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Healthy premade meals that come fresh or frozen.

Since companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh led the launch of meal delivery kits over a decade ago, a lot has changed. What started as traditional kits with pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards has now evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers just like you.

Now, almost every kit caters to specific dietary restrictions and lifestyles. More meal choices and more variety is aplenty, and meals that can be made in short periods of time or that are completely pre-made are essential. If you are looking for home-cooked meals but don't want to really do any cooking, fully prepared meal delivery services may just be the solution for you. From freshly premade meals to frozen offerings, there is something for everyone to enjoy. But with so many options to choose from today, it can be difficult to figure out what service is ideal for you.

Enter the food and nutrition experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute. We conducted a three month long Meal Delivery Services study where we evaluated over 40 services ranging from traditional meal kits to semi-prepared options and fully prepared ready-to-eat meals that are delivered to your door. We surveyed over 800 individuals to find out which meal delivery brands they absolutely loved. Then, we recruited over 150 people as well as our in-house experts to test the services and make sure they lived up to the hype. Pro tip from our experts: we recommend reheating prepared meals via an oven or stovetop if the service allows for optimal quality, taste and texture. Here are the 14 best prepared meal delivery services according to experts and testers:

How it works: Freshly offers fully-prepared single-serve meals made with thoughtful ingredients and come at a fair price point. Choose from over 50+ meals catering to different dietary preferences like gluten free, plant based and carb conscious. Select 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12-meal plans. Lines include FreshlyFit, Purely Plant, Signature Classics, Takeout Twists, plus multi-serve Proteins & Sides designed to simplify meal prep. New meals are added weekly in addition to always-on customer favorites.

Lab lowdown: Testers found the meals fresh, flavorful and said that the portion sizes were just right. Our experts also noted the variety of meal choices and different lines to fit any lifestyle. "I found Freshly to rank higher than my previous meal kit delivery services for the overall convenience, nutrition, flavor and meal options. I liked that the kit contained fairly standard classic dishes, others sometimes included ingredients that I never heard of before," one tester said.

Pricing: Meals start at $8.99 each plus shipping.

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

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

How it works: These dietitian-designed fully-prepared meals are delivered fresh to your door and never frozen. Choose from 20+ weekly options with new menus each week. Plans range from 4 to 18 meals per week, and all subscriptions include one complimentary consultation with a Registered Dietitian.

Lab lowdown: Both experts and testers agreed that the portions were perfectly sized and the ingredients tasted fresh. Our Registered Dietitian loved that the service offers low-carb, plant-based, calorie smart and keto options too. Meals were delivered in great condition and ingredients tasted fresh. "Great quality of food and awesome flavors," one tester said. "Every dish is so tasty and it encourages healthier habits," said another.

Pricing: Starts at $11/meal plus free shipping.

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

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

How it works: Daily Harvest offers all plant-based prepared food that is frozen and takes only one step to prep. Their food is perfectly portioned for one, built on organic fruits and vegetables and is always gluten-free and dairy-free too. Choose from over 100 menu options like smoothies, soups, harvest bowls, flatbreads and more. Select your favorite items (you can pick anywhere from 6-26 items each time you fill your box) as well as how often you would like to receive them. 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: Daily Harvest was a top performer in our tests, with portion sizes, meal variety, freshness of ingredients and overall kit quality receiving exceptional scores. Testers also appreciated the sustainable packaging features, and our experts loved the wholesome high quality ingredients used in each dish. The benefit of a frozen service like Daily Harvest is that the food won't go to waste even if you can't enjoy it that particular week. “This service was amazing! Love that there is almost no prep work involved, and the ingredients were so fresh,” a tester said. "I enjoyed trying new food items and it was a great way to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet," another tester noted.

Pricing: 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.

Packaging: Their home compostable and recyclable packaging is made from plant-based renewable fiber that breaks down naturally.

Availability: Daily Harvest currently delivers to 95% of the continental US.

How it works: This prepared meal delivery service is made with fresh, organically-sourced ingredients and can be heated in the microwave or via stovetop. Meals are vacuum sealed in a container and you can select from a variety of special diet plans like Protein +, Keto, Whole30, Paleo, Standard Vegan, Low Carb Vegan and Bulk. Choose if you want meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and opt for either 5 or 7 days' worth of food. You'll also have the option to build your box a la carte.

Lab lowdown: The service received top scores from testers 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" a tester said. "Food was indeed fresh. There was a great variety with some surprising choices as well," another tester said.

Pricing: Meals start at $7.93 with standard pricing around $10.

Packaging: Meals are vacuum-sealed in BPA-free, recyclable trays. The plastic seals are also recyclable. The trays are delivered in insulated cardboard boxes with ice packs to keep them at safe temperatures.

Availability: Fresh N' Lean ships to the continental US.

How it works: Select from a variety of 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. Choose between different dietary preferences like Paleo, Keto Reset, Mixitarian, Plant-based, Vegetarian, Vegan, Whole30, Low Fat, Low Carb, Mediterranean Diet and more.

Lab lowdown: Testers thought the portion sizes and satiety of meals were excellent. Our Registered Dietitian loves that although the service caters to different dietary preferences , the meals were still extremely tasty and hearty. "Great flavors and very filling meals," 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.

Packaging: Every Territory meal delivery comes in compostable packaging.

Availability: Territory delivers to the DC metro area (plus Richmond and Coastal VA), New York City, Philadelphia, the Bay Area, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Southern California, and more. Customers can enter their zip code into the site to confirm if Territory delivers to their region.

How it works: Plant-based meals are made fresh, then frozen and delivered straight to your door. Choose from 50+ flavorful chef-prepared dishes with flexible plans including weight loss (5 or 7 day plan) or a la carte (choose 10, 20, or 30 meals). Meals can be heated up in the oven or microwave and the service also caters to special diets like gluten free, nut free, low calorie and kosher to name a few.

Lab lowdown: The service received top scores from testers on portion sizes and convenience. "These Veestro meal kits came out of the oven like they were never frozen. They tasted really fresh like a home-cooked meal," one tester said. "The portion sizes were pretty large and the quality was good," another tester noted.

Packaging: Meals are packed in 100% recyclable carton trays or 100% recyclable BPA-free plastic pouches.

Availability: Veestro ships nationwide except for Alaska and Hawaii.

How it works: This low-FODMAP and gluten-free meal delivery service is 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 for complex dietary restrictions. All meals are fully-prepared and require refrigeration upon arrival. They offer over 100 menu items ranging from fully-prepared bowls, entrees and soups to smoothies and energy bites.

Lab lowdown: Our experts appreciate the great meal variety and wholesome ingredients for a service that caters to very specific dietary requirements. Testers were pleasantly surprised by the flavorful meals even though they were gut friendly. "It catered to dietary needs without skimping on taste and quality. The food was flavorful and surprisingly filling. We also really liked the portion size," one tester said. “This service was much better than I expected. Learning that it was gluten-free & low-FODMAP had me prepared not to like the texture or flavor. But surprisingly enough, it was all very good,” another tester remarked.

Pricing: Epicured meals average about $13. Rewards programs are available as well as bundled packages.

Packaging: Meals are packaged in Polypropylene (PP) plastic containers that are recyclable, reusable and dishwasher safe. All Epicured boxes are recyclable as well.

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

How it works: Over 50 nutritious meals are created by Registered Dietitians, doctors and chefs that meet a variety of personal preferences, dietary restrictions and allergies. Choose from individual meals by cuisine or diet, as well as affordable bundles. Meal plans include heart health, renal health, diabetes, anti-inflammatory, immune boost, cancer support, plant-based, low-carb, gluten free and dairy free and more. The meal delivery is also covered by Medicare/Medicaid and they offer great options for post-discharge meals and renal diet menu plans.

Lab lowdown: Testers said the meals were fresh and liked that there was both oven and microwavable options for prep. 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. “I like the variety of dishes, easy in instructions, and the packaging,” a tester said. "I think this could really be a good thing. Flavor was great! Surprising to me for frozen meals," another tester mentioned.

Pricing: Individual meals start at $5.49 and Meal Plan Bundles start at $107.89 for 12 meals.

Packaging: The individual meal boxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard and 75% post-consumer waste and can be recycled.

Availability: Shipping is available nationwide.

How it works: You may know Sunbasket for their traditional meal kits, but they reintroduced themselves in January 2021 as a full-service meal delivery company rather than a meal-kit only company. They now offer three different types of services, one being pre-prepped meal kits which feature ingredients that are already sliced and diced to streamline the cooking process. But their new Fresh & Ready Meals are all single-serve and fully-prepared; they just require heating in the oven or microwave.

Lab lowdown: Testers appreciated the convenience of the Fresh & Ready meals and loved the flavors and unique offerings. Our experts love that every meal is crafted by both chefs and Registered Dietitians. “Great quality, sustainable packaging, flavorful meals,” a tester said. "Great variety and I like the bamboo style container the Fresh & Ready meals came in," another tester said.

Pricing: Meals start at $8.99 per serving.

Packaging: Both our experts and testers were impressed with Sunbasket’s sustainable packaging and delivery, which is a major effort for the brand. The boxes are made from recycled and virgin craft paper and the paper insulation is made from 100% shredded recycled paper filling, all of which is curbside recyclable. The meal bags are made from paper and can be recycled or composted, and the wooden tray and liners can be placed either in commercial compost or landfill to biodegrade.

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

How it Works: Eat like Tom Brady with these convenient and delicious meals that are centered around the athlete's nutrition regimen. Start by taking a quiz to narrow the focus on your specific preference and then customize your shipment of meals. Menu options are nutrient-rich and freshly frozen. You'll find everything from plant-based to meat and fish options too.

Lab lowdown: Our experts like that all meals are gluten-free and there are options that support vegan, keto and paleo diets too. Even though the meals come frozen, testers gave good ratings to the flavor and variety of meals. "This was a nice variety of meal choices, international flavors, and very easy to prepare," one tester said. The packaging is also microwaveable and designed to stay intact and "steam" the food where the film puffs up during the heating process. "The steam evenly cooks the food and there was not a rubbery taste often associated with microwaved foods," another tester said

Pricing: Purchase individual meals for $14.76 or for as low as $12.12 on a subscription program.

Packaging: All the materials in the meal delivery package are curbside recyclable. Packaging is BPA-free and BPS-free.

Availability: Ships through the continental United States.

How it works: Enjoy fresh, ready-to-eat organic meals plus wellness support with this unique program. All items are organic, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and contain no refined sugar. Choose from 3, 4 and 5 day options. Meal delivery includes up to three meals per day plus a daily “detox” tea and a 5-day Complete Probiotic supply. You also receive access to Sakara Wellness Coaches.

Lab lowdown: Our experts love the high-quality ingredients from Sakara and although the plan is designed to offer health-conscious plant-based options, testers found the meals filling and flavorful. “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. “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,” another tester noted.

Pricing: Starts at $25 per day. Subscribers receive a 15% discount.

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.

How it works: This service founded by a medical doctor features all pre-made meals that are shipped frozen. Customers can select from over 150 meals which are all 450 calories or less. Plans include a Women’s and Men’s Standard Plan designed for weight loss; a Gluten-Free Plan designed for those with Celiac disease; a Diabetic Plan with 25 grams or less of net carbohydrates at each meal; a Heart Healthy Plan that meets the American Heart Association’s recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat and saturated fat; and a Menopause Plan designed to keep blood sugar stable and prevent overproduction of insulin.

Lab lowdown: Our nutrition experts like that BistroMD offers a variety of plans that cater to specific medical conditions and phases of life. Testers gave the service top marks for convenience, variety and freshness of ingredients. “Good quality of food, interesting variety and good taste. Plus, I actually lost weight,” one tester said. "For an average of approximately 360 calories each, the meals were very filling. I loved how convenient they were. The salmon and BBQ beef meals were my favorite," another tester said.

Pricing: Prices depend on the program length (5 or 7 days) as well as meal frequency and range from $129.95 to $189.95. All new customers receive a 25% discount and free shipping on their first week of bistroMD.

Packaging: Entrees arrive in a 100% post-consumer recycled shipping box with dry ice and a biodegradable, eco-friendly liner for insulation.

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

How it works: Farmer's Fridge offers freshly prepared items that are now available by delivery. The menu features salads, grain bowls, wraps, breakfast bowls and desserts which come in convenient jars that can be reused. Farmer’s Fridge has a menu of 25+ items catering to various dietary preferences from gluten-free dishes to vegetarian and vegan offerings.

Lab lowdown: Our experts liked the convenience of reusable jars that made for the perfect portable meal and amazing fresh ingredients. The salads were not soggy and were surprisingly flavorful. The snacks including the trail mix and cookie dough bites were a hit too. The offerings made for an ideal healthy lunch option.

Pricing: All items are $10 or less. Minimum order of $25.

Packaging: Jars are BPA-free and 100% recyclable.

Availability: Farmer's Fridge ships to 40+ states (AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY).

How it works: Founded by a holistic health coach, Provenance Meals focus on simple, wholesome ingredients that are the foundation for the Korean diet: a variety of vegetables, minimal red meat, fish, long-simmered broths, and foods that are rich in gut-friendly probiotic bacteria. Choose from a variety of programs with a "detox" focus, with the three-day Feel Good Fix program shipping nationwide.

Lab lowdown: Testers found prep to be very simple and like that the service was primarily plant-based. Portion sizes are on the smaller side and the program is designed for individuals looking for a plant-based detox. "I liked that it came with everything, and that it was very simple to follow. It was also very encouraging and talked about mindful eating, and I appreciate the reminder," a tester said.

Pricing: Programs start at $198 + delivery, retail items range from $12 - 29.

Packaging: All of the meals come in compostable, recyclable and reusable packaging.

Availability: The 3-Day Feel Good Fix Program ships nationwide. Other programs ship to NYC and LA only.