Also, note to remove the dressing and sauce containers under the plastic film before microwaving, as I narrowly avoided a very melty and messy situation. As stated above, I fell in love with the filling and fresh Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad , which also happened to be keto, including the creamy dressing on the side.

I loved how this was a true ready-made meal, with no heating or even re-plating required. If you spend too much time and money on take-out health food or the Whole Foods salad bar, this is the kit for you. The ready-to-eat meals come in super easy-to-transport plastic containers, a la a work cafeteria, or a fast-casual restaurant.

When it comes to fresh veggies and vegan meals, I can be skeptical that the produce will retain its crunch upon delivery or that the meat or meat alternatives will arrive a soggy mess. However, I was thrilled to bite into my Monday Kale Pesto Pasta Salad to find excellent crunchy roughage and al dente pasta.

The other thing to note about freshness is the packaging. Thistle takes care to label each breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack yes, snack! My Smashed Sonoma Chickpea Snack Plate was delicious! with the day you should eat it. Since I ordered for Monday — Wednesday, it was easy to organize my fridge by day so I could simply eat down the line.

What is the difference between a meal kit and a meal delivery service? Well, this one is a bit tricky, as both are included in this roundup, and there is some overlap. A meal kit is usually a subscription-based program that sends ingredients and recipes to your home.

A meal delivery service may be the above, or be pre-cooked meals or grocery items in addition or instead of ingredients for a specific meal.

Do you need to subscribe to the meal kit? Most of the time, yes! Usually a subscription is needed to try the meals, however, some companies also have a marketplace that sells items a la carte. How often do offerings and menus change? Typically, sites will switch up their meal offerings on a weekly basis.

Do I have to be a good cook to use a meal kit? Meal kits come in many different skill levels, from simply microwaving to more intensive chopping and cooking. They can also be a great way to learn how to cook and teach children.

Diet: Pay attention to the dietary options each service caters to, from vegetarian and vegan to Keto and paleo. Household Size: Count the number of people in your family and then account for how much they eat to best calculate how many servings you need to feed everyone.

Some kits detailed above have larger portions, while others are single-serve only. Budget: Meal kits and services have a wide range of prices. Some offer free shipping, while others have a minimum spend, and other specialty or health-related plans may cost more.

Time: Think about how long you want to be cooking for each night. Some meals require 30 or more minutes to cook, not including cleaning up.

Check out New York Post Shopping for more content. Contact The Author Name required. Email required. Comment required. Updated Jan. New York Post Composite. The hard part is just deciding which to try, which is why I tried them all for you first. Previous 1 of 3. Sophie Cannon.

I promise the oven was off for these meal kits! The beauty of trying so many companies was that some were intensive and others, like these, were microwave friendly. Brand spotlight. Pros: Full-sized ingredients, super fresh produce and large portions Offers a wine subscription box as well, to pair with your cooking creations A bit more in-depth cooking, with great tasting results Perfect for a hungry family or those who want to spend more quality time in the kitchen.

Cons: None to note. push function { if window. definedSlots [] ; } } ; }. This seriously looked straight out of Israel and tasted like it, too. How did I do? I think the egg Gods were looking down on me, as this was the perfect fried egg for my burger that looked just like the photo.

Cons: No options for vegans or other dietary preferences other than vegetarian and pescatarian. Pros: Delicious and high-quality meals — but what else would we expect from Martha? Perfect for the home cook who likes a balance of easy meals and learning new skills.

Also great for home-cooked dinners with easy directions and no need to go grocery shopping. Options for specific diets, including vegetarian and low-carb recipes, in addition to the classic comfort foods.

Cons: Make sure to check your zip code for delivery, as some areas in the Midwest and others are not eligible as of the time of publication. The steak and potatoes are a classic American meal from a classic American chef.

The gravy was the best part, followed by the onion dressing topping the beans. This was the best thing ever after a holiday gathering, with the ciabatta bread soaking up my drinks from the night before and the lovely comforting eggs and sausage on the inside of the casserole warming me from the inside out.

Good on you, Martha. Cons: Everything included except salt, pepper and oil. Pros: Dinnerly is one of the most affordable meal kits out there, perfect for families and new chefs alike.

Vegetarians will rejoice at their meat-free offerings Digital recipe cards are on the site, so no need to keep a paper copy. Cons: Make sure to check your zip code for delivery, as some areas in the Midwest and others are not eligible as of the time of publication Everything was included except for pantry staples like flour, salt, pepper and eggs, so be sure to check recipes before heading to the store if needed.

I now have a deeper appreciation for fried chicken, after now having made it from scratch. The one-pan gnocchi was super easy and also delicious, something Dinnerly does very well. Pros: Easy to customize meals and skip weeks.

Can order meals for two or four people, with two to six meals per week Easy-to-follow and aesthetically pleasing recipe cards in the box for each meal Accurate estimates for prep and cook time for an easy weekly schedule. Cons: Make sure to have kitchen staples such as salt, pepper, butter and oil in the house, as they are not included in the box.

Pros: Great for those with allergies in the house, as the cards indicate allergens in each basket ingredient Super fresh-tasting fish that comes on ice in the box Each meal takes six steps to complete, usually under about 35 minutes, perfect for quick lunches and dinners.

Pros: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts all come frozen and ready to reheat and eat Great option for those on the go and also health-conscious Offers options for different diets, including keto, paleo, plant-based, low-carb, vegetarian, pescatarian and meat-eaters, too.

Cons: Have plenty of freezer space to store meals or order a smaller plan they range from four meals a week all the way up to 18 meals per week. Cons: Recipe cards are a bit harder to follow than some due to their small size, but easier to store and reuse for later No cook time estimations on the cards, but when timed, even a full steak meal was under 30 minutes, prep to plating.

Cons: A a bit more prep work, but worth the extra chopping time for the taste Everything was included even baking soda and butter except for oil, salt and pepper. Pros: Wide variety of meals for those on a special diet, like Keto, paleo, vegetarian, vegan and more Comes with extras like weight management coaching, diet plans and more on the app or on your account Ability to order from different plans, in order to try different diets Ability to cancel or pause your plan at any time.

Pros: Plant-based to a whole new level: very healthy salads, breakfasts and bowls for super clean eating Unique offerings; not just trying to mimic traditional meals with plants, but creating whole new dishes and flavor profiles Labeled options for every day of the week, three meals a day, takes the planning out of meal prep Offers a detox program as well.

Cons: Sacrifices some flavor for health but replaces with superfoods and a rainbow of nutrients. Pros: Perfect for taking to work or school or having an easy lunch at home, with recyclable packaging and to-go style dressings and condiments.

All meals do not contain gluten, dairy, refined sugars, nitrates, chemical preservatives or artificial colors. Cons: Not the most upscale packaging or gourmet meals, but plenty of actually filling salads, bowls, and even some choices for breakfast, snacks, and desserts.

Pros: Plant-based people take note as every meal and smoothie is plant-based Not boring, as there are more than 50 options ranging from soups to bowls to smoothies Great for on-the-go meals and snacks for busy people, post-gym pick-me-ups and no dishes to do after.

Cons: Not a total replacement for every night of the week but pretty close. Pros Great for toddlers and older kids, as they graduate into solid foods Pre-packaged and ready to heat and eat for easy meal times and no cleanup Variety to choose from, including smoothies, snacks and full meals Yummy enough for parents to take a bite, too ; Cut small to prevent choking.

Cons Mighty Bites snacks may be a bit high in sugar for those parents watching sugar intake Meals may need to be plated or hand-fed to avoid them ending up on the floor. Cons Not ideal for families or if you want leftovers On the more expensive side for some of the meal kits Only order what you can eat via refrigerator; meals taste less fresh when frozen.

Cons: Not a ton of options on the weekly menu, especially for larger plans Some meals have smaller portion sizes. Previous 1 of 5. Meals arrive refrigerated and can then be reheated in the microwave in about three minutes. After microwaving, the meat remained tender and the meal was well-seasoned and tasted fresh.

This take on Kung Pao chicken used a healthier noodle option and seasonings instead of breading or frying. Pros: Great selection of meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and desserts Perfect for on-the-go eaters, busy people who forget to eat but want to be nutritious.

Most meals heat up in the microwave or stovetop in under 10 minutes, others need to be blended and some you can eat frozen ice cream and frozen treats.

You can also skip or cancel at any time Menus are super easy to read and have specific details on nutrition, ingredients, protein content and more. Cons: Mosaic specializes in veggie bowls, soups and oat bowls, so not for those that are looking for other options.

But bowls include dishes like pasta and curries, for example, and not just vegetables! Pay attention to order and shipping minimums.

This is the older packaging from , showcasing the classic cook-it-yourself meals and some snacks, too. Pros: Wide array of options for both pre-made and traditional cook meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks Ready-to-eat meals taste fresh, even when microwaved Ample amounts of organic produce and nitrate-free meats in the traditional meal kit; can serve more than the serving size and perfect for hungry families Smaller recipe cards for easy storage, and also found online or on the app for iPhone and Android.

Pros: Plans can include full meals, snacks and sweets — perfect for mindful eating all day A super fun and unique combination of a grocery delivery service with options to choose recipes as well — great to re-stock the fridge and help spark inspiration for meal planning Great for those who like to cook on their own terms but also enjoy a new recipe now and then.

Cons: The recipe card is found on the back of your order receipt and is not too colorful, but it gets the job done. Meal delivery services compared. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service.

How we tested meal kit services. Other meal delivery services we tested. Meal delivery service FAQs. See at Blue Apron. Best for meal kits. See at Fresh N' Lean. Best prepared meal delivery service. See at Pete's Paleo. Best for gluten-free meal delivery service. See at CookUnity. Best meal delivery with a variety of recipes.

See at Mosaic Foods. Best for prepared plant-based meal delivery. See at HelloFresh. Best meal delivery service for families. See at Factor. Best meal delivery service for weight loss.

See at Purple Carrot. Best plant-based meal kit service. See at Green Chef. Best for organic meal kits. See at EveryPlate. Cheapest meal kit service. See at Home Chef. Best meal kits for eating keto. FILTER BY all Meal Kit Prepared Meal. Showing 11 of 11 Results.

Show less. Pros Steak and seafood options are included in a standard meal plan Affordable if you choose more than two recipes per week. Cons Fewer recipe options than other services Doesn't allow for much customization. Type Meal kit. Recipes per week Good for Vegetarian, pescatarian, diabetes-friendly, low-calorie, picky eaters, quick meals.

Diet types: Vegetarian, diabetes-friendly, wellness, family-friendly, fast and easy. See at Blue Apron Best for meal kits Blue Apron. Show expert take Show less. Editors' choice. Pros Most of the food we tried was good or great Healthy options to service many eating plans.

Cons On the pricey side of average No family-sized meals making it expensive to feed a crew. Type Prepared meal. Meal options per week Good for Keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, high-protein.

Full Review Read full review. See at Fresh N' Lean Best prepared meal delivery service Fresh N Lean. Pros Quality ingredients including mostly organic meats and produce Great for those avoiding gluten or empty carbs No subscription required.

Cons No real discount for ordering a larger volume of meals The website isn't the best. Good for Healthy, paleo, keto, low-calorie, diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, Whole30, high protein. See at Pete's Paleo Best for gluten-free meal delivery service Pete's Real Food.

Pros Tons of healthy menu options per week Healthy food to service most diets and nutrition plans. Cons Expensive if you only choose a few meals per week Quality was somewhat inconsistent.

Good for Gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo, vegan, low calorie, low carb, plant-based. See at CookUnity Best meal delivery with a variety of recipes CookUnity. Pros Nearly all the meals I tried were good or better Interesting use of global recipes and flavors Affordable, especially for the family plan.

Good for Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, low-calorie. See at Mosaic Foods Best for prepared plant-based meal delivery Mosaic Foods. Pros More than 50 weekly recipes Good for keeping to specific diets or eating plans.

Good for Vegan, vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, low-calorie, Whole30, families, picky eaters. See at HelloFresh Best meal delivery service for families HelloFresh. Good for Healthy, low-calorie, pescatarian, vegetarian, keto, paleo, diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, Whole See at Factor Best meal delivery service for weight loss Factor.

Pros Interesting and filling vegan recipes Extremely fresh and high-quality ingredients. Cons Limited to eight recipes per week Expensive.

Recipes per week 8. Good for Vegan, vegetarian. See at Purple Carrot Best plant-based meal kit service Purple Carrot. Pros Healthy recipes and mostly organic ingredients Allows you to swap the protein in certain recipes.

Cons On the expensive side Premium recipes incur major upcharges. Good for Organic, healthy, low-calorie, pescatarian, vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, Whole30, gourmet. See at Green Chef Best for organic meal kits Green Chef.

Pros The most affordable meal kit service Most recipes were either good or better Not a ton of plastic waste. Cons Some produce was past its prime Recipes are somewhat basic Very little customization allowed.

Good for Healthy, family-friendly, comfort food, picky eaters, quick and easy. See at EveryPlate Cheapest meal kit service EveryPlate. Pros Good selection of keto-friendly meal kits Recipes are simple and fast Budget-friendly if you choose a larger plan.

Cons Some recipes were clunky and bland Too much plastic used in packaging. Good for Keto, low-carb, healthy, families, picky eaters, low-calorie, vegetarian. See at Home Chef Best meal kits for eating keto Home Chef.

Meal kit versus prepared meal delivery The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals that are ready to heat and eat. Cost After you've picked between meal kits or meal delivery, you'll want to find a service within your budget.

Sunbasket : This service has high-end meal kits, but the bloated cost keeps it off our list. Before you rack your brain trying to come up with a dinner idea with that frozen lump of mystery meat, check out these family meal deals instead.

For instance, many restaurants are using this opportunity to pull together quick and affordable meal packages.

Eating for just one or two? No problem. Most of these affordable family meals taste even better the next day. Can You Customize? Delivery options are available through GrubHub and DoorDash. How to Order: Mobile or online ordering available for pick up or delivery.

Many Habit locations have created make-shift drive-thrus for easy ordering, too. Each bowl comes with one side and one entree. Drive-thru is also available at most locations. Choose between selection options for lettuce wraps, soup, noodles and rice and entrees.

How to Order: Online ordering available for pick up. Free delivery on all orders within delivery areas. Choose between standard bucket or drumsticks and thighs; choose your sides.

How to Order: Online ordering available for pick up or free delivery. What you Get: Buy two footlong subs, get one free.

Why we love it: Offering meal kits starting at $ per serving for couples and $ per serving for families, EveryPlate is one of the most Missing 15 of the Best Family Meal Deals to Order on Busy Nights that Won't Bust Your Budget · 1. Panda Express Family Meal · 3. Pizza Hut Big Dinner

Affordable food bundles - Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: This comfort food restaurant has Family Bundles available starting at $ Get free chips and homemade queso Why we love it: Offering meal kits starting at $ per serving for couples and $ per serving for families, EveryPlate is one of the most Missing 15 of the Best Family Meal Deals to Order on Busy Nights that Won't Bust Your Budget · 1. Panda Express Family Meal · 3. Pizza Hut Big Dinner

Or, if you need to cancel for any reason at all, shoot them an email, and they will take care of it! Which meal kit delivery service is the cheapest? I also love that they source their ingredients responsibly and offer a good variety of delicious food made from high-quality ingredients, including vegetarian options.

That way, you can find the best service for your needs. Here are some of the pros and cons of the most popular services:. Eat at home more, less typical, or unhealthy take-out. A cheap meal delivery service can be better on your wallet and for your body. Try new dishes. You can set menu preferences and get a wider variety, including things you may never have made otherwise.

The prep work is done for you. Most send you fresh food with pre-portioned ingredients, which takes out all guesswork. More time for you. You can spend more time with your family cooking meals or doing other things that you enjoy. Learn new cooking techniques. They offer cooking tutorials and recipes to expand your culinary skills with family-friendly menu options.

There is less food to waste. Any meal delivery service cost can be expensive. It can be cheaper than ordering take-out, but the meals plus shipping costs may not be affordable for everyone.

You have a membership to watch each week. These delivery services usually require a membership or subscription fee. Meals also need to be chosen and ordered in advance.

There can be a lot of packaging in the boxes. Since most meal delivery services send you fresh ingredients in their meal kit, there is usually a lot of packaging that includes insulated bags, dry ice, and the box.

You still have to get other groceries. Delivery services are delivered to your door, but you still have to go grocery shopping at some point. You still have other meals every day you need to think about! Planning your meals is self-explanatory- you create a meal plan and grocery list for the week, then cook all of your meals at home.

Buying groceries is usually cheaper than eating out or having your meals delivered. Savvy Tip: Like the convenience of having your meals delivered to your home but not the price of the meal kit services?

It has more great tips and ideas! Want to batch cook for the month and freeze the dishes? My Freeze Easy can help you get started with their free Quick Start Guide. Meal delivery is a great alternative if you eat out more or grab to-go meals from the grocery store. However, if you cook at home more and are very frugal about grocery shopping, it could cost more than getting groceries yourself and meal planning.

As a busy mom, I say these are most worth the cost when your family is really busy; meal kits help prevent food waste or eating out.

Prepared meals are literally all put together for you, and just need to go into the microwave, govern, or skillet to heat up. Meal kits are all the ingredients for a recipe delivered to you with a recipe and directions so you can whip up the whole meal yourself.

It may be cheaper because it specifically offers kid meals rather than meals for adults or families. I like this service because it offers a family plan to make sure you have enough food to go around. In my opinion, HelloFresh offers the most variety of meals, including great vegetarian options that could fit your weight loss plan.

But check out the other meal delivery services to see other meal plans and see what fits best with your visions. Cheap meal delivery services are a great way to get dinner on the table without any hassles and at a reasonable price. Most have easy-to-follow recipes, take the guesswork out of shopping for ingredients, and are easy to use.

Most meal delivery services are also super convenient. Delivery services offer a wide variety of meal kits and prepared meals that make dinner times go faster.

All in all, meal delivery services are a great way to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your family! Hi, I'm Brittany Kline! A organization, productivity, and home systems expert.

With my master's degree in education and life experience as a mom I help other moms simplify and organize their entires lives. I have been featured in online publications like Forbes, TIME, USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Marie Claire, The Penny Hoarder, Bankrate, Nerd Wallet, CNBC, Acorns, Yahoo Finance, MSN, GoBankingRates, Her Money, Thrive Global, The Simple Dollar, Money Crashers, Readers Digest, FinCon, Best Company, Rent Cafe, Romper, Intuit Turbo, Opp Loans, CreditCards.

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Related Articles You Might Like. Each bowl comes with one side and one entree. Drive-thru is also available at most locations. Choose between selection options for lettuce wraps, soup, noodles and rice and entrees.

How to Order: Online ordering available for pick up. Free delivery on all orders within delivery areas. Choose between standard bucket or drumsticks and thighs; choose your sides. How to Order: Online ordering available for pick up or free delivery.

What you Get: Buy two footlong subs, get one free. Customize your subs how you want — but remember that the cheapest sub will be the free one. How to Order: Online ordering available for pick up or delivery. The free sub is deducted automatically.

Each pack serves Depending on your family pack selection, you can choose between a few different side options. However, no substitutions are allowed. How to Order: Mobile and online ordering available for pick up or delivery.

Choose from fettuccine Alfredo, cheese ravioli, spaghetti with meat sauce, five cheese ziti al forno, lasagna classico and chicken parmigiana for entrees. How to Order: Online ordering available for car-side pick up or delivery.

Depending on your selection, you can choose between a few different side options. Each feast includes one large deep dish pizza, one salad and six garlic knots. Discount does not include growler add-ons. Choose between four chicken or steak burrito especial, classic shrimp burrito, and bean and cheese burrito.

Pick between pinto beans or black beans and citrus rice or Mexican rice. How to Order: Place your mobile or online order for pick up. For an additional charge, you can choose mixed chicken pieces or add on more pieces. Choose your side options and tortilla choice.

Affordable food bundles - Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: This comfort food restaurant has Family Bundles available starting at $ Get free chips and homemade queso Why we love it: Offering meal kits starting at $ per serving for couples and $ per serving for families, EveryPlate is one of the most Missing 15 of the Best Family Meal Deals to Order on Busy Nights that Won't Bust Your Budget · 1. Panda Express Family Meal · 3. Pizza Hut Big Dinner

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Filter and sort Close sidebar. Discover Our Current Deals. We've received your submission. For me, a midsomething who has graduated from the microwave and into the culinary world of two or more pots on the stove at a time, I wanted to try out as many meal kits and delivery companies as possible.

I started this journey in the last week of December and since then my meal kit adventure has taken off. For this refresh, I tested, re-tested, tasted and built box-forts with 23 meal delivery services, ranging from plant-based to protein-packed, fresh to flash-frozen and even those made for adults and those made for kiddos!

My conclusion? They range in skill level just as much as they range in dietary preferences , price and serving size to fit every household.

Blue Apron was one of the first meal kit companies to hit the market, and it has continued to be ultra popular — for good reason. Their ingredients are full-sized and appear insanely fresh.

For those who know little about pairings, and for a home sommelier who wants to try something new, the meal kit service also doubles as a wine guru, offering a wine pairing subscription on their site. The rest of the Blue Apron offerings look to be just as filling and have full-sized ingredients.

EveryPlate is an affordable option from the Hello Fresh family. The kit includes recipe cards, fresh produce, meat and fish coming packaged on ice, and a brightly colored box that arrives on your doorstep for no supermarket stops along the way.

For less cash than any fast food meal, the options are also healthier, and the produce that came in my box was all fresh and full-sized, overflowing out of the box. As I was cooking up my chicken sausage tomato soup, I noticed the recipe cards had some other helpful tips to save food waste.

There were also plenty of helpful notes to reassure a home chef who is just starting out. Each week, they lay out 16 different meals to choose from, ranging from chicken, pork, and beef to fish and veggie-based.

The kit is a traditional one, with 40 recipes loaded onto the site weekly to choose from and fresh ingredients shipped out according to your plan. You can opt for the two-person or the four-person plan and then select the amount of meals you need per week, from just two to six.

I wanted to go all out comfort food, as I knew Martha would be proud of that decision, choosing the Pastrami Spice-Rubbed Steak and the Cheesy Sausage Brunch Bake for something a bit easier. When unboxing the ingredients, I liked how the included recipe cards listed out exactly what I would need, making for easier sorting in my fridge and also making a mental note of the extras I would need, like butter, oil, vinegar, and some household spices.

The cards also list the cooking tools you need, as well as allergens and nutrition per serving. However, I was rewarded for my time and effort, as the steaks were perfectly seasoned with her spice blend, and the recipe yielded lovely mashed potatoes and green beans for a very all-American dinner.

Home Chef brings the elements of comfort food and home cooking to your doorstep, with recipes tailored to fit your schedule.

When curating my own box, I imagined all the types of meals I cook in order to go about my day well-fed and on time. For a taste test, I went with the happy medium of the three, opting for the minute hoisin pulled pork with jasmine rice.

The first note to make is on the notes themselves. The recipe cards were super well-organized, making my type-A personality very happy. After unzipping the correct package for my meal, the cooking process was as easy as promised, clocking in at about 20 minutes due to my slower chopping skills.

The four-part directions were a breeze to read and also featured photos for those who need a photographic confidence boost to compare their cooking to. With new meals offered weekly, choose between regular meal kits, minute meals, easy-prep and oven-ready meals, and extras like a protein pack of meats and fish to supplement a kit or make your own recipes with.

Many meals can also be customized with Impossible Foods products, for those who go meat-free without sacrificing taste. This year, it was my home in Brooklyn that allowed me to try the delicious meals, as they do ship to New York as well as most of the contiguous US states you can check by entering your area code on the site from three warehouses in New Jersey, Texas and California.

You can choose between three and six meals per week, and pick if you want the box to be vegetarian. As a carnivore myself, I left the box unchecked and ordered three meals, trying to see the full range of options when it came time to cook, prep, and clean up.

I loved to see that many meals only required one pot or pan, while others on the weekly menu are listed as minute meals or meals with no knife required — perfect for cooking with the kids and those with no knife skills.

A few other things I noticed while cooking up my Buffalo Fried Chicken Sandwich was just how fresh the ingredients were, admiring the tiny head of butter lettuce and the soft dinner rolls. This was a minute meal, and it truly was, as I was able to toss the green beans in the oven and work on the chicken at the same time, without feeling stressed or getting too messy.

The plus side is that the recipes live online, so there is no need to store sticky cards on your bookshelf or try and photocopy for later. How they can make both one-pot pasta and a full steak meal in just six steps is beyond me, but it works and makes meals manageable for all skill levels.

I decided to go big or go home with my test cook, choosing a steak with mushroom cream sauce and roasted potatoes and carrots for a Monday night dinner. HelloFresh packages each set of ingredients conveniently into individual brown paper bags. Once unpacked, I did a quick wash and dry for the produce, and the rest of the meal was pretty straightforward.

I timed the cook, and sure enough, it was pretty close to the estimation on the cards — 47 minutes for me for a slightly more well-done steak and an older oven for the crispy potatoes.

The green cousin of Hello Fresh, Green Chef stands out as a traditional meal kit with better-for-you options. When researching all the kits on the market, I noticed that Green Chef offered the first Keto options for those following a fad diet trend.

Now, they offer an array of other options, too, from vegetarian to plant-based to paleo. I went with the sesame shrimp noodle bowls from their gluten-free menu, which claimed to take 25 minutes to cook.

The kit came with everything I needed, sans salt, pepper and cooking oil, so make sure you have those on hand.

A new sister site to the HelloFresh family, Factor is unlike the rest of its siblings in that no cooking is required — unless you consider using a microwave cooking.

I decided to cook my pumpkin pancakes in the microwave, to see if they really stand up to the chewy-making effect a micro can have on some frozen foods. The cons: even though it was a microwave meal, there were a few sticky steps, such as flipping each hot pancake and then making sure the butter was melted all the way through the stack of three cakes.

As for the taste, neither a pro nor a con. They definitely tasted like healthier pancakes — butter and syrup helped — and the addition of the nuts on top was a satisfying touch.

To wash it all down, I also grabbed one of the cold-pressed juices — Factor also offers wellness shots in addition to their four juice flavors. The pineapple turmeric basil juice sounded super interesting, and sure enough, it was as tasty as it was vitamin-packed. The option to go to my fridge instead of a 9-dollar-a-pop juice shop with a hipster barista is worth it in and of itself for me.

There are even dessert options, too — the dark chocolate peppermint keto-friendly cheesecake was my personal favorite. The very best part of this kit for me was the ability to feel like I was having a fancy meal without any of the work.

Not only for Thanksgiving , Gobble is the meal kit that serves up generous turkey-day-sized portions no matter the season. The first thing I noticed about Gobble was just how much fresh produce I received in my order.

For the beautiful Italian flat iron steak meal, which is supposedly two servings, I got a huge bag of ripe cherry tomatoes and an entire bundle of green onions.

For my miso-baked salmon, I got a giant bag of fresh broccoli and a ton of jasmine rice. During the unboxing alone, it was evident that Gobble values quantity and quality. The four balls of cookie dough that came with my meal, not that I had any room left in my stomach after the meal to come.

A second dessert stomach is a thing, right? Another thing to note was the smaller, more compact recipe cards. While they are so much easier to save and store in a kitchen drawer than full-sized pieces of paper, they are also a bit more cramped in terms of directions and information.

The total time for my medium-rare meal came out to 29 minutes and 33 seconds, prep work included. For a full steak dinner that yielded enough for two portions and leftovers of the polenta and veggies, this is the kit for hungry families who want to spend some quality time together in the kitchen.

Though I am a carnivore through and through, I found that Purple Carrot is a great introduction to vegan eating. When choosing a meal to cook, I knew I wanted something that I loved already in its original meaty form, made vegan, to really put the box to the test.

After I had chopped everything down to size and foraged for my mushroom heads well, I picked them apart from the woody stems, but it sure felt like foraging , 15 minutes had already ticked by. The rest of the cook was pretty straightforward, used minimal dishes, and came out almost exactly like the photo, albeit a bit more soupy of a sauce.

Did this vegan dupe stand up to comforting chicken and dumplings? Another pro: everything was included in the box except salt, pepper, and oil, as they made sure to package vegan butter, flour, baking soda, and thyme into pre-measured baggies. For those who do want to eat plant-based for all three meals of the day and then some, the site does offer a lot of different options, changed up every week.

On the site now, curate your box with eight different dinner options, two breakfasts, two lunches and six different snacks from an array of vegan companies. Instead, expect a trifecta of support, with meals, coaching, and tracking, too. Trifecta is indeed a meal kit company, meaning you can simply order the meals to arrive at your home, fresh and pre-packaged, sent to your door on ice to then be reheated in the microwave or oven.

However, for those who want a whole-body and mind experience when it comes to healthy eating and lifestyle, you can add a lot more from Trifecta. Back to the food at hand — and in fridge — there are a variety of options to choose from when selecting your meal plan.

When receiving my box, I loved that all of the items were packaged with the meals clearly labeled, helping me choose which I wanted to eat now and stick in the fridge and which I wanted to freeze for later — you can freeze the meals for up to three months in the freezer, or leave them for up to seven days in the fridge.

To really put the flavors and textures to the test, I used the microwave, and to my delight, the rice was cooked to perfection, the sausages were left juicy, and the packaging was cool enough to touch. One note: since these meals are in sustainable packaging, the bottom may get soggy, so it is advised to use a plate underneath.

Otherwise, the meals provided enough food for a full meal maybe add fresh fruit on the side and made me feel more energized than if I had grabbed a different freezer meal from the grocery store. Clean eating has never been easier, with Sakara Life calling the shots for every meal of the day.

The plant-based and nutrition-focused meal delivery service is one that can really revamp the way you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. The meals each come in a take-out style container, with a sticker indicating when I should eat the meal right down to the time and day of the week.

The best part for me was the portability and ease of the whole thing, especially as someone who skips breakfast or opts for a muffin when running late. While heating my dinner bowl, a Sakara burger with chili cashew creme, I decided to browse the site to see what sort of plans they offered.

For those who want to try out a weekly meal plan but are a bit timid, they do have a one-week trial to test the waters. If you like it, you can set up a recurring subscription and have Sakara Life meals all week long.

Bonus points for being super customizable, as some may want just a few days a week and others an entire fridge of pre-planned meals for their three squares. With my burger bowl, after incorporating the cashew creme and the other garlicky dressing, I do have to say that while not a burger in my meat-eating eyes, this was one of the best salads I have had — ever.

Even though this bowl was shipped to my door, everything was crunchy and fresh, with no wilted leaves in sight. As someone who spends far too much money at Sweetgreen only to find myself hungry again, finding filling and yummy salads and bowls that I can bring into the office can be a challenge.

This is where I think Territory Foods fits in nicely. They are also all made without gluten or dairy, which is super great for those with allergies in the house. The coolest part for me, though, was when I took a peek at the packaging and the menu, to find out that my options were actually tailored to my region, partnering with local chefs and restaurants to create the weekly menu of over 35 rotating options.

My Ginger Garlic Chicken Salad was not only ready-to-eat and delicious but was also made by Chef Rachelle Slotnick of Chantilly, VA. Also, a nod to the packaging, the removable slip contains the calories, protein, fat, and carbs of each meal, should you be tracking yours, as well as the eat-by date and the warming instructions if needed on the back.

The last thing that really sets Territory Foods apart is the pricing plan structure. When setting up my account, the first thing to make note of was just how many options for breakfast, lunch and dinner there are. In unboxing, one quick thing to remember is that there is dry ice that comes on top of your order, so make sure to have an adult unpack and dispose of the ice.

As for the meals, the smoothies and wellness shots can be thawed in the fridge or enjoyed as an icy treat. I chose the latter for my mango guava smoothie due to my impatience, and it was a refreshing option that I sipped on during this whole review, and eventually melted into a drinkable smoothie.

The wellness shots are more like a few sips, but great as an ice cube or a liquid — up to you. The soups, however, should be reheated, in my opinion, and can be warmed in the microwave, as the bowls they come in are micro-safe and BPA-free.

Can I hear it for no dishes? Full transparency, we had our very own Matt Levy help with this review, or, more specifically, his toddler did the hard work. While the little one munched, mom and dad also took some bites, deeming the Nurture Life foods parent approved, should there be leftovers when your kiddo is done.

These are chopped up small to prevent choking, and come in a variety of flavors to expose your tike to new flavors and textures. The meal service is great for those parents who are sick of sharing off their own plates as well, as the Nurture Life meals let your kid have their very own plate of yummy food, and a great option for those who need some more variety in their weekly kid-approved cooking rotation.

Starting from the way the package arrived — hand-delivered in a reusable tote, layered with ice to keep the food fresh — the whole CookUnity experience was restaurant-level without ever leaving home.

I was also sent a text to track my order, letting me know an hour in advance so I could be prepared. The food arrived in great shape, with no foggy plastic coverings or soggy cardboard to be found. The only downside to the meals is that they are single-serve, as I would have loved left overs or to be able to serve to a family or crowd — oh, well, more meals for me!

Eat Clean is a prepared meal delivery service, that not only takes the grocery shopping out of the equation like a typical meal kit, but also takes care of most of the prep work, cooking and cleaning. The meals arrive in a pre-packaged and pre-portioned tray that is microwave safe, or you can opt to open the pack and use an oven-safe dish to reheat the food in minutes.

And yes, packaging is recyclable. On to the nutrition aspect, the packaging wrapped around each tray has detailed nutritional information, plus, the website does a great job of describing each menu item, outlining all of the ingredients as well as health information.

For those on a specific diet, you can also choose from plant-based meals, Keto and paleo. I opted for a random selection of meals this go around, but would also like to note that the service does carry a variety of options for breakfast and snacks, in addition to lunch and dinner, should you want to plan for busy mornings or an eventful day with little time to snack.

I went the dinner route, and happily ate BBQ pulled pork with sweet plantain mash off of the traditional menu, as well as Kung Pao chicken with sweet potato noodles from the paleo menu. Both were extremely flavorful, not skimping on seasonings at all.

Portion sizes are on the somewhat smaller size, but the meals themselves were filling, each coming with a protein and a veggie for the meals I chose.

Daily Harvest truly means daily, as I happily ate a breakfast, lunch and a dessert in one sitting when diving into my box of frozen meals and snacks. They keep it simple; everything comes frozen on dry ice careful with kids if they help with the unboxing process!

and ready to either reheat, blend, or in the case of ice cream, thaw and enjoy. My sweet potato bowl took about four minutes in the microwave, and I was surprised by how well it turned out.

All in all, Daily Harvest is a great kit to have on-hand and in-freezer at all times, whether it be as part of your daily routine or a great fall back when waking up late and needing a quick smoothie or bowl or a dinner for the family on busy nights.

Mosaic is another frozen meal delivery service that sends breakfast, lunch and dinner to your door and can be reheated in the microwave in five minutes or less for a quick and healthy meal. I personally love this style, as it helps to eliminate food waste and saves room in the freezer for exactly what you want.

Each category is priced out differently, but you can mix and match to reach your minimum box order. Furthermore, deliveries are super easy to customize, as you can get a recurring box every week, every two weeks or every four weeks, with the option to pause or cancel should you be out of town.

For my trial box, I ordered a few things from each category but decided on soup and some noodles for lunch. The directions were pretty straightforward, as all you need is a microwave and about five minutes of patience before food is served.

The soup took an initial five minutes and then an additional two, as per the instructions, so be sure to read the packaging for the exact cooking time. I actually had leftovers because it was so filling — always a pro when it comes to plant-based foods. Sunbasket is truly a ray of sunshine for those who value organic ingredients and getting a healthy and delicious meal on the table.

For my box, I decided to do a mix of everything, getting one oven-ready meal that was gluten-free, dairy-free and pescatarian and one regular meal kit to be cooked up. For the instant option, I was sent a shrimp paella with fire-roasted tomatoes and bell peppers, instantly taking me back to Spain where I tried the dish for the first time.

Instead of a bulky pan to cook my paella, I was given a microwave safe container, cutting my cook time to just six minutes total. I was wary of overcooked and rubbery fish with dry rice, but the dish came out moist and delicious, so either I have a magic microwave or the people at Sunbasket knew what they were doing when it comes to microwavable meals.

They have a full breakfast menu with options for different types of eggs, oatmeals, breads and spreads, and even juice, smoothies and a coffee-in-a-can that looks awesome.

Moving on to lunch and dinner, they have both the ready-made meals as well as cooking options, a whole section for pastas and sauces, extra protein packs, and of course, snacks. For the traditional meal, I went for their Italian sausage and vegetable skillet with spicy green harissa.

The veggies included all had organic stickers on them, and were fresh and crisp as I was chopping them up. I also noticed that they were full sized, ultimately serving a bit more than the two promised portions.

If you find yourself rooting around your kitchen all day for meals and snacks, Hungryroot may be the best choice for you.

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