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Top 10 Best Meal Delivery Services for 2023 - Save Time and Money

Lauren Gillan
Best Meal Delivery Service

Comparing the Best Meal Delivery Services & Companies in 2023 

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the average American adult spends approximately 44 minutes shopping for groceries per trip. This doesn't even account for the time spent on meal prep and clean up, which the same report shows takes up to an hour.

It's no surprise that the meal delivery industry has boomed in the last few years since it helps people skip the grocery store, save time in the kitchen, and potentially spend less money by reducing food waste.

But before you jump on the bandwagon, check out our research so you're fully informed about what our top picks for the best meal delivery services have to offer you.

Our Top 10 Best Meal Delivery Services for 2023:

  • HelloFresh - Best meal delivery service overall
  • Home Chef - Best for flexible plans
  • Factor - Best for dietician-approved, restaurant-quality recipes
  • Martha & Marley Spoon - Best for improving your culinary skills
  • EveryPlate - Best for affordable, family-friendly meals
  • Green Chef - Best for organic ingredients
  • Nutrisystem - Best for losing weight
  • Fresh and Easy - Best for comfort meals with little to no prep
  • Freshology - Best for heat-and-serve meals catering to diets
  • Trifecta - Best for pre-prepared, low-calorie meals
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Our Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Meal Delivery Services

We rated the most popular meal delivery services to help you decide which are worth your time and money. Our experienced dietitians and nutritionists ordered, selected, prepared, and tried out each of these meal kits to assess the following:

  • User experience and customer service
  • Subscription flexibility
  • Meal plan variety
  • Quality of the ingredients
  • Recipe accuracy
  • Preparation difficulty level
  • Overall taste of the meals
    1
    HelloFresh
    212 Reviews
    Hellofresh Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for {year}
    A simple and healthy way of eatingVisit Site
    • Price - From $7.49/serving
    • What’s in the box - 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 meals with 2 or 4 servings each
    • Special diets - Vegetarian, flexitarian, pescatarian, low carb, low calorie
    A simple and healthy way of eating
    Visit Site

    HelloFresh makes it convenient to enjoy wholesome, fresh meals with minimal prep. Ron Stewart, a former corporate executive chef at Pastini, tested HelloFresh and was "surprised at the quality of ingredients and ease of putting together exceptional meals," calling their recipes "delicious as well as nutritious and balanced."

    Each week, HelloFresh lets you choose from over 100 breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes. Every kit includes straightforward, step-by-step recipe cards with fresh, pre-measured ingredients to help you get dinner on the table in under an hour.

    This service is best for individuals and households without strict dietary requirements, though they offer low-carb and lower-calorie meals too. It's possible to separately review ingredient information for each meal before ordering, including nutritional value and allergens, and any additional items you may need.

    Why we chose HelloFresh: You can easily adjust or cancel your food delivery and subscription at any time. Meals are not overly complicated and reduce the need to buy ingredients in addition to what's delivered for each recipe.

    Our experience: We liked that HelloFresh lets you know ahead of time what cookware you'll need so you can get cooking as soon as your delivery arrives. It was extra convenient that their extensive menu also let us swap out proteins. 

    Read HelloFresh Review

    PROS

    Adjust, skip, or cancel your delivery and subscription at any time
    Change, swap, or upgrade 12+ sides and proteins each week
    Competitive pricing

    CONS

    No keto or paleo meal delivery plans
    Limited flexibility for individuals with allergies
    hellofresh logo
    HelloFresh
    Visit Site
    Homechef Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for {year}
    Swap out or double your protein options Visit Site
    • Price - From $7.99/serving
    • What’s in the box - 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 meals with 2, 4, or 6 servings each
    • Special diets - Vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carb, nut-free, soy-free, wheat-free, dairy-free
    Swap out or double your protein options

    Home Chef is a meal service designed for cooks of any skill level. Each delivery provides recipe cards with step-by-step instructions and photos. Research by Hartmann et al. shows that enhanced cooking skills encourage healthier eating habits and thus improve nutrition. This makes Home Chef an excellent tool to achieve better health, by teaching you new recipes and techniques.

    Choose from over 20 recipes each week and swap out proteins to your liking. Home Chef lets you filter and eliminate recipes with specific allergens, such as tree nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, mushrooms, fish, and shellfish. However, they can't guarantee their meals are entirely free of cross-contamination.

    Why we chose Home Chef: Their pre-portioned, partially prepared ingredients simplify and expedite food prep and clean up, while eliminating food waste.

    Our experience: We found Home Chef's recipe cards easy to follow and meals sizable enough to feed a hungry adult comfortably. We liked that we could save our recipe cards in a binder (included in your first order) for reference at any time.

    Read Home Chef Review

    PROS

    Customize the type of protein you'd like in your dish
    Filter and eliminate recipes with specific allergens
    Meal kits available in Kroger-owned grocery stores

    CONS

    Some ingredients may contain colorants, sulfites, and/or artificial sweeteners
    Minimum weekly order value of $47.96, excluding shipping
    home-chef logo
    Home Chef
    Factor75 Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for {year}
    Ready to heat and eat on arrival Visit Site
    • Price - From $10.99/serving
    • What’s in the box - 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 18 meals
    • Special diets - Keto, vegetarian, vegan, low-calorie
    Ready to heat and eat on arrival

    Factor is a chef-crafted, dietician-approved meal service that provides an approachable way to try healthy diets with heat-and-serve meals. Mary Sabat, a nutritionist and president of Body Designs, remarks on how they're "worth the extra money" and offer "many options for someone trying to stick to a specific diet."

    Factor makes information transparent about their ingredients and nutrition, so you can filter out recipes that may not suit your wellness goals. Their meals range between 300-900 calories, giving you an easy way to lose weight depending on the low-calorie meals you choose to eat.

    Why we chose Factor: In addition to Factor's microwave- or oven-ready dishes, they also offer nourishing add-ons like juices, smoothies, shakes, cookies, desserts, and breakfasts.

    Our experience: Though the recipes were often high in fat, the ingredients were clean and of premium quality. We liked that we were able to hone in on the right meal plan for us through a complimentary consultation with one of their registered dietitians.

    Read Factor Review

    PROS

    No-prep, heat-and-serve meals
    Plenty of diet-friendly options
    Includes initial 20-minute consultation with a dietitian

    CONS

    Not suitable for families since meals are single-serving only
    Mostly keto dishes that are high in fat
    4
    Martha & Marley Spoon
    Martha & Marley Spoon Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for {year}
    Bring Martha’s zeal for cooking to your kitchen Visit Site
    • Price - From $8.69/serving charged weekly
    • What’s in the box - 2, 4 or 6 meals with 2, 4 or 6 servings each
    • Special diets - Vegetarian, vegan, low-calorie, gluten-free
    Bring Martha’s zeal for cooking to your kitchen

    Martha & Marley Spoon is a specially curated meal service that delivers pre-portioned, fresh ingredients. 

    The recipes come straight from celebrity cook Martha Stewart's own kitchen, and each one includes "tags" that make it clear whether it's dairy-free, gluten-free, or kid-friendly. They also autofill your box with recipes based on your previous tastes, but you can customize and select your dishes. 

    Meals arrive fresh in an insulated box with six-step recipe cards. If you're missing an ingredient from your pantry, you can add items to your order via the online "market." The company recommends animal proteins be frozen within two days of delivery and vegetables be consumed within four days for optimal taste, nutritional value, and freshness.

    Why we chose Martha & Marley Spoon: They offer a practical way to explore new flavors and learn new culinary techniques from a celebrity chef.

    Our experience: Martha & Marley Spoon produced better-quality meals than many restaurants we frequent. It took a few more minutes to prepare than other meal delivery companies, but the experience was well worth it.

    Read Martha & Marley Spoon Review

    PROS

    Variety of health-oriented options
    Master new culinary techniques and explore new flavors
    Premium, fresh ingredients

    CONS

    Meal plan only includes dinner options
    No completely allergen-free meal plans
    martha-marley-spoon logo
    Martha & Marley Spoon
    EveryPlate Best Meal Kit Delivery Services
    Simple, budget-friendly mealsVisit Site
    • Price - From $4.99/serving charged weekly
    • What’s in the box - 3, 4, 5 or 6 meals with 2 or 4 servings each
    • Special diets - Vegetarian
    Simple, budget-friendly meals

    EveryPlate is for those who want simple and delicious meals for the whole family. Choose from a range of 25 diverse recipes every week from their Meat & Veggie, Veggie, Family Friendly, Quick & Easy, and Nutrish & Delish menus.

    Frozen meals arrive carefully packed in an insulated box to ensure freshness. EveryPlate does not recommend refreezing ingredients, so they should be refrigerated as soon as opened and eaten within five days of delivery.

    Since EveryPlate focuses on cost-effectiveness, it doesn't cater to special diets, besides vegetarianism. Review the ingredients for each recipe before placing your order to ensure the meals meet your dietary needs.

    Why we chose EveryPlate: Their recipes don't require fancy or special tools, encouraging new chefs to get into the kitchen and whip up tasty, convenient meals in as little as a few minutes. 

    Our experience: EveryPlate's simple recipes made it easy for us to quickly get meals on the table, cut back on food waste, and minimize cleanup. We did find the portions slightly small, however.

    Read EveryPlate Review

    PROS

    No need for special cooking utensils
    Most affordable pricing
    Straightforward recipes

    CONS

    Limited options for those with allergies or special diets
    Small portion sizes
    everyplate logo
    EveryPlate
    Greenchef Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for {year}
    Certified organic meals for the whole familyVisit Site
    • Price - From $11.99/serving charged weekly
    • What’s in the box - 3 or 4 meals with 2, 4 or 6 servings each
    • Special diets - Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, carnivore, pescatarian, paleo, keto, gluten-free
    Certified organic meals for the whole family

    Green Chef is chef-curated and offers a variety of nutrient-rich meals made with organic, farm-fresh produce and premium proteins. Upgrade your order with breakfast add-ons, treats, and sides.

    Each dish comes with pre-measured and largely prepped ingredients, including homemade sauces and marinades, and a recipe card with special tips from the chef. Some dishes may require more prep, like dicing, chopping, peeling, and grating.

    Currently, Green Chef doesn't accommodate people with allergies, but you can review each recipe's list of ingredients for more detailed information.

    Why we chose Green Chef: Green Chef delivers organic and high-quality ingredients for healthy, flavorful meals, and trained chefs have tested every recipe.

    Our experience: We appreciated how Green Chef pushed us out of our comfort zone to try new spices and exciting dishes. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful, although the recipes did take longer than expected (about 45 minutes).

    Read Green Chef Review

    PROS

    Certified organic, farm-fresh produce and premium proteins
    Caters to numerous diets
    Eco-friendly packaging

    CONS

    Extra food prep required
    Doesn't cater to people with allergies
    green-chef logo
    Green Chef
    Nutrisystem
    Nutritious, calorie-conscious mealsVisit Site
    • Price - From $9.99/day
    • What’s in the box - 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and 3 or 4 snacks per day for a month
    • Special diets - Diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, low-sodium
    Nutritious, calorie-conscious meals

    Nutrisystem is a science-driven meal delivery service designed to help you lose weight with its high-protein, lower-glycemic approach. Take the guesswork out of finding your perfect balance of protein, carbs, and fat. When you sign up for Nutrisystem, you get an individual plan and guidance for four weeks of weight loss.

    There are individualized plans for men, women, couples, and diabetics. Depending on your gender, health goals, and the package you select, your order may include frozen and/or ready-to-eat foods. Some Nutrisystem meals require heating, while others can be enjoyed straight out of the box. Information about the package you select, including recipe ingredients, nutrition labels, and guidelines for preparation are available to you as you sign up.

    Why we chose Nutrisystem: Nutrisystem's four-week guided plan includes a full range of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, shakes, and snacks to keep your weight loss on track.

    Our experience: We found their accompanying NuMi SmartAdapt™ app helpful in letting us know what and when to eat, in addition to tracking our progress and activity.

    Read Nutrisystem Review

    PROS

    Over 135 meals to choose from
    Weight-loss companion app
    Shelf life of foods is up to 18 months

    CONS

    Limited flexibility for substitutions
    Expensive upfront cost for a monthly subscription
    nutrisystem logo
    Nutrisystem
    Fresh and  Easy Meal Kit Ingredients
    Fresh ingredients and easy prepVisit Site
    • Price - From $9.95/serving charged weekly
    • What’s in the box - 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 meals with 2, 4 or 6 servings each
    • Special diets - Low-calorie, low-carb
    Fresh ingredients and easy prep

    Fresh and Easy is a meal delivery service by Home Chef that provides ready-to-heat meals. Choose between oven- and microwave-ready meals made with the same fresh ingredients and standards that Home Chef is known for. You can also try a 15-minute meal kit, requiring quick assembly of pre-portioned ingredients.

    Most meals are full entrees, though sandwiches, salads, and "extras" are also available. Fresh and Easy does not cater to special dietary restrictions.

    Why we chose Fresh and Easy: They offer the same quality standards as Home Chef with less customization, aimed at providing value for consumers on a budget.

    Our experience: We found Fresh and Easy perfect for speedily cooking wholesome meals and were delighted with how little clean-up was needed. We do wish they had more options for diets like vegetarian.

    Read Fresh and Easy Review

    PROS

    Same high-quality standards as Home Chef
    Oven- and microwave-ready
    Fully prepped and portioned meals ready in 15 minutes or less

    CONS

    Limited customization options
    Does not cater to diets
    fresh-and-easy logo
    Fresh and Easy
    Freshology
    Great for weight loss Visit Site
    • Price - From $9.19/serving charged weekly
    • What’s in the box - 2 or 3 meals a day, 5 or 7 days a week
    • Special diets - Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, keto, low-carb, low-calorie, low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-sodium
    Great for weight loss

    Freshology provides restaurant-quality, ready-to-eat meals for individuals looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Menu options offer balanced portions of dietician-approved meals that are heart-healthy, lower in sodium, calorie-controlled, and nutritionally balanced.

    There are no added preservatives in Freshology's meals, so deliveries should be immediately refrigerated to ensure peak freshness. Meals have a seven-day shelf life, though they can be frozen if necessary and should be defrosted before reheating. Customers within a certain distance of a Freshology kitchen qualify to receive fresh, unfrozen meals twice a week in insulated boxes with cold packs.

    At this time, Freshology does not provide gluten-free meals for individuals with Celiac disease, or kosher or vegan plans. However, their Keto-Carb30 menu is low in carbohydrates if you want to avoid bread. Nutritional facts and individual ingredients can be found in every recipe.

    Why we chose Freshology: Freshology provides heat-and-eat meals that make wholesome, healthy eating more accessible. They use fresh, local ingredients to ensure both satisfying and delicious meals, sourcing organic components when possible.

    Our experience: It was nice that we never needed to think about what was for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We liked that meals arrived fully cooked and could be enjoyed cold or reheated, as we would do with leftovers from our favorite restaurants. 

    Read Freshology Review

    PROS

    Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sides
    Ready-to-eat meals in just two to three minutes, with no prep required
    Restaurant quality, nutritionally balanced meals

    CONS

    Shipping fees are $19.98/week
    Not ideal for families
    freshology logo
    Freshology
    10
    Trifecta
    Visit Site
    • Price - From $11.43/serving charged weekly
    • What’s in the box - 5, 7, 10 or 14 meals (add-on for 7 breakfasts available)
    • Special diets - Vegetarian, vegan, keto, paleo, pescatarian, gluten-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, soy-free

    Trifecta is a fitness-oriented meal delivery service designed by medical and nutrition experts. Aimed at helping you burn fat and build muscle, it’s ideal for losing weight.

    As you sign up, choose how many weekly entrées you want from their Clean, Paleo, Whole30, Keto, Vegan, and/or Vegetarian plans. Although you can’t select which meals you’ll get, you can exclude up to two main ingredients from each order, such as beef, duck, pork, tree nuts, mushrooms, and fish.

    They offer an app on their App Premium plan through which you can customize your dietary needs and use personalized macro-tracking features. It also includes educational resources on fitness and gives you access to community boards to keep you motivated.

    Why we chose Trifecta: They offer fully prepared, organically sourced meals with flavorful, nutritious ingredients. Their online app is designed to eliminate barriers to achieving weight-loss targets.

    Our experience: We felt good eating ingredients sourced from local, family-run farms. We also liked how their app helped us determine what to eat for our macro targets.

    Read Trifecta Review

    PROS

    Mobile app with macro-tracking
    Ingredients sourced from local, family-run suppliers
    Delivery areas include Hawaii and Alaska

    CONS

    Can’t choose which meals you’ll receive
    Not ideal for families since it only offers one serving per meal
    trifecta logo
    Trifecta


How to Compare the Best Meal Delivery Services

Use the following comparison chart to check whether your chosen meal box delivery service caters to your region. From there, decide whether you want a heat-and-serve meal kit or one that requires some prep time and cooking. 

Ensure your dietary needs and health goals are accommodated, as some companies do not provide gluten-free or vegan options, for instance. Finally, compare meal delivery services that will supply the right amount of weekly meals for you or your household.

Compare Best Meal Kit Delivery Services
1
HelloFresh
2
Home Chef
3
Factor
4
Martha & Marley Spoon
5
EveryPlate
6
Green Chef
7
Nutrisystem
8
Fresh and Easy
9
Freshology
Reviews212 reviews124 reviews110 reviewsWrite Review55 reviews99 reviews149 reviews21 reviews