12 Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for 2022, According to Dietitians

A quick look at the best meal kit delivery services

• Best overall meal delivery service: Sunbasket
• Best meal kit for healthy eaters: Green Chef
• Best meal kit for vegans and vegetarians: Purple Carrot
• Best affordable meal kit: EveryPlate
• Best delivery service for prepared meals: Factor
• Best meal delivery for low carb diets: Trifecta Nutrition
• Best gluten-free meal delivery: Freshly
• Best meal delivery for easy lunches: Splendid Spoon
• Best organic meal delivery service: Daily Harvest
• Best prepared meals for families: Mosaic Foods
• Best meal kit delivery service for families: HelloFresh
• Best baby food delivery service: Tiny Organics

How we chose

When choosing the best services, we took into account the following factors:

• Ingredient quality and freshness: We tried every service and paid close attention to the freshness of the ingredients upon delivery. We gave extra points for services featuring higher quality items, such as organic produce or grass-fed beef.
• Menu variety: To keep your taste buds happy, we looked for menus offering a good variety of flavors and ingredients. We also included services that cater to specialty diets, such as vegan, gluten-free, or low carb.
• Taste: We personally tried each service to make sure the meals are tasty and satisfying.
• Ease of preparation: We tested each service to find out whether the meals are easy to make or whether they require an extra set of hands in the kitchen. We also noted if the meals took longer than the company’s estimated time to prepare.
• Nutrition: We included services that offer nutritionally balanced meals. Most of the meals offered here contain lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and a generous serving of vegetables.
• Price: We included options to suit a range of budgets. The meal delivery services on our list range from $4.99–$14.49 per serving, with EveryPlate being the most affordable option.
• Vetting: All the services included have been thoroughly vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards. You can read more about Healthline’s vetting process here.

Healthline’s picks of the best meal kit delivery services

Best overall meal delivery service

Sunbasket

• Why we love it: Sunbasket is our pick of the best overall meal delivery service thanks to its high quality ingredients, exciting flavor combinations, and large variety of menu options.
• Price: starts at $11.49 per serving for meal kits and $9.99 per serving for Fresh & Ready meals
• Shipping: $7.99
• Delivery area: most zip codes in the United States, except for Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Montana, New Mexico, and North Dakota
• Menus: Chef’s Choice, Lean & Clean, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, and Diabetes-Friendly

This popular healthy meal kit delivery service offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options prepared with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients.

The company is a certified organic handler and uses organic produce, wild-caught seafood, and organic eggs, all of which contribute to the freshness and flavor of each dish.

The company offers meals that fit into a number of popular dietary patterns, and all recipes are approved by an in-house dietitian.

Examples of previous meal kit recipes:

• Spanish Steaks with Patatas Bravas and Bell Pepper Alioli
• Chicken Yakitori with Broccoli and Steamed Rice
• Niçoise Salad with Seared Tuna, Green Beans, and Soft-Cooked Eggs

For those short on time, Sunbasket also offers single-serving Fresh & Ready Meals, which take just 4 minutes to heat in the microwave. Available options include Chicken Tikka Masala, White Bean Turkey Chili, and more.

What our tester says

Sunbasket was by far my favorite meal delivery service. The ingredients arrived fresh, the flavor combinations were delicious and not ones I’d regularly make, and most entrees took 30 minutes or less to prepare.

I also enjoyed the Fresh & Ready meals — the White Chicken Chili was my favorite — though I still prefer the taste of the meal kits over the convenience of the premade dishes.

Read more about why this meal kit delivery service was my favorite in this comprehensive review.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best meal kit for healthy eaters

Green Chef

• Why we love it: Green Chef is a healthy, certified organic meal kit subscription service that provides ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions for creating nourishing meals.
• Price: starts at $11.99 per serving
• Shipping: $9.99
• Delivery area: most U.S. zip codes, except for Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Louisiana
• Menus: Keto + Paleo, Mediterranean, Vegan, Vegetarian, Fast & Fit, and Gluten Free

With six meal types to choose from, Green Chef caters to several dietary patterns, including keto, paleo, and plant-based, as well as those simply looking to improve the quality of their diet.

Customers can choose to receive weekly, biweekly, or monthly shipments.

Examples of previous menu items:

• Baked Ricotta Chicken with Pesto
• Mojito Cauliflower
• Mediterranean Shrimp

Keep in mind that because it offers two, four, or six servings per meal, Green Chef is also a great option for families.

What our tester says

Deserving of the best runner-up for meal kits, Green Chef meals were the fastest and easiest to make, as many of the ingredients came chopped or shredded.

Perhaps most importantly, the meals were flavorful and fresh and contained a generous portion of vegetables — an aspect that’s often lacking with other meal delivery services. Read my full review after trying 1 week of Green Chef meals.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best meal kit for vegans and vegetarians

Purple Carrot

• Why we love it: Purple Carrot makes it easy to eat more plant-based meals by offering creative flavor and ingredient combinations as well as a line of prepared meals for dinner in a flash.
• Price: starts at $9.99 for meal kits and $12.99 for prepared meals
• Shipping: free
• Delivery area: all 48 contiguous U.S. states
• Menus: plant-based

Catering to those who are vegan, Purple Carrot provides customers with nutritious, plant-based ingredients to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also sells premade snack foods.

The meal delivery service offers two- and four-serving meal plans, so it’s a good choice for couples and families.

Examples of previous menu items:

• Mango-Glazed Brussels and Chickpeas
• Lemon Zucchini Noodles
• Blood Orange Poke Bowls

Recently, the company added single-serving prepared meals to its product line, with options such as Thai Noodles, Indian Butter Tofu, and Creamy Mac n’ Cheese.

What our tester says

While the recipes took a bit longer to prep and cook compared with other meal kits I tried, I appreciated the variety of flavors and textures in each dish.

If you’re looking for creative plant-based recipes and don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen, chances are you’ll really enjoy Purple Carrot.

Read more about the types of meals I made and how long they took to prep in my full Purple Carrot review.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best affordable meal kit

EveryPlate

• Why we love it: Owned by the parent company of HelloFresh and Green Chef, EveryPlate is an affordable, family-friendly alternative to pricier meal kit services.
• Price: starts at $4.99 per serving
• Shipping: $9.99
• Delivery area: most zip codes within the contiguous United States
• Menus: ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, EasyPlate, and FamilyPlate

Designed for people without dietary restrictions or preferences, EveryPlate offers four meal plans: ClassicPlate, EasyPlate, FamilyPlate, and VeggiePlate. The VeggiePlate plan features vegetable-forward recipes that aren’t necessarily vegetarian or vegan.

During the sign-up process, customers can also choose to receive 3–5 meals per week with 2 or 4 servings each.

Examples of previous menu items:

• Southwest Sloppy Joes
• Cheesy Corn Bisque
• Cuban-Style Bean and Rice Bowls

What our tester says

Compared with others on this list, EveryPlate’s flavor and ingredient pairings aren’t quite as exciting. Plus, while EveryPlate’s ingredients are good quality, I found Green Chef’s and Sunbasket’s meat and seafood to be a bit better.

Still, EveryPlate is a great option if you want the convenience of a meal kit at a more affordable price. After all, the ingredients arrive fresh, the recipes are easy to follow, and the meals are tasty.

Learn more about this budget-friendly meal kit delivery service in my comprehensive review of EveryPlate.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best delivery service for prepared meals

Factor

• Why we love it: Factor, formerly known as Factor 75, offers chef-created, dietitian-approved, fully prepared meals that reheat well, are nutritionally balanced, and are satisfying to eat.
• Price: starts at $11 per serving
• Shipping: free
• Delivery area: all 48 contiguous U.S. states
• Menus: Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie

Made with fresh, never frozen ingredients, Factor meals can be heated and enjoyed within minutes.

Customers can choose meals based on dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free.

The company also prioritizes high quality ingredients such as grass-fed meat, sustainably sourced seafood, and mostly organic produce.

Examples of previous menu items:

• Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
• Peanut Buddha Bowl
• Tuscan Shrimp

What our tester says

I’m usually skeptical when it comes to prepared meals, since it’s hard to compete with freshly made dinners. However, Factor pleasantly surprised me. Not only were the dishes flavorful, but the textures of the ingredients were also spot-on.

Specifically, the salmon was moist and not fishy, the chicken was juicy, and the vegetables were tender without being mushy. Even the quinoa in the Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl had a soft yet chewy texture.

Check out our head-to-head comparison of Factor versus Freshly to see why Factor won out as my pick for the best prepared meal delivery service.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best meal delivery for low carb diets

Trifecta Nutrition

• Why we love it: Featuring dietitian-designed meals, organic produce, and humanely raised meat, Trifecta Nutrition is one of the best options for people following a keto or paleo diet.
• Price: starts at $10.49 per serving
• Shipping: free
• Delivery area: nationwide
• Menus: Clean, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, and Vegetarian

Trifecta Nutrition delivers fresh, fully prepared meals that are suitable for several popular lower carb diet patterns. Entrees are also gluten-free and low in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

For those who aren’t following a low carb diet, Trifecta also offers Clean, Vegan, and Vegetarian meal plans, all of which are designed to be nutritionally balanced and made with whole foods.

Just keep in mind that meals are selected for you, though you can purchase individual proteins and side dishes a la carte.

Learn more about how this prepared meal delivery service can support your nutritional goals in our comprehensive review.

Examples of low carb meals available:

• Korean Beef Bulgogi
• Beanless Chili Con Carne
• Grilled Salmon with Pesto

What our tester says

Trifecta’s meals feature a good amount of variety of ingredients and textures. I also found that the foods maintained their flavor and texture, even after reheating.

With that said, as you can only avoid up to two ingredients and meals are pre-selected for you, the service isn’t ideal for picky eaters. I also found that I occasionally needed to add a few extra spices and seasonings to add a little oomph to certain dishes.

— Healthline writer Rachael Link, MS, RD

Best gluten-free meal delivery

Freshly

• Why we love it: Freshly is one of the few certified gluten-free meal delivery services on the market. It also stands out for its creative, healthier twists on takeout and comfort food classics.
• Price: starts at $8.99 per serving
• Shipping: $6.99–$11.99
• Delivery area: all 48 contiguous U.S. states
• Menus: Purely Plant, Signature Collection, and FreshlyFit

Freshly is a meal delivery service that offers healthy, fully prepared meals that are quickly reheated in the microwave.

All of Freshly’s gluten-free meals are prepared in facilities that are certified gluten-free by The Gluten Intolerance Group, so you don’t have to worry about cross contamination.

Freshly also offers some gluten-containing meals that are prepared in a separate facility. So, if you’re avoiding gluten, be sure to select meals labeled “gluten-free.”

Examples of previous gluten-free menu items:

• Pork Carnitas
• Farmstead Baked Lentil Pasta
• Savory-Sweet Chicken Teriyaki Bowl

What our tester says

Freshly offered the most exciting flavors of any prepared meal delivery service I tried. I also loved the company’s healthier twists on traditional comfort food, like the Farmstead Baked Lentil Pasta and the Buffalo Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

However, I often found the textures of the vegetables and pasta to be a bit too soft and even mushy at times, which could be a deal-breaker for some people. Read more about the pros and cons of Freshly in our full review.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best meal delivery for easy lunches

Splendid Spoon

• Why we love it: Easily stackable in the fridge or freezer, Splendid Spoon’s grain bowls, soups, and noodle dishes make it easy to always have a flavorful, easy lunch option on hand.
• Price: starts at $7.50 per serving
• Shipping: free
• Delivery area: all 48 contiguous U.S. states
• Menus: gluten-free, plant-based menu with the ability to filter by dietary need

Splendid Spoon is a plant-based meal delivery service offering a variety of frozen prepared meals and snacks, all of which are vegan and gluten-free.

Just keep in mind that you may want to pair each entree with a side, such as fresh fruit, plant-based yogurt, or nuts, depending on your calorie needs.

The company also offers on-demand boxes if you prefer to occasionally stock up on your favorites rather than commit to weekly deliveries.

Examples of meals you can purchase:

• Dan Dan Noodles
• Green Tomatillo Chili Soup
• Red Curry Noodles

What our tester says

While I’m not a fan of some of the company’s health claims around its wellness shots and reset days, I thoroughly enjoyed every meal and smoothie I tried.

Although the noodle bowls were frozen, I found their texture to be great after reheating — I still regularly crave the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles. I also appreciated that the smoothies were tasty but not overly sweet.

Learn more about Splendid Spoon by watching our video review.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best organic meal delivery service

Daily Harvest

• Why we love it: Designed to help people eat more fruits and vegetables, Daily Harvest’s meals are based around sustainably sourced produce, most of which is certified organic.
• Price: starts at $5.99 per item
• Shipping: free
• Delivery area: 95% of the continental United States
• Menus: plant-based

Daily Harvest is a meal delivery subscription company that offers healthy smoothies, snacks, and meals made from high quality plant-based ingredients.

In fact, according to the company, 98% of its ingredients are certified organic.

Though the company is best known for flavorful and nutrient-dense smoothies, it also offers oat bowls, chia bowls, flatbreads, harvest bowls, and energy bites.

Customers create their own boxes, which can be delivered weekly or monthly.

Bestselling items include:

• Mint + Cacao Smoothie
• Brussels Sprouts and Tahini Harvest Bowl
• Hazelnut + Chocolate Bites

What our tester says

Overall I found the items easy to prepare and particularly enjoyed the smoothies, oat bowls, chia bowls, and snack bites.

However, some grain and harvest bowls were a bit too mushy for my liking and not filling enough for a full meal.

Find out more about the products I tried and which were my favorite in my Daily Harvest review.

— Healthline writer Rachael Link, MS, RD

Best prepared meals for families

Mosaic Foods

• Why we love it: Offering a line of bake-and-serve frozen meals, Mosaic Foods makes it easier than ever to serve a balanced, veggie-packed meal that the whole family can enjoy.
• Price: $19.95 per family meal ($4.99 per serving)
• Shipping: free on orders over $100, otherwise $8
• Delivery area: most major metro regions in the eastern and western United States
• Menus: plant-based

While most prepared meal delivery services offer only single-serving entrees, Mosaic’s lineup includes dishes to serve a family of four.

All of Mosaic’s Family Meals come fully prepared and frozen, allowing you to keep a stack of quick and nutritious dinner options in your freezer.

Like Mosaic’s other prepared meals, the family dinners are plant-based, contain at least four types of vegetables, and are free of added sugar and artificial ingredients.

Examples of Mosaic Family Meals:

• Veggie Pot Pie
• Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta Bake
• Thai Peanut Curry

What our tester says

Mosaic’s Family Meals were a hit in my household. While my husband and son loved the flavors and textures, I appreciated the plant-forward and nutritionally dense ingredients.

Plus, as the entrees are stored, baked, and served in the same container, cleanup was a breeze.

The only downside was how long the meals took to cook. Some, like the BBQ “Meatloaf” & Sweet Potato Mash, took more than 75 minutes in the oven.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Best meal kit delivery service for families

HelloFresh

• Why we love it: HelloFresh offers more than 40 menu options each week, including several kid-friendly recipes. Additionally, HelloFresh is moderately priced, making it a more realistic choice for families on a budget.
• Price: starts at $7.49 per serving
• Shipping: varies
• Delivery area: all 48 contiguous U.S. states
• Menus: Veggie (vegetarian), Quick and Easy, Pescatarian, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Meat & Veggies

HelloFresh is an ideal option for families with children. The service offers more than 40 menu items to choose from each week, including many that would appeal to younger kids.

Most of the recipes are fairly straightforward and can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Because of this, HelloFresh is also great for families who want to get their older kids involved in the kitchen.

The meals are packed with vegetables and highlight flavors from around the world, and most are still kid-friendly.

You can order 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 meals per week with 2 or 4 servings each.

Examples of previous meals include:

• Golden Chicken Schnitzel with Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli, & a Creamy Honey Dijon Dipper
• Bulgogi Pulled Pork Wraps with Sesame Slaw & Cucumber
• BBQ Cheddar Burgers with Chipotle Aioli & Potato Wedges

What our tester says

As a dietitian and mom of two, I appreciated that HelloFresh offered lots of healthy options that were still kid-friendly. I appreciated that the ingredients arrived organized by recipe, which made it easy to get dinner started every night.

My kids also really liked the meals, especially the Salmon in a Creamy Lemon Chive Sauce with Roasted Potato Wedges & Lemony Zucchini. I have saved several of my HelloFresh recipe cards to make again later because we enjoyed the recipes so much.

You can read more about my experience trying HelloFresh in this hands-on review.

— Healthline writer SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD

Best baby food delivery service

Tiny Organics

• Why we love it: Tiny Organics is a convenient and nutritious way to introduce your little one to new flavors and textures. What’s more, the meals are easily stackable and can be frozen for longer storage.
• Price: starts at $4.69 per meal
• Shipping: $5.99
• Delivery area: all 48 contiguous U.S. states
• Menus: plant-based

It’s a great option for baby-led weaning or for feeding toddlers. Each meal arrives fully prepared and contains 100% certified organic and non-GMO real ingredients with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.

The meals are also free of the eight major allergens and don’t contain artificial additives or preservatives.

Subscription options include 12 or 24 meals delivered every 1, 2, or 4 weeks.

Bestselling meals include:

• Apple π Oatmeal
• Coconut Curry
• Baby Burrito Bowl

What our tester says

I really enjoyed having a stash of Tiny Organics meals in my freezer for quick breakfasts and lunches. They were also super convenient to bring with us on trips to the mountains or when my son was staying with his grandparents.

While I initially tried the meals when he was 8 months old, I found that he liked them best after his pincer grasp improved, around the 10-month mark. His favorites were the Oat Em Gee, Bananas Foster, and Coconut Curry.

— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Meal delivery service comparison table

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

*Splendid Spoon items contain two servings per container. However, most people will likely eat the full container in one sitting. So, the price per serving for Splendid spoon reflects the price per item.

How to choose a meal kit delivery service

When choosing a meal delivery service, it’s important to consider several factors, including:

• Meal kits versus meal delivery services: If you like to cook and don’t mind prep work, opt for a meal kit company. On the other hand, if you’re short on time or don’t like to cook, a fully prepared meal delivery service is a better option.
• Meals provided: Meal kits are generally geared toward dinner, as they provide larger portions and take longer to cook. Meal delivery services often offer prepared options suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some even offer snacks and desserts.
• Specialty diets: If you follow a specific dietary pattern, such as vegetarian, vegan, keto, or paleo, it’s important to choose a company that offers several menu choices that are appropriate for you.
• Cost: When selecting a service, have a weekly or monthly food budget in mind. You’ll also want to factor in costs such as shipping and additional groceries you’ll need for the week.
• Servings: Many prepared meal delivery services provide only single-serving meals. In contrast, meal kits often cater to households of two or four, with some even offering up to six servings per meal.
• Sustainability: It’s no secret that meal delivery services use a lot of packaging. However, some companies have made strides to be more eco-friendly by focusing on seasonal or local ingredients and using recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials.

Why choose a meal kit delivery service?

Meal delivery services offer fresh ingredients or chef-crafted prepared meals delivered to your doorstep. There are many reasons why someone might subscribe to one of these services, such as:

• Convenience: The main benefit of a meal kit delivery service is that it can save you time on planning and shopping for meals. Plus, if you opt for a prepared meal delivery service, you don’t even have to worry about cooking.
• Diet adherence or weight loss: If you’re trying to lose weight, a meal kit delivery service can make it easier by providing recipes that are nutritionally balanced and potentially lower in calories to help you meet your goals. Many also offer menus that cater to specialty diets, like keto, Whole30, and vegan.
• Healthier eating habits: Many meal delivery services offer recipes or prepared meals featuring whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables. Many also use healthier cooking methods, such as baking, rather than frying, chicken.
• Exposure to new ingredients: Even the best home cooks can find themselves in a recipe rut. Meal kits offer an easy and delicious way to discover new ingredients, flavors, and cooking methods.

Just keep in mind that with more than 100 meal delivery services on the market, some services are healthier, tastier, or more cost-effective than others.

Be sure to do your research to find a meal delivery service that’s right for your lifestyle needs, budget, and dietary preferences.

Frequently asked questions

Are meal delivery kit services worth it?

Meal delivery services can help you eat healthier while saving time you would spend looking for recipes and going grocery shopping. Because many offer prepared meals, these services can be a great option if you dislike cooking or don’t have the time to cook from scratch.

Plus, even for people who like to cook, meal kits can be a great way to discover new flavor combinations and ingredients.

However, many meal delivery services aren’t cheap and may cost more than cooking meals at home.

Which prepared meal delivery service is the healthiest?

While several prepared meal delivery services can support a healthy diet, Freshly, Factor, and Mosaic Foods stand out for offering balanced meals containing lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables.

Which meal delivery service is best for diet and weight loss?

Sunbasket is one of the best meal kit services for weight loss, as it offers a large variety of plans to suit a range of dietary needs and health goals. For example, its Lean & Clean menu provides whole foods-based recipes containing fewer than 600 calories per serving.

It’s also one of the few services with a dedicated menu for the Mediterranean diet — an eating pattern that has been associated with multiple health benefits, including weight loss and a lower risk of chronic disease (1, 2).

For prepared meals, Trifecta Nutrition, Factor, and Freshly all offer portion-controlled and nutritious meals that can support weight loss.

Which meal delivery service is the cheapest?

EveryPlate is one of the least expensive meal delivery services, with the cost per serving ranging from $4.99–$5.89, depending on the number of meals you select each week. However, keep in mind that there’s also a $9.99 shipping fee on every order.

Purple Carrot is another affordable option. While meal kits start at $9.99 per serving, Purple Carrot is one of the few meal kit services to offer free shipping.

If you’re interested in prepared meals, Daily Harvest is the least expensive for single-serving items, and Mosaic Foods is the cheapest for family-style entrees.

What’s the best meal delivery service for families with young children?

The best meal delivery service for your family depends on the ages and preferences of your kids.

For example, there are several great baby food delivery services, such as Serenity Kids, which offers purees and puffs, and Tiny Organics, which is better suited for baby-led weaning.

If you have slightly older kids, HelloFresh is a great option because it offers a Family Friendly menu to make it easier to find recipes to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, most HelloFresh meals are ready in 30 minutes or less.

The bottom line

Although many meal kit delivery services are available, only some offer both nutritious and delicious options.

The meal delivery services listed above offer healthy and tasty meals, and many also offer dishes that are suitable for popular dietary patterns and people with food allergies.

Use the list above to choose the best meal delivery service based on your lifestyle and nutritional needs.