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Best 5 Meal Kit Delivery Services & Companies in 2023 – Reviews & Comparison

Author

Patrick Hawthorne

Last updated: February 23, 2023

Comparing the Best Meal Delivery Services & Companies in 2023

Meal delivery is a simple and convenient method to eat home-cooked, tasty, and budget-friendly meals. With meal delivery services, you can have nutritious and restaurant-quality meals at a lower cost than eating out. Say goodbye to takeout.

There are options for all dietary preferences, including lean proteins, vegetarian/vegan options, snacks, smoothies, and specialized meal plans for diabetics, gluten-free, and other dietary restrictions. It’s also helpful for weight management by promoting portion control and meal planning.

Enjoy a variety of meals with meal delivery services. You can either prepare them yourself or choose pre-prepared kits that save you time in the kitchen. Meal delivery makes mealtime exciting and never boring.

Our Picks for the Best 5 Best Meal Kit Delivery Services in 2023:

1

212 Reviews

HelloFresh – A simple and healthy way of eating

Outstanding

9.8

2

124 Reviews

Home Chef -Swap out or double your protein options

Outstanding

9.8

3

110 Reviews

Factor – Ready to heat and eat on arrival

Excellent

9.1

4

110 Reviews

Martha & Marley Spoon -Bring Martha’s zeal for cooking to your kitchen

Great

8.9

5

55 Reviews

EveryPlate – Simple, budget-friendly meals

Great

8.7

A Closer Look at the Best 5 Meal Delivery Services

1
HelloFresh


212 Reviews

HelloFreshpic


  • Pricing – From $3.99

  • What’s in the box – 3-5 meals

  • Special diets – Vegetarian, pescatarian, low carb

HelloFresh is a great meal delivery service for those seeking healthy, diverse, and easy-to-cook meals for their household. Regardless of your recipe choice, each kit comes with all necessary ingredients, clear instructions, and hassle-free cleanup.

It’s suitable for families who don’t have strict dietary requirements but want variety in their meals. Although, it does not cater to dairy-free, nut-free, or gluten-free diets, it offers a range of protein options and fresh produce in each recipe. With a minimum of 25 recipes to choose from each week, and the option to adjust, skip, or cancel delivery and subscription, HelloFresh is a convenient choice..

Why we chose HelloFresh: It’s an easy way to prevent food waste

Pros



  • No commitment or contract; you can skip, edit, or cancel orders and subscriptions

  • The average prep time for most meals is 30 minutes

  • Similar price point to competitors

Cons



  • Does not offer gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free meals

  • Does not contain plant-based proteins outside of beans and legumes

HelloFresh
HelloFresh

2
Home Chef


124 Reviews

image


  • Pricing – From $6.99

  • What’s in the box – 2-6 meals

  • Special diets – Vegetarian, soy-free, dairy-free, calorie-conscious

Home Chef is a meal delivery service that makes healthy and delicious meals accessible. It’s a perfect option for those who want to reduce food waste and preparation time, while still enjoying mealtime with family and friends. Home Chef simplifies dinner preparation by providing pre-portioned ingredients for 2-6 people, along with step-by-step instructions with pictures, making it possible for anyone to cook great meals..

Home Chef offers quality and pricing similar to other meal delivery services, with a unique feature of customization. You can choose from two healthy diet options (calorie-conscious or carb-conscious), exclude 8 common dietary restrictions, modify protein options (swap, double, or go vegan), and categorize recipes based on dietary preferences, giving you complete control over what arrives in your delivery..

Why we chose Home Chef: Very low-waste and organized packaging

Pros



  • Adaptable to common dietary preferences/restrictions

  • Meal plan for the whole family

  • Calorie-conscious and carb-conscious options for healthy eating

Cons



  • High sodium content

  • Few sustainable and organic options

HomeChef
Home Chef

3

EliteSingles


110 Reviews

image


  • Pricing – From $5.49

  • What’s in the box – 4-18 servings per week

  • Special diets – Soy-free, organic & more

Factor(Factor or Factor 75) delivers fresh, ready-to-eat chef-crafted and dietitian-designed meals that cater to almost every diet. Each meal is well-balanced to be nutritious, tasty, and support a healthy lifestyle, especially for those following paleo, ketogenic, or carb-conscious diets. The mobile app of Factor is user-friendly and enjoyable to use.

Meals are made from high-quality, organic ingredients and do not require any prep work. Factor avoids soy and gluten in their meals, but they are not approved for those with Celiac disease.

Factor uses high-quality, organic ingredients and eliminates the need for preparation. They avoid soy and gluten in their meals, but not suitable for those with celiac disease. Meals remain fresh for up to 10 days and can be frozen for later. Factor also provides nutritional consultations and coaching to help you stay accountable for your diet and health. If you’re looking for a simple way to live a healthier life, consider Factor.

Why we chose Factor: They offer fully prepared fresh meals

Pros



  • Convenience- heat and serve meals

  • Provides nutritional consultation service with dietitians

Cons



  • Higher cost per meal

  • Mostly lower carb options

Factor
Factor

4
Martha & Marley Spoon


110 Reviews

image


  • Pricing – $8.69

  • What’s in the box – 2-4 meals

  • Special diets – Vegetarian, low-calorie, family-friendly

Martha & Marley Spoon is a meal delivery service that provides convenient and healthy meal options for busy families and couples. The recipes are inspired by one of America’s leading lifestyle experts, making mealtime enjoyable and simple. The company delivers fresh, seasonal ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes with a maximum of 6 steps. This not only saves time but also eliminates the hassle of grocery shopping.

The meal options are not only delicious but also visually appealing, and cater to different dietary requirements, including vegetarian. In addition to providing high-quality food, the company is environmentally conscious and ensures that the delivery process is carbon-neutral. For those looking to elevate their cooking skills with new flavors and techniques while also saving time and money, Martha & Marley Spoon offers a fantastic choice. The easy-to-prepare, healthy meals provide a hassle-free and enjoyable mealtime experience.

What we liked: Mod and admins present on chat rooms

Why we chose Martha & Marley Spoon: Sustainable packaging

Pros



  • Variety of health-oriented options

  • Try out new skills and new flavors

  • High quality, fresh ingredients

Cons



  • No breakfast, lunch or dessert

  • No completely allergen-free meal plans

MarthaMarleySpoon
Martha & Marley Spoon

5
EveryPlate


55 Reviews

image


  • Pricing – From $1.99

  • What’s in the box – 3 meals

  • Special diets – None

EveryPlate is a good choice for those seeking simple and affordable home-cooked meals. The meal kits come with all necessary ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions taking no more than 30 minutes to prepare.

What we liked: Ends up being a good platform for long distance dating

Ordering, skipping, pausing or scheduling meals is straightforward with EveryPlate. However, with a limited menu of 17 rotating meals per week, the options may become repetitive over time. Vegetarian options are available, but there are no options for keto, gluten-free, paleo, low-carb or vegan diets. EveryPlate does not accommodate for food allergies.

Why we chose EveryPlate: Generous portions

Pros



  • Budget-friendly

  • No commitments: you can skip, swap recipes or cancel as needed

  • Several vegetarian options to choose from

Cons



  • $8.99 shipping cost

  • Limited menu options particularly for those with allergies or special dietary needs

EveryPlate
EveryPlate

Breaking Down Our Top 5 Choices: Which Is Best For Your Needs?

Frequently Asked Questions

Hello Fresh, Factor, and Homechef are among the more budget-friendly meal delivery services available. However, meal delivery costs can vary widely based on factors like order size and frequency, so it’s possible to get a great deal with any of these services if you place larger orders or sign up for a membership.

Meal kits are generally less expensive than purchasing groceries as they come with only the necessary ingredients, avoiding waste from unused food that may spoil in the fridge. Delivery to your doorstep also saves on gas and reduces trips to the grocery store.

Meal delivery services can significantly reduce time spent on food preparation. They also offer an opportunity to try new foods, improve your health, or cater to specific dietary needs. However, the pre-portioned ingredients may limit the quantity and variety of items. While meal plans may not eliminate trips to the grocery store entirely, they can reduce food waste and discourage unhealthy impulsive purchases.

How healthy a meal kit delivery service is depends on the meals you choose from the menu. However, Freshly and Factor_ are both great options for finding balanced meals with great nutritional value, including healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole-grain options.

Prepared meal delivery services are the best solution if you’re looking for something easy to prepare – just pop them in the microwave or oven and you’re good to go. Factor_ and Fresh and Easy (by HelloFresh) are terrific options for ready-made meals that are both easy and tasty.

Home Chef’s meal delivery service is an ideal choice for families, offering meal plans designed to feed 2 to 6 people. The ingredients are pre-portioned, so all you need to do is follow the simple recipe for a delicious family dinner. They also offer great customization options for those with specific tastes.

Meal kit delivery companies typically pack and ship ingredients within safe temperature guidelines and often charge a delivery fee for this service. Upon arrival, customers are advised to store the ingredients in the fridge or freezer promptly to avoid health concerns. For details on their packaging and delivery methods, you can refer to the company websites or our reviews.

Meal delivery services can provide nutritious options, depending on the plan you choose. They often offer special diet options such as low-carb, vegetarian, high-protein, etc. Choosing the right plan within the service can ensure that you stick to a healthy diet. This can also be a healthier alternative to take-out or dining out.

Freshly, , and Green Chef are all suitable options if you’re looking for single-serving meals for one person. They’ll provide you with perfectly sized portions for one to enjoy in one sitting.

Meal delivery kits are a beneficial solution for those seeking to simplify meal prep and save time. These kits offer a convenient and easy way to plan meals, with nutritious options delivered straight to your door, eliminating the need for grocery shopping and recipe planning. Ideal for busy individuals, a meal delivery kit can help you try new foods and experiment with cooking, as it comes with top-quality ingredients and simple recipes to follow. If you are looking for a time-saving solution to your meal planning, home meal delivery kits are definitely worth considering.

A meal kit service provides you with weekly recipe choices and fresh, pre-portioned ingredients along with a recipe card that guides you through preparation. These meal kits let you cook a delicious, nutritious meal without having to go to the store or spend a lot of time on prep. Not only are they healthy and convenient, but they also offer opportunities to try new cooking techniques, seasonings, and even involve your spouse and kids in meal prep.

Our Process for Selecting the Top Meal Kit Delivery Companies
To determine the best meal kit delivery companies and make it easier for you to decide which ones are worth your time and money, we thoroughly evaluated each one. Our team of dietitians and nutritionists ordered and tried the meals to assess:

  • User experience and customer service
  • Subscription flexibility
  • Meal plan diversity and variety
  • Ingredient quality
  • Recipe accuracy
  • Difficulty of preparation
  • Overall meal taste
  • Definition of a Meal Kit Delivery Service

A meal kit delivery service is a subscription-based service that delivers packaged meals to your doorstep. The kit typically includes perfectly portioned ingredients, recipes, and step-by-step instructions for you to prepare the meal. Some meal delivery services offer pre-made meals, while others offer a variety of meal options or a rotating set menu. The meal kits are highly customizable, allowing you to pick meals based on your preferences and dietary restrictions, with some catering to specific food allergies.

Advantages of Meal Kit Delivery Services

Meal kit delivery services offer numerous benefits, such as:

Convenience: Saves you time and effort on grocery shopping and meal planning. All the ingredients for the meal are delivered to your door.

Variety: Offers a variety of meals to choose from, allowing you to try different cuisines and avoid eating the same meal repeatedly.

Health: Cater to dietary restrictions and preferences, offering meals for vegans, diabetics, and those who prefer organic produce.

Portion control: Delivers exact ingredients needed for each meal, making portion control easier.

Waste reduction: Delivers only the necessary ingredients, reducing food waste. Comes in reusable or recyclable packaging, helping reduce environmental impact.

Time-saving: Saves time in grocery shopping and cooking, with ingredients pre-measured and recipes taking up to 30 minutes to prepare.

Contents of a Meal Kit Delivery
The contents of a meal kit delivery may vary depending on the service and meal selection, but typically include:

Packaging: Arrives in a reusable or recyclable box with ice packs or insulation to keep ingredients fresh until stored.

Ingredients (and specialty ingredients): Includes all necessary ingredients for the meal, including fresh produce, proteins, and spices or sauces not typically found in pantries. Ingredients are pre-measured and sometimes pre-chopped.

Recipe card: Includes a recipe card with easy-to-follow instructions and nutritional information, as well as modifications for dietary restrictions.

Meal Kits vs. Prepared Meal Delivery
Both meal kits and prepared meal delivery bring food to your table, but with differences. Meal kits offer an opportunity to experiment and prepare meals, with ingredients delivered weekly and recipes that are more affordable and faster to prepare. Prepared meal delivery, on the other hand, offers fully-prepared meals, either fresh or frozen, delivered to your home, requiring no preparation. Both meal delivery and meal kits can cater to dietary restrictions and offer diabetes-friendly and plant-based options. Choose the right meal delivery option based on your needs and preferences.

*The information on this site is based on research, but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new diet plan, we recommend consulting with a physician or other professional healthcare provider. Results may vary based on various health factors, individual weight loss plans and adherence to the meal plan.
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By Patrick Hawthorne

Patrick is a writer who specializes in technology, science, and product reviews. He has contributed to several popular websites, and his writing is known for its accuracy and thoroughness. He has a background in journalism from the University of Washington and has been a critic of technology products and services for several years, drawing on his academic training to conduct research and write with rigor.

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