7 Best Meal Delivery Services and Meal Kits for 2026: Tested by Us

The Fast Facts

Our 11 testers tried 35 of the most popular meal delivery services. We evaluated their menus, ingredients, and health claims.
Our testing team includes everyone from a self-described ‘bad cook’ to registered dietitians.
We chose Blue Apron as the best overall meal delivery service for 2026. High-quality ingredients, easy recipes, and the flavors keep us coming back. Other top picks include Sunbasket for healthy meals and Factor for prepared meals.

Two of the best meal delivery services according to Healthline, Blue Apron salmon dinner and greenchef pasta dish, tested and photographed by Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian. — Photos by Kelli McGrane

A quick look at the best meal delivery services

Best overall: Blue Apron | Skip to review

Best healthy: Sunbasket | Skip to review

Best prepared meals: Factor | Skip to review

Best organic: Green Chef | Skip to review

Best for weight loss: Trifecta Nutrition | Skip to review

Best for families and kids: Home Chef | Skip to review

Best plant-based: Purple Carrot | Skip to review

Sometimes, finding the time to shop for fresh ingredients, plan meals, and cook just isn’t possible for people leading busy lives working, caring for a family, or running a household.

Meal delivery services can help make meal prep easier. But they can get expensive. So, which ones are worth it?

We have tested 35 of the most popular meal prep companies to find the best options for different budgets, diets, and lifestyles. Here are our dietitian-approved favorites, plus a few other services that narrowly missed the cut.

Healthline’s picks for the best meal delivery services

All the services tested below were tried by Healthline experts and editors who initially received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.

Best overall

Blue Apron

4.5 (35+) from Healthline

4.5

GREAT

Blue Apron

Price per serving: $6.59 to $18.99
Meals per week: 2 to 5
Meal type: meal kit
Menus: Reduced sodium, Carb conscious, 600 calories or less, Protein, Nutritionist's pick, Mediterranean, Wheat-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

GET STARTED WITH BLUE APRON

4.5

out of 5

healthline score

Healthline’s review

Why we love it

Blue Apron provides consistently high quality meals that can help you build confidence in the kitchen while enjoying more nutritious, home-cooked meals, earning it our choice as the best overall meal delivery service.

While there aren’t as many meals to choose from each week, we still found that the service does a good job of providing a wide variety of ingredients and flavor profiles to keep your tastebuds happy. We also liked that there’s at least one oven-ready meal offered each week.

Dietitian’s takeaway

According to registered dietitian and expert tester Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, after trying more than 25 meal delivery services over the years, Blue Apron is the one that she keeps coming back to thanks to its creative flavors and high quality ingredients — hello, fresh pasta and pizza dough!

“I first tried Blue Apron over 10 years ago in college, and I remember really liking it at that time, though it was too expensive to keep up with on a college budget. Trying it this time I was happy to see that the quality of the ingredients hadn’t gone down.

Blue Apron salmon dinner tested and photographed by Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian. — Photos courtesy of Kelli McGrane.

“All of the ingredients were in good condition and seemed fresh upon arrival. While I didn’t love all of the plastic packaging, I did appreciate that the salmon was vacuum-sealed and that the chicken was packaged in two layers of plastic to prevent juices from seeping out.”

As a working mom with two young kids, Kelli also appreciated that the recipes “came with easy-to-follow recipe cards and didn’t require quite as much multitasking as some of the other services I tried.”

How it works

Blue Apron delivers meals weekly, with options for two or four servings per meal and two to five meals per week. The service preselects meals for you based on your diet preferences. However, you can easily change your order by swapping one (or all) of the preselected meals for any of the 15+ recipes offered that week.

Read our full review of Blue Apron.

Our score breakdown

Sign-up, delivery, and cancellation processes4.5

Meal variety4.5

Nutrition5

Sustainability4.3

Ingredient quality4.5

Ease of preparation4.3

Taste4.5

Affordability4

Health coach and registered dietitian Jessica Sandoz, MS, LD, was keen to try Blue Apron for convenient and flavorsome weekly meals. “I am a full-time working mom of 2 young children and wanted to decrease meal planning and shopping time, but still have nutritious home-cooked meals. Blue Apron has quality ingredients and tasty, easy options.”

She found the sign up process simple, praising the filter options.

“I like how you can filter your meals by preferences, like “family friendly” and “fast & easy.” You get to select your plan for how many servings and how many meals per week. I usually cook 3 meals a week for my 4 person family, so that works out well! Pretty easy to select. Then they have you complete a quiz on preferences…likes and dislikes. Very quick.”

Blue Apron Salmon and veggies meal, photos courtesy of Jessica Sandoz, MS, RD, LD. — Photos by Jessica Sandoz, MS, RD, LD.

Jessica shared her favorite meals:

Korean-Style Chicken with Kimchi, Veggies & Pre-cooked Rice: “I would rate it a 9.5/10. This dish was scrumptious! The combination of sweet, salty, spicy, and funky was really on point. This recipe gave me the opportunity to try some new(ish) flavors that I haven’t cooked much with, like Kimchi and gochujang. This dish also had an amazing variety of textures, from the soft rice to the crunchy carrots to the crispy on the outside, tender on the inside chicken.”

Sheet Pan Cajun Salmon with Roasted Sweet Potato, Asparagus & Spicy Sour Cream: “The salmon was cooked perfectly after about 10 minutes. I liked the sauce as it went well to bring up the flavor of the salmon, and a good complement to the asparagus and potatoes. The potatoes were great and the asparagus was cooked perfectly, very simple and delicious with salt, pepper and lemon. There is good balance of protein and veggies from a nutritional standpoint.”

Mexican Beef & Rice Bowls with Fresh Tomato Salsa and Cotija Cheese: “Good complement of flavors with the savory meat, sweetness from carrots, and spiciness of the pickled jalapeno. At first I was thrown off be having carrots in a taco bowl, but actually really liked the sweetness and texture it added. Love the fresh aspect with the tomatoes too. My kids enjoyed it, too.”

flavorful meals with high quality ingredients
offers both meal kits and heat-and-eat options
provides many health-conscious recipes, including nutritionist-approved recipes
uses sustainably-sourced seafood and hormone-free meat
suitable for beginners and more adventurous eaters

not suitable for certain dietary restrictions or severe food allergies
not available in Alaska or Hawaii
may not be good for larger families or households
fewer weekly options than many other services tested

Ingredients: sustainably sourced fish and seafood
Servings available: 2, 4
Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low carb
Delivery area: contiguous United States
Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Shipping: $9.99

Best healthy

Sunbasket

4.6 (35+) from Healthline

4.6

GREAT

Sunbasket

Price per serving: $9.99+
Meals per week: 3, 4, or 5
Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals
Menus: Gluten-Free, Paleo, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Keto-Friendly, and Diabetes-Friendly

SHOP NOW AT SUNBASKET

4.6

out of 5

healthline score

Healthline’s review

Why we love it

Sunbasket is U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic and specializes in dietitian-approved healthy meal kits. With options for nearly any eating pattern, it is one of the most varied services available and is our pick for the best healthy meal delivery service.

During testing, the service scored highly for its meal variety, nutrition and ingredient quality, ease of preparation, and taste.

Dietitian’s takeaway

“Each of Sunbasket’s meals included high quality, fresh ingredients, and it was easy for me to find options that suit my preferences,” said registered dietician Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, referring to the varied menu

Our tester's photos of Sunbasket meals by Kelli McGrane, RD. — Photos courtesy of Kelli McGrane, RD.

“Compared to other meal kits I’ve tried, Sunbasket’s recipes featured some of the most memorable ingredient combinations, and I appreciated that there’s a large variety of meals and dietary preferences to choose from.”

How it works

In addition to choosing meals based on dietary patterns, meals include detailed nutritional information, and some can also be found on nutrition tracking apps.

Read our full review of Sunbasket.

Our score breakdown

Sign-up, delivery, and cancellation processes5

Meal variety5

Nutrition5

Sustainability4

Ingredient quality5

Ease of preparation5

Taste5

Affordability3

Our tester Ren Dias tried Sunbasket’s keto plan. She praised the ease of signing up and the variety of cuisine types available. “Signing up with Sunbasket was easy and straightforward. It provides personalized options based on a questionnaire you take during the onboarding process.”

Ren noted the variety of cultural cuisine options. “With no dietary preferences selected, you can find a good variety of ingredients, flavor combinations, and cuisines. They included Asian, Pakistani, Moroccan, and Costa Rican cuisines, among others.”

Sunbasket prepared meal chicken gnocchi and vegetables tested and photographed by Ren Dias. — Photos courtesy of Ren Dias.

She added that the prepped meals were marketed as “‘fresh, never frozen;’ I’m not 100% sure if that’s accurate. I felt the need to drain some juices before reheating, which I’ve found is usually the case when something has been frozen.”

Ren tried the Chicken and Gnocchi “Dumplings” with seasoned vegetables. She praised the portion size and how filling it was, but noted the flavor was lacking and criticized the texture.

“The serving size was bigger than I thought. It looked small but was actually quite filling. The taste was still a little bland, but better than other prepared meals I’ve had before. I added garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes — common spices in my cooking. The texture was a little off-putting. Everything was mushy.”

Overall, while Ren generally enjoyed the prepared meal, she would have preferred more options for her diet requirements.

provides both meal kits and prepared meals
caters to a variety of diets
USDA Organic certified
features creative flavor combinations

high cost
does not deliver to all areas
not suitable for those with severe food allergies

Ingredients: some organic ingredients, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry
Servings available: 2 or 4
Delivery area: contiguous United States except for Montana
Diet friendliness: gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, keto, low carb, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly
Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Shipping: $10.99

Best prepared meals

Factor

4.2 (35+) from Healthline

4.2

VERY GOOD

Factor

Price per serving: varies
Meals per week: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18
Menus: Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Protein Plus, Carb Conscious, GLP-1 Balance, Fiber Filled, Flexitarian
Meal type: prepared meals

Use code "HEALTHBFAST" to get up to $130 off + free breakfast for life

GET STARTED WITH FACTOR

4.2

out of 5

healthline score

Healthline’s review

Why we love it

Factor — formerly Factor 75 — features dietitian-designed prepared meals with creative flavor combinations and textures that hold up after reheating.

We also appreciate that Factor meals are nutrient-rich and are free of gluten, refined sugars, hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs, making it a good option if you’re looking for healthy prepared meal delivery for weight loss or bodybuilding.

We tested Factor several times and asked each tester to rate the service in a few key areas. Overall, our testers rated Factor highly when it comes to nutrition, ingredient quality, and ease of preparation.

Meanwhile, all subscriptions include a free 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian, and monthly coaching packages are available for an additional fee.

Dietitian’s takeaway

According to our expert tester, McGrane, who tried the service for 2 weeks, “I’m usually skeptical when it comes to prepared meals since it’s hard to compete with freshly made dinners. However, Factor pleasantly surprised me. Not only were the dishes flavorful, but the textures of the ingredients were also spot-on.

“Specifically, the salmon was moist and not fishy, the chicken was juicy, and the vegetables were tender without being mushy. Even the quinoa in the Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl had a soft yet chewy texture.

“I think Factor just does a lot of things right. The ingredients are high quality, the meals are fresh never frozen, the entrees are well-seasoned, and there’s a good variety of flavor profiles and cuisines to choose from.”

Factor vegetable pasta dish, tested and photographed by Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian. — Photos courtesy of Kelli McGrane

How it works

Factor offers six menus catering to a variety of dietary needs, including Keto, Calorie Smart, and Vegan & Veggie, and delivers 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 meals per week. You have full control over which meals you receive, including the option to add breakfast items or cold-press juices to your order.

Read our full review of Factor.

Our score breakdown

Sign-up, delivery, and cancellation processes4.5

Meal variety4

Nutrition5

Sustainability4

Ingredient quality4.3

Ease of preparation4

Taste4.5

Affordability3

Another of our testers, Kelsey Regan, tried Factor’s keto menu. She said that while she doesn’t usually follow a keto diet, she does “occasionally gravitate toward lower-carb, high protein options. Factor’s keto meal plan impressed me with its wide variety of options compared to other meal delivery services that tend to have limited or repetitive selections. There were plenty of meal choices to select from.”

Kelsey Regan found the flavor and texture of Factor’s fully cooked meals impressive upon reheating.

For the Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini & Italian Sausage, she said, “This dish was one of my favorites. The roasted red pepper sauce had a smoky-sweet flavor, and the Italian sausage added the right amount of spice. The tortellini was well cooked, and the sausage complemented the pasta well.”

She added that for the Truffle Butter Filet Mignon, “The truffle butter was an added luxury to the filet. I love truffle, so this was a great flavor addition. The steak was cooked medium well but still was tender. Cooking steak to a perfect temperature is challenging to do via meal delivery.”

Kelsey added that the pasta in the Parmesan & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne “was on the al dente side” to her delight.

Factor chicken and mushroom dish, tested and photographed by Kristin Currin. — Photos courtesy of Kristin Currin

Kristin Currin also tried Factor. She lives with fibromyalgia and finds that anti-inflammatory diets, keto diets, and Mediterranean diets are most helpful for her. She also avoids consuming red meat.

Kristin was impressed that Factor had a large selection of keto meals, “from keto samplers of shakes and bars to breakfasts and dinners,” in addition to varied cuisines from across cultures.

The only drawback she found was that she did not appreciate how Factor would not allow you to order a week of meals at a one-time rate. “It automatically signs you up for a subscription at a ‘discount’ with no option for a month-to-month price. You have to call to cancel it which is cumbersome and doesn’t seem straightforward to me.”

Overall, Kristin found Factor way more flavorful and filling than other meal delivery services she has tried and said they had a “much better selection of chicken.”

Factor chicken and rice curry dish, tested and photographed by Kristin Currin. — Photos courtesy of Kristin Currin.

no cooking required
offers free 20-minute consult from a dietitian
can freeze meals for longer shelf life
great taste and texture
all dishes free of gluten, refined sugar, and GMOs
high quality, fresh (never frozen) ingredients

offers only single-serving meals
some meals high in saturated fat and sodium
limited plant-based options
expensive per serving

Diet friendliness: GLP-1 friendly, vegetarian, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free
Servings available: 1
Packaging: most packaging is recyclable or reusable
Delivery area: contiguous United States
Ingredients: humanely raised meat and poultry
Shipping: $12.99

Best organic

Green Chef

4.2 (35+) from Healthline

4.2

VERY GOOD

Green Chef

Price per serving: $12.99
Meals per week: 2 to 4
Meal type: meal kit
Menus: Mediterranean, Plant-Based, High Protein, Gluten-Free, Calorie Smart, Quick & Easy, Carb Smart, and Functional Nutrition

Use code "HLM50FB" for 50% off your first box + 20% off for 2 months

SHOP NOW AT GREEN CHEF

Healthline's review

Why we love it

Green Chef is one of the best meal kits if organic ingredients and sustainability are top priorities. It also offers a varied menu with exciting flavors and recipes.

Green Chef is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic meal kit subscription service, with all ingredients being organic, unless stated otherwise.

The brand also has organic handler certification from California Certified Organic Farmers.

Read our roundup of the best organic meal services.

This is the only meal kit service that offsets 100% of its direct carbon emissions. It prioritizes recyclable or compostable packaging, providing instructions for disposing of plastic packaging responsibly.

Green Chef scored highly for ease of sign-up, meal variety, nutrition quality, and taste. However, some testers said the meal prep wasn’t as easy as they’d like.

Green Chef hands on review tester photos by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD — Photos by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Dietitian’s takeaway

Registered dietitian Kelli McGrane has subscribed to Green Chef multiple times, praising the service for its focus on variety.

“Each time I try Green Chef, I’m impressed by the wide range of ingredient types and flavor combinations, making the service a great option for adventurous eaters and those (like myself) who frequently find themselves in a recipe rut.”

She also notes the range of plant-based options. “While it varies week to week, there are often at least 7 to 10 vegetarian-friendly meals to choose from, with at least half of those being suitable for vegan diets.”

McGrane does note the complexity of some recipes. “Some of the recipe cards could’ve had clearer directions. I highly recommend reading through all of the instructions before getting started.”

“I also don’t love that many of the recipes I’ve tried required multiple pots and pans, making cleanup a little longer.”

However, she appreciates the pre-prepared and portioned ingredients. “[This means] I’ve been able to do most of the cooking one-handed with my kiddo on my hip.”

How it works

Green Chef offers many menus and dietary filters, so you can select recipes that suit your needs. Options include vegan, vegetarian, keto, paleo, Mediterranean, and gluten-free menus.

You can choose between 2, 3, or 4 recipes per box, with 2, 4, or 6 servings each. Delivery is weekly, and you can choose the day of the week that you prefer for delivery.

You can pause, skip, or cancel the weekly deliveries from your account online.

Check out our full review of Green Chef here.

Tester Steph Carney has a positive experience with Green Chef, praising the range of dietary and flavor filters when choosing recipes.

“I enjoyed the variety and mix of cuisines, especially the Asian and Mexican-inspired options. I love spice and bold flavors, and it was exciting to see Mediterranean options with different animal and plant-based proteins. The options made it hard to choose – I was definitely curious to try them all!”

“The ‘keto,’ ‘high protein,’ and ‘source of fiber’ labels were incredibly helpful in narrowing down my options […] to find meals that aligned with my current dietary goals. I also really liked the ‘flexitarian’ label. It would be great if there was a filter for ‘low-sugar’ meals as well, as that’s something I often look for.”

Bulgogi Noodle Bowls ingredients and recipe card from Green Chef photos by Steph Carney — Photos by Steph Carney.

Steph notes that the delivery arrived in good condition and the ingredients were fresh.

“Everything arrived in excellent condition. My first delivery came a couple of hours before I did, so I was happy to see that the insulation packaging and ice packs kept everything fresh. The ingredients were well-protected, and I appreciated the attention to detail in ensuring everything stayed cool during delivery.“

Our tester found the recipe clear and easy to follow. “I really liked the [index card]-sized instructions. I personally benefit from color and pictures to keep my focus, so I found the format to be very helpful. I also appreciated the clear time estimates for each step, and the recipe took about the amount of time suggested, which made the entire cooking process feel well-paced.“

Overall, Steph enjoyed Green Chef, noting the new and exciting flavors and recipes.

“Green Chef definitely brought some fresh ideas to the table. The meals were flavorful and gave me a chance to try new combinations that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. I definitely see myself trying these recipes again, especially the ones with new flavor profiles and ingredients.“

health-conscious recipes
prioritizes organic items
sustainable packaging
wide variety of recipes and flavors
plant-based & vegan menus
menus for dietary restrictions

high cost
some recipes complex
shipping additional cost

Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, and humanely raised meat and poultry
Servings available: 2, 4, or 6
Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Delivery area: contiguous United States

Best for weight loss

Trifecta Nutrition

4.2 (35+) from Healthline

4.2

VERY GOOD

Trifecta Nutrition

Price per serving: $16+
Meal type: prepared meals and à la carte items
Meals per week: 7, 10, or 14
Menus: Clean, Paleo Whole30, Keto, Vegan, GLP-1

SHOP NOW AT TRIFECTA

4.2

out of 5

healthline score

Healthline’s review

Why we love it

Trifecta Nutrition earns our vote for best meal delivery services for weight loss, athletes, and bodybuilders, because it provides calorie- and portion-controlled dishes that are macro-balanced to help you meet your protein, carb, and fat content goals.

Several of its meal plans include low calorie, well-balanced meals with organic produce and sustainably sourced seafood or grass-fed meats. Trifecta’s rotating menus include breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees, and you can also order protein, veggies, and carbs a la carte.

Dietitian’s takeaway

Tester and registered dietitian Rachael Ajmera, found Trifecta meals to be “nutritionally balanced, filling, and delicious.”

She did note that following the recommendation to heat the prepared meals on the stovetop retained ingredient texture better than heating them in the microwave.

Trifecta meal delivery chicken pasta and burrito, tested and photographed by Rachael Ajmera, a registered dietitian. — Photos courtesy of Rachael Ajmera.

How it works

Meals are fully prepared and contain around 350 to 500 calories and 20 to 40 grams of protein per serving. Plus, each dish features lean proteins, complex carbs, and vegetables.

Most diet meal delivery plans are featured on popular nutrition apps, so you can easily track your intake. Trifecta also has an app that can help you track your meals, workouts, and more.

Each week, you can order 7 to 28 entrees, either with or without breakfast. You can choose your own meals or opt for a preselected menu and exclude one ingredient per week, such as shellfish, mushrooms, or poultry.

Read our full review of Trifecta Nutrition.

Our score breakdown

Sign-up, delivery, and cancellation processes4

Meal variety3.5

Nutrition5

Sustainability5

Ingredient quality5

Ease of preparation5

Taste4

Affordability2

For Sydney Samuels, weight management-minded meals that add novelty and brevity to dinner prep drew her to try Trifecta Nutrition.

“Ordering prepared meals seemed like a great way to get balanced and healthy meals, try new dinner options, and save myself the hassle of cooking and washing dishes,” she said.

Trifecta chicken curryHome Chef turkey burrito skillet, tested and photographed by sydney samuels. — Photos courtesy of Sydney Samuels

Sydney appreciated that you didn’t have to commit entirely to one of the five offered cuisine options. “If you’re unsure what you want, or don’t want to commit to the same type of meal every week, it’s easy to change your selection later,” she said.

Sydney points out that meal selection is only possible after paying for subscription and determining whether you want to choose your own meals or allow for autoselection.

One main difference between meal delivery services is how they package and keep meals cold. For Sydney, the Trifecta way set it apart.

“The cooling ‘ice packs,’ called Enviro Ice, were the highlight for me. These packs could be refrozen and reused as ice packs, or the contents could be drained and used as plant food, and then the packaging could be recycled,” she said.

Her main critique was the quality of the meals once prepared.

“I didn’t love the texture of most of the meals, as the veggies were often mushy, and the tofu could be dry. Some of the sauces were a bit watery, and some meals had too much sauce. Several of the meals had great flavor, but a few of them were bland.”

Sydney said if organic, ethically sourced ingredients and macro-balanced meals are what matter most to you, then Trifecta might be worth the higher price tag.

Read our full review of Trifecta Nutrition.

nutritionally balanced
gluten- and peanut-free facility
prioritizes organic items
fully prepared meals
options for several diets

offers only single-serve meals
high cost
testers criticize some flavors and textures

Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry
Shipping: $9.99 in the contiguous United States ($49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii)
Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Servings available: 1
Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian

Best for families and kids

Home Chef

4.2 (35+) from Healthline

4.2

VERY GOOD

Home Chef

Price per serving: $9.99 to $11.99
Meals per week: 2 to 6
Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals
Menus: Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Protein-packed, Mediterranean, Keto-friendly, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Gluten-Smart

GET STARTED WITH HOME CHEF

4.2

out of 5

healthline score

Healthline’s review

Why we love it

Home Chef offers several types of easy-prep meal kits, including Oven Ready, Fast & Fresh, Express, and Family Menu meal bundles. These meal kits make it easy to get dinner on the table, especially on busy weeknights.

Home Chef’s Oven Ready meals come ready to bake in oven-safe trays. The service also offers Express meals, which take about 15 minutes to prepare, and Fast & Fresh meals, which are more nutritious options that can be prepared quickly.

For busy families, Home Chef recently debuted its new Family Menu plan, which features 10+ weekly rotating recipes, all of which require minimal prep.

In addition to being easy to prepare, Home Chef scored highly for its ease of sign-up, meal variety, nutrition quality, and taste.

Dietitian’s takeaway

Home Chef’s meals were a hit with our tester’s whole family. SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, noted: “Everyone really liked the Chicken Lorraine. It came together really quickly, and the sauce for the chicken was delicious.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how much my kids liked the Turkey Burrito Skillet, too — especially since it was full of vegetables. We would definitely use the service again if we ever needed some easy, quick weeknight meals.”

Home Chef turkey burrito skillet, tested and photographed by Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian. — Photos courtesy of Kelli McGrane.

Kelli McGrane, who tried the company’s Family Plan, also enjoyed the service: “This was my first experience trying Home Chef, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Overall, I was impressed by the ingredient quality (particularly the chicken) and how easy the meals really are to make.

“The dishes were also packed with flavor yet still approachable for my picky toddler. My biggest complaint was the lack of vegetables.”

How it works

To get started, you’ll first complete a quiz, which asks questions about your reasons for choosing a meal kit service, your food preferences, and how many meals you’d like to receive each week. Box size options include two to six meals, with two, four, or six servings each.

While the service preselects meals for you based on your preferences, you can also create your own custom meal plan by selecting other options from Home Chef’s full menu.

Read our full review of Home Chef.

Our score breakdown

Sign-up, delivery, and cancellation processes4.5

Meal variety4

Nutrition5

Sustainability4

Ingredient quality4.3

Ease of preparation4

Taste4.5

Affordability3

Tester Lauryn Gladd was impressed with the tastes and texture of Home Chef’s meals.

“I was very satisfied with the taste and texture of the meals. I would say I enjoyed four out of the five meals I tried, and I would order them again. The meals weren’t bland at all; they included spices and sauces that added great flavor. I could also adjust them to my own liking.”

Home Chef Tuscan Herb and Rice recipe and chicken and sprouts instant meal, photos by Laurynn Gladd. — Photos by Laurynn Gladd.

Lauryn’s favorite meals included:

Walnut Pesto Chicken with bacon brussels sprouts (Oven-Ready): “The chicken was cooked perfectly following the recommended time, and the pesto orzo was delicious. The brussel sprouts were delivered fresh and generously sized (I had to cut these up before eating), and the addition of bacon bits provided a satisfying crunch.”

Tuscan Herb Chicken Rice Bowl with spinach and tomatoes (Fast & Fresh): This dish was more flavorful than I expected, thanks to the tuscan herb butter and chicken demi-glace included. The rest of the ingredients (chicken, rice, tomatoes, spinach) are ones I usually purchase, which I could easily turn into a meal myself.” Lauryn added “I would have preferred more feta cheese.”

White Cheddar Meatballs with broccoli orzo and carrots (Lunch)” For a microwave meal, this was a lot more flavorful and fresh than I expected. It was actually my favorite meal I ordered. The pesto orzo complemented the meatballs and carrots perfectly. The portion size was about one serving, ideal for a quick lunch yet substantial enough for dinner.”

One criticism Lauryn had was about the amount of packaging, though she notes that is was mostly recyclable.”There was a lot of packaging, which concerned me from a sustainability standpoint at first. However, most of the packaging was labeled recyclable so I made sure to dispose of it correctly.”

Overall, Lauryn was a fan of the taste and convenience Home Chef offered. “Compared to cooking at home, It was much easier to have all the ingredients provided at once and measured out for me.”

offers a variety of traditional and easy-prep meal kits
includes low-calorie and low-carb options
provides meals for up to six people
easy-to-make and satisfying meals for adults and kids

not appropriate for food allergies or specific dietary needs
limited vegetarian options
some meals are light on vegetables

Servings available: 2, 4, 6
Diet friendliness: vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious
Ingredients: some organic ingredients
Packaging: most packaging is recyclable or reusable
Delivery area: contiguous United States
Returns: credits upon request
Shipping: $10.99

Best plant-based

Purple Carrot

4 (35+) from Healthline

VERY GOOD

Purple Carrot

Price per serving: $4.50 to $13.25
Meals per week: 3,4,6,8, or 10
Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals
Menus: Meal Kits, Prepared Meals, Less Prep, Frozen Meals

GET STARTED WITH PURPLE CARROT

out of 5

healthline score

Healthline’s review

Why we love it

Purple Carrot makes it easy to eat more plant-based meals by offering creative flavor and ingredient combinations as well as a line of prepared meals for dinner in a flash.

For those short on time, the service offers single-serving microwaveable meals, as well as Less Prep meals, which are recipes that feature shortcuts to help you put dinner on the table faster, such as pre-chopped vegetables.

During testing, the service scored highly for nutrition quality, ingredient quality, ease of preparation, and taste.

Purple Carrot new england lobster rolls, tested and photographed by Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian. — Photos courtesy of Kelli McGrane.

Dietitian’s takeaway

McGrane has tried Purple Carrot several times over the years and most recently subscribed to the service for 4 months. McGrane noted that she was drawn to the service as a way to incorporate more creative plant-based recipes into her family’s weekly meal rotation.

According to McGrane: “I really loved Purple Carrot at first. The recipes are unlike what I’d typically cook for dinner, and most of the meals were a hit with my picky toddler. I also appreciated that the meals were generally easier and faster to prepare than they used to be.

“However, after 3 months, I found that the recipes started to feel repetitive week after week. That said, I recently glanced at Purple Carrot’s new summer menu, and I’m tempted to try the service again as it does look quite a bit different from its menu over the winter.”

How it works

Purple Carrot offers plans with three or four meals per week, with two or four servings each. However, you aren’t locked into a certain box size. Unlike other services on our list, you can choose to receive a mix of two- and four-serving meals, as well as add additional meals, like breakfasts and lunches, to your order.

Read our full review of Purple Carrot.

Our score breakdown

Sign-up, delivery, and cancellation processes3

Meal variety4

Nutrition4.8

Sustainability4

Ingredient quality4

Ease of preparation5

Taste4.3

Affordability3

Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, said, “I found that Purple Carrot’s recipes were the most unique [of other plant-based meal kits]. I enjoyed the flavors and textures of each dish I tried and loved that the service introduced me to new ingredients, or uses for ingredients, and flavor combinations.”

Purple Carrot romesco grain salad bowl tested and photographed by Kelli McGrane, a registered dietitian. — Photos by Kelli McGrane

She said a few meals in particular stood out:

New England “Lobster” Rolls: “A creative twist on a classic dish. Used heart of palm in place of lobster meat. As someone who has eaten their fair share of lobster rolls, I was pleasantly surprised at how the flavor and texture hit all the right notes — just what you’d expect from this New England staple,” Kelli said.

Romesco Grain Bowls: Kelli said it included pan-roasted mushrooms and butter beans. She found the dish to be brimming with flavor and appreciated the variation in textures.

Spicy Almond Butter Noodles: “LOVED the sauce, and the texture of the whole wheat ramen was awesome (super chewy). I also liked the bok choy, as I don’t buy it often. My only complaint was that the textures felt a bit repetitive after a while, and I wished that there was tofu for an extra protein boost.”

tasty and creative flavors
gluten-free and high protein meal options
easy-to-follow recipes
option to pause or cancel your subscription at any time
offers both meal kits and prepared meals
offers vegan meal options

not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances
may start to feel repetitive after several months
not available in Alaska or Hawaii

Servings available: 1, 2, or 4
Ingredients: some organic ingredients
Delivery area: contiguous United States
Diet friendliness: vegan
Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Shipping: $12, or free for orders of $100+

Other meal delivery services we tried

Narrowing down our favorite food delivery services wasn’t an easy feat. Here are additional services that scored well during testing but fell short of making our top five:

Nurture Life (4.3 out of 5): Nurture Life is a standout meal delivery service for kids. It ranks highly for its focus on nutritious meals and snacks for babies, toddlers, and young children. Its offerings include dinners, sandwiches, smoothies, desserts, and more. Check out our favorite meal services for kids and families.
HelloFresh (4.2 out of 5): HelloFresh is a great option for families and beginners. It’s moderately priced and has a large rotating menu. However, our testers noted that the service can get repetitive after several months. Read our full review of HelloFresh here.
BistroMD (3.8 out of 5): BistroMD is another great option if you’re interested in weight loss. It delivers a week’s worth of low calorie, preportioned meals, including breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Read our full review of BistroMD here.
EveryPlate (3.8 out of 5): EveryPlate is one of the cheapest meal delivery service options available, starting at $4.99 per serving. It’s a great choice for affordable meal delivery, although there’s also a $10.99 shipping fee on every order. Check out our full review of EveryPlate here.

A comparison of the best meal delivery services

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

Meal delivery service

Price per serving (entree)

Shipping

Healthline
score
(out of 5)

Good for

Type of meals

Blue Apron

$7.99 to $12.49

$10.99

4.5

simple meal kits for beginners

meal kit

Sunbasket

$9.99+

$9.99

4.3

healthy, organic meals

meal kit,
prepared

Factor

varies

$10.99

4.2

prepared lunches and dinners

prepared

Green Chef

$11.99

$10.99

4.2

organic, nutritious recipes

meal kit

Trifecta

$14.99 to $16

$9.99

4.1

weight loss and athletes

prepared

Home Chef

$9.99 to $13.95

$10.99

4.2

families, quick weeknight meals

meal kit

Purple Carrot

$11 to $13.25

• free for orders of $99 and up
• $10 for smaller orders

4.3

fully plant-based dinners

meal kit,
prepared

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Images provided by Healthline testers

How we test meal kits

At Healthline, we know that meal delivery services aren’t a small investment, and that’s why we’re dedicated to testing the services we feature for our readers.

»Meet our team of meal kit testers.

Testers select a week’s worth of meals from multiple menus to get a well-rounded view of the types of flavors and ingredients offered. We consider several factors during testing, including the ease of the sign-up and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, how easy the meals are to cook, and, of course, the taste.

»Learn more about how we test meal kits.

Additionally, each service we feature is in compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety and manufacturing regulations and uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products.

Why Trust Healthline

70+

meal delivery services evaluated

35+

meal delivery services personally tested

How we evaluate meal delivery services

Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate menus and ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.

To choose the meal delivery services on this page, we considered all the services that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further. Read more about how we test meal delivery services.

How to choose a meal delivery service

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Best meal services for specific diets

Whether you’re looking to make gains at the gym or trying to reduce your sodium intake, it’s important to choose a meal delivery service that caters to your dietary needs and preferences.

Find the company that best fits your lifestyle in one of our roundups:

»Explore our collection of meal delivery service reviews.

Frequently asked questions about food delivery services

Blue Apron

Factor

Purple Carrot

keep a good amount

Sunbasket

Factor

Trifecta

Purple Carrot

The bottom line

Although many food delivery services are available, only some offer both nutritious and delicious options.

The meal delivery services listed above have been thoroughly tested to ensure they provide satisfying and tasty meals. Many also offer dishes that are suitable for a variety of dietary needs, food preferences, and common food allergies.

You can use the list above to select the best meal delivery service that suits your lifestyle and nutritional needs.

Nutrition

The 7 Best Meal Delivery Services and Meal Kits for 2026: We Tried 35 To Find Out

The Fast Facts

Which home delivery food service is best?

Are frozen prepared meals healthy?

Which type of food delivery is healthier: frozen or fresh?

Are premade meals good for weight loss?

What is the healthiest home delivery meal service?

How we reviewed this article:

Evidence Based

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