The 6 best meal kit delivery services of 2024, tested and reviewed

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Cooking can feel like a chore, especially during a busy week. Most of the time, it is finding a recipe, figuring out what ingredients you have, and shopping for difficult-to-find spices that keep you out of the kitchen. With the best meal kit, you can (re)discover your inner chef and save yourself from ordering takeout for the fifth night in a row.

The best meal kit for you depends on your dietary preferences and restrictions, the level of customization desired, portion size, menu variety, and budget. Our overall top pick is Blue Apron, a brand synonymous with meal kits for good reason. The service is customizable, and the meals are flavorful. If you're vegan or experimenting with a plant-based diet, Purple Carrot shows you clever workarounds for popular dishes and how to season vegan ingredients. And, if you're feeling less culinarily inclined, check out our guide to the best meal delivery services.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and recommends kitchen products.

Here are the best meal kits we tried

Best overall: Blue Apron

Best for quick dishes: HelloFresh

Best pre-made: Factor

Best for special diets: Sunbasket

Best for variety: Home Chef

Best vegan: Purple Carrot

Best overall

Blue Apron, probably the most recognized name in the world of meal kits, offers well-composed, flavorful, and creative dinner ideas featuring high-quality ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. Over the last few years, every delivery we've received has been on time, completely accurate, and neatly packaged. 

The sizable weekly menu is filled with delicious and thoughtful recipes that make it difficult to choose just a few a week. There are plans and options for omnivores, vegetarians, and health-conscious eaters. The portions are decent, and sometimes there are enough for leftovers. 

We love that the service is customizable, with meal plans for two-person and four-person families and add-ons like meat and seafood bundles, spice blends, and premium meals from celebrity chefs. One downside to all the extra options is that there seems to be a regular upsell from the base $7.99 per serving, and you can quickly spend double that if you factor in premium meals and shipping. The service is flexible, however, and you can skip an upcoming order if you don't need it. 

Best for quick dishes

Of the many meal kits we tested, HelloFresh had the most accurate estimated preparation times, and they rarely exceeded 30 minutes. For cooks with busy schedules, the service makes it easy to squeeze in a full and complete home-cooked meal.

Even though you won't be spending that much time cooking, the final meals are interesting and delicious. For example, the Tuscan Shrimp and Orzo was easy to prepare, requiring nothing but shrimp, orzo pasta, and roasted tomatoes, but it was still a flavorful meal that took about half an hour to prepare.

Like its competitors, HelloFresh has a recipe archive where you can get the instructions for all your favorite meals (not just the ones that are on the docket this week). And if you have dietary restrictions, HelloFresh lets you select a veggie-friendly menu right from the get-go, helping to avoid sifting through recipes that you won't be able to eat. 

HelloFresh also has some add-ons, including snacks, desserts, pantry basics, and produce.

Read our full HelloFresh review. 

Best pre-made

We tried 56 pre-made meals from eight different services, and Factor came out on top. The meals tend to have generous protein portions and be lower in starches and carbs. You can also choose from calorie-smart, keto, vegetarian, or vegan meals.

Unlike some pre-made meal services, Factor meals don't arrive frozen and are meant to be eaten within seven days. They are freezer-friendly, though the final product can lose some texture. When I froze one dish, I ended up with a wonderful garlic pork tenderloin but a watery Asiago cauliflower mash.

The Factor chefs are well aware of the limitations of reheated food. Instead of including crunchy elements, a texture almost impossible to get in the microwave, the meals contain foods that do well when reheated. For example, you'll see things like creamed spinach, polenta, and shrimp in a cream sauce. Overall, this made for a more successful menu.

Two to three new meals are added to the menu every week, so there's a good variation for regular customers. Also, these meals are easy to store because they're flat on the bottom and top — great for stocking your freezer.

Check out our guide to the best meal delivery service and our full Factor meal delivery review.

Best for special diets

As a USDA-certified organic company, Sunbasket stands out for its use of organic produce and clean ingredients.

Over 99% of the produce it sources is organic, and it takes seasonality seriously when developing its recipes. In addition, it provides responsibly raised meats and poultry, focusing on antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, pasture-raised or grass-fed animals, and wild-caught seafood. Sunbasket will impress anyone who takes sourcing seriously and wants to eat more responsibly and sustainably. 

When you sign up for Sunbasket, you can choose a pre-curated plan based on certain dietary preferences, such as paleo, pescetarian, or diabetes-friendly. You can also mix and match meals yourself. The menu is easy to sort by features like soy-free, dairy-free, or ready in under 20 minutes. 

When it comes to the actual cooking process, Sunbasket looks to make things as easy as possible and takes care of some of the more tedious components for you. For example, butternut squash will come to you pre-cut, and cauliflower rice comes pre-ground so you don't have to pull out your food processor. The sauces are also premade, not to mention the tastiest of all the meal kits we tested. 

Sunbasket is much more than an organic meal kit service. It provides add-on options like egg bites, yogurt drinks, and granola from vetted brands that tend to be paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and/or Non-GMO Project Certified. 

Read our full Sunbasket review.

Best for variety

Omnivores who love eating anything and everything can appreciate Home Chef's large and diverse menus. The range of cuisine and ingredients should appease even the pickiest of eaters. 

Although there are ways to make the recipes vegetarian, Home Chef isn't the best for people with certain dietary restrictions, but it does work well with everyone from couples to large families (you can order up to six servings) who enjoy exploring all types of food. 

The online experience feels streamlined and intuitive, so even newcomers to the meal kit world will feel immediately at ease. You can skip meals and add or substitute protein options without any trouble, plus filter recipes of cook time and meal type. 

All in all, Home Chef is simply a consistent and enjoyable meal kit experience. It doesn't have extra frills like snacks, breakfast, or wine, but you never feel like you're sold short regarding recipe variety. If you need a meal immediately, you can even find Home Chef microwavable meals at your local Kroger store. 

Read our full Home Chef review.

Best vegan

It's easy to join the plant-based lifestyle, thanks to all the new brands cropping up and services like Purple Carrot that cater to these specific needs. Plant-based diets are healthy and better for the planet because growing ingredients requires less water and produces fewer carbon emissions than raising cows and other livestock. 

Purple Carrot is especially great for people who are transitioning to a more plant-based diet or aren't sure how to cook meat or dairy. It shows you how there are always creative workarounds and flavor combinations, resulting in filling, delicious recipes like Warm Japanese Yam & Shiitake Salad and Parmesan Gnocchi with Melted Summer Squash & Basil. Plus, most of its non-produce items are organic, though all other ingredients can vary on organic or non-GMO status. 

Changing your eating habits is never easy, but Purple Carrot makes the shift just a little more manageable. I'm not strictly plant-based, but I am trying to eat less meat, and Purple Carrot gave me nice inspiration for how I could continue eating this type of diet, even if I don't personally continue the subscription. 

Unlike other meal kits I've tested, Purple Carrot often requires blenders and food processors to make its sauces, so make sure you have these appliances on hand and are prepared for a little extra cleanup afterward. 

What to look for in a meal kit delivery service

Meal kits vs. prepared meals: Already prepared meals save the most prep time because you just heat them up and enjoy. However, meal kits give you more flexibility in what ingredients you choose to include. Plus, the meals tend to taste better as they are freshly cooked, so you have a better chance of getting a delicious meal sight unseen. In our guide to the best meal delivery services, we found that the reheated texture and taste varied widely. If you're not sure what type is right for your needs, consider a service that provides both.

Pricing: Most of the services we looked at cost about $10 per serving, plus or minus $3. You can usually save a few dollars by ordering more meals each week or by signing up for a long-term contract. Also, you can often find discounts and promo codes when trying out a new service. 

Dietary needs: Many services have menus that cater to common dietary needs, but it's not always a robust selection. If you eat a vegan, gluten-free, low-sugar, keto, or other diet, look for a service that has plenty of weekly menu items that will meet your needs. Purple Carrot and Sunbasket are geared specifically for dietary restrictions.

Flexibility: You want to be able to change your meal plan as you travel or your needs change. Look for a service that lets you pause for a week or two and adjust the number of meals you receive. During a particularly busy week, you might not have time to cook even from a kit, so consider your schedule and how willing the service is to accommodate.

How we test meal delivery kits

Whenever we tested a new service, our first priority was that the meals tasted good. Any service that didn't pass our taste test was not included in this guide. The rest of our criteria evaluated how easy it was to prepare and customize the services, as well as the menu variety. 

Ease of preparation: Meal kits are intended to make cooking at home easier, so we noted which brands have recipes that require more work to prepare. We considered whether recipes require kitchen tools beyond basic pots and utensils, whether the kit provides whole or prepped ingredients, and how much time passes from start to finish.

Menu variety: If you're going to order from one of these services regularly, you'll want a variety of options. We noted which services had rotating menus or frequently added new meals and if there were multiple portion sizes available. 

Delivery: We looked for services that delivered to a large geographical area, as well as how easy it was to skip, pause, or change scheduled deliveries.   

Customization: People have different mealtime needs and wants, so we evaluated the customization of each meal kit. We looked at available add-ons, like wine or side dishes, and whether you could curate your box of meals or if there were pre-made bundles. 

Dietary restrictions: We looked for meal kits that can be enjoyed by most people, regardless of dietary restrictions. Below, we listed each of our top picks and the dietary options they offer.

Meal kit delivery service FAQs

Are meal kit delivery services worth it?

A meal kit delivery service is worth the price if you want to skip the hassle of searching for healthy recipes, creating a shopping list, and shopping for ingredients. As a busy person, the time these services save makes them worth it. Other benefits include reducing your food waste with pre-portioned foods and helping you discover new recipes and cooking skills.

What are the cons of meal kit delivery?

Perhaps the biggest con of meal kit delivery is the price. With rising grocery costs, you may not save much money buying ingredients yourself, especially when you factor in food waste. Speaking of waste, the kits' packaging is substantial and not always made of eco-friendly materials. 

Meal kits also require preparation time, though many services also offer freshly prepared meals. Lastly, the services have limited customization options, which may be hard for picky eaters or individuals with unique dietary needs.

What are the different types of meal kit delivery services?

The standard meal kit contains ingredients and a recipe with varying levels of preparation required. It ranges from pre-cut ingredients that you just toss in a bowl and season, to essentially a curated grocery order that you chop and prep. While kits are still popular, a new common option is freshly prepared meals that you just pop in the microwave or oven. Some brands even offer frozen meals. There are also hybrid meals that require minimal preparation and are mostly ready-to-heat.

Best overall: Blue Apron

Pros: Familiar recipes with a twist, wine pairing suggestions, easy-to-follow directions, options for both two and four-person families

Cons: Lots of upsells that quickly make it expensive, shipping cost isn't included

Blue Apron, probably the most recognized name in the world of meal kits, offers well-composed, flavorful, and creative takes on dinner, featuring high-quality ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. Every time we've received a delivery over the last few years, it has been on time, completely accurate, and neatly packaged. 

The sizable weekly menu is filled with delicious and thoughtful recipes that make it difficult to choose just a few per week. There are plans and options for omnivores, vegetarians, and health-conscious eaters. The portions are decent, and sometimes there are enough for leftovers. 

We love that the service is customizable, with meal plans for two-person and four-person families, as well as add-ons like meat and seafood bundles, spice blends, and premium meals from celebrity chefs. One downside to all the extra options is that there seems to be a regular upsell from the base $7.99 per serving and you can quickly end up spending double that if you factor in premium meals and shipping. The service is flexible, however, and you can skip an upcoming order if you don't need it. 

Rounding out the Blue Apron service is a companion wine subscription, which we've previously reviewed. The wines are directly paired with meal kits, so your entire dining experience is covered. 

Read our full review of Blue Apron's Mediterranean diet recipes.

Best for quick dishes: HelloFresh

Pros: Fast prep times, regular promotions to bring the total price down 

Cons: Some meals may be too simple, shipping cost isn't included

Of the many meal kits we tested, HelloFresh had the most accurate estimated preparation times, and they rarely exceeded 30 minutes. For cooks with busy schedules, the service makes it easy to squeeze in a full and complete home-cooked meal.

Even though you won't be spending that much time cooking, the final meals are interesting and delicious. For example, the Tuscan Shrimp and Orzo was easy to prepare, requiring nothing but shrimp, orzo pasta, and roasted tomatoes, but was still a flavorful meal that took about half an hour to prepare.

Like its competitors, HelloFresh has a recipe archive where you can get the instructions for all your favorite meals (not just the ones that are on the docket this week). And if you have dietary restrictions, HelloFresh lets you select a veggie-friendly menu right from the get-go, helping to avoid sifting through recipes that you won't be able to eat. 

HelloFresh also has some add-ons, including snacks, desserts, pantry basics, and produce. 

Best pre-made: Factor

Pros: Good portion sizes, multiple protein options, variety of add ons, freezer-friendly

Cons: Limited allergy-friendly options, meals are protein heavy and have limited carbs and starches

We tried 56 pre-made meals from eight different services, and Factor came out on top. The meals tend to have generous protein portions and be lower in starches and carbs. You can also choose from calorie smart, keto, vegetarian, or vegan meals.

Unlike some pre-made meal services, Factor meals don't arrive frozen and are meant to be eaten within seven days. They are freezer-friendly, though you can lose some texture in the final product. When I froze one dish, I ended up with a wonderful garlic pork tenderloin, but a watery Asiago cauliflower mash.

The Factor chefs are well aware of the limitations of reheated food. Instead of including crunchy elements, a texture almost impossible to get in the microwave, the meals are full of foods that do well when reheated. For example, you'll see things like creamed spinach, polenta, and shrimp in a cream sauce. Overall, this made for a more successful menu.

Two to three new meals are added to the menu every week, so there's a good variation for regular customers. Also, these meals are easy to store because they're flat on the bottom and top — great for stocking your freezer.

Check out our guide to the best meal delivery service.

Best for special diets: Sunbasket

Pros: Organic ingredients and responsible sourcing, health-conscious recipes that take many dietary restrictions into account, tasty sauces 

Cons: Slightly pricier than competitors due to ingredient sourcing, shipping cost isn't included after your first order 

As a USDA-certified organic company, Sunbasket stands out for its use of organic produce and clean ingredients.

Over 99% of the produce it sources is organic, and it takes seasonality seriously when developing its recipes. In addition, it provides responsibly raised meats and poultry, focusing on antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, pasture-raised or grass-fed animals, and wild-caught seafood. Sunbasket will impress anyone who takes sourcing seriously and wants to eat more responsibly and sustainably. 

When you sign up for Sunbasket, you can choose a pre-curated plan based on certain dietary preferences, such as paleo, pescetarian, or diabetes-friendly. Or, mix and match meals yourself. It's easy to sort the menu by features like soy-free, dairy-free, or ready in under 20 minutes. 

When it comes to the actual cooking process, Sunbasket looks to make things as easy as possible and takes care of some of the more tedious components for you. For example, butternut squash will come to you pre-cut, and cauliflower rice comes pre-ground so you don't have to pull out your food processor. The sauces are also premade, not to mention the tastiest of all the meal kits we tested. 

Sunbasket is much more than an organic meal kit-only service. It provides add-on options like egg bites, yogurt drinks, and granola from vetted brands that tend to be paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and/or Non-GMO Project Certified. 

Read our full Sunbasket review.

Best for variety: Home Chef

Pros: Well-designed recipes and website, customization opportunities, large menu, large serving size option

Cons: Not ideal for those with dietary restrictions, not as many extras as competitors 

Omnivores who love eating anything and everything can appreciate Home Chef's large and diverse menus. The range of cuisine and ingredient should appease even the pickiest of eaters. 

Although there are ways to make the recipes vegetarian, Home Chef isn't the best for people with certain dietary restrictions, but it does work well with everyone from couples to large families (you can order up to eight servings) who enjoy exploring all types of food. 

The online experience feels streamlined and intuitive, so even newcomers to the meal kit world will feel immediately at ease. You can skip meals and add or substitute protein options without any trouble, plus filter recipes of cook time and meal type. 

All in all, Home Chef is simply a consistent and enjoyable meal kit experience. It doesn't have extra frills like snacks, breakfast, or wine, but you never feel like you're sold short in terms of recipe variety. If you need a meal right away, you can even find Home Chef microwavable meals at your local Kroger store. 

Read our full Home Chef review.

Best vegan: Purple Carrot

Pros: Delicious and filling recipes for people who are on plant-based diets or who are interested in starting one 

Cons: Slightly pricier than competitors due to ingredient sourcing, requires more kitchen tools 

It's easy to join the plant-based lifestyle, thanks to all the new brands cropping up and services like Purple Carrot that cater to these specific needs. Plant-based diets are healthy and better for the planet because it requires less water and produces fewer carbon emissions to grow ingredients than to raise cows and other livestock. 

Purple Carrot is especially great for people who are transitioning to a more plant-based diet or aren't sure how to cook meat or dairy. It shows you how there are always creative workarounds and flavor combinations, resulting in filling, delicious recipes like Warm Japanese Yam & Shiitake Salad and Parmesan Gnocchi with Melted Summer Squash & Basil.

Plus, most of its non-produce items are organic, though all other ingredients can vary on organic or non-GMO status. 

Changing your eating habits is never easy, but Purple Carrot makes the shift just a little more manageable. I'm not strictly plant-based, but I am trying to eat less meat, and Purple Carrot gave me nice inspiration for how I could continue eating this type of diet, even if I don't personally continue the subscription. 

Compared to other meal kits I've tested, I noticed Purple Carrot does require blenders and food processors often to make its sauces, so make sure you have these appliances on hand and are prepared for a little extra cleanup afterward. 

How we test meal delivery kits

Whenever we tested a new service, our first priority was that the meals tasted good. Any service that didn't pass our taste test was not included in this guide. The rest of our criteria evaluated how easy it was to prepare and customize the services, as well as the menu variety. 

Ease of preparation: Meal kits are intended to make cooking at home easier, so we noted which brands have recipes that took more work to prepare. We considered if recipes required kitchen tools beyond basic pots and utensils, if the kit provided whole or prepped ingredients, and how much time passed from start to finish.

Menu variety: If you're going to regularly be ordering from one of these services, you'll want a variety of options to choose from. We noted which services had rotating menus or regularly added new meals and if there were multiple portion sizes available. 

Delivery: We looked for services that delivered to a large geographical area, as well as how easy it was to skip, pause, or change scheduled deliveries.   

Customization: People have different mealtime needs and wants, so we evaluated the customization of each meal kit. We looked at available add-ons, like wine or side dishes, as well as whether you could curate your own box of meals or if there were pre-made bundles. 

Dietary restrictions: We looked for meal kits that can be enjoyed by the majority of people, regardless of dietary restrictions. Below we listed each of our top picks and the dietary options they offer.

	Vegetarian	Plant-based	Low calorie	Gluten-free	Vegan
Blue Apron	♦	♦	♦
Factor	♦	♦	♦		♦
Sunbasket	♦	♦		♦
Home Chef	♦
HelloFresh	♦		♦
Purple Carrot	♦	♦		♦	♦