Food kit delivery The Services are meant to make your life easier. And they do, once you choose one. But with services expanding rapidly in recent years, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Whether you’re going vegan, cooking for a family of six, or just trying to find your legs in the kitchen, there’s probably a service that meets your needs. Some meal kits send you pre-prepared meals, while others send ingredients paired with recipes, and some are grocery delivery services. They all aim to make the process of meal planning and cooking more convenient, and how well they do this varies.
I’ve tested more than two dozen meal kit delivery services over the past few years, and I’ve retested many in this guide to ensure accuracy. Some people are just bad, so choosing the right one for you comes down to lifestyle. I’m an experienced home cook, and I don’t have dietary restrictions or great dietary preferences, but I explored plant-based foods as well as other omnivorous options. I also had taste-testing help from lifelong vegetarians, pale children, and my cat (by accident). Considering recipes, ingredients, ease of use, Amount of packaging wasteAnd the fact that every home chef has different needs, you’ll find the best food delivery services below.
Updated January 2025: We’ve added new photos of the Gardencup and Goblet, as well as double-checked links and prices.
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Price: Despite any marketing claims to the contrary, meal kits cost more than buying groceries. However, they usually cost less than takeout and are healthier. If you want to find out if the trade-off is worth it, the good news is that there is a lot to choose from Mattress in a box Companies, meal kit companies are usually something Ongoing Promotions Most meal kit pricing models offer bulk discounts: the more meals you buy per week, the lower the price per serving. We go into detail about dietary restrictions and subscription costs below. If you ever want to skip a week or cancel, you can find that information in the account section on your chosen service’s website.
Wired: Meal kits are convenient; I didn’t have to worry about planning dinner, grocery shopping, or panicking junk food after forgetting to eat proper meals during the day. Learning to cook with one of the best food delivery services can build confidence and provide basic knowledge. If you’re busy, or just can’t be bothered, meal kits may be just what you need to cook ’em, and cooking at home is never a bad thing. Meal kits may be right for you if you’re cooking for a small household, if you work unconventional hours, if you hate figuring out what to make for dinner, if you Want to stop ordering all the time, or if you’re trying to develop your cooking skills.
tired: Nothing beats learning how to cook the old-fashioned way, so be sure to give it a try, too. It’s cheaper and you learn more if you pick the fruit yourself or pluck a whole chicken for $5. You just Don’t get that experience If everything arrives at your door and the chicken parts are pre-packaged. Planning and shopping at the grocery store is an integral part of the art of cooking. Meal kits are also generally more wasteful than traditional home cooking, and often more expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, if you’re cooking for a large family, or if you want tighter control over the specific ingredients you’ll be using, meal kits may be the wrong choice for you.
What if I have allergies, a special diet, or go on a lot of vacations?
You’re probably covered. Most meal kit services have a way to filter out common allergens or dietary preferences, and most recipes list specific nutritional information so you’re always informed. And if you travel a lot, it’s usually easy to go to your account settings and skip a week, pause your plan, or cancel it entirely. These factors vary by service, but we’ve listed some features below.
For each serving below, I tested at least three meals, following the recipe directions exactly. I made them mostly for dinner and preferred testing the mix of proteins and cooking skills required (for example, testing one-pan meals in addition to more complex proteins, side dishes, and pan sauce meals). I aim to test a variety of recipes that will appeal to a wide variety of people, including vegetarian-forward options and meals that will be quick for a family meal versus meals that will be great for a date night.
