When deciding which meal delivery service is right for you, consider factors such as variety, quality, cost, availability, and ingredients. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. These Black-owned companies check all the marks for freshness, flavor, and elevating Blackness in the food industry. Dinnerly is an affordable meal kit service that provides quick recipes and the ingredients you need to prepare them.

We put Dinnerly to the test to…. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

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While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern. Let's look deeper:. Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory. Dietitians can help you create a more balanced diet or a specialized one for a variety of conditions.

We look at their benefits and limitations. Liquid collagen supplements might be able to reduce some effects of aging, but research is ongoing and and there may be side effects. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based The 6 Cheapest Meal Delivery Services.

Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on November 28, On this page Our picks Comparison table How we tested How to choose FAQ Bottom line. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful?

Share on Pinterest. Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services. How we test meal delivery services. Each service in this article: is in compliance with U. Department of Agriculture USDA and Food and Drug Administration FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging promotes a healthy approach to well-being does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials.

How to choose an affordable meal delivery service. Frequently asked questions. Which meal delivery service is cheapest? Is HelloFresh cheap? What is the average price for meal delivery services?

Do meal delivery services actually save you money? However, she noted that some of the meals could be on the bland side. Meal examples: Oven-baked Korean eggs and rice; mushroom farrotto; sweet and spicy chicken thighs.

Territory Foods. The company operates across smaller geographical areas in the United States—rather than nationwide—which means it can deliver fresher and more flexible meals, albeit over a more limited swath of the country.

While most meal services deliver once per week, Territory allows you to get two shipments every week, which means the meals will be at their absolute freshest when they show up at your door. There are more than 35 dishes at your disposal, all of which are developed by registered dietitians and crafted by local chefs.

Meal examples: Ginger curry beef with lemon rice and sautéed spinach; arrabbiata sausage and peppers with sautéed zucchini; garden baked eggs with sweet potato hash.

Availability: The East Coast, west Chicago, Texas, and select parts of the West Coast. Choose from 26 different options each week and filter by family favorites, quick and easy options, or plant-based dishes.

There are also tasty add-ons like garlic bread and Caesar salad that you can include in your order. Meal examples: BBQ pineapple pork bowls; black bean and pepper jack tostadas; zesty herb-rubbed salmon.

Your monthly subscription gives you a set amount of credits that you can use across its site on recipes, snacks, and pantry items. The recipe section is similar to most other meal kit experiences: You choose a dish, then Hungryroot provides all the necessary ingredients and a recipe guide.

It also allows you to modify each meal to fit your tastes. This easy-to-edit approach creates a customizable experience, with the ability to fully tailor meals to your liking. Meal examples: Tomatoey seared scallops and polenta; chicken dumplings and veggies with yuzu dipping sauce; cheesy Parm meatballs and garlic bread.

Why we like it: The folks behind Sunbasket prioritize high-quality ingredients above all else, and it shows. The produce is organic, the meat is antibiotic-free with no added hormones, and the seafood is fresh-caught or raised sustainably.

Sunbasket has a variety of dinner options for people who eat vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian. You can opt to mix and match recipes from all of these different menus in a single order.

Meal examples: Thai-style spicy yuba noodle soup with potatoes and bell pepper; spinach saag paneer with basmati rice; Black Angus steaks with Brussels sprouts and chipotle-mustard vinaigrette.

Availability: Nationwide, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico. There are many more top-selling meal kits beyond those we've tested so far.

The company promises that each meal takes less than 30 minutes of prep time with a max of six steps to follow. Meal examples: Coffee rubbed steak and chimichurri; Greek lemon soup with ready to heat chicken; creamy ricotta and mushroom cannelloni.

Each week, you can choose from over five-step recipes, many of which you can customize if you wish to make substitutions say, swapping beef for chicken or vice versa. Meal examples: Pan-roasted pork cutlets; miso-glazed sweet potatoes; brown butter-za'atar tilapia and orzo.

Misfits Market. The grocery delivery service sources and sends boxes of seasonal produce, proteins, and dairy products passed over by stores because of their uneven appearance or that were part of an excess supply.

The company offers a weekly grocery plan that pre-selects products for you, as well as an à la carte plan, so you can choose your own. Purple Carrot. If you prefer a plant-based diet , consider Purple Carrot, which stocks veggie-heavy, high-protein dinners and breakfasts that are easy to prepare or even come oven-ready.

There are all sorts of delightful dishes and snacks for anyone who's vegetarian , vegan , gluten-free, or looking for a diabetes-friendly meal delivery service. Meal examples: Italian butter bean stew with croutons and Parmesan kale; creamy peanut noodles with gingered green beans and lime; green veggie burgers with tzatziki and garlic fries.

Bring fine dining into your home with CookUnity's premade meals—all created by top chefs , including James Beard Award winners and Food Network alums. The only work you have to do is stick your dish in the oven.

The company tailors entrees for all sorts of diets like paleo, vegan, and keto. Meal examples: Pulled BBQ chicken with collard greens; lamb kebab with turmeric hummus and roasted sweet potatoes; seared steak with horseradish cream with oven-roasted Brussels sprouts.

Availability: Nationwide check to see if your zip code is included. Meet the something-for-everyone meal delivery service. Each recipe is ranked by difficulty , so you can pick something that sharpens or matches your skill level with easy options that avoid cooking entirely.

Meal examples: Coconut curry with chickpeas; apricot ponzu chicken; one-pan turkey stir-fry tacos. Shipping costs depend on where you live.

Availability: Nationwide, including select zip codes in Honolulu, Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska. Splendid Spoon. Their pre-made options include soups, stews, and rice and noodles—or you can choose from a variety of fruity juices and high-protein smoothies. Meal examples: Red lentil dal soup with cumin and rosemary; creamy butternut squash noodles with broccoli and turmeric; hearty vegetable bolognese with wild rice and garlicky green beans.

Orders of 10 meals or more ship for free. On the most practical level, the meal kit you choose should suit your budget and schedule. Luckily, if you need a flexible subscription, the majority of services make it easy to skip and pause deliveries. Some even allow you to change the number of meals you receive every week.

Other factors to consider are your dietary preferences and any potential dietary restrictions. You can find brands that spotlight vegetarian and vegan meals, filter weekly menus based on your allergies, use certain ingredients, and offer on-the-go menu items like soups , smoothies , and frozen meals.

You may need to try out a couple brands before you find the one that works for you. You can also shop with your idea of healthy eating in mind: Though what this means is super individualized, it could look like prioritizing nutritious ingredients, satisfying servings, or even delicious, joyful dishes.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

Fitness Food Health Love Beauty Life Conditionally Shopping. Video Challenges Workouts Newsletter Signup. Save this story Save this story. How SELF tests meal kits We spoke with registered dietitians to help guide the criteria for choosing the right meal delivery service.

The best meal delivery services of As mentioned, all of these meal delivery services have been tested and reviewed by SELF staffers, who followed our meal kit shopping guide. Best Meal Kit Overall: Home Chef.

Shop at Home Chef. Availability: Nationwide. Try It. Best for the Busy Person: Gobble. Shop at Gobble. Most Eco-Friendly: Green Chef. Shop at Green Chef. Most Popular. Availability: Contiguous United States Try It.

$7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready

EveryPlate is the cheapest meal delivery service on our list, with prices starting at just $5 per serving. The company also offers discounts to 15 Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services That Are Quick, Easy, and Delicious · Factor · Sakara · Trifecta · BistroMD · Mosaic Foods · CookUnity From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of: Affordable pre-made meal packages

Fact-check all packagex Affordable lunchtime promotions Do Afffordable align with the current body Natural health samples scientific evidence? Are you Affordable pre-made meal packages pre-madee the cheapest meal kits that have comfort foods Affordable pre-made meal packages more in them? Each week, you can choose from over five-step recipes, many of which you can customize if you wish to make substitutions say, swapping beef for chicken or vice versa. How we reviewed this article: History. Shop at Territory Foods. Everything You Need To Know About Burn Away Cakes.	Buy at Hungryroot. You can customize your order to include as many vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free items as you like. There are a few factors you may want to consider when selecting a meal delivery service to ensure that the company fits your lifestyle and budget:. The food is packaged in glass jars or recyclable plastic, and you can even arrange to have your packaging picked up and reused. It can be cheaper than ordering take-out, but the meals plus shipping costs may not be affordable for everyone. Also, since you cook these meals at home, the kids can help prepare their meals, which inspires them to taste new foods. Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that promote immune health, improve vision, and support strong bones and a healthy metabolism.	$7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready	Pre-portioned ingredients and easy recipe cards — everything you need is shipped to your door. 3. You devour. Home-cooked deliciousness is ready in Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their These fresh, ready-made meals arrive in an insulated box with ice packs. inexpensive and easy add on. Cons: Because everything is precooked	Mosaic Foods $6-$12 Daily Harvest
On pwckages Affordable lunchtime promotions side, Affordable pre-made meal packages Pqckages offers a selection of ready-to-eat meals, all of which Affordable lunchtime promotions gluten-free, organic, dairy-free Gaming product samples plant-based, according to the service. Best Affordablle Vegetarians: Purple Carrot. By Ayana Underwood. CookUnity offers multiple plans depending on how many meals you want to receive, with subscriptions ranging from four to 16 meals per week. The grilled chicken yassa with jollof rice and plantainsthe short rib with herb mashed potatoesand the ginger salmon cakes with miso-Sriracha sauce.	They all come precooked, and need to be heated for 4—5 minutes in the microwave. There are about eight recipes to choose from each week. How it works: Choose between four and 16 meals deliveries every week. This Upper-Body Move Hits Your Back, Biceps, and Core. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service. Cons: Portion sizes are not as substantial as meal kits that focus more on dinners. Territory Foods : The food was some of the best I tried, and I found the recipes diverse and interesting.	$7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready	I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically $7-$10 Price is based on 14 meals per week. Splendid Spoon offers over 50 healthy ready-made and gluten-free meals and snacks, including smoothies	$7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready
You can pause, Affordsble, or cancel Sample giveaways online Affordable lunchtime promotions at any Affordabld. Affordable lunchtime promotions in Afforable you need Affordsble incentive, several of these options have some major Black Friday deals going on right now. Luckily for you, Magic Kitchen has affordable premade meals for everyone. Pros More than 50 weekly recipes Good for keeping to specific diets or eating plans. That means it's less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go around. Sign up for Dinnerlyor skip ahead to read our review.	By Pete Nastasi, certified sports nutrition coach Feb 6, Splendid Spoon offers over 50 healthy ready-made and gluten-free meals and snacks, including smoothies, soups, noodle bowls and dishes. There are a few factors you may want to consider when selecting a meal delivery service to ensure that the company fits your lifestyle and budget:. Buy at Daily Harvest. Cons Expensive if you only choose a few meals per week Quality was somewhat inconsistent.	$7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready	$6-$12 canadian24houropharmacy.shop › showcase › nutrition › cheapest-meal-delivery-services These fresh, ready-made meals arrive in an insulated box with ice packs. inexpensive and easy add on. Cons: Because everything is precooked	EveryPlate is the cheapest meal delivery service on our list, with prices starting at just $5 per serving. The company also offers discounts to Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically

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Affordable pre-made meal packages - Daily Harvest $7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready

The company offers a weekly grocery plan that pre-selects products for you, as well as an à la carte plan, so you can choose your own.

Purple Carrot. If you prefer a plant-based diet , consider Purple Carrot, which stocks veggie-heavy, high-protein dinners and breakfasts that are easy to prepare or even come oven-ready. There are all sorts of delightful dishes and snacks for anyone who's vegetarian , vegan , gluten-free, or looking for a diabetes-friendly meal delivery service.

Meal examples: Italian butter bean stew with croutons and Parmesan kale; creamy peanut noodles with gingered green beans and lime; green veggie burgers with tzatziki and garlic fries.

Bring fine dining into your home with CookUnity's premade meals—all created by top chefs , including James Beard Award winners and Food Network alums.

The only work you have to do is stick your dish in the oven. The company tailors entrees for all sorts of diets like paleo, vegan, and keto. Meal examples: Pulled BBQ chicken with collard greens; lamb kebab with turmeric hummus and roasted sweet potatoes; seared steak with horseradish cream with oven-roasted Brussels sprouts.

Availability: Nationwide check to see if your zip code is included. Meet the something-for-everyone meal delivery service. Each recipe is ranked by difficulty , so you can pick something that sharpens or matches your skill level with easy options that avoid cooking entirely.

Meal examples: Coconut curry with chickpeas; apricot ponzu chicken; one-pan turkey stir-fry tacos. Shipping costs depend on where you live. Availability: Nationwide, including select zip codes in Honolulu, Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska.

Splendid Spoon. Their pre-made options include soups, stews, and rice and noodles—or you can choose from a variety of fruity juices and high-protein smoothies.

Meal examples: Red lentil dal soup with cumin and rosemary; creamy butternut squash noodles with broccoli and turmeric; hearty vegetable bolognese with wild rice and garlicky green beans. Orders of 10 meals or more ship for free. On the most practical level, the meal kit you choose should suit your budget and schedule.

Luckily, if you need a flexible subscription, the majority of services make it easy to skip and pause deliveries. Some even allow you to change the number of meals you receive every week.

Other factors to consider are your dietary preferences and any potential dietary restrictions. You can find brands that spotlight vegetarian and vegan meals, filter weekly menus based on your allergies, use certain ingredients, and offer on-the-go menu items like soups , smoothies , and frozen meals.

You may need to try out a couple brands before you find the one that works for you. You can also shop with your idea of healthy eating in mind: Though what this means is super individualized, it could look like prioritizing nutritious ingredients, satisfying servings, or even delicious, joyful dishes.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

Fitness Food Health Love Beauty Life Conditionally Shopping. Video Challenges Workouts Newsletter Signup. Save this story Save this story. How SELF tests meal kits We spoke with registered dietitians to help guide the criteria for choosing the right meal delivery service.

The best meal delivery services of As mentioned, all of these meal delivery services have been tested and reviewed by SELF staffers, who followed our meal kit shopping guide.

Best Meal Kit Overall: Home Chef. Shop at Home Chef. Availability: Nationwide. Try It. Best for the Busy Person: Gobble. Shop at Gobble. Most Eco-Friendly: Green Chef. Shop at Green Chef. Most Popular. Availability: Contiguous United States Try It. Most Established: Blue Apron.

Shop at Blue Apron. Most Customizable: Territory. Shop at Territory Foods. Best Value: EveryPlate. Shop at EveryPlate. Best for the Picky Eater: Hungryroot. Shop at Hungryroot. Best for Plant-Based Meals: Sunbasket. Shop at Sunbasket. Availability: Contiguous United States.

Best for Add-Ons: Dinnerly. Shop at Dinnerly. Best for Organic Produce: Misfits Market. Shop at Misfits Market. Best for Vegetarians: Purple Carrot.

Shop at Purple Carrot. Best for Foodies: CookUnity. Shop at CookUnity. Best Budget Pick: HelloFresh. Shop at HelloFresh. Best for Ready-to-Eat Meals: Splendid Spoon. Shop at Spendid Spoon. Written by SELF Staff. Topics Delivery healthy eating Home-Delivery meal delivery service Meal Service meal prep Shopping.

If you sometimes go a full day without a single green or yellow or orange , read this. Look, we love granola and berries as much as anyone, but some variety is nice too.

I Was Diagnosed With Colon Cancer at Here Are the First Symptoms I Had. When picking a prepared meal delivery service, be sure to consider factors such as cost, availability, variety, and quality. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Frozen meal delivery offers easy, fast, and surprisingly nutritious meals. Here are the six best options, according to our dietitian.

Here are the best senior meal delivery services providing nutritious meals with little to no meal prep needed. BistroMD's weight loss program aims to make meals convenient.

Here's a review from a working parent. Splendid Spoon offers a quick and convenient way to enjoy fresh, plant-based meals at home, with little to no effort required.

We tried over 25 items…. Whether you're trying to avoid going to the grocery store due to COVID or looking to simplify your busy life, grocery delivery services can be very….

Some meal delivery services fit the Whole30 diet, helping to lessen cooking time with this eating pattern. Here are the 5 best Whole30 meal delivery…. CookUnity is a chef-collective prepared meal delivery service offering restaurant-quality meals.

However, it isn't cheap. We tried CookUnity for one…. We have tested the most popular meal delivery services on the market to help you decide which ones are worth your money.

Learn how we test each…. Part grocery delivery service and part meal kit, Hungryroot offers a convenient way to meal plan during the week.

We tried Hungryroot for 1 week to…. Our reviewer didn't love it, but Fresh N Lean has fans. Here we explain how it works, how it compares, and who should try it.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 11 Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services for , According to Testers and Dietitians.

Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD , Nutrition — By Kelli McGrane, MS, RD and Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on February 6, On this page Our picks Comparison table Methodology How to choose FAQ Bottom line. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest. A quick look at the best prepared meal delivery services.

Quick comparison of the best prepared meal delivery services. Service Healthline score Price per serving Shipping Menu options per week Good for Factor 4.

How we test meal delivery services. Share on Pinterest Sprinly delivery box Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD. Each service in this article: complies with U. Department of Agriculture USDA and Food and Drug Administration FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging promotes a healthy approach to well-being does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials You can read more about our vetting process.

How to choose a prepared meal delivery service. Frequently asked questions. What is a prepared meal delivery service? Are prepared meal delivery services worth it?

What is the healthiest premade meal delivery service? What is the best meal delivery service for singles?

Affordable pre-made meal packages - Daily Harvest $7-$10 Fresh N Lean Home Chef Oven Ready

Their Signature for Two plan offers roughly choices each week, but they also offer Vegetarian for Two, Wellness for Two and Signature for Four plans. In addition, they offer add-ons and a wine subscription service that can tailor wine pairings for your meals.

Reviewers love the convenience and variety of Blue Apron, but some say that they have occasional issues with delivery or ingredient quality. Blue Apron is a great fit for two-person households since they offer a wide selection of meals for two. EveryPlate is the least expensive meal kit delivery service available, making it ideal for families on a budget who still value the convenience of a meal kit.

Their menu features roughly simple, family-friendly meals each week for households with no specific dietary needs. Most reviewers are very happy with EveryPlate, although some say that they occasionally receive bad produce in their box.

Nutrisystem is a comprehensive weight loss meal delivery service that includes low-calorie meals for an individual. They offer specific plans for men, women, people with diabetes and people over 55 years old.

In addition, they offer a partner plan for couples. Their meals and snacks are either frozen or shelf stable, but require zero prep other than heating—with the exception of smoothies or protein shakes that may need to be mixed with liquid.

However, although they can be very helpful for weight loss according to reviewers, the meals are low in veggies and highly processed. Highly-processed food has been linked to several poor health outcomes, including digestive issues, type 2 diabetes, depression and heart disease.

Additionally, because these meals are for individuals or their partner plan for two , Nutrisystem may not be a good solution for families of three or more.

Check out our Nutrisystem Review for more information. Green Chef is a traditional meal kit that specializes in high-quality organic ingredients and caters to specialty diets such as keto , paleo, vegan and gluten-free.

Naturally, this focus on high-quality ingredients means that their prices are higher than other meal kit services. Still, their prices are fair and competitive for what they offer. Reviewers also love Green Chef. Note that occasionally Green Chef may need to substitute some non-organic ingredients in your box, depending on availability.

All of these will be clearly labeled. For more information, check out our in-depth Green Chef review. Purple Carrot is an exclusively plant-based meal kit service that offers both traditional meal kits and ready-to-heat meals, making it a good choice for vegan families and individuals alike.

Overall, the service has great reviews from customers, although many say that some of their produce items regularly arrive in poor condition. They also offer several gluten-free options each week. Still, it may not be a good fit for families with picky eaters because the recipes tend to feature bold, regional flavors.

However, they have a huge catalog of weekly options, including several that require minimal prep. This makes Dinnerly a better fit for families on a budget who also need meals that come together quickly. Some of their recent menu options include No Chop! Low-Cal Chorizo Tacos and Ready Made!

Cheesy Chicken Penne Alfredo. Many reviewers love the variety that Dinnerly provides, but they do say that occasionally produce arrives in bad shape.

Overall, the sheer variety of Dinnerly—along with its low price—makes it a great fit for most families without special dietary needs. They even offer some low-carb and dairy-free meals. HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal kit delivery services.

They offer a wide variety of meals each week, including crowd-pleasing choices and more unique dishes. For singles, a two-serving plan provides a dinner and one serving worth of leftovers for lunch the next day.

It can save a lot of money compared to dining out for lunch and dinner. Other than occasional shipping issues, reviewers rate HelloFresh highly—with many saying that they cook at home much more since starting their HelloFresh subscription.

Meal delivery services are companies that ship prepared meals or meal kits to your doorstep each week. There are several different meal delivery services to suit nearly all budgets and diet preferences.

Meal delivery services are convenient and they can help you save time and money. They also may help you incorporate healthier meals into your routine and they can add some variety if you find yourself in a cooking rut.

By eliminating the need to meal plan and grocery shop, meal delivery services provide convenience and save lots of time. Even if you choose a meal kit that requires you to prep and cook the ingredients, you may still save a couple of hours each week of planning and shopping.

If you find yourself eating out or ordering out regularly, meal delivery companies could also help you save money.

Many meal delivery services also feature well-balanced, nutritious meals that prioritize fresh produce and healthy protein sources. They can be a good way to introduce your family to healthier meals. Finally, meal kit services often feature large selections of meals from different types of cuisine.

They can add some much-needed variety if your dinners have been feeling stale. There are two different types of meal delivery services: prepared meal delivery and meal kit delivery. Elaheh Nozari.

Emily Johnson. Well Equipped Cleaning Gear. Meal Kits. Home Chef. Buy at Home Chef. Photo by Linda Pugliese. Pros: Marley Spoon meals got our testers and their kids cooking and eating a bit outside their comfort zone—the harissa salmon salad was a big hit.

They are clearly labeled as such on the website. We had a couple things leak over a few weeks of orders. Pros: A lot of meal kits claim they take 20 minutes, when it can often be almost double that.

Gobble said its meals could be prepped in 15 and we were pleasantly surprised just how close all of them came to that benchmark.

Nothing took over 20 minutes. There are also a lot of one pot meals to keep you from making too big a mess. They repurpose ingredients like garlic confit in lots of dishes in a way that seems smart and efficient rather than repetitive. Cons: The solution from customer service which is lovely by the way if something is missing from an order is to credit an extra meal to your account.

Gobble is best for: People who want freshly cooked food really fast. On the Menu: Pan-roasted chicken with broccoli-cheddar mac and cheese and chicken breast Portuguese-style shrimp with pinto beans and rustic tomato pimentón sauce and sustainably raised ocean shrimp Cheesy corn and black bean enchiladas suizas with zesty cabbage salad Korean bulgogi beef lettuce cups with vegetable japchae Availability: Continental United States.

Buy at Gobble. Buy at Dinnerly. Green Chef. Photo by David Cicconi. Pros: Green Chef has a way of making even ingredients our testers did not care for they had a thing about green bell peppers very appealing. The step-by-step instructions, which all use pictures, are super helpful and really do teach new techniques.

Cons: Ingredients can get a little repetitive so this is best to slip in just two or three times a week. Green Chef is best for: The beginner cook. Buy at Green Chef. Pros: In general what we got was more filling than expected or than it looked like it might be.

Even though so many of the meals are salads, Sakara really knows how to make a salad dressing enticing we loved the avocado tahini and creamy cilantro. The breakfast parfaits were delicious meals. They were surprisingly complex and ate like fancy desserts. Cons: Per meal cost is around 28 dollars and sometimes one of those meals is a single donut or muffin.

Buy at Sakara. Purple Carrot. Pros: It offered new vegetarian recipes that could be incorporated easily into a regular weekly cooking cadence. Cons: The fresh produce was not always perfectly ripe.

Buy at Purple Carrot. Blue Apron. Pros: We really like the way Blue Apron formats their instructions. It really teaches you how to prep everything before cooking. It's much more detailed than your typical recipe instructions. They offer really nice proteins.

The highlight for was the quality fillets of salmon or cod that arrived each week. We even tried scallops in one "premium" basket. If you don't have time to shop at the butcher or fishmonger or feel at all intimidated by that experience, the proteins alone make this kit worth it.

All the Indian meals, for example used the same one spice—curry powder. On the Menu: Vegetable peanut lo mein with chili crisp fried eggs Hoisin pork belly and miso ramen with bok choy and soft-boiled eggs Smoky poblano sausage gnocchi with tomatoes and monterey jack Oregano and olive chicken with farro, zucchini, and carrots.

Availability: Nationwide. Buy at Blue Apron. MICHAEL MARQUAND. On the Menu: Zesty hummus and chicken rainbow bowl Curry tofu and broccoli jasmine rice bowl Tomatoey turkey meatball and bell pepper rice bowl Spinach artichoke chicken stuffed potato Availability: Most zip codes throughout the contiguous U.

Buy at Hungryroot. On the Menu: Thai red curry chicken with coconut lime rice Chicken, root vegetables, and wild rice harvest bowl Crustless chicken potato pot pie Beef, lamb, and eggplant moussaka Availability: Nationwide.

Cons: They repeat ingredients we saw lots of mushrooms and nutritional yeast, for example , which makes this a good addendum to your cooking, but perhaps not something to commit to for five meals a week in perpetuity. Methodology is best for: Busy, health-minded folks. Buy at Methodology. Cons: This is not the friendliest meal option for lactose intolerant individuals who eat meat, as the bulk of their meat options have some sort of dairy component to them.

Buy at Factor. On the Menu: Creamy dill pork tenderloin with couscous and green beans Meatloaf à la mom with potato wedges, broccoli, and gravy Crunchy Italian chicken sheet pan bake with spiced potatoes, and lemony green beans Cheesy smashed pork burgers with old bay fries, caramelized onion, and special sauce Availability: Nationwide and abroad Buy at HelloFresh.

On the Menu: Jerk-spiced chicken with johnny cakes and braised collard greens Singaporean chicken curry rice bowl with potatoes and carrots Chicken ropa vieja with arroz moro and roasted sweet plantains Chicken thighs in scallion cream with rosemary potatoes and carrots Availability: CookUnity delivers to most of the United States.

Buy at CookUnity. Nutrition for Longevity. Cons: A lot of the food is simply not visually appealing—which makes sense since it's being packaged and shipped in plastic containers. This is something we noticed with more than one meal delivery service that focused on fully cooked food. Buy at Food for Longevity.

Daily Harvest. Cons: Portion sizes are not as substantial as meal kits that focus more on dinners. Buy at Daily Harvest.

Splendid Spoon. Cons: We had to add our own spices to get everything to a level of seasoning we liked. On the Menu: Hearty vegetable bolognese with wild rice and garlicky green beans Roasted tomato risotto with garlicky white beans Creamy korma with basmati rice and fried tofu Vegan shepherd's pie with sweet potato mash and brussels sprouts Availability: All over the United States, except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Buy at Splendid Spoon. Revive Superfoods. Pros: There is good variety, even in the standard, pre-set pack. Not just the oatmeal, but also the smoothies were quite filling.

We thought the smoothies could stand up as a full breakfast on their own. The precut ingredients in the cups were very convenient to blend up, and the fact that the cups are designed to be reused as the drinking vessels with a straw-ready lid is a nice touch. Cons: The instructions for the smoothies suggest filling the cups, with the frozen fruit and veggies still in them, with a liquid of your choice we used dairy milk and oat milk , and then pop all that in a blender.

On the Menu: Banana and pumpkin spice spiced pumpkin pie smoothie with notes of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg Apple matcha sweet matcha latte smoothie with hints of apple, pineapple, and greens Mango and papaya sweet mango refresher with subtle notes of papaya, ginger, and turmeric Spinach and mango a sweet green smoothie refresher with hints of mango and kale Availability: The entire United States.

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