Food delivery service that is supposed to make your life easier. And they will, once you choose one. But with the services sector expanding rapidly in recent years, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Whether you're vegetarian, cooking for a family of six or just looking for work in the kitchen, there's probably a service to meet your needs. Some meal kits send you pre-made meals, while others send ingredients to go with the recipes, and others send grocery delivery services. They all aim to make the process of planning and cooking meals more convenient, and the degree to which they do so varies.
I've tested more than two dozen food delivery services over the past few years, and I've retested some of the services in this guide for accuracy. A few are downright bad, so choosing the right one for you depends on your lifestyle. I'm an experienced home cook and I don't have a diet or picky dietary preferences, but I've been looking for plant-based meals with plenty of dining options. more complicated. I've also gotten help in taste testing from lifelong vegetarians, fussy kids, and my cat (by accident). Taking into account recipes, ingredients, ease of use, amount of packaging wasteAnd given the fact that every home chef has different needs, you'll find the best food delivery services below.
Updated January 2025: We've added Gardencup and new photos of Gobble, along with double-checked links and prices.
Power up with unlimited access to STRINGED. Get the best reporting that's too important to ignore $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Sign up today.
PRICE: Despite all marketing claims to the contrary, meal kits cost more than buying groceries. However, they often cost less than takeout and are healthier. If you want to evaluate whether the trade-off is worth it, the good news is the same mattress in box Catering companies and companies often have them some run promotions. Most meal kit pricing models offer quantity discounts: The more meals you buy per week, the lower the price per serving. We go into detail about dietary restrictions and registration costs below. If you want to skip or cancel a week, you can find that information in the account section of your chosen service's website.
STRINGED: Meal kits are very convenient; I don't have to worry about planning dinner, going grocery shopping, or panic-eating junk food after forgetting to eat a suitable meal for the day. Learning to cook with one of the best food delivery services can help you gain confidence and impart basic knowledge. If you're busy or can't be bothered, a meal kit might be just what you need for cooking, and cooking at home is never a bad thing. A meal kit might be right for you if you're cooking for a small family, if you work non-traditional hours, if you hate thinking about what to cook for dinner, if you want Stop constantly ordering or if you are trying to develop your cooking skills.
TIRED: Nothing beats learning how to cook the old-fashioned way, so be sure to give it a try. It's cheaper and you learn more if you pick your own fruit or crack open a whole chicken for $5. You simply are don't have that experience if everything is delivered to your door and the chicken portions are pre-packaged. Planning and shopping for groceries is an integral part of the art of cooking. Meal kits are also generally more wasteful than traditional home cooking and are often more expensive. Meal kits may be the wrong choice if you're on a tight budget, if you're cooking for a large family, or if you want tighter control over the specific ingredients you'll use.
What if I have allergies, have a specific diet, or take a lot of vacations?
You're probably covered. Most meal delivery services have a way to filter for common allergens or dietary preferences, and most recipes have specific nutritional information listed so you're always informed. . And if you travel a lot, it's often easy to go into your account settings and skip a week, pause your plans, or cancel altogether. These factors vary by service, but we've listed some specifics below.
For each service below, I tested a minimum of three meals, following the recipe instructions exactly. I mostly make them for dinner and prioritize experimenting with protein mixes and the necessary cooking skills (e.g., experimenting with one-pan meals alongside more complex protein meals, side dishes, and sauces). ). I wanted to test a variety of dishes that would appeal to a wide range of people, including vegetarian dishes and meals that could be made quickly for the whole family versus meals suitable for a date night.