-selected meals with others is a real plus. We have come to love a large number of items on the menu. The weekly box of meals always arrives fresh and well cooled with the recyclable coolant packaging. The proteins which come in vacuum sealed packaging (including fish, shrimp, chicken, pork, beef) are always so fresh. We are great fans!”
Lorraine L., Trustpilot
However, not all reviews are positive, with some reviewers saying that their boxes arrived late, were missing ingredients, or came with rotten vegetables.
Verified reviewer Cathy E. loved the recipes but found the service to be unreliable. She said, “My first box didn’t come in time, but I decided to give them another chance. I’ve had 5 more boxes delayed or canceled since then. It’s not a reliable service, in my opinion.”
Specs
| Starting price | $11.99 per serving |
| Shipping cost/area | $10.99; Ships to the contiguous U.S. |
| Diet options | Gluten-free, Mediterranean, low calorie, plant-based, high protein, keto |
| Meal options | Dinner, with optional add-ons including extra proteins and pre-made breakfast, lunch, and dessert options |
| Meal type | Meal kits, prepared meals in the Green Market |
Best meal delivery service for couples: Blue Apron
Key product features
What you should know
Blue Apron delivers fresh ingredients to help people of all skill levels cook delicious meals at home. The service offers meal kits that are pre-portioned to reduce food waste and keep you satisfied.
- Overall, our testers were satisfied with Blue Apron’s menu selection and portion sizes. That said, some meals lacked flavor.
- Starting at $7.99 per meal, Blue Apron is slightly cheaper than competing meal delivery services.
- Blue Apron may be a good option for couples or small families looking to spend time grocery shopping while still spending time together in the kitchen.
Why we like Blue Apron as best for couples
Blue Apron is a meal delivery kit that provides over 80 weekly meal options with top-quality, fresh ingredients in each box.
Our product testers appreciated that the service uses hormone-free meats, sustainably sourced seafood, and non-GMO ingredients. “Blue Apron’s ingredient standards support farmers, animal welfare, and the environment,” one tester commented.
And if your ingredients don’t arrive ready to enjoy, you can take advantage of Blue Apron’s 7-Day Freshness Guarantee, which offers refunds or credits to customers who are not satisfied.
Blue Apron offers a variety of pre-portioned meal kits for couples that our testers say will leave you both feeling satisfied. Choose from classic Italian-style pasta, Korean-inspired dishes, and premium recipes like Duck Frites that introduce new flavors and advanced cooking techniques.
For nights that you don’t feel like cooking, Blue Apron also offers Prepared & Ready meals that arrive fresh and can be heated in as little as two minutes.
Each weekly menu features vegetarian, pescatarian, low-carb, keto, and Wellness recipes with 600 calories or less. The service also offers four-serving meal kits if you need to feed more people.
Our tester gave Blue Apron 3.5 out of 5 stars for taste, saying that while some meals are flavorful, others are bland.
Check out our full Blue Apron review for more information.
“While the salmon in my most recent box was flavorful, the whole-grain Romesco pasta in that box was mediocre.”
Team Product Tester
What customers are saying
Blue Apron has nearly 6,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Reviews are mainly positive, with many customers expressing satisfaction with the service’s ingredient quality, variety, and delicious recipes.
Verified reviewer Joe enjoys the food and cooking techniques the service has introduced him to.
“We love getting Blue Apron meals. It gave us a chance to make dinners that we wouldn’t normally make and new ways to prepare vegetables and side dishes that we can repeat on our own when we cook.”
Joe, Trustpilot
Unsatisfied customers have reported issues like missing ingredients and delayed delivery, especially with the holiday boxes offered by Blue Apron. Reviewer John H. gave the service a 3-star rating, commenting, “It was nice not to worry about shopping for a holiday meal, however, the box didn’t include the potatoes and I didn’t notice until right before I was going to make them. So, I had an emergency run to the grocery store.”
Specs
| Starting price | Starts at $7.99 per serving |
| Shipping cost/area | $10.99; Ships to the contiguous U.S. |
| Diet options | Vegetarian, pescatarian, low-carb, keto, and low-calorie |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner, with optional add-ons, including breakfast, dessert, salad kits, and appetizers |
| Meal type | Meal kits, prepared meals |
Best meal delivery service for beginners: HelloFresh
Key product features
What you should know
HelloFresh offers a larger meal selection than many other services, with over 45 weekly meal options. All recipes come with step-by-step instructions that include pictures for additional guidance.
- Our testers were satisfied with HelloFresh’s ease of use and flavors. However, some customers want more consistency with packaging and ingredient quality.
- Meals start at just under $10, which is average for a meal delivery service.
- HelloFresh is a solid option for beginners looking to explore new flavors in a convenient way. We don’t recommend the service for people with food allergies or who are looking for paleo or keto meal kits.
- Take advantage of HelloFresh’s free app to easily see nutritional information for each meal, update delivery preferences, and more.
Why we like HelloFresh as best for beginners
HelloFresh is one of the world’s largest and most popular meal delivery kits. It offers balanced meals and easy-to-follow recipes for chefs of all skill levels.
A recent study analyzing HelloFresh recipes in Australia found that many meals have health-promoting qualities, often prioritizing vegetable ingredients. However, some were high in sodium, with over 2,000 milligrams per serving. As such, the study’s authors called for recipe adjustments to improve the overall health benefits of these meals. (14)
We think that beginners will like HelloFresh recipes because they are beginner-friendly and don’t involve complicated steps or require advanced cooking techniques.
Although some dicing, mixing, and chopping are required, our testers found the prep work to be minimal, taking 5-10 minutes, depending on the complexity of the meal. They also appreciated that most meals only required dirtying one or two dishes, making cleanup a breeze.
We were impressed with HelloFresh’s large rotating meal selection, with over 100 breakfast, lunch, and dinner options each week. One of our testers, who has been using the service for years, likes that the expanded menu allows her to venture out and try new foods.
“I have my favorites that I regularly order, but HelloFresh allows me to expand my palate and explore new dishes.”
Team Product Tester
With HelloFresh’s Market Place, you can also add standard grocery items and quick breakfast, lunch, and snack options.
Although meals don’t include pantry staples like salt/pepper and oil, our tester said she was almost always pleased with the taste of HelloFresh’s meals, giving them 4.5 out of 5 stars. She also noted that the meal kits yield generous portion sizes, saying, “The portion sizes are enough to fill you up. There are many times when I’m full before I finish my plate.”
Unfortunately, despite offering a variety of recipes and family-friendly options, HelloFresh may not be the best choice for those with specific dietary restrictions. At this time, the company only offers pescatarian, vegetarian, and low-calorie meal kits. So, if you’re looking to follow a paleo, keto, vegan, or gluten-free diet, you may want to consider another meal service.
If you’re a healthcare professional, military worker, veteran, teacher, or first responder, be sure to check out HelloFresh’s HERO program to save on your deliveries.
Read our full HelloFresh review to learn more.
What customers are saying
HelloFresh has over 54,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with many customers noting their satisfaction with the service they received.
Happy customers, like verified reviewer Julie, appreciate that HelloFresh meals are easy to prepare, noting that “everything is packaged well and recipes aren’t very difficult.” She also enjoys the flexibility of having different meals without having to purchase full-size items. Julie mentioned that anytime ingredients were missing, customer service was helpful. “I’ve had a few problems with ingredients but customer service is very responsive,” she added.
Some negative reviews mention missing items, ingredients not arriving fresh, and billing issues.
Reviewer Tony K. initially found satisfaction with HelloFresh’s early shipments but noticed a decline in packaging and ingredient quality with subsequent deliveries. “My last two shipments were missing ingredients and one of the meals was completely wrong. I have since canceled my subscription,” he wrote.
Specs
| Starting price | $9.99 per serving |
| Shipping cost/area | $10.99; Ships to the contiguous U.S. |
| Diet options | Pescatarian, vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carb |
| Meal options | Lunch and dinner, with optional add-ons, including quick breakfasts, lunches, snacks, desserts |
| Meal type | Meal kits |
Best gluten-free meal delivery service: BistroMD Gluten-Free Plan
Key product features
What you should know
BistroMD stands out for gluten-free meals, batch testing each meal so that it meets FDA standards. The service offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that arrive frozen and ready to heat.
- Our testers liked the flavor of meals offered on BistroMD’s signature plan, although one tester needed to incorporate more snacks to maintain satiety.
- BistroMD offers a free consultation with their team of registered dietitians to help you customize a plan to meet your needs.
- Frozen meals start at $10.99, which is average compared to other premade meal delivery services.
- This service may be good for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who (with approval from their healthcare provider) are interested in trying a gluten-free diet.
Why we like BistroMD as best gluten-free
A lifelong diet that restricts gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley—is the only treatment option for those diagnosed with celiac disease. (15)
However, if you’ve received a negative blood test for celiac disease yet experience bloating, gas, or brain fog after consuming gluten, your provider may suggest trying a gluten-free diet. That’s because these symptoms may be a sign of “non-celiac gluten sensitivity,” a condition characterized by digestive issues that often improve with a gluten-free diet. Unfortunately, gluten sensitivity can be very difficult to diagnose, and researchers are still learning about the condition. (15)
Further, despite its rising popularity, there’s no solid evidence to suggest a gluten-free diet improves health in people without a gluten-related condition. (17)
If you and your health care provider determine that a gluten-free diet is right for you, a meal delivery service, such as BistroMD, may be a helpful option.
“Many years ago I worked with a teenager who had celiac disease, and we would comb the grocery store aisles reading label after label. For someone with a severe gluten allergy like him, gluten-free meal kits would have been welcomed.”
Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor
BistroMD offers a rotating weekly menu that features nearly 50 gluten-free breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. While the service itself is not certified gluten-free, all meals are prepared in USDA-certified kitchens that follow sanitation and allergen separation regulations. As an added layer of protection, all meals are batch-tested to ensure they meet the FDA standard, containing less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. (18)
You’ll begin by taking a short quiz that asks various questions about your lifestyle and dietary preferences, including whether you have food allergies and your main diet concern. Once prompted, choose “Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free” and enter your name and email address to receive your suggested meal plan.
Choose between 5 or 7-day plans, which include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or lunch and dinner only. Some customer favorites on the gluten-free plan include Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Yuca Fries, Sesame Chicken, and Artichoke, Spinach, and Roasted Red Pepper Frittata. You can also add on snacks, including protein bars, beef jerky, and gluten-free chips.
Each meal is nutritionally balanced, with approximately 40% of calories coming from lean protein, 30% from healthy fats, and 30% from complex carbs.
It’s worth noting that BistroMD is a meal delivery service for weight loss, averaging 1,200-1,400 calories for a full day’s worth of meals and snacks. And while our product tester didn’t try the gluten-free menu specifically, she pointed out that most meals are less than 400 calories, which may not be enough for an active person. “The meals are high in fiber so the small portion sizes are relatively filling, though I usually finish off the meals with a protein shake a few minutes later,” she said.
To ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs while achieving your health goals, we recommend taking advantage of BistroMD’s free dietitian consultation.
Read our full BistroMD review for additional details.
What customers are saying
BistroMD has nearly 600 Trustpilot reviews. Many customers are impressed with the flavor and quality of gluten-free meals offered by BistroMD.
We think Trustpilot reviewer Karen R., who is gluten-free with multiple food allergies, sums up the positive reviews well.
“BistroMD has been able to work with my needs. I have not been disappointed with the quality of the ingredients or the quality of the cooking.”
Karen R., Trustpilot
Several customers, including verified reviewer Catherine., hope to see a larger variety of gluten-free meals in the future, especially breakfast. “I also would like to see more variety in breakfasts. A gluten-free waffle, pancake, or bagel would be nice,” she commented.
However, it seems that the service has taken these suggestions into consideration as a recent menu features gluten-free waffles served with scrambled eggs and turkey sausage.
Specs
| Starting price | $10.99 per meal |
| Shipping cost/area | $19.99; Ships to the contiguous U.S. |
| Diet options | Gluten-free, heart-healthy, diabetes, vegan, keto flex, menopause |
| Meal options | Dinner, with optional add-ons, including breakfast, lunch, sides, beverages, and proteins |
| Meal type | Prepared meals |
Best keto meal delivery service: Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto Meal Plan
Key product features
What you should know
Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto Meal Plan allows you to order up to 21 fresh, never-frozen keto-friendly meals each week. The meals feature organic ingredients when possible and come with a money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied with your first delivery.
- While most customers seem to be satisfied with the quality and service of these meals, some people have complained of meals being too spicy.
- Meals start at around $11, which puts them on the higher end of the price range for meal delivery services.
- While Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto Meal Plan is a good option for keto dieters, the company also offers several other diet options. These include allergen-free, Mediterranean, high protein, Whole 30, vegan, and vegetarian.
- Meals arrive in vacuum-sealed trays, which keep them fresh for 7-10 days in the refrigerator. Meals can be safely stored in the freezer for 6-8 weeks.
- If you’re considering starting a keto diet, it’s a good idea to run it by your doctor or registered dietitian first since it involves making significant changes to your diet.
Why we like Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto Meal Plan as best keto
Thanks to its variety and quality, Fresh N’ Lean is our top pick for the best keto meal delivery service. Though more research is needed, some evidence suggests that the keto diet—which typically cuts carbs to fewer than 50 grams per day—may help with weight loss, appetite control, and abdominal fat reduction. (19)
On average, meals on the keto plan provide 30 grams of protein, 10 grams of net carbs, 32 grams of healthy fats, and 460 calories to keep you full until your next meal.
If you’re trying to follow a keto diet but are finding it hard to cook every day, Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto Meal Plan can help alleviate some stress.
The service offers fully prepared, flavorful keto meals that arrive fresh and ready in just three minutes in the microwave. Unlike many other meal delivery services, Fresh N’ Lean has you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner–along with snacks in between.
To get started, select keto from the list of diet preferences at sign-up. You can also exclude up to three ingredients and note any dietary allergies. The company says they do their best to accommodate special allergy requests.
Choose from over 17 weekly meals, with creative options ranging from Taco Seasoned Meat and Veggie Skillet with Cheddar Cheese to Lemon Butter Seared Salmon with Garlicky Brussels Hash and Vegetable Scramble with Chicken Apple Sausage. You also have the option to add on kids’ meals, desserts, and snacks.
And if you’re ordering meals for your partner or family member, you can combine keto meals with other diets, like Mediterranean, protein plus, Whole 30, vegan, and vegetarian.
While meals aren’t certified organic, they do feature organic ingredients when possible. One of our testers, who tried Fresh N’ Lean’s paleo meals, said she was shocked at the quality and flavor of these meals, giving them 5 out of 5 stars for taste. “Looking at them, I didn’t think they would taste good, but I was surprised!”
She and her partner were both pleased with the quality and flavor of the grass-fed steak, which is commonly featured on the company’s keto plan.
“The steak was cooked medium and was perfect. Even the Brussels sprouts, which didn’t look very appetizing after microwaving, were still a little crispy.”
Team Product Tester
One drawback of the service is that our product tester found it difficult to cancel her subscription, saying, “There was nowhere online for me to cancel my order, so I ended up having to call customer service.”
What customers are saying
Fresh N’ Lean has over 5,200 Trustpilot reviews. Customers appreciate the company’s convenience, flavor, and customer service.
“I have been ordering five meals of the keto every week for the past four months (that’s my lunch for work). All of the meals have been good, some better than others, but still good. I’ve only had one meal that was damaged, but that was taken care of, by them giving me credit on my next order.”
Billy, Trustpilot
However, some buyers find the meal selection on the keto meal plan repetitive. Others mention that the keto meals are too spicy.
“Take it easy on the pepper and jalapeño. I switched from Mediterranean to keto. Every Mediterranean meal tasted the same and gave me heartburn. I just got my first keto today and had the Southwest Salmon. Pepper pepper pepper. Really? Do you own a pepper factory?,” a verified Trustpilot reviewer named Bob D. commented.
Note that if you prefer to avoid spicy meals, you can select up to three ingredients to exclude from your meal plan, including spicy ingredients.
Specs
| Starting price | $10.49 |
| Shipping cost/area | $9.99; Ships to all 50 states—orders over 100$ in the contiguous U.S. ship free |
| Diet options | Keto, allergen-free, Mediterranean, high protein, Whole 30, vegan, and vegetarian |
| Meal options | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with optional add-ons, including snacks, coffee, and desserts |
| Meal type | Prepared meals |
How we test meal delivery services
Meal delivery services offer easy access to balanced, nutritious meals, including ingredients that you may not be able to find locally. Plus, they can help you reach your health and fitness goals by simplifying meal planning and preparation–especially if you’re busy or have a particular preference or dietary restriction.
However, we know that every meal delivery service may not be a good fit for every person’s dietary needs or lifestyle. That’s why we aim 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.
You can find our full meal delivery service testing methodology 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 allow for customization. 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%
Here’s what we consider when looking at customers’ experience with a meal delivery service.
- Packaging
- Ease of preparation
- Reviews
- Customer service
What to consider when choosing a meal delivery service
Like other services, you’ll find that prices, preparation time, ingredients, and diet options can significantly differ between companies. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best meal delivery service for your lifestyle.
Research the company
Check customer reviews to learn about what customers love (or don’t love) about a service you’re interested in. The odds are that if numerous people have the same complaint, there might be an issue worth considering. On the flip side, if most customers have positive things to say, it’s more likely to be an option worth considering.
Keep in mind that, when reading reviews, it’s best to visit a trusted third-party website such as Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau rather than the company’s website, which may be biased.
Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns after reading reviews, reach out to customer service for clarification.
Set a budget
Cost can be a deal-breaker, especially when on a tight budget. Most meal delivery services range from $7 to $11 per meal. If you opt to receive a week’s worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you could spend nearly $250 after shipping. This may be more than you spend on groceries each week, so it’s important to choose a service that fits within your budget.
Most companies offer substantial discounts on initial orders, which gives you an opportunity to try a few different options out while saving money. Additionally, look out for shipping discounts, which are sometimes offered for larger purchases.
Consider your dietary needs
You’ll want to make sure the service you choose can accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences you may have. This is very important, especially if you have a dietary allergy or a health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure that restricts your food options.
Determine how much cooking you want to do
Some meal delivery services offer meal kits that require advanced cooking techniques and more slicing and chopping than others. Not only does this add to the prep time, but it also is likely to increase cleanup time as well. This is something you’ll want to consider, especially if you’re choosing a meal delivery service to save time.
Benefits of meal delivery services
Meal delivery services are great options for people who are short on time and may not want to develop a new menu each week. If you’re stuck in a cooking rut, these services can offer you creative ways to add new foods to your diet while providing portion control, which can be especially helpful for people watching their calorie intake.
Saves time
A big advantage of meal delivery services is the time they can save you; all meal services should tell you how long it takes to prepare a meal, so you can know what to expect upfront. In addition to being able to quickly have dinner on the table, meal delivery services also save you the time and energy you’d usually spend on grocery shopping.
Cost-efficient
The meal delivery services we reviewed range from $4.99 to $12.99 per serving, which, if you compare to ordering in or dining at restaurants, can save you money. If you’re someone who shops without a list or buys impulse items you don’t really need, subscribing to meal delivery services may help you stick to a budget.
Convenient for special diets and health goals
Meal delivery services can also be beneficial for people who are trying to:
- Reach certain health goals (weight loss, muscle gain, weight gain, etc.)
- Follow a specialized diet
- Eat a more balanced, whole foods-based diet
Reduces food waste
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that 30% to 40% of food waste in the United States is caused by supply chain issues, food spoilage during processing, and inefficient storage in households (21).
Meal delivery services can help you reduce food waste by providing the exact ingredients or meals without extras that might go bad before you eat them.
Who are meal delivery services good for?
Meal delivery services come in two varieties: meal prep kits and prepared meals. Meal prep kits are great for people learning to cook because they have pre-portioned food and step-by-step instructions with pictures of the prepared meal on the recipe card. If you’re not someone who wants to cook, a meal delivery service with fresh or frozen meals that you can quickly heat in the microwave might be a better option. Meal delivery services offer a wide variety of cuisines for different eating preferences and can be a good choice if you want to mix up your weekly menu.
Other meal delivery services we reviewed
When narrowing down the best meal delivery services, we also evaluated Diet-to-Go. We liked it for pre-portioned, calorie-controlled meals. You can choose from vegetarian, keto, and meals for people with diabetes. Diet-to-Go also offers professional coaching with a registered dietitian, which is great to have someone who understands weight control with a background in nutrition. One downside is that some of the meals are high in sodium, which is not ideal for someone watching their blood pressure, but subscribers can see the nutrition labels of each meal and it is very easy to swap out for another dish.
Another meal delivery service we tested was Dinnerly, which is a meal kit good for families and offers large portions. Subscribers can choose between two and six meals per week; and two to four servings per meal. You can choose low-calorie, low-carb, picky eater approved, quick and easy, and vegetarian. Dinnerly also offers a gluten-free friendly option but this is for people who do not have celiac disease and avoid gluten for other health reasons. Dinnerly offers a nice mix of cuisines for people who are looking to add variety to their menu and most meals only take about 30 minutes to prepare. One thing we didn’t love was the pricey delivery fee of $11.99.
FAQs
Do meal kits actually save money?
While you can typically prepare your own meals for less, meal kits are cheaper than ordering or dining out. So, if you frequently rely on fast food or takeout, you can save a few dollars by switching to meal kits. These services also can save money by reducing food waste.
Are meal delivery services worth it?
Meal delivery services can be worthwhile for many people, especially if you appreciate the convenience, variety, and quality they offer. However, it’s essential to choose a service that fits your lifestyle and budget to maximize the value.
What are the most popular meal delivery services?
HelloFresh is one of the most popular meal delivery services in the United States. However, other services, including Blue Apron, Home Chef, and Factor also have large customer bases.
Is it easy to cancel a meal delivery service?
Most meal delivery services allow you to skip or cancel your order easily using their website or mobile app. However, some services may make the cancellation process more difficult, requiring you to call customer service or fill out a survey before canceling.
Which meal delivery service is best for one person?
We’d recommend CookUnity or Factor as meal services for singles who want prepared meals to heat and eat. Both offer a variety of meals for one that you can heat up quickly in the microwave, although some customers note heating up the meals in the oven elevates taste and texture.
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
Christopher 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.
Lily Moe
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.
Jessica Coulon
Jessica Coulon is a contributing editor and writer for Fortune Recommends™ who specializes in fitness, health, nutrition, and science content. Previously, she was an editor for Popular Mechanics and Bicycling, where she covered pro cycling news, wrote how-to guides, and tested all the latest and greatest bike gear. She was also a regular shoe tester and contributor for Runner’s World. You can often find her skiing or riding her mountain bike, and racing with the F1RE female enduro team.
Harry Neale, Ph.D.
Dr. Neale holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied languages and literature. He has taught language courses, as well as writing-intensive literature and history courses, worked as a translator and researcher, and has 10 years of experience editing and fact-checking academic and B2B content.
Lindsey DeSoto
RDN, LD, Fortune Recommends Nutrition Writer
About Author
Lindsey DeSoto is an experienced registered dietitian who enjoys staying up to date on the latest research and sharing her knowledge through writing. Her writing and expertise have been featured in various publications, including Verywell Health, Medical News Today, Health, and CNBC.