Popular Meal Delivery Services at a Glance

With life being so busy – between work/school and family life, it can be easy to fall into a rut in the kitchen. Tired of the same recipes?

Zero inspiration and zero motivation can prove to be a deadly combination. That said, you might consider a meal delivery service to spice things up in the kitchen. With so many on the market, it can be difficult to cut thru the clutter. We’ve made it easier for you to tackle meal planning, with this basic guide to some of the popular options:

Blue Apron

Can you say hearty? This meal delivery service is known for generous portion sizes. Some prep is required, but the consensus is that it’s worth it — the meals are flavorful and tend to be on the rich side. Plus, you can choose from top-rated favorites and health-conscious options to premium dishes and more. They’ve earned a reputation for variety. Choose from two or four-person portions sizes, depending on your household size.

Sun Basket

If you want healthy meals that pack a mean punch when it comes to flavor, this one is sure to please. Plus, they’re generally between 500 and 700 calories per meal. There are lots of options in the way of vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, gluten-free, etc. and you can test out the service before fully committing. Your order arrives cold-packed at your doorstep and all you have to do is follow simple cooking or heat-only instructions.

Fresh n’Lean

As the name implies, Fresh n’Lean brings you healthy meals that are relatively easy to make. Just heat up and dig in. No prep required!

They offer breakfast/lunch/dinner and snacks. Reviewers report that the meals are filling and leave you feeling energized. Plus, the meals have a decently long shelf life, despite being fresh and not frozen. If you’re concerned about getting locked into a subscription, this one is flexible. You may order a la carte meals or a whole weeklong plan.

Hello Fresh

This one makes cooking intuitive — all the ingredients for a particular recipe come in a bag with all the ingredients for that dish. Plus, the recipes don’t require a great deal of skill. Bloggers report unique flavor combinations. You can choose different meal options, but there’s not a lot of flexibility between plans. For example, if you want a family plan, there are only a few options. The same goes for the vegetarian plan.

Purple Carrot

Any vegans out there? This plant-based meal delivery service makes eating your veggies fun and interesting. Who knew cauliflower could taste so good?

This one is also appealing to environmentally- conscious types. Meals arrive packed and protected in an insulated box equipped with non-toxic ice packs. And most of their packaging is recyclable.

Green Chef

In addition to standard meat and seafood plan, Green Chef accommodates paleo/keto and plant-based diets. Choose from plans that feed 2, 4, or 6 people a week. You can order 3 or 4 meals a week.

Popular with health nuts, the contents contain no GMOs, pesticides or antibiotics. Ingredients come pre-measured and prepped along with pre-made sauces, marinades, and spice blends. Less prep work means less time in the kitchen.

Bon Appetit!