Even the best home cooks can get a little tired of making dinner post holiday cooking season. If you want to eat meals that are nutrient-dense but dead easy to prepare, Factor is probably the way to go.

Factor is a little like a fancier, dietitian-approved TV dinner. Here are the steps: Take the meal tray out of its paper sleeve, poke holes in its plastic lid to let air out, and pop the tray in the microwave for two minutes.

The carnivorous dishes became a little repetitive, to be frank: Many of them consist of a small slab of meat sitting on a bed of some purée, accompanied by a couple dollops of different greens.

Not bad for a ponzu chili steak bowl with charred snap peas and ginger rice. I also appreciated the relatively low level of packaging with this kit, and the fact that there were plenty of comfort foods and vegetarian options.

That said, healthy eating is not necessarily the name of this game: a dish of scampi-style scallop linguine included four tablespoons of butter for two portions and no vegetables save for a single shallot. Territory Foods, another brand that solely provides premade meals, began in as a meal delivery service targeted at the cult of Paleo adherents.

Because of that structure, menu options vary widely across locations and change frequently, though everything is always free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugars. Choose your delivery schedule once or twice weekly and number of meals at least four per week.

Each meal is priced individually, and you can skip weeks without penalty as often as you need to. I like how many filtering options there are when choosing dishes: customers can limit by diet Paleo, of course, but also vegan, vegetarian, keto, Whole30, low fat, and more or even specific macro amounts.

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. Shop at The Cumin Club. Shop at Sunbasket.

BA Reviews Freshly's Meal Delivery Service. The popular meal delivery service promises quick, healthy, and delicious meals. Is it worth the money? How it works, the meals to order and the ones to skip , and what to know before you sign up.

Green Chef. Why we like it: For the environmentally conscious diner, Green Chef offers USDA-certified organic meal kits , which feature sustainably-sourced organic ingredients from traceable farmers and suppliers.

They also provide useful guides to show you how to reuse, recycle, and compost its packaging whenever possible. The company offers plans for a host of dietary preferences, including carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more. The recipe cards are easy to follow and designed to take just 30 minutes to make.

You'll also find there are three meal-size options: two, four, or six people. She also noted there was a lack of variety in some of the dishes—for instance, a lot of the meals she tried relied heavily on rice.

By Krissy Brady. By Ayana Underwood. By Ashia Aubourg. Meal examples: Caribbean-spiced tilapia with mango salsa; beef and sweet potato taco skillet; harvest salad with chicken and bacon. Blue Apron.

They also offer a monthly wine subscription service that pairs specially sized bottles with your meals. 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.

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Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Discount Meal Prep specializes in creating quality meals at an extremely affordable price!

Discount meal prep solutions - Dinnerly, meal kit Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Discount Meal Prep specializes in creating quality meals at an extremely affordable price!

Price is based on 10 meals per week. This service caters to a number of dietary needs and preferences, including keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based and high protein. You can choose from five plans, ranging from four meals to 18 meals per week.

Factor also lets you schedule a complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian to answer nutrition questions or determine if a Factor subscription is the right choice for you. Price is based on six meals per week.

CookUnity lets you choose from multiple plans depending on how many meals you want to receive per week, with subscriptions ranging from four to 16 meals.

The service provides a rotating menu of ready-made options each week, or you can let CookUnity pick them out for you based on your preferences like your choice of protein or any dietary restrictions like vegetarian, vegan, low-carb and gluten-free.

The meals come fresh and have a refrigerated shelf life of about four to seven days. Price is based on 20 meals per week. You can choose from seven plans: signature which includes chef-prepared meals for those with limited dietary restrictions , gluten-free, heart healthy which offers meals containing less than milligrams of sodium and 3.

Once you choose your plan, BistroMD gives you multiple selections for the number of meals you get per week. The service also offers an EATS Essential and Tasty Snacks program that provides healthy snacking options for an additional charge. Price is based on 14 meals per week.

Splendid Spoon offers over 50 healthy ready-made meals and snacks that include smoothies, soups, noodle bowls and dishes — and everything is gluten-free. She says she enjoys the selection of juices and smoothies and the convenience of thawing one at a time.

Below, we highlight what to keep in mind. Daniel Shumski , a recipe developer and cookbook author, suggests taking advantage of trial offers. Generally, meal delivery services have specific rules and procedures in place to ensure their ingredients are high-quality and trustworthy, according to the experts we talked to.

For those looking to meet specific nutritional goals, Moskovitz recommends paying attention to the individual ingredients in each meal plan, the nutrition facts and the portion sizes.

Certain meal delivery services will offer a variety of options for those with dietary restrictions. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Mili Godio is an editor at NBC Select who has extensive experience covering meal delivery services, including prepared , gluten-free and vegetarian meal services. For this article, Godio spoke to six experts about what to consider when shopping for a meal delivery service and how to determine the best one for you.

They also shared their favorite meal delivery services to try out. IE 11 is not supported. That means each kit includes pre-portioned ingredients like already-peeled vegetables, requires minimal to no chopping, and goes from pan to plate in only about 15 minutes.

Plus we love that Gobble includes specialty menu options for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian meals, and it also has family-friendly options that cater to picky eaters.

However, she thought some of the meals were a little light on veggies and protein which means a less-balanced meal. She also found the lunch options to be limited and not super satisfying. Meal examples: Mediterranean fattoush salad with green harissa dressing; Vietnamese chicken soup with rice noodles and aromatic herbs; seared steak with creamed spinach and loaded potatoes.

Availability: Nationwide, excluding Montana and with limited service in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Green Chef. Why we like it: For the environmentally conscious diner, Green Chef offers USDA-certified organic meal kits , which feature sustainably-sourced organic ingredients from traceable farmers and suppliers.

They also provide useful guides to show you how to reuse, recycle, and compost its packaging whenever possible. The company offers plans for a host of dietary preferences, including carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more. The recipe cards are easy to follow and designed to take just 30 minutes to make.

You'll also find there are three meal-size options: two, four, or six people. She also noted there was a lack of variety in some of the dishes—for instance, a lot of the meals she tried relied heavily on rice. By Krissy Brady. By Ayana Underwood. By Ashia Aubourg. Meal examples: Caribbean-spiced tilapia with mango salsa; beef and sweet potato taco skillet; harvest salad with chicken and bacon.

Blue Apron. They also offer a monthly wine subscription service that pairs specially sized bottles with your meals. 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.

Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits. See full bio. Why You Can Trust CNET. Table of Contents Top. Best Meal Delivery Services of What's the best meal delivery service? Best meal delivery services of Home Chef. Meal delivery services compared.

Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service. How we tested meal kit services. Other meal delivery services we tested. Meal delivery service FAQs. See at Blue Apron. Best for meal kits.

See at Fresh N' Lean. Best prepared meal delivery service. See at Pete's Paleo. Best for gluten-free meal delivery service. See at CookUnity. Best meal delivery with a variety of recipes.

See at Mosaic Foods. Best for prepared plant-based meal delivery. See at HelloFresh. Best meal delivery service for families. See at Factor. Best meal delivery service for weight loss.

See at Purple Carrot. Best plant-based meal kit service. See at Green Chef. Best for organic meal kits. See at EveryPlate.

Cheapest meal kit service. See at Home Chef. Best meal kits for eating keto. FILTER BY all Meal Kit Prepared Meal. Showing 11 of 11 Results. Show less. Pros Steak and seafood options are included in a standard meal plan Affordable if you choose more than two recipes per week. Cons Fewer recipe options than other services Doesn't allow for much customization.

Type Meal kit. Recipes per week Good for Vegetarian, pescatarian, diabetes-friendly, low-calorie, picky eaters, quick meals. Diet types: Vegetarian, diabetes-friendly, wellness, family-friendly, fast and easy.

See at Blue Apron Best for meal kits Blue Apron. Show expert take Show less. Editors' choice. Pros Most of the food we tried was good or great Healthy options to service many eating plans. Cons On the pricey side of average No family-sized meals making it expensive to feed a crew.

Type Prepared meal. Meal options per week Good for Keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, high-protein. Full Review Read full review. See at Fresh N' Lean Best prepared meal delivery service Fresh N Lean.

Pros Quality ingredients including mostly organic meats and produce Great for those avoiding gluten or empty carbs No subscription required. Cons No real discount for ordering a larger volume of meals The website isn't the best. Good for Healthy, paleo, keto, low-calorie, diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, Whole30, high protein.

See at Pete's Paleo Best for gluten-free meal delivery service Pete's Real Food. Pros Tons of healthy menu options per week Healthy food to service most diets and nutrition plans.

Cons Expensive if you only choose a few meals per week Quality was somewhat inconsistent. Good for Gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo, vegan, low calorie, low carb, plant-based.

See at CookUnity Best meal delivery with a variety of recipes CookUnity. Pros Nearly all the meals I tried were good or better Interesting use of global recipes and flavors Affordable, especially for the family plan. Good for Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, low-calorie.

See at Mosaic Foods Best for prepared plant-based meal delivery Mosaic Foods. Pros More than 50 weekly recipes Good for keeping to specific diets or eating plans.

Good for Vegan, vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, low-calorie, Whole30, families, picky eaters. See at HelloFresh Best meal delivery service for families HelloFresh.

Good for Healthy, low-calorie, pescatarian, vegetarian, keto, paleo, diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, Whole See at Factor Best meal delivery service for weight loss Factor.

Pros Interesting and filling vegan recipes Extremely fresh and high-quality ingredients. Cons Limited to eight recipes per week Expensive. Recipes per week 8. Good for Vegan, vegetarian. See at Purple Carrot Best plant-based meal kit service Purple Carrot.

Pros Healthy recipes and mostly organic ingredients Allows you to swap the protein in certain recipes. Cons On the expensive side Premium recipes incur major upcharges.

Good for Organic, healthy, low-calorie, pescatarian, vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, Whole30, gourmet. See at Green Chef Best for organic meal kits Green Chef. Pros The most affordable meal kit service Most recipes were either good or better Not a ton of plastic waste.

Cons Some produce was past its prime Recipes are somewhat basic Very little customization allowed. Good for Healthy, family-friendly, comfort food, picky eaters, quick and easy.

Discount meal prep solutions - Dinnerly, meal kit Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Discount Meal Prep specializes in creating quality meals at an extremely affordable price!

Favorite meal: Chipotle-spiced steak with potato salad and charred snap peas. Like Sunbasket, Green Chef promises organic ingredients and a variety of different diet-based meal plans think keto, paleo, and vegan at different price points, with about eight options to choose from per week.

What sets Green Chef apart from other services is its commitment to organic and ethically sourced ingredients. The company is USDA-certified organic, meaning that customers are buying certified ingredients from suppliers that follow strict standards.

When we tore open our bags for dishes like red-miso steak stir-fry and chicken with harissa apricot sauce, we were surprised to see that many of the ingredients were pre-prepped.

The carrots and cabbage were already chopped, the miso sauce was already prepared, and there was a baggie of finely minced garlic and ginger that was almost a paste.

All these pre-prepped ingredients made preparing our food very speedy and simple. Most were plated and ready to eat in 30 minutes, and we only dirtied a handful of prep bowls, one pan, one pot, and a cutting board.

However, convenience has its drawbacks. Many of the pre-chopped veggies were brown or wilting by the time we went to cook with them.

But otherwise, we quite enjoyed Green Chef. Read the full Green Chef Review. Favorite meal: Red-miso steak stir-fry with udon noodles, carrots, edamame, pickled ginger and carrots. Cost: Visit Green Chef for updated pricing. This meal delivery service offers a wide variety of recipes that will satisfy omnivores and vegan customers alike with its certified organic produce.

Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas and crispy tempeh tenders with barbecue sauce and lemon-shallot green beans were among its standout offerings when we tested.

We were impressed by how easily our Sunbasket dinners came together, relying on just a few key ingredients and spice blends to do most of the heavy lifting. That meant spending less time cooking and more time enjoying the food.

We particularly loved the flavorful veggies and non-meat protein options, making Sunbasket perfect for people who avoid eating meat.

You can easily skip weeks, adjust delivery frequency, pause your account, or cancel your subscription entirely by easily navigating the Sunbasket website.

Favorite meal: Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas. Cost: Visit Sunbasket for updated pricing. There are several options to choose from when it comes to buying a meal delivery kit.

To help make your selection a little easier, here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind before you subscribe to a delivery service:.

As with any subscription service, the price is one detail that should not be overlooked, especially since you'll be paying for the delivery on a weekly or monthly basis.

As a rule of thumb, stick to the basics when you first start out with a meal delivery service. See what it has to offer at a price point that matches your budget, and then weigh your options if you decide you want to switch things up. Not everyone is a connoisseur in the kitchen, and some folks may want their dinner to be prepared more quickly or easily than others.

Certain recipes can take longer to prepare, while some may be less labor intensive. Before ordering your meal kit, check to see how long each recipe is intended to take, as well as how much additional chopping, cutting, or prepping you may have to perform.

If you find yourself having little to no time to cook, then a pre-made meal kit like CookUnity could be your best option.

Meal delivery services tend to offer a variety of options to meet a wide range of dietary needs, whether it be low calorie, vegan, or gluten-free dishes. There's also the benefit of customization, which allows consumers to change some of the ingredients within the meal kit to suit their needs.

This is particularly useful when it comes to protein options or excluding a particular ingredient due to an allergy or taste preference. Before you select your meal kit delivery service, check to see what delivery days or times it offers. Some may vary based on your location, but you'll typically be able to select a delivery date for Monday-Friday, with some services offering weekend availability.

This is important to keep in mind as you sign up for your first delivery to ensure you are receiving your meals at the most convenient time for you. For each service, we ordered at least one box of three or four meals worth two to four servings each. Using the service's website, we chose a diverse variety of meals when available.

We prepared the food on a weeknight for ourselves and our partners or families, and evaluated the quality of ingredients, recipe accuracy and variety, difficulty, speed, cleanup, taste, and more. We scored and compared each meal and kept detailed notes like true food nerds.

Meal prepping and grocery shopping can feel overwhelming. Meal kits are a great way to expand your tastes and eat healthier, bringing you through the cooking process one step at a time and slicing the time it takes to prepare your food in half. We found many recipes that only took 15 or 20 minutes, and oftentimes less!

One study found that popular restaurant meals can have a whopping 1, calories on average per serving. Using a meal kit service can help you better manage your portions and ingredients to eat more nutritious meals and lead a healthier lifestyle.

They can also help you control grocery costs because you won't have excess food going bad in your fridge before you can decide what to do with it. Almost every service we tried offers a large discount on the first box.

Your box is good to sit on your doorstep until the end of the day. Because delivery windows for these services are as broad as a full day, they package ingredients to last outside your actual refrigerator until the end of the day.

Most often, produce and dry ingredients will be grouped in bags above ice packs, and any meat will be fully insulated below ice packs.

The packaging is going to be bulky and cumbersome. Recipes are usually seasonal, but favorites are often repeated. Every meal kit service has a different approach to repetition, but most try to make recipes as seasonal as possible to keep you from getting bored and to guarantee fresh, sustainable produce.

That being said, most companies make note of the most popular dishes and offer them many weeks a year, regardless of the season.

If you really love one of your meals, hold onto the recipe card for future reference so you can request it again—or make it yourself using store-bought ingredients. Cook your meals soon after receiving them. Because of transit times, they might actually be older than what you buy from the store.

Use common sense when approaching certain dishes—seafood, fresh greens, and chicken should be prepared first, while red meat, pork, and harder produce can last a few more days.

Cancel at least one full week before you want your last box. If you want to skip a week or take a break from deliveries, most services allow you to make those selections, too.

Many meal kits are now offered in grocery stores. To combat the high operational costs of delivery-only services, many companies have partnered with or been acquired by major food stores and are now offering its kits in the grocery aisles.

While we only tested delivery services, many of the recipes we tried are also available in stores for equal or lower prices. Some meal kit companies now offer prepared and heat-and-eat meals. We've noticed a recent trend toward speed and convenience in the meal kit world, both with traditional companies and with frozen and ready-to-eat brands.

Home Chef now offers at least two oven-ready dishes per menu every week, and Sunbasket has introduced both oven-ready and pre-made options. We recommend having a good cast iron pan or a Dutch oven handy. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered.

Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , TikTok , or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more. Cassidy covered all things cooking as the kitchen editor for Reviewed from to An experimental home chef with a healthy distrust of recipes, Cassidy lives by the "Ratatouille" philosophy that, with a few techniques and key tools, anyone can cook.

She's produced in-depth reviews and guides on everything from meal kits to stand mixers and the right way to cook an egg. Madison covered all things cooking as the kitchen editor for Reviewed in Formerly the editor-in-chief of Culture Magazine, Madison is the founder of GRLSQUASH, a women's food, art, and culture journal.

Her work has also appeared in The Boston Globe, Cherrybombe, Gather Journal, and more. She is passionate about pizza, aesthetic countertop appliances, and regularly watering her houseplants.

She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a Master's of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy from Boston University.

Previously the Digital Editor at Culture Cheese Magazine and a former barista , she's also had her work published in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury, Boston Magazine, and more. Danielle has a B. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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Read More Pros Large variety of appealing dishes and extras Big portions Straightforward recipes Cons Recipe timing can be inaccurate Vegan offerings are limited. Read More Pros High-quality ingredients User-friendly recipes with accurate timing Large variety of options and extras Cons Lots of packaging.

Read More Pros Balanced flavors Quality ingredients Quick and easy Creative recipes Cons Some recipes fall short. Read More Pros Fully plant-based Tasty , unique meals Premade meals offered Cons Learning curve with recipe cards. Written by Cassidy Olsen , Madison Trapkin , Monica Petrucci , and Danielle DeSiato.

Best Overall. Pros Large variety of appealing dishes and extras Big portions Straightforward recipes. Food for Longevity is best for: Busy people looking for morning and mid-day meals while they work. One of the best meal delivery services for the smoothie enthusiast, Daily Harvest sends you the ingredients to blend both smoothies and soups.

It also has bowls, flatbreads, and even family-size bakes. This is an easy way to work more fruits and vegetables into your diet with minimal cleanup afterwards. All of its meals are guaranteed to be GMO-free and gluten-free. The extensive menu features more than 40 meals.

If you have food restrictions or nutrition preferences, you can filter your menu choices to eliminate beets, cilantro, mushrooms, soy, tree nuts, caffeine, coconut, sesame, and spiciness. Splendid Spoon is best for: Vegans and vegetarians who currently utilize the freezer aisle of their local grocery store.

Revive Superfoods prides itself on its nutrient-dense smoothies, but has other offerings as well. In addition to creamy smoothies, it also has oatmeal, dairy-free desserts, soups, burrito bowls, açaí bowls, falafels, and more.

The smoothies, which are the real focus of this meal delivery kit, are rounded out with filling ingredients like seeds and pea protein and in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables. Revive also has a wide selection of oatmeal, like its best-selling banana and chocolate overnight oats.

To prepare the oats you just have to add your liquid of choice and allow the cup to soak overnight. It can also be heated in the microwave if you want something faster same-day.

They all come precooked, and need to be heated for 4—5 minutes in the microwave. Revive Superfoods is best for: People who are too busy for breakfast but should really be eating it. All meat ingredients are antibiotic- and hormone-free and the eggs are organic. When it comes to fish, Sunbasket uses wild-caught seafood recommended by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program.

With more than 20 weekly recipes, you can choose between oven-ready meals, prepped servings, and classic meals that still require you to do all the chopping; servings vary between two and four.

Sunbasket is best for: A new home cook looking to experiment with new ingredients or techniques. Availability: Currently ships to most zip codes in the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and parts of New Mexico. Both menus can be tailored to work with specific dietary preferences.

FlexPro also has a Power Bakery with protein-packed cookies and brownies that you can add to any weekly order. In the meal prep box, you can order ready-made proteins, like sous vide chicken, prime rib, shrimp scampi, sirloin steak, pulled pork carnitas, and rotisserie chicken.

These are perfect for tossing into salads or bowls throughout the week. 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. Plus, many meal services source their ingredients sustainably through local organic farmers, which also impacts the environment in a positive way.

With trying to be frugal with your money, here are some things to look out for:. Many meal delivery services offer a first-time discount, which can vary depending on the company. These discounts can be substantial, although prices may jump back up after a bit of use.

Here are a few of our best picks for meal services that offer consistently inexpensive meal options:. Many meal delivery services have smaller minimums and meal plans to cater for just one person. The cost of HelloFresh varies depending on the number of meal portions you order each week.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

The CrossRope Jump Ropes are the best option for weighted jump ropes currently available. After testing all of the various cable weights and handles in various workouts from double unders to speed skips, we are confident in recommending these ropes.

Read more. After testing 50 options, we rounded up the best protein powders for women. You hear a lot about the benefits, but what is resistance training, exactly?

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Check Out the 14 Best Treadmills for Your Home Gym View More. Best Online Workout Programs Learn More. This includes physicians, certified trainers, elite-level coaches, and more. Learn more about our experts.

GGR Score: 4. Check Price. Cons Fresh ingredients need to be cooked within 4 days of delivery Meal selection only after signing up and entering payment information. Bottom Line Skip the food shopping and the chopping—Dinnerly is a meal kit service that sends you fresh ingredients right to your door with most of the food preparation already done.

Low minimum of meals Over meals to choose from. Cons Very little customization when choosing meal plans Meals can be pricey. Bottom Line Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal delivery service that has a variety of meal plans to choose from. Product Highlights Meal service that delivers ingredients and recipes 6 different plans available, including vegan and pescatarian options Can swap out different proteins and sides Can purchase between 2 and 6 meals, in portions to feed 2 or 4 people 40 weekly recipes to choose from Sourced from U.

farmers 6 meal plans to choose from. Cons Customer reviews complain about ingredient inconsistencies Some reviews claim meal portions are small. Bottom Line HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals.

Cons You do have to cook Have to meet plan minimum each week though you can adjust your minimum on a weekly basis. Bottom Line Hungryroot offers a unique take on meal delivery, in that you find a recipe you like, and the company will send you all of the ingredients to make it.

Product Highlights Plant-based meal service Frozen meals and smoothies Schedule deliveries every weeks. Cons Additional shipping fees for each delivery Subscription model Not all meals have a high-protein content.

Bottom Line Mosaic is a frozen meal delivery service that offers plant-based options for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. Product Highlights Meal kit delivery and online market Cook dinner in minutes Over 70 weekly staples to choose from New menus every week.

Cons Subscription only delivery plans Not ideal for weight loss. Bottom Line Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that sends you everything you need for a fun, tasty meal right to your door. Community Score: 2. Product Highlights Budget-conscious frozen meals Healthy meals all under calories Variety of meal plans including high protein, keto, gluten free Order meals in increments of 6.

Cons No customizations to menu or meals Meals only last up to 6 months in freezer. Product Highlights Kid-specific meal delivery service Options for babies and toddlers Fresh meals store up to 14 days in refrigerator, 3 months in freezer All meals are nut-free Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free options.

Cons Limited menu Subscription plans only Shipping is not included. Bottom Line Busy parents will rejoice in picker-eater approved menu items with hidden vegetables and wholesome ingredients from Little Spoon, a kid-specific meal delivery service.

What is the most economical home meal delivery service? Are meal delivery services worth it for one person? How much is HelloFresh per week?

Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1 Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.

Further reading. CrossRope Jump Rope Review by Cooper Mitchell The CrossRope Jump Ropes are the best option for weighted jump ropes currently available. Best Protein Powder for Women : 50 Tested to Find the Best by Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC After testing 50 options, we rounded up the best protein powders for women.

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