From last year’s grocery shortages to ongoing concerns about shopping in person, the pandemic has steered many people to meal delivery services in order to receive fresh food. Whether you’re a cooking newbie or a kitchen pro—and no matter your nutritional goals—there are lots of options for weekly allotments of proteins, vegetables and spices, along with the recipes to turn them into lunches or dinners. Read on to figure out which feels right for you.
Blue apron
• What: One of the first meal delivery services of its kind, and still one of the best, Blue Apron can be customized to fit a wide array of diets and lifestyles, including offering Weight Watchers-approved and vegetarian meals.
• Cost: $10 per serving, with a two-recipe minimum and free shipping with a three-meal purchase.
• Plans:
Signature. A mix of proteins and different meals, including dishes like cavatelli with pork ragu and seared steaks with capers.
Signature for Four. Same meal as above but for families and larger groups.
Vegetarian for Two. Meat-free meals with a focus on seasonal produce, with options like the Korean-inspired gochujang Beyond Burger with scallion jam.
Wellness for Two. Nutritionist-approved meals that also work within the Weight Watchers program, along with diabetic-friendly meals, carb-free meals and more. Dishes include baked cod or chickpea and curry shakshuka.
• Pros: Blue Apron carries a strong reputation and is a dependable service for those trying at-home delivery for the first time.
• Cons: Shipping only becomes free when you purchase more than two recipes a week, which might not be cost-effective for some people.
Daily harvest
• What: Enjoy smoothies but dislike making them? Daily Harvest is for you. The vegan service sells preportioned smoothies (just add vegan milk!), plus soups, savory bowls, flatbreads, ice cream and more.
• Cost: Varies by item.
• Plans: Daily Harvest offers weekly shipments of 6-8, 9-11, 12-23 or 24-26 items, or 24-26 items a month.
• Pros: Healthy, quick and full of nutrients. Good for an on-the-go lifestyle. Cups and bowls are biodegradable.
• Cons: Lids aren’t biodegradable. Products are on the pricey side of the delivery spectrum.
Freshly
• What: Microwavable, perfectly portioned meals for one.
• Cost: Between $9 and $12 per meal.
• Plans: Freshly accommodates a variety of dietary needs, and also offers a gluten- and peanut-free menu.
• Pros: Freshly meals aren’t frozen, so it’s a step up from TV dinners. Perfect for those who don’t have time to cook.
• Cons: Less user control over ingredients.
Green chef
• What: Whether you’re a meat eater hoping to live a more balanced lifestyle or you’re trying out something like the paleo diet, GreenChef is a quick and easy organic service with a variety of healthy meal plans, including a vegetarian option.
• Cost: Starts at $12 per meal, not including shipping.
Pro Tip
Most delivery services offer a sign-up discount that typically lasts for multiple weeks. Once it runs out, pause the subscription and try another service.
• Plans:
Keto + Paleo. Gluten- and grain-free meals, including dishes like turmeric and maple-roasted chicken, a cheesy enchilada skillet and Italian shrimp with pesto.
Balanced Living. This flexible plan includes meat, seafood and vegetarian recipes, including crispy Southern chicken with mashed potatoes, Middle Eastern beef bowls and turkey cheeseburgers with caramelized onions.
Plant-powered.Artichoke “crab” cakes, pesto flatbread with dried apricots and ancho-lime sweet potato bowls are just a few dishes that will catch your eye when browsing GreenChef’s vegetarian menu.
• Pros: Healthy meals are quick and easy to make.
• Cons: Pricier than other competitors. Sauces are prepackaged, giving you less control of sodium, sugar, dairy and other ingredients—and producing more plastic waste.
Gobble
• What: Gobble offers quick, pre-prepped meals that require minimal cooking (usually just one pan), and it’s a little bit more adventurous than the average delivery service.
• Cost: Starts at $12 per serving.
• Plans:
Dinner: The standard Gobble option includes a variety of meals that look and sound amazing, with flavor profiles and cuisines you won’t find everywhere else.
Lean & Clean: If you’re trying to manage healthier eating habits, this includes lean proteins and healthy fats—all under 600 calories per serving.
• Pros: No prep. Gobble packages everything and portions sauces and condiments out so all you have to do is open and toss in a pan. Meals also appeal to a wide variety of tastes, with many offerings veering into more creative cuisines.
• Cons: While each plate sounds appetizing and interesting, flavors can be less than memorable.
Hellofresh
• What: Healthy meals that will give inexperienced chefs new confidence in the kitchen, with an assortment of meals for all diets.
• Cost: $8 to $13 per serving, plus $9 shipping.
• Plans: Meat-and-Veggies, Veggie Meals, Family-Friendly, Calorie-Smart, Quick and Easy and Pescetarian menus.
• Pros: Great for beginner cooks who want to explore the kitchen without getting fancy.
• Cons: While tasty, meals can feel repetitive after a while.
Marley spoon
• What: TV icon Martha Stewart has paired up with Marley Spoon to deliver curated gourmet meals that require a little more elbow grease in the kitchen.
• Cost: $7 to $11 per portion, plus $9 shipping.
• Plans: Marley Spoon offers plans for two people or four people. Choose from an assortment of meat dishes, vegetarian and vegan options, family-friendly plates, under-30-minute recipes and those geared for a healthy diet.
• Pros: Marley Spoon delivers restaurant-quality dishes, like a French dip burger with black pepper jus; meatball and orzo stew; and pan-seared pork chops.
• Cons: Recipe cards aren’t included (instructions live online), and the meals are a bit more intricate to make.
Purple carrot
• What: Delicious offerings suitable for vegans. Purple Carrot started selling frozen microwavable dinners and has worked its way into the delivery-service lineup.
• Cost: $10 per serving.
• Plans: Meal kits or prepared meals. The former involves cooking, while the latter only requires a microwave. Dishes include chik’n and dumplings; mafaldine pasta with melted leeks; and garlic herb cashew cream and coconut ginger congee with crispy tofu.
• Pros: Purple Carrot offers a variety of plant-friendly cuisines not often found with other meal services.
• Cons: The frozen meals are often high in sodium, and the prepared meal kits don’t include nutritional information for those looking to monitor certain fats or minerals.
