In order to determine the best meal kit delivery services, our team went behind the paywalls to research 60 brands, asked real users about their experience, and consulted with 15 nutrition professionals — all to get an expert take on the best meal kit services on the market. Recipes for the upcoming week are often populated according to the meal preferences you select when you sign up for the subscription, such as family-friendly or vegetarian, for example. Many services also offer add-ons like snacks, sides, breakfasts, and pantry items to help you check items off your grocery list. Meal plans usually serve two, four, or six people per recipe, and you can choose to purchase two to six recipes in a week. The number of servings you choose and number of recipes per week will determine your weekly recurring subscription cost. Some services allow you to modify your meal kits by swapping ingredients or upgrading your proteins. For example, you may be able to choose steak instead of chicken for a meal for an added fee. Just make sure you make your modifications before the stated deadlines unique to each service; they range from five to seven days before your selected delivery date. None of the services our reviews team researched have contract commitments, meaning subscribers can skip, pause, or cancel their meal kit delivery service. Although brand websites may say you can do this anytime, it’s important to adhere to stated deadlines to ensure you aren’t charged for a delivery that you don’t want. For added convenience, some meal kits require little preparation time and include preportioned ingredients that may already be washed and chopped. Some meal kits offer the possibility of home-cooked meals ready in 15 minutes.
Meal Kits vs. Prepared Meal Delivery Services
Prepared meal delivery services deliver refrigerated or frozen precooked meals weekly. These services can make it easy for busy individuals to resist the temptation to order takeout since there is no need to chop, dice, or measure ingredients. Prepared meals can also make it easier to follow a new nutrition pattern or just eat healthier in general. You can customize your meal delivery plan to accommodate certain diets or nutrition preferences, such as high-fiber, high-protein, or vegan, depending on the service you choose. †Plans for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a combination for five days Serves Two or four servings per recipe; two to five recipes per week; single-serving prepared meals Meal options Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean, or Diabetes-Friendly
Pros
Offers meals that accommodate six different dietsOffers meal kit and prepared meal subscriptionsOptions for meals prepared in under 20 minutesIncludes organic produce 99 percent of the timeTransparent responsible sourcing of animal proteinsMoney-back guarantee
Cons
High average cost per serving for meal kitsDoesn’t deliver to all statesNo student discount or heroes discount
Sunbasket offers a well-rounded experience for its meal kit subscribers, taking into account features such as variety, ingredient quality, sustainability, and the dietary preferences of its subscribers. Its weekly rotating menu features recipes developed by a team of registered dietitians and James Beard- and Michelin-acclaimed chefs. Its customizable meal plans, organic menu, and “100 percent mouthwatering” guarantee are why Sunbasket is our pick for the best overall meal kit Meal plans can be customized through various diet and allergen modifiers like “high-protein” or “avoid dairy.” Its weekly recipes are further classified by the type of diet they accommodate:
Paleo
Gluten-Free
Vegetarian
Pescatarian
Mediterranean
Diabetes-Friendly
Clean eaters may appreciate that Sunbasket is certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as an organic food handler and promises fresh organic produce, milk, yogurt, eggs, and tofu 99 percent of the time. Exceptions are made when factors like weather make organic options unavailable. If so, Sunbasket will label any replacement ingredients accordingly. Sunbasket has transparent quality standards for sourcing animal proteins. Seafood is either sustainably raised or wild-caught; all meat is both antibiotic- and hormone-free; lamb and beef are pasture-raised; beef is sourced organic where possible; and poultry and pork are sourced from farms that “observe high standards of animal welfare.” If you’re on dinner duty and strapped for time, you may appreciate its “Speedy” recipes, which can be prepared in 20 minutes or less. Alternatively, you can choose its single-serving, heat-and-eat meals, which are offered in its “Fresh and Ready” subscription. Although the cost per serving for its meal kits is higher than it is for other meal kit brands we researched, Sunbasket prepared meals and delivery fees fall in the average range. Your weekly recurring charge will be for your selected serving size and number of recipes, but you can add as many meal kits or prepared meals to your cart as you like. Sunbasket also offers market items to add to your order, like breakfast items, snacks, and pasta. Sunbasket does not offer student or heroes discounts, which are typically discounts allowed for veterans, first responders, and educators. Sunbasket doesn’t deliver to addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and some parts of New Mexico. You can check its service availability page to see if Sunbasket delivers to your address.
Sunbasket Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
When we checked Sunbasket reviews, we found it received an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars and more than 3,200 reviews on Trustpilot. On BBB, 13 reviewers rated it 1 out of 5 stars. Sunbasket does not have reviews available on Google. Positive reviewers liked the taste of the meals, their quick preparation, and how Sunbasket helped address their dietary preferences. Negative reviews mentioned being charged full price instead of having promotional credits applied, limited vegetarian options, unreliable delivery, and poor customer service.
Our Experience With Sunbasket
When our reviews team surveyed 600 meal kit subscribers in July 2022, Sunbasket customers reported high-quality ingredients, taste, and healthy meals as the features they liked most about their meal kit subscription. When our reviews team tested Sunbasket, they found the meals to be a bit bland, especially when they were expecting punchy flavors from spicy or curry recipes. They also had to go off script with some instructions that may have been optimistic about cooking time. For example, the instructions for one meal stated to cook sliced sweet potatoes for between four and six minutes, but they actually needed at least double that amount of time to be cooked through. Our reviews team’s survey also indicated that 84 percent of Sunbasket users occasionally or always had to modify their meals during preparation. Often — 72 percent of the time — it was to suit their taste preferences. So expect to season to taste. Serves One Meal options Signature Collection, Purely Plant, or FreshlyFit
Pros
Choose from a weekly rotating menu with an average of 30 choicesPrecooked meals, no prep work requiredCan add proteins and sides to your orderMeals are prepared in a certified Gluten-Free Safe Spot facilityAverage cost per meal is lower than other prepared meal delivery servicesOffers a student discount
Cons
Delivery costs are higher for larger bulk ordersNo option to omit or filter common dietary allergens other than dairy and glutenUnclear ingredient-sourcing standards
Freshly is a prepared meal delivery service with a philosophy that promises “healthy meals with less sugar, less processed food, and more nutrients.” Its heat-and-eat, single-serving meals are suitable for busy individuals looking to level up on healthy eating and leave frozen TV dinners, which can be high in sodium and saturated fat, behind, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Freshly meals are refrigerated, not frozen, and they are nutritionist-approved with a focus on minimizing added sugar and processed ingredients. You’ll have more than 30 meals to choose from each week at a low cost. The average cost of a prepared meal among the 35 meal delivery subscriptions we researched is $12.14; the average cost of a Freshly meal is $10.39. Convenient and cost-effective, Freshly is our pick for the best overall meal delivery. The weekly rotating menu is divided into four categories:
Signature Collection Customer favorites and seasonal dishesPurely Plant Vegetarian mealsFreshlyFit Meals higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than Signature Collection mealsProteins and Sides Add-ons
Freshly offers meals certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) Program. When selecting your meals, you won’t have an option to filter out or omit allergens other than dairy and gluten. Instead, Freshly invites you to connect with its Menu Experts, who will help you navigate the menu with your dietary preferences in mind. Freshly customers also have the option to add on proteins and sides to create a more customized modular meal that suits your diet. Freshly sources produce domestically except when ingredients aren’t in season. Animal proteins are sourced domestically, except for shrimp. Freshly guarantees meals that are free from artificial ingredients and processed sugars. Although it made the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) in 2021, Freshly does not indicate whether it observes other ingredient sourcing standards. Companies that commit to the BCC agree to sourcing chickens raised according to a set of welfare standards. Freshly offers a student discount of $125 off the first five orders for full-time students who sign up for a Student Beans account. Freshly delivers to the contiguous United States.
Freshly Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
On Google, Freshly is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 1,100 reviews. Freshly is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars, with more than 12,700 reviews on Trustpilot. More than 300 BBB reviewers rated the service 4.54 out of 5 stars, but it received an F rating for failure to respond to complaints filed against the business. All ratings were current at the time of publication. Freshly is not an accredited company, and customer reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB ratings. Positive reviews praise the taste and portion sizes of meals and mention good experiences with customer service. Negative reviews mention difficulty redeeming referral bonuses or promotions, and issues with the reliability of its delivery contractors.
Our Experience With Freshly
When our reviews team surveyed Freshly customers, they reported enjoying healthy meals that were tasty and easy to prepare. Similar to what we learned about Sunbasket, most Freshly subscribers (82 percent) reported modifying their meals some or all of the time to suit their taste preferences and sometimes to spice them up. Our reviews team found it very convenient to have a meal ready to eat in about five minutes. Freshly meals were notably less salty than a typical frozen prepared meal, which can be a plus for those watching their sodium intake. Some of the vegetable sides were overcooked and soggy from the microwaving process, so if you’re picky about vegetable texture, you can consider reheating them in an air fryer or oven. Serves Two or four servings per recipe; three to five recipes per week Meal options ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, FamilyPlate, or EasyPlate
Pros
Lowest per-serving price compared with other brands reviewed, starting at $4.99Generous portion sizesStudent discount
Cons
The only special diet supported is vegetarianNo option to omit or filter common dietary allergensMost meal kits require 30 minutes or more to prepareMust create an account to see delivery eligibility
EveryPlate is a meal kit delivery service owned by HelloFresh and designed to make meal kits affordable. With prices starting at $4.99 per serving, customizations such as diet and allergy filters aren’t available. Despite this, EveryPlate’s reviews suggest that its customers don’t feel short-changed on their subscription. Its rotating weekly menu features 17 meal options categorized under four preferences:
ClassicPlate Full menu of weekly optionsVeggiePlate Vegetarian and vegan optionsFamilyPlate Family-friendly meal kitsEasyPlate Meal kits with easy cleanup or that are ready in 30 minutes or less
EveryPlate does not disclose its ingredient sourcing standards other than “getting to know” suppliers and ensuring high-quality ingredients. Suppliers vary by week and region. HelloFresh, the parent company of EveryPlate, has a Broiler Chicken Welfare Policy (PDF), which outlines its commitment to humane poultry sourcing. Our reviews team contacted EveryPlate to verify whether it, too, follows the same policy and was told that it is under the same guidelines as HelloFresh when it comes to ingredient sourcing. EveryPlate offers a discount for students with a UNiDAYS account. Students can pay $1.99 per serving for the first two boxes. EveryPlate delivers to most Zip codes in the contiguous United States. You need to create an account and enter your Zip code in the checkout form to see if your address is eligible for an EveryPlate delivery.
EveryPlate Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
There are more than 18,800 reviews on Trustpilot, which gives EveryPlate an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. EveryPlate is linked with the HelloFresh page on BBB and didn’t have a rating of its own. All ratings were current at the time of publication. There were no Google reviews available for EveryPlate. Reviewers mentioned getting good value from the meal kit service, which often yields leftovers because of its larger portion sizes. Negative reviews came from customers who received poor-quality ingredients and damaged delivery boxes.
Our Experience With EveryPlate
According to our reviews team’s meal kit delivery survey, EveryPlate customers enjoyed its easy preparation, tasty meals, and reliable delivery most. When our reviews team tried EveryPlate for themselves, they found the meal kits easy to prepare, often plating up sooner than the estimated prep and cook time on the recipe cards. In addition, the meal kits yielded generous meal portions. Serves Two or four servings per recipe; two to four recipes per week Meal options Signature, Vegetarian, or Wellness
Pros
Choose from a variety of meal options with generous portionsFreshness guarantee for its ingredientsTransparent sourcing of animal proteins
Cons
The only special diet supported is vegetarianNo option to omit or filter common dietary allergens
Blue Apron makes cooking at home easy with user-friendly features like recipe cards, a “Cook Along” section for each recipe found on its website and app, and “Fast and Easy” meals that take 20 minutes or less to prepare. Transparent sourcing for animal proteins and a freshness guarantee for its ingredients can give customers confidence in the quality of ingredients they receive. Although its cost per serving is average for the brands we researched, the portions are generous, making Blue Apron our pick for the meal kit that offers the best value. Although its website says users can choose from more than 50 options, this number includes sides, heat-and-eat meals, and a weekly rotating menu with fewer than 40 recipes divided between two- and four-serving kits. You can choose from three meal preferences:
Signature Full menu of weekly meal optionsVegetarian Weekly vegetarian-only optionsWellness Prioritizes meal kits that have 600 calories or less and meals recommended by WW (formerly Weight Watchers)
You can also switch proteins in your meal kits or add animal proteins to vegetarian recipes. Weekly orders can be further customized by adding prepared “Heat and Eat” meals, wine pairings, and market items like spice blends. This may be a plus for folks looking to cut down on their list of errands to run. Blue Apron offers a freshness guarantee that may provide some peace of mind if you’re wary of spoiled or damaged ingredients that may be unsafe to cook with. The company adopts an animal welfare policy that outlines meat, poultry, egg, and seafood standards and accountability. Students, educators, healthcare workers, first responders, military members, seniors 55 and older, and government workers are offered a heroes discount of $110 off their first five orders and free shipping on their first order. It’s worth noting that this is the same discount that’s offered to all new customers as of this writing, so it may not be necessary to go through the heroes discount verification process to receive it. Blue Apron delivers to the contiguous United States.
Blue Apron Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
Blue Apron was rated 4.1 out of 5 stars with more than 5,200 reviews on Trustpilot. On BBB, the service was rated 1.16 out of 5 stars from more than 30 reviews and a rating of B-. All ratings were current at the time of publication. Customer reviews are not used to calculate BBB ratings. Blue Apron had no Google reviews. Reviewers enjoyed the taste of the meals and the consistently good condition of their delivery. They mentioned that the recipes were easy to follow and the service was convenient for their lifestyle. Negative reviews mentioned a desire for more variety and dietary accommodations. Some reviewers had issues with the reliability of the third-party delivery service and difficulty canceling orders.
Our Experience With Blue Apron
Blue Apron was the second most popular meal kit delivery service among our reviews team’s survey respondents. Although 44 percent of respondents said they stopped the service because the cost was too high, subscribers valued features like easy preparation, tasty meals, and variety in the menu. When our reviews team tried Blue Apron, they found it was a five-star experience. The instructions were easy to follow and the ingredients were high-quality. Our team found that the timing of delivery for the meal kits was not always reliable, though — there were times when deliveries came a day early or a day later than expected, which can disrupt folks who had already planned for meals on certain days of the week. According to our reviews team’s meal kit survey, 28 percent of Blue Apron users experienced several or frequent delays in their meal kits. Serves Two or four servings per recipe; two to six recipes per week Meal options Meat and Veggies, Veggie, Family-Friendly, Fit and Wholesome, Quick and Easy, or Pescatarian
Pros
Choose from a weekly rotating menu with an average of 40 choicesOptions for meals prepared in less than 20 minutesCommitted to a plastic waste recovery programTransparent sourcing from sustainable and ethical suppliersOffers discounts for students, medical providers, nurses, hospital employees, military members, and veterans
Cons
No option to omit or filter common dietary allergensThe only special diets supported are pescatarian and vegetarian
HelloFresh prioritizes eco-friendly packaging, reduces food waste by using preportioned ingredients, sources renewable energy for its facilities, and supports projects that recover plastic waste from the environment. The global meal kit brand cites and funds research backing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you’re aiming to choose a greener meal kit service, HelloFresh is our pick for the best eco-friendly meal kit delivery service. Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Meals From HelloFresh Meal Kits, Restaurant Delivery and Supermarket (PDF) is a study commissioned by HelloFresh in April 2022 that revealed that meal delivery services can help decrease the carbon footprint of home-cooked meals because of insulated refrigeration during delivery and reduced food waste from preportioned ingredients. According to a study published in August 2019 in the journal Resources, Conservation and Recycling, a grocery-shopped meal emits on average 33 percent more greenhouse gases than an equivalent delivered meal kit. In addition, HelloFresh partners with Plastic Bank, an organization that recovers plastic waste while also supporting local communities. Plastic pollution is recovered from coastal regions and brought to plastic collection centers to be recycled into the supply chain. HelloFresh has made a three-year commitment to recover 750,000 kilograms of plastic through its three plastic collection centers in Indonesia. Recipes in the weekly rotating menu can be good for home cooks looking for variety. Its menu is divided into six meal preference categories:
Meat and Veggies Meal kits with animal proteins, vegetables, and grainsVeggie Vegetarian and vegan meal kitsFamily-Friendly Meal kits designed to be kid-friendly, accounting for picky eatersFit and Wholesome Meal kits that are labeled as “Calorie Smart” with around 650 calories per serving or “Carb Smart” with around 40 grams of net carbs per servingQuick and Easy Meal kits that take 20 minutes or less to prepare from start to finish, easy cleanup recipes cooked in one pot or pan, and easy prep recipes that require five minutes or less of prep workPescatarian Meal kits with fish and seafood
With more than 40 recipe choices weekly and a repository of more than 20,000 recipes on its website, HelloFresh provides a variety of choices for an adventurous or bored home chef. If you are planning for picky eaters, HelloFresh also allows swaps or upgrades of proteins and sides for some of its recipes. Its “Quick and Easy” meals can be enticing for those on a tight schedule or who prefer meals that take less than 20 minutes to prepare from start to finish, can be cooked in one pot or pan, or require less than five minutes of prep work, like cutting and chopping. HelloFresh sources ingredients from sustainable and ethical suppliers. The company also partners with programs and organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and the Better Chicken Working Group to make sure its seafood and poultry are sourced responsibly. HelloFresh has ongoing promotions for new subscribers, which can vary by source and promotional period. Students ages 16 and older who have a UNiDAYS account can get 15 percent off every box for up to a year and free shipping on the first box. Medical providers, nurses, hospital employees, military members, and veterans get a heroes discount of 50 percent off and free shipping for the first box, plus 10 percent off subsequent boxes for up to a year. HelloFresh delivers to the contiguous United States.
HelloFresh Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
HelloFresh is rated 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with more than 39,200 reviews. On BBB, HelloFresh is rated 1.19 out of 5 stars from more than 380 reviews. Although customer reviews aren’t factored into ratings, it gets an A rating from the BBB. All ratings were current at the time of publication. HelloFresh does not have any Google reviews. Positive reviewers praised its responsive customer service, convenience, and ease of recipe execution. Reviewers also mentioned enjoying recipes that were new to their dinner routine. Complaints came from customers who had unreliable deliveries by third-party delivery services and ingredients that were damaged or not fresh. They also mentioned billing issues and being charged after inputting credit card details just to view menus. HelloFresh closed more than 420 complaints within the past 12 months.
Our Experience With HelloFresh
HelloFresh was the most popular meal kit delivery service among the meal kit users our reviews team surveyed. Customers new to the service were looking for convenience and variety in their meals and found that easy preparation and the time saved were the most valuable takeaways from HelloFresh meal kits. When our reviews team tried HelloFresh, they noted minimal communication around their delivery status, and deliveries that ended up being a couple of days late. Although they were happy with the taste of their meals, some of the produce was at the end of its shelf life. Serves Two, four, or six servings per recipe; two to six recipes per week Meal options Calorie-Conscious, Under 30 Minutes, or Carb-Conscious
Pros
Options for meals prepared in 15 minutes or lessOffers an average of 30 choices in a weekly rotating menuOffers meal kits and prepared meal delivery subscriptionsOption to pick up kits from local grocery stores without a subscriptionDiscounts for students, doctors, nurses, hospital employees, first responders, and teachers
Cons
Doesn’t support specific dietsUnclear ingredient sourcing standardsMust create an account to see delivery eligibility
Some weeknights are so hectic, it can be tempting to choose meals that come out hot and ready from a fast-food counter. Home Chef offers many meal kit options to make home-cooked meals in under 15 minutes, making it our pick for the best meal kit for busy chefs. During the sign-up process, you’ll choose how many meals you want per week and for how many people. You’ll then indicate which plan you prefer — classic Home Chef meals (meal kits with fresh, preportioned ingredients) or “Fresh and Easy” meals (prepared meals that are oven-ready or meal kits that take a total of 15 minutes to prep and cook). You can still revise your order and choose from the entire menu, which includes meal kits from the classic Home Chef meal plan. If you choose to revise your order before it’s sent to you, you can filter choices by cook time, protein, dietary preferences (Vegetarian, Calorie-Conscious, and Carb-Conscious), dislikes, spice level, and meal type. For meal type, you can choose from the following filters:
Meal Kits Classic meal kits that with preportioned ingredients and simple instructionsCulinary Collection Meal kits with gourmet recipes with high-quality ingredientsFamily Meals Designed for families to cook together with preportioned ingredients and simple instructions15-Minute Meal Kits Simple-to-follow recipes that come together in 15 minutes or lessOven-Ready Meal kits that require little prep and arrive with fresh, prechopped ingredients in an oven-safe tinOven-Ready Plus Same as oven-ready kits but include premium proteins like salmon and shrimpFast and Fresh Meal kits that you can assemble quickly and heat in the microwave in minutes, with little cleanupFast and Fresh Plus Same as Fast and Fresh but include premium proteins and can be heated in the microwave or ovenFast and Fresh Family Same as Fast and Fresh but designed for families with picky eatersExpress Plus Simple-to-follow recipes with easy prep and premium proteins that come together in less than 30 minutes.Protein Pack Curated bundles of meat and seafood selections to use as you choose
You can customize some of your weekly meals by swapping or upgrading proteins. You can add à la carte options like desserts, breakfasts, snacks, and proteins to your delivery to solve for meals other than lunch or dinner. If you want to try Home Chef kits before signing up, you may be able to pick them up at certain grocery stores. Home Chef also has a shopping list feature on its app that you can use to re-create meals with ingredients from your local grocery store. Other than sourcing shrimp from India and salmon from a sustainable supplier in Norway, Home Chef does not offer much information on its ingredient sourcing standards. Home Chef offers a student discount of $116 off the first four boxes for students ages 16 and older with a Student Beans account. Doctors, nurses, hospital employees, first responders, and teachers receive a heroes discount of 50 percent off the first box and 10 percent off future deliveries. Home Chef has ongoing promotions for first-time subscribers who sign up for its mailing list. Home Chef delivers to the contiguous United States, but you can only confirm your delivery eligibility once you sign up for an account and enter your Zip code. Shipping fees are dependent upon order size. Although exact shipping fees aren’t readily available on its website, the Home Chef virtual assistant clarified that there is a $9.99 shipping fee for orders with three or more meals. That fee increases to $13.99 for orders with a subtotal under $50.
Home Chef Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
Home Chef is rated 3.6 out of 5 stars with more than 3,000 reviews on Trustpilot. BBB reviewers give it an average of 1.22 out of 5 stars from more than 60 reviews. It also gets an A+ rating. All ratings were current at the time of publication. Home Chef has no Google reviews. Customers liked the convenience of cooking at home without having to plan and shop for ingredients. Other reviews praised the taste of the meals and foolproof instructions. Customers didn’t like the unreliable delivery services used by Home Chef. Some received inaccurate orders with wrong or missing ingredients from meal kits.
Our Experience With Home Chef
When our reviews team surveyed Home Chef meal kit subscribers, 61 percent indicated that they enjoyed the ease of preparation the most. When it came to the accuracy of their meal kit orders, 31 percent of users reported receiving incorrect deliveries either often or always. Serves Two, four, or six servings per recipe; three or four recipes per week Meal options Keto plus Paleo, Mediterranean, Fast and Fit, Vegan, Vegetarian, or Gluten-Free
Pros
Choose meals from six different dietsCertified-organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and USDAMeals labeled gluten-free are certified gluten-freeDiscounts for first responders, medical providers, nurses, teachers, military members, and veterans
Cons
Meal kits have a high average cost per servingNo option to omit or filter common dietary allergens
Diets can be hard to start but even harder to continue. Our reviews team’s nutrition experts vetted a sampling of Green Chef menu items to make sure its meal kit labels accurately support its intended diets. Green Chef is our pick for the best meal kit delivery service that supports specific diets. When you sign up, you’ll have the option to choose from six meal preferences. If you indicate any or all of the following preferences, Green Chef will add the most relevant menu items to your delivery, although you can choose from the full menu each week:
Keto Plus Paleo Carb-conscious, high-protein recipes free of gluten, grains, soy, and legumesMediterranean Recipes inspired by Mediterranean flavors with ample veggies and omega-3 fatsFast and Fit Fresh, convenient, calorie-conscious recipes with keto and veggie options, ready in 25 minutes or lessVegan Recipes with a variety of veggies, plant-based proteins, and good-for-you grainsVegetarian Well-balanced, meatless recipes with a focus on plant-based ingredientsGluten-Free Wholesome recipes full of flavor and free of gluten and soy
Diet Fact-Checking on Green Chef Meal Kits
- This recipe had 1,220 milligrams of sodium, but you can reduce the amount of sodium by adding less of the coconut aminos provided or omitting that ingredient altogether. No dairy
- Not included in the meal kit but a part of the recipe. Olive oil* Dairy, eggs, fish, and poultry in moderation Green Chef operates as a certified-organic company, a designation it has from both the USDA and the CCOF. Produce and eggs are certified-organic unless otherwise labeled. Green Chef mentions that its proteins are “raised with high animal welfare standards,” but it is not transparent about any standards it has in place for vetting suppliers of animal proteins. Like Sunbasket, Green Chef’s gluten-free meals and “Keto Plus Paleo” meals are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group’s GFFS program. This can bring peace of mind to people who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten in their diet. Ongoing promotions for first-time subscribers can be found when you sign up for Green Chef’s mailing list. Heroes discounts of 50 percent off the first box and 15 percent off the next 51 boxes are for first responders, medical providers, nurses, teachers, military members, and veterans. Green Chef delivers to the contiguous United States.
Green Chef Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
Trustpilot gives Green Chef 2.9 out of 5 stars, and there are more than 1,600 reviews. BBB gives the service 1.15 out of 5 stars based on 26 reviews and an A- rating. All ratings were current at the time of publication. Green Chef does not have any Google reviews. Customers who enjoyed Green Chef noted the ease of instructions and the taste of their meals. Some liked the convenience of the “Keto Plus Paleo” meal plan. They also mentioned positive experiences with customer service. Negative reviews described a hard time with the refund process and issues with the skip-delivery functionality of the platform. Others complained of high sodium content, not having 100 percent organic ingredients, and missing ingredients from their meal kits.
Our Experience With Green Chef
When our reviews team tested Green Chef, they reported a seamless experience with ordering and modifying their subscription. The meals arrived on time and in good condition. Although the scallions featured in every recipe they chose were not organic, all the other fresh produce was. The flavors of the meals were great, but there were times when our reviews team had to modify salt, water, and oil additions to suit their tastes. According to our reviews team’s meal kit survey, 59 percent of Green Chef subscribers started their subscription to support a health goal. Although 87 percent of users modified their meals occasionally or most of the time, about half (55 percent) of Green Chef eaters did so to meet a health goal like reaching a specific weight or supporting a specific diet. When our reviews team tested Green Chef, the portions were a bit smaller than expected, but some recipes were surprisingly filling. Serves Two servings per recipe and three or four recipes per week; four servings per recipe and two or three recipes per week; single-serving prepared meals Meal options Vegan
Pros
Meals and add-ons make it easy to support a vegan dietChoose from meal kits and prepared meal subscriptionsOffers meal kits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cons
Average cost per serving is higher than other meal kits we researchedLimited recipe choices in weekly rotating menuNo student discount or heroes discount
Purple Carrot offers a focused menu of vegan meal kits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its weekly rotating menu offers a diverse variety of globally influenced recipes, such as Thai Tempeh Khao Soi, West African Peanut Stew, and Madras Curry Sweet Potatoes. It further supports a plant-based lifestyle by offering plant-based add-on items. Purple Carrot is our top pick for the best vegan meal kit. A weekly rotating menu offers plant-based recipes for any meal of the day. Choices are limited, though, as there were eight dinner options, two lunch options, and two breakfast options available during the weeks we researched the service. Purple Carrot offers “Plantry” items that allow you to add snacks, condiments, and plant-based proteins like vegan sausages and burgers to your order. These add-ons can help you stick to a plant-based diet in between the meal kits. For added convenience, Purple Carrot also has a prepared meal subscription with heat-and-eat options weekly. Recipes are tagged as gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, high-protein, less than 600 calories, quick and easy, or chef’s choice. If you have dietary restrictions, you will have to check each recipe’s tags or nutrition information to make sure it suits your diet. Purple Carrot says that most of its nonproduce items, such as beans, nut milks, tofu, tempeh, vegan cheeses, and vegan yogurts, are organic. Organic and non-GMO ingredients may not always be available for its meal kits, though. Although breakfast meal kits start at $4.49 per serving, Purple Carrot dinner meal kits start at $11.99 per serving, higher than the average cost per serving among the meal kits we researched. Purple Carrot delivers to the contiguous United States.
Purple Carrot Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
There are more than 690 reviews of Purple Carrot on Trustpilot, which gives it 4 out of 5 stars. It is listed under its parent company’s name on BBB, which is Three Limes Inc. BBB gives it 2 out of 5 stars from four reviews and an A- rating. More than 180 reviewers on Google gave the service a rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars. All ratings were current at the time of publication. Positive reviewers were pleased with the taste, convenience, and variety of dishes they would have not otherwise cooked for themselves. Reviewers also commented that the fresh produce varied in quality and ripeness, which may have negatively affected their meals. Further negative experiences related to customer service and issues with pausing or canceling their subscription.
Our Experience With Purple Carrot
According to our reviews team’s meal kit survey, most Purple Carrot subscribers enjoyed its healthy meals, quality ingredients, and the time-saving benefits of the service. We found that 38 percent of customers had issues with spoiled or poor-quality ingredients. Serves One Meal options Soups, smoothies, grain bowls, and noodle bowls
Pros
Menu guarantees dishes are 100 percent GMO-free, gluten-free, and veganOption for an on-demand bulk order without a subscriptionNo cooking requiredFree delivery on all plans
Cons
Not many third-party reviews from customersNo student discount or heroes discount
Splendid Spoon offers prepared plant-based foods for any time of day. Its roster of smoothies, soups, grain bowls, and noodle bowls are all gluten-free and non-GMO, in addition to being vegan. You can choose plans based on meal type and can even order in bulk without a subscription. The Splendid Spoon vegan menu is highly customizable to meet most health goals, which makes it our choice for the best vegan prepared meal delivery. Meal plans are segmented by meals:
Breakfast Five smoothiesLunch Five soups or grain bowlsBreakfast and Lunch Five breakfast and lunch choicesBreakfast, Lunch, and Reset Five breakfast and lunch choices in addition to a “Reset Day” of five light soupsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Reset Five breakfast and lunch choices, five noodle bowls for dinner, and five light soups for a “Reset Day”
We found the rotating menu easier to navigate by using its diet and avoidance filters like high-fiber, low-sodium, blood-sugar-friendly, low-calorie, non-spicy, and nut-free. This is a plus if you’re looking for a personalized diet to support your health goals. Subscriptions with a “Reset” label include five “light” soups. You can choose to have a Reset meal once a day or all five soups in one day. The soups are low in calories and high in fiber content. According to the registered dietitians at Splendid Spoon, Reset meals are intended to give your digestive system a break and provide nutrients to balance its function. Reset meals are not intended to be used on a regular basis. A full day of Reset meals can tally up to 1,200 calories, which may not suit everyone’s individual health goals or body function. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional to make sure your meal deliveries meet your nutritional needs. Splendid Spoon states that 95 percent of its smoothies and wellness shots are organic, and all of its menu items are non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. Splendid Spoon offers on-demand boxes for those who are not ready to commit to a weekly subscription. Splendid Spoon delivers to the contiguous United States.
Splendid Spoon Meal Kit Delivery Reviews
There aren’t many third-party reviews from Splendid Spoon customers. It has 16 reviews on Trustpilot, which gives the service 2.1 out of 5 stars. All ratings were current at the time of publication. There aren’t any reviews of Splendid Spoon Google or on BBB, despite having an A rating. Positive reviews on Trustpilot mentioned the convenience of the prepared meals, good-tasting meals, and ease of modifying subscriptions. Negative reviews mentioned issues with modifying subscriptions and receiving damaged or warm deliveries, which can make meals inedible. One long-term subscriber noticed a change in the intensity of flavor in Splendid Spoon meals over time.
Our Experience With Splendid Spoon
Out of the Splendid Spoon customers who responded to our reviews team’s meal kit survey, 64 percent started their subscription to be more environmentally friendly; 64 percent wanted to save time on meal planning, prep, or grocery shopping; and 63 percent wanted to support their health with the meal delivery service. Only 41 percent of users took advantage of the level of customization in the menu. Our reviews team liked Splendid Spoon prepared meals as a convenient way to eat plant-based. Each meal contained a diverse variety of ingredients, which may appeal to individuals looking for ingredient diversity in a vegan diet. The meals are lightly seasoned. Smoothies with plant-based protein added had a chalky texture typical of most plant-based protein powders. We also liked meal kit services that stood out for their unique offerings, like those from Green Chef, HelloFresh, and Purple Carrot. EveryPlate was our most affordable pick, while Blue Apron provided the best value in a meal kit delivery service. Overall, the best meal kit delivery service for you depends on which boxes you want to check off to make cooking at home a valuable experience. If you’re seeking to subscribe to plant-forward and wellness-forward prepared meals, we found Splendid Spoon to be the best vegan-meal delivery service. Prepared meal delivery services can make your meal routine easy and free up your schedule. Our picks balance cost, convenience, and value of these ready-to-heat meals.
