Cooking for one can sometimes feel like a chore, leading to food waste and uninspired meals. Meal kits offer a convenient solution, providing pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes that save time and reduce waste. While many meal kits cater to couples and families, several options are ideal for single individuals. This article explores some of the best meal kits for singles, considering factors like variety, portion sizes, dietary options, and overall value.
Meal Kit Services Designed for One
Several meal kit services stand out due to their focus on single-serving options or features that make them particularly well-suited for individuals.
1. Factor: Convenient and Health-Conscious Prepared Meals
Factor is a popular meal delivery service known for its healthy, single-serving prepared meals that are ready in less than three minutes. It's best known for its keto and paleo options, but also has plant-based meals as well. Each meal contains organic, non-GMO ingredients and is free of sugar, soy, and gluten. Kunik re-orders the service during busy weeks when her kids aren't at home, and she doesn't feel the need to cook. "And, honestly, they taste as good as anything I’d make at home," she says. Kunik enjoys the ability to choose between different diet options each week since she likes a mix of meat, seafood, and plant-based meals in her diet. "The portions are perfectly-sized, and a few times, I had to save leftovers to snack on later in the day as the meals really are filling," she says. So far, one of her favorite meals is the Shredded Chicken Taco Bowl With Roasted Corn Salsa. The only downside to Factor Meals is that we found some of the options contain a lot of sodium, similar to the meals from CookUnity. "As someone who’s pretty sensitive to salt, I forgot to select my meals one week and was a little disappointed that a couple of the options that were sent in my box had more sodium than I would usually eat," Kunik says. With Factor, it's important to keep in mind to remember to choose your meals before your scheduled delivery date. If not, you could end up with dishes you'd prefer to skip over.
Pros:
- Meals are ready in less than 3 minutes
- Many diet options to choose from
- Most of the packaging is recyclable
Cons:
- Some of the meals are high in sodium
2. Sprinly: Fresh, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Meals
Sprinly offers freshly prepared meals that are vegan, gluten-free, and made with organic ingredients.
Pros:
- All meals are plant-based
- Gluten-free
3. Tovala: Smart Oven Integration for Effortless Cooking
Tovala is a meal delivery service that consists of a smart oven, an app, and meal kits that make cooking as simple as scanning a QR code. Basically, you purchase the Tovala oven which cooks Tovala meals via WiFi.
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4. Snap Kitchen: Dietician-Designed, Freshly Prepared Meals
Snap Kitchen offers freshly prepared meals made with dietician-designed portions, macros, and ingredients. All the food is free from hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, artificial flavoring, and gluten, and arrives in compostable packaging.
5. Meal Pro: Customizable and Pre-Cooked Meals
Meal Pro specializes in customizable, pre-cooked meals. Portions can be adjusted to feature extra protein or double veggies, and entrees are labeled by weight. Meals take just a few minutes to heat up and are great if you're on the go.
6. Veestro: High-Quality, Single-Serving Vegan Meals
Veestro is a meal delivery service that sends high-quality, single-serving vegan meals straight to your doorstep.
7. ModifyHealth: Health-Condition Specific Meals
ModifyHealth processes all meals in a gluten-free facility and commits to using non-GMO ingredients. There are diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, low-FODMAP, heart-friendly, carb-conscious, and Mediterranean diet menu items available each week.
8. Daily Harvest: Smoothies, Bowls, and More for Lighter Meals
Associate news editor Charlotte Walsh tried a huge variety of meals from Daily Harvest, including Forager bowls, meal bowls, rice dishes, smoothies, and frozen pop treats. Her favorites were the pops, which were super sweet and natural-tasting, and the Strawberry Peach Smoothie, which tasted exactly like her favorite $15 one from Whole Foods for half the price. WH contributor Neha Tandon also tried the meal delivery service for our Daily Harvest Review article and absolutely raved about it. "These meals are surprisingly delicious considering the ingredients in them. Every ingredient listed is a fruit, vegetable, or mineral-they're even pretty low in salt yet somehow delicious," she said in the review. You should keep in mind that Daily Harvest's portions are definitely a lot smaller than the ones offers by other meal delivery services on this list. The protein content and calories of most options are too small to truly count as a full meal. That being said, if you're a single person looking to eat smaller, more frequent meals, as opposed to a larger meal once or twice a day, or looking for healthy snacks to supplement your diet, Daily Harvest can definitely be a good option for that. Each week you can choose between 9+ items, 14+ items, or 24+ items, which makes this an ideal delivery service for single people since you can customize the amount of food you get. They can cut down costs by delivering just the right amount of food or ingredients you need without forcing you to spend money on any extra food that may go bad before you're able to use it. Plus, in our experience living in New York City, we found that most of the services on this list were cheaper per meal than ordering takeout at a fast casual restaurant.
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Pros:
- High-quality smoothies at a good price
- Three quantity options to choose from each week
- Volume-based discounts
- Multiple options of smoothies, treats, breakfasts, dinners, flatbreads, and more
Cons:
- Meals are low in protein
- Several meals had a watery texture when warmed up
Meal Kits with Two Servings (Great for Leftovers)
While not specifically designed for singles, these meal kits offer two servings per recipe, making them a good option if you enjoy leftovers or want to share a meal occasionally.
1. Hungryroot: Customizable Groceries and Meal Kits
When it came to the best ones for singles, Hungryroot was our best pick overall because the service allows you to easily choose foods that help meet nutrition goals at a price that's affordable enough to be an excellent deal for the value. The brand's most affordable plan starts at just $69 a week. Talbert loved her experience with Hungryroot. Everything from the easy ordering and customization options allowing her to choose protein-forward meals to the detailed instructions and delicious end results exceeded her expectations. “I had marked off that I wanted my meals to be protein-forward and Hungryroot definitely delivered on that by sending me meals that were more focused on veggies, lean meats, and high-protein snacks,” Talbert says. The meals do take time to prep-for Talbert, some meals took as little as eight minutes, while others went up to 25. All in all she found her meals very flavorful and satiating, especially raving about the lemon pepper chicken she was sent. Her only note was that some of the meals were higher in sodium than she would have liked, though the service does offer low-sodium options. In addition to the diet choices of omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan, you can choose from nutritional plans that include anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly, immunity-boosting, carb-conscious, high protein, less sugar, and less sodium. You can also filter the recipes to include ones that are under 500 calories if you're on a weight loss journey. That's more diet options than most services on this list. For example, the Pasta With Chicken Pesto Talbert had was almost enough for two people, she says. So, with some meals, you can basically save half for another meal, and make it a two-for-one deal. If you're looking to cut down food costs, Hungryroot is a great meal delivery service to do it with.
Pros:
- Multiple options for breakfast, lunches, and dinners
- Can also order groceries for one-stop shopping
- Detailed, easy to follow instructions
Cons:
- Some of the meals are very high in sodium
2. Purple Carrot: Vegan Meal Kits and Prepared Meals
Purple Carrot is one of the best meal delivery services for vegans and offers both prepared meals for singles as well as traditional meal kits. Engel has been testing Purple Carrot at home and loves how well it fits into her fast-paced plant-based lifestyle. “I’m an incredibly on-the-go person who doesn’t love spending hours cooking dinner on weeknights or meal prepping on weekends, so the ready-to-eat veggie meals-that just required popping in the oven or microwave-were absolutely ideal,” Engel says. Her favorite recipe in the order was the Blueberry Overnight Oats. The prep time was only five minutes, and it made breakfast and lunch incredibly easy and delicious throughout the week. Unlike Green Chef (further down on this list), Purple Carrot delivers prepared meals, so there's no need to fuss around with any ingredients. If you're a single person who doesn't have much time or just haven't mastered the art of cooking for one, Purple Carrot is an easy way to explore a vegan lifestyle. While the only actual diet plan offered is vegan, the meals have various nutritional preferences listed, such as <600 calories, soy-free, nut-free, low sodium, gluten-free, high-protein, and high-fiber, so you can choose meals that align with your unique goals. But keep in mind that even though most of the menu options are loaded with vegetables and whole grains, they're not all healthy. Some menu items, like the French Patty Melts, have over half a day's worth of sodium, while others may be too low in protein. While Purple Carrot's meals are nutrient-rich, they won't make a great option for those who like to indulge in meat or fish occasionally. But if you're looking to add variety to your vegan meals, Purple Carrot is an excellent way to do that. Plus, the serving sizes are usually just enough for one.
3. Home Chef: Customizable Meals with Various Prep Options
Kunik's favorite feature about Home Chef meals is that it offers an option of ordering meals at different stages. "I could order a full meal kit, an oven-ready meal, and a Fast and Fresh meal that just needed to be assembled and cooked through," she explains. "Having the option for multiple types of prep makes it easy when you have several busy days, but enjoy the process of cooking when you have time." The meal types also run the gamut of cuisines, whether you're looking for vegetarian plates like a Hawaiian-Style BBQ Tofu Flatbread or a meat-eater friendly plate like a Pear Chutney Pork Chop. Kunik particularly enjoyed that the oven-ready meals made clean-up easy, since they can be prepped right in their tins. That being said, prepare to spend anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour if you opt for meals that aren't "heat and eat" options. When it comes to portion size, the meals pack just enough for one person, making them truly ideal for single people. One health-related flaw that's a common theme among many menu items is the extremely high sodium content. Several options have over two-thirds of the recommended daily limit for sodium in just one serving. If you're salt-sensitive or looking to limit your intake, you might find the acceptable meal options limited. Kunik's only note was that she wishes the meals stayed fresh for longer. "If I have to choose one con about my Home Fresh meal delivery, it’s that all three meals I got for the week had instructions to use within three to four days of delivery," she says. This is in contrast to other meal delivery services like Factor, which deliver fresh meals that can last up to a whole week in the fridge.
Pros:
- Multiple meal types are available
- Many diets to choose from
- Easy-to-follow recipes
Cons:
- Meal expiration dates are less than a week
- Uses more plastic than competitors, and recycling is inconvenient
4. HelloFresh: Family-Friendly Recipes with Leftovers
HelloFresh is a meal delivery service that offers largely crowd-pleasing classics, with a few unexpected options mixed in.
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5. Green Chef: Organic Ingredients and Balanced Meals
Green Chef is all about using fresh, sustainable, organic ingredients in their healthy meals- and they don't skimp on flavor, either! Their meal kits include a variety of options from fresh twists on classics to globally inspired ideas. Rest assured that everything you get is GMO-free, USDA-certified organic, sustainable and traceable, and best of all, designed with amateur cooks in mind.
6. Blue Apron: Culinary Experience with Meal Kits and Prepared Meals
Blue Apron has a bit of a reputation for coming up with recipes that are surprising and delicious, so it's a great choice for adventurous foodies who are dining solo at home! Their balanced meals are globally influenced and use seasonal produce that comes pre-portioned. The company takes sustainability seriously and aims to use responsibly farmed meats and produce as often as possible.
7. Sunbasket: Caters to a Handful of Dietary Preferences
Sunbasket caters to a handful of dietary preferences. There are Diabetes-Friendly, Keto-Friendly, Vegan, and Pescatarian meals, and they have both meal kits and Fresh & Ready meals.
8. CookUnity: Chef-Created Meals with a Focus on Flavor
There was one option that we tested that exceeded at freshness, and that was CookUnity. The meals never arrive frozen, and the label even includes a photo and name of the chef that prepared your order. Aloian loved every meal she tried from CookUnity. Her favorites include the steak and lamb meals that were made complete with a vegetable and a starch, leaving her satiated after eating. “It's the perfect lunch or weeknight dinner meal for when I don't feel like cooking-I just heat them up in the microwave or oven,” Aloian says. The service allows you to choose between four and 16 meals each week with a choice to add a number of treats, breakfasts, and drinks to your order. You can also select specific diets, including paleo and keto, or narrow down your choices based on calories or low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-sodium options. While the meals are fresh, they aren't made with boring ingredients, and we found CookUnity's dishes to actually be some of the most 'restaurant-like' dishes on this list with enough food for just one person. Think: flavorful options like Bulgogi Beef Ramen or Blackened Shrimp and Grits. While services like Purple Carrot and Home Chef definitely help you meet your nutrition goals, CookUnity seems to place more of an emphasis on flavor, so curating a weekly menu is definitely a fun task if you're a single foodie.
Pros:
- Chef-created meals are delicious and interesting
- Large menu to choose from
- Add on’s of breakfast, treats, and drinks available
Cons:
- Only two specific diets
- Not available in all states
9. EveryPlate: Budget-Friendly Meal Kits
Like Dinnerly, EveryPlate is a budget-friendly meal delivery service, but it differs because it doesn’t focus too much on nutritious meals. EveryPlate offers meal kit options that fall into the "low-cost" category, so it's a great choice for those who don't want to splurge on dinner.
Additional Meal Kit Services
Several other meal kit services cater to various dietary needs and preferences, offering options for singles who are looking for specific types of meals.
1. Paleo on the Go: For Paleo Diet Followers
Paleo on the Go is a meal service for people who would like to follow the paleo diet. They offer a wide range of foods, including bundle packages and seasonal items.
2. Dinnerly: Affordable Meal Kits for Budget-Conscious Diners
Dinnerly offers one of the most affordable meal kits on the market, so it's great for solo diners who are on a budget. This meal delivery service can also work for big eaters who want to double up on portions without breaking the bank.
3. Gobble: Quick and Easy 15-Minute Meals
Gobble is the meal kit that promises to help you get dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less.
4. Martha & Marley Spoon: Martha Stewart-Inspired Recipes
Martha Stewart is the "Martha" in Martha & Marley Spoon, so if you're a fan of her style of elevated home cooking, you're bound to love the recipes offered by this meal kit delivery service.
5. BistroMD: Doctor-Designed Weight Loss Meals
BistroMD offers a convenient solution for those aiming to lose weight or manage health conditions through diet. This service provides single-serving meals for every day of the week, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner (plus snacks), eliminating the need for cooking and calorie counting.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Meal Kit
- Dietary Preferences: Consider any dietary restrictions or preferences you have, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or low-carb.
- Cooking Skills: Choose a meal kit that matches your cooking abilities. Some kits require more preparation and cooking time than others.
- Time Commitment: Determine how much time you're willing to spend on meal preparation. Some meal kits offer quick and easy options, while others require more involved cooking.
- Portion Sizes: Decide whether you prefer single-serving meals or if you're comfortable with leftovers.
- Budget: Meal kit prices vary, so consider your budget and choose a service that fits your needs.
- Variety: Look for a meal kit service that offers a diverse menu with rotating options to keep things interesting.
- Sustainability: If sustainability is important to you, consider meal kits that use eco-friendly packaging and source ingredients responsibly.