Whether you’re a busy parent who needs to juggle work and family or simply want to save time on meal prep, these home delivery meals can make it easier to get nutritious food into your diet. The best meal kits and prepared meal delivery services offer a variety of options, including vegetarian or vegan recipes, as well as low-carb or low-sodium dishes. And many also cater to specific dietary needs, like gluten intolerance or dairy allergies.
Meal kit companies typically offer a subscription plan that sends ingredients and recipes to your doorstep. Some, such as BistroMD, even provide a doctor-approved wellness menu to support your weight loss or health goals. Others, such as HelloFresh and Blue Apron, allow you to customize your plan. And some offer a marketplace that sells groceries or pre-cooked meals a la carte.
Some services are geared towards families, while others focus on single-serving meals. You’ll also want to consider your time commitment, as some plans require more prep than others. For example, you’ll need to spend about 30 minutes to cook a dish from Blue Apron, while some of the heat-and-eat services such as FlexPro offer microwaveable meals in five minutes or less. Another consideration is your budget, as some plans can be expensive compared to others.
The best home delivery services can help you find the right balance of convenience, price and quality. For instance, if you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality option, try Sunbasket. The service delivers fresh ingredients and ready-to-eat meals to your doorstep, so you don’t have to worry about shopping, chopping or cooking. Plus, it offers a range of vegetarian and meat-based meals that are easy to prepare.
If you’re looking for a premium option, try Factor. The prepared-meal delivery service offers high-quality, dietitian-approved meals that can be cooked in just three minutes in the microwave or five to seven minutes on the stovetop. The service is more expensive than some meal kit delivery services, but it’s a good choice for New Yorkers who want a quick, convenient, healthy dinner.
Other prepared-meal services include Territory, which makes oven-ready dishes that are delivered in insulated boxes and can be heated at home or at the office. The company uses “responsibly sourced and nutrient-dense” ingredients to create menus crafted with wellness in mind. And it has a number of meal plans aimed at different dietary lifestyles, such as keto, vegetarian and Paleo. It also has a chef-designed “lean muscle” menu for fitness-minded people who want to bulk up. The service is available throughout the United States.