Best Meal Delivery Services

Blue Apron is our top pick for home delivery of meal kits

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Best Meal Delivery Services of 2022

Simply Recipes / Designed by Amelia Manley

If you'd rather not cook or don't have the time to do so, meal delivery services have you covered. But with so many choices on the meal delivery market, selecting the best one can be a challenge.

The key is finding a service that fits your needs, whether you're seeking an option that caters to families, kitchen newbies, or dietary restrictions. We researched the best meal delivery services and ranked them accordingly.

Best Meal Delivery Services of 2023

  • Best Overall: Blue Apron

    Blue Apron

    Blue Apron

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It

    Blue Apron is a smart go-to for fledgling cooks who want to try out new ingredients and flavors with ease and comfort.

    Pros
    The company's longevity (operating since 2012)
    Variety of meals and options for special diets
    Quality add-ons, including kitchen gear

    Cons
    Not good for picky eaters

    Overview
    Blue Apron has been in the meal delivery game for a long time, and its business has become a one-stop depot for foodies who love to eat but feel intimidated by cooking. You can choose from nearly 20 dinners each week, many with an international flair, like mushroom mazemen, togarashi tilapia, and shawarma turkey skillet. Meals for special diets include vegetarian, wellness, and Weight Watchers-friendly recipes. Most recipes require about 35 minutes to be ready and each one includes clear step-by-step photos to help you along the way. Blue Apron also has a marketplace where you can purchase wine and stock your kitchen with brand-name kitchen gear, from skillets to forged Japanese knives to ... yes, blue aprons.

    Pricing and Plans
    2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving
    4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving
    2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving
    3 meals with 4 servings each: $8.49 per serving
    4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving
    Shipping: $9.99

    Meals We Tried

    Meal Kits
    Togarashi shrimp and vegetable fried rice 
    Space Ranger chicken enchiladas 
    One-pan white bean and poblano shakshuka 
    Baked meatballs and romesco mayo 

    Prepared Meals
    Sweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame 
    Chicken alfredo pasta with peas

  • Best Variety: HelloFresh

    HelloFresh

    HelloFresh

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $7.49 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states + Honolulu and Anchorage
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It

    HelloFresh is a classic standby in the meal delivery game. An impressive weekly variety of meals, none of which are too out there, take the uncertainty out of leaping into meal kits.

    Pros
    Quick and easy recipe options
    Plenty of weekly variety

    Cons
    No free shipping

    Overview
    HelloFresh is like your trustworthy bestie, so it’s no surprise it recruited Mindy Kaling to be a spokesperson. Over 60 weekly menu and market items offer something for everyone, especially cooks who don't want to branch out too much. HelloFresh's focus is on its array of meal kits, with no heat-and-eat options or other fripperies. Bruschetta burgers, hoisin honey chicken, and black bean and poblano flautas are a few examples of menu choices. The average recipe takes 30 minutes to make, but you can select your preference for quick and easy meals (as well as fit and wholesome, family-friendly, and veggie). Offerings are only for dinner unless you like hearty lunches.

    Pricing and Plans
    6 meals with 4 servings each: $8.99 per serving
    6 meals with 2 servings each: $9.79 per serving
    4 meals with 4 servings each: $9.29 per serving
    4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.79 per serving
    2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.79 per serving
    2 meals with 2 servings each: $12.49 per serving
    Shipping: $10.99

    Meals We Tried
    Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken 
    BBQ cheddar burgers 
    Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa 
    Pork sausage rigatoni rosa

  • Best Value: Dinnerly

    Dinnerly

    Dinnerly

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $4.99 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It

    This budget-friendly service keeps it simple with fewer steps, fewer ingredients, and lots of mainstream appeal.

    Pros
    Lower cost than most services
    Bunch and dessert add-ons at holidays

    Cons
    Not customizable
    Not as many diet options

    Overview
    Dinnerly is the bare-bones counterpart of Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon. From the packaging to the recipes, everything is streamlined to keep costs and time investment down. It even skips recipe cards—the info is all available on your phone or tablet. Recipes are generally crowd-pleasing, but with some fun tweaks that shouldn't put off most picky eaters. Smash burgers with oven fries, cheesy skillet pulled pork enchiladas, and shrimp alfredo are a few examples of weekly menu options, and each meal takes only five steps to make.

    Pricing and Plans
    3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.04 per serving
    4 meals with 2 servings each: $8.04 per serving
    5 meals with 2 servings each: $7.64 per serving
    6 meals with 2 servings each: $7.24 per serving
    3 meals with 4 servings each: $7.14 per serving
    4 meals with 4 servings each: $6.64 per serving
    5 meals with 4 servings each: $6.19 per serving
    6 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving
    Shipping: $11.99

    Meals We Tried
    BBQ cheeseburger with sautéed onions and smashed potatoes
    Low-cal veggie drunken noodles with broccoli, peppers, and cilantro
    Grass-fed ground beef and cheddar quesadillas with corn
    Caramel chicken stir-fry with snow peas and jasmine rice

  • Best Organic: Green Chef

    Green-Chef-Logo

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $11.99 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It

    A commitment to sourcing high-quality ingredients and keeping flavors fresh makes Green Chef stand out from the pack.

    Pros
    Many choices for special diets
    Lunch, snack, and protein add-ons

    Cons
    Price is on the higher end

    Overview
    If organic ingredients are important to you, Green Chef is right up your alley. As a USDA-certified organic company, all of Green Chef's produce and eggs are organic, and all of its proteins are raised with high animal welfare standards. Each week, Green Chef's rotating menu includes 30 flavorful dishes, with options like Tuscan chicken soup, cauliflower couscous bowls, and crispy tilapia tacos. Some meals accommodate certain dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, and you can order up to six servings of each meal, making Green Chef a great pick for families.

    Pricing and Plans
    3 meals with 2 servings each: $13.49 per serving
    4 meals with 2 servings each: $12.99 per serving
    2 meals with 4 servings each: $12.99 per serving
    3 meals with 4 servings each: $12.49 per serving
    4 meals with 4 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    3 meals with 6 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    4 meals with 6 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    Shipping: $9.99

    Meals We Tried
    Harissa-spiced shrimp 
    Sesame ginger bavette steak and shrimp 
    Middle Eastern-style chickpea bowls 
    Maple glazed carrots with figs

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • Best Vegan: Purple Carrot

    Purple Carrot

    Purple Carrot

    Get $35 off your first box with code SIMPLY35

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $11 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It 

    For longtime vegans or those just trying it out, Purple Carrot offers colorful meals packed with whole foods and big flavors.

    Pros
    100% plant-based offerings
    Breakfast, lunch, and snack add-ons

    Cons
    Not as many recipe options per week as other services

    Overview
    Purple Carrot provides nourishing food for plant-based eaters in search of vibrant meals. Plant-based meat shows up occasionally, but usually, the ingredients speak for themselves. There are gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, low-calorie, and high-protein options with cook time averaging 30 minutes. Add lunch and breakfast kits or ready-made snacks to your order, if you like.

    Pricing and Plans
    Purple Carrot’s pricing starts at $11 per serving, and customers can choose from meal kits or prepared meals, two or four servings, and a choice of three or four meals per week. Shipping varies, and there are discounts if you opt to subscribe to a recurring meal delivery service, which can be paused or canceled at any time.

    Meals We Tried

    Meal Kits

    Sesame orange tofu with roasted green beans and sticky rice
    Curry roasted cauliflower with masala chickpeas and ginger cucumber salsa
    Rajas tacos with avocado and roasted corn salsa

    Prepared Meals
    Peanut noodles with gingered edamame and braised tofu
    Creamy mac and cheese with peso peas and sun-dried tomatoes
    Spelt risotto with summer vegetable caponata
    Chilled curried chickpea salad with dates and quinoa red pepper pilaf
    Tofu palak paneer with carrot biryani

  • Best Gluten-Free: ModifyHealth

    Modify Health
    Modify Health.

    Modify Health 

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $12.95 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It
    If you suffer from gluten sensitivities or chronic health conditions, ModifyHealth's dietitian-approved meal programs are an excellent option.

    Pros
    Entire menu is gluten-free and low in sodium
    Meals come prepared and ready to reheat
    Dietitian support available

    Cons
    Full meal program can be pricey

    Overview
    ModifyHealth teams up with dietitians to create menus of chef-made meals for people suffering from gastroenterological, digestive, and inflammation issues. The company features both low-FODMAP and Mediterranean meal plans with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, all of which are gluten-free and low in sodium. Organic ingredients are used in the meals whenever possible, and you can receive complimentary dietitian support if you sign up for ModifyHealth's full meal programs.

    Pricing and Plans
    Entrees: start at $12.95 a serving
    Full meal program packages: start at $129.50 a week, which includes dietitian support
    Shipping: free

    Meals We Tried
    Greek chicken and rice
    Longevity stew with black-eyed peas and kale
    Shrimp chimichurri with black beans and rice
    Lemon thyme chicken with tahini cauliflower and za'atar quinoa
    Blackened salmon with quinoa, broccoli, and red bell pepper
    Roasted pistachio salmon with white beans and kale

  • Best Pre-Made Meals: Factor

    Factor
    Factor

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $11 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It
    Factor caters to a variety of diets with its ever-changing weekly menu that boasts a slew of fresh and flavorful heat-and-eat meals.

    Pros
    Meals are ready to eat in minutes
    Fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients
    Complimentary dietitian consultation

    Cons
    Limited plant-based options may be a negative for some
    Shipping costs extra

    Overview
    With a rotating menu that changes week to week, Factor prides itself on ready-to-heat, single-serving recipes made with fresh, responsibly-sourced ingredients. Choose from mouthwatering entrees like parmesan-crusted chicken, smoked tofu stir-fry, and salmon with mango salsa, along with add-on options like smoothies, shakes, desserts, and healthy snacks. While the menu caters to keto and low-carb diets, it also accommodates other dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Best of all, the meals arrive fresh and only take two minutes in the microwave to enjoy.

    Pricing and Plans
    Factor operates on a volume-based pricing system, so the more meals you order, the lower the price per serving. You can order six, eight, 10, 12, 14, or 18 meals per week, with prices ranging from $10.99 to $12.99 per serving, depending on how many you order. Here's a brief price breakdown:

    6 meals per week: $12.99 per serving
    8 meals per week: $12.49 per serving
    10 meals per week: $11.99 per serving

    12 meals per week: $11.49 per serving
    14 meals per week: $11.19 per serving
    18 meals per week: $10.99 per serving

    Meals We Tried
    Mango salsa salmon with coconut rice and black beans
    Creamy parmesan chicken with broccoli and tomatoes
    Vegetable ratatouille with mascarpone polenta
    Smoked tofu almond stir-fry with edamame succotash

  • Best for Avid Cooks: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon

    Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon

     Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon

    Key Specs:
    Starting Price: $8.70 per serving
    Delivery Area: 48 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It 

    Appealing dinners that aren’t too complicated and plenty of weekly menu choices make this plan an all-around solid pick.

    Pros
    Six-step meals ready in 30 minutes
    Appealing recipes with a curated feel

    Cons
    No add-ons

    Overview
    Like everything else in Martha Stewart's empire, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon has a curated feel that’s also approachable, with a broad appeal. Beef bibimbap with shiitake mushrooms, cream chicken Florentine, and black bean burger with sweet potato fries are just a sampling of menu options. There’s a little bio for each recipe’s developer to give it a more personal feel, and step-by-step photos leave no guesswork in meal prep and assembly. You’ll find family-friendly, low-carb, low-calorie, and vegetarian options—but no heat-and-eat entrees or add-ons. An “ingredient hub” page makes it easy to scrutinize recipes for ingredients that are off-limits for you.

    Pricing and Plans
    2 meals with 2 servings each: $12.99 per serving
    3 meals with 2 servings each: $10.99 per serving
    4 meals with 2 servings each: $10.49 per serving
    5 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving
    6 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving
    2 meals with 4 servings each: $10.49 per serving
    3 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving
    4 meals with 4 servings each: $8.99 per serving
    5 meals with 4 servings each: $8.99 per serving
    6 meals with 4 servings each: $8.70 per serving

    Shipping: $11.99

    Meals We Tried
    Greek chicken gyro with chopped salad and garlic sauce 
    Broccoli Reuben, Russian dressing wedge salad 
    Oven fried beef taquitos, tomatillo salsa, and jalapeños 
    Gochujang turkey ragu with fresh udon, cilantro, and scallions

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • Best for Easy Prep: Gobble

    Gobble Logo

    Gobble

    Key Specs
    Starting Price: $11.99 per serving
    Delivery Area: 47 states
    Products Arrive: Fresh

    Why You Should Try It
    Gobble's line of quick-cooking meal kits allows you to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal in a mere 15 minutes.

    Pros
    Diverse variety of meals
    Quick and easy prep
    Meals available in two or four servings

    Cons
    Relatively expensive
    Few diets accommodated

    Overview
    Whether you're planning a date night or you simply want to whip up an easy gourmet meal after a long day, Gobble is a great choice for quick and tasty dinners. The company offers a diverse selection of chef-prepared meals, from Tuscan sirloin steak with mushrooms and fettuccine to Caribbean vegetable rondon stew. You'll also find soups, salads, sides, and desserts on the menu. With pre-prepped and pre-portioned ingredients that eliminate cooking steps, each meal is designed to be ready to hit the table in 15 minutes.

    Pricing and Plans
    2 meals with 2 servings each: $16.99 per serving
    3 meals with 2 servings each: $14.99 per serving
    4 meals with 2 servings each: $12.99 per serving
    5 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    2 meals with 4 servings each: $12.99 per serving
    3 meals with 4 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    4 meals with 4 servings each: $11.99 per serving
    5 meals with 4 servings each: $11.99 per serving

    Meals We Tried
    Scampi-style chicken with linguine in lemon garlic butter sauce
    Chimichurri fish tacos with shredded cabbage
    Grilled king salmon with heirloom tomato panzanella
    Korean bulgogi beef lettuce cups with sweet potato noodles

Final Verdict

After sampling numerous meal delivery services, we found Blue Apron to be the best overall. Its rotating menu of flavorful gourmet dinners features both meal kits and Heat & Eat prepared meals, so there's something for every type of cook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Services That Deliver Three Portions?

All of the services we researched only have plans for two or four portions and Green Chef has plans for six as well. The exceptions are services with only heat-and-eat meals, which you order by the meal itself.


Is It Easy to Cancel or Pause a Meal Delivery Service?

Every company we looked into has very clear policies allowing you to cancel when you want. However, some do need advance notice so they can stop before your next shipment goes out.

Likewise, pausing a meal delivery service for a few weeks isn’t a problem. Companies can even send deliveries to other addresses for a period (like a vacation house).

Do Meal Kits Really Cut Food Waste?

If you’re looking at post-consumer food waste (food people buy to cook at home but never do), they do cut down on it. However, there are other resources the kits use, such as fuel needed for delivery and kit packaging. The bottom line: Studies suggest meal kits have a smaller carbon footprint than regular grocery shopping.


Can You Recycle Meal Kit Packaging?

People who use meal kits often criticize the volume of packaging they use. Almost every service we considered had a page of directions for recycling packaging on their website, and some had good ideas for re-using. However, a lot of recycling programs only take certain plastics, and frozen gel-packs need to be thrown in the trash.

Methodology

Our testers ordered from, cooked, and rated 40 different meal delivery services. We carefully scored each one based on meal selection, nutritional information, sustainability, and customer service, as well as the flavor, freshness, and quality of each meal and ingredient. Our Simply Recipes tester panel includes dietitians, chefs, and longtime food writers.

Article Sources
Simply Recipes uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Heard BR, Bandekar M, Vassar B, Miller SA. Comparison of life cycle environmental impacts from meal kits and grocery store meals. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2019;147:189-200. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.04.008