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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
- Best Variety: HelloFresh
- Best Value: Dinnerly
- Best Organic: Green Chef
- Best Vegan: Purple Carrot
- Best Gluten-Free: ModifyHealth
- Best Pre-Made Meals: Factor
- Best for Avid Cooks: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
- Best for Easy Prep: Gobble
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Best Overall: 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 eatersOverview
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 mayoPrepared Meals
Sweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame
Chicken alfredo pasta with peas
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Best Variety: 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 shippingOverview
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: $10.99Meals We Tried
Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken
BBQ cheddar burgers
Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa
Pork sausage rigatoni rosa
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Best Value: 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 optionsOverview
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
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Best Organic: Green Chef
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 endOverview
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
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Best Vegan: 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-onsCons
Not as many recipe options per week as other servicesOverview
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 salsaPrepared 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
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Best Gluten-Free: ModifyHealth
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: freeMeals 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
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Best Pre-Made Meals: 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 serving12 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
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Best for Avid Cooks: 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-onsOverview
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 servingShipping: $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
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Best for Easy Prep: Gobble
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.