Meal Delivery Services Best Meal Delivery Services Blue Apron is our top-rated meal delivery service By Tori Martinet, MS, RD Tori Martinet, MS, RD Tori Martinet is a licensed registered dietitian based in Indiana who works with corporate clients, individuals, and athletes. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 15, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Haley Mast Fact checked by Haley Mast Haley has a professional and educational background reviewing, transcribing, and curating technical content. Her extensive background in research and analytics contribute to her adept editorial profession. She is currently finishing her Batchelor's of Science through Harvard University Extension with a background in social, environmental, and health studies. Learn about our editorial process Print Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Meal kit delivery services offer users an effortless solution to the constant question, “What’s for dinner?” These services are designed to ease the burden of meal planning, shopping, and cooking, and can even make it simpler to follow a specialized diet. However, with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. We asked a team of nutrition experts to try nearly 30 of the top meal delivery companies for themselves and evaluate each service based on experience, quality, and of course, flavor. With these factors in mind, we then assigned a weighted score to each service and outlined their unique strengths and weaknesses for different shoppers. Our list of the best meal delivery services includes companies to meet a variety of shoppers’ needs, whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly service or to try out a new plant-based diet. Best Overall: Blue Apron Best Budget-Friendly: Dinnerly Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity Best Plant-Based Meals: Purple Carrot Best Organic: Green Chef Best Gluten-Free: Epicured Best Keto: Factor Best Paleo: Pete’s Paleo Best Low-Calorie: Hungryroot Best Low Sodium: Mom’s Meals Best for Low Carb: Fresh n' Lean Best for Weight Loss: Sunbasket Our Top Picks Best Overall: Blue Apron Blue Apron Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.8 Key Specs Price: Starts at $7.49 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 19 Why You Should Try It Blue Apron saves you a trip to the store while helping you cook flavorful dinners for up to four people. Our expert testers placed it “on par with restaurant-quality food, both in the types of dishes available and the quality of products in use.” Pros Upscale dishes and lots of choices Quality sourcing Delivers on flavor Cons Minimal diet accommodations Lots of packaging Limits for 4-serving plans Blue Apron makes the otherwise mundane experience of cooking dinner feel special and includes recipes that consistently taste amazing, making it our pick for best overall. We love that Blue Apron prioritizes flavor, even among menu items in the wellness category, which can feel restrictive or lack excitement with other companies. Though the cook-yourself meals can take up to an hour to make, Blue Apron also has a small menu of heat-and-eat entrees for quick dinners. No matter which plan you select, you’ll find delicious dinners made from consciously sourced ingredients that you can’t wait to dig into. Pricing and Plans Shipping costs $9.99 for all meal delivery orders. For market items, a list that includes kitchen tools, spices, and wine, shipping is $5.99 for orders of $50 or less and free for orders over that amount. Signature, Vegetarian, and Wellness Plans for Two: 2 recipes per week: $9.99 per serving3 recipes per week: $8.99 per serving4 recipes per week (only available for Signature): $8.99 per serving Signature Plan for Four: 2 recipes per week: $9.99 per serving3 recipes per week: $8.99 per serving4 recipes per week (only available for Signature): $8.99 per serving Sample Meals We Tried Calabrian pasta and squash with ricotta cheeseChipotle turkey and veggie casserole with spaghetti squash & jalapeno sour cream Gochujang pork & udon stir fry NY Strip Steaks & herb-mushroom pan sauceVadouvan shrimp & sweet chili sauce with garlic-ginger rice & bok choy Blue Apron Review: Upscale Meals at a Competitive Price Best Budget-Friendly: Dinnerly dinnerly-meal-service Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.1 Key Specs Price: Starts at $4.69 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 30 Why You Should Try It Compared with other companies in the same price range, our testers loved Dinnerly’s wide range of quick weeknight dinners with minimal hands-on time, making it a great fit for people who want big flavor on a budget without a lot of fuss. Pros Variety of recipes and add-ons Under $5 per serving Quick and flavorful Cons No customization Limited cooking instructions Dinnerly is our choice for the best budget-friendly meal kit because of what you get you get for such an affordable price: Recipes come together quickly in five steps or less and you’ll have nearly 30 recipes to choose from each week, all for as little as $5 per person. Dinnerly’s recipes are geared toward flavorful comfort foods with the occasional international twist, making it a great fit for families and picky eaters. Pricing and Plans Two-Person Box (serves two per meal) + $8.99 shipping 3 meals per week: $5.89 per serving4 meals per week: $5.79 per serving5 meals per week: $5.69 per serving6 meals per week: $5.59 per serving Family Plan (serves four per meal) + $8.99 shipping 3 meals per week: $5.59 per serving4 meals per week: $5.19 per serving5 meals per week: $4.99 per serving6 meals per week: $4.69 per serving Sample Meals We Tried Chicken shawarma pita with tzatzikiSesame-ginger beef with green beans & rice Monster mash-ed potato bowl with gravy (Halloween week!) Low carb steak & garlic sauce with roasted green beans & tomatoes Low cal chicken tacos with shredded cheddar & fresh tomato salsa Dinnerly Review: Simple and Affordable Meal Kits Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity Cook Unity Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.5 Key Specs Price: Starts at $10.49 per servingDelivery Area: 39 statesNumber of Recipes: 100+ Why You Should Try It CookUnity says its chef-crafted meals offer “a virtual restaurant experience with a broad menu” to make any foodie happy with no cooking required, featuring tasty options like adobo pork ribs, chorizo and black bean tacos, and vegan Moroccan spiced kofta balls with harissa vegetable stew. Pros No cooking required Chef-crafted meals Broad menu of options Cons No customization CookUnity’s chef-curated menus offer a high-level culinary experience with zero effort, making it our choice for the best prepared meals. While it may not be as widely available as other meal kit services, meals are always delivered fresh, and the service can accommodate a broad variety of dietary needs given how large the weekly menus are. Pricing and Plans 4 meals per week: $13.49/meal6 meals per week: $11.99/meal8 meals per week: $11.49/meal12 meals per week: $10.99/meal16 meals per week: $10.49/meal Sample Meals We Tried Wild mushroom bibimbapRoasted salmon over sauteed spinachHanger steak with corn on the cobCatfish with collard greensMascarpone and ricotta lasagna CookUnity Review: A Virtual Restaurant Experience Best Plant-Based Meals: Purple Carrot Purple Carrot Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 3.9 Key Specs Price: Starts at $9.99 per serving Delivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 22 Why You Should Try It We love that Purple Carrot offers make-at-home kits as well as fresh, heat-and-eat meals, which our testers loved for the quick turn-around time and high protein content. Pros All plant-based offerings Meal kits & ready-to-eat Globally-inspired flavors Cons Smaller menu of options No customization Purple Carrot is designed with the plant-based eater in mind, offering both fully vegan meal kits and ready-to-eat options. The menu features enticing global flavors like curry, tikka masala, and more, making it our choice for best plant-based meals. Purple Carrot accommodates a variety of diets, and includes a “plantry” with a few ingredients like hummus and miso paste to add on to meal kit orders. Pricing and Plans Meal Kits: Two-Serving Plan 3 meals per week: $11.99 per serving4 meals per week: $11.99 per serving Meal Kits: Four-Serving Plan 2 meals per week: $9.99 per serving3 meals per week: $9.99 per serving Prepared Meals: $12.99 per meal Sample Meals We Tried Creamy mac n’ cheese with rosemary butternut squashThai peanut noodles with sweet chili squash & shiitakesTofu tikka masala with peas & green riceChilled curry noodles, sesame kale saladWest African peanut stew, sweet potatoes & collard greens Purple Carrot Review: Plant-Based Meals Best Organic: Green Chef green-chef Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.6 Key Specs Price: Starts at $11.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 12 Why You Should Try It With plant-rich menus and robust taste profiles, Green Chef’s USDA-certified service is great for people who want to prioritize quality, eco-friendly ingredients without sacrificing flavor. Pros Sustainable ingredients and packaging Plenty of plants incorporated in dishes Varied flavors and composition Cons Limited diet accommodations No upgrades or add-ons Green Chef sends you certified organic, farmer’s market-quality ingredients and recipes to whip up a stellar dinner, making it our pick for the best organic meal kit. With vibrant signature spice blends, marinades, and sauces, meals come together deliciously in about 30 minutes. Pricing and Plans Two-Serving Plan: 3 meals per week: $13.49/serving + $9.99 shipping4 meals per week: $12.99/serving + $9.99 shipping Four-Serving Plan: 2 meals per week: $12.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping3 meals per week: $12.49 per serving + $9.99 shipping4 meals per week: $11.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping Six-Serving Plan: 3 meals per week: $11.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping4 meals per week: $11.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping Sample Meals We Tried Shepherd’s pie, mashed potato, carrots, peas, white cheddar, chivesSesame ginger pork bowls, lime rice, garlicky bell pepper & onionButternut squash risotto, sage-seasoned portobellos, toasted walnuts, parmesanSteak & shrimp in creamy chive sauce, cheesy mashed butternut squash, roasted broccoliJapanese cabbage & carrot fritters, ginger-sriracha aioli, broccoli, rice with edamame Green Chef Review: Healthy, Sustainably Sourced Meals Best Gluten-Free: Epicured Epicured Sign Up Now Key Specs Price: Starts at $9.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 30+ Why You Should Try It Epicured brings a clinical level of attention to its gluten-free and low-FODMAP meals, using licensed health professionals to maintain standards alongside award-winning chefs. The result is convenient, flavorful options that serve people with special dietary needs. Pros Large menu Ready to eat Gluten-free and low-FODMAP Cons High price point Static menu We chose Epicured as the best gluten-free meal service for its evidence-based approach to accommodating gluten-free and low-FODMAP diets while maintaining high culinary standards. Meals are all fresh and ready to eat, making it a flavorful, low-stress option for folks who follow these diets. Purchase a la carte or make use of Epicured’s bundles to get a slight discount, but no matter what you choose, it’s all available nationwide. Pricing and Plans Here are a few examples of a la carte pricing: Fish tacos, red cabbage slaw: $14.99Classic mac & cheese: $9.99Chicken & rice soup: $7.99Lemon coconut energy bites: $5.99Power breakfast quinoa bowl: $8.99 A few of the bundles available: Freezer Filler Bundle (14 items): $120.52Chef’s Favorites Bundle (10 items): $104.41GI Friendly Bundle (6 items): $83.99 Best Keto: Factor Factor75 Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.2 Key Specs Price: Starts at $11.00 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 25 Why You Should Try It We loved the flavor that Factor brings to its keto heat-and-eat meals, and our testers thought the option of a free session with a licensed registered dietitian made this service even more appealing. Pros Large menu Dietitians on staff Flavorful and fast prep Cons Repetitive flavors Limited diets accommodated No customization Meals from Factor are designed to have a high-protein, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate makeup, but the service also offers options outside of those parameters, giving shoppers plenty to choose from. The weekly menu offers big flavors across entrees (and even includes some breakfast items), all packed with vegetables plus a full nutrition breakdown so customers can choose for their own dietary preferences. Pricing and Plans 4 meals per week: $15/serving6 meals per week: $12.83/serving8 meals per week: $12.38/serving10 meals per week: $11.99/serving12 meals per week: $11.50/serving18 meals per week: $11/serving Sample Meals We Tried Keto Monterey spinach chicken, sun-dried tomato alfredo, & cauliflower gratinItalian roasted pork with roasted broccolini Keto turkey chili & zucchini with ancho lime cremaChickpea curry with forbidden black riceTaco bowl & corn salsa, jalapeno cilantro crema Factor Review: High-protein food backed by experts Best Paleo: Pete’s Paleo Pete’s Paleo Sign Up Now Key Specs Price: Starts at $15 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesNumber of Recipes: 10 Why You Should Try It Pete’s Paleo is known for its tasty, chef-crafted meals that fit the qualifications for a Paleo-style eating pattern. Because the service puts special emphasis on ingredient sourcing and offers multiple plans to choose from, it’s a great option for people looking to follow a Paleo diet. Pros Quality sourcing Flexible portions Fresh, not frozen Cons Menu selection limitations Ingredients and nutrition unavailable High price point Pete’s Paleo is our choice for the best Paleo service because we love the ease of heat-and-eat meals paired with the service’s emphasis on seasonal ingredients and local sourcing. Customers can select their own meals with the “Eat What You Love” plan, or opt for the pre-selected weekly menu. There are even some breakfast choices available too, so Pete’s has you covered for all mealtimes. Pricing and Plans Standard Meal Plan Sizes: 5 meals: $97.9210 meals: $191.10 14 meals: $251.39 Family Plan: 5 meals, 4 servings each: $359.13 Pete’s Paleo “Lite” (smaller portion) 7 meals: $120.98 Best Low-Calorie: Hungryroot Hungryroot Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.4 Key Specs Price: Starts at $8.49 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesNumber of Recipes: 3,000+ Why You Should Try It Our testers loved the “quick, easy and nutrient-dense meals at an accessible price point” that Hungryroot has to offer. With a recipe database full of options like creamy scallop alfredo and vegan chorizo loaded sweet potatoes, there’s a lot of healthful deliciousness to choose from. Pros Huge recipe database Accommodates many diets Nutrient-dense by default Cons Recipes can be repetitive Complicated ordering model Simpler meals may get boring Hungryroot is one of the only meal kit services that allows shoppers to pick out their own groceries and offers recipes based on the items selected. We identified Hungryroot as the best low-calorie meal delivery service because shoppers remain in control of the ingredients they receive from week to week. The recipes feature nutritious ingredients like whole-grain pastas or kale pesto sauce, and can be easily sorted by allergen, spice level, calories, and more to help you create chef-crafted meals that meet your needs. Pricing and Plans Two-Serving Plan: 8 recipes per week: $8.49 per serving 7 recipes per week: $8.49 per serving6 recipes per week: $8.99 per serving5 recipes per week: $9.49 per serving3 or 4 recipes per week: $9.99 per serving Four-Serving Plan: 4 recipes per week: $8.49 per serving3 recipes per week: $8.49 per serving 2 recipes per week: $8.99 per serving Sample Meals We Tried Feta turkey burger with broccoli and crispy potatoes Fajita chicken and black bean tostadaChicken ‘n guac burrito bowlSpinach artichoke tuna meltSpinach artichoke turkey wrap Hungryroot Review: Meal Kits and Groceries Best Low Sodium: Mom’s Meals Mom’s Meals Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.0 Key Specs Price: Starts at $6.99 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesNumber of Recipes: 28 Why You Should Try It Mom’s Meals gave our testers affordable comfort in the form of tasty meals that are nutritionally tailored to specific health conditions. We love that this service coordinates with coverage from health plans like Medicaid or Medicare Advantage to reduce costs. Pros Options for many health conditions No subscription required Covered by some Medicare Advantage plans Cons Repetitive ingredients Smaller portions Excess packaging Mom’s Meals provides heat-and-eat entrees and breakfasts designed to accommodate health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, and many more. There’s a lot to choose from, including meals and snacks that tend toward familiar American comforts like beef stew, corn chowder, and chicken with mushroom gravy, plus snacks that come with each meal. Mom’s Meals offers a number of pricing options to accommodate both self-pay customers or payments through a health plan such as Medicare Advantage or Medicaid, making meals more affordable and accessible. Pricing and Plans Pricing listed here reflects the cost of self-pay meals: 10 standard meals: $69.9014 standard meals: $97.8621 standard meals: $146.79 Sample Meals We Tried Vegetarian red beans and rice, string cheese, orange, and chocolate puddingChicken with southwestern vegetable hash, ranchero sauce, and brown rice Turkey meatballs and garlic basil butter sauce over brown rice and seasoned Scandinavian blend vegetablesCheese lasagna with marinara sauce and spiced fruit crisp and whole wheat bread Creamy turkey & wild rice soup and brown sugar peaches, gelatin, and vanilla pudding Mom’s Meals Review: Affordable and Comforting Food Best for Low Carb: Fresh ‘n Lean Fresh n Lean Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.2 Key Specs Price: Starts at $7.93 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesNumber of Recipes: 60 Why You Should Try It Our testers loved the convenient meals and reasonable price point Fresh n’ Lean offers, and how easy it is to order meals for a variety of preferences. Pros Caters to multiple diets Quick and easy reheating Large menu Cons Can’t select meals Higher price point Fresh n’ Lean caters to a multitude of lifestyles, including keto, Paleo, vegan, and Whole30. While the variety of meals available in each diet group differs, the service offers a wide selection of tasty and fresh heat-and-eat meals no matter what. Pricing and Plans Keto Breakfast for 5 or 7 days: $10.50 per mealLunch or dinner for 5 or 7 days: $15.43 per mealBreakfast and lunch or dinner for 5 or 7 days: $11.25 per mealLunch and dinner for 5 or 7 days: $12.99 per mealBreakfast, lunch, and dinner for 5 days: $10.63 per mealBreakfast, lunch, and dinner for 7 days: $9.97 per meal Low Carb Vegan Breakfast for 5 or 7 days: $10.70 per mealLunch or dinner for 5 or 7 days: $13.92 per mealBreakfast and lunch or dinner for 5 or 7 days: $10.99 per mealLunch and dinner for 5 or 7 days: $12.27 per mealBreakfast, lunch, and dinner for 5 days: $10.09 per mealBreakfast, lunch, and dinner for 7 days: $9.41 per meal Sample Meals We Tried Cream of broccoli soupStir fry vegetables with braised beefGinger sweet potato bowl with shrimpRed pepper infused salmon and veggiesVegetables con pollo Fresh n’ Lean Review: Meals for Multiple Diets Best for Weight Loss: Sunbasket SunBasket Sign Up Now Verywell Fit Star Rating: 4.2 Key Specs Price: Starts at $10.49 per servingDelivery Area: 46 statesNumber of Recipes: 43 Why You Should Try It Our testers loved Sunbasket’s diverse range of cuisines served up in an environmentally sustainable and calorie-conscious way. Pros Menu options for many lifestyles Sustainable sourcing Robust add-ons and customization Cons Smaller portions Higher price point Less flavorful than other services Sunbasket is a full-service meal delivery company with plenty of options across a multitude of eating styles. The menu includes cook-yourself meal kits, heat-and-eat entrees, breakfasts, and tons of add-ons. We love the range and variety of the meals, as well as how plant-filled they are, which is why we made Sunbasket our choice as best for weight loss. Pricing and Plans Meal Kits 5 meals per week: $11.49 per serving4 meals per week: $12.49 per serving3 meals per week: $13.49 per serving2 meals per week: $14.49 per serving Fresh & Ready Meals 10 meals per week: $9.99 per serving8–9 meals per week: $10.99 per serving6–7 meals per week: $11.99 per serving4–5 meals per week: $12.99 per serving Sample Meals We Tried Chicken with crispy potatoes, avocado mash, and honey-lime yogurtChicken with shiitake “bacon,” honey-mustard mayo, and root veggie friesBurmese chicken aloo currySpaghetti alla Bolognese with turkeyLemongrass turkey and rice noodle cups with coconut curry Sunbasket Review: A Full-Service Meal Delivery Company Final Verdict When it comes to choosing the best of the best in the meal kit marketplace, nothing really can beat out the best flavor and food experience, which is what we got from Blue Apron. Everything about Blue Apron was craveable, from the menu selections to unpacking the top-tier ingredients when they arrived, to cooking up food at home that you could easily see in a restaurant. It was exciting and delicious, and it was the kit we just kept wanting more of. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Do Meal Delivery Services Cost? Cost can vary greatly across meal delivery services, including basic per serving prices, upgrades, add-ons, and shipping costs. It’s fairly standard across the industry to offer discounts to new customers, and we’ve also seen that ordering more food generally equates to a lower cost per serving. Full meals may cost as low as under $5 per serving and can range as high as above $20 per serving. Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It? Meal kits make a lot of sense for folks who want to take the guesswork out of what they eat each week. Whether you’re in a food rut and want someone else to help with the menu planning or you want to embrace a particular style of eating without walking in circles around the grocery store, we think these meal kit services can help. It may take a few tries to find the right company, and it may not be the solution to 100% of your meals, but we definitely think they’re worth a shot. Which Meal Delivery Service Is Best for Me? When looking to narrow the field and select a meal kit, it can be difficult to know where to start. We recommend using the following categories to guide you to the right kit. Time Commitment: It’s helpful to know if you want something heat-and-eat, or whether you’re willing to spend a little time in the kitchen so you can select from kits or prepared options. Budget: Meal kits can get expensive in a hurry, so it’s good to have a handle on your budget as you get started in your search. Dietary Needs: If you have specific dietary needs, certain kits will naturally be a better fit than others. If your needs are of a medical nature, we recommend looking for a specialized kit that and uses licensed health professionals as a part of the menu development process. Meals You Need Covered: Most kits are designed to handle dinner, but if you want support with other meals like breakfast or just groceries in general, there are kits that fit those options as well. Do Meal Delivery Services Require a Subscription? Most meal delivery services run as a subscription-style offering, with a few exceptions in the prepared meal category from companies that do a la carte meals. For example, Veestro offers both a one-time purchase or a recurring order. However, for most services, there is so much built-in flexibility to skip a week or cancel altogether that they can be tried once and canceled or skipped, as long as you do so by the deadline. Methodology In order to find the best meal kit delivery services, we tasked five of our registered dietitian experts with evaluating 27 different companies from start to finish. We ordered, cooked, and tasted each one, all while gathering information about the service. We collected over 50 separate data points on each company in categories surrounding nutrition, sustainability, flexibility, and of course, flavor, and we even reached out to customer service to get a feel for the real customer experience. Our experts crafted thoughtfully-written reviews, and with the help of our data analysis team, we analyzed all of the information gathered and arrived at our final scores. All pieces have been fact-checked and subjected to a medical review board for content accuracy. Meal Delivery Service Review Methodology Important Verywell Fit does not provide medical advice, so before signing up for any of our meal delivery recommendations, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional to make sure it's a service that fits your dietary wants and/or requirements. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit