The Best Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Best Budget-Friendly

EveryPlate

EveryPlate has one of the cheapest costs-per-serving around—what gives? They claim they’re able to offer low prices thanks to a limited meal selection, but we wanted to see if the taste quality was on par with the other services.

Right off the bat, we were impressed by the delicious flavors of Ponzu-Glazed Pork Meatballs: “The directions were clear and simple and the meal was quick to make,” shares one of our taste testers. “It even felt elevated, as the steps called for carrot ribbons—when usually I would have cut mine into medallions. For more hearty options, consider these meat delivery services.”

The Mexican Street Corn Tacos didn’t disappoint, either. “Flavor was good! Definitely a step up flavor-wise from my typical taco night. It was nice to have all of the little extras I normally don’t think to buy, like sour cream and jalapeno.”

Pros

• Tasty recipes
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Large portions

Cons

• Not the freshest ingredients
• Limited meal selection
• High calorie count on some meals

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Best for Empty Nesters

Green Chef

Green Chef stands out from the crowd thanks to its certified organic ingredients and diverse meal plans. Choose from standard or vegetarian plans, but the company also offers keto, paleo and “balanced living” menus. But what about the taste?

First, we made the Teriyaki Pork Patties, and here’s what one of our testers had to say: “It was delicious! The salad was really great: crunchy kale with pineapple chunks. That wasn’t my typical go-to salad, but it was amazing. Then the teriyaki pork patties: I was surprised at how juicy and flavorful they were!”

We also tested out the Moroccan Stir-Fry: “This recipe checked all the boxes for flavor, texture, even visuals. It had a bit of spice and some unusual flavors (if you’re used to American comfort food), so this meal may not have been for everyone, especially little kids.”

Pros

• Certified organic ingredients
• Unique flavors
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Recyclable packaging

Cons

• Limited meal selection on certain plans
• Specialty plans are more pricey
• Not the most family-friendly

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Best for Plant-Based Foodies

Mosaic Foods

It’s hard to file Mosaic Foods under one category—and that’s a good thing. Ideal for vegetarians and anyone beginning their plant-based food journey, Mosaic is a vegetarian, frozen food meal delivery service. Their “fresh take” on frozen food means you’ll get the convenience of a TV dinner and the health benefits of cooking a vegetarian meal on your own. All you have to do is pop them into the oven or microwave—no ingredient prep required. They also offer family meals for nights when you prefer to spend more time with kiddos than in the kitchen. The meal variety is strong, which includes plant-powered entrees, pizzas, veggie bowls, oat bowls and smoothies.

Madi Koetting, Taste of Home‘s associate shopping editor, tried all of Mosaic’s yummy categories. “I won’t lie, I was a bit skeptical about eating veggie-forward frozen meals,” shares Madi. “But after diving into Mosaic’s range of tastes, I’m pleasantly surprised with how well the meals heat up in the oven and microwave.”

The winner of Madi’s taste tests is the mac and greens bowl. “It tastes just like gourmet mac and cheese, with the added benefit of eating good for you greens while you graze,” she says. The cauliflower crust pizza topped with spinach and artichoke also stands out, however, she says the pizza size is on the small side, which isn’t ideal for sharing. The raspberry cacao smoothie is rich in flavor and easy to whip up by adding it to a blender with almond milk. “If you’re in search of a convenient way to get more veggies in your diet, Mosaic Foods is for you,” adds Madi. (Give these produce delivery and fruit subscriptions a try, too.)

Pros

• Caters to vegans, vegetarians, low carb and gluten-free eaters
• Frozen foods approach makes meal prep a breeze
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner options
• Family-friendly meals

Cons

• Some entrees with veggies on the side didn’t heat up as well
• Best as a supplemental service in addition to weekly meal prep as opposed to your sole weekly meal source

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Best for Families

Hello Fresh

Hello Fresh is one of the most-trusted meal kits and it’s been around for years. They offer a large variety of meals to choose from, including both simple and more complex dishes. Plus, their servings are on the more affordable side, and they offer a few different plans, including family-friendly and calorie-smart options.

Our testers were really impressed with the Crab Cakes and Chesapeake-Style Mayo: “This was amazing! The crab cakes were crispy on the outside and felt like restaurant-quality. The Chesapeake-style mayo was delicious and made a huge difference.”

Our taste testers weren’t the only ones impressed with the flavor—and convenience—of this meal kit. Associate Print Editor, Annamarie Higley, was blown away by the service’s flavorful meals with her Hello Fresh review. It’s ideal for busy weeks when you want the convenience of take out but nutrition of a home cooked meal. File it under food delivery services to gift a busy loved one.

Pros

• Affordable price points
• Strong recipe variety
• Flavorful
• Easy-to-follow recipes
• Appropriate portion sizes
• Family-friendly options

Cons

• Not the freshest ingredients
• Sometimes sends more of an ingredient than needed

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Best for Foodies

Blue Apron

One of the most recognizable names in the game, Blue Apron is one of the brands that kickstarted the meal prep delivery craze. They’re still going strong today, with a variety of meal plans and a relatively new wine-delivery option. Blue Apron offers 16 different recipes each week, including vegetarian and wellness options, and their meals stand out for their complexity and delicious flavor profiles.

The Sheet Pan Za’atar Chicken Pitas knocked our socks off with its bold flavors: “I’ve never cooked with za’atar seasoning before, so I didn’t know what to expect from this meal,” shares one of out testers. “However, I ended up loving the herby taste, which went perfectly with the tzatziki and roasted onions. The leftovers were just as good the next day for lunch!”

Pros

• Unique recipes
• Fresh meat and ingredients
• Extremely flavorful meals
• Option to add on wine pairings

Cons

• Prep is time-consuming
• Less recipe options
• “Premium” meals cost more

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Best for Simple Tastes

Dinnerly

Dinnerly is another meal prep delivery service with notably low per-serving prices, which are possible thanks to their simple recipes. There are fewer ingredients per dish (which translates into less prep work!) and all their recipe cards are digital—though you’ll sometimes need to use ingredients from your own pantry, like vinegar or eggs. Dinnerly offers over 45 recipes per week, often including dessert or breakfast options.

Despite its simple nature, the Greek Stuffed Pitza with Spinach, Feta & Olives got top marks from our testers: “I’m definitely saving this recipe to make again! The toasted ‘pitzas’ came together in 15 minutes, and the combination of sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and red wine vinegar was amazing. The only downside was that they don’t send you the vinegar—luckily, I had some in my pantry, but it’s not an ingredient everyone keeps handy.”

We also couldn’t resist trying the Ready-Made Chocolate Lava Cakes, which were a perfectly portioned sweet treat after the meal.

Pros

• Fast, easy prep
• Simple, yet delicious meals
• Affordable
• Option to add on extra protein

Cons

• Recipe cards are digital
• Not all ingredients are included in the meal kit

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Best Recipe Selection

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon

Queen of the kitchen Martha Stewart is the face of the Marley Spoon meal prep delivery kit, which offers an impressive selection of meals to choose from each week. Choose from over 100 different recipes, including vegetarian, vegan and family-friendly options, as well as meals that take less than 30 minutes to make. In addition to a wide variety of entries, Marley Spoon also offers some breakfast and dessert recipes, as well as protein add-ons.

First, our testers tried the Vegetarian Pad Thai with Carrots & Peanuts: “This recipe required quite a bit of prep. Still, the flavors were good, and the peanuts added a delicious crunch to the meal.”

Next up was the Italian Sausage Ragu Pasta. “This kit was quick and easy,” says one of our testers. “The prep for this recipe was super simple, as well as the cooking method. I was shocked by just how flavorful this dish was with so few ingredients. It easily stacked up to a restaurant-quality bowl of pasta.” Read our Marley Spoon review for the full scoop.

Pros

• Strong recipe variety
• Flavorful
• Ingredients packaged by recipe
• Dessert and breakfast options

Cons

• Problems with ingredients
• Often sends extra ingredients
• Time-consuming meal prep

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Best Customization Options

Home Chef

Have you ever been browsing a meal delivery service menu and thought to yourself, “That recipe looks good, but I wish it had shrimp instead of chicken”? If so, you’ll definitely want to check out Home Chef. One of the biggest things that sets this brand apart from its competitors is its “Customize It” feature, which allows you to swap in alternative ingredients, most commonly for the meal’s protein. Plus, in addition to their classic meal kits, Home Chef also offers 15-Minute Meal and Easy Prep Meals for those days when you don’t feel like cooking for hours. They recently partnered with Rachael Ray for meal kits, and we were blown away by the flavor of these restaurant-quality dishes.

The recipe we tried from Home Chef was the Fried Fish and Chips, and our testers were impressed at how easy it was to make: “I’ve tried to make fish and chips at home before, and it didn’t come out nearly as good as this dish! The tempura-dredged tilapia came out perfectly brown and crispy, and the spices on the fries were delicious. However, I wasn’t in love with the chipotle ranch coleslaw.”

Pros

• Customization available on select recipes
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Strong recipe variety
• Up to six servings per recipe
• Add-ons available
• Meal kits available in select grocery stores

Cons

• Not the most family-friendly
• Lots of packaging

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FAQs

Who are meal delivery services best for?

Everyone! They cut down time on grocery shopping and meal prep, making them ideal for busy schedules or anyone looking to spice up their meal routine. Whether you’re gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan or somewhere in between, there’s a meal prep service for everyone.

Are meal delivery services worth it?

Depending on your budget and lifestyle, yes. Meal prep delivery services certainly save time when it comes to grocery shopping and cooking. If you’re in a rut with your meal ideas or need quick and easy weeknight meal ideas, meal kit boxes are 100% worth trying. They offer tons of meal inspiration and are ideal for weeks when you want to spend less time deciding what’s for dinner.

Are meal delivery services healthy?

It depends. Most meal delivery services we tested included a strong recipe variety, so if you prefer veggie-packed or low-carb meals, there are certainly options. However, some services offer more hearty meals. Whatever your preference, it’s a good idea to check out the meal variety offered by each service and choose accordingly. There truly is a service for everyone.

Do meal delivery services save you money?

Meal delivery services certainly help save money from ordering take out. But they can get expensive week after week since they don’t include everyday grocery delivery for one-off items like eggs, bread or produce. Even if you get one or two meals a week, yes, they can save money from eating out on days when you need quick options.

Evaluation Criteria

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

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