After a long day, few things are as frustrating as staring into an empty cabinet or fridge and trying to come up with dinner. If this is you most nights, close Grubhub—it’s time to check out the best meal delivery services instead. These subscriptions take the guesswork (and sometimes, the prep work) out of cooking. You’ll get fresh ingredients and meals dropped off at your door—all you have to do is assemble the components or warm up a tray, and you’ll have a delicious, balanced dinner. Some services even offer breakfasts and lunches too.
But there are so many options out there that it can be tough to tell them apart. To decide which are really worth the cost, we tested the top services and compared them. Below, shop the best kits to try (and never lose your Sundays to meal prep again).
Our top picks
Best Overall: Home ChefBest High-Protein: Green ChefBest Vegan: Purple CarrotBest Pre-Prepared Meals: FactorEasiest Recipes: GobbleMost Customizable: Sunbasket
In this article
AccordionItemContainerButton
Shop the best meal delivery services of 2025
Simple, satisfying dishes ahead.
Best Overall: Home Chef
A Home Chef recipe and finished meal
Original photo by SELF editorial assistant Grace McCarty
Why we like it: Home Chef covers all the bases that a great meal delivery service should (we rated it a 9 out of 10 for a reason!). You can order meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients, express kits that take less than 15 minutes to assemble, ready-made oven meals, and even microwavable options. The menu caters to different needs and skill levels, and the easy-to-follow recipes helped our tester grow her confidence in the kitchen.
Bonus: The menus are set five weeks ahead, so you can plan in advance. Plus, skipping or pausing a shipment is easy (and if you do forget to place an order, Home Chef will automatically send you three meals based on your favorites).
AccordionItemContainerButton
Anyone who wants to brush up on cooking basics, but doesn’t have the time or money to spend hunting down lesser-known ingredients.
Tester feedback from former editorial assistant Grace McCarty
AccordionItemContainerButton
“As a very rookie chef, it opened my eyes to some efficient kitchen techniques I simply hadn’t thought of before,” she wrote in her review. “The recipes are super easy to follow, but still involved enough that the results have a nice presentation and flavor combo.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Meals start at $10 per serving. The weekly order minimum is $51 for a standard Home Chef plan (one to three meals, with two servings per meal) and $91 for a Family Plan (at least 10 meals, with four servings per meal), including shipping.
AccordionItemContainerButton
High-protein, low-carb, keto-friendly, vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, high-fiber
AccordionItemContainerButton
One-pan ground chicken burrito skillet, sheet pan gochujang pork meatballs, cheddar bacon ranch turkey quesadilla, peach balsamic salmon, tortellini a la vodka
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: 18 free meals when you order 10 meals per week over your first five orders; free shipping on your first box | Recipe options per week: At least 35 meals with 18 extras | Availability: Nationwide
McCarty testing Home Chef:
Best High-Protein: Green Chef
A finished Green Chef meal
Original photo by SELF food and fitness writer Caroline Tien
Why we like it: With organic ingredients and (mostly) recyclable packaging, Green Chef lives up to its name. The recipe cards are easy to follow and designed to be made in just 30 minutes. You’ll also find there are three meal-size options: for two, four, or six people.
Our tester appreciated how simple customizing her dinners was, noting that the ability to order two, three, or four meals each week helped her balance cooking at home with eating out. She also called out the brand’s commitment to using sustainably-sourced ingredients and organic produce, as well as how simple it is to switch out protein in a meal (say, when you’re feeling like chicken instead of fish).
AccordionItemContainerButton
Best for multi-person households who enjoy cooking, but are stuck in a rut of eating the same meals every week.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
AccordionItemContainerButton
“From the seamless ordering and delivery to the flavorful meals, I could not be happier with this service,” she wrote in her review. “As someone who loves to cook and finds cooking to be a way to wind down, Green Chef took the prepping and grocery shopping out of the equation, so I could turn my brain off and just follow the recipe card. I got to enjoy all my favorite parts of cooking and skip the rest, which was so relaxing.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Meals start at $6 per serving with free shipping for your first box, then start at $12 per serving with $10 shipping after that.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Mediterranean, keto, high-protein, plant-based, gluten-free, high-fiber, dairy free, low added sugar
AccordionItemContainerButton
Mediterranean pork with feta kale salad, spicy shrimp with cheddar bacon mash, truffle linguine with chicken and bacon, beef enchiladas, sweet and spicy orange cauliflower bowls
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get 50% off your first box and an extra protein or box for free for the first eight weeks | Recipe options per week: Over 80 recipes and market add-ons | Availability: Contiguous United States
Commerce writer Jessica Kasparian testing Green Chef:
Best Vegan: Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot
A Purple Carrot meal kit
Original photo by SELF writer Amy Marturana Winderl
Why we like it: Plant-based? Consider Purple Carrot, which stocks veggie-heavy, high-protein dinners and breakfasts that are easy to prepare (or even come oven-ready). There are all sorts of delightful dishes and snacks for anyone who’s looking to add more plants to their diet.
Our tester appreciated that the recipes were well-written, easy to follow, and created dinners that even her two-year-old daughter couldn’t get enough of. She also found that the price per serving hits the sweet spot, since plant-based and organic ingredients (not to mention good vegan takeout) can add up quickly.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Tester feedback from writer Amy Marturana Winderl
AccordionItemContainerButton
“I loved every Purple Carrot meal I ate,” she wrote in her review. “They were all extremely flavorful, and I found each one to be deeply satisfying—so much so that I saved the recipe cards to make them again.”
“Another nice perk?” Winderl adds. “There are a few photos to go along with each recipe that can help you confirm you’re on track—for example, an image that shows what your tofu should look like after it’s sauced and crisped.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Two-person plans start at $13 per serving. Four-person plans start at $11 per serving. There’s also an option for one-serving, oven-ready dishes (each meal costs $13). Shipping is an additional $10 for orders under $99.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Plant-based, high-protein, high-fiber, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free
AccordionItemContainerButton
Elote gnocchi, okonomiyaki, caprese pasta salad, creamy coconut curry udon, green shakshuka
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get 40% off your first purchase and free shipping | Recipe options per week: At least 16 meals; various quantities of add-ons and pantry items | Availability: Contiguous United States
Marturana Winderl testing Purple Carrot:
Best Pre-Prepared Meals: Factor
A stack of Factor meals
Original photo by SELF editor in chief Jessica Cruel
Why we like it: Factor provides fresh, dietitian-designed, pre-made meals that you can heat and eat in minutes. Each entrée has a mix of carbs, proteins, and fats, for a well-rounded dish. You can order anywhere from six to 18 meals per week, with the option to add on breakfast items like pancakes and egg bites, as well as juices.
SELF’s editor in chief Jessica Cruel found that Factor meals microwave surprisingly well during testing—no tough meat or limp veggies here. While the portions are on the smaller side, she adds, the meals tasted great and came with plenty of flavorful sauce that added a kick. We’re also fans of Factor’s variety (there are about 100 meals to choose from each week), which should keep your menus new and exciting.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Factor is our pick for people who live alone, since every meal is one serving. We also recommend it if you’re trying to boost your protein intake or be mindful of portion sizes.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
AccordionItemContainerButton
“One thing I love…there’s a lot of sauce! Also, none of the proteins were overcooked after the microwave,” she says. “I also liked that I could keep an eye on calorie count, and I did my best to stay in the 500 to 600 range. Portion control is one of the hardest things I battle, so I appreciate everything being measured out for me.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Meals start at $11 per serving and shipping costs vary per box.
AccordionItemContainerButton
High-protein, low-carb, high-fiber, keto
AccordionItemContainerButton
Honey butter chicken breast, truffle butter filet mignon, ginger teriyaki salmon, penne rosa and meatballs, Texas cheddar burger
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get 50% off your first box, then 20% off the next 2 to 5 boxes after that, plus 1 free breakfast item per box for a year | Recipe options per week: 91, plus over 65 add-ons | Availability: Contiguous United States
Cruel testing Factor:
Easiest Recipes: Gobble
Why we like it: Each Gobble kit includes pre-portioned ingredients (like already-peeled vegetables), requires minimal to no chopping, and goes from pan to plate in about 15 minutes. Recently, the service also added pre-prepared, heat-and-eat meals to its plans that can be microwaved in minutes. It’s almost as low-effort as ordering in from a local restaurant—and often even quicker to put together.
Looking for more than just dinner? You’re in luck: Gobble also offers soups and salads for lunch, plus breakfasts and snacks. And we like that Gobble focuses on including seasonal ingredients in its meals, so you can work with the best ingredients.
AccordionItemContainerButton
People with limited cooking skills who want to get more comfortable in the kitchen, but don’t know where to start.
Tester feedback from writer Ashia Aubourg
AccordionItemContainerButton
“Gobble meal kits live up to the promise that the recipes only take 15 minutes to cook. For me, this is what really made this brand shine compared to others I’ve tried,” she wrote in her review. “Each dish tasted like something from a cozy neighborhood restaurant.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Meals start at $12 per serving. Shipping is free for your first week, then an additional $10 after that.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Vegetarian, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free
AccordionItemContainerButton
Butter chicken with vegetable biryani and naan, saffron paella, spicy penne arrabbiata, Argentinian steak with chimichurri potatoes and roasted vegetables, heirloom tomato flatbread pizza with arugula salad
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get your first 6 meals for $36 | Recipe options per week: At least 10 Classic Dinner options; can add on sides, desserts, and breakfasts | Availability: Contiguous United States, excluding Montana and with limited service in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Most Customizable: Sunbasket
Why we like it: The folks behind Sunbasket prioritize high-quality ingredients, and it shows. The produce is organic, the meat is antibiotic-free with no added hormones, and the seafood is fresh-caught or raised sustainably. The service offers a variety of dinner options, and you can opt to mix and match recipes from different menus in a single order.
Sunbasket also offers sides, desserts, and standalone proteins. Really short on time? Consider the single-serving prepared meals on its Fresh & Ready menu—they arrive pre-cooked, so all you have to do is reheat and serve.
AccordionItemContainerButton
If you have a lot of dietary restrictions and often struggle to find a meal delivery service that can meet all of your needs, give Sunbasket a try.
Tester feedback from writer Sarah Madaus
AccordionItemContainerButton
“The Sunbasket recipes are blissfully easy to follow, and they don’t exaggerate about how long the prep and cook time will be,” she wrote in her review. “The recipe cards lay out all of the ingredients, and each of my meals only included about three to four steps. None of my meals took more than 30 minutes from start to finish, which honestly surprised me given that they were pretty nutrient-packed meals that would normally take longer to prepare, in my experience.
AccordionItemContainerButton
For your first order, meals start at $4 per serving and shipping is free. After that, meals start at $10 per serving and shipping is $10.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Mediterranean, vegetarian, pescetarian, paleo, gluten-free friendly, keto, soy-free, dairy-free, vegan, no added sugar, high-protein
AccordionItemContainerButton
Spanish steaks with patatas bravas and bell pepper aioli, sweet and sour eggplant wraps, white bean turkey chili, ground beef and bow tie pasta skillet, BBQ ribs and stone fruit salad
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get $90 off 4 boxes and free shipping | Recipe options per week: 24 meals; various quantities of add-ons and grocery items | Availability: Contiguous United States, excluding Montana
More great options
Still haven’t found the right service for you? These options also earned honorable mentions from our testers.
Territory Foods
Territory Foods
Territory Foods
Why we like it: Territory Foods impressed our tester by shipping satisfying, microwave-ready meals right to her doorstep. The company operates across smaller geographical areas in the United States—rather than nationwide—which means it can deliver fresher and more flexible meals, albeit to a smaller section of the country.
Territory’s menus offer a ton of customization based on your dietary preferences and restrictions, as well as your schedule. While most meal services deliver once per week, Territory allows you to get two shipments every week, which means the meals will be at their absolute freshest when they show up. The meals are developed by registered dietitians and crafted by local chefs, so you can trust they’ll be flavorful and nutritious.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Tester feedback from senior health writer Erica Sloan
AccordionItemContainerButton
“I grew up eating plenty of TV dinners, and none of the veggies in them quite tasted like the real thing—but Territory captures that fresh vegetable texture and taste,” she says. “I think the produce was fresher-tasting than other microwave meals and even some cook-yourself options I’ve tried in the past.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Most meals start at $14 each, but exact prices per meal range depending on your location. Shipping costs $10 per order ($11 in New York and San Francisco).
AccordionItemContainerButton
Vegan, Mediterranean, paleo, keto-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free
AccordionItemContainerButton
Spicy Thai beef, jerk tofu, salsa verde chicken, shrimp fra diavolo, vegetable enchiladas
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: N/A | Recipe options per week: 35 meals, various quantities of add-ons | Availability: The East Coast, west Chicago, Texas, and select parts of the West Coast
Sloan testing Territory Foods:
Hungryroot
Why we like it: Hungryroot is a meal kit that’s also kind of a grocery store. Your monthly subscription gives you a set amount of credits that you can use across its site on recipes, snacks, and pantry items. The recipe section is similar to most other meal kit experiences: You choose a dish, then Hungryroot provides all the necessary ingredients and a recipe guide. It also allows you to modify each meal to fit your tastes. (For example, if you’d rather have Beyond meat instead of turkey in a dish, you can make that swap.) This easy-to-edit approach creates a customizable experience, with the ability to fully tailor meals to your liking.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Anyone who’s new to plant-based eating (or wants to give it a try). Snacks and tons of new recipes to try will keep things interesting as you shift the focus of your weekly menus.
Tester feedback from former commerce editor Malia Griggs
AccordionItemContainerButton
“Hands down, my favorite features of the service were its fun, varied, plant-based groceries, the speedy prep time of meals, and the ability to add breakfast and snacks (like the brownie batter, which I could eat every day),” she wrote in her review.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Breakfasts start at $4 per serving, lunches start at $6 per serving, and dinners start at $9 per serving. Shipping costs $7 for orders under $70 and is free for orders over $70.
AccordionItemContainerButton
High-protein, gluten-free, vegetarian, less sugar, dairy-free, pescatarian, vegan, peanut-free, tree nut-free, soy-free, egg-free, shellfish-free
AccordionItemContainerButton
2-minute Southwest shrimp salad, sweet potato ranch burger and fries, honey garlic beef and gingery cucumber salad, cheesy veggie vodka pasta bake, pork chops piccata
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get 30% off your first order over $99 and a free gift in every delivery | Recipe options per week: Hungryroot’s library includes over 1,000 recipes | Availability: Contiguous United States
CookUnity
Finished CookUnity meals
Original photo by SELF associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
Why we like it: CookUnity delivers chef-made, oven-or microwave-ready meals (no cooking required). While some microwave meals fall flat, these reheated well, according to our tester. (One caveat: She says the ribeye steak didn’t turn out as well as the chicken dishes did.)
We wouldn’t recommend CookUnity if you’re looking to gain some skills in the kitchen, since there isn’t any prep work required. But our tester says the meals are tasty and well-balanced.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Work late hours or often find yourself at the gym after your 9 to 5? These restaurant-quality meals that take just minutes to warm up are for you.
Tester feedback from Gunderman
AccordionItemContainerButton
“[The instructions] were very quick and straightforward—just peel back a corner of the plastic lid and microwave for three minutes,” she says. “The pastas were amazing!” she adds. “I would be happy to be served one of these in a restaurant.”
AccordionItemContainerButton
Plans start at $14 per meal for four meals per week.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, low sodium, paleo
AccordionItemContainerButton
Pappardelle with beef ragú, Japanese shrimp tempura bowl, miso-style ramen with tofu, cheesy beef picadillo, brie and blueberry quinoa salad
AccordionItemContainerButtonAccordionItemContainerButton
First-time customer deals: Get 50% off your first week and free cookies for life | Recipe options per week: Over 300 | Availability: Nationwide (check to see if your zip code is included).
Gunderman testing CookUnity:
How SELF tests meal kits
First, we spoke with registered dietitians to learn how to choose the right meal delivery service. Then we tried all of the meal kits listed here and tested each for at least one full week’s worth of meals. We based our reviews on customization options, price, nutrition profile, delivery process, and overall taste and satisfaction. Our winners impressed us in all categories and quickly became our go-tos for busy weeknights.
How to choose the right meal kit delivery service for you
AccordionItemContainerButton
Most meal kit services deliver once a week. Some can ship more often, while others offer one-off options. Many are also flexible, so you can skip or pause deliveries if you’re going out of town. You’ll also want to check whether the deliveries happen at a time when someone can be home to unbox the food—fresh produce may need a speedier transfer to the fridge than frozen meals.
The delivery frequency you opt for will also depend on how much food comes in each box. Think about how many meals you typically eat at home each week (and how many of those you’d like to come from your delivery service). Depending on the brand, you’ll get a set amount of food each week, or you can select exactly how much you want.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Are you cooking for yourself, for two, or for a family? With many services, you can choose how many servings you want in each meal. You’ll also want to look into the serving sizes and ensure they make sense for you and whoever else you’re cooking for. Do you want lots of leftovers, or just enough for one meal?
AccordionItemContainerButton
Setting a budget for yourself up front can help you narrow down your options quickly, since meal kit prices can range quite a bit. Our picks cost between $10 and $12 per serving (some are less expensive for your first order). Don’t forget to factor in shipping fees too.
AccordionItemContainerButton
No matter what kind of diet you follow, there’s probably a meal kit delivery service out there for you. Many popular options offer meal plans for all kinds of dietary restrictions, and several smaller companies make meals exclusively for certain diets. You can find brands that spotlight vegetarian, vegan, keto, and paleo meals—some even allow you to filter weekly menus based on your allergies or certain ingredients. Double check that the service you’re interested in can meet your dietary needs and that it offers a good variety of meals, so you don’t get bored.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Most of our picks ship nationwide, but some smaller companies have more limited availability. Most sites have a place where you can search your zip code to make sure you live in their delivery range.
AccordionItemContainerButton
Meal kits delivery services are generally pretty convenient—they can help you cut down on trips to the grocery store and stop wasting mental energy figuring out what to eat. But the time it takes to make your meals can vary. If you’re looking for something that’s super fast and easy, look for pre-prepared, heat-and-eat meals (like Factor’s). If you still want to cook, there are options that prioritize quick recipes, like Gobble. Either way, most sites mention how long each recipe typically takes to make (though many reviewers say these estimates aren’t the most accurate, so keep that in mind).
Frequently asked questions
Is a meal kit delivery service worth it?
AccordionItemContainerButton
If you find it easy to plan, shop for, and prepare your food every week, you probably don’t need a meal kit delivery service. But if spending time in the kitchen causes stress, they can be really helpful. They eliminate a lot of the creativity and planning required for cooking, cut down on food waste, and can help you get out of a rut if you realize you’re eating the same thing all the time. They can also expand your palate, teach you new skills, and make cooking more fun.
Of course, they have to fit your budget (and meal kits can be expensive). In many cases, you can most likely make more affordable meals by shopping and cooking yourself—but the convenience factor may be worth the extra investment.
How do the most popular meal delivery services compare?
AccordionItemContainerButton
Here’s how our picks stack up.
Additional reporting by Kristi Kellogg, Meg Lappe, C.P.T., Malia Griggs, and Sara Coughlin
Related:
Get more of SELF’s stellar product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).
Dining and Cooking