10 Best Meal Kit Delivery Brands

Searching For The Best Meal Kit Delivery Brands

Zapping bland dishes in the microwave is fine, but nothing beats a fresh, home-cooked meal. Of course, you actually need the time and motivation to make it. The best meal kit delivery brands take the grumble out of having to cook, delivering exciting kits, easy-to-follow recipes, and quick-to-prepare dishes.

10 Best Meal Kit Delivery Brands

In the mood for something a little less mushy and a lot more flavorful? Read along as I unpack our picks for the top 10 best meal kit delivery brands out there. 

#1: Hello Fresh (USA)

Hello Fresh is the name that comes to mind when you think about meal delivery kits. With its incredibly popular service that’s been around since 2011, the Berlin-based brand serves up weekly meal delivery boxes packed with pre-prepped kits.

Launched by Dominik Richter, Thomas Griesel, and Jessica Nilsson, Hello Fresh is known for its tasty menu and healthy variety of meals for all kinds of diets. The best part? They don’t skimp on protein. Don’t worry, you won’t get just one tiny shrimp in your Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi. 

With plans starting at under $8 per serving, it’s pretty affordable. You’ll be able to browse through 30+ recipes each week and pick from favorites like the Alpine Mushroom & Swiss Panini and Rosemary Demi-Glacé Steak. 

Highlights

• 30+ recipes each week
• Affordable plans
• No commitment
• Great for a range of diets (gluten-free, vegan, etc.)

#2: Green Chef

If you’re thinking Green Chef sounds like it has an ultra-healthy twist, you’d be right. All of its meals are certified USDA organic. Sift through 24 satisfying weekly dishes like the Spicy Turkey & Rice Skillet and Blackened Cauliflower Bowls. 

While most dishes are on the healthier side, Green Chef throws in some comfort classics too like BBQ Cheeseburgers and flatbreads. You’ll find a total of 6 plans to choose from, ranging from Fast & Fit to Mediterranean. 

So who’s behind this natural brand? Michael Joseph started Green Chef in 2014. He’s also the guy behind High Organics and Door-to-Door Organics. In other words, he knows his way around clean food. Green Chef meal kits start at $12 per serving. 

Highlights

• Certified USDA Organic
• 24 new recipes each week
• 6 different diet options
• Quick & easy recipes
• Eco-friendly packaging

#3: Home Chef

Launched in 2013 by Patrick Vihtelic, Home Chef is one of the most affordable picks on this list of best meal kit delivery brands. With a tasty variety of meals each week, this service also offers à la carte additions like single or assorted protein packs. 

I scrolled through easy-prep, carb-conscious, and veggie-friendly meals, along with picks you can just bake and eat like sourdough bread. There’s certainly a home-style theme across its menu.

It’s simple and perfect for those who are short on time. Rather not cook at all? Opt for the Fresh & Easy menu of prepared heat-and-eat dishes. 

Home Chef pre-prepped meals start at $7 per serving.

Highlights

• Low cost
• À la carte menu
• Offers pre-prepared & heat-and-eat meals
• Easy-prep meals
• Meat-forward menu

#4: Purple Carrot

Vegan cooking can sometimes get confusing. A lot of the recipes found online call for uncommon ingredients, and often in my attempts to whip up something new, I’ve been left eating a block of vegan cheese and calling it a night. Purple Carrot is all about flavorful, vibrant vegan dishes. 

The menu is 100% plant-based and the service offers both pre-prepped and prepared heat-and-eat meals. Since this is a list of the best meal kit delivery brands, I checked out the pre-prepped menu. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, along with packaged snacks, though the menu is small since it’s focused on just one type of diet, it still has plenty of options. 

Founded in 2014 by Andrew Levitt, Purple Carrot is on a mission to help you eat more plants. Meal kits start at $11 per serving and $13 per serving for prepared meals and are served up in kits to feed 2 or 4.

Highlights

• 100% plant-based menu
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options
• Big flavors
• Takes >35 mins to cook
• Offers prepared 
• Recyclable packaging

#5: Freshly

Cooked up by Michael Wystrach and Carter Comstock in 2012, Freshly ships out 1m+ meals per week. Because of its popularity, Nestlé actually acquired the service in 2020. So why is it so loved?

Click on its website and you’ll quickly find out. Its whole MO is fresh, balanced meals so none of them will arrive at your door frozen. I’m sure you already know what a difference this makes.

Delivering 4-12 dishes to your door each week, all you have to do is go through the menu of filling plates like Golden Oven-Fried Chicken & Mash and Middle Eastern Falafel and pick your favorites. Then you just have to chill, reheat, and eat!

Freshly prides itself on variety, which is why you’ll find a rotating menu of over 50+ options for every diet on its menu including plant-based, calorie-conscious, and gluten-free. Meals start at $9 per portion.

Highlights

• Balanced meals
• Something for everyone
• Affordable plans
• Delivered fresh, never frozen
• Heat and eat meals
• More nutrients

#6: EveryPlate

An offshoot of Hello Fresh, EveryPlate was founded in 2018 and sizzles up fresh, easy-to-cook pre-prepped, and affordable meals. With 18 weekly dishes to choose from, you can expect easy, go-to recipes like Steak Frites and Mashed Potato Smothered Meatloaf.

Ingredients are fresh, but since their meals are the most affordable on this list of best meal kit delivery brands, they’re simple. This also happens to be one of their strengths. Not every night calls for a complicated dish.

While there aren’t a ton of veggie-forward dishes, there are enough to help you make it through Meatless Mondays without the cravings. Start your plan for just $5 per serving.

Highlights

• Low cost
• Simple, home-cooked flavors
• Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes
• 17 weekly recipes
• 4 different plans

#7: Hungryroot

Hungryroot stands out from all other names on this list of best meal kit delivery brands. Why? Because instead of delivering pre-prepped kits, based on your answers from their quiz, it recommends dishes, puts together a grocery list, and orders it all for you.

If you want to eat meals specifically designed for you, I think this is a great service. Launched in 2015 by Ben McKean, the NYC-based brand is perfect for those short on time but who still love to cook.

The cool thing about Hungryroot? Since you’re shopping for groceries, you can make your favorite meals more than once and have a stock of ingredients on hand for future meals.

You’ll shop through hundreds of dishes, most of which take just 10 minutes to prepare. Add on snacks, drinks, and extras to fill the gaps. 

Boxes start at $70 per delivery.

Highlights

• Curbside recyclable boxes
• Meal planning and grocery service all in one
• Recipes that fight food waste
• Add on snacks, drinks, and treats
• Free shipping

#8: Dinnerly

Known as “the affordable meal delivery service,” Dinnerly’s plans are some of the most cost-effective on this list of best meal kit delivery brands. Browse through 45+ easy-to-make recipes each week, all of which are balanced and packed with veggies and wholesome proteins, and take just 5 steps to make.

Like EasyPlate, Dinnerly’s meals take a simpler route, but I think they rival many of the more expensive plans on this list.

It was launched in 2017 by Fabian Siegel, who is also the co-founder of Marley Spoon, Martha Stewart’s meal kit service. Taking a similarly garden-fresh approach, expect quick dishes with exciting flavors here.

Some that caught my eye were the Honey Chipotle Fried Chicken Tacos and Creamy Lemon Garlic Ravioli. Yum. Enjoy these lively dishes for as low as $5 per plate.

Highlights

• Simple meals, big flavors
• 5 steps to prepare
• Meals as low as $5
• Offers breakfast & dessert options
• Vegetarian options

#9: Factor 75

Looking for a dietician-designed menu? Factor 75 has you covered. Founded in 2011 by Mike Apostal and Nick Wernimont, the service dishes out fully prepared meals. Don’t worry, they’re nothing like the bland mush you’ll get from other companies.

Targeted at the uber-health-conscious, Factor 75 never uses frozen ingredients to ensure you get real flavor. With options spanning keto, low-carb, and plant-based categories, you’ll hit your goals while noshing on power meals like Steak with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. 

Made with quality proteins and simple vegetables, Factor 75 definitely has a classic meal-prep feel to it, helping users track macros and stay away from unhealthy fats. If you feel like leveling up your meal prepping, consult with one of their in-house dieticians. Plans start at $11 per serving.

Highlights

• Full prepped & prepared meals
• Dietician-designed
• Quality ingredients
• Keto, vegan, and low-carb options
• Simple and full of nutrition

#10: Daily Harvest

Popular for its smoothie delivery, Daily Harvest was founded by Rachel Drori in 2015 and was a shoo-in for this list of best meal kit delivery brands. And while you can certainly up your wellness with its range of colorful, delicious drinks, the service has branched out to include bowls, bakes, flatbreads, soups, and crumbles too.

If you’re health conscious, I’d highly recommend checking out Daily Harvest. With a wide selection of vibrant sweet and savory recipes, cook times are low but the flavor is always high. Stay satisfied with the Cherry + Dark Chocolate Oat Bowl or try something new like the Gigante Bean + Artichoke Olio Harvest Bake.

Something else I love about Daily Harvest? They offer tasting boxes. Try out recipes to see what you like then come back and start your plan. Prices for recipes vary, but the average 14-serving box with a variety of all costs $124. Or $99 if it’s your first order.

Highlights

• Wide range of smoothies, bowls & bakes
• Healthy, plant-based menu
• Each meal costs under $10
• Tasting box available

How to Shop for a Meal Kit Delivery Brand

We all have different needs and preferences. That’s why we’ve included a great variety of services on this list of best meal kit delivery brands. There’s truly something for everyone. To help you find your perfect fit, I’ll walk you through some key factors to consider while you browse.

Pricing

Grocery shopping is getting expensive and the average meal doesn’t cook up cheap. With that said, all of the options on this list of best meal kit delivery brands have great value, but they may not all fit your budget.

Figure out what you’d like to spend each week on meals and go from there. While Dinnerly starts at $60 for 12 meals, HelloFresh will be about $100. Many of the names listed here offer awesome first-time deals. With some, you can save $100 over your first four orders while others will give you $25 off right away.

Serving Size

With lower prices often comes lower serving sizes, but then again, sometimes higher quality ingredients mean portions are kept small too. It’s wise to consider how much food it takes for you to feel satisfied.

You don’t want to have to order takeout after your meal, so be sure you choose a service with the right sized portions. How do you figure this out? A quick dive into the comments section usually does it.

Delivery Dates

Delivery dates vary from area to area. All of the brands on this list deliver within the US, though not all of them may deliver to every single state each day. At check out, look into the available delivery dates for your order to ensure yours will arrive when you need it.

Quality of the Ingredients

As I mentioned before, quality can impact the overall price of your meal. It’s obvious why services like Green Chef that deliver USA Organic meals cost more than others. 

If you prioritize high-quality ingredients, often opting for a higher-priced service means you’ll get them. All of the names on this list of best meal kit delivery brands use fresh ingredients and wholesome recipes though. But if you’re picky, I suggest going with a service known for its health-driven meals.

Dietary Restrictions

Can’t have dairy or meat? Going for a service that doesn’t offer vegan dishes probably won’t be wise. Even if you can technically just leave off the cream sauce. We’ve made sure to include a range of brands on this list to account for all diets. You’ll find tons of keto, gluten-free, and pescatarian options above.

Time

None of the names on this list of best meal kit delivery brands offer recipes that take longer than 35 minutes to prepare, and if they do, they’re rare. If you’re always short on time, it may be a good idea to choose a brand that has quick recipes that take under 20 minutes. Hungryroot’s take just 10.

FAQ

What are the benefits of meal kit delivery brand service?

After a long day, finding the motivation to cook is tough. Meal kit delivery services allow you to have a home-cooked meal without the need to find a recipe, buy the ingredients, and do the prep work.

All you need to do is read the instructions and cook. Most meals take under 30 minutes. Other benefits include:

• Variety
• Healthy, balanced meals
• Easy clean-up
• Save money
• Less food waste

Who needs a meal kit delivery brand service?

The best meal kit delivery brands are ideal for those who like to cook but don’t have a lot of time. Letting you try meals you normally wouldn’t cook for yourself, they’re a great option for those who like variety but don’t want to have to buy a completely new set of ingredients every time they cook a new dish. 

Since most of these services offer recurring subscriptions, they’re perfect for those who want easy-to-cook meals regularly. Even so, if you need to sign up for a crazy month ahead, you can always cancel or pause your plan no matter which one you choose.

Are meal kit delivery brand services safe?

The food in your meal delivery kit is all separated and arrives in an insulated bag. All of the ingredients are fresh so there shouldn’t be an issue with spoiled food. If there is, brands are more than willing to send you a replacement.

What different types of meal kit delivery brands are there?

A ton actually. We’ve included quite a few of them here, but I’ll give you a quick recap below:

• Plant-based
• Dietician-designed
• Low-cost
• Fresh & healthy
• Home-cooked

In addition to these labels, many of the names on this list of best meal delivery kits offer a range of meal plans. You may find plan types that are vegan, vegetarian, and Mediterranean with certain services, while most of them offer calorie-conscious, low-carb, and family-friendly dishes as well.

Select services are tailored to a certain type of diet. I’ll give you three examples:

1. Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal kit service
2. Factor 75 is designed to help you reach health and fitness goals
3. Hungryroot merges meal planning & grocery delivery

Safe to say there are tons of quality options that will suit you!

Final Thoughts

We highly recommend all of the options on this list of best meal kit delivery brands. Each brings something totally unique to the table. Whether you have a small or large budget or are a vegan or a carnivore, any one of these services provides incredible value and none of them skimp on flavor.

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Check out other meal delivery brands you may enjoy:

Noom

Everytable

Thistle Food Delivery

Blue Apron Weight Watchers