Meal kits and their delivery services have risen in popularity in recent years. If you’re looking to try one but don’t know where to start, we’ve done the research for you.
Let’s start at the beginning.
What is a meal kit?
A meal kit delivery service brings you all the ingredients and recipes you need to create delicious, home-cooked dinners, kit-style with just the right amount of everything for set portions. Think Home Chef or Hello Fresh. The meal kit industry is full of other similar brands, each with their own angle on meal kits.
Do meal kits save you money? How about time?
Meal kit companies each have their own approach to the concept. While some focus on affordability, others charge a little more for convenience or specialty ingredients. Overall, prices range from a little under $5 a meal to a little over $15 a meal, and it varies how much prep work is done for you.
Our picks for an affordable meal kit:
- EveryPlate – $4.99/meal
- Dinnerly – $4.69/meal
Our picks for a time-saving meal kit:
- Gobble – Boasts the claim “make dinner in 15 minutes”
- Freshly – No cooking required – but never frozen. Just heat & serve.
Are meal kit recipes tasty? Healthy?
Some meal subscriptions are more focused on health while some are more focused on taste, and many try to balance both. Likewise, some are about teaching gourmet cooking techniques, while others are about making it simple for anyone to cook no matter their skill level.
Our picks for a gourmet meal kit:
- Martha & Marley Spoon – Yes, that Martha. Of course these meals are gourmet.
- Blue Apron – The recipes are a little more involved and you can even add on a wine pairing service for an additional cost.
Our picks for a health conscious meal kit:
- Sunbasket – Organic produce, antibiotic-free meat, and fresh-caught wild seafood. All meals are nutritionist approved.
- Hungry Root – It’s right on their homepage: “Healthy groceries with simple recipes.” Perfect if you’re looking for a health conscious option.
Do meal kit services offer boxes for dietary restrictions?
To stay competitive, nearly all meal kits in the market now offer boxes to suit dietary restrictions. However, there are some services that don’t just offer them as a substitute, but have made a whole business around special diets.
Our picks for a specialty diet meal kit:
- Purple Carrot – 100% vegan
- Snap Kitchen – Choose from options including keto-friendly, Paleo, dairy-free and more then select a calorie goal. These meals are practically guaranteed to fit into any diet plan. Plus all meals are gluten-free no matter which plan you choose.
There are so many meal delivery services out there, even ones just for kids like Yumble and Little Spoon. With such a wide variety of options, it’s easy to find what works for you. And if you’re looking to upgrade your cookware and utensils before your first box arrives, you can shop for everything you need at etundra.com.