Unlock the Best Good Food Subscription Deals: Honest Reviews & Ultimate Guide

Navigating the world of meal kit and prepared meal delivery services can be overwhelming. This article provides a comprehensive review of several popular options, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the best service for your needs.

Blue Apron

Pros: Wide variety of gourmet recipes, fresh ingredients, suitable for all cooking levels, subscription no longer required.Cons: Premium options increase the cost, noticeable plastic packaging.Best For: Couples and families seeking gourmet recipes and quality ingredients.

Blue Apron, a pioneer in the meal delivery kit industry, has evolved its model to offer an à la carte experience. Customers can now select from over 35 gourmet recipes each week, including options like Miso Glazed Salmon and Calabrian Shrimp and Orzo. For those who prefer minimal prep, Blue Apron also offers one-pan meals and fresh, ready-made meals. Meal prep proteins and Splendid Spoon smoothies can be added for extra convenience.

The recipes are consistently excellent, featuring creative twists and incredible flavor profiles. Blue Apron is committed to high-quality, fresh ingredients, with the recipe kits generally offering better quality than the premade dishes. Calorie- and carb-conscious options are available, as well as fast, easy recipes that can be prepared in about 15 minutes, such as Poblano Sausage Gnocchi.

Testers have praised the variety and creativity of the recipes, finding the meals delicious and inventive. The recipe cards provide clear, step-by-step instructions. One tester described Blue Apron as "a solution for busy people who like to explore new recipes and ingredients," noting that it's "adventurous without being extreme." Another highlighted the consistently fresh ingredients and the great variety of proteins and spices used.

While Blue Apron offers a fantastic meal kit experience, the price per serving is average, but can increase with premium items. The service uses a noticeable amount of plastic packaging, though many components are curbside recyclable. Some pantry basics, such as salt and pepper, are not included in the kits.

EveryPlate

Pros: Affordable and delicious meals, most meals can be made in under 30 minutes, nice variety of ingredients and recipes, helpful recipe cards with photos, sustainable packaging.Cons: Ingredients are not as organized as other services, may need more pantry staples on hand.Best For: Home cooks on a budget looking for affordable, tasty recipes.

EveryPlate stands out for its fixed price of $5.99 per serving, making it one of the most affordable meal kit services available. The kits are uncomplicated, and while the packaging may not be as fancy as other services, the food quality remains excellent. Each week, EveryPlate offers a solid variety of 32 comfort-food meals, including options like Cheesy Southwest Beef Tacodillas and Super Smashed Burgers. Managing your subscription is easy through your account.

The meals are surprisingly tasty, and vegetarian meals, quick and easy recipes, and smart and fit options are available. The app is useful for ordering and following along with full recipes. Testers have praised the variety of meals and the freshness of the ingredients, as well as the helpful instructions with pictures. One tester noted that "Everything was awesome, from the ingredients to the completeness of the recipes provided." Another shared that they enjoyed making the meals and learning new techniques.

One drawback is that the ingredients aren't as carefully packaged as with other kits, requiring some sorting to match ingredients to recipes. You may also need a few more pantry staples on hand, like butter, oil, and sometimes flour. However, the box and packaging materials are sturdy, ensuring that the ingredients remain cold and fresh even when delivery is delayed.

Green Chef

Pros: USDA-certified organic company, neatly organized meal kits, multiple plans to accommodate different dietary preferences, solid portion sizes.Cons: Some recipe instructions can be a bit complex, may require multiple pans and bowls.Best For: Health-conscious couples and families looking for quality organic fare.

Green Chef sets itself apart with its commitment to certified organic ingredients sourced directly from sustainable farms. Each week, the service offers a robust menu with more than 44 chef-crafted meals, such as Barramundi with White Bean Couscous and Pork Filet with Sriracha Apricot Sauce. The meal plans cover a wide range of diets, including Mediterranean, Carb Smart, High Protein, Calorie Smart, Plant-Based, Quick and Easy, Gluten-Free, and Functional Nutrition. Managing your subscription is straightforward.

The quality of the ingredients and the thoughtful packaging are impressive. The kits arrive neatly organized and pre-portioned, which makes cooking less stressful. The recipes are vibrant and flavorful, and the app is great for managing your meal choices or following the recipe steps. Testers have praised the substantial portions and fresh flavors. One said, "I was so impressed with all the portions and the freshness of the products. Every meal was super easy to prepare." Another added, "The food tasted fresher than other meal kits I've tried."

Some testers have mentioned that a few recipes required multiple pans and bowls, leading to more cleanup. The instructions can sometimes be a little complex, but the pictures on the recipe cards help clarify and make everything easier to follow.

Dinnerly

Pros: Affordable and easy recipes, over 100 weekly dishes to choose from, large selection of vegetarian offerings, printed recipe cards now available,sustainable packaging.Cons: Items don't come as organized as other services, you'll need a few pantry staples.Best For: Couples and families looking for simple and easy budget-friendly recipes.

Dinnerly offers one of the most extensive weekly menus, with over 100 recipes to choose from, including vegetarian and reduced-carb options. It's more affordable than most meal delivery services, and the price per serving actually drops the more meals you order. The brand used to offer only digital recipe cards, but now you can choose to get printed cards in your box. Managing your subscription is straightforward.

Dinnerly keeps costs low by using fewer ingredients per dish and simple, uncomplicated packaging. The meals are very low-effort, requiring minimal chopping and prep, and usually contain just a few ingredients to create something delicious, such as Thai-Style Ground Turkey Stir-Fry and Low-Cal Baked Feta Pasta. Testers raved about how much easier Dinnerly was to prepare than other meal delivery services. They were also happy with the variety of recipes and gave the dishes top marks for flavor and for using fresh ingredients.

The meals work well for beginner cooks, with one tester adding, "I would recommend this meal subscription because of the variety of meals, portion size, easy-to-follow recipes, and most importantly, the wonderful taste." Families also enjoyed the Picky Eater Approved meals each week. Plus, you can choose recipes and schedule delivery through Dinnerly's app.

To minimize packaging waste, some items are shipped loose in the box, requiring extra time sorting through the ingredients. You'll also need a few pantry staples, such as eggs, flour, garlic, and cooking oil. The meals weren't as premium as those of some other services, but they were still tasty and well-balanced.

Sunbasket

Pros: Traditional kits, premade meals and semi-prepared options. Customizable proteins, family-friendly meals available at affordable prices, sustainable packaging.Cons: Not as robust a selection as other services.Best For: Sustainably-minded eaters looking for healthier fare.

Sunbasket is a versatile option, offering a wide variety of choices, from standard meal kits to premade dishes. Every recipe is crafted by chefs and registered dietitians, featuring high-quality ingredients and organic produce. While the meal selection isn't huge, you can add standalone proteins to your box. Managing your subscription is simple.

Sunbasket offers plans for paleo, carb-conscious, gluten-free-friendly, keto-friendly, diabetes-friendly, Mediterranean, vegetarian, and pescatarian diets. The menu features standout dishes, including Barramundi with White Bean Couscous and Pork Filet with Sriracha Apricot Sauce. The premade meals heat best in the oven, but the microwavable option is handy when you are short on time. Sunbasket's sustainable packaging and delivery efforts are a major commitment for the brand. Testers loved the creative, unique recipes, with 100% saying the service encouraged them to try something new. The breakfast options were also a big hit.

Sunbasket occasionally substitutes ingredients in your box due to seasonal produce availability. It consistently delivers a reliable experience, with good meals, solid packaging, and well-done recipe cards. Ingredients are all pre-portioned for each recipe, and they have a vast selection of dishes that rotate weekly.

HelloFresh

Pros: Traditional kits, premade meals and oven-ready meals. Easy to follow instruction cards, superior packaging in terms of both performance and sustainability.Cons: Some meals can feel a bit basic or repetitive, occasional ingredient substitutions occur without prior notice.Best For: Couples and families looking for easy, fresh meals with plenty of flexibility.

HelloFresh offers new ready-made meals that simply need to be heated quickly, as well as prep-and-bake dishes that require quick preparation and then oven cooking. Subscription is easy to cancel directly from your account.

The instruction cards are easy to follow, and the packaging is superior to other services in terms of both performance and sustainability. You can also add grocery items as needed. They offer some quick and impressive meals, such as Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein, which can be prepared in 15 minutes. Additionally, they provide pescatarian and vegetarian options, including Zucchini Pomodoro Penne Bake. Their app is surprisingly easy to navigate when selecting meals each week.

Testers gave this service top overall scores for quality, saying that the food tasted great. One tester noted that they'd gladly use this service again because "it was easy to use and motivated me to cook rather than just order something in," and that they "loved not having to think about what meals I wanted to make and then have to buy all the ingredients."

Some meals can feel a bit basic or repetitive if you're looking for more gourmet or adventurous fare. Plus, occasional ingredient substitutions occur without prior notice. The service used to offer only smaller meal plans, but now you can order kits for up to six people, making it a great choice for most families.

Home Chef

Pros: Meal variety, organized packaging, sustainable.Cons: Recipes and flavors feel traditional, packaging can feel wasteful.Best For: Most people.

Home Chef is a meal delivery service that gives you options between meal kits, heat-and-eat meals, and grill-ready selections. It does require a subscription, but you can cancel any time or skip a week if you don’t want a shipment. Home Chef is one of the most highly rated meal delivery services across the board.

Home Chef sent me recipes I wouldn’t have thought of myself and that taught me techniques I genuinely wouldn’t have tried on my own. For weeks when you’re particularly busy, Home Chef offers oven-ready meals that come with their own tin and grill-ready meals that arrive in a foil bag. Or, you could opt for the more traditional preportioned “express” 30-minute meal kits, prepped 15-minute meal kits, or the Fast & Fresh option, a fully prepared meal you just have to stick in the oven or microwave. On weeks where you have more time to spare and are genuinely looking to gain recipe inspiration and even learn some new cooking skills, Home Chef’s “Culinary Collection” offers some more advanced recipes.

Home Chef meals come in individual plastic bags that contain everything you need to make your meal; it’s satisfying and perfectly organized. However, the packaging can feel a bit wasteful.

BistroMD

BistroMD was created by bariatric specialist Dr. Caroline Cederquist to take the guesswork out of healthy eating. The program combines medical-grade nutrition with the convenience of chef-prepared frozen meals that are delivered weekly to your door. Unlike traditional meal kits, BistroMD’s offerings require zero chopping, mixing, or cooking. You simply heat the meal in the microwave or oven and it’s ready within minutes.

You start by choosing a meal plan that aligns with your health goals, such as the Signature, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, or Menopause programs. Then, select your weekly menu from over 150 options, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. Meals are prepared by professional chefs, flash-frozen for freshness, and delivered to your door in insulated packaging. Once they arrive, all that’s left to do is heat and eat.

Factor

Pros: Simplest meal kits to use, zero prep and zero cleanup, flavors are pretty good, sustainable.Cons: For a single serving, Factor is on the mid-to more expensive side, as they also have a flat rate for shipping.Best For: Those who want health-conscious, pre-portioned meals in a snap.

Factor is a great meal kit option for those who want health-conscious, pre-portioned meals in a snap. The meals arrive on ice and can be immediately eaten or refrigerated for later. They come pre-portioned and shrink-wrapped on top, which is also great for packing for work or school. These are especially great for singles or couples since they only yield one serving and aren’t meant for sharing.

All meals can be microwaved or removed from their packaging to be heated on the stove. For calories and other nutritional information, each meal kit sleeve has everything written out on the back, along with a QR code to learn more about the recipe.

Marley Spoon

Pros: Variety of delicious recipes from the all-star Martha Stewart archive, feels like real cooking, high-quality ingredients, sustainable.Cons: Decent amount of prep work required, comparatively time-consuming recipes.Best For: People who love to cook.

This gourmet option is from the same manufacturer as Dinnerly, providing fresh and seasonal ingredients to your door with some of Martha’s own recipes. For all-out comfort food, the Pastrami Spice-Rubbed Steak and the Cheesy Sausage Brunch Bake were top-notch, and you can also now order for breakfast, lunch and even baked goods.

The kit is a traditional one, with more than 100 recipes loaded onto the site weekly to choose from and fresh ingredients shipped out according to your plan. The ingredients come in a brown paper bag, and proteins come on ice packs to preserve freshness.

Other Meal Kit Options

CookUnity: A prepared meal delivery service with chef-crafted, ready-to-heat frozen meals.
Hungryroot: A meal kit and grocery delivery service that sends you all of the ingredients to make a recipe you like.
Diet-To-Go: A weight loss meal plan that delivers calorie-controlled, pre-made meals.
Purple Carrot: Offers vegan meal kits and prepared meals.
Daily Harvest: A plant-based frozen meal delivery service that will provide you wholesome, nutrient-dense meals and snacks.
Little Spoon: A kid-specific meal delivery service with meal options for babies, little ones, and toddlers.
Gousto: A recipe box provider with a wide choice of recipes and dietary options.
Mindful Chef: A health-focused food box delivery service with inventive recipes and ethically sourced protein.
Riverford Organic: An organic recipe box with good quality organic ingredients and easy recipes to follow.
SimplyCook: A letterbox-friendly recipe box service that contains dry ingredients in pots, to which you add your own fresh ingredients.
The Cookaway: A recipe box that offers interesting recipes to choose from, based around menus from eight different cuisines.
Pasta Evangelists: Delivers fresh pasta to your door, complete with quality sauces and garnishes.

Choosing the Right Meal Kit

When selecting a meal kit or prepared meal delivery service, consider the following factors:

Dietary Needs: Does the service offer meal plans that accommodate your dietary restrictions or preferences (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, keto, paleo)?
Cooking Skills: Are you a beginner cook or do you enjoy more complex recipes?
Time Commitment: How much time are you willing to spend on meal preparation?
Budget: How much are you willing to spend per serving?
Sustainability: Are you concerned about the environmental impact of packaging?
Variety: Do you want a wide selection of recipes or are you happy with a smaller, more curated menu?

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