Meal kit delivery services can save time and reduce food waste, but prices range from $7 to $15+ per serving. This guide compares the top services to help you find the best value for your cooking style and dietary needs.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: HelloFresh (variety, value, quality)
- Best for Families: Home Chef (kid-friendly options)
- Best Budget: EveryPlate ($4.99/serving)
- Best Gourmet: Blue Apron (chef-designed recipes)
- Best for Special Diets: Green Chef (organic, keto, vegan)
Top Meal Kit Services Compared
| Service | Price/Serving | Meals/Week | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloFresh | $8.99+ | 2-6 | Variety, families | |
| Blue Apron | $9.99+ | 2-4 | Foodies, quality | |
| Home Chef | $8.99+ | 2-6 | Customization | |
| EveryPlate | $4.99+ | 3-5 | Budget meals | |
| Green Chef | $11.99+ | 3-4 | Organic, diets | |
| Sunbasket | $10.99+ | 2-4 | Organic, healthy |
Detailed Reviews
$8.99/SERVING
HelloFresh - Best Overall
Why we love it: Largest meal variety, consistent quality, and competitive pricing make HelloFresh the top choice for most households.
- Menu: 50+ weekly recipes across 6 categories
- Dietary options: Low-calorie, vegetarian, family-friendly
- Prep time: 20-40 minutes
- Shipping: Free on orders over $50
First box deal: Often 50-65% off first box
$4.99/SERVING
EveryPlate - Best Budget Option
Why we love it: Same parent company as HelloFresh, but nearly half the price. Simpler recipes, fewer ingredients, great taste.
- Menu: 20+ weekly recipes
- Dietary options: Vegetarian, limited special diets
- Prep time: 25-35 minutes
- Shipping: $9.99 flat rate
Best for: Budget-conscious families, beginners
$11.99/SERVING
Green Chef - Best for Special Diets
Why we love it: USDA-certified organic ingredients and comprehensive diet options including keto, paleo, and vegan.
- Menu: 30+ weekly recipes
- Dietary options: Keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, Mediterranean
- Organic: Yes, USDA certified
- Prep time: 25-45 minutes
Best for: Health-focused eaters, specific diet followers
Pros and Cons of Meal Kits
Advantages
- Time savings: No meal planning, recipe searching, or grocery shopping
- Reduce food waste: Pre-portioned ingredients
- Learn cooking skills: Step-by-step instructions
- Try new recipes: Variety you might not try otherwise
- Portion control: Exact amounts per serving
Disadvantages
- Cost: More expensive than grocery shopping ($8-15/serving)
- Packaging waste: Individual packaging for ingredients
- Limited flexibility: Must order weekly, delivery schedule
- Still requires cooking: 20-45 minute prep time
Cost Comparison
Weekly Cost (Family of 4, 4 dinners)
- EveryPlate: ~$80 + $10 shipping = $90/week
- HelloFresh: ~$145 + free shipping = $145/week
- Home Chef: ~$145 + free shipping = $145/week
- Green Chef: ~$190 + $9 shipping = $199/week
- Grocery shopping: ~$80-120/week (same meals)
How to Save Money on Meal Kits
- Use intro offers: Most offer 50-65% off first box
- Stack deals: Combine intro with cashback (Rakuten, Ibotta)
- Skip weeks: Only order when convenient
- Choose budget services: EveryPlate, Dinnerly
- Increase servings: Per-serving cost drops with more servings
- Watch for seasonal promos: Black Friday, holiday deals
Alternative Options
Prepared Meal Delivery (No Cooking)
- Factor: Fresh, chef-prepared meals ($11-15/meal)
- Freshly: Heat-and-eat in 3 minutes ($9-12/meal)
- Trifecta: Fitness-focused, macro-calculated ($12-15/meal)
Grocery Delivery
- Amazon Fresh: Free for Prime members ($35+ orders)
- Instacart: Same-day from local stores
- Walmart+: Free delivery ($35+ orders)
Which Service Should You Choose?
Decision Guide
- Want best value? HelloFresh or Home Chef
- On a tight budget? EveryPlate ($4.99/serving)
- Following keto/paleo? Green Chef
- Want organic? Green Chef or Sunbasket
- Picky eaters/kids? Home Chef (customizable)
- Foodie/adventurous? Blue Apron (chef recipes)
- Don't want to cook? Factor or Freshly (prepared meals)