If you’re ordering takeout more than you’d like, you’re not alone – even our dietitians and chefs at GH rely on prepared foods more often than not. And while it may be convenient, ordering in and dining out can be expensive and far from healthy at times.
Prepared meal delivery services offer a happy medium for those seeking weeknight convenience. They tend to be a bit more cost-effective than takeout since the meals are shipped together for the week, and many services offer options for different dietary needs and preferences. Not only do these premade dishes take the stress (and mess) out of meal prep, but they definitely beat a frozen TV dinner and give you something to look forward to eating.
Our food and nutrition experts tested over 50 meal delivery services, and we asked consumer testers to weigh in. We sent the services to over 300 home cooks to find the best options for every lifestyle and budget.
You can learn more about how we evaluate meal delivery services — and find our comprehensive guide to the best meal delivery services by diet — at the end of this article. Looking for more options? Check out our guides to the best healthy meal delivery services, organic meal delivery services, paleo meal delivery services and weight loss meal delivery services.
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Pros
- Gourmet-style prepared meals
- Nutrition facts provided for each meal
- Meals are fresh, never frozen
Cons
- Availability limited in certain areas
Prepared meals don’t have to be boring, and Cook Unity proves it. The service provides gourmet meals crafted by award-winning chefs that bring you a restaurant-style dining experience in the comfort of your own home. You’ll find a changing menu of dozens of options from some of the most talented chefs in the country.
How it works: Start by setting your dietary preferences and then selecting 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 meals per week. Menus are posted two weeks in advance, and you can choose your weekly meals or let CookUnity select for you based on your preferences, including gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo, vegan and more. The meals arrive fresh and come with expiration dates as well as instructions on how to heat your dish.
Lab results: The service received top scores from our testers and experts for flavor, portion size and overall food quality. Our nutrition experts appreciate that the brand provides a full nutrition facts panel on each meal too. “The meals were simple to prepare and absolutely delicious,” one tester shared, and 100% of testers said that they would recommend the service to a family member or friend. We found the service to be best for gourmet comfort food, but the brand also offers some health-conscious fare. The shipping area is a bit limited but growing fast.
| Cost | Meals start at $11, plus $10 for shipping. |
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| Packaging | Fully prepared meals are packaged in industrially compostable trays with recyclable components and delivered in reusable insulated bags or recyclable boxes. |
| Availability | Ships to over 90% of the continental United States. |
Pros
- Variety of plant-based offerings
- Family meals available
- Good portion sizes
Cons
- Limited delivery area
Plant-based food should be hearty and satisfying. These filling, plant-powered meals from Mosaic include everything from veggie bowls and pizzas to soups and oat bowls. The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible.
How it works: Start by selecting your plan, which includes 6, 12 or 18 options per box. Then fill your box with a variety of plant-based breakfast, lunch and dinner options like peanut tofu bowls, broccoli crust four-cheese pizza and veggie pot pie family meals. Meal filters include vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free, nut-free, soy-free, high protein and under 450 calories. Opt for delivery every one to four weeks. Meals are delivered frozen.
Lab results: Both testers and experts loved the variety and veggie-forward focus of the meals. Family meals were very convenient and packed with hidden veggies that the whole family could feel good about eating. Testers found the flavors super unique, and one said that Mosaic offered a “greater diversity and quantity of vegetables than any supermarket frozen foods that I’ve tried.” The portion sizes of the veggie bowls and family meals are substantial too. The meals come frozen, so if you can’t eat them that week, they will keep in the freezer for a while. That being said, the service has a limited delivery area, so double check availability before placing your order.
| Cost | Oat bowls are $5.99, smoothies are $7.99, soups are $8.99, veggie bowls are $9.99, and veggie crust pizzas are $11.99. Free shipping for 12 and 18 item boxes. |
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| Packaging | All packaging is fully recyclable, including the liner, trays for the veggie bowls and family meals. |
| Availability | Mosaic delivers to the entire East coast, most of the West coast and several states in between. |
Pros
- Wide variety of meals and snacks to choose from
- All items are vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free
- Sustainable packaging materials
Cons
- Some meals are not substantial enough per serving
Also one of our favorite vegan prepared services, Daily Harvest makes a variety of plant-based smoothies, harvest bowls, soups, flatbreads, pastas and more. They recently launched their POPS, a line of organic frozen pops made from real fruits and veggies, that were a hit with both kid and adult testers.
How it works: Start by selecting your plan, which includes 9, 14 or 24 items per box. You then determine the delivery frequency (weekly or monthly) and select your meals. Mix and match, whether you want all smoothies or a variety of items.
Lab results: Our dietitians appreciate how plant-forward the service is and say that Daily Harvest is a great option for those with dietary restrictions since everything is fully vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free. Plus, the brand prioritizes organic ingredients. Testers loved the convenience of the smoothies, and the newer pastas were a huge hit. “Even though it’s frozen, the food still tastes really fresh,” one person said. “I love the flatbreads for lunch, and I sprinkle a little cheese on top to make it heartier.” That being said, some of the serving sizes are a bit small and less substantial than other brands.
| Cost | Breakfast bowls start at $6.79, smoothies and soups start at $8.49, and harvest bowls, pastas, flatbreads and grain bowls at $9.79. Shipping is a flat rate $9.99. |
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| Packaging | Recycle the box, liner and divider. Majority of the individual food packaging is made from Post Consumer Recycled PET. |
| Availability | Delivery in the continental United States. |
Pros
- Innovative and flavorful keto-friendly options
- Complimentary consultation with a dietitian
- Add-ons include shakes, smoothies, snacks and desserts
Cons
- Meals can be high in saturated fat
Carb-conscious individuals can still enjoy meal delivery with services like Factor that offer keto and low-carb meals. This dietitian-designed service delivers fresh meals that both our testers and experts loved.
How it works: Choose from 35+ dietitian-designed and chef-crafted meals each week, and select 6 to 18 dishes per delivery. All subscriptions include one complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian. Plan preferences include:
- Chef’s Choice: A variety of healthy chef-crafted meals
- Keto: Low-carb, high-fat meals
- Flexitarian: Balanced, veggie-forward meals with purposeful proteins
- Protein Plus: Satisfying meals with 30 grams of protein or more
- Calorie Smart: Meals with 550 calories or less
- Vegan & Veggie: Veggie-forward, meat-free meals
Lab results: Meal variety and portion sizes were highly rated in our tests. One tester said, “I did not feel that microwaving my meals compromised the integrity of the taste or texture either. Everything heated nicely!” Testers also liked that the service has add-ons including shakes, smoothies, juices, snacks, proteins and desserts.
For those on low-carb and keto diets, the number of compliant options on the menu provided a welcome change from other services that have limited offerings. Favorites included the pork tenderloin with cheesy cabbage, vegan mushroom marsala and the herb cream cheese salmon. But take note: Many of the meals are very high in fat and sodium, and some keto-friendly items use sugar alternatives that testers found tasted very artificial.
| Cost | Meals range from $11 to $13. Shipping is $11 per delivery. |
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| Packaging | Boxes can be broken down and placed with curbside recycling. The insulation is curbside recyclable as well. |
| Availability | Delivery in the contiguous United States. |
Pros
- Meals are curated to specific macros
- Well-balanced portions
- Breakfasts are also available
Cons
- Not as flavorful as other services
Curated for athletes, this all-organic prepared subscription service uses high-quality ingredients like grass-fed meat and wild-caught seafood. Those serious about counting macros will appreciate that each plan has curated macros depending on the specific goal.
How it works: Choose from over 100 high-protein meals each week. The service has four different meal plans including clean, Paleo Whole 30, keto and plant-based. Have Trifecta’s chefs select the meals for you or pick them on your own. You can choose 7, 10 or 14 entrees per delivery, and you can add on breakfasts if desired. Trifecta meals arrive in vacuum-sealed containers and last 6 to 10 days in the fridge or over three months in the freezer.
Lab results: Our experts appreciate Trifecta’s focus on nutrition, macronutrients and meal planning. The brand provides great tools for those looking to gain muscle or lose body fat with its corresponding app. Testers enjoyed the meals, too, describing the portions as “on point” and “well balanced.” Many appreciated that the meal plans also included keto and paleo options. “The convenience is nice, and the meals are healthy, which is a hard combination to get,” one said. We did note that the meals aren’t the most flavorful we’ve tried, but they do offer a balance of carbs, protein and fat.
| Cost | Meals are about $15 each. Flat rate $9.99 shipping fee for all states except Alaska and Hawaii (AK and HI ship for $49.99). |
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| Packaging | The plastics are all 100% recyclable, as well as the ClimaCell panels. |
| Availability | Delivery everywhere in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. |
Pros
- Science-backed meal options for weight loss, diabetes and heart health
- Ready to eat in five minutes or less
- Gluten-free meals are tested to the FDA standard
Cons
- Meals come frozen and can be a bit bland
The topics of weight loss and dieting can be controversial, but what caught our attention about BistroMD is that the service was founded by a medical doctor and includes a team of dedicated dietitians. And BistroMD’s diet options aren’t just for weight loss but also for diabetics who may have trouble finding other services that they can enjoy.
How it works: Start by selecting a program to fit your dietary needs:
- Standard Plan: Designed for weight loss or weight maintenance, with men’s and women’s options.
- Diabetic Plan: Ideal for those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes or those who are pre-diabetic. All meals on this program contain 25 grams or fewer of net carbohydrates.
- Gluten-Free Plan: Designed for people with Celiac disease and those with gluten sensitivities or intolerances. All gluten-free meals are tested to the FDA gluten-free standard and do not contain wheat, rye or barley.
- Keto Flex Plan: BistroMD’s lowest carbohydrate program.
- Heart Healthy Plan: Meals that fall at or below the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat and saturated fat. All meals on this program contain less than 600 mg of sodium and less than 3.5 grams of saturated fat per serving.
- Menopause Plan: Meals that are uniquely designed to help with the hormonal changes that menopause brings.
- Vegan Plan: Free of dairy, eggs, meat and fish and a good source of plant protein.
There are over 150 meals to choose from. Items arrive frozen and simply need a quick reheating before you dig in.
Lab results: BistroMD thoroughly impressed our testers and judges with its high-quality meals and variety. Our nutrition experts appreciated the variety of plans that the service offers, helping it cater to specific medical conditions and phases of life. The pre-portioned meals are science-backed and take the guesswork out of healthy eating. Testers gave the service top marks for convenience, variety, freshness of ingredients and ease of reheating the meals, saying they loved that the meals required no prep work. “Good quality of food, interesting variety and good taste,” one tester said. “Plus, I actually lost weight.” Some of the meals were a bit bland but provide specific macronutrients.
| Cost | Plans range from $150 to $220 (depending on how many meals you order per week) plus a $19.95 shipping fee. |
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| Packaging | Entrees arrive in a 100% post-consumer recycled shipping box with dry ice and a biodegradable, eco-friendly liner for insulation. |
| Availability | Delivery to the contiguous United States. |
Known for its signature line of smoothies and soups, this female-founded company is fully plant-based and now offers grain and noodle bowls as well as cold-pressed juices and wellness shots. Splendid Spoon is a great option for individuals who are looking for a light lunch or nutritious on-the-go breakfasts.
How it works: Select how many meals you want — 7, 14 or 21 — and then customize the delivery frequency. Options include weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. Choose from over 50 premade smoothies, bowls and dishes. All of the meals are not only 100% plant-based but also free of gluten, dairy and artificial sweeteners. Filter for additional dietary needs like higher fiber, higher protein, lower calorie, lower carb, lower fat, lower sodium and lower sugar.
Lab results: Our lab experts appreciated the straightforward ordering process and quick shipping turnaround. Although the food arrives frozen, testers noted you can still taste the freshness of each item. “The smoothies were creative and tasty and contained things that I would never have thought to try. Same with the soups,” said one tester. Our dietitians point out that some of the noodles, grain bowls and smoothies have two servings in one small container. Although the fare is on the lighter side, the flavor profiles are great. And while we love the offerings, this isn’t the choice for fresh lunchtime salads or sandwiches.
| Cost | Meals range from $10 to $13. Shipping is $12.99, but is free for orders including 10 or more meals. |
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| Packaging | Packaging is 100% recyclable, but make sure to rinse beforehand. |
| Availability | Delivers nationwide to the contiguous 48 states. |
Pros
- High-quality, fresh ingredients
- Meals are fresh, never frozen
- Options for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Cons
- Expensive
These plant-based, organic meals deliver great flavor and ultra-fresh offerings. The service is also gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and free from refined sugars.
How it works: Sakara used to offer more variety, but now has just two specialized programs to choose from:
- Signature Nutrition Program: A healthy eating plan with nutritionally designed breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners. Select from two to five days a week based on your location.
- Level II Detox: Designed as a deeper reset after trying the signature program, this option provides curated meals, teas and more over the course of five days to support the body’s natural detoxification process.
Lab results: A tester favorite, Sakara’s meals had inventive ingredients and made healthier eating anything but boring. Our experts love the high-quality foods from Sakara, and although the plan is designed to offer health-conscious plant-based options, testers found the meals filling and flavorful. “I loved being introduced to new and interesting ingredients that I had never heard of,” said one tester. Another tester commented, “The delivery was well organized, and the meals were fresh, flavorful and satisfying.”
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Is Sakara Worth It?
| Cost | Programs start at $66. |
|---|---|
| Packaging | All packaging is made with post-consumer recycled materials and is 100% recyclable. |
| Availability | Delivery to all cities within the contiguous United States. |
Thistle focuses on nutritious, fully prepared meals that are veggie-forward. All of the meals are gluten-free and dairy-free too. Enjoy fully prepared meals delivered right to your door; items are fresh, never frozen.
How it works: Start by selecting how many meals you would like to receive each week, then input your protein type (plant-based, meat only, or a mix of both — making it great for flexitarians). You can also note ingredients you would like to avoid. The service assigns meals according to your plan, but you can swap and change things if you’d like.
Lab results: Our registered dietitians appreciate that the meals have balanced macronutrient ratios and substantial amounts of fiber and protein to help keep you full. Testers liked that the service was plant-forward but also offered up the option for high-quality animal proteins. One tester said: “I loved that everything was already gluten-free and dairy-free, and the meals tasted really fresh. The vegetables were very good quality.” One major drawback is the limited shipping area. If you live on the West Coast or East Coast, you’ll get access to Thistle’s entire menu via local delivery. But for the few areas that the brand ships to, you’ll only be able to access fixed plans.
| Cost | Breakfasts are $12.99 each, lunches and dinners come in at $15.99. |
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| Packaging | Packaging is 100% recyclable and the gel ice packs are all 100% biodegradable, recyclable, and nontoxic. For local customers, meals arrive packed in insulated, reusable bags with ice packs. |
| Availability | Local delivery across the greater West Coast and major metropolitan areas in the North East and Mid-Atlantic. |
Pros
- Meals are low-FODMAP yet tasty
- Large selection of menu items
- Meals come fresh, not frozen
Cons
- Expensive
If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s or other gastrointestinal issues, you may have written off meal delivery altogether. But Epicured was the first low-FODMAP meal delivery service designed for customers with common GI disorders like IBS, Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO and Celiac. Michelin-star chefs team up with physicians and dietitians to create delicious meals that accommodate complex dietary restrictions.
How it works: The subscription option is designed to help you maintain a low-FODMAP regimen over the course of two to eight weeks. You can subscribe and choose your meals and have them sent on a recurring schedule or opt for a one-time order. Epicured offers over 150 menu items ranging from fully prepared bowls, entrées and soups to smoothies and energy bites. Organic ingredients are used whenever possible.
Lab results: Our experts appreciate that Epicured caters to an underserved population, providing exceptional-tasting meals that are easy on the gut. They even offer extra-sensitive IBS meals and GERD-friendly options. Testers liked the “generous portion sizes” and that the meals were surprisingly delicious even though they were also gluten-free and low-FODMAP. “This service was much better than I expected,” one tester said. “Learning that it was gluten-free and low-FODMAP had me prepared not to like the texture or flavor. But, surprisingly, it was all very good.”
| Cost | Meals average about $15 per serving. |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Meals come in in Polypropylene plastic containers that are all recyclable, reusable and dishwasher safe. All Epicured boxes are recyclable. |
| Availability | Delivery in the contiguous United States. |
Pros
- Tasty and nutritious meals
- Meals come in reusable bowls and jars
- Now shipping nationwide
Cons
- Expensive
You’ll pay a premium for this health-conscious prepared meal delivery service from Methodology, but the quality is top-notch. The entire menu is free from gluten, dairy and refined sugar and includes high-quality proteins that are sustainably sourced. Plus, this service was actually utilized by researchers at Stanford Medicine in a clinical study that looked at the Mediterranean and keto diets.
How it works: Methodology’s recently revamped program offerings include:
- Signature Program: A calorie-controlled plan with 30 to 50 grams of protein per meal.
- Transformation Tribe: An eight-week weight loss group coaching program.
- Haute Mom: Designed for postpartum nourishment.
You can choose a weekly subscription or a one-time order, and opt for all three meals or no breakfasts. We like that the brand offers two meal sizes (standard or large) and allows you to get one to four days’ worth of food per week. Meals are ready to eat and can be reheated in a microwave or on a stovetop in less than 5 minutes.
Lab results: We were really impressed with not only how fresh the meals were but also how filling the generous portion sizes were. You could tell that everything was made with high-quality ingredients, and the meals received rave reviews in taste tests. Testers appreciated that the meals and snacks come in nice reusable containers too. “I loved the presentation. The meals were fresh and even filled up my husband,” one tester said. “Even though the food was on the healthier side, everything was beyond delicious.” Plus, everything is cooked in avocado or olive oil.
There are some restrictions to consider with this service. The menus are largely pre-set, and the cost is higher than other services we tested, but the quality definitely reflects that. Our dietitians also point out that although the meals are nutritionally balanced, the brand does not disclose the sodium in the meals, so keep this in mind if you need to follow a low-sodium diet.
| Cost | Meals range from $20 to $35. |
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| Packaging | The bento bowls and glass jars are fully reusable and recyclable. They are also dishwasher-safe. |
| Availability | Now delivering nationwide. |
How we test meal delivery services
To find the best meal delivery options, we recruited over 300 at-home testers to prepare and review the services in addition to our in-house food and nutrition experts. We evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services, ranging from fully prepared options to traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card.
We made our selections based on expert evaluation and tester feedback, including overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability. Our picks for the best prepared meal delivery services cater to a wide variety of special diets and dietary preferences including gluten-free, organic, vegetarian and more. We’ve also found that customization is important to many testers, so we took that into account. Although taste is subjective, we chose companies that scored high points overall with testers.
For prepared meal delivery services, we assess how easy it is to navigate and utilize the service’s website. We look for robust menu variety, ample dietary preferences to accommodate different needs, multiple reheating options and delicious and inventive meals.
We also evaluate the quality of the meal and how well it reheats. We look for packaging that keeps the food safe but also incorporates sustainable features. Other major factors include cost and delivery ranges, which we strongly consider in our tests.
As a result of our testing, we believe the companies spotlighted in this article deserve recognition for their performance in their categories. That said, this is a fast-growing segment in the food industry, and we’re likely to see more new entrants emerging in the near future. We are always testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date.
If these choices are above your budget, check out our guide to the best cheap meal delivery services, or for a more comprehensive guide, our guide to the best meal delivery services.
What to look for when selecting a prepared meal delivery service
If you’re looking at prepared meal delivery, you have already narrowed down the type of service that is best for your lifestyle. Here are some other considerations when selecting the ideal option for you:
✔️ Dietary preferences: Prepared meal delivery services tend to cater to different dietary restrictions and preferences. But if you have any serious food allergies, you’ll want to ensure that the service you choose is equipped to handle that.
✔️ Quantity: Premade meal delivery services typically only service one person per meal. If you’re trying to feed a family, consider a larger meal delivery kit or a service that offers prepared family meals.
✔️ Cost: Finding a meal delivery service within your budget is key. Prepared meal delivery services are generally pricier than meal kits since the food comes fully prepared. But many brands offer discounts when you sign up for the service or if you refer a friend, and you can often take advantage of better pricing if you order more meals.
✔️ Delivery range: Double-check to make sure that the service ships to your area. (This is especially true for those living in Hawaii or Alaska.) Most meal delivery services incur a flat shipping fee, though some will offer complimentary shipping if your order is over a certain limit.
✔️ Sustainability: It can be tricky to find the balance between packaging that keeps food safe and packaging that is sustainable. But we’ve seen many of the leading meal delivery service brands find innovative ways to focus on sustainability while ensuring good shipping quality. Almost every service will have specific instructions on how to recycle or dispose of all of the items in the box on its website.
What are the benefits of prepared meal delivery services?
Having premade meals delivered right to your doorstep is of course convenient, but there are a few other factors that make this type of meal delivery worth it:
✔️ Saves time: Prepared meal delivery services take the prep work out of mealtime. They also eliminate the need to navigate busy supermarkets and are less likely to create a mess in the kitchen.
✔️ Portion control: Most prepared meal delivery services are portioned for one person, which may help assist with weight management depending on the nutritional makeup of the meal.
✔️ Customization: Not all takeout restaurants allow you to make changes to set dishes, but prepared meal delivery services are increasingly offering more accommodations for different dietary preferences and restrictions.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for herself and her family without having to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Prepared meal delivery services are something that she relies on throughout the week, especially for lunches during busy days. Stefani has led meal delivery testing efforts for the Good Housekeeping Institute for the past five years and is well-versed in the current meal delivery landscape.
Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.
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