Meal delivery services can be a cost-effective and healthy way to feed your family. They are also an easy way to dip your toe into the world of cooking while also expanding your family’s food horizons. Not only do they supply all of the ingredients for innovative meals, but they also give step-by-step directions for the novice chef or culinary expert.
Meal delivery services also help you portion your food intake, keep track of what you are eating on a daily basis, and tailor your meals to your overall food goals and diet restrictions. Below is a list of the twelve best meal services for 2022. Read on to find out what these 12 meal delivery services offer and why they are the best picks for 2022.
Sunbasket – Like Visiting Your Local Farmer’s Market
If you need USDA organic, non-GMO, or responsibly-raised ingredients, Sunbasket is for you. Sunbasket is literally like visiting your local farmer’s market right at your doorstep with meals that are farm-to-table, creative, and delicious. The meals are only 500 to 800 calories per serving, and they only take around thirty minutes to prepare.
Sunbasket was developed by San Franciscan chef Justine Kelly from James Beard Award-winning restaurant Slanted Door fame, so there is credibility behind the recipes. The selection varies from your choice of six to 18 organic meals per week and offers meal plans ranging from vegetarian and vegan to paleo and gluten-free meals:
Diets on offer at Sunbasket are:
- Paleo
- Carb-conscious
- Gluten-free
- Lean and clean
- Diabetes-friendly
- Chef’s choice (seasonal recipes)
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
- Mediterranean
- Fresh and ready-to-go meals
All of the meats used are free of antibiotics, hormones, and nitrates. The eggs are organic, and the fish are wild-caught. They have breakfast, lunch, dinner, smoothies, and coffee, and Sunbasket offers new customers $90 off with free shipping and four free gifts. After the trial, the prices depend on how many people you are planning on feeding:
- A two-person plan costs $74.93 per week
- A four-person family plan costs $143.87 per week
The plans also charge $5.99 in shipping and are delivered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In addition to the weekly meals that would need to be assembled and cooked, premade meals are also available for $9 each for those who are on the go and just want to pop something in the microwave. Sunbasket currently delivers to 36 states.
Home Chef – The Most Variety and Flexibility for Picky Eaters
If you need variety for the picky eaters in your family, Home Chef offers more meal kit choices than any other meal delivery service. Do you have someone who does not like beef? You can swap the meat for chicken, pork, or fish. Have bigger eaters in your family? Feel free to double the portion size of an entire meal. Flexibility is key here.
They use antibiotic-free protein but do have the option to substitute meat altogether for plant-based or vegan options. Everything is included except salt, pepper, and oil. They tout the easy prep and home-cooked meal feel. There is not as much uniqueness to the meals, but with picky eaters, you probably are not looking for overly creative tasks.
What they do offer is a variety of meals, including the standard recipe-card cooking meals, as well as fifteen-minute meals and oven-ready baked meals that even come with their own cooking tray. In addition to making cooking easy and quick, Home Chef is also conscious of foods your family may want to avoid:
- Pork
- Red meat
- Milk
- Mushrooms
- Shellfish
- Nuts
They also offer calorie-conscious and carb-conscious options and sign up for their service with no commitment. New customers can get $90 off in total over the first four deliveries. Then the cost starts at $7.99 per service for lunch and $9.95 a service for delivery with a $10 delivery fee. Orders of $40 or more come with free shipping.
Freshly – Ready-to-Eat Microwave Meals for the Non-Cook
Most meal delivery services send a box of ingredients, recipe cards and then rely on you to do the prep and cooking. This is where Freshly stands out, as they have a large variety of meals that are cooked right before they are delivered, so they can just be popped in the oven. This service is not for families. They are meals for one person.
Freshly is geared towards an individual who wants to choose a meal, heat it up in the microwave for three minutes, and then eat and enjoy. So, if you are someone who likes to cook for your family, Freshly is not for you. Instead, they are premade, and you can choose from four, six, 10, or 12 pre-made meals per week:
- Four meals – $11.49 per meal
- Six meals – $9.49 per meal
- 10 meals – $8.99 per meal
- 12 meals – $8.49 per meal
They deliver to all states, but they do charge a shipping fee. The meals come frozen and on ice so that they can be stored in the freezer if not eaten in four to five days. There is no prep and no clean-up. Basically, Freshly is a service that delivers single-serving microwave meals right to your door.
Different menu categories:
- Crafted classics
- Signature collection
- FreshlyFit
- Takeout twists
Freshly also offers gluten-free and peanut-free menu options and allows the user to set these preferences if need be. In addition, Freshly allows you to pick your delivery day to make it that much more convenient. Overall, this is the perfect meal delivery service for the on-the-go eater who does not want to spend time in the kitchen.
Blue Apron – One of the Originals And a Great Place to Start for Meal Delivery
The Blue Apron meal kit is one of the original meal delivery services, and with this comes a lot of benefits. If you are unsure which service is right for you, Blue Apron is a good start to dive into the world of meal delivery. They offer a variety of choices, dietary restrictions, and easy-to-prep meals with straightforward recipes to follow.
The weekly menu choices range from meats, seafood, vegetarian, pasta, and international options. Some of the many ingredients may be unfamiliar to the novice cook, but Blue Apron looks at that unfamiliarity as a teaching tool. They also work with celebrity chefs on occasion for some new surprises to the weekly menu.
Although some of the ingredients may be a bit different and the prep is more in-depth, everything comes pre-measured and precut for ease in the kitchen. They even offer a Market feature on their site for kitchen tools to help with preparation. The plans come for families of two or four, and the two serving option also comes in three different plans:
- Signature – offers choices of meats, fish, and beyond meat, are Weight Watchers approved, and has diabetes-friendly and health-conscious options
- Vegetarian – All meat-free dishes
- Wellness – Recipes are approved by nutritionists, carb-conscious, and Weight Watchers approved
The prices per serving depend on the number of servings per week for both options:
- Two-person options: two servings per week at $4.99 per serving or three servings per week for $6.66 per serving
- Four-person option: two servings per week at $6.49/serving, three servings per week for $6.32 per serving, or four servings per week for $6.24/per serving
Unlike the other meal delivery services, Blue Apron offers free shipping on all orders nationwide. New customers can get $20 of each of the first five boxes for a savings of $100. Another unique option from Blue Apron is their wine pairing service, which is sized for two to share (2/3 the standard wine bottle) at $10 per bottle.
Dinnerly – A Much Simpler Preparation Option
If the creativity and uniqueness of Blue Apron sounds too intimidating for a first-time cook, Dinnerly may be the way to go for a meal delivery service. The meals themselves sound laborious – chicken Panzanella and risotto, za’atar crusted tilapia, and brown butter short rib ravioli, to name a few. But the prep is much easier than it sounds.
Each recipe only contains six ingredients and basic steps so that you can prepare these extravagant-sounding meals with ease. The cost also reflects the ease of the meals with either two-person or family boxes available for the following prices, plus $8.99 shipping per box:
- Two-person box per week: three meals for $25.73, four meals for $33.91, five meals for $43.89, six meals for $52.67
- Family box per week: three meals for $53.87, four meals for $73.83, five meals for $91.79, six meals for $106.55
Although Dinnerly is more budget-friendly than some of the other meal delivery services, down to as low as $2.79 per portion for three two-person meals per week, they do require minimum orders of at least two portions and three meals per week. So, this may not be ideal for single diners, and the shipping charge is hefty compared to others.
Dinnerly does have a considerable amount of vegetarian options and plant-based recipes. In addition, you can replace a meal with a dessert or another ready-made choice for variety. Dinnerly is affordable for small to medium-sized families. It offers three, four, and five meal plans in vegetarian boxes and is great for beginner cooks.
EveryPlate – The Affordable Option for Home Cooking
EveryPlate is the best meal delivery service for those on a budget, coming in cheaper per meal than the other choices out there today. New customers get the first box for $1.99 a meal plus 20 percent off another two boxes. Then, meals are $4.99 per serving and can be ordered for two or four people and three, four, or five meals per week.
The menus for EveryPlate offer customers 16 different options each week, and the menus change weekly. The recipes have an assortment of beef, chicken, pork, fish, and veggie-based options, and the meals take around 30 minutes to cook. However, there are no options for vegans or specific dietary preferences.
EveryPlate is also similar to Dinnerly in its simplicity, stating that their meals can be made in six steps or less. They may not have as many choices as the other services, but they do change up their recipe choices weekly for families on a budget who want a simple and cheaper way to feed their family.
Although the variety and dietary preferences are lacking, this could be a good option for those on a budget and who are not very picky about non-meat, gluten-free, and non-GMO choices. The weekly menu is offered in advance so that you can see what is on the menu and plan your week out accordingly. And, it is the only service under $5 per meal.
Martha and Marley Spoon – Martha Stewart’s Meal Delivery Kit
Marley Spoon was a Berlin-based meal delivery service that, in 2016, partnered with the famous Martha Stewart to hit the United States market. Now, Martha and Marley Spoon has that Martha Stewart flair using Stewart’s own tested recipes from her collections. They also try to use organic and sustainable ingredients when possible.
The Martha Stewart-Marley Spoon team knows what they are doing when it comes to variety, flavor, and taste. Customers can choose from 29 different recipes each week, and the reviews are all about taste being above the other kits. They also tout six steps for their prep so that each meal takes between 30 and 45 minutes to prepare.
The cost is broken out the same as Dinnerly, with either two- or four-person boxes available for the following prices, plus $8.99 shipping per box. They are pricier, however, with a two-meal per week option for two people coming in at $10.99 per portion. It is still a bit less than dining out, and the quality reflects the price:
- Two-person box per week: two meals for $52.95, three meals for $65.93, four meals/$80.91, five meals/$98.89, six meals/$110.87
- Family box per week: two meals/$80.91, three meals/$104.87, four meals/$136.83, five meals/$158.79, six meals/$176.75
The prices per box per week are about double that of Dinnerly and some of the other meal service options. The quality is there, however, making this meal service plan a “you get what you pay for” option. And, all of the boxes can be vegetarian. There are low-carb recipes and specific diets with five categories in which to choose:
- Health and diet
- Vegetarian and vegan
- Meat and fish
- Under 30 minutes
- Family-friendly
Gobble – “Fast Food” for Those Who Like to Cook with Minimal Time
Gobble may be different because of its “fast food” route, but it certainly does not taste like a burger from a drive-thru. If you do not like chopping your veggies and only have around 15 minutes to make dinner, Gobble is the choice for a quality meal in less time. They pre-chop the ingredients and partly cook some, so you have less prep.
You probably would not think you could cook butter chicken with basmati rice and naan or Japanese-style steak with jasmine rice and vegetable stir-fry in 15 minutes, but Gobble makes it possible. Your box comes with everything done for you – the veggies are peeled and chopped, the meats already marinated. You just need to cook the meal.
Parents Magazine voted Gobble the number one meal delivery kit, probably because of its target of individuals on the go with not a lot of time. The service is currently offering new customers six meals for $36 with free shipping. Then, you can choose from a two-person or four-person meal plan and the regular or lean and clean option:
- Two people, two servings each: three nights for $71.94, four nights for $95.92
- Four people, two servings each: three nights for $143.88, four nights for $191.84
Each meal comes to around $11.99 per person, so the pricing is similar to Martha Stewart’s service. Even with the price, Gobble offers quality meals and the quantity of food some of the other meal delivery services lack. And with the fifteen-minute prep time, you will have more than enough food to feed your busy family during the week.
HelloFresh – Fresh Offerings for Those with Food Allergies
Are you avoiding such things as gluten, dairy, soy, or nuts due to a food allergy? If so, HelloFresh has the options for you. The ingredients are recognizable, and the portions are substantial. They even have a “dinner to lunch” component that allows you to cook dinner at night and then have a tasty lunch the very next day. Plans include:
- Meat and veggies
- Veggie
- Family-friendly
- Calorie smart
- Quick and easy
- Pescatarian
HelloFresh is offering new customers ten free meals and free shipping, a $90 value, to try out their service. After that, HelloFresh is one of the pricier options for the variety and quality you will receive in each box. They come in two- or four-people options, and after the first trial run costs $8.99 in shipping per box:
- Two people: two meals for $49.96, three meals for $53.94, four meals for $71.92, five meals for 89.90
- Four people: two meals for $71.92, three nights for $89.88, four nights for $119.84
No matter what plan you choose, HelloFresh offers nutritional information and easy, step-by-step directions – around six steps – for what looks like a gourmet meal. They also deliver nationwide, so your zip code will not preclude you from trying a HelloFresh delivery plan. Some of the meals may take under an hour to cook but are well worth it.
If you are a Mindy Kaling fan, a famous actress from “The Office” and “The Mindy Project,” HelloFresh has teamed up with her to offer “Meals with Mindy.” This added perk allows you to watch her videos and cook alongside the actress and producer. It is an interesting twist to cooking a weeknight meal with a famous celebrity.
Green Chef – The “Green” Choice for Organic Diners
Green Chef is one of the pricier options for meal delivery services, but it is also one of the best bets for organic eating, along with keto, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and other alternative choices. No matter what diet or nutrition plan you are following, Green Chef will make it easy to stick to your goals and feast on organically-grown foods.
Green Chef can be noted as the “green cousin” to Hello Fresh, and they deliver everywhere in the United States except Hawaii, Alaska, and parts of Louisiana. As a certified-organic company, the three choices alone show how Green Chef respects your nutritional choices, and all of the recipe cards indicate any allergies:
- Keto and Paleo Dishes (a rare variety not found in many of the other services)
- Balanced Living Meal Plan
- Plant-Powered Veggie and Vegan Meals
They are also offering $90 off your first order and free shipping so you can try out their eclectic meal choices. After that, they offer meal plans for two, four, and six people (one of the only meal delivery services to offer a six-person option) and three to four meals per week. Shipping varies depending on the size of the meal box:
- Two people per week: Three meals for $11.99 per serving, four meals for $11.49 per serving
- Four people per week: Two meals for $11.49 per serving, three meals for $10.99 per serving, four meals for $10.49 per serving
- Six people per week: $10.49 per serving for three or four meals
Green Chef also makes eating well easy, with step-by-step instructions, tips, and photos. All recipes are designed to be completed in 30 minutes or less. But it really is the USDA certification that makes Green Chef the primary choice for those who are living a life of organic, clean, and sustainable eating to find a variety of meal choices.
Purple Carrot – Top Choice for Vegetarians and Vegans
Nearly all of the meal delivery services discussed here have had options for vegetarians and vegans. However, Purple Carrot is the only one that delivers meal kits that are 100 percent plant-based. If you are a vegetarian or vegan looking for more variety in your meal delivery service, Purple Carrot is for you with its entire plant-based recipe line.
Now, Purple Carrot is not going to give you plant-based meals that taste like meat. If you are looking for imitation beef in your meal, you probably want to stick with one of the other services like HelloFresh. Purple Carrot is for those looking for a diet filled with fresh vegetables, legumes, grains, and other vegetarian and whole vegan foods.
Purple Carrot can be a great service for those living a vegetarian or vegan life or those simply wanting to cut meat out of their diet a few nights a week. The recipe cards are filled with knowledge about cooking vegetarian and vegan cuisine for anyone trying to live a meatless life. They also have more of a variety of the types of meals:
- Dinners – From green goddess vegetable pilaf to gnocchi a la pesto
- Breakfasts – Caper dill bagels with everything cream cheese!
- Lunches – Crispy sumac brown rice bowls
- Snacks – Oat chocolate bars and peanut butter cup truffle pouches
The variety Purple Carrot offers customers to live meat-free from breakfast through dinner is impressive. They offer a $25 discount and have plans for two or four servings per week. The two serving plans are $11.99 per serving for three or four dinners, and the four serving plan is $9.99 per serving for two or three dinners per week.
Hungryroot – Personalized to Meet Your Needs
Last but certainly not least, Hungryroot is a good option for a more personalized meal delivery option. Before you even sign up for the service, Hungryroot has you fill out a questionnaire so that your service is customized to meet your needs – are you single or a family? Do you have allergies or diet restrictions? What are your food preferences?
Hungryroot is the only service that focuses on the individual. After that, the other benefit is the ease of cooking the meals. You will get pre-chopped and pre-prepared meals that take only ten minutes to prep. From breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, Hungryroot gives a variety that can feed one or more in the house, any time of the day.
The best way to get the most out of Hungryroot is, to be honest with the quiz. If you like snacking and sweets, check that box. Do you skip breakfast? That is okay too. No one will judge you. Hungryroot will take your answers and customize a plan that works out best for your own life. Hungryroot also offers 40 percent off your order to give it a try.
Hungryroot is more like an online grocery store that is personalized to you than anything else. It helps you live a life of mindful eating all day, from breakfast through dinner and everything in between. They also offer Hungryroot branded items to help you explore new foods and recipes all week long.