The carnivorous dishes became a little repetitive, to be frank: Many of them consist of a small slab of meat sitting on a bed of some purée, accompanied by a couple dollops of different greens. Not bad for a ponzu chili steak bowl with charred snap peas and ginger rice.
I also appreciated the relatively low level of packaging with this kit, and the fact that there were plenty of comfort foods and vegetarian options. That said, healthy eating is not necessarily the name of this game: a dish of scampi-style scallop linguine included four tablespoons of butter for two portions and no vegetables save for a single shallot.
Territory Foods, another brand that solely provides premade meals, began in as a meal delivery service targeted at the cult of Paleo adherents. Because of that structure, menu options vary widely across locations and change frequently, though everything is always free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugars.
Choose your delivery schedule once or twice weekly and number of meals at least four per week. Each meal is priced individually, and you can skip weeks without penalty as often as you need to. I like how many filtering options there are when choosing dishes: customers can limit by diet Paleo, of course, but also vegan, vegetarian, keto, Whole30, low fat, and more or even specific macro amounts.
Of all the different meals, miso pesto ramen with shrimp was my mainstay—the shrimp were large and tender, and the brown rice-and-millet ramen was delicious both hot and straight from the fridge. I also found myself returning to the Springbone chicken and rice , which came close to the halal cart I used to frequent near my office.
The best part about all of them? Meals arrive in an insulated cardboard box. Except for the included ice packs, all the packaging is recyclable; the Paleolithic people would be proud. All the dishes are vegetarian, and I often use them as a base for my dinners or add a quick-cooking veggie—like frozen peas and carrots to their upma —to call it a day.
You could also add meat. My favorite meal was the dal makhani. It's made from a short list of simple ingredients, has all the creamy richness you'd expect from the dish, and it takes seven minutes to prepare as opposed to overnight in the slow cooker.
I ate this with a dollop of yogurt, chopped cilantro, and premade rotis. I also appreciate that Cumin Club offers dishes from distinct places of origin, like Kolkata and Chennai—both regions that represent my cultural identity but that often get overlooked when it comes to Indian food in the US.
The Cumin Club. All of the dishes I tried were flavorful and well-seasoned, and I enjoyed the unmatched diversity of ingredients. Not to mention, all of the meals are quick and easy.
I appreciated that the sauces and dressings were premade and actually tasted good and that the protein choices for the meals were customizable. For example, when ordering the BBQ meatloaf with garlicky greens and potatoes , you can select either ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey.
For other meals, you can even choose your preferred cut of steak or chicken. They also offer weekly fully prepared, microwave-ready meals I can vouch for the turkey chili mac with cheddar. Go directly to our top picks to order your weekly meals: Sign up for Purple Carrot , or skip ahead to read our review.
Sign up for Marley Spoon , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Home Chef , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Gobble , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Dinnerly , or skip ahead to read our review. Sign up for Green Chef , or skip ahead to read our review.
Shop at Purple Carrot. Shop at Home Chef. Shop at Marley Spoon. Plus, the cost is higher than other services we tested, but the quality definitely reflects that. Our dietitians also point out that although the meals are nutritionally balanced, the brand does not disclose the sodium in the meals, so keep this in mind if you need to follow a low-sodium diet.
To find the best meal delivery services, we recruited over at-home testers along with our in-house food and nutrition experts. We evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services , ranging from fully prepared options to traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card.
We made our selections based on expert evaluation and tester feedback, including overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability. Our picks for the best prepared meal delivery services cater to a wide variety of special diets and dietary preferences including gluten-free, organic, vegetarian and more.
We've also found that customization is important to many testers, so we took that into account. Although taste is subjective, we chose companies that scored high points overall with testers. For prepared meal delivery services, we assess how easy it is to navigate and utilize the service's website.
We look for robust menu variety, ample dietary preferences to accommodate different needs, multiple reheating options and delicious and inventive meals. We also evaluate the quality of the meal and how well it reheated. We look for packaging that keeps the food safe but also incorporates sustainable features.
Other major factors include cost and delivery ranges which we strongly consider in our tests. As a result of our testing, we believe the companies spotlighted above deserve recognition for their performance in their categories.
That said, this is a fast-growing segment in the food industry and we're likely to see more new entrants emerging in the near future. We are always testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date.
If these choices are above your budget, check out our guide to the best cheap meal delivery services , or for a more comprehensive guide, our guide to the best meal delivery services. If you're looking at prepared meal delivery, you have already narrowed down the type of service you desire.
Here are some other considerations when selecting the best kit for you:. But if you have any serious food allergies, you'll want to ensure that the service you choose is equipped to handle that.
If you're trying to feed a family, consider a larger meal delivery kit or a service that offers prepared family meals. Prepared meal delivery services are generally pricier than meal kits since the food comes fully prepared. 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.
Most meal delivery services incur a flat shipping fee, though some will offer complimentary shipping if your order is over a certain limit. But we've seen many of the leading meal delivery service brands finding innovative ways to focus on sustainability while ensuring good shipping quality.
Almost every service will have specific instructions on how to recycle or dispose of all of the items in the box on its website. As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani Sassos is passionate about putting healthy meals on the table for her and her family without having to spend a ton of time in the kitchen.
Prepared meal delivery services are something that she relies on throughout the week, especially for lunches during busy days. Stefani has led meal delivery testing efforts for the brand for the past four years and is well-versed in the current meal delivery landscape.
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. The 9 Best Multivitamins For Men.
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Our Top Picks: 1. Best Chef-Prepared Meal Delivery Service Cook Unity ORDER AT COOKUNITY. ORDER AT COOKUNITY. Best Keto Prepared Meal Delivery Service Factor ORDER AT FACTOR ORDER AT FACTOR Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service for Weight Loss BistroMD ORDER AT BISTROMD.
ORDER AT BISTROMD. Best Wellness Prepared Meal Delivery Service Sakara ORDER AT SAKARA. ORDER AT SAKARA. Best Flexitarian Prepared Meal Delivery Thistle ORDER AT THISTLE. ORDER AT THISTLE. Best Gluten-Free Prepared Meal Delivery Service Epicured ORDER AT EPICURED.
ORDER AT EPICURED. Pros Variety of meal plans to choose from Meals are fresh, not frozen Organically-sourced ingredients. Cons Prepared meals can be expensive. Packaging The cardboard box, plastic trays and seal can all be recycled.
Availability Available nationwide, additional fees for Alaska and Hawaii. Pros Variety of plant-based offerings Family meals available Solid portion sizes.
Cons Limited delivery area. Free shipping for 12 and 18 item boxes. Packaging All packaging is fully recyclable, including the liner, trays for the veggie bowls and family meals.
Availability Mosaic delivers to most major metro areas in the Eastern and Western US. Pros Gourmet-style prepared meals Nutrition facts provided for each meal Meals are fresh, never frozen. Cons Availability limited in certain areas. Packaging Fully prepared meals are packaged in industrially compostable trays with recyclable components and delivered in reusable insulated bags or recyclable boxes.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Innovative and flavorful keto-friendly options Complimentary consultation with a dietitian Add-ons include shakes, smoothies, snacks and desserts. Cons Meals can be high in saturated fat.
Packaging Boxes can be broken down and placed with curbside recycling. The insulation is curbside recyclable as well. Availability Delivery in the contiguous United States. Pros Meals are curated to specific macros Well-balanced portions Breakfasts are also available.
Cons Not as flavorful as other services. Availability Delivery everywhere in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Pros Science-backed meal options for weight loss, diabetes and heart health Ready to eat in five minutes or less Gluten-free meals are tested to the FDA standard.
Cons Meals come frozen and can be a bit bland. How it works: Start by selecting a program to fit your dietary needs, which include: Standard Plan: Designed for weight loss or weight maintenance, with a men's and women's option.
Diabetic Plan: Ideal for those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes or those who are pre-diabetic. All meals on this program contain 25 grams or less of net carbohydrates. Gluten-Free Plan: Designed for people with Celiac disease and those with gluten sensitivities or intolerances.
All gluten-free meals are tested to the FDA gluten-free standard and do not contain wheat, rye or barley. Heart Healthy Plan: Meals that fall at or below the American Heart Association's AHA recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat and saturated fat.
All meals on this program contain less than mg of sodium and less than 3. Menopause Plan: Meals that are uniquely designed to help with the hormonal changes that menopause brings. Vegan Plan: Free of dairy, eggs, meat and fish and a good source of plant protein.
Availability Delivery to the contiguous United States. Cons Lighter fare No fresh salads or sandwiches. Availability Delivers nationwide to the contiguous 48 states. 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.
While prepared options do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you. These types of melas are typically comparable with the cost of takeout but have one standard shipping fee since the meals come together.
This article was originally written by registered dietitian Amy Fischer. It was most recently updated by registered dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos. As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for her family without having to spend a ton of time or money at the grocery store.
She personally uses meal delivery services as a way to change up her family's normal dinnertime routine and to get introduced to a variety of new foods and unique preparation methods.
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.
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