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With perfect picks for singles, families, vegans and carnivores, we found something for everyone.

Whether you're in need of some culinary inspiration or want to save yourself a trip to the grocery store, meal delivery kits can be a serious weeknight game changer. Convenient and practical, these services range from guided cooking kits to fully prepared, individually portioned meals and typically offer more cost-effective and healthier options than regular takeout.

Unlike grocery delivery services, "Meal delivery kits are a great way to introduce people to new ingredients and cooking techniques,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab. “They take the stress out of meal prep and food shopping, and they're also a great way to help avoid food waste.” But with the growing number of meal delivery services available, it can be difficult to find the very best option for you and your family.

That's why the food and nutrition experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute conducted a three-month long meal delivery services study with over 150 real-life home chefs just like you. For this test, we evaluated over 40 services, including traditional meal kits, healthy meal delivery services, semi-prepared options and fully prepared ready-to-eat meals delivered to your door. Here, we've rounded up the top-tested meal delivery services, including budget-friendly meal delivery services and vegan meal delivery, as well as those perfect for singles and families:

This Certified Organic company offers a wide variety of healthy meal plans and works with farmers to source sustainable ingredients. From keto and paleo to vegan offerings, this kit has something for every health-conscious consumer.

• How it works: Select from six different meal types, including: Keto + Paleo, which offers carb-conscious, high-protein recipes without gluten, grains, soy or legumes; Vegetarian, which offers meatless recipes; Mediterranean, which features tons of veggies and healthy fats; Fast & Fit, which offers calorie-conscious fare made in 25 minutes or less; Vegan, which utilizes plant-based proteins, grains and veggies; and Gluten-Free, which includes recipes free from gluten and soy. The menu rotates and new recipes are added weekly.

• Lab lowdown: Green Chef is a favorite among our experts since it provides high-quality organic ingredients and delicious recipes too. Testers said the kits had everything they needed, and they loved the perfect portion sizes, saying that the meals filled them up and had great flavor. “The ingredients were high quality, and the produce was fresh — much better than the other meal delivery kit I’ve used,” said one tester. Some testers noted that the instructions could be a bit complex and required many pans and bowls, but the pictures on the recipe card were very helpful.

• Pricing & plans: Plans come as low as $11.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping, and each delivery contains all of the essentials to create three or four nourishing meals for two, four or six people.

• Packaging: Most of Green Chef's packaging is recyclable, except for when it cannot be for food safety and quality reasons. They use ClimaCell, a curbside recyclable insulation.

• Availability: Green Chef delivers almost everywhere in the continental United States. They are currently unable to deliver to Alaska, Hawaii and parts of Louisiana.

This simple and affordable meal delivery service makes weeknight dinners a breeze. All recipes have only six ingredients, five easy steps and require minimal chopping. Plus, they can all be made in 30 minutes or less.

• How it works: Choose from over 40 dishes weekly; all have limited ingredients, which means less chopping and cleaning for meal prep. The menu changes weekly, and new meal options are growing. Health-conscious options include Low Calorie (650 calories or less per serving), Low Carb (40 grams of carbs or less per serving), Keto-Friendly (20 grams of carbs or less per serving and typically higher in fat and protein), and Nutritious which includes minimally processed ingredients. They also offer meal filters for kid friendly options, under 30 minute meals, dairy-free recipes and more.

• Lab lowdown: Testers raved about how much easier Dinnerly was to prepare than other meal delivery services they have used in the past. But even though the meals were suitable for beginner cooks, they were still given top marks for flavor and fresh ingredients. “I would recommend this meal delivery service because the foods were flavorful, easy to prepare with clear instructions and arrived as scheduled,” a tester remarked. Our experts like that Dinnerly keeps costs low by cutting down on excess packaging and not printing recipe cards (the recipes are available online).

• Pricing & plans: Starts at only $4.99 per serving, plus $9.99 shipping. Choose from either a two-person plan or a family plan box for four people, with the flexibility to select either three or six meals a week.

• Packaging: The box and separator inside are SFI certified and can be recycled in any curbside paper recycling bin. “I loved the packaging and the freezer bags they used, which kept my food ice cold even on a hot day. Other companies have used dry ice, which doesn't work that well in hot weather,” one tester said.

• Availability: Dinnerly ships nationally covering most of the contiguous US states.

Blue Apron was one of the first companies to popularize meal delivery kits: It provides step-by-step recipes that incorporate new cooking skills and flavors.

• How it works: Choose from a variety of plans to meet your specific culinary needs, including Signature, Vegetarian and Wellness meals. Chef Favorites include Blue Apron's test kitchen top picks, Wellness meals which are curated by nutritionists and also include WW recommended selections, Family-Friendly offerings, and Fast & Easy meals which can be ready in 30 minutes plus Heat & Eat options.

• Lab lowdown: Testers gave this service seriously rave reviews, noting that the variety of meals and creativity of recipes were both terrific. Many noted that the meals were delicious and interesting and that the recipes had easy-to-follow instructions. "Blue Apron is a solution for busy people who enjoy the dining experience and like to explore new recipes, spices and ingredients. It is adventurous without being extreme. The ingredients are perfectly measured, packaged well and fresh," one tester said. Our experts loved the high-quality ingredients and freshness of the kit.

• Pricing & plans: Meals come as low as $7.99 per serving plus $9.99 for shipping. Choose two or four servings and two to four meals per week.

• Packaging: Over 85% of Blue Apron packaging is recyclable by weight.

• Availability: Blue Apron delivers to the contiguous United States.

This affordable meal kit option provides restaurant-quality meals but is perfect for those on a budget. Everything comes pre-portioned, and the menu rotates and adds new recipes weekly.

• How it works: Choose from 17 recipes that change weekly. Their four different options include: ClassicPlate offers meat, seafood and veggie options; VeggiePlate features plant-forward meals; FamilyPlate provides family-friendly kid-approved dinners; and EasyPlate which are designed for easy cleanup and to be ready in 30 minutes or less.

• Lab lowdown: For the price, our experts were impressed with the quality of the meals and the tasty recipes provided. Testers liked the variety of meals, freshness of ingredients and noted that the boxes were well packaged. Multiple testers remarked on the helpful instructions with pictures that made it easy to prep and plan ahead while cooking. “I am a decent cook but tend to stay in my lane when it comes to meals. I really enjoyed making these meals and learning new techniques. I would definitely consider EveryPlate in the future!” a tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Meals are available for as low as $4.99 per serving and can be selected for two or four people and three to five meals per week.

• Packaging: Boxes and separators are 100% curbside recyclable. A tester noted, “UPS was delayed one day, and the EveryPlate box sat on my porch all day in 98-degree weather, and everything was still cold and fresh.”

• Availability: EveryPlate delivers to the vast majority of the continental U.S.

This popular meal delivery service offers a variety of plans and caters to different dietary preferences too. Choose from over 30 weekly choices and enjoy everything from 5-minute meals to more elaborate entrée masterpieces that are slated as 30+ minutes.

• How it works: Start by taking a quiz that assesses your dietary preferences, allergies, level of interest in cooking and delivery preferences to determine which meal plan is best for you and your family. Meal kit options include the Meal Kits, which provides pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow cooking instructions to be ready in about 30 minutes; the 15- Minute Meal Kits, where all ingredients are prepped and require only 15 minutes of cooking; • Fast & Fresh, which assemble quickly and heat in the microwave or oven; Oven-Ready, which provides pre-portioned ingredients in an oven-safe tray; Grill-Ready, which features an all-in-one kit complete with pre-portioned ingredients and a grill-safe bag; and Culinary Collection, which include premium special occasion meals.

• Lab lowdown: Our registered dietitians appreciate that the service offers a variety of meal kit solutions, and that you can filter for calorie-conscious, carb-conscious and vegetarian meals. Testers gave the service rave reviews, with top scores for portion sizes and satiety of meals, easy-to-follow recipes and freshness of ingredients. Testers agreed that the quality of ingredients was better than other services they have tried in the past and especially loved it for families since the recipes were so simple to follow but yielded delicious, quality dishes. Plus, 100% of testers said the service encouraged them to try a meal or food that they usually wouldn’t have or that was not in their regular rotation.

• Pricing & plans: Standard meals start at $8.99 per serving, and a minimum weekly order value of $49.95 is required. Choose from two to six meals per week as well as two to six servings per meal to accommodate a range of family sizes.

• Packaging: All of Home Chef's boxes and dividers are made from partially recycled cardboard and are curbside recyclable. The meal bags (#5) and ingredient bags (#4) can be recycled at all locations that accept plastic bags. The PET liners are fully recyclable.

• Availability: Home Chef is available nationwide and can also be found in retail at more than 2,200 Kroger grocery stores.

Founded in 2011, HelloFresh is one of the first meal kit delivery services and offers a wide variety of curated meal plans. All ingredients are pre-portioned for each recipe, and there are over 25 menu options to choose from each week.

• How it works: Meal plans include Meat & Veggies; Veggie; Family Friendly; Fit & Wholesome: Quick & Easy; and Pescatarian (you can also select a combination of these options). The menu rotates, and new recipes are added weekly. The recently launched HelloFresh Market offers add-ons from quick meals to pantry essentials to complement your kit.

• Lab lowdown: Testers gave the kit overall top scores for quality and said that the food tasted great, with some noting it was better than other services they have tried. Instruction cards were easy to follow and packaging proved superior to other services we tested in terms of both performance and sustainability. “We liked the taste and flavor; every dish had something extra beyond what we would normally make. The ravioli had a lemon zest that tasted phenomenal. The roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes in a chicken dish had an apple flavor that was great. I found the food to taste better than what we would get from takeout at a restaurant!” said one tester.

• Pricing & plans: You can get meals for as low as $7.99 (plus $9.99 shipping). Two- and four-person plans are available for which you can choose anywhere from two to six recipes per week.

• Packaging: The box is made from recycled and virgin fibers, and the paper bags are recyclable and compostable.

• Availability: HelloFresh delivers to all states across the continental U.S. except for Alaska and Hawaii.

This unique meal delivery service offers prepared ingredients that can be prepped for cooking in under a minute and pair with the brand’s signature smart oven. Just pop the food in the oven, scan the QR code and press start. They offer 14 new items every week.

• How it works: The Tovala Starter Kit includes the Tovala Smart Oven and oven accessories, which can sit on your kitchen counter. You can set up your weekly meal deliveries as you purchase your starter kit. Meals arrive fresh and are perfectly portioned for one. The meals come mostly prepared and require one minute or less of prep (think more assembly, such as adding a prepared sauce to a salmon filet, etc.). Then, scan the QR code, and the oven works its magic, cooking your meal in 20 minutes or less. Filter for carb conscious meals, gluten-free options, vegetarian offerings and calorie-smart picks.

• Lab lowdown: Although the oven is a steep start-up cost for the service and requires WiFi connection, we loved that it not only prepares the Tovala meals, but it also scans over 850 groceries. Plus, you can make meals from scratch from the Tovala recipe library and pop them into the smart oven too. Testers were very impressed with the high-quality ingredients of the meals and said that they tasted great. Plus, cleanup was a breeze, and the meals were perfectly portioned for one. “The salmon meals were very filling. The oven made it seamless to cook, and it came out perfectly cooked,” one tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Meals start as low as $9.99 per serving and generally cost about $11.99 per meal. The smallest plan they offer is 4 meals per week or $47.96 plus tax. Shipping is $9.99 for all meal deliveries. The Tovala Smart Oven starts at $299.

• Packaging: All packaging is recyclable, including the box and packing materials the Tovala Meals come in.

• Availability: Tovala ships to the 48 contiguous states.

Sunbasket is a full-service meal delivery company that offers ready-to-heat meals as well as traditional meal kits. All offerings are made from high-quality ingredients and organic produce. Every single meal is also crafted by chefs and Registered Dietitians.

• How it works: Sunbasket offers traditional meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and recipes that can be made in 40 minutes or less, or Fresh & Ready meals which are already prepared and can be heated in as little as 4 minutes. Filter for specific dietary preferences including paleo, carb-conscious, gluten-free, lean & clean, diabetes-friendly, Mediterranean, vegetarian, and pescatarian too.

• Lab lowdown: Our experts love that Sunbasket has an option for practically any home cook. We found that the Fresh & Ready meals heated best in the oven, but the microwavable option came in handy as well. Testers loved the creative and unique recipes, with 100% of testers saying the service encouraged them to try something new that they normally would not have in their recipe repertoire. The breakfast options were also a big hit. “Great quality, sustainable packaging, flavorful meals,” one tester noted.

• Pricing & plans: Meals start at $9.99 per serving, and delivery is free on your first order. Meal kits serve two or four, whereas Fresh & Ready meals serve one. Opt for two or four people, and choose from two to five dinners per week.

• Packaging: Both our experts and testers were impressed with Sunbasket’s sustainable packaging and delivery, which is a major effort for the brand. All packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable too.

• Availability: Sunbasket ships to most zip codes in the United States, with the exception of AK, HI, MT, ND and parts of NM.

This plant-based meal delivery service features globally inspired recipes. All of the meals are completely vegan, and kits come with a weekly recipe booklet that you can keep to re-create the meals again.

• How it works: Purple Carrot offers standard meal kits as well as fully prepared meals. For the meal kits, everything is already plant-based but you can also filter recipes to choose high-protein options, meals under 600 calories, nut-free, gluten-free and soy-free offerings. You'll also have the option to add on additional plant-based items like vegan cream cheese and crackers with their Plantry offerings.

• Lab lowdown: Although many services offer some vegetarian items, our Registered Dietitian loves that Purple Carrot showcases an array of tasty and nutritious vegan options for those following a plant-based lifestyle. Plus, the service has been clinically proven to help people lose weight and lower LDL cholesterol. Testers found the meals inventive and flavorful, appreciating that all of the offerings were plant-based and didn’t take very long to prepare. “The meals were refreshing, pretty easy to prepare, used unique ingredients and created meals I wouldn't have otherwise thought to make!” one tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Meal kit pricing starts at $11.99 per serving for dinner meals and you can choose two or four servings per meal and three or four meals per week. A few options for breakfast and lunch are available that starts at $4.49 to $8.99 per serving. For prepared meals, the cost is $12.99 per serving.

• Packaging: Most packaging is recyclable, including the box, and some items like the TemperPack Climacell Liners are recyclable.

• Availability: Purple Carrot ships meal kits to the contiguous 48 states. Purple Carrot Frozen is available in Whole Foods Market, Target and other grocers across the U.S.

Martha Stewart's meal delivery service serves up 30-minute recipes with fresh ingredients. The kit aims to introduce home cooks to new flavors and ingredients while also teaching new cooking techniques.

• How it works: The menu changes weekly, and you can choose from a variety of 45+ meal options and categories include Health & Diet, Vegetarian & Vegan, Meat & Fish, Under 30 Minutes, and Family-Friendly.

• Lab lowdown: Testers liked that the instructions were well-written and easy to follow, even for new cooking techniques they haven't tried before. Even picky eaters enjoyed the meals. Some users appreciated how thorough the kits were. "I'm very happy they included the cooking oils I needed! Sometimes we're left to find those on our own with these boxes, so I appreciated the cooking oils being portioned and packaged in the box already," one tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Starts at $8.69 up to to $12.99 per serving, plus $9.99 shipping. Choose to feed two or four people, opting for two to six meals per week.

• Packaging: The box and the vertical and horizontal dividers inside are SFI certified, which means they're made of paper sourced from sustainably managed forests. The box can be recycled in any curbside paper recycling bin.

• Availability: Marley Spoon ships nationally covering the contiguous United States.

Freshly delivers fully-prepared meals that are ready to eat in under three minutes. All meals are single-serve and chef-prepared with a focus on thoughtful ingredients and balanced meals.

• How it works: Lines include FreshlyFit, Purely Plant, Signature Classics, and Proteins & Sides designed to simplify meal prep. New meals are added weekly in addition to always-available customer favorites.

• Lab lowdown: Our experts appreciated that the robust menu of 50+ meals caters to different dietary preferences including gluten-free, plant-based and carb-conscious. Testers loved the convenience of the meals and how easy they were to prepare in the microwave, with one tester noting that they made for great speedy lunches on workdays. "The meals were fresh and flavorful and the portion size was just right — no food waste!" another tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Meals come as low as $8.99 each plus shipping, and you can choose from 4 to 12 meals per week.

• Packaging: The boxes, plastic meal containers and cardboard sleeves are all recyclable.

• Availability: Freshly ships to the lower 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

This organic meal delivery service features fresh, fully-prepared meals that are ready in three minutes via the microwave and five to seven minutes via stovetop. Meals are vacuum sealed in a container and are freshly prepared in Anaheim, CA.

• How it works: Select from a variety of special diet plans including Protein +, Keto, Whole30 Approved, Paleo, Standard Vegan, Mediterranean Diet, Low Carb Vegan and Bulk. You'll also have the option to build your box à la carte.

• Lab lowdown: Testers loved the convenience of these fresh (not frozen) meals that were already prepared and simply required heating. Our experts liked that the company caters to a range of different dietary needs and preferences like high-protein meals, keto offerings, Whole30 meals and more. The service received top scores for portion sizes and satiety of meals too. "The convenience is amazing, it really doesn't get much easier for those that are short on time but still want to eat a meal that fits into their diet plan," one tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Standard pricing comes out to about $10 per meal. Choose if you want meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and opt for either five or seven days' worth of food.

• Packaging: The cardboard box, plastic trays and seal can all be recycled. The padding/insulation is biodegradable too.

• Availability: Fresh N' Lean ships to the continental U.S.

A top performer in our tests, Daily Harvest offers all plant-based prepared food that takes only one step to prep and is ready in minutes. Their food is perfectly portioned for one, built on organic fruits and vegetables and is always gluten-free and dairy-free too. They work directly with farmers to grow excellent produce, harvest it at the right time and freeze it within 24 hours to lock in amazing flavor and optimal nutrition.

• How it works: Choose from over 100 menu options like smoothies, soups, harvest bowls, flatbreads, scoops and more. When your box arrives, pop everything in the freezer and then either blend, soak or heat according to the instructions for each item when ready to eat.

• Lab lowdown: 100% of testers said Daily Harvest encouraged them to try a meal or food they wouldn’t usually have or is not normally in their regular rotation. Portion size, meal variety, freshness of ingredients and overall kit quality received exceptional scores too. Testers also appreciated the sustainable packaging features. “This kit was amazing! Love that there is almost no prep work involved, and the ingredients were so fresh,” a tester said. Our nutrition experts love the high-quality ingredients and stellar nutrition profiles of the food. Since the meals are frozen, we love that they won’t go to waste and can be prepared at a later date if you can’t get to them immediately.

• Pricing & plans: Starts at $5.99 per item. $5.99 for Oat, Chia, Forager Bowls and Lattes. $7.99 for Mylk, Smoothies, Soups and Bites. $8.99 for Harvest Bowls, Flatbreads and Scoops. $11.99 for Harvest Bakes. Shipping is always free and the service offers three delivery options; a small box of 9 items of your choice, a medium box of 14 items of your choice, and a large box of 24 items of your choice. You can switch up your picks before each delivery and skip a week as needed.

• Packaging: The cardboard box, item cups, and insulation surrounding the dry ice are all recyclable.

• Availability: Daily Harvest currently delivers to 95% of the continental U.S.

Nutritious, fully-prepared meals are delivered fresh to your door and never frozen along the way. Factor caters to a variety of dietary lifestyles, and the meals can be conveniently heated in the oven or microwave.

• How it works: Choose from over 29 dietitian-designed and chef-crafted meals each week. All subscriptions include one complimentary consultation with a Registered Dietitian. Options include Chef's Choice which includes a variety of healthy chef-crafted meals; Keto which offers low carb, high-fat meals; Calorie Smart for dietitian-approved meals at 550 calories or less per serving; and Vegan & Veggie which focuses on veggie-forward, meat-free meals.

• Lab lowdown: Testers and experts both loved the variety of meals offered by Factor, the perfect portion sizes and the simplicity of just having to heat up the meal. Meals were delivered in great condition and ingredients tasted fresh. "I've always been overwhelmed by which meal delivery service to choose, but I definitely will be ordering Factor for my husband and myself. I really appreciate the quality of the meals and how well-balanced they are," one tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Meals range from $11 to $15 depending on how many you order. You can chose anywhere from 4 to 18 meals per week

• Packaging: Boxes can be broken down and placed with curbside recycling.

• Availability: Factor delivers to the 48 contiguous states except for Alaska and Hawaii.

This service delivers chef-prepared and nutritionist-designed meals that are ready to eat in 90 seconds. Each meal comes with easy-to-follow macronutrient ratios, portion sizing and exact ingredients.

• How it works: Choose between different dietary preferences like Paleo, Keto Friendly, Mixitarian Plant Based, Vegetarian, Vegan, Whole30, Low Fat, Low Carb, Mediterranean Diet and more. New menus have a rotating variety too.

• Lab lowdown: Testers gave the service top scores for portion sizes, satiety of meals, convenience and variety. Our Registered Dietitian loved that although the service caters to different dietary preferences, the meals were still extremely flavorful and hearty. “Very satisfying and wholesome meals that are tasty and extremely healthy,” one tester said. “There was decent variety from which to choose, interesting flavors, and things I maybe would not normally have tried. They also could not have been easier to reheat/serve,” another tester noted.

• Pricing & plans: Pricing varies based on menu items, but most meals start at about $10. Chose from two plans, the first being subscription ordering which automatically places your order for the following week and saves you 5% on your weekly purchase. The one-time ordering option is also available.

• Packaging: Every Territory meal delivery comes in compostable packaging.

• Availability: Territory delivers all across the nation and is still growing. You can check on their website if they serve your particular area.

Registered dietitians, doctors and chefs collaborate to create over 50 nutritious meals delivered right to your door that meet a variety of personal preferences, dietary restrictions and allergies. The company also offers complimentary nutrition counseling sessions.

• How it works: Choose from individual meals by cuisine or diet, as well as affordable bundles. Meal plans include heart health, renal health, diabetes health, anti-inflammatory, immune boost, cancer support, plant-based, low-carb, dairy free & gluten free and more. The meal delivery is also covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and it offers great options for post-discharge meals.

• Lab lowdown: Our Registered Dietitian loves that all meals have less than 4 grams of added sugar and under 600 mg sodium. Testers appreciated the convenience of the meals and that both oven and microwave options were provided for preparation. “This meal service is super easy to use. The ingredients are fresh, and no artificial ingredients are used. It’s something I can feel good about eating,” a tester said.

• Pricing: Subscriptions can be set for weekly or monthly delivery. Most meals start at $8.99, with full Meal Plan Bundles starting at $107.88. Order over $100 are eligible for free shipping, but order below $100 are charged a $25 shipping cost fee.

• Packaging: The individual meal boxes are recyclable, and the BPA-free film covering can be recycled at select locations across the US.

• Availability: Shipping is available nationwide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii

Epicured was the first low-FODMAP meal delivery service designed for customers with common GI disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO and Celiac. Their Michelin-star chefs team up with physicians and dietitians to create delicious meals that accommodate complex dietary restrictions. All meals are fully prepared and require refrigeration upon arrival.

• How it works: The service works on a weekly subscription and all items are chosen à la carte. They offer over 100 menu items ranging from fully-prepared bowls, entrées and soups to smoothies and energy bites. Organic ingredients are used whenever possible.

• Lab lowdown: Testers were pleasantly surprised by the flavorful meals even though they were gut friendly. “We were hesitant about whether a low-FODMAP meal would be bland, but this was surprisingly flavorful and filling,” said one tester. Another tester remarked: “This service was much better than I expected. Learning that it was gluten-free and low-FODMAP had me prepared not to like the texture or flavor. But surprisingly enough, it was all very good.” Our experts appreciate the meal variety and that Registered Dietitians ensure each meal meets specific dietary requirements (not an easy task for low-FODMAP restrictions).

• Pricing: Epicured meals average about $15. Rewards programs are available as well as bundled packages. Choose from over 50 Low-FODMAP & Gluten-Free meals that are typically portioned for one.

• Packaging: All packaging is 100% recyclable.

• Availability: Epicured delivers to the contiguous 48 states. Free shipping is available east of the Mississippi River on orders over $100.

This organic meal delivery service offers fresh, ready-to-eat meals as well as wellness support. All items are organic, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and refined-sugar-free.

• How it works: The set menu rotates weekly and seasonally with new menu options dropping periodically. Choose from a variety of programs including their signature nutrition program, metabolism nutrition system, level II detox which is designed by a doctor, and their bridal program. Meal delivery includes up to three meals per day plus a daily detox or digestive tea and more.

• Lab lowdown: Testers loved that the meals in the kit were already prepared and many of the items didn’t even need to be heated up and were ready to eat. Although the plan is designed to offer health-conscious plant-based options, testers found the meals filling and high quality. “I did not think that I would enjoy the foods, but they were delicious. Flavorful, satisfying and filling. I may now be a convert!” a tester said. Another tester noted that “the food was delicious, and I felt full the entire day with the three meals. They were vegan and flavorful, and I didn’t miss any meat at all."

• Pricing & plans: Starts at $25 per day. Subscribers receive discounted prices and free delivery. Choose from 2-, 3- and 5-day options, and the service offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

• Packaging: The cardboard boxes are made from post-consumer recycled materials that are curbside recyclable, and they use #1 PET plastic meal containers because they are the most easily recycled and commonly accepted recyclable materials nationwide. The liners inside each box are made from recycled paper and corn starch and are now certified 100% curbside recyclable by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

• Availability: Sakara ships to the contiguous United States.

Founded in 2005 by a medical doctor, this meal delivery option features all pre-made meals that are shipped frozen. BistroMD caters to specific dietary lifestyles and preferences too, and you can choose from over 150 meals that are ready to eat in 5 minutes or less.

• How it works: Programs include Signature designed for weight loss, Gluten-Free tested to the FDA gluten free standard, Heart Healthy designed by doctors and all meals are sodium and saturated fat controlled, Keto Flex which features low carb offerings, Diabetic with meals 25 grams of net carbs or less and lean protein to help regulate blood sugar, and Menopause which is designed by doctors to help with hormone changes.

• Lab lowdown: Our nutrition experts appreciate the variety of plans that BistroMD offers, which cater to specific medical conditions and phases of life. The portion-controlled meals take the guesswork out of healthy eating. Testers gave the service top marks for convenience, variety, freshness of ingredients and ease of reheating the meals, noting that they loved that the meals required no prep work. “Good quality of food, interesting variety and good taste. Plus, I actually lost weight,” one tester said.

• Pricing & plans: Prices depend on the program length (5 or 7 days) as well as meal frequency and range from $149.90 to $219.80. All new customers receive a 25% discount and free shipping on their first week of BistroMD.

• Packaging: The box and meal sleeves can be recycled with other paper products, and the large insulation can be recycled anywhere.

• Availability: BistroMD ships to every state in the continental United States. They do not ship to Alaska and Hawaii.

Think meal delivery kit meets personalized grocer. Hungryroot delivers healthy food to your door with recipes and instructions on how to whip up quick, nutritious meals.

• How it works: Start by completing a quiz on your food preferences and more. Then, the service will create a grocery plan and recipes and fill your cart for you, but you can of course edit your delivery. All of the ingredients are wholesome, and the meals are easy to prepare. The service offers a variety of plans and is totally personalized to you and your preferences. Hungryroot launches several new products every month and has over 200+ groceries and 4,000+ recipes to choose from.

• Lab lowdown: Testers loved that many of the ingredients like salsas, sauces and chopped veggies were already prepared and streamlined the cooking process. Plus, the service has the option of adding groceries which is helpful if you need a few additional items. “I would recommend this service because of the ease of cooking the recipes, high-quality ingredients and delicious sauces,” a tester said. All products carried by Hungryroot are free from partially hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and artificial preservatives, which makes it a standout to our Registered Dietitian.

• Pricing & plans: Plans start at $70 with free shipping, and cater to anywhere form three to eight recipes that provide two or four servings each.

• Packaging: The box, paper cooler and food protector are all curbside recyclable.

• Availability: Hungryroot delivers to most zip codes in the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C, but does not currently deliver to Alaska or Hawaii.

The food and nutrition experts at Good Housekeeping Institute conducted a three-month-long meal delivery services study. We surveyed over 800 individuals to find out which meal delivery brands they loved. Then, we recruited over 150 consumer testers, as well as our in-house experts, to test over 40 services and make sure they lived up to the hype. We evaluated each on taste, pricing, variety, serving size, ingredients and availability. Our Registered Dietitians evaluated nutrition profiles of popular meals for each service, as well as ingredient quality and overall nutrition transparency of the services.

As Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN, NASM-CPT, handles all nutrition content, product testing and evaluation. She stays up-to-date on the latest research to provide evidence-based reporting on all things diet and nutrition, and she also runs large-scale tests and analyses for products ranging from protein bars and sweet snacks to supplements and meal delivery kits. She has a master's degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and has been a registered dietitian for six years, working in the clinical setting prior to joining Good Housekeeping and obtaining advanced credentials and board certifications in the nutrition field.