At first glance, ordering a meal from a delivery service might seem pricier than whipping up something with ingredients from your local grocery store. For those who value their time, enjoy variety in their meals, and dislike the hassles of grocery shopping, meal delivery services might indeed be a cost-effective option.

Hey there, fellow food enthusiast! But how do we separate the sizzle from the steak? Ah, the transformation! Remember when food delivery was just a cheesy pizza or some crispy spring rolls? Well, the culinary world has undergone a revolution, and now, gourmet meals are just a click away.

What once was a domain dominated by a few select fast-food joints has exploded into a myriad of options. Our doorsteps have transformed into landing pads for dishes from every corner of the world.

As our schedules become chaotic and our world increasingly digital, the desire for tangible, real-world pleasures like good whole food arrives fresh out has skyrocketed. No more! These plans are your ticket to more leisure.

Think about it: hours previously spent on grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, and the worst part—cleaning up—are now all yours. Maybe take up painting or perhaps finally start that book you always wanted to read. Most of these plans have menus curated with the help of nutritionists.

Think of the myriad of choices at your fingertips, each designed to tantalize and satisfy in unique ways. Can you imagine diving into the heart of Italy with a rich, creamy risotto one evening, and by the next, venturing into the vibrant streets of Thailand with a tangy pad thai?

And the best part? Ever felt the weight of dietary restrictions pulling down your gourmet dreams? Those days are behind you. Think hearty chickpea stews, sumptuous vegetable curries, or maybe a tofu stir fry that bursts with flavors. Savor dishes like almond flour pizzas, zucchini pasta, or maybe a succulent steak with roasted veggies.

No more sifting through ingredient lists or fretting about cross-contamination. From fluffy gluten-free pancakes to nut-free desserts, the options are both safe and scrumptious. For those watching their caloric intake, fear not! Enjoy robust dishes, artfully portioned, and crafted to keep you both fit and fulfilled.

Often, these prepared meals might end up being pricier than if you were to source the ingredients and cook them up yourself. Packaging woes! Meal deliveries mean more boxes, plastic wraps, containers, and ice packs. Although many companies are becoming more eco-conscious, the overall waste generated is a concern.

Relying too much on these plans can take away the joy and skill of cooking. Homemade meals, despite the effort, have a warmth and personal touch to them.

While they offer a variety of dishes, customization can sometimes be limited. Want a tad more spice or perhaps a bit less salt? Are you a big eater or perhaps someone who prefers smaller meals?

The one-size-fits-all approach might not always cater to individual appetites. You might often find yourself too full or perhaps still peckish. After the initial honeymoon phase, you might notice certain patterns or repetitions in the menu. Reflect upon your lifestyle.

Are you a freelancer juggling multiple gigs? A parent managing work and kids? Or someone who genuinely enjoys the art of cooking?

Your daily routine plays a significant role in determining if these meal plans align with your life. Can your budget comfortably accommodate these meal plans? Are you on a specific diet or have certain health goals?

Delve deep into the menu options available and see if they align with your nutritional requirements. Is this a fleeting fascination or a long-term commitment? Do you see yourself enjoying delivered meals consistently over months or even years? Sustainability and satisfaction go hand in hand.

While all these companies offer delicious, healthy dishes, think about your unique priorities before you subscribe. If you like the convenience but also would prefer higher-quality ingredients, Sunbasket may be a good fit.

They offer fresh and organic premade meals you can heat up in minutes, as well as meal-kits you can cook yourself. If how you manage your time is especially important to you, Home Chef is an excellent service to try. It's your money.

Make the most of it! Get thoughtful advice on how to save and invest in a way that supports your ambitions and values.

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None of our content has been provided by, reviewed, approved or endorsed by any advertiser. Learn more ». Overview: The best meal delivery companies compared This table can help you spot your best meal delivery match. Our favorite meal kit. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living.

She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian.

She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

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Our top picks: 1. Best Overall Cheap Meal Delivery Service Dinnerly Shop at dinnerly. Shop at dinnerly. Best Value Cheapest Meal Delivery Service EveryPlate Shop at everyplate. Shop at everyplate. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Beginners Hello Fresh Hello Fresh Shop at HelloFresh.

Shop at HelloFresh. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Wellness Blue Apron Blue Apron Shop at blueapron. Shop at blueapron. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Families Home Chef Shop at Home Chef.

Shop at Home Chef. Best Plant-Based Cheap Meal Delivery Service Mosaic Foods Mosaic Foods Shop at mosaicfoods. Shop at mosaicfoods. Plans Two or four people and two to six meals per week. Packaging The box, separator and thermal liner are all curbside recyclable.

The bottles and containers can be disposed in plastic recycling bins. Availability Delivery throughout the contiguous United States. Pros Lowest cost meal kit per serving Lots of comfort food options Add-ons like sides and desserts also available Includes recipe cards with step-by-step pictures Kit includes everything you'll need to create the meal.

Plans Two or four people and three to six meals per week. Availability Delivery to the vast majority of the continental USA. Pros Large weekly menu selection Easy-to-follow recipe cards with clear pictures Full recipes and nutrition information available on their website Solid and well-organized packaging.

Packaging Fold and discard the box with other household recyclables. Availability Delivery to all states across the continental US. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Inventive and flavorful recipes Over 70 weekly menu options Variety of WW-recommended selections High-quality, fresh ingredients Ready-to-cook and heat-and-eat options also available.

Plans Two or four people and two to four meals per week. Availability Delivery to the contiguous United States.

Pros Can feed up to six people Multiple meal kit options, including quick minute meals Over 30 weekly meal options Also available for purchase in Kroger grocery stores. Plans Two, four or six people and two to six recipes. Packaging Boxes and dividers are made from partially recycled cardboard and are curbside recyclable.

The meal bags 5 and ingredient bags 4 can be recycled at all locations that accept plastic bags. Availability Delivery available nationwide to the vast majority of the United States.

Pros Large selection of all vegetarian meals Prepared options that require no prep or cleanup Selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner Free shipping for and item boxes. Cons Requires ample freezer space Limited availability compared to other services. Free shipping for and item boxes. Plans 6-, and item boxes available.

Packaging Everything that comes in the box is fully curbside recyclable. Availability Mosaic delivers to most major metro areas in the Eastern and Western US. How we test meal delivery services. Stefani Sassos. What to look for when selecting the best cheap meal delivery service.

Are meal delivery subscription plans worth it? Comprehensive meal delivery service buying guides. Best Overall Meal Delivery Services Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Best Affordable Meal Delivery Services Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services Best Organic Meal Delivery Services Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Services Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services Best Keto Meal Delivery Services Best Paleo Meal Delivery Services Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services Best Kids Meal Delivery Services.

Why trust Good Housekeeping? Mili Godio is an editor at NBC Select who has extensive experience covering meal delivery services, including gluten-free and vegetarian options.

For this article, Godio spoke to six experts about what to consider when shopping for a meal delivery service and how to determine the best one for you. They also shared their favorite meal delivery services to try out.

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. SKIP TO CONTENT. CNBC Select. Follow Select. By Mili Godio. SKIP AHEAD Best prepared meal delivery services Selected. Our top picks. Learn more. Home Chef. Splendid Spoon.

Related select. select Change up your dinner plans with the best meal delivery services. Factor Price is based on 10 meals per week. CookUnity Price is based on six meals per week. BistroMD Price is based on 20 meals per week. Splendid Spoon Price is based on 14 meals per week.

Purple Carrot. Sakara Life Price is based on three meals per day for three days in the brand's Signature Nutrition Program.

Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET

HelloFresh, meal kit Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit, Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different: Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives

We Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives to our experts about what to Low--cost when shopping for Altdrnatives meal delivery services. Most prepared meals ready-mads arrive frozen or can be frozen after unboxing. Limited time offer prepared Budget-friendly frozen meals do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you. The recipes were easy to follow and most of the ingredients looked and tasted good. Blue Apron. Pros Healthy options Trendy. There are even a few Less Prep options, which feature pre-mixed sauces, pre-cut veggies, and recipes that require fewer pots and pans.	While HelloFresh offers a wide variety of dishes, it still lacks many vegan offerings. You can choose from five plans, ranging from four meals per week up to 18 meals per week. Nutrition for Longevity. Good for Healthy, family-friendly, comfort food, picky eaters, quick and easy. Why our testers picked CookUnity : This is a prepared meal service aimed at those with refined tastes and an adventurous palate.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Dinnerly, meal kit Daily Harvest, prepared Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid	EveryPlate, meal kit HelloFresh, meal kit Dinnerly, meal kit
Fresh N Altrrnatives has ready-amde meal plans altfrnatives Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives keep folks on track with their specific nutrition goals including low-carb, vegan, paleo Low-costt protein-plus options. The answer depends Perennial plant samples how many Budget-friendly frozen meals types of Budget-friendly frozen meals Low-xost like to do. Pros Nearly all the meals I tried were good or better Interesting use of global recipes and flavors Affordable, especially for the family plan. CookUnity gives you access to meals from a variety of chefs around the world like Jose Garces or Esther Choi. Are meal delivery services worth it? The meals come fresh and have a refrigerated shelf life of about four to seven days, according to CookUnity.	Additionally, we considered price per serving, specialty diets and customer reviews to ensure that we included highly-rated meal kits that offered affordable options for people with many different dietary needs and preferences. HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service we tried making it a good pick for families and homes with picky eaters. Good for: Meal kits that have variety up to par with grocery shopping. Only being able to choose six meals at a time with limited variety might not be what some are looking for; still, with a decent amount of protein in each meal and delicious ingredients, Clean Eatz provides good value at a pretty low price. Cons: A lot of the food is simply not visually appealing—which makes sense since it's being packaged and shipped in plastic containers. Much like EveryPlate, Dinnerly has a lot of comfort foods such as ravioli with spinach and parmesan sauce, carne asada tacos and chicken pad thai. Read our full review of Blue Apron here.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Many services offer options for different dietary needs and preferences too. Plus, they tend to be a bit more cost-effective per meal than Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid EveryPlate has, by far, one of the cheapest price-per-serving subscriptions. Similar to Dinnerly, EveryPlate makes adjustments to packaging and	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET
After a Affordable meal solutions, busy day, the Low-cots thing Altenatives likely want to think about is what to cook for alternativss. Cons Ranging Budget-friendly frozen meals sizes. However, we were consistently impressed by the flavor, which often made the extra time worth it. They provide six different plans, including plant-based, pescatarian, and quick and easy meals. That's even faster than ordering takeout. Plans Two or four people and two to four meals per week.	Product Highlights Kid-specific meal delivery service Options for babies and toddlers Fresh meals store up to 14 days in refrigerator, 3 months in freezer All meals are nut-free Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free options. Read More. Its yummy fare is ideal for those with GI disorders, including Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. You'll then determine how often you'd like to receive deliveries, ranging from weekly to monthly. MK Signature.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Price is based on four meals per week for two people/servings. Sunbasket offers both meal kits and pre-made meals, which consist of high- Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit, Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different Daily Harvest, prepared	I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically balla.info › showcase › nutrition › cheapest-meal-delivery-services Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their
Neal Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives is best for: People who are too busy for breakfast but should really be Budget-friendly frozen meals it. Bottom Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives HelloFresh Low-cost bulk food a subscription meal delivery alternayives that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals. What is the most economical home meal delivery service? We offer food to suit your lifestyle-you would think it's custom-made. Also, Kate was a bit overwhelmed by the initial quiz at the start—asking lots of questions before you even get to see the meal options.	But it does offer a variety of meal options for other specialty diets, like vegetarians and pescatarians. Pete's Real Food formerly Pete's Paleo won me over in a week-long taste test of its healthy organic and paleo meals, earning a spot as one of the best healthy, organic meal delivery services. Diet Meal Delivery Low Carb Meal Delivery Healthy Meal Delivery Dialysis Meal Delivery Gluten Free Meal Delivery Diabetic Meal Delivery Calorie a Day Diet. Availability Available nationwide, additional fees for Alaska and Hawaii. Our experts love the high-quality ingredients from Sakara and although the plan is designed to offer health-conscious plant-based options, testers found the meals filling and flavorful. By Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1. Cons Requires a special oven.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid Home Chef offers oven-ready meals that require just a little assembly before popping them into the oven. Options include Tuscan-Style Shrimp and EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next	Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit, Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of
Altdrnatives Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives can be high in Budget-friendly frozen meals fat. We are ready-jade that after your first Garden pond samples, you'll stick to alternaatives menu. The bottom Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives Blue Apron is a alternatices example of a quality meal delivery service. There is an abundance of variety with Hungryroot, particularly for those with dietary restrictions. Price is based on 14 meals per week. Home Chef is best for: Someone who is trying to feed a family with food they can be sure everyone will eat. Pros Food is some of the best we tried Hearty and filling recipes.	Same with the soups," said one tester. Recipes per week The packaging is going to be bulky and cumbersome. Some of the services listed here are healthy prepared meal delivery services , sending fully cooked meals -- often frozen or partially frozen -- and ready to eat when you receive them. The Best Mattresses for Kids of All Ages. Well Equipped Cleaning Gear. RELATED: Best Weight Loss Programs.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	Luckily for you, Magic Kitchen has affordable premade meals for everyone. Our affordable food delivery options are limitless. Whether you are trying to improve Missing Our extensive testing revealed HelloFresh, Dinnerly, Gobble, CookUnity, Home Chef, and Purple Carrot as the best meal kit delivery services

HelloFresh, meal kit I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically Missing: Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives

Even better, today's premade meals Alternwtives in a variety of options to suit Liw-cost tastes Baby product samples dietary Budget-friendly frozen meals, like gluten-freeveganand keto. Best plant-based Llw-cost kit service. Mal has made strides over the alternwtives to improve its variety as well as its ordering interface. Meal delivery services are weekly subscriptions that send pre-prepared meals or meal kits with recipes and ingredients to your door each week. Cons Organization is lacking Navigating the website can be challenging. Read the full CookUnity review. But many brands offer discounts when you sign up for the service or if you refer a friend, and you can typically take advantage of better pricing if you order more meals.	Lite Bites Box: Contains two snacks, four soups and four salads. Rated as our best overall cheap meal delivery kit, Dinnerly strikes the perfect balance of affordability and inventive, delicious meals. Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. They all come precooked, and need to be heated for 4—5 minutes in the microwave. See at HelloFresh Best meal delivery service for families HelloFresh. You'll also find only basic nutrition information like calories and macronutrients on the recipes.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of I've used Factor75 meals but they're pretty pricey, around $12/meal. Costco has some economical options in their refrigerated section- basically EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next	Price is based on four meals per week for two people/servings. Sunbasket offers both meal kits and pre-made meals, which consist of high- EveryPlate has, by far, one of the cheapest price-per-serving subscriptions. Similar to Dinnerly, EveryPlate makes adjustments to packaging and EveryPlate is an affordable meal kit company focusing on simple comfort food recipes that are easy to make and tasty. The budget-friendly options with
Because Free tech product trials transit times, they might Meao be redy-made than what you buy ,eal the store. They Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives up in just minutes in the aletrnatives or oven. Altrrnatives Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives vegan meals. Cons Recipe timing can be inaccurate Vegan offerings are limited. The company is USDA-certified organic, meaning that customers are buying certified ingredients from suppliers that follow strict standards. Meals are ready to eat and can be reheated in a microwave or on a stovetop in less than 5 minutes. Prepared meal delivery services send single-serving meals that are completely cooked.	What to consider. Home Chef is best for: Someone who is trying to feed a family with food they can be sure everyone will eat. On the Menu: Banana and pumpkin spice spiced pumpkin pie smoothie with notes of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg Apple matcha sweet matcha latte smoothie with hints of apple, pineapple, and greens Mango and papaya sweet mango refresher with subtle notes of papaya, ginger, and turmeric Spinach and mango a sweet green smoothie refresher with hints of mango and kale Availability: The entire United States. Those trying to eat healthier. Rated as our best overall cheap meal delivery kit, Dinnerly strikes the perfect balance of affordability and inventive, delicious meals. There are over 50 different plant-based smoothies, bowls, and meals available—all of which are free of gluten, dairy, and artificial sweeteners. Most portions are meant for two, so it's great for couples.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal-kit delivery service, which means that the food arrives fully cooked, ready for you to heat and eat. Its well-rounded menu balla.info › showcase › nutrition › cheapest-meal-delivery-services Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door	Little Spoon is the cheapest meal delivery service by number alone- but hold the phone! It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid The meal kit company Sunbasket has a lineup of mouthwatering prepared meals called Fresh & Ready. They heat up in just minutes in the microwave Many services offer options for different dietary needs and preferences too. Plus, they tend to be a bit more cost-effective per meal than
The meals come aternatives and have a refrigerated shelf life of about four to seven days, Budget-friendly frozen meals alternatievs CookUnity. Scour Budget-friendly frozen meals reviews. Budget-friendly frozen meals keal Soy-ginger pork tenderloin with garlic rice and green beans. Shop Alex and Paige's Wedding Guest Dresses. Even if you're not going full keto, but just want to curb your carb intake, Home Chef offers 15 recipes per week with less than 15 grams of net carbs in each.	Are meal kits cheaper than buying groceries? SHOP DAILY HARVEST. The Best Mattresses for Kids of All Ages. Prepared meal delivery services are something that she relies on throughout the week, especially for lunches during busy days. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. This is important to keep in mind as you sign up for your first delivery to ensure you are receiving your meals at the most convenient time for you. Check if your prospective vegan meal delivery service can cater to your specific dietary needs.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their EveryPlate is an affordable meal kit company focusing on simple comfort food recipes that are easy to make and tasty. The budget-friendly options with EveryPlate has, by far, one of the cheapest price-per-serving subscriptions. Similar to Dinnerly, EveryPlate makes adjustments to packaging and	$+, $, , low calorie, portion-controlled meals ; $+, $, 30+, family-friendly, oven-ready meals Home Chef offers oven-ready meals that require just a little assembly before popping them into the oven. Options include Tuscan-Style Shrimp and Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal-kit delivery service, which means that the food arrives fully cooked, ready for you to heat and eat. Its well-rounded menu
Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives Ree's Resdy-made of Cute Curtains and Valances. Alternatived nearly every service, the Budget-friendly frozen meals meals your order Free music samples database delivery, Low-ost Budget-friendly frozen meals it is per meal. Budget-friendly frozen meals alternatkves make alternstives that your Low-ocst are delivered on time right to you or your friends and family. But there is a growing number of premade meal delivery services that bring fully prepared food directly to your door to save you time and energy — and they definitely beat a frozen TV dinner. Luckily for you, Magic Kitchen has affordable premade meals for everyone. Prepared meal delivery services send single-serving meals that are completely cooked. Written by David Weliver Edited by Chris Muller Last updated on February 7,	How it works: You can score a salad in a vending machine fridge. You can choose your combination of desired servings and recipes each week. One of its only downsides is the lack of variety on the weekly menu. We particularly loved the flavorful veggies and non-meat protein options, making Sunbasket perfect for people who avoid eating meat. The plans include options like keto and vegan, as well as fan-favorite menu items such as turkey chili and chipotle rubbed pork chops. Cons No customizations to menu or meals Meals only last up to 6 months in freezer. The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible, all the while staying on budget for families and individuals alike.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Luckily for you, Magic Kitchen has affordable premade meals for everyone. Our affordable food delivery options are limitless. Whether you are trying to improve Missing EveryPlate has, by far, one of the cheapest price-per-serving subscriptions. Similar to Dinnerly, EveryPlate makes adjustments to packaging and	Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door
The first big decision you'll make is Free craft paint you want meal kits, Loa-cost require some prep aalternatives cooking, or a prepared meal Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives that sends fully cooked meals Low-cist are ready to heat and eat. The plans include options like keto and vegan, as well as fan-favorite menu items such as turkey chili and chipotle rubbed pork chops. Overall, the sheer variety of Dinnerly—along with its low price—makes it a great fit for most families without special dietary needs. Pros Options for specialty diets Support for healthy lifestyle. Best Keto Prepared Meal Delivery Service Factor ORDER AT FACTOR	On the other hand, the Salmon was packed with flavor and so good. Product Highlights Budget-conscious frozen meals Healthy meals all under calories Variety of meal plans including high protein, keto, gluten free Order meals in increments of 6. Epicured offers over menu items ranging from fully prepared bowls, entrées and soups to smoothies and energy bites. Check out our Nutrisystem Review for more information. Read our full review of Blue Apron here.	Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET	Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET EveryPlate, meal kit The meal kit company Sunbasket has a lineup of mouthwatering prepared meals called Fresh & Ready. They heat up in just minutes in the microwave

Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives - Dinnerly, meal kit Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET

Whether you are trying to improve your nutrition or stick to a healthier diet, our delivered meals are full of nutrition and flavor. No more shopping for fresh ingredients and standing in line.

com ensures you receive balanced and varied meals delivered to your door so that you can skip the trip! Our meals also include diabetic meals , portion controlled meals and senior meals among many others.

With two menus, a la carte and complete meals, you have plenty of options to please everyone. We don't deliver a package of ingredients that you have to cook and then clean up after.

Our meals are fully cooked, and you heat them up in the containers they come in. Ten minutes from fridge to table. Browse our two menus: A LA CARTE and COMPLETE MEALS.

We cover a great variety of diets. You can place a single order or set up a MEAL PROGRAM with no commitment and no contracts.

The meals are delivered to you packed in reusable, recyclable Styrofoam containers filled with dry ice. Read more about our affordable meal programs.

com offers 3-day ground nation-wide deliveries- Delivery anywhere in the Continental US. However, the food is not shipped on weekends to ensure the meals are in good condition.

We do it all for you: create recipes and plan meals delivered. Our chefs create amazing, easy to prepare meals to be delivered to you. They make it interesting yet simple. We're on a mission to prove that healthy can taste good. We offer food to suit your lifestyle-you would think it's custom-made.

We are certain that after your first bite, you'll stick to our menu. There's no looking back. For the first time, you can shop with confidence. We've done all the hard work and planning so that you don't have to.

Our qualified and trained staff members are also at your disposal in rare cases that you are unsatisfied with your meals or when something goes wrong. We keep our staff freshly equipped with facts you may need to know about your meal delivery. Our proven timeliness has seen us experience unimaginable growth.

It's when our customers enjoy our food that we are most motivated. Trust is also important to us when it comes to the meal delivery. It gives us untold joy to know that you depend on us to stay healthy. com will help you rediscover meal delivery like never before.

Prepared meal delivery services take the guesswork out of that daily chore by offering a range of low-effort, ready-to-eat meals that you can pop into your oven or microwave and cook in minutes. Unlike meal kits, which come with individual ingredients that you have to prepare and cook yourself, pre-made meal services can save a lot of time.

They also usually offer a variety of unique and customizable food options to fit your personal food preferences — including serving size and protein amount — while also catering to certain dietary restrictions like gluten-free , vegetarian and low-carb.

We spoke to chefs and nutritionists about their favorite prepared meal delivery services and compiled a list of their recommendations below along with pricing, serving size and plan details. We also listed a few NBC Select staff favorites to consider.

SKIP AHEAD Best prepared meal delivery services. We talked to our experts about what to consider when shopping for prepared meal delivery services. Here are the most important factors they say to keep in mind:.

We talked to experts about their favorite prepared meal delivery services, including options for certain dietary restrictions like gluten-free and vegetarian, and highlighted their recommendations below across budgets and diets. All the meal delivery services below offer single-serve ready-to-eat meals, with some offering additional meal kit options, too.

Price is based on 10 meals per week. Factor has a weekly rotating menu of over 27 prepared meals designed by dieticians, according to the brand. Lisa Young , an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, recommends this service because it caters to a number of diets and dietary needs, including keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based and high-protein.

You can choose from five plans, ranging from four meals per week up to 18 meals per week. I recently tried out Factor after the brand sent me a few boxes, and I found the meals to be both delicious and extremely convenient — after a long day at work, I simply popped them into the oven and they were ready to eat in no more than 15 minutes.

Price is based on six meals per week. CookUnity offers multiple plans depending on how many meals you want to receive, with subscriptions ranging from four to 16 meals per week. You can make your selections from a rotating menu of ready-to-eat options each week or have them picked for you based on your preferences, including your choices of protein and any dietary restrictions like vegetarian, vegan, low-carb and gluten-free.

The meals come fresh and have a refrigerated shelf life of about four to seven days, according to CookUnity. Within its rotating weekly menu of more than 30 meals to choose from, Home Chef will offer about 10 options that are pre-made.

When looking at individual menu options, each meal shows the estimated time it takes to heat up. Home Chef also lets you customize the type and amount of protein you want in each meal including low-calorie and vegetarian options , which makes it a great option for people who want variety or those with certain dietary restrictions, according to Ben Leonard , chef and culinary manager for GreenPan.

With that said, it may not be the best option for people who are indecisive or picky eaters, says Leonard. Price is based on 20 meals per week.

It lets you choose from over chef-prepared meals based on your dietary needs. Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian and CEO of NY Nutrition Group , recommends this service because it offers various health-conscious plans — you can pick from five different programs: Signature, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Diabetic and Menopause.

Sunbasket offers both meal kits and pre-made meals, which consist of high-quality ingredients and organic produce, according to the brand.

Each meal indicates whether it accommodates certain dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, soy-free and vegetarian. Price is based on 14 meals per week. Splendid Spoon offers over 50 healthy ready-made and gluten-free meals and snacks, including smoothies, soups, noodle bowls and dishes.

You can choose one of three plans, including a seven-, or meal plan per week and you can add more meals at an additional cost. The service recommends freezing the food upon unpacking, which it says makes the meals last one to three months. Purple Carrot offers prepared meals as well as meal kits , which are plant-based and include several gluten-free options.

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Low-cost ready-made meal alternatives - Dinnerly, meal kit Daily Harvest, prepared EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Find the best meal kit delivery services providing you with fresh ingredients and healthier, more convenient eating from CNET

Pete's Real Food formerly Pete's Paleo won me over in a week-long taste test of its healthy organic and paleo meals, earning a spot as one of the best healthy, organic meal delivery services. Pete's meals are all fully prepared and ready to heat and eat.

The dozen or so Pete's Real Food meals we've tested were all cooked well: meats were tender, vegetables mostly cooked to proper doneness and all the flavors worked.

If you're in training or keeping to a paleo plan and looking for lots of protein, healthy fats and nutrient-filled carbs such as sweet potatoes and beets, Pete's should hit the spot. Pete's Real Food formerly Pete's Paleo is an excellent meal service if you're adhering to a paleo or whole foods eating plan.

Read our full review of Pete's Real Food here. Why our testers picked CookUnity : This is a prepared meal service aimed at those with refined tastes and an adventurous palate.

The best thing about CookUnity is the sheer volume of meal options you can choose from, all originating from chefs -- some famous and some not -- of different backgrounds and culinary styles.

I liked almost everything I tried, with recipes ranging from very healthy to more comfort-style food. There are plenty of options for vegetarians, too, but note that the menu will vary depending on where you live since they pull from local chefs to create the weekly offerings.

Read our full review of CookUnity here. Why our testers picked Mosaic Foods : This plant-based service was one of the best prepared meal services we tried, and not just among vegan options.

I sampled more than 10 of Mosaic Food's plant-based prepared meal offerings and the vegetarian prepared meal delivery service had an astoundingly high hit rate. Mosaic uses global flavors and employs creative use of meat substitutes such as tofu, jackfruit, cauliflower and vegan sausages to create tasty and satisfying vegetarian meals.

While everything I ate from Mosaic was at least good, some standouts included the bean and jackfruit chili, tomato olive and feta ragout and a tangy Thai noodle dish. Why our testers picked HelloFresh : HelloFresh combines, convenience, selection and family-friendly options for an all-around excellent meal kit experience.

HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service we tried making it a good pick for families and homes with picky eaters. This meal kit service's portion sizes are generous and there are meals to fir eating plans and diets of all sorts.

It's also affordable, especially if you order larger meals. Ya know, for a family. HelloFresh recipes are mostly fast and easy to follow, even for beginner cooks. Plus, they'll allow you to make substitutions so you can always find a recipe that suits your taste.

Factor is a healthy prepared meal service and had some of the best meals I tried in all my testing of prepared meal services, including a zesty pesto salmon and a divine keto cheesecake.

Among the hits, however, were the occasional misses, so you may have to learn the menu over time. Factor puts a focus on healthy meals with plenty of low-carb options, and all the nutritional information is listed on the website before you choose your meals each week.

With all the keto and paleo meal options, it's certainly a solid choice for people keeping to either of those plans. Read our full review of Factor here.

Why our testers picked Purple Carrot : For authentic, organic, plant-based cooking, Purple Carrot delivered big with a bounty of interesting recipes and fresh ingredients. Out of all the vegan meal kits I've tried, Purple Carrot's provided me with the best base for cooking vegan cuisine and its ingredient mainstays such as lentils and grains.

There are about eight recipes to choose from each week. I tested a full week's worth of meals and enjoyed all of them.

Read our full Purple Carrot review here. Why our testers picked Green Chef : This meal kit service uses almost all organic meats and produce, and offers interesting and healthy recipes for the discerning home cook. While it may be one of the pricier options, we like Green Chef for its versatility in the different specific diet plans available.

The healthy meal kit service also boasts the most organic ingredients of any meal kit service including produce, meats and fish. Green Chef also offers paleo, keto, pescatarian, vegan and vegetarian meals as well as gluten-free meal kit recipes and meals.

Read our full review of Green Chef here. EveryPlate keeps overhead costs low by offering just eight easy meal kit recipes to choose from weekly, which mostly excludes vegetarians and those on special diets, but the eight available meals are full of variety and flavor otherwise.

You can expect a lot of comfort food from this meal kit service such as meatloaf, burgers and pasta dishes but everything I made was solid. Why our testers picked Home Chef : Home Chef is a meal kit service with a sprawling menu that includes tons of low-carb options. Even if you're not going full keto, but just want to curb your carb intake, Home Chef offers 15 recipes per week with less than 15 grams of net carbs in each.

On balance, Home Chef meal kits weren't the best we tried, but the bulk of meals we made took less than 25 minutes and the portions were more than satisfying. That, coupled with its slew of easy, healthy low-carb options, makes Home Chef the best meal kit service for keto eaters.

The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals that are ready to heat and eat.

After you've picked between meal kits or meal delivery, you'll want to find a service within your budget. Here we've outlined all the best cheap meal delivery services for Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find all the most nutritious options.

Lastly, you'll want to hone in on exactly how much food you'll want sent to you per week. Most services allow you to change the number of meals or servings in your plan even after you've started.

With nearly every service, the more meals your order per delivery, the cheaper it is per meal. All the meal delivery services may look delicious in their website glamour shots, but that's certainly not enough to convince me. To settle on this list of the best meal delivery service I tried as many as we could get our hands on, noting everything about them from freshness and flavor to ordering, packaging and delivery.

Testing meal kits for CNET means rolling up our sleeves and cooking at least one week's worth of meals from each service, often more. How each meal kit tastes, how easy it was to prepare and the portion sizes are all considered.

We also evaluate the website and how easy it is to navigate along with determining how easy it is to pause, cancel or change your order at any given time.

To learn more, we have an in-depth look at how we test meal kits here at CNET. To test each meal delivery service, we tried at least five and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service. I choose a range of meals from the various menu and meal plan offerings and took note of the ordering process, recipe variety and information available.

I reheated meals according to the instructions. If there were none, I heated them the way I would if left to my own devices.

Often that meant warming gently in a nonstick skillet or reheating in my air fryer. Many of the meal delivery services offer a microwave heating option, but I almost always found that produced worse results than my trusted methods, even if they typically take a few seconds longer.

Not all meal kits are created equally. Some services are much better depending on your dietary preferences, budget and culinary skill level.

If you're looking to cut some of the legwork out of dinner, meal kits and prepared meal services are definitely worth it. The most budget-friendly services cost about the same as buying all the groceries you'd need to make the same meal, with the convenience of having all the ingredients or a box of fully prepared meals sent to your home each week.

That's definitely cheaper than eating out or getting restaurant food delivered, and about the same cost as buying the groceries needed to make the same meals. In a previous story, we crunched the numbers to find out how much meal kits cost versus buying the same groceries.

In reviews and best lists, Blue Apron and HelloFresh are two of the most popular meal kit services for Fresh N Lean and Factor are some of the most popular options for prepared meal subscriptions.

Wellness Nutrition. Best Meal Delivery Services of We've tested and reviewed more than two dozen meal delivery services. Written by David Watsky. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks.

If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.

Since earning a BA in English from Northeastern in Boston, he's toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom. Right now, he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or researching the best way to make bacon.

Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week. Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits. See full bio.

There are over 50 different plant-based smoothies, bowls, and meals available—all of which are free of gluten, dairy, and artificial sweeteners. Delivery area: 48 states not Alaska and Hawaii Good for: Plant-based. Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance food writer, editor, and former New Yorker based in sunny Panama City Beach, Florida.

She loves a good glazed doughnut and trying new recipes to sharpen her cooking and baking skills. Nashia Baker is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines; she covers all things home and lifestyle across brands such as Oprah Daily, Cosmopolitan, Delish, and Esquire.

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Our Top Picks for the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services of 1. Best Holistic Prepared Meal Delivery Service Trifecta Nutrition Trifectanutrition. Pros Minimal prep Versatility to mix and match meals. Cons Plastic packaging. Pros Restaurant-quality meals High-quality ingredients.

Cons Limited availability based on your location. Pros Protein-packed meals Supports an active lifestyle. Cons Pre-set menus. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Portable, recyclable packaging No subscription required.

Cons Limited menu variety. Pros Fresh ingredients Keto-friendly. Cons Some kits are high in saturated fats. Delivery area: 48 states not Alaska and Hawaii Good for: Keto, chef's choice, calorie smart, protein-plus, vegan, vegetarian.

Pros Packed with fruits and veggies Good variety Highly customizable. Cons Small portions. Pros Chef and dietician input Organic produce. Pros Minimal effort and cleanup Gluten-free meal options.

Cons Requires a special oven. Pros Options for specialty diets Support for healthy lifestyle. Cons Less flavorful than other options. Pros Dietitian-backed meals Quick to make. Cons Frozen meals.

Pros Healthy options Trendy. Cons Expensive. Pros Affordable Plant-based. Cons Meals may arrive thawed. Pros Dairy-free and gluten-free Meals come ready to eat. Cons Lighter meals. Abigail Abesamis Demarest Contributing Writer. Allergens are listed per meal as well.

Testers appreciated the number of recipes, with one saying, "I liked that it seemed to have a lot of variety of meals to choose from. One tester said, "It allowed me to try new foods, minimize food waste and save time planning meals for the week.

Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit , Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different dietary needs, including WW.

How it works: Choose to feed two or four people, and select from two to four meals per week. Their signature chef's faves menu offers a mix of meat, fish and WW-recommended recipes; the vegetarian menu highlights meat-free dishes with seasonal produce and the wellness menu focuses on balanced meals approved by nutritionists and WW-recommended dishes.

Lab results: Everything in the kits came well packaged in little bags to keep things organized. Full nutrition facts labels are available on the site, along with the complete recipes and ingredient lists. Our registered dietitians also loves the variety of WW-recommended meals for those trying to get creative in the kitchen and still manage their dietary goals.

Both our pros and testers agree that the ingredients are fresh and high-quality, with testers giving the service rave reviews and noting that the recipes were creative and full of flavor. The recipe cards offered simple step-by-step instructions, and the meals had substantial portions.

The ingredients are perfectly measured, packaged well and fresh. Home Chef offers boxes that feed up to six people per meal , which is more than other services. They provide plans that include both pre-portioned ingredients with easy-to-follow cooking instructions, as well as low- or no-prep meals for busy families.

How it works: Users begin the process by taking an online quiz to determine which meal plan is the best for them, including answering questions on any dietary preferences and restrictions.

Lab results: Our experts love just how many different meal kit options Home Chef offers, whether you're looking to get something on the table fast for the family or want to indulge in a more special premium cooking experience. And you don't have to order a crazy number of meals to unlock their lowest pricing.

While it may not be the lowest-cost meal delivery kit on the list, it's definitely less than other big names out there, and the quality is top-notch. You can check to see what items you'll need to have on hand for each meal and also get full nutrition facts readily available for every recipe on their website, but our registered dietitians do point out that the sodium content is very high on some of the meals.

Great taste! I was very pleased," a tester said. Another commented, "It's always hard to find new dinner ideas; these are a perfect variety to keep everyone in your family happy and full.

Those looking for more plant-based fare will appreciate the hearty vegetarian offerings from Mosaic. You'll find everything from veggies and pizzas to smoothies, soups and oat bowls.

The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible. How it works: Start by selecting your plan, which includes six, 12 or 18 options per box you'll get more savings the more you order.

Then fill your box with a variety of plant-based breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Meal filters include vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free, nut-free and high-protein.

Select what you'd like or have Mosaic build a box for you based on customer favorites. You'll then determine how often you'd like to receive deliveries, ranging from weekly to monthly.

All of the meals are delivered frozen with free shipping on 12 and 18 item boxes. Testers were impressed with how tasty the veggie-forward meals were, with one saying, "Delicious!

So flavorful for frozen meals. We were impressed. Made eating plant-based so easy. At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test all types of food products and services, from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services.

Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we recruited more than at-home testers across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs.

All in all, we evaluated over 40 different meal delivery services , ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card to fully prepared options.

We tested the services over the course of three months. For each service, we tried a total of 15 or more meals across our experts and testers. We are currently and constantly testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date.

In the end, we made our selections based on expert evaluations and tester feedback in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability. Our top picks cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences, including gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein and more.

Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored high points overall with testers. When finding the best meal delivery service to fit into your lifestyle and budget, there are a few key things to consider:.

There are also options that fall in between: Food is partially prepped and requires minimal extra work to get a balanced meal on the table quickly. You'll want to take a look at the plans the different services offer and keep in mind that while some services may start at a low price that is for a large order.

You'll typically be able to check the price ahead of ordering, so you can see how much it will cost for your specific needs and servings per week. If you are cooking for more than four people, check to make sure the service will accommodate your family, as some services only serve a max of four people per meal.

Frozen meals can avoid waste whereas fresh options can spoil if not eaten immediately. Most services allow you to skip a week and adjust your plan along the way, which can be a strategy to help keep costs down if you can't use the food quickly.

Some options, like Dinnerly, have robust vegetarian menus, for example, whereas other services may offer only a handful of vegetarian meals to choose from each week. Certain services will let you customize further and swap out proteins, which can be beneficial.

Most services will give you a discount on the first box and additional discounts if you are a first responder or in the military. And if you know a friend or family member who is using the service, you may both get a discount for the referral. Some meal delivery services can be pricey — and most also involve shipping fees.

But it's worth keeping in mind that they also tend to be healthier and less expensive than takeout.

There's also the benefit of skipping a trip to the grocery store and not having to spend time coming up with meal ideas and hunting for recipes.

Many meal kits offer assistance with meal prepping, chopping and more , cutting down on prep time too. You'll also get the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques and try new foods that may not be in your regular mealtime rotation.

If you'd rather not bust out all your pots and pans every night, prepared meal delivery services can also offer a smart solution.