Your Guide to Meal Kit Delivery: Finding the Best Fit for Your Kitchen and Life

Life moves fast these days, doesn’t it?

With work, family, and just living to catch your breath, trying to squeeze in time and effort to plan meals, hike to the grocery store, and then spend hours cooking can seem like another job in itself.

Let’s be real having to cook for one and troll through vast aisles of grocery stores can be draining, costly, and dull. That’s when you begin thinking outside the box or perhaps into the meal delivery kit box.

Meal kits offer something truly appealing: an opportunity to break out of your cooking monotony while fulfilling individual aspirations, whether you want to eat better or save money. It’s about delivering convenience and culinary exploration to your very doorstep.

My journey with meal kits began back in 2020.

What began as curiosity quickly became an all-out testing obsession. In the years since, I’ve tried more than 25 meal kit services a count that even shocks me now. Most of these companies have made significant changes since my first attempt revamped packaging, extended meal plans, improved options. That’s why I wanted to retest them all recently to provide a truly current rundown of this year’s best picks.

In reviewing these kits, I looked for five important considerations:

• Ease of ordering – Was the app or website easy to use? Was I able to customize meals with ease?
• Prep, cooking, and cleanup time – How long did each step really take, and did it live up to the claimed time?
• Meal quality and satisfaction – Did the food taste amazing? Was the meal satisfying and well-sized?
• Packaging sustainability – How much waste did it generate, and was it recyclable or reusable?
• Budget – Was it worth the cost?

After cooking through dozens of packages, one kit stood out as the Best Overall: Every Plate.

EveryPlate: Best Overall

EveryPlate is affordable and a HelloFresh brand which is evident in the quality. It became one of my top favorite kits to review and re-review.

What EveryPlate offers is simple: fresh produce, meat or fish, and easy-to-follow recipe cards. Everything arrives neatly packaged on ice in a cheerful box. The price is hard to beat it’s actually cheaper than many fast food meals, but far more satisfying and nourishing.

To have a full picture in my most recent round of testing, I sampled several types of meals off their menu. For a weekday convenience option, I opted for a customer favorite: the Chicken Sausage & Tomato Soup with Israeli Couscous & Parmesan. For the weekend, I splurged on a higher-end option: Brown Butter Scallops over Creamy Corn & Tomato Risotto.

Most striking were the recipe cards. Each featured full-color photographs and easy, step-by-step instructions. Even the less-known recipes were a snap to prepare. Each card had no more than six steps, making the process effortless and unmenacing an enormous plus after a long day.

Variety Keeps Things Fresh

Variety is one of the major selling points for meal kits, and most of them have significantly upped their game in that department. You no longer have to be relegated to plain stir-fries or plain pasta. Some kits now include everything from veggie bibimbap to blackened salmon with mango salsa.

EveryPlate, for instance, cycles through some “premium” options every week in addition to their regular options. That way, you get to indulge every so often without paying luxury fees overall.

Other sets I tried had special options for certain diets, like keto, paleo, plant-based, gluten-free, and so on which is great if you have health objectives or dietary restrictions.

Time Savings You Can Feel

We’ve all been there: You come home from a long day and the last thing you feel like doing is preparing and cooking a full meal. Meal kits are your lifesaver.

On average, the kits I tested took around 30 minutes from preparation to table, including cleaning up. Some even had “15-minute” meals that were really quick without giving up flavor. For busy people or those not feeling up to cooking, this alone is worth the price.

EveryPlate’s dinners fell squarely in the 25–35 minute category, and none took longer than a pan, pot, and possibly a baking sheet. Less to clean = happier nights.

Packaging & Sustainability

Packaging is a huge problem in the meal kit industry, but things are getting better. Some brands employ entirely recyclable liners, compostable trays, and less plastic. EveryPlate gets this done well enough although there is still potential to cut back industry-wide on waste, the contents of the box seemed reasonable and manageable.

That being said, some of the kits I tested did over-package, with herbs wrapped separately or single garlic cloves served in plastic something I expect to see phased out entirely soon.

Price vs. Value

Money talk. One of the biggest misconceptions is that meal kits are all pricey. While some high-end services certainly are (at $12–$15 per serving), others such as EveryPlate are very affordable, at under $5 per meal.

Keeping in mind you’re receiving fresh ingredients, recipes crafted by chefs, and no brain energy wasted on planning or shopping, that’s a pretty good deal.

Meal kits also reduce food waste. You’re only receiving what you need, so there’s no bag of wilted cilantro hanging around your fridge at the end of the week.

• Quality and Presentation: The fresh ingredients created the illusion that I had worked so hard ideal for those photo-op dinner occasions. The fast cooking time told me that this service is good not only for singles but for family dinners or busy weeknights as well. It’s a fantastic mix of convenience and quality.

• Menu Variety: Every Plate has a solid selection every week with 16 options of different meals. You’ll discover meals that feature chicken, pork, beef, fish, and vegetarian dishes. The variety will prevent you from feeling like you’re stuck in a food rut.

• Flexible Plans: Customization is a second area of excellence. You can select meals for two, four, or six individuals, with the possibility of receiving three, four, or five meals each week. It’s one of the few kits with six-person plan options, so it’s perfect for big families.

• Regular Pricing: A standout aspect is the flat rate pricing. Regardless of your plan, Every Plate meals cost $5.99 per serving with regular promo deals that can get the first box for as little as $1.99 per serving with discount codes like NYP199EP. That’s tough to beat.

• Sustainability Focus: Every Plate excels at sustainability. Produce and proteins come in one tidy box. Meat and dairy are packed under the ice, so nothing goes bad. The contents of the box are structured so that not much excess plastic is wasted. Utilizing a recyclable cardboard tray to package items, and as little plastic wrapping as possible, is evidence that the company is concerned with its impact on the environment.

• Ease of Use and Add-ons: Weekly ordering is simple and straightforward. The site also features a tiny marketplace for add-ons such as additional proteins or sides a convenient aspect that provides flexibility to your meal planning.

• Consistent Prep Time: Every Plate recipes always fall within the time frame printed on the card 15 to 45 minutes. That kind of consistency becomes helpful when juggling an hectic evening schedule.

• Excellent Taste and Generous Portions: Meals required no extra seasoning everything needed came included. Most recipes even left me with leftovers, which was perfect for lunch the next day. The servings were hearty and satisfying, delivering both on taste and portion size.

Minor Drawbacks: While there’s a lot to love, a couple of small issues stood out:

• There aren’t any breakfast options, so you’ll need to look elsewhere for morning meals.
• All ingredients for all meals arrive in the same box, pre-mixed, so there is a bit of sorting to do before you cook. But considering the fewer boxes, it’s a good trade-off.

Next up: Home Chef – Best for Families

Home Chef was the top family meal kit during testing.

1. Family-Oriented Menus

What’s so fantastic about Home Chef is the way it accommodates a family’s dynamic schedule and taste. Whether you need speedy lunches, party-pleasing dinners, or accommodateable protein options, this kit does it all.

2. Intelligent Planning

Something I absolutely loved was how organized everything was. Each meal arrives in its own zipper-bag, which not only is convenient to use but also keeps things nice and neat in the fridge.

3. Step-by-Step Cooking Assistance

The recipe cards were among the most transparent I’ve used well laid out and simple to navigate. After I removed the right bag and began cooking, everything went smoothly, and the instructions gave the whole process a seamless feel.

Home Chef – Best for Families

• Family-Friendly Flavors: The food itself truly lived up to what I imagine when I think of “family dinners.” Think meatloaf, mac and cheese, soups, and simple-to-eat sandwiches. I loved the calming nature of many of the meals, without losing interest or making things difficult to prepare. That homey, comforting taste is why Home Chef is still one of my own favorites after testing so many meal kits over the years. They never disappoint with taste, simplicity, and warmth.
• How It Works: Home Chef is similar to a typical meal kit. You choose the meals from a weekly rotating menu, put them in your box, and pick a delivery date that works for you. The meals come pre-separated into ingredient bags, so you can just grab what you need for each recipe. Although this form of packaging has more plastic usage than more bundled kits such as EveryPlate, the convenience aspect is difficult to match particularly when time is of the essence. Proteins are packed separately with ice packs so they remain fresh, allowing you flexibility about when you’d like to prepare them.
• Meal Variety and Special Plans Home Chef has a diverse assortment of meal types available to accommodate various lifestyles:
  • A family plan tailored to four individuals.
  • 15-minute-or-less-ready meals expressed.
  • Bake-ready oven meals with the tray included.
  • Microwave-ready meals for the ultimate in speed.
  • Add-ons available in a range of items such as snacks, breakfast foods, and desserts.
• Ordering Experience: Placing your weekly order is easy. Should you wish to add-on, simply scroll through the menu and click them in they won’t default in. I also tested how simple it is to pause a membership, skip a week, or alter your box. Home Chef facilitates this with ease, which is a valuable feature when trying out any meal kit.
• Prep Time and Cleanup: Meals usually took between 15 and 50 minutes from beginning to end unpacking, cooking, and cleaning. These times were consistent with what’s printed on the recipe cards, and I liked the predictability.
• Taste and Satisfaction: The food was flavorful, and I never once had to add seasoning or supplement anything. It reached that “just like home” chord warm, comforting, and satisfying. Meals were all generous portions, so every meal felt complete.
• Sustainability Considerations: When considering the environmental footprint of Home Chef, it is somewhat of a mixed bag. On the positive side, the business does provide recyclable boxes and ice packs. On the negative side, taking individual plastic bags with each meal’s ingredients does generate more waste than some of its rivals.
• Pricing Overview: Home Chef meals typically cost between $7 and $15 per serving, depending on the dish. On average, you’ll pay around $9.99 per serving, but promotional offers can reduce that to $6.99 or lower on the first box.
• Minor Downsides A small note for new users: Home Chef doesn’t include pantry staples like salt, pepper, or oil, so you’ll need to have those ready in your kitchen. It’s not a big deal, but something worth knowing upfront.

Factor – Best for Singles

• Perfect for One (or Two): Factor meals work particularly well for singles or couples. Every meal is one serving, not to be shared. I found portion sizes to be quite average although some meals had me craving a bit more, most were perfect and didn’t need anything added.
• Fun Extras: Smoothies and Sweets: One of the highlights? Factor has pre-made drinks and desserts. Their smoothies, shakes, and decadent desserts such as cheesecake were a delightful surprise  and a definite bonus for those of us who enjoy having a sweet bite after supper without making a mess in the kitchen.
• Packaging and Sustainability: Factor is better than most kits when it comes to environmentally friendly packaging. Other than the plastic seal in the meal tray, everything else is recyclable. The meal tray itself is made from recycled components, 0061nd the box and ice packs are collapsible for proper disposal.
• Shipping and Delivery: Factor charges a flat shipping rate of $10.99, and meals arrive on a regular weekly schedule depending on your area. The regularity makes it simple to plan shelf space and be able to anticipate the order arriving.
• Ordering Experience: The ordering process is extremely simple. Since all meals are single-serving and pre-made, there’s no need to plan recipes, prep ingredients, or organize your kitchen. Just pick your favorites, confirm your order, and you’re done.
• Zero-Prep, All Convenience: Prep, cook, and cleanup time is basically zero. Just microwave and two minutes. This makes Factor one of the finest options available for those with busy schedules or little interest in cooking but still who desire healthy, high-quality food.
• Taste and Satiety: Given the meals are pre-cooked, the taste was great. Some dishes  particularly those with steak or pasta  were more satisfying than others. Lighter dishes such as salads or vegetable-based dishes may require a snack later, based on your hunger level.
• Price Point: Factor is on the higher end of the price spectrum. For approximately eight meals a week, on average, it is around $13.99 per serving plus shipping. But sales are often offered. With a promo code such as NYP130FS, you can usually get servings for $7.00 or less, sometimes with free shipping and up to $130 off your first box.
• Things to Keep in Mind: The main trade-off with Factor is fridge space. Since every meal comes in its own tray, you’ll need enough room to store them. It’s best suited for singles or couples  not ideal for larger households. And because the meals are ready to eat, there’s not much room for customization once they arrive.

Dinnerly – Best Budget Meal Kit

For those who are pinching pennies but don’t want to sacrifice portion size or flavor, there’s no better value out there than Dinnerly, the Best Cheapest Meal Delivery Service. It’s easy and satisfying to eat with generous portions made from fresh ingredients and costing an amount that’s tough to top.

The menu is comfortable, old-school stuff  pasta bakes, stews, burgers  and left me daydreaming about favorites from childhood. Aside from the standards, Dinnerly impresses with more than 100 meal choices every week, so everyone gets to try something new, even fussy eaters.

Dinnerly is also wonderfully simple to prepare. Every recipe contains a maximum of six steps or less, requiring 15–45 minutes from beginning to end. From my experience, the cooking time always matched up with the time frames, and the instructions were simple, even for beginners or children assisting in the kitchen.

While it started out as a cook-it-yourself package, Dinnerly has added ready-made microwave meals to the menu for that last-minute lunch or hectic weeknight. Their Marketplace allows you to add staples and snacks to your order, something not all kits have.

The portions were generous and the food was full of flavor  I tended to have leftovers. The packaging is also environmentally friendly, with recyclable boxes and ice packs, and they’ve reintroduced paper recipe cards (no more printing them yourself).

At $4.99 to $8.49 per serving, Dinnerly is a great starting point for meal kit lovers, particularly for families or frugal households. Just make sure to verify that they ship to your zip code, since it may not be available in all locations.

HelloFresh – Best for Beginners and Consistency

When it comes to consistency and wide appeal, HelloFresh is still one of the most dependable and novice-friendly choices out there. A stable in the meal kit world since 2012, HelloFresh has performed well in my evaluation  delivering engaging, tasty recipes and directions that make cooking truly accessible.

It’s simple and versatile to order, allowing you to select meals for 2 or 4 people, 2 to 6 meals a week, and skip or exchange weeks. The ingredients come in brown paper bags with the contents printed on each one, making it easy to store and prepare.

Recipes are generally 15 to 60 minutes, and the estimates are usually correct. You will still need pantry essentials such as salt, pepper, oil, or butter, but all else is portioned and prepped. I always found the meals substantial, full-flavored, and tending to have leftovers  a big plus.

HelloFresh expanded its products a great deal as well. Besides regular kits, they’ve introduced pre-made meals, quicker cook options, and seasonal or holiday boxes (such as Thanksgiving meals). Their Marketplace provides additional flexibility with snacks and grocery.

In the area of sustainability, HelloFresh says their meals produce 31% fewer carbon emissions compared to supermarket counterparts. However, they do rely extensively on plastic for packaging.

At $8.99 to $11.49 per serving, HelloFresh falls squarely in the middle and provides a reliably good experience  good for newbies or those looking for reliable, delicious meals every week.

Marley Spoon – Best for Home Cooks and Martha Fans

If you like cooking and want to hone your skills with a little assistance from Martha Stewart Marley Spoon is a good option. Created by the same group that develops Dinnerly, it’s a more sophisticated experience with seasonal produce, gourmet flavors, and Martha’s own recipe touches.

The dinners are certainly more complicated than other kits don’t expect additional chopping, multiple pots, and additional steps. But that is the charm: convenience balanced with cooking reward. It’s ideal for the person who truly loves the kitchen but needs the framework and ease of a kit.

Dishes such as Pastrami Spice-Rubbed Steak or Cheesy Sausage Brunch Bake provided restaurant-quality comfort food. Marley Spoon also has breakfast, lunch, and even baked items. Some of the baking recipes might ask you to provide pantry staples such as eggs or butter, but directions are easy to understand and follow.

Prep times sometimes take longer than the estimated 30–60 minutes, particularly for oven meals. But the payoff is worth it if you enjoy the process of cooking. Marley Spoon accommodates dietary needs such as vegetarian and low-carb, and their packaging is fairly eco-friendly although a bit of plastic is still involved.

For $8.69 to $12.99 per serving, Marley Spoon is a great mid-level choice for foodies and self-assured home cooks looking to try new recipes without committing to full DIY.

Blue Apron – Best Variety

If variety is your top priority, Blue Apron stands out as the most flexible and diverse kit on the market. After four years of testing, I’ve consistently been impressed by the rotating menu of meals spanning breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert.

Blue Apron sends wholesome, fresh ingredients and full-dinner portions great for families or couples who enjoy cooking. The recipes range from easy to more complex, and they indicate estimated cooking and prep times so you’ll know when to schedule meals.

Cooking with Blue Apron is almost like taking a masterclass in new methods. Some meals mean fine chopping, several pots, or baking, but the instructions are well-planned and detailed enough for home cooks. And the outcome is always rewarding delicious, filling, and usually with leftovers.

Their easy-to-use website makes ordering and plan changes easy, and their Marketplace allows you to order a la carte meals or even single-serving, ready-to-eat dishes. Although the packaging of individual ingredients does contain a lot of plastic, the boxes and ice packs are recyclable.

A bit pricey at around $12 per serving, Blue Apron is still competitively priced when purchasing more meals. It’s a great choice for families, couples, or adventurous cooks who want to diversify their cooking repertoire with innovative and varied recipes. The pre-packed “Knick Knacks” bags, which package all little things such as sauces and spices, are a lovely personal touch that streamlines cooking.

Green Chef – Best Organic Meal Delivery

If clean eating is your main concern or you have dietary restrictions, Green Chef stands out. Under HelloFresh ownership, it specializes in organic, health-driven meals and provides easily identified allergens on every recipe card that’s why it’s a great choice for those with food allergies or special diets.

Green Chef has many plan types to choose from, including:

• Keto
• Gluten-Free
• Plant Based
• Mediterranean
• Protein Packed
• Calorie Smart
• And even Gut & Brain Health-focused meals
• And even Gut & Brain Health-focused meals

Every box contains organic produce, clean proteins, and house-made sauces that add richness to the flavor profile. The recipes are satisfying and well-balanced, usually ready in 30 to 45 minutes. Ingredients are pre-measured and well-arranged, and the cooking goes smoothly even for a novice.

While Green Chef is one of the priciest kits (at a range of $11.99 to $13.49 per serving), the quality and transparency regarding health benefits and allergens justify the premium for most consumers. When you want to get healthier nutrition or maintain a particular diet without radically changing your whole shopping list, Green Chef presents one of the best solutions.

Green Chef – Best for Organic and Specialized Diets

If you’re looking for meals that are as health-conscious as they are flavorful, Green Chef delivers on both fronts. Their recipes use super fresh-tasting proteins, including sustainably sourced fish, and lean heavily on seasonal produce for maximum flavor and nutrition. Designed with efficiency in mind, most meals involve only six steps and can be completed in under 35 minutes, making them perfect for quick lunches or stress-free dinners.

Beyond their main meal options, Green Chef also offers snacks and add-ons, offering you even greater flexibility. While the total weekly variety is slightly lower compared to bigger brands like HelloFresh or Blue Apron, the emphasis here is on quality rather than quantity particularly for those looking for organic ingredients or maintaining specific diets.

Green Chef accommodates a broad range of plans:

• Keto
• Gluten-Free
• Calorie Smart
• Plant Based
• Mediterranean
• Gut & Brain Health
• Protein Packed

This depth makes it an ideal choice for anyone with dietary needs or restrictions but still looking for quick, delicious meals.

Other Noteworthy Mentions

While Green Chef gets a nod for its organic emphasis, a few other companies are worth honorable mention for their specialty strengths:

• Purple Carrot – A committed plant-based meal kit, perfect for vegans or anyone looking to consume more veggies without forgoing taste.
• Hungryroot – A meal-grocery hybrid that combines meal planning and shopping for groceries in a single customized delivery. You choose ingredients, and it provides meal ideas.
• Thistle – Provides ready-to-eat, fully prepared meals centered on plant-based nutrition. Perfect for super-busy, health-focused eaters.

Each one has its own twist to offer, opening up the possibilities far beyond conventional dinner kits.

How to Choose the Best Meal Kit for You

The best thing about today’s meal kit scene? There really is something for everyone.

Whether you are:

• Budget-savvy (→ Dinnerly, EveryPlate)
• Time-scarce (→ Factor, Home Chef Express, Dinnerly’s microwave options)
• Looking to learn new skills (→ Blue Apron, Marley Spoon)
• Cooking for an entire family (→ Home Chef, EveryPlate’s 6-serving options)
• Specifically tracking a diet (→ Green Chef, Factor Keto, Marley Spoon low-carb)

Ask yourself:

• Want convenience ready to eat or take a little kitchen time?
• Quick and easy (→ EveryPlate, Green Chef) or a little more culinary exploration (→ Blue Apron, Marley Spoon)?
• Room in the fridge for bulk meals (a Factor consideration!)?
• How comfortable are you with subscription adaptability, shipping costs, and eco-friendliness?

Also consider:

• Cost per serving
• Weekly menu mix
• Customization options
• Helpful add-ons or market additions
• Skipping weeks or suspending with ease

By aligning these real-world factors with your eating habits and food objectives, you can make an informed decision about the kit that will introduce the most convenience, flavor, and delight into your kitchen.