Best Meal Delivery Services
Meal delivery services provide fresh or frozen prepared foods for a fee. Use our guide to research the best meal delivery service for you. We explain what to look for in services that offer meals in packages or individual plans. Many companies are oriented toward weight loss, but some are designed for individuals and families with busy schedules. Ordering online and getting delivery to your door is fast and easy.
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| Offers meal plan kits for at-home delivery. Choose from four categories: Classic, Vegetarian, Family-Friendly and Low Calorie. Customize plan preference and plan size. Meals starting at $7.49 per serving. |  | Get Started | |||
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| Delivers vegetarian, diabetic-friendly and keto meals for weight loss starting at $121.99 a week. Designed to help you lose 1 to 3 pounds weekly. Meal programs include diet analysis and coaching. Rotating five-week menu. |  | Get Started | |||
Weight loss plan. Provides weekly one-on-one coaching and personalized nutrition plans. Members lose one to three pounds per week on average. Available throughout the U.S. Guarantees you lose 15% of weight or agreed-upon goal. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Enjoy ready-to-eat meals starting at $8.99/meal when you order 12 meals per week. You can also order 4, 6 or 9 meals per week. Meals are pre-portioned and ready to heat and eat. Gluten- and peanut-free facility and meals. |  | Get Started | ||||
Offers meal delivery plans starting around $100 a week. Five-day, seven-day and customizable weight loss packages. Provides support and guidance from a dietician. Gluten-free, diabetic-friendly and heart-healthy products. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Offers drink detoxes, cleanses and detox soups. Vegan, organic and gluten-free beverages. Prioritizes seven super greens. Available in 31 states on the East and West coasts. Two-week drink cleanse costs $166.50. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Based in New York, Top Chef Meals offer nutritious, chef-prepared meals with no chemicals, preservatives or trans fats. Meals are hand-plated by professional chefs and delivered to customers throughout the eastern U.S. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Delivers microwaveable meals designed for weight loss starting around $19 a day. Weight reduction program includes guidance from diet coaches and community support groups. Clients usually lose 2 to 4 pounds a week. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Send a Meal has been delivering individual foods and fully prepared, gourmet meals to customers nationwide since 2004. Located in Austin, Texas, the company offers a best price and 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Schwans is a direct-to-home food delivery service that got its start in 1952. It has over 4,000 sales and distribution centers across the United States and over 4,500 delivery trucks that deliver its frozen food brands. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
What to consider before choosing a meal delivery service
Cost
The price of a meal or plan is a major factor for most consumers when choosing a meal delivery service. Prices vary from vendor to vendor but usually fall between $8 to $10 per person per meal.
- Discounts for order size: Most services offer discounts on larger orders. This means if you purchase a monthly or weekly plan, you are more likely to receive discounted prices than if you purchase meals individually.
- Shipping: Many services provide free or discounted shipping if certain requirements are met, such as if the order is over a certain dollar amount or if the customer purchases a monthly meal plan.
Plan
Many meal-delivery services offer their meals based on a plan. This means that you receive multiple meals at once for a flat fee.
- Frequency: The frequency with which you need to order depends on what type of plan you have. Some services offer weekly plans, while others offer meals as a package for an entire month.
- Meals per day: Many plans give you the option of how many meals you want per day. You can choose from dinner-only options to three-meal options with snacks included.
Diet
Some meal services are catered to specific weight-loss plans or even dietary restrictions, which can be especially helpful for people who live far from larger grocery stores.
- Weight loss: Weight-loss plans include meals of specific portions and food types that are designed to help the customer lose weight.
- Restrictive diets: You can find meal plans that are friendly toward diabetics or those with other dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or organic.
Customization
Meal-delivery services often offer customization options to give more flexibility and control to the customer.
- Meal swapping: For customers who are purchasing a monthly or weekly plan, the customer chooses a pre-made plan, but can swap out meals or portions of a meal and replace them with their preferred dishes so that they only receive foods they enjoy. Food services that sell meals individually will often let customers swap out the included side dishes or desserts as well.
- Create your own plan: This option allows customers to pay the flat fee of a plan but choose all their own meals, rather than have them chosen by the service.
Frozen or fresh
Meal-delivery services typically ship their food frozen, but some offer fresh food, either for you to heat up or cook yourself.
- Frozen: Since many meal plans are month-long plans, the food is generally frozen for convenience, longevity and freshness.
- Fresh: Fresh (non-frozen) meals are available from some services. The prices for these meals are generally a little higher, and they can only be purchased individually or on a weekly plan.
Commitment
Some vendors require a weekly or monthly commitment, while others do not.
- Commitment: This option requires customers to commit to a weekly or monthly plan that is automatically renewed.
- Non-commitment: This option means that customers only order when they want to order, and they are not charged until they place an order at the time of their choosing.
What are different types of meal delivery services?
Weight-loss
This is the most common type of meal-delivery service. It offers meals that are specially portioned and designed so that customers are able to meet their weight-loss goals.
Paleo
This option provides meals that are compatible with a paleo diet. This means that meals are generally high in protein and gluten-free.
Gluten-free
Gluten-free plans cater to those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. Meals may be prepared in a nondedicated facility, however.
Diabetic
Some meal services provide diabetic-friendly meals. These foods are low in sugar to help diabetics maintain consistent blood-sugar levels.
Occasional
Some services offer meals for special occasions such as holidays or family events. Rather than a plan, these are a one-time purchase designed to feed a number of people rather than an individual.
Fresh
Some services ship fresh ingredients, along with a recipe. Customers then cook their own meals.
Who can benefit from a meal delivery service?
Dieters
This group of consumers is actively trying to lose weight, and meal-delivery services can help make the process easier. The preplanned meals are designed to be balanced and healthy so that consumers don't have to worry about counting calories or determining a food's nutritional value.
Busy individuals
Some people's schedules do not leave them with much time to cook or prepare meals, and hiring a personal chef may not be financially viable. For these customers, meal-delivery services are helpful as they provide meals in advance that can be reheated or cooked whenever they prefer.
People with restrictive diets
For people with diabetes, gluten sensitivities or other restrictive dietary needs, some meal-delivery services offer foods that cater to these individual needs. There are also plans designed with the health of older adults in mind. This makes meal planning simpler because consumers do not have to come up with new meal ideas or wonder about a meal's compatibility with their health restrictions.
Meal delivery service FAQ
Can you lose weight with meal delivery?
Are there any meal delivery services for one person?
Is there a meal delivery service for diabetics?
What temperature would you reject a delivery of frozen food?
- Chilled food should be no warmer than 41 degrees.
- Frozen food should be completely frozen when it arrives.
If you have reason to believe that the food is warmer than it should be, call the meal delivery company.
When was food delivery invented?
Are frozen meals bad for you?
Meal delivery service author reviews
A Berlin-based company with U.S. headquarters in New York City, HelloFresh delivers fresh ingredients and recipes to the customers each week for them to prepare at home. The company even partners with famed chef Jamie Oliver for exclusive recipes.
- Various options: HelloFresh offers options for vegetarians, as well as larger boxes for families.
- Subscription service: HelloFresh sells a "subscription" that automatically renews each week unless you opt out.
- Wide delivery range: The company delivers anywhere in the continental U.S.
- Small suppliers: Food is purchased from smaller suppliers for the freshest ingredients.
- Choose your meals: You can choose which meals you receive each week to suit your own individual tastes and needs.
Founded in Westchester County, N.Y., by caterer Paul Ghiron, Top Chef Meals prides itself on providing gourmet, restaurant-quality meals that are both healthy and affordable. It ships its food frozen and delivers to most of the United States.
Frozen, doctor-designed meals delivered with the distinct dietary needs of men and women in mind. Customizable menus run five or seven days, starting at $89.96, with gluten-free and diabetic options.
Founded in 2001, Healthy Chef Creations delivers meals fresh, not frozen, to the customer's door each week. The Winter Park, Fla., based company's gourmet, chef-prepared food is entirely organic.
- All organic: Healthy Chef Creations' foods are all organic and free of chemicals and pesticides.
- Plan variety: The company's wide variety of plans appeals to dieters, individuals, families, expectant moms, new moms and more.
- Kid friendly: Healthy Chef Creations offers school lunch options for children, adding another dimension for busy families.
- Fresh food: Meals are prepared and delivered fresh each week.
- Chef-prepared foods: Foods are "spa-inspired" and created by chefs for unique, delicious meals.
MagicKitchen.com's founder started the company in Oakland, Calif., to bring busy families together at dinner time, and to provide nutritious dining options for seniors. From its Kansas City, Kan., distribution center, MagicKitchen.com delivers to all of the U.S. It also offers a variety of options for people with dietary restrictions.
- Individual meals: MagicKitchen.com sells frozen meals individually for flexibility.
- Friendly for people with dietary restrictions: The site offers a wide variety of options for people with special dietary needs, including diabetic-friendly meals, low sodium, dairy-free, gluten-free, renal diet and more.
- Auto-ship meal programs: It offers an auto-ship meal program at a discounted price for people who want to buy meals on a weekly or monthly basis without having to reorder.
- Gift options: You can also send meals as gifts.
- Food variety: Customers can choose entrees as well as accompanying sides, desserts, soups and breads.
Based in Lorton, Va., Diet-to-Go features meal plans to help customers meet weight-loss goals. It offers both fresh and frozen food options, with three different meal plans to accommodate various dietary needs.
- Frozen or fresh: Diet-to-Go ships frozen meals to anywhere in the continental U.S., but it also offers three locations on the East Coast and two in California where customers can pick up fresh meals.
- Three different plans: In addition to its main "Balance" plan, Diet-to-Go also offers a plan for diabetics and pre-diabetics and one low-carb plan.
- Chef-prepared: The meals are planned and prepared by a chef for top-quality taste.
- Customizable: The plans offer customization options so customers can swap in meals to suit their tastes.
- High tech: You can sync up your plan with a FitBit or smartphone to more easily track calories.
Founded in 2012 in New York City, Blue Apron delivers fresh ingredients and recipes to customers who then prepare and cook the food themselves. The company also offers a monthly wine subscription of six wines with pairing notes.
Launched in 2004 in Austin, Texas, Send a Meal offers family-sized meals that customers can buy for themselves or send as gifts. For convenience, the meals can be ordered on an individual basis or as part of a meal plan.
Based in Chicago, Home Chef sends fresh ingredients and recipes to customers each week for them to cook their own meals. The company's algorithm suggests meals for you based on your "taste profile," which details what you do and don’t like to eat.
New York City-based Plated sends a box of fresh ingredients and recipes to customers each week for them to prepare their own meals. Each week the service offers nine different recipes to choose from, with dessert options as well. Two of the meals are designated as Chef's Table recipes, with specialty cuts of meat and market-priced seafood.
- Antibiotic-free: All meats come from animals that were not given antibiotics.
- Easy delivery: Food is delivered in refrigerated boxes so ingredients stay cold in case the food is delivered when you're not home.
- Subscription service: Plated's subscription service automatically renews weekly unless you choose to opt out.
- Plan variety: The company offers plans with two, three or four meals weekly so customers can tailor the service to their budget and schedule.
- Unique meals: Plated's menu offers unique, chef-designed, out-of-the-ordinary meals to expand your food horizons.
Compare Top Meal Delivery Service Reviews | ||||||
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Headquartered in Chicago, Home Chef provides all customers need to cook restaurant-quality meals for two, four or six people in 30 minutes or less. The company caters for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diets. | | Get Started | ||||
Offers local delivery from restaurants, grocery stores and other shops. Order through the Postmates app. Delivery fees start at $0.99. Available in all 50 states. |  | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Blue Apron provides fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and seasonal recipes through its two-person and family meal plans. The company also offers a monthly wine subscription service that delivers wines to complement its meals. | | Get Started | ||||
A meal kit delivery subscription service. Offers full meals with recipes delivered weekly. Specializes in specific diets, including plant-based, keto and paleo. Uses sustainably-sourced and certified organic ingredients. |  | Get Started | ||||
| Read Author Review | Founded in 2012, Plated is a subscription service that provides fresh, seasonal ingredients and chef-designed recipes. The company ships from California, New York, Florida and Illinois, and delivers to 95 percent of the U.S. | | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
| Read Author Review | Healthy Chef Creations has been delivering fresh, gourmet prepared meals without chemicals, pesticides or additives nationwide since 2001. The company offers all-inclusive Meal Programs and an À La Carte Menu. | | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
| Read Author Review | MagicKitchen offers healthy, chef-prepared meals created using fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced within the U.S. Meals are flash-frozen and shipped nationally from the company's distribution center in Kansas. | | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
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