If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. There are many companies offering to plan, shop, and prep your meals, and some of them set themselves apart with competitive pricing.
Meal delivery services may choose to cut costs by reducing their packaging, the number of ingredients, or even their marketing budgets in order to pass those savings on to you.
We spent months testing and researching dozens of meal delivery services and assembled this list based on the starting price of each company. Why You Should Try It Dinnerly is the most affordable meal kit service on the market with unfussy recipes that make dinner a snap. Pros Wide variety of new meals weekly Prep is easy and approachable Brunch and dessert items available for holidays.
Dinnerly uses the same quality ingredients as other meal kits but is able to charge less for a few reasons—digital recipes instead of printed ones, fewer ingredients per dish, simple packaging, and no fancy marketing campaigns. 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.
Why You Should Try It EveryPlate offers satisfying comfort foods at about half the price of other meal delivery services. These crowd-pleasing meals usually take 35 or 40 minutes to prepare with some taking less and some taking a bit more.
In order to keep prices low, EveryPlate does not cater to special diets and there are no personalized meal plans.
Weekly menus lean into crowd-pleasing comfort food classics like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, burgers, pastas, and tacos. Products Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Daily Harvest boasts a wide selection of plant-based, gluten-free offerings with volume-based discounts for large orders.
Pros Entire menu is plant-based and gluten-free Focus on organic ingredients Volume-based discounts. Cons Single servings only Must order a minimum of nine items.
Overview Daily Harvest specializes in plant-based heat-and-eat meals, smoothies, soups, and snacks made with sustainably-sourced ingredients and no fillers, gluten, GMOs, or artificial additives.
To order, you'll build a box of either nine, 14, or 24 items, with volume-based discounts that increase the more items you purchase.
While all items arrive frozen instead of fresh, that just means they'll last a while in the freezer until you're ready to enjoy them. and Canada Products Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Revive Superfoods specializes in pre-portioned plant-based smoothies, soups, snacks, and supermeals that can be ready to enjoy in minutes.
Pros Nutritious foods with minimal prep Zero-waste philosophy Can order up to 24 items at a time Cons Limited variety of non-smoothie items Shipping costs extra Overview If you're looking to incorporate more superfoods into your meal rotation, Revive Superfoods is a great option.
Simply add your choice of liquid and blend the ingredients until smooth. You can also choose from soups, oat bowls, frozen desserts, "supermeal" grain bowls, and "bites" made of chewy oatmeal filled with jam. Pricing and Plans Pricing depends on what you order.
Begin by selecting a box size of either nine, 12, or 24 items, then simply fill it with your choice of menu selections. Why You Should Try It Despite its low cost, HelloFresh offers a huge selection of delicious meals that are easy to prepare.
Pros Dozens of weekly menu and market items Great-tasting creative and classic recipes Responsible ingredient sourcing and packaging.
Recipes are made of high-quality ingredients shipped in sustainable packaging, and they're each tested 45 times to ensure deliciousness and simplicity.
Meals We Tried Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken BBQ cheddar burgers Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa Pork sausage rigatoni rosa. Why You Should Try It Home Chef offers delicious, family-friendly meals, including minimal prep options, at a competitive price.
I loved how this was a true ready-made meal, with no heating or even re-plating required. If you spend too much time and money on take-out health food or the Whole Foods salad bar, this is the kit for you. The ready-to-eat meals come in super easy-to-transport plastic containers, a la a work cafeteria, or a fast-casual restaurant.
When it comes to fresh veggies and vegan meals, I can be skeptical that the produce will retain its crunch upon delivery or that the meat or meat alternatives will arrive a soggy mess.
However, I was thrilled to bite into my Monday Kale Pesto Pasta Salad to find excellent crunchy roughage and al dente pasta.
The other thing to note about freshness is the packaging. Thistle takes care to label each breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack yes, snack!
My Smashed Sonoma Chickpea Snack Plate was delicious! with the day you should eat it. Since I ordered for Monday — Wednesday, it was easy to organize my fridge by day so I could simply eat down the line. What is the difference between a meal kit and a meal delivery service?
Well, this one is a bit tricky, as both are included in this roundup, and there is some overlap. A meal kit is usually a subscription-based program that sends ingredients and recipes to your home. A meal delivery service may be the above, or be pre-cooked meals or grocery items in addition or instead of ingredients for a specific meal.
Do you need to subscribe to the meal kit? Most of the time, yes! Usually a subscription is needed to try the meals, however, some companies also have a marketplace that sells items a la carte. How often do offerings and menus change? Typically, sites will switch up their meal offerings on a weekly basis.
Do I have to be a good cook to use a meal kit? Meal kits come in many different skill levels, from simply microwaving to more intensive chopping and cooking. They can also be a great way to learn how to cook and teach children. Diet: Pay attention to the dietary options each service caters to, from vegetarian and vegan to Keto and paleo.
Household Size: Count the number of people in your family and then account for how much they eat to best calculate how many servings you need to feed everyone. Some kits detailed above have larger portions, while others are single-serve only. Budget: Meal kits and services have a wide range of prices.
Some offer free shipping, while others have a minimum spend, and other specialty or health-related plans may cost more. Time: Think about how long you want to be cooking for each night. Some meals require 30 or more minutes to cook, not including cleaning up.
Check out New York Post Shopping for more content. Contact The Author Name required. Email required. Comment required. Updated Jan. New York Post Composite. The hard part is just deciding which to try, which is why I tried them all for you first. Previous 1 of 3.
Sophie Cannon. I promise the oven was off for these meal kits! The beauty of trying so many companies was that some were intensive and others, like these, were microwave friendly.
Brand spotlight. Pros: Full-sized ingredients, super fresh produce and large portions Offers a wine subscription box as well, to pair with your cooking creations A bit more in-depth cooking, with great tasting results Perfect for a hungry family or those who want to spend more quality time in the kitchen.
Cons: None to note. push function { if window. definedSlots [] ; } } ; }. This seriously looked straight out of Israel and tasted like it, too. How did I do? I think the egg Gods were looking down on me, as this was the perfect fried egg for my burger that looked just like the photo.
Cons: No options for vegans or other dietary preferences other than vegetarian and pescatarian. Pros: Delicious and high-quality meals — but what else would we expect from Martha? Perfect for the home cook who likes a balance of easy meals and learning new skills.
Also great for home-cooked dinners with easy directions and no need to go grocery shopping. Options for specific diets, including vegetarian and low-carb recipes, in addition to the classic comfort foods.
Cons: Make sure to check your zip code for delivery, as some areas in the Midwest and others are not eligible as of the time of publication.
The steak and potatoes are a classic American meal from a classic American chef. The gravy was the best part, followed by the onion dressing topping the beans.
This was the best thing ever after a holiday gathering, with the ciabatta bread soaking up my drinks from the night before and the lovely comforting eggs and sausage on the inside of the casserole warming me from the inside out.
Good on you, Martha. Cons: Everything included except salt, pepper and oil. Pros: Dinnerly is one of the most affordable meal kits out there, perfect for families and new chefs alike.
Vegetarians will rejoice at their meat-free offerings Digital recipe cards are on the site, so no need to keep a paper copy.
Cons: Make sure to check your zip code for delivery, as some areas in the Midwest and others are not eligible as of the time of publication Everything was included except for pantry staples like flour, salt, pepper and eggs, so be sure to check recipes before heading to the store if needed.
I now have a deeper appreciation for fried chicken, after now having made it from scratch. The one-pan gnocchi was super easy and also delicious, something Dinnerly does very well.
Pros: Easy to customize meals and skip weeks. Can order meals for two or four people, with two to six meals per week Easy-to-follow and aesthetically pleasing recipe cards in the box for each meal Accurate estimates for prep and cook time for an easy weekly schedule.
Cons: Make sure to have kitchen staples such as salt, pepper, butter and oil in the house, as they are not included in the box.
Pros: Great for those with allergies in the house, as the cards indicate allergens in each basket ingredient Super fresh-tasting fish that comes on ice in the box Each meal takes six steps to complete, usually under about 35 minutes, perfect for quick lunches and dinners. Pros: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts all come frozen and ready to reheat and eat Great option for those on the go and also health-conscious Offers options for different diets, including keto, paleo, plant-based, low-carb, vegetarian, pescatarian and meat-eaters, too.
Cons: Have plenty of freezer space to store meals or order a smaller plan they range from four meals a week all the way up to 18 meals per week. Cons: Recipe cards are a bit harder to follow than some due to their small size, but easier to store and reuse for later No cook time estimations on the cards, but when timed, even a full steak meal was under 30 minutes, prep to plating.
Cons: A a bit more prep work, but worth the extra chopping time for the taste Everything was included even baking soda and butter except for oil, salt and pepper. Pros: Wide variety of meals for those on a special diet, like Keto, paleo, vegetarian, vegan and more Comes with extras like weight management coaching, diet plans and more on the app or on your account Ability to order from different plans, in order to try different diets Ability to cancel or pause your plan at any time.
Pros: Plant-based to a whole new level: very healthy salads, breakfasts and bowls for super clean eating Unique offerings; not just trying to mimic traditional meals with plants, but creating whole new dishes and flavor profiles Labeled options for every day of the week, three meals a day, takes the planning out of meal prep Offers a detox program as well.
Cons: Sacrifices some flavor for health but replaces with superfoods and a rainbow of nutrients. Pros: Perfect for taking to work or school or having an easy lunch at home, with recyclable packaging and to-go style dressings and condiments.
All meals do not contain gluten, dairy, refined sugars, nitrates, chemical preservatives or artificial colors. Cons: Not the most upscale packaging or gourmet meals, but plenty of actually filling salads, bowls, and even some choices for breakfast, snacks, and desserts.
Pros: Plant-based people take note as every meal and smoothie is plant-based Not boring, as there are more than 50 options ranging from soups to bowls to smoothies Great for on-the-go meals and snacks for busy people, post-gym pick-me-ups and no dishes to do after.
Cons: Not a total replacement for every night of the week but pretty close. Pros Great for toddlers and older kids, as they graduate into solid foods Pre-packaged and ready to heat and eat for easy meal times and no cleanup Variety to choose from, including smoothies, snacks and full meals Yummy enough for parents to take a bite, too ; Cut small to prevent choking.
Cons Mighty Bites snacks may be a bit high in sugar for those parents watching sugar intake Meals may need to be plated or hand-fed to avoid them ending up on the floor. Cons Not ideal for families or if you want leftovers On the more expensive side for some of the meal kits Only order what you can eat via refrigerator; meals taste less fresh when frozen.
Cons: Not a ton of options on the weekly menu, especially for larger plans Some meals have smaller portion sizes. Previous 1 of 5. Meals arrive refrigerated and can then be reheated in the microwave in about three minutes.
After microwaving, the meat remained tender and the meal was well-seasoned and tasted fresh. This take on Kung Pao chicken used a healthier noodle option and seasonings instead of breading or frying.
Pros: Great selection of meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and desserts Perfect for on-the-go eaters, busy people who forget to eat but want to be nutritious.
Most meals heat up in the microwave or stovetop in under 10 minutes, others need to be blended and some you can eat frozen ice cream and frozen treats. You can also skip or cancel at any time Menus are super easy to read and have specific details on nutrition, ingredients, protein content and more.
Cons: Mosaic specializes in veggie bowls, soups and oat bowls, so not for those that are looking for other options. But bowls include dishes like pasta and curries, for example, and not just vegetables! Pay attention to order and shipping minimums.
This is the older packaging from , showcasing the classic cook-it-yourself meals and some snacks, too. Pros: Wide array of options for both pre-made and traditional cook meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks Ready-to-eat meals taste fresh, even when microwaved Ample amounts of organic produce and nitrate-free meats in the traditional meal kit; can serve more than the serving size and perfect for hungry families Smaller recipe cards for easy storage, and also found online or on the app for iPhone and Android.
Pros: Plans can include full meals, snacks and sweets — perfect for mindful eating all day A super fun and unique combination of a grocery delivery service with options to choose recipes as well — great to re-stock the fridge and help spark inspiration for meal planning Great for those who like to cook on their own terms but also enjoy a new recipe now and then.
Cons: The recipe card is found on the back of your order receipt and is not too colorful, but it gets the job done. Cons: Some meals do better in the oven or stovetop rather than in the microwave, like eggs, but others can be eaten right from the fridge, like salads and bowls.
For an easy keto breakfast, Fresh Meal Plan has got you covered. Of all the different meals, miso pesto ramen with shrimp was my mainstay—the shrimp were large and tender, and the brown rice-and-millet ramen was delicious both hot and straight from the fridge.
I also found myself returning to the Springbone chicken and rice , which came close to the halal cart I used to frequent near my office. The best part about all of them? Meals arrive in an insulated cardboard box.
Except for the included ice packs, all the packaging is recyclable; the Paleolithic people would be proud. All the dishes are vegetarian, and I often use them as a base for my dinners or add a quick-cooking veggie—like frozen peas and carrots to their upma —to call it a day.
You could also add meat. My favorite meal was the dal makhani. It's made from a short list of simple ingredients, has all the creamy richness you'd expect from the dish, and it takes seven minutes to prepare as opposed to overnight in the slow cooker. I ate this with a dollop of yogurt, chopped cilantro, and premade rotis.
I also appreciate that Cumin Club offers dishes from distinct places of origin, like Kolkata and Chennai—both regions that represent my cultural identity but that often get overlooked when it comes to Indian food in the US. The Cumin Club. All of the dishes I tried were flavorful and well-seasoned, and I enjoyed the unmatched diversity of ingredients.
Not to mention, all of the meals are quick and easy. I appreciated that the sauces and dressings were premade and actually tasted good and that the protein choices for the meals were customizable.
For example, when ordering the BBQ meatloaf with garlicky greens and potatoes , you can select either ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey. For other meals, you can even choose your preferred cut of steak or chicken.
They also offer weekly fully prepared, microwave-ready meals I can vouch for the turkey chili mac with cheddar. Go directly to our top picks to order your weekly meals: Sign up for Purple Carrot , or skip ahead to read our review.
Sign up for Marley Spoon , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Home Chef , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Gobble , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Dinnerly , or skip ahead to read our review.
Sign up for Green Chef , or skip ahead to read our review. Shop at Purple Carrot. Shop at Home Chef. Shop at Marley Spoon. Shop at Gobble.
Shop at Dinnerly. Shop at Green Chef. Shop at CookUnity. Shop at Hello Fresh. Shop at Hungryroot. Shop at Factor. Shop at EveryPlate. Shop at Territory.
Blue Apron Don't foolishly pay full price for meal kits. We found meal subscription deals in February good for up to 80% off normal prices Missing
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