The Best Meal Delivery Services in 2021
The best way to save money and spend more time with family is to gather around your kitchen table for a good meal. However, many people don’t want the hassle of going to the grocery store anymore, just to spend hours over a hot stove for sub-par food. Instead, you can enjoy affordable, yummy food that’s ready in no time, thanks to the best meal delivery services.
Honest Reviews You Can Trust
Meal prep services and delivery options are everywhere these days. However, how can you choose the best one for your specific needs? Which ones are the most affordable?
Luckily, you can take advantage of our honest reviews. Our food experts will give you all the details so you can pick the best for your family’s taste buds. Different kits have different dietary options, meal plans, price ranges, and more! We’ve researched everything for you. You’ll get the scoop on the best home delivery meals, how shipping works, and anything else you can think of.
The 5 Best Meal Delivery Services of 2021
If you don’t have time to read the complete review, check out this helpful list of the 5 best meal delivery services:
- 26 meal options every week
- Quick prep - under 30 minutes
- Modify search terms - “no nuts” or “staff picks”
- Free delivery over $40
- Fruit smoothie add-on
Soy free
Vegetarian
Low Carb
Low Calorie
Healthy Eating
Bottom line – Home Chef is an excellent option with lots of meals to choose from each week. Enjoy kid-friendly recipes and get discounts if you’re a healthcare worker or first responder.
Basil Pesto Salmon with grape tomatoes and goat cheese orzo
- Prep & Cook Time 25-35 min
-
Difficulty Level
Moderate
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
It looks like a shiny new car, but it’s nothing but rust inside. It looks like a perfectly good apple, but it’s actually full of worms. But this surprise is a good one: orzo looks like slightly large rice, but it’s actually a form of small pasta. A small pasta that becomes tangy and creamy when mixed with butter, Parmesan, and goat cheese, and pairs like a dream with the flaky salmon.
In Your Box
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 1⁄2 Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Savory Seasoning
- 4 Orzo Pasta
- 1 Basil Pesto
- 1 Goat Cheese
- 12 Salmon Fillets
- 3⁄5 Butter
- 4 Grape Tomatoes
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 815 Calories
- 54g Carbohydrates
- 45g Fat
- 49 Protein
- 1403 mg Sodium
- 12 meal options every week
- Moderate prep - 30 to 45 minutes
- Carb-conscious, diabetes-friendly, and vegetarian meals
- Free shipping if you get at least three meals for two people
- Wine subscription service
Wellness
Weight Watchers- Vegetarian
Balance
Almond Free
Blue Apron meal delivery service offers several recipe and meal options, including meat, vegetarian, and weight watchers approved recipes. You can get either a singles/couples plan or a family plan with some of these options, and they serve 2-4 people.
Crispy Skin Trout Fillets with Creamy Chowder-Style Potatoes & Pancetta
- Prep & Cook Time 35-40 min
-
Difficulty Level
Easy
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
Inspired by one of our favorite seasonal ingredients and go-to comfort foods—corn chowder—this dish features smoky-spiced trout served over a rich base of corn, potatoes, and pancetta tossed with cream, whole grain dijon, and savory broth.
In Your Box
- 2 Skin-On Steelhead Trout Fillets
- 3 Diced Pancetta
- 2 ears Of Corn
- 3⁄4 Golden Potatoes
- 1 Poblano Pepper
- 1 Lemon
- 2 stalks Celery
- 1 bunch Chives
- 1⁄4 Cream
- 17⁄50 Chicken Bone Broth
- 17⁄50 Crispy Onions
- 1⁄2 Sweety Drop Peppers
- 1⁄4 Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
- 1 Smoky Spice Blend Smoked Paprika
- Sweet Paprika, Ground Yellow Mustard
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 1190 Calories
- 68g Fat
- 68g Protein
- 76g Carbs
- Up to 20 meal options every week
- Quick prep - 20 minutes
- Calorie-wise options
- Kid-friendly, veggie, and meat+veggie meals
- Shipping rate included in price
Plant-based protein
Gourmet Meals- Vegetarian
Plant Based- Low Carb
- Low Calorie
Bottom line – HelloFresh is ideal for anyone looking for quick, convenient meals that can be kid-friendly. They have one-pot meals, which make for easy clean-up and you can exclude certain ingredients for anyone with allergies.
Black Bean & Poblano Burritos with Monterey Jack, Pico de Gallo Cilantro Lime Rice & Guacamole
- Prep & Cook Time 35-40 min
-
Difficulty Level
Expert
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
Master the art of building the perfect burrito with this recipe. First, assemble your fillings—here, you’ve got fluffy cilantro lime rice, hearty spiced black beans and poblano, and Monterey Jack cheese. Next, get your salsas and condiments ready: smoky red pepper crema, refreshing pico de gallo, and guacamole. Now for the best part: stuffing the tortillas with just as much of each component as your heart desires, so you get a burrito that’s perfectly customized. Roll it all up, then dig into burrito bliss. Now THAT’S a wrap!
In Your Box
- 1⁄2 Jasmine Rice
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 1 Poblano Pepper
- 1 Roma Tomato
- 1⁄4 ounce Cilantro
- 1 Lime
- 13 2⁄5 Black Beans
- 1 Veggie Stock Concentrate
- 1 Southwest Spice Blend
- 2 Flour Tortillas (ContainsWheat)
- 1⁄4 Monterey Jack Cheese (ContainsMilk)
- 4 Smoky Red Pepper Crema (ContainsMilk, Soy)
- 4 Guacamole
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 890 kcal Calories
- 28 g Fat
- 10 g Saturated Fat
- 128 g Carbohydrate
- 11 g Sugar
- 14 g Dietary Fiber
- 22 g Protein
- 30 mg Cholesterol
- 1640 mg Sodium
- Organic, non-GMO foods
- Quick prep - under 30 minutes
- ‘Lean and Clean’ dishes and ‘Quick and Easy’ meals
- Paleo, gluten-free, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan recipes
- $5.99 shipping rate
Mediterranean
Paleo
Lean & clean- Vegetarian
Vegan
Pescatarian- Paleo
Mediterranean- Low Carb
Gluten Free
Whether cooking for yourself or your household, we have a flexible plan to match your lifestyle. Need to cancel, change meals, or skip a week? Not a problem.
Chicken chop suey with shishito peppers, mushrooms and scallions
- Prep & Cook Time 15-20 min
-
Difficulty Level
Moderate
-
Spice Level
Spicy
Meal Overview
This recipe for chicken chop suey turns humble veggies into a family favorite dish! This simple chop suey combines carrots, celery, and bean sprouts with tender bites of chicken for a budget-friendly favorite. It’s all tossed in the easiest ever sauce and served over rice or noodles!
In Your Box
- Jasmine rice
- Organic cremini or other button mushrooms
- Organic scallions
- Organic shishito peppers
- Your choice of protein
- Organic shredded carrots
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 610 Calories
- 43g Protein
- 6g Fiber
- 19g Total Fat
- 1280mg Sodium
- 68g Carbohydrates
- 6g Total Sugars
- 4, 6, 10, or 12 meal options every week
- Gluten and peanut-free facility
- Under 500 calorie options, dairy-free options
- Meals with under 35 grams of carbs
- Fully-cooked ready-to-eat meals, Ready in 3 minutes!
Athletes & Fitness
Keto- Healthy Eating
- Gluten Free
Bottom line – Do you want ready-made meals delivered to your home? Then this service is perfect for you, especially if you are single or don’t have much extra time. Although there are no vegan or vegetarian options available, this is one of the best fully cooked meal delivery services around.
Chicken Livorno with Hearty White Beans & Kale
- Prep & Cook Time 25-30 min
-
Difficulty Level
Moderate
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
Clean + honest Italian flavors kick off with juicy, oven-roasted chicken breast marinated in fragrant herbs. With lean protein and high-quality carbs like beans and veggies, this dairy-free meal provides a boost of vitamin C and antioxidant beta-carotene to boost well-being.
In Your Box
- Kale
- Chicken Breast
- Tomatoes
- Great Northern Beans
- Turkey Bacon
- Carrots
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 490 Calories
- 20g Carbs
- 17g Total fat
- 40g Protein
Types of Meal Delivery Services
In 2021, there is no shortage of home delivery plans and what they have to offer. You can get anything from pre-portioned ingredients and prepackaged meals to ready-to-serve, fully cooked quality meals. There are plenty of benefits to these types of meal delivery services. These include:
Ready-Made Meal Delivery Services
Ready-made services are ideal for:
A quick grab-and-go lunch
People who want to avoid fast food
Families with busy schedules
Those who don’t have time to grocery shop
Meal Prep Services
Meal prep service kits are great for:
Large families who want multiple servings
Foodies who like to explore
Family cooking nights with kids
People with busy schedules
Anyone who enjoys cooking
The 10 Best Meal Delivery Services For 2021
1. Home Chef
Home Chef is one of the most popular meal delivery services available today. They have many options for families, such as:
5 minutes prep meals
Kid-friendly recipes
Smoothie add on starting at $4.95 and special-occasion meals
Home Chef is the go-to meal delivery service for people who are busy with their family and looking to get dinner on the table. Often with over 30 recipes to choose from each week, there will be lots of variety for everyone. They also have a one-pan dinner available for easy clean-up during the week. There are options to exclude common food allergies as well, such as nuts. Home Chef does offer some vegetarian meals, but it is geared more towards people who eat meat.
Best for
People who are mostly looking for meat options and families with kids
| Avg. Meal Price | $9.95/serving. The lunch option is $7.99/serving |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Oven and grill ready options for 5-minute prep, and 30-minute average meals. |
| Shipping Cost | $10 or free shipping when you spend $40 or more |
| Shipping Regions | 98% of the US - not Alaska or Hawaii. Also has blackout areas in parts of Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, California, Oregon, and Washington |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
Home Chef is not suitable for anyone looking for only vegan or vegetarian options, as most have meat. I think Home Chef is great for both lunch and dinner options that have quick prep times. If you are looking for meals that come together quickly and are kid-friendly, look no further! Home Chef is the meal delivery service to check out.
2. Blue Apron
Blue Apron offers simple meals to its customers who want to explore more in the kitchen. Its meal delivery service is excellent for anyone who wants to:
Make quick, easy family meals
Explore new recipes
Gain more knowledge in the kitchen
Blue Apron has two plans: Signature Plan and Family Signature Plan. The family plan is perfect for anyone with four servings, while the regular Signature is for 2 or 3 people. You can select wellness options or vegetarian meals. However, both are unavailable with the Family Plan. Blue Apron offers a wine subscription that you can pair with each meal. You can also get other kitchen tools and pantry items.
Best for
People who are wanting to try different recipes and cook more for their family.
| Avg. Meal Price | $150 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Between 30-45 minutes average |
| Shipping Cost | $7.99 or free with some subscriptions |
| Shipping Regions | 48 US states - not available in Alaska or Hawaii |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
Blue Apron is not for experienced cooks, as their recipes are a little simple and for people who are beginners in the kitchen. I love Blue Apron for its easy recipes and fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. If you are completely new and want to give meal delivery services a shot, Blue Apron would be a great option to check out!
3. Hello Fresh
HelloFresh is a meal delivery service that has gained popularity in the last couple of years. The service includes:
Kid-friendly meals
Affordable options
Quality ingredients
HelloFresh usually has over 20 different recipes to choose from for you and your family. Furthermore, you can exclude any ingredients because of allergies. Or because you are a picky eater. The choices include meat, vegetarian, family-friendly, and calorie-wise options. There are many one-pot meals for easy prep.
Best for
People and families who need to exclude certain foods for allergies, people who want to pick with meals based on prep/cook times
| Avg. Meal Price | $8.74 to $9.99 per serving plus some surcharges |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Quick 30 minute meals, average time 30-45 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $6.99 |
| Shipping Regions | The US except for Hawaii and Alaska, and Canada. |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
HelloFresh is not for anyone who doesn’t want to pay attention to prices. Why? Because specific meal prices will cost more, which can lead to unexpected charges. I think Hellofresh is a great option for many families. You can often find outstanding discounts for your first box purchase. If you want to try HelloFresh, check them out on the website today!
4. SunBasket
Are you still looking for the most affordable meal delivery? Sunbasket might be for you. Do you:
Follow specific diet plans
Want quick meals
Want the option for ready-made meals
Sunbasket prides itself on having lots of organic, non-GMO, sustainably, and responsibly raised ingredients. Award-winning chef Justine Kelly created the recipes. She is known for her work at James Beard Award-winning Slanted Door restaurant is the creator of the recipes at Sun Basket. You can choose between 18 meals a week that serve two or four people.
Best for
People who are on a specific diet plan.
People who want an affordable kit, created by an award-winning chef.
| Avg. Meal Price | "Fresh and Ready" meals ($9 per meal) $10.99-$11.99 per serving |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 30 minutes average prep/cook time |
| Shipping Cost | $5.99 |
| Shipping Regions | Nationwide, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and parts of New Mexico |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
Sunbasket is not for you to look for a budget delivery box with simple recipes and precooked options. Sunbasket truly has it all: award-winning, eco-friendly meals at a fair price. If you want to try out some of Chef Justine Kelly’s recipes, check out Sunbasket today!
5. Freshly
Freshly offers precooked single portion meals to their customers using some of the best ingredients available. Freshly is ideal for anyone who wants to:
Sausage baked penne with sautéed zucchini and spinach
Pulled pork al pastor with cotija cheese and Mexican-style corn
White bean turkey chilli with cilantro-lime rice
With Freshly, you choose either 4, 6, 10, or 12 meals a week. Also, you can change the number of meals you receive each week. The more meals you order, the cheaper it becomes each week. Freshly has several dishes such as low-calorie options and vegetarian. With everything coming precooked, there is no prep time! Just heat it and feast!
Best for
People who are on a budget
| Avg. Meal Price | $8.99 for most meals |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | No Prep, ready in 3 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Dependent on your region |
| Shipping Regions | 48 US states - not available in Alaska or Hawaii |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
Freshly is not suitable for anyone who wants to cook their own meals in the kitchen. I think Freshly is great for prepackaged meals and a better option than most items sold at grocery stores. For anyone wanting to have meals already made for them, with super quick prep times, you should give Freshly a shot!
6. Factor75
Factory75, also called Factor, is a meal delivery service that offers ready-to-eat meals. These are great if you want to:
Eat healthy meals on the go
Skip meal prep and cooking time
Follow a specific diet plan
Factor’s ingredients are grass-fed and pasture-raised. Feast on gluten-free, antibiotic and hormone-free, soy-free, non-GMO meals. They also have no added sugars. This meal delivery service uses the best ingredients, and menus change every week. If you are not a picky order, Factor will even choose your meals for you based on your past orders, making everything automated.
Best for
People who are single or have a partner, who want prepackaged, healthy meals that fit within their diet.
| Avg. Meal Price | $11 to $15 per serving |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Under 10 Minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free |
| Shipping Regions | The US except for Hawaii and Alaska, and Canada. |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
Factor is not for anyone who isn’t following a diet plan, who wants to cook their own meals at home, or who has a family to cook for. Do you want to cook your own family meals? Factor probably isn’t for you. You also should follow a diet plan to eat with this meal delivery service.
I think Factor is a perfect alternative for anyone who is following a diet plan. Also, anyone who wants food ready in just a few minutes. If you want the convenience that Factor provides, check them out today!
7. Dinnerly
Dinnerly is breaking into the meal delivery service industry as the meal kit for:
People on a budget
Simple meals for beginners
Marley Spoon owns Dinnerly and opened its doors in 2018, calling itself the meal delivery service available to everyone. With affordable meal options, this kit is perfect for people on a budget. You can save money as well as time in the kitchen. Most foods only have six ingredients.
Best for
People who are on a budget and are new to cooking or want simple recipes.
| Avg. Meal Price | Starts at $5 per serving, Two-Person Box for $30, or a Family Box for $60, |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 30-45 minute average prep+cook time |
| Shipping Cost | $8.99 |
| Shipping Regions | Currently ships to most of the West Coast, Midwest, and Southern states |
| Sample Meals |
|
Bottom Line
Dinnerly is not suitable for anyone who is following a specific diet plan. Alternatively, you should skip this affordable meal delivery if you are vegetarian. Most dishes include meat. I think Dinnerly is one of the best options out there, simply because of the price. Try Dinnerly today and watch your grocery bill go down!
8. Every Plate
EveryPlate is a meal delivery service that prides itself on:
Offering budget-friendly rates
Having simple recipes
Being ready in 30 minutes
EveryPlate comes with about 11 recipes every week. You can either pick two servings per recipe or four servings per recipe. Each week the menu changes, so you can always have a variety in your diet.
Best for
People who are on a budget
| Avg. Meal Price | $4.99 per serving |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Meals are ready in 30 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Dependent on your region. Your first box is free shipping. |
| Shipping Regions | 48 US states - not available in Alaska or Hawaii |
| Sample Meals |
|
EveryPlate is not good for anyone who is following a specific diet or meal plan. Furthermore, there are very few vegetarian meals. I think EveryPlate is great for anyone who is on a budget but is comfortable in the kitchen. Do you want to make great dinners for their family? Check out EveryPlate today.
Bottom Line
EveryPlate is not good for anyone who is following a specific diet or meal plan. Furthermore, there are very few vegetarian meals. I think EveryPlate is great for anyone who is on a budget but is comfortable in the kitchen. Do you want to make great dinners for their family? Check out EveryPlate today.
9. Green Chef
Green Chef is one of the few meal delivery services that offer the following unique features:
Eco-friendly packaging
A USDA-certified organic label
Meals that take 30 minutes or less
Green Chef is an excellent option for anyone looking for a meal delivery service that cares about your environment and health. This affordable meal service has many different dietary meals to choose from. Also, the website teaches you how to recycle or reuse the packaging.
Best for
People who are on a specific diet plan or meal plan who want to have an eco-friendly meal delivery service.
| Avg. Meal Price | $12.99-$11.99 per serving for a two-person Green Chef subscription at three meals/week; $10.99 per serving for a four-person Green Chef subscription at two meals/week. |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 30 minutes or less |
| Shipping Cost | $8.99 |
| Shipping Regions | Currently, Green Chef cannot deliver to Hawaii, Alaska, and certain parts of Louisiana. |
| Sample Meals |
|
Green Chef is not for someone who cares about budget-friendly meals or isn’t following a specific diet. I think Green Chef is an excellent example of what all meal delivery service kits should be aiming for with their eco-friendly mission. It is great to see a company that cares. If you want to support Green Chef, check them out and order from them today!
Bottom Line
EveryPlate is not good for anyone who is following a specific diet or meal plan. Furthermore, there are very few vegetarian meals. I think EveryPlate is great for anyone who is on a budget but is comfortable in the kitchen. Do you want to make great dinners for their family? Check out EveryPlate today.
10. Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest offers an impressive range of plant-based meal options suitable for every meal of the day, 7 am to 7 pm. It’s aimed at everyone who favors:
Organic meals based on clean, nourishing ingredients
Minimal prep and cooking time
Allergy friendly, gluten-free meal options
The meal selection of Daily Harvest is built on organic fruits and vegetables; as such it can benefit anyone who is looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Their unique recipes containing original combinations of ingredients are perfect for foodies and those hunting for new culinary experiences. On the top of that, Daily Harvest meal delivery service is incredibly convenient, as all their meals arrive frozen. They can either be cooked in no time, or stored for later without loosing any of the valuable nutrients.
Best for
Vegans , vegetarians, health conscious people and anyone sensitive to gluten and diary.
| Avg. Meal Price | $7.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 3-10 minutes average |
| Shipping Cost | Free |
| Shipping Regions | 95% of US |
| Sample Meals |
|
We won’t recommend Daily Harvest to meat lovers or anyone looking for a substantial, filling meal. This delivery service is focused on lighter, low-fat and plant based dishes; you won’t find large portions on their menu either.
Bottom Line
Daily Harvest is highly recommended for vegans, vegetarians, health conscious consumers and people with food allergies. Their clean, plant-based meal options could be beneficial for weight loss. The unique combinations of ingredients will surely satisfy those hunting for new culinary experiences. Besides, Daily Harvest meals are ready in minutes, saving your precious time.
How To Choose the Best Meal Delivery Service
As you can see from this list, there is no one-size-fits-all meal delivery service. It depends on the number of mouths you have to feed. Do you want ready-made meals you can pop in the microwave? Alternatively, maybe you want to try new ingredients and become a chef in the kitchen. Here are some steps and questions you can ask yourself to find out which meal kit is suitable for you.
Step 1: Determine If You Prefer Fully Prepared Meals or Meal Kits
You need to decide what you want out of your meal service. Will you have time to prepare things every week? Maybe you desire ready-made lunches, so you’re not tempted to go to the fast-food joint next door.
Step 2: Consider Your Dietary Needs
Not all meal delivery services will have meals for every diet. For example, if you follow Keto, you don’t want to go with a meal kit that doesn’t offer that.
Step 3: Understand the Pricing System
If you don’t know how the pricing works, you could be left with a hefty bill at the end of the month. It is essential to read the fine print about different plans. Make sure you’re aware of any additional charges when ordering.
Step 4: Decide the Number of Meals You Want
Almost all of the meal delivery kits will let you change this week to week, so you can test it out to see what works for you. Remember – usually, if you get more meals, this means you will save more money.
Step 5: Look for Promotions Before You Buy
Who doesn’t want a deal? Besides promotions for first-timers, check to see if there is a coupon code available before you purchase. You can use applications like Rakuten and Honey to save even more.
Bottom Line
So, now that you have all the information about the most popular meal delivery kits, what are you waiting for? Do yourself and your family a favor, and get a fully cooked meal delivery. Ordering from the best meal delivery services will save you time and money while eating delicious meals according to your unique dietary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many Americans use meal kit delivery services?
It is estimated that 7% of Americans will use online meal delivery services; that’s over 22 million people!
Can I still order meals if I live in Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes and no, as some meal kits do not deliver to Alaska or Hawaii. Make sure to check that before ordering.
What’s the cheapest meal delivery service?
The cheapest serving for meal delivery kits on this list is either EveryPlate or Dinnerly, coming in at $5 per serving.
What’s the healthiest meal delivery service?
That will depend on what you think is the healthiest diet plan; some think Keto is the best diet, where other people might think you need to be plant-based. What matters most is that it is working for your body and that you feel good.
What’s the best meal delivery service for diabetics?
Both Blue Apron and Sunbasket specifically state that they have diabetic-friendly recipes. Look into one of those meal delivery services.
