9 Best Meal Subscriptions That Deliver to Your Door, as Tested by Our Editors

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Best overall meal subscription

Blue Apron

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What makes Blue Apron stand out from the sea of meal subscription services is its huge variety of weekly meal options, says our tester Megan Mowery. Not only can users choose between standard dietary preferences, like vegetarian and low-calorie options, but Blue Apron also offers family-friendly, extra-fast and chef-inspired meals, too. With over 80 options offered each week, don’t be surprised if you have a difficult time choosing.

“In contrast to other meal kits I’ve tried, Blue Apron’s ingredients aren’t packaged and separated by meal,” Mowery says. “My box also came with an aluminum baking pan necessary for one of my meals, which was a thoughtful touch as I would’ve otherwise had to run to the store to buy one.”

Mowery says each ingredient in her vegetarian meals was fresh and high-quality, and the meals struck a balance between being healthy and appealing. “Though I’ve been a HelloFresh customer for years, Blue Apron has my loyalty wavering!” she adds.

Annamarie Higley, our product testing manager, also put the service’s ready-to-cook meals to the test. She opted for the Miso-Maple Chicken Thighs & Rice with Mushrooms & Spinach, along with the Craft recipe—Hoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen with Bok Choy & Soft-Boiled Eggs. She was pleasantly surprised by the ready-to-cook meal, finding it exactly as advertised. “It took less than 15 minutes to pop into the oven, then baked for 40 minutes,” she says. As for the Hoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen, she deemed it the fanciest ramen she’s ever whipped up at home, feeling like it could easily grace a restaurant menu. Despite taking her 44 minutes to make—just a tad over the quoted time of 35 to 45 minutes—she was thoroughly impressed.

Beginner chefs might find the extra recipe cards in the box particularly handy. Higley shares, “They lay out the ingredients, prep and cook times, serving size, and step-by-step instructions accompanied by helpful photos.” Just a heads-up, nutritional info and lists of necessary tools and pantry staples were not included.

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Best value meal subscription

Dinnerly

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You simply can’t beat the price of Dinnerly, the self-proclaimed “affordable meal kit.” After creating a taste profile, you’ll pick from more than 100 recipes every week. No time to browse? Dinnerly will use your taste preferences to suggest recipes for you. Also key for busy weeks: Many recipes have just five easy steps and are designed for a speedy cleanup. (Translation: You’ll spend less time wiping down the kitchen and more time vegging in front of your favorite streaming TV service.)

Higley was blown away by the array of options available, highlighting that “almost every meal comes with an alternative to match your preferences.” Take, for instance, the Oklahoma-style smash burger, which can be made with either ground beef or ground turkey. The same flexibility applies to the oven-baked taquitos. “It’s brilliant because it empowered me, as a customer, to feel like I had a say in my meal planning, even with a service offering a set menu,” she says. 

When she whipped up the Seared Cheddar Bratwurst, she found all the instructions neatly laid out on the recipe webpage. She couldn’t stop raving about the dinner, calling it “absolutely delicious.” “It was satisfying, felt like a gourmet treat and was a breeze to make,” she says. “It was as close to perfect as it gets—definitely a solid 10 out of 10!”

Like other meal subscription options, Dinnerly prices kits based on the number of servings (two or four) and the number of meals per week (two to six). It starts at $4.99 per serving for six (four-serving) meals per week and can go up to $7.04 per serving for three (two-serving) meals per week.

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Best meal subscription for families

HelloFresh

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Mowery has subscribed to HelloFresh for more than three years—all of which adds up to a grand total of 154 meal delivery boxes. So she has a lot of experience to share here!

“While I’ve tried other meal kits over the years, HelloFresh is the one I keep going back to,” she explains. “That’s because of the variety of its meals—they tend to be healthy, but not so health-conscious they’re unappealing, like other kits I’ve tried—and its ease of use. HelloFresh’s cooking instructions are simple to follow, and its meals come conveniently packaged in paper bags so you can simply pull one out of the fridge and get cooking.”

According to Higley, HelloFresh could be a game-changer for families with little ones, bustling young adults or those who find themselves stuck indoors. She shares her experience with the One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes, highlighting the top-notch quality of ingredients, like the 80/20 ground beef, name-brand hot sauce and corn tortillas. “Honestly, it was one of the easiest meals I’ve ever tried,” she says. “And trust me, I don’t usually think of enchiladas as a breeze to whip up!”

Mowery also loves that HelloFresh’s Market offers easy lunch options, fun treats, restaurant copycats and seasonal specialty foods for when she feels like mixing up her routine. While HelloFresh isn’t the cheapest option on the market, it’s worth the price due to its fresh ingredients, impressive array of meal options and consistency.

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Best vegan meal subscription

Purple Carrot

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Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, interested in becoming vegan or simply looking to add more healthy plant-based meals to your diet, Purple Carrot is a smart choice. All the meals, which include breakfasts, lunches and dinners, feature nourishing plant-based ingredients like vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and tofu—you know, the stuff that’s proven to lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure, reduce type 2 diabetes risk and otherwise boost your health.

“I’m not even vegan, but I wanted to add more good-for-you ingredients into my diet, and I loved that Purple Carrot offers meal kits and options that simply require warming up,” says Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, senior shopping editor. “As soon as I got the kit, I made the mafaldine arrabbiata with roasted broccoli and basil pesto. I was doubtful that the individually wrapped ingredients would come together in just about a half hour, as the recipe claimed, but it did, and it was very delicious, too.”

Like most meal subscriptions, Purple Carrot covers all the ingredients and seasonings. You’re just responsible for the utensils and kitchen staples, such as oil, salt, pepper or milk.

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Best prepared meal subscription

Factor75

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Our tester, Stephanie Hope, and her husband both have incredibly busy lifestyles. With work, sports, social outings and exercise, it’s hard to find time to cook or meal plan. She’s been ordering Factor75 for over six months now and it’s by far one of her favorite meal services she’s ever used. Every week you get to choose from a handful of meals, like Smoky BBQ Chicken Breast or Chuck Pot Roast. Each meal is already cooked fresh for you and the box arrives with sufficient refrigeration.

“I love that I can just keep these in the fridge and pop them in the microwave when I’m ready to eat,” she says. Choose meals based on your preferences, like high protein, keto, vegetarian and more. The selection ranges from up to 36 meals per week and each meal averages around $10 to $13 each. “We have eight meals delivered weekly and it’s such a helpful way to get a healthy, balanced meal in when we just don’t have the time to cook,” she adds.

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Best meal subscription for streamlined recipes

Marley Spoon

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A meal subscription service that offers Martha Stewart’s best recipes that are prepared in just six steps and ready in under 30 minutes? Sign us up! Stewart’s Marley Spoon kits come with Stewart’s favorite spice blends, like Chorizo Chili and Italian seasoning, plus fresh, tasty ingredients that deliver big-time flavor for minimal effort.

Molly Allen, our tester, dove into three delectable recipes: Skillet Beef Moussaka, Italian Sausage Ragu Pasta and Sheet Pan Piri Piri Chicken. She was pleasantly surprised by how much flavor and excitement each dish packed, leaving her eager to explore more from the menu. What really won her over was the variety—no week was the same.

“Initially, I was a bit intimidated by the pictures and some of the techniques,” she says. “But I was relieved to find each recipe broken down into six simple steps, complete with helpful photos guiding me along the way.” And the cherry on top? The recipe and instruction cards meant she could recreate her favorite meals whenever she pleased.

Browse more than 100 weekly recipes, sorting them by the categories most important to you, like kid-friendly, dairy-free, no-added-gluten or one-pot meals. Meal kits can range up to $12.99 per serving, but it’s a great way to explore recipes from a culinary pro.

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Best organic meal subscription

Green Chef

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With Hope’s busy schedule, it’s incredibly difficult to take the time to figure out what to make for dinner, head to the store and buy all the ingredients and then come home and cook it all. When she’s not eating Factor75’s prepared meals, she relies on Green Chef, a convenient subscription service that brings the recipe and ingredients straight to her door.

“I love cooking and having everything already chosen for me just makes it that much more enjoyable,” she says. “I love how simple the recipes are despite the final result looking like something I’d buy from a restaurant.”

Green Chef offers 80+ menu and market options that change every week to keep things exciting. All ingredients are pre-measured and prepped—just follow the instructions that conveniently include photos. No kitchen gadgets needed! “I love trying new flavors while knowing I’m eating clean, healthy foods every week,” Hope adds.

Having savored the Birria-style Black Bean Tacos, Blackened Chicken Salad with Dijonnaise and Chicken with Basil Pistou, Higley also gives a thumbs-up to this meal subscription service, especially for families with dietary restrictions. Despite a couple of hiccups, like receiving an extra tomato and slightly off cooking times, she couldn’t deny the final verdict—tasty, nutritious meals that were a breeze to whip up and left everyone feeling satisfied. She also found the website user-friendly, making the whole process even smoother. 

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Best meal subscription for beginners

Home Chef

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Andrea Carrillo, our tester, isn’t great in the kitchen, nor does she claim to be. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, she keeps sweaters in her stove. So when Carrillo was presented with Home Chef, she was happy for the opportunity to dust off her skills. The minimum for a weekly Home Chef meal subscription is $50.95 ($82.91 for a Family Plan). She received three meals for the week of varying difficulty, ranging from easy meals to expert-focused ones. They came wrapped in plastic and foam, which admittedly isn’t the most sustainable option.

All of the ingredients come pre-packaged and the instructions even have pictures. Carrillo carefully followed the recipe for the Sweet Chili Pork Lettuce Wraps and was thrilled with how easy it was, leading her to jump into the Guacamole Crema Chicken recipe the next day. The ingredients were fresh and the recipes were customizable, and it’s an overall great value subscription. Carrillo also loved that the recipe cards come hole-punched for binder storage. With this easy meal subscription, she might just have to use her stove more often!

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Best coffee meal subscription

Bean Box

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Morning coffee is a constant in Mowery’s house. While she tends to gravitate toward the cheapest local bag of beans in the grocery store, she can still be picky about quality and taste! “My boyfriend, on the other hand, is a bit of a coffee connoisseur, so I put his discerning taste to the test with a Bean Box delivery,” she says.

“We were both impressed with the information you can find on each Bean Box bag: the coffee’s origin, roast level, flavor notes and tips for getting the most out of each particular brew. And the beans genuinely did make a great cup of coffee, each one winning the approval of both testers.”

When starting your subscription, you’re faced with an exciting choice: freshly ground or whole-bean coffee (with the latter being the top pick). Next up, they dive into your preferred tasting adventure. Picture this: Light & Bright for those seeking a sunny sip, Medium & Cozy for a comforting middle-ground, Dark & Toasty for the bold and adventurous and Espresso for those craving a shot of luxury. Then comes the decision between a double bag (ideal for two moderate coffee enthusiasts for two weeks) or a single bag (tailored for one coffee lover over the same duration). Prices dance around depending on your bag pick and how often you want your coffee—whether it’s every two weeks or every four.

Mowery loves that the month’s beans arrive conveniently at your door, so no more emergency coffee runs when you’ve unexpectedly hit empty on your current bag. Plus, Bean Box takes personal preferences into account when determining the specific coffees to fill your box, so it’s easy to receive the perfect brew for your tastes month after month. It’s one of the best coffee subscriptions on the market.

What to look for when buying a meal subscription

When diving into the delicious world of meal subscriptions, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the perfect fit for your palate and lifestyle:

• Food options: Check out the variety of meals offered, especially if you have dietary preferences or restrictions. Whether you’re a proud meat lover or a dedicated vegan, make sure there’s a lineup that caters to your cravings.
•  Price: While convenience is priceless, it’s essential to find a subscription that fits your budget. Compare prices and portion sizes to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
• Delivery frequency: Consider how often you want those culinary delights knocking on your door. Whether it’s a weekly indulgence or a bi-weekly treat, choose a delivery schedule that aligns with your eating habits and lifestyle.
• Delivery timing: Pay attention to when deliveries typically arrive. You want your meals to be fresh and convenient, so make sure the timing works for you. Whether it’s mid-week for those busy workdays or weekends for leisurely feasts, find a delivery window that suits your schedule.
• Sustainability and ingredient quality: Pay attention to the sourcing practices and ingredient quality touted by the subscription service. Opt for providers that prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing and premium-quality ingredients to ensure every bite is a guilt-free delight.
• Complexity of meals: Assess the complexity of the meals offered and consider whether they align with your culinary skills and time constraints. Whether you’re a novice cook seeking simple yet delicious creations or a seasoned chef craving gourmet challenges, choose a meal subscription that matches your desired level of culinary adventure.

Why you should trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field. Choosing the right meal subscription—or clothing subscription or subscription for men—can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s why we entrusted a team of dedicated testers to explore every nook and cranny of each subscription service listed (and more!). They rolled up their sleeves, followed recipes to the letter and shared their unfiltered thoughts on the entire process, from prep to plate. Our testers included seasoned experts like our product testing manager, Annamarie Higley, who’s delved into everything from meal kits to wine deliveries, and Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, our senior shopping editor with years of experience putting products through their paces.

How we found the best meal subscription boxes

Reader’s Digest put together this list of top meal subscriptions based on our hands-on experiences with each service. Our testers, some being our very own editors, went beyond just the popular choices to ensure a comprehensive review. They tried out dozens of recipes to find out if the hype was justified. Alongside considering taste and flavors, we took into account factors like value for money, freshness, recipe variety and ease of cleanup. Testers got to dive into making the meals themselves, giving us insights into the complexity of recipes and whether they lived up to the brands’ promises. Our editors were rigorous with their eating, er, testing, so you know these are the tastiest.

FAQ

How do meal subscription services work?

Most of the meal subscription options on this list generally work the same way. First, you sign up for a subscription, indicating the serving size and the number of meals you want to receive per week. If it’s just you and your partner at home, you’ll sign up for two servings. Larger families may want more servings—say, four in each box.

Each week, you have the option to select which recipes you want from those that are available. This usually has to happen by a certain date—otherwise, the service will select recipes for you. You can also skip a week or more when needed, but you need to indicate that by a given deadline to make sure the shipment doesn’t go out.

Will I save money using a meal subscription service?

That depends. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) most recently published food plan, which looks at the cost of food at home, a family of four at a moderate spending level can expect to shell out around $320 per week on food, or about $15 per meal, depending on the ages of the children. Dinnerly, our budget pick, would be around $94 for four full dinners for that family, or $23 per meal.

Of course, those are just suppers, and you’ll still need to buy food for breakfast, lunch and snacks for your family. Plus, most meal subscriptions don’t cover your basic groceries, like bread, eggs or everyday products, which means it can be pretty pricey on your wallet week after week. But, if you can budget those accordingly, assuming that ingredients for those other meals may be cheaper than ingredients for dinner, you may be able to save some money using a meal subscription service. But that’s a big if. Chances are, you’ll need to trade cost for convenience when signing up for one of the best meal subscription boxes.

Source:

• USDA Food and Nutrition Service: “Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Three Levels, U.S. Average, March 2024”

With additional reporting by Andrea Carrillo.