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Nov 10, 2024

12 Best Meal Delivery Services of 2024, Tested by Experts

Blue Apron is my top pick, but I loved some more budget-friendly options too. We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a

Blue Apron is my top pick, but I loved some more budget-friendly options too.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

I've been testing meal delivery services for the past five years at Good Housekeeping. Before that, I dabbled in meal delivery but wasn't a true subscriber. Now, I'm absolutely hooked – not only do they save me a trip to the grocery store, but they help mix up an otherwise boring dinnertime routine and give me something to look forward to eating.

One thing is for certain – there have never been more meal delivery services to choose from. The options are frankly overwhelming: Do you want a standard kit with recipes and corresponding ingredients, prefer premade meals or something in between? Are you looking for solely vegan dishes or gluten-free fare? Narrowing the services down to find the right one for you can be daunting, which is why our team of food and nutrition experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute (including yours truly!) tested over 50 meal delivery services to find the best options on the market. We even sent the services out to over 300 home chefs to see which ones ranked highest for different lifestyles and budgets. Ahead, you'll find our favorites that bring quality and convenience to your weeknight meals.

Type: Standard meal kit or prepared meals | Cost: $7.99 - 11.99 per serving + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Blue Apron was one of the first companies to popularize meal delivery kits: They know what they're doing and it shows. I find the recipes consistently great, with innovative twists and incredible flavor profiles, and the weekly choices are substantial. But if you'd rather skip cleaning pots and pans, you can opt for their convenient premade meals (still good, but the recipe quality on the kits is better). As a dietitian, I like that they have menu options that are calorie- and carb-conscious, as well as fast and easy recipes that can be made in about 15 minutes.

How it performed in our tests: What truly stood out in tests was Blue Apron's high-quality, fresh ingredients. Testers gave the service rave reviews and loved both the variety and creativity of the recipes. Many said the meals were delicious and inventive and the recipe cards offered simple step-by-step instructions. "Blue Apron is a solution for busy people who like to explore new recipes and ingredients," said one tester. "It's adventurous without being extreme. The ingredients are perfectly measured, packaged well and fresh." Another noted that the directions were easy to follow, the "ingredients were consistently fresh" and the "variety of proteins and spices used was pretty great."

I also recently tested some of the brand's specialty seasonal boxes, including ones for the holidays, that were exceptional and took the guesswork out of making a really festive meal. When it comes to price, Blue Apron is average with an upcharge for premium items. Also, the service uses a ton of plastic but over 85% of the packaging is recyclable by weight and they have teamed up with How2Recycle to help maximize their efforts. If you're looking for a true, authentic meal delivery service experience, Blue Apron is the perfect go-to.

Type: Standard meal kit | Cost: $5.99 per serving + $10 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Cost can be a big deterrent for many when it comes to meal delivery services, and you'll notice that many services have a pricing scale with a discount on the more meals you order. But who is ordering 24 of these weekly? And what if you only need a few meals a week? I like that EveryPlate has a fixed price per serving of $5.99, one of the lowest we have seen. The word that comes to mind when describing their kits is uncomplicated – you'll miss out on some fancier, more organized packaging features that other services offer, but the quality of the food is still excellent and they have a nice variety of meals to choose from each week. I also appreciate that they have vegetarian meals, quick and easy recipes and calorie smart offerings.

How it performed in our tests: I was surprised by just how tasty the meals turned out. Our testers liked the variety of offerings and the freshness of ingredients. Multiple testers remarked on the helpful instructions, which come with pictures that made it easy to prep and plan ahead while cooking. One person said, "Everything was awesome, from the ingredients to the completeness of the recipes provided." Another noted, “I am a decent cook but tend to stay in my lane when it comes to meals. I really enjoyed making these meals and learning new techniques."

As I mentioned before, one drawback is that the items aren't as carefully packaged as other kits, meaning you will have to sort through your box to figure out which ingredient is meant for each recipe. That being said, the box itself and the packaging materials are solid. “UPS was delayed one day, and the EveryPlate box sat on my porch all day in 98ºF weather," said one tester. "Yet everything was still cold and fresh when I opened it.” It's really the best option if you're on the fence about meal delivery because of cost but want to give it a go.

RELATED: Best Affordable Meal Delivery Services

Type: Standard meal kit | Cost: $11.99 per serving + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Not only was Green Chef another top performer in our tests, but it's one of my personal favorites. This certified organic company offers a wide variety of health-conscious meal plans, working with farmers to source sustainable ingredients, which was a huge draw for me as a dietitian. The high-quality ingredients, thoughtfully packaged kits and vibrant recipes were a true standout. Plus, the menu is robust with over 42 options each week and plans based on different dietary preferences including Mediterranean, Gut & Brain Health, Calorie Smart, Protein Packed, Keto, Gluten-Free and more.

How it performed in our tests: You'll pay a premium, but I truly think it's worth it for the Green Chef meals. The items come neatly packaged, organized and pre-portioned. Testers said they loved the portion sizes, saying the meals filled them up and had great flavor. “I was so impressed with all the portions and freshness of the products," said one tester. "Every meal was super easy to prepare." Another added, "I felt that the food with this meal delivery service was fresher than other meal delivery services I have used in the past." On the downside, some testers noted that the instructions could be a bit complex and required many pans and bowls, but the pictures on the recipe cards were very helpful.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Is Green Chef Worth It?

Type: Standard meal kit | Cost: $4.99 to $8.49 per serving + $11.99 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Dinnerly has one of the largest weekly menus I have seen with over 100 weekly recipes, including vegetarian and reduced-carb offerings. It's more affordable than most meal delivery services out there, but works on a sliding scale so the more meals you order the less it costs per serving.

How it performed in our tests: If you're looking for tons of options to choose from, this service is for you. Even the vegetarian offerings on the menu are robust. Testers raved about how much easier Dinnerly was to prepare than other meal delivery services they have used in the past. They were also happy with the variety of recipes and gave the dishes top marks for flavor and fresh ingredients. The meals were suitable for beginner cooks too. “I would recommend this meal subscription because of the following: the variety of meals, portion size, easy-to-follow recipes and most importantly the wonderful taste," said one tester.

I appreciate that Dinnerly keeps costs low by using fewer ingredients per dish and simple, uncomplicated packaging. Although some items come loose in the box to minimize packaging materials, one tester said, “I loved the packaging and the freezer bags they used, which kept my food ice cold even on a hot day." The brand used to do only digital recipe cards, but now gives you the option to receive printed cards in the box. Those searching for affordability, quality and convenience will love Dinnerly's offerings.

RELATED: Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Services

Type: Standard meal kit and prepared meals | Cost: $9.99 per serving for prepared meals, $11.49 - $25.99 per serving for meal kits + + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide with some exceptions

If you can't decide which type of meal kit you need, then Sunbasket is a safe choice. They offer a ton of variety, including standard meal kits, semi-prepared options and totally premade meals. All dishes are made with high-quality ingredients and organic produce, and every recipe is crafted by chefs and registered dietitians.

How it performed in our tests: A favorite healthy meal delivery service, I appreciate that the brand offers plans for paleo, carb-conscious, gluten-free-friendly, keto-friendly, diabetes-friendly, Mediterranean, vegetarian and pescatarian. During testing, I found that the Fresh & Ready meals heated best in the oven, but the microwavable option was handy in a time crunch. I also appreciated that the brand's dietitians ensure that meals are typically under 800 calories and 800 milligrams of sodium but high in protein and fiber. Sunbasket’s sustainable packaging and delivery is a major effort for the brand, and really stood out to me.

Overall, our testers loved the creative and unique recipes, with 100% of testers saying the service encouraged them to try something new. The breakfast options were also a big hit. “Great quality, sustainable packaging and flavorful meals,” said one tester. The actual meal selection isn't super robust, but the service does give you the option to add standalone proteins to your box which can save you a trip to the butcher or fishmonger.

RELATED: Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services

Type: Standard meal kit | Cost: $9.99 to $11.49 per serving + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

HelloFresh was one of the first meal delivery services I ever tried, and after testing it regularly over the years I can tell you that it always delivers a consistent experience. Meals are good, packaging is solid and recipe cards are well done. Ingredients are all pre-portioned for each recipe, and they have a huge selection of dishes that rotate weekly. I also like that you can add on grocery items if needed. They have some quick and impressive meals, as well as pescatarian and vegetarian options.

How it performed in our tests: It's apparent that HelloFresh has been at this for a while — the instruction cards are easy to follow and the packaging proves superior to other services I tested in terms of both performance and sustainability. Testers gave this service top overall scores for quality, saying that the food tasted great. “My partner and I liked the taste and flavor," said one tester. "Every dish had something extra beyond what we would normally make. I thought the food tasted better than what we would get from takeout at a restaurant!” Another tester noted that they'd gladly use this service again because "it was easy to use and motivated me to cook rather than just order something in," and that they "loved not having to think about what meals I wanted to make and then have to buy all the ingredients." But the meal plans are only for two or four people, so it's not ideal for larger families.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Is HelloFresh Worth Trying?

Type: Standard meal kit and family meals | Cost: Starts at $10 per serving, family meals range from $7 to $9 per serving + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Most meal delivery services cater to two to four people per meal, so it can be tough to accommodate for larger households. That's why I like Home Chef – they have different plans for up to six people per meal. You'll find a ton of options from five-minute meals to more elaborate entrée masterpieces. Plus, you'll also find their recipes in Kroger grocery stores if you'd rather pick up the items yourself.

How it performed in our tests: Home Chef offers a wide variety of meal kits and you can filter for calorie-conscious, carb-conscious and vegetarian options, which is something I really appreciated as a registered dietitian. You can also now customize the proteins in your meal which is a major plus. Our testers gave the service rave reviews, with top scores for portion sizes and satiety of meals, easy-to-follow recipes and freshness of ingredients. Testers agreed that the quality of ingredients was better than other services they had tried in the past. They thought this service was especially great for families, since the recipes were especially simple to follow and yielded delicious results. The fact that they have a section curated specifically for families is a real plus. And 100% of testers said the service encouraged them to try a meal or food that they usually wouldn’t have or that was not in their regular rotation.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried Home Chef for Three Months

Type: Prepared meals | Cost: Starts at $11 per meal + $10 shipping fee | Availability: Over 90% of the continental U.S.

I love to cook, but let's face it – cleanup can be the worst. When I need a simple, mess-free weeknight, I reach for prepared meal delivery services like Cook Unity. Award-winning chefs craft up restaurant-quality meals for you that are fresh, never frozen, and delivered straight to your door. You'll find a changing menu of dozens of options from some of the most talented chefs in the country. The delivery range is still expanding, but the service does let you filter for dietary preferences like gluten-free, dairy-free and keto (though the selections can be quite limited if you have multiple dietary filters).

How it performed in our tests: As a dietitian, I appreciate that the brand provides a full nutrition facts panel on each meal. I personally found the service best for gourmet comfort food, but the service also offers some health-conscious fare. The service received top scores from our testers and experts for flavor, portion sizes and overall food quality. In fact, 100% of testers said they would recommend the service to a family member or friend. "The meals were simple to prepare and absolutely delicious," one tester shared, while another said, "There is so much creativity that went into each meal that you can see and taste!" Take note that the shipping area is a bit limited but growing.

RELATED: These Are Our Favorite Prepared Meal Delivery Services

Type: Prepared meals | Cost: $10 to $13 per meal + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Tovala solved a crucial dinnertime problem for me – preparing proteins that are juicy and tender, but not overcooked or undercooked. The service sends you neat packages of ingredients that require quick assembly. You'll then use the brand's signature smart oven to cook your food perfectly when you scan the corresponding QR code.

How it performed in our tests: While purchasing the Tovala oven means this meal delivery service has a steep startup cost, I love that it not only prepares Tovala meals but can also scan and cook thousands of different foods. While testing this service in the Lab, I was amazed by how consistently and perfectly cooked each meal came out. At-home testers were impressed with the high-quality ingredients and loved that cleanup was a breeze. “The salmon meals were very filling," one tester said. "The oven made it seamless to cook, and it came out perfectly cooked." Take note that the meals are perfectly portioned for one — which is great for singles but not as ideal for feeding families and larger crowds.

Type: Prepared meals | Cost: $11.49 to $13.99 per meal + $11 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

You've probably heard of Factor, one of the most popular prepared meal delivery services out there. Part of the HelloFresh family, think of Factor as the more convenient, health-conscious cousin. I like that all of their meals are created by dietitians and chefs, and the subscription includes a complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian. Plus, the plan preferences are great for those on special diets like keto or flexitarian.

How it performed in our tests: Testers and I both loved the variety of meals offered by Factor, as well as the portion sizes and the simplicity of heating. Meals were delivered in great condition and ingredients tasted fresh. For those on low-carb and keto diets, the amount of compliant options on the menu was a welcome change from other services that have limited offerings. Plus, the meals were tasty, satisfying and creative, but take note that many of the keto meals are very high in fat. "I've always been overwhelmed by which meal delivery service to choose, but I definitely will be ordering Factor for my husband and myself," one tester said. "I really appreciate the quality of the meals and how well-balanced they were." Testers also liked that the service has add-ons including shakes, smoothies, juices, snacks, proteins and desserts.

RELATED: Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services

Type: Standard meal kit and prepared meals | Cost: $11 to $13 per serving + $10 shipping fee | Availability: Nationwide

Most meal delivery services offer a limited selection of vegan or vegetarian options each week, but Purple Carrot impressed me with their completely vegan menu that is anything but boring. The globally-inspired recipes are fun, exciting and delicious. All of Purple Carrot's meals are plant-forward and kits come with a weekly recipe booklet that you can keep to recreate your favorites. And if you get tired of cooking, you can opt for the brand's fully prepared meals instead. Since everything is already vegan, you can select other dietary filters on top of that including high-protein options and meals under 600 calories.

How it performed in our tests: Although many meal delivery services offer vegetarian plans, I love that Purple Carrot showcases an array of tasty and nutritious vegan options for those following a plant-based lifestyle. Plus, the service has been clinically proven to help people lose weight and lower LDL cholesterol. But for a kit that doesn't include meat, it is on the pricey side per serving. Testers found the meals inventive and flavorful and appreciated that all of the offerings were plant-based and didn’t take very long to prepare. "I love how Purple Carrot meals are delicious and nutritious without involving complicated cooking," one tester said. "The meals feel much fancier and more complicated when eating than when cooking. It encouraged me to try new flavors and food combinations I wouldn't have thought of myself."

RELATED: Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services

Type: Prepared meals | Cost: Average of $15 per serving | Availability: Nationwide

I first found Epicured when I was a private practice dietitian counseling patients with gastrointestinal issues. The first low-FODMAP and gluten-free meal delivery service, Epicured is designed for customers with common GI disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s, colitis, SIBO and celiac. Not only are the meals fully prepared, making it extra convenient to stay compliant on a low-FODMAP diet, but they are also seriously delicious and fresh (Michelin-star chefs team up with physicians and dietitians to create the meals). The menu is robust and I like that Epicured uses organic ingredients whenever possible.

How it performed in our tests: Testers were pleasantly surprised by the flavorful meals, even though they were gut-friendly. “We were hesitant about whether a low-FODMAP meal would be bland, but this was surprisingly flavorful and filling,” said one tester. Another tester remarked, “This service was much better than I expected. Learning that it was gluten-free and low-FODMAP had me prepared not to like the texture or flavor. But surprisingly, it was all very good.” I appreciated the meal variety and that registered dietitians ensure each meal meets specific dietary requirements (not an easy task for low-FODMAP restrictions!).

RELATED: Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services

After testing over 50 meal delivery services, the ones highlighted in this article ranked best by both our in-house experts and at-home testers. Some other notable options include:

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our food and nutrition experts test and review all different types of food products and services. From healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services, we are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more.

Our experts have evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services. First, we assess how easy it is to navigate and utilize the service's website. We look for robust menu variety, ample dietary preferences to accommodate different needs, simple instruction cards, accurate cooking times and delicious and inventive recipes.

We also evaluate the quality of ingredients upon arrival and whether or not the kit includes everything you'll need to recreate the provided recipes. We look for packaging that keeps the food safe and incorporates sustainable features. Other major factors are cost and delivery ranges which we strongly consider in our tests.

We've tested everything from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients to fully prepared heat-and-eat options. What we've found is that there is really a service for every level of home cook and practically any dietary need or preference. Whether you love to cook or prefer to stay away from the kitchen, there's a meal delivery option that's right for you.

In addition to expert evaluation, we recruited over 300 at-home testers across the nation. Real-life feedback from home cooks of all levels is an incredibly value component of our evaluation process. Testers comment on how easy the kits were to follow, their thoughts on the variety and quality of recipes, the condition of the food upon arrival, packaging and more.

We made our selections based on expert evaluations and tester feedback in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability. Our top picks cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences including gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein and more. Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored well overall with testers.

As a result of our testing, we believe the companies spotlighted above deserve recognition for their performance in their categories. That said, this is a fast-growing segment in the food industry, and we're likely to see exciting new entrants emerging in the near future. We are currently and constantly testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date.

Not only do new meal delivery services continue to emerge, but existing services tend to update or completely change their offerings frequently. It can be overwhelming to narrow down the best option for you and your needs, so here are a few things to consider:

✔️ Type: What's your purpose for utilizing a meal delivery service? Are you looking to change up a boring dinnertime routine and try some new creative recipes? Then a traditional meal delivery kit is a great option. If you want something simple that requires no cooking or dirty dishes, a prepared meal delivery service may be ideal. Need something in-between? Many services offer semi-prepared meals so you get the best of both worlds.

✔️ Dietary preferences: Although most meal delivery services claim to accommodate different dietary preferences, the menus for certain nutrition needs aren't always robust. If you have specific dietary preferences, there is a comprehensive list of specialized meal delivery services at the end of this guide that you can check out. And if you have any serious food allergies, you'll want to ensure that the service you choose is equipped to handle that.

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

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