13 Top Services for Delivering Prepared Meals in 2023

You may easily add more variety to your diet while saving time on meal preparation by using meal delivery services.

Prepared meal delivery services are particularly practical because many of them provide meals that can be quickly reheated and consumed without the need for cooking, chopping, or cleaning.

However, not every service that delivers prepared meals is the same. The authors and editors examined a variety of options to determine whether one was a worthwhile investment.

What are services that deliver prepared meals?

Services that deliver ready-to-eat meals to you are known as prepared meal delivery services. Meals that are prepared come completely completed, in contrast to meal kits that often require some assembly and cooking. While some are supplied frozen, others are delivered fresh.

You should be aware that prepared meal delivery services are expensive, even when compared to conventional meal delivery services (the kind that requires some cooking).

An inexpensive meal kit service can be a better option if you want to save money and don't hate cooking. You might also wish to prepare your meals u these affordable, healthful items and use these suggestions to cut your grocery price.

How we selected our best choices

Based on the following factors, we chose the prepared meal delivery services mentioned in this article:

• Ingredient caliber: Wecaliber for services that emphasize using high-caliber, fresh ingredients. We observed if the ingredients arrived in acceptable shape or whether any were ruined or damaged when testing the services.
• We are aware that taste is a personal experience. We did, however, make notes when using the services of whether the dishes were flavorful on their own or required additional flavors and spices.
• The variety on the menu: Variety is supposedly the spice of life. We gave priority to businesses that provide meals made with a variety of ingredients and flavor combinations to keep you interested in your meal delivery service.
• Dietary alternatives: To satisfy a variety of dietary requirements and preferences, we provided options to suit both individuals who attempt to eat a generally balanced diet as well as those who follow a vegan, keto, or diabetes-friendly diet.
• All of the services on our list have undergone vetting to make sure they adhere to Healthline's brand integrity standards and wellness philosophy. To learn more about our vetting procedure, click here.

The top prepared meal delivery services, according to VHDWU

Best overall component

• Cost: around $11 to $15 per serving
• Delivery: $9.99
• Keto, low-calorie, vegan/vegetarian, and high-protein diets

Factor uses fresh, never frozen ingredients to make meals free of hormones, antibiotics, refined sugars, and GMOs. Each week, it offers more than 20 dietitian-designed meals.

Factor offers oven and microwave reheating instructions for every meal. Meals can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days.

You can view meals that are ideal for paleo, ketogenic, low-calorie, low-carb, or vegetarian diets when placing your order by filtering the weekly menu.

What our tester says 

I have to admit that I get a little uneasy whenever I see a tray covered in plastic film. But Factor's dinners were better than I had anticipated. The proteins were all cooked to perfection, none of the vegetables were dull or mushy, and the flavors were spot on.

"While Factor is a bit pricey, I feel that the flavors and quality of the products make it well worth the money after trying other prepared meal delivery services.

In this thorough analysis, I explain why Factor was my favorite prepared meal delivery service overall.

Pros

• according to evaluations for keto, vegetarian, and low-calorie alternatives, high-quality meals with nice taste.
• flexible terms for subscriptions

Cons

• Quite pricey and might not be suitable for people with stringent dietary requirements

Affordable Most Freshly

• Cost: around $8–$12.50 for each meal
• Depending on the order quantity, shipping costs range from $7 to $12.
• Plant-based, gluten-free, low-carb, and low-calorie diets

Freshly delivers prepared meals that are fresh, never frozen, and ready to eat in three minutes or less.

Artificial chemicals and excessive sugar are not present in freshly prepared dishes.

Freshly is a fantastic alternative if you have a gluten-related condition because gluten-free meals are also made in a facility that has been certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. Even if the majority of the meals are gluten-free, it's still a good idea to make sure each dish has a gluten-free label before adding it to your cart.

One of our favorite dishes, Buffalo Cauliflower Mac and Cheeze, transforms a beloved family recipe into a gluten- and dairy-free dish by using lentil-based pasta and butternut squash, and nutritional yeast-based sauce.

What our tester says

"I like the inventive use of veggies and pasta made from legumes as a dietitian and mother to produce healthful twists without compromising flavor.

"The only drawback? After being reheated, a few of the dishes I tried were a little mushy. The softer texture is OK for me, but it might not be for others.

"Read this hands-on review to learn more about my experience with Freshly."

Pros

• You have the choice to miss orders or end your subscription at any moment, and the meals are freshly prepared without additives or extra sugar to fit low-carb and plant-based diets.

Cons

• may become mushy after reheating; an additional shipping fee

For athletes only Nutrition Trifecta

• Cost: around $11.5–$16 per meal
• Delivery: $9.99
• Paleo, keto, vegan, vegetarian, and Whole30 diets

With a rotating menu of paleo, keto, vegan, and vegetarian alternatives, Trifecta Nutrition offers completely prepared, fresh meals made to accommodate a range of diets.

Although each athlete has different nutritional requirements, these meals might be a good source of energy for workouts and recovery.

The meals can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days and in the freezer for three months or longer. Reheating guidelines for the oven, stovetop, and microwave are included with each meal.

To ensure quality, Trifecta Nutrition only employs organic and sustainably sourced ingredients in all of its meals, which also include lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables.

What our tester had to say

"The meals were well-reheated and had a variety of different components. Additionally, I discovered that the variety of flavors helped me avoid getting bored during the week.

The meals are a little lacking in vegetables, so you might want to add a side salad or roast a bunch of veggies throughout the week. Adding more condiments and spices to certain dishes made them taste even better.

"Read this in-depth review of Trifecta Nutrition to learn more about my experience."

Pros

• a range of food plans, including paleo, keto, and vegan, are available that are geared toward athletes.

Cons

• meals with no menu choice, few veggies, and a moderate price

Snap Kitchen's lowest-carb option is

• Cost: around $11–$14 per meal
• Delivery is free.
• Dietary categories include paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein, and Whole30

By sending wholesome meals right to your house, Snap Kitchen makes weekly meal preparation easier.

The program provides balanced meal plans as well as low-carb, high-protein, and keto-friendly menu options. Meals from Snap Kitchen are delivered fresh, with a shelf life of 4–7 days in the refrigerator, and may be reheated in the microwave.

Additionally, you can prolong the meals' shelf life by storing them in your freezer.

According to our tester

"I sampled a range of Snap Kitchen breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. I discovered that there was a fair selection of dishes to pick from, and I had no trouble finding meals that suited my dietary requirements and preferences.

"The dishes were easy to reheat and arrived in nice condition. The components were tasty and had a fresh taste, and the serving sizes were average. Although I didn't particularly appreciate any of the dishes, my spouse did.

"Aside from the price, Snap Kitchen's major drawback was that the dishes lacked enough vegetables to qualify as a regular portion.

Read more about my experiences in this first-hand Snap Kitchen review.

Pros

• offers free shipping on a range of meals suitable for the keto, paleo, Whole30, high-protein, and gluten-free diets.

Cons

• only provides 6 or 12 meals a week, which is not suitable for plant-based eating.

Best for weight loss BistroMD

• Cost: around $11–$15 per meal
• Delivery: around $20
• gluten-free, heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly, and ketogenic diets

A frozen meal delivery service called BistroMD focuses on serving low-calorie meals to help people lose weight.

The meals normally include less than 400 calories apiece, and the service provides special diet programs for menopause, diabetes, low carb, heart health, and gluten-free diets.

In addition to breakfast items, and lunch and dinner entrees, you can buy extra snacks that go with the chosen meal plan.

You can choose from BistroMD's full menu, which consists of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, or simply the lunch and supper options. Snacks can be added on as an extra add-on purchase, and you can select to receive 5 or 7 days' worth of food each week.

According to our tester

"The quality of BistroMD seems considerably superior to other frozen meals I've eaten.

The cuisine from BistroMD was much more enticing than other frozen dinners, which frequently had pools of liquid in the tray after being heated.

The quantities, however, are on the small side and might not be suitable for those who are active or have larger appetites.

Pros

• Low-calorie recipes for weight loss that are also gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and keto
• possible snacks

Cons

• Sending tiny amounts is expensive.

Best plant-based Spring

• Cost: around $16–$18 per meal
• Delivery: about $10
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets

A prefabricated meal delivery business called Springoffers single-serving vegan and gluten-free meals. The meals are produced using organic ingredients, served fresh, and free of refined sugar and artificial preservatives.

You should consume the meals within 5 to 6 days of getting them because they are supplied fresh. To store anything longer, some things can be frozen. To retain quality, Springadvises freezing only soups and curries and eating fresh salads.

According to our tester

"You should try out Spring if you enjoy grab-and-go salads or the hot food counter at Whole Foods. Spring's components were by far the freshest of all the prepared meal delivery services I tested, although it is not the cheapest option.

The portions were also generous, and the flavors were spot-on. Most of the meals included delectable sauces like a sunshine lemon dressing and a finger-licking-good pineapple soy sauce.

The necessity to move the meals to a plate or bowl before warming is a major drawback, aside from the price. Because I work from home, this wasn't a problem. It does, however, make the meals less portable for eating on the go.

Pros

• Offering fully prepared meals created with organic ingredients that just need heating, entirely vegan and plant-based meals are available.
• cuisine with fresh and tasty ingredients

Cons

• greater cost compared to similar food delivery services
• Transferring meals out of their original containers for reheating is necessary due to the $9.99 shipping fee for each delivery.

Best organic Daily Harvest

• Cost: around $6–$12 per item
• Delivery is free.
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets

Plant-based meal delivery business Daily Harvest offers a selection of organic meals, snacks, and smoothies.

Oat bowls, flatbreads, soups, harvest bowls, lattes, and other items are among the many choices on the company's menu.

All meals are completely organic, vegan, and gluten-free, and only need one step of preparation.

As long as you don't open your freezer frequently, which lowers the risk of freezer burn, Daily Harvest goods can stay frozen for at least 30 days in your freezer.

What our tester says: 

"I tested a few of Daily Harvest's products and found each item simple to prepare, but the smoothies require a little patience or a powerful blender.

"I liked the oat and chia bowls and the Cacao Nib + Vanilla Nibbles (hey, cookie dough-flavored bites!).

In general, Daily Harvest is an excellent choice if you're looking for a few breakfasts, snacks, or light lunches to put in the freezer. It's not the best option, though, if you're seeking larger or more full dinners, as I point out in my in-depth analysis.

Pros

• Free shipping on 100% vegan and gluten-free meals and snacks produced with largely organic ingredients that require no preparation.

Cons

• offers lighter meals, which might not be substantial or full enough for certain people, for a price.

Best subscription-free Real Eats

• Cost: around $13.50–$16 per meal
• Delivery: not specified
• Dietary types: plant-based, vegetarian, keto, low-calorie, low-carb, and high-protein Mediterranean

Real Eats provides completely prepared, wholesome, and practical meals. They are tasty, can be reheated in the microwave or with boiling water, and will keep for up to 7 days in your refrigerator.

Each week, you can select between 4, 6, 8, or 12 dinners, either with or without breakfast.

Along with meals that are plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free, the company also sells soups, snacks, smoothies, and beverages.

Meals are prepared using premium ingredients that are devoid of GMOs, fillers, binders, and preservatives. The majority of the ingredients are seasonal, and whenever possible, they come from local vendors.

Real Eats doesn't require a subscription to utilize. Instead, you can place weekly food orders.

Pros

• a variety of meals with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients are offered, and no subscription is necessary.

Cons

• not accessible in every state
• fairly pricey

Best for soups, smoothies, and grain bowls Splendid Spoon

• Approximately $10.50 to $14.50 per meal
• Delivery is free.
• Low calorie, low fat, low sodium, low sugar, vegan, and gluten-free

A meal delivery service called Splendid Spoon makes it simpler than ever to consume a plant-based diet.

The business offers a changing menu of vegan and gluten-free breakfast smoothies, grain bowls, soups, and noodle dishes.

There are numerous plans available that offer alternatives for breakfast, lunch, or dinner five days a week. A "reset day," which consists of light soups, is also included in some programs additionally, the business provides one-time on-demand boxes.

What our tester says

"I heartily recommend Splendid Spoon if you're a fan of smoothies, noodle bowls, or grain bowls.

"The smoothies are crafted with nutrient-rich ingredients and aren't excessively sweet, which is why I particularly liked them. The fact that you can store the noodle bowls in the fridge or freezer and easily reheat them in the microwave makes them ideal for lunches, particularly the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles.

Only the health shots and the soups disappointed me, however, I, think I would have preferred the soups with a sandwich or crackers on the side for dipping.

"Read more about the products I'd reorder in my in-depth hands-on review."

Pros

• huge selection of smoothie and soup flavors that are vegan and gluten-free flexible subscription choices on-demand boxes available with free shipping

Cons

• Nutrition Facts panels indicate two servings per container, which is a modest price.

Best frozen Mosaic Foods

• Cost: around $5–$12 per serving
• Shipping is $10 unless there are 12 or more goods ordered.
• Vegetarian and vegan diets

Known for its single-serving and family-size (many servings per package) frozen meal deliveries, Mosaic Foods offers plant-based meals.

Some options are available on the fixed menu at Mosaic, including veggie bowls, pizza, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls. Additionally, it provides seasonal meals that are available for a brief period.

All of the dishes are vegetarian, however, only a few are vegan-friendly; some dishes might contain dairy. People with gluten-related diseases or food allergies may need to steer clear of Mosaic because it contains gluten and other allergens.

According to our tester

Except for the Italian "Sausage" Lasagna, I tried four of Mosaic's family-size dinners, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Overall, the meals had good textures and weren't overly mushy. They were flavorful without being overly salty or seasoned.

"I especially liked that there were a lot of different taste combinations available and that each meal had at least four different types of vegetables. Just keep in mind that family meals do require 60 to 90 minutes to reheat in the oven, making them unsuitable if you need to serve supper right away.

Pros

• offers vegetarian and vegan options and single-serving and family-size meals at prices that are less expensive than some comparable services, particularly for family-size meals. It also offers discounts and free shipping on larger orders.

Cons

• For lesser orders, shipping is $10.
• not free of gluten or allergens; family-size meals require reheating for one hour or longer.

Best for older adults Magic Kitchen

• Price per entrée: between $9.50 and $56.
• Delivery: varies
• Types of diet: vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, low salt, low carb, low fat, kidney illness, dialysis, and diabetes

For a variety of dietary requirements and tastes, Magic Kitchen offers a selection of fully prepared frozen meals.

The organization, in contrast to other services, provides meal plans that are specialized to particular medical problems, such as dialysis-friendly, low sodium, renal, and diabetes-friendly diets.

Additionally, Magic Kitchen offers meals that are nutritionally sound and low in sodium on a menu that is tailored especially for older individuals.

The meals can be safely kept in the freezer for up to six months and are simple to reheat in the microwave.

Prices per dish range from $9.49 to $55+ when ordered individually. Some bundles provide meal packets at a discount. By calling the business, you can create a personalized subscription.

Pros

• a range of meals designed to meet the special needs of senior citizens
• Personalized subscription plans with free shipping are available for meal plans for kidney disease, dialysis, low sodium, and other conditions.

Cons

• can be pricey
• possibly difficult to navigate website

Best for diabetes Diet-to-Go

• Price: between $10 and $14
• Delivery: around $20
• Diabetes-friendly, ketogenic, and vegetarian diets

Diet-to-Go provides fresh, completely prepared meals that have received nutritionist approval to make healthy eating simple.

Along with the company's renowned Balance menu, ketogenic and vegetarian meal plans are now available.

For those with type 2 diabetes, Diet-to-Go also offers a heart-healthy, calorie-restricted meal that is completely customizable.

These meals can be frozen for a longer shelf life or kept in the fridge for up to 7 days. You may reheat them in the oven, microwave, or stovetop, but it's best to thaw them first.

Pros

• In addition to lunch and dinner entrees, low-calorie meal plans for weight loss offer breakfast. Keto, vegetarian, and diabetes-friendly meal plans are also available.

Cons

• Sending tiny amounts is expensive.

Best for keto 518 Kitchen

• Cost: around $8.50 to $19 per dinner
• Shipping is $15 otherwise, free for orders over $150.
• Low-carb, keto, and gluten-free diets

Along with individual entrees, sides, snacks, and desserts, 518 Kitchen specializes in prefabricated low-carb and keto meals.

All meals are gluten-free and created with premium ingredients including responsibly harvested seafood and 100% grass-fed beef.

The keto meals offered by the service have less than 5% of their calories come from carbohydrates, whilst the low-carb meals might have up to 25%.

Individual meals, meal packages, and subscriptions are all available from 518 Kitchen. 10% off the standard price is given for subscriptions.

Pros

• prepared with premium components, such as grass-fed beef
• a variety of low-carb recipes and keto
• an entirely gluten-free menu
• 10% off when you subscribe

Cons

• not a good fit for plant-based diets, relatively pricey

Immediately compare the top prepared meal delivery providers.

Here's a short comparison of our top choices:

	Basics	Approximate price per serving	Shipping
518 Kitchen	specifically designed frozen meals for keto and low-carb diets	$8.50–$19	free or $14.99
BistroMD	Zero-calorie frozen food	$11–$15	$19.95
Daily Harvest	bowls, smoothies, desserts, and snacks made of frozen plants	$6–$12	free
Diet-to-Go	fresh meals for managing diabetes and weight	$10–$14	$19.98
Factor	Dietitian-approved, fresh meals created with premium ingredients	$11–$15	$9.99
Freshly	delicious, single-serving meals that are fresh.	$8–$12.50	$6.99–$11.99
Magic Kitchen	addresses the dietary requirements of older persons, frozen meals	$9.50–$56+	Varies
Mosaic Foods	vegetarian single-serving and family-size frozen dinners	$5–$12	free or $10
Real Eats	freshly prepared dishes using premium ingredients	$13.50–$16	not disclosed
Snap Kitchen	fresh microwaveable meals to suit various dietary requirements	$11–$14	free
Splendid Spoon	wholesome lunch bowls and smoothies that are vegan and gluten-free	$10.50–$14.50	free
Sprinly	fresh, organic, gluten-free, and vegan meals	$16–$18	$9.99
Trifecta Nutrition	freshly prepared meals for peak athletic performance	$11.50–$16	$9.99

Note: Prices are correct as of the publication date.

How to pick a ready-to-eat food delivery service

When choosing the best-prepared meal delivery service for you, keep the following things in mind:

• Choose a restaurant that has a broad menu that has a range of selections to accommodate your individual dietary needs and cuisine tastes.
• Ingredient quality: Some customers might favor a service that uses organic or responsibly sourced foods in addition to freshness.
• Choose services that emphasize serving meals with lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and lots of vegetables. Try to stay away from meals that have a lot of sodium, added sweets, or artificial additives.
• Cost and accessibility: Due to the wide price ranges, choose a service that suits your monthly spending plan, including shipping. It's also critical to confirm that the service is offered in your region.

Who ought to try a ready-meal delivery service?

There is no denying the price of prepared meal delivery services. However, some people could discover that these services' advantages outweigh their drawbacks.

A prepared meal delivery service might be advantageous for you if you:

• lack the time to cook often order out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner require assistance adhering to a new dietary pattern are adventurous and want to explore new flavors and components

How each service was examined

There were multiple procedures involved in choosing the best-prepared meal delivery service, including a trained dietitian's evaluation of each service, a review by Healthline's team of medical experts, and taste testing by Healthline writers and editors.

We ordered entrees from each menu for services with numerous menus to a more complete picture of the flavors and meals the service provides.

We took into account the following things when testing:

• Registration and menu navigation: Was the registration process simple? Were there diet-specific menus or filter choices to make it simpler for people to select meals that adhered to their dietary preferences and restrictions?
• Variety of recipes How many different lunch alternatives were available? Was the range of cuisines and ingredient fusions satisfactory?
• nutritional makeup: Did the majority of the meals provide a balanced diet? Did they have a lot of vegetables in them?
• Freshness and quality of the ingredients: Did the ingredients arrive in good shape and freshness? Did the service provide products of a better caliber, like organic veggies or grass-fed beef?
• Ease of preparation: Were the dishes pretty simple to prepare, or did they call for some culinary expertise? How accurate were the predicted cooking times?
• Taste: Where are the majority of the dishes seasoning-rich, or did we need to add extras like spices, herbs, or condiments to enhance the flavor?
• Packaging: Did most of the meals' recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging arrive with them? Which items could be recycled or used again? Was that obvious?

FAQs

What is the healthiest premade meal delivery service?

Your preferred type of food, any dietary restrictions you may have, and your health objectives will all play a role in this.

For instance, low-calorie meals from Diet-to-Go and BistroMD may be a suitable choice if you're attempting to reduce weight. Try 518 Kitchen, Factor, or Snap Kitchen if you adhere to the keto diet.

What is the best-prepackaged food delivery?

This is dependent upon your dietary requirements, preferred meal kinds, and taste preferences. If you're looking for a prepared meal service that's a good fit for you, any of the services on this list may be a wonderful place to start.

Which prepared meal delivery service is the least expensive?

Some of the most affordable price points for prepared meal delivery services are provided by Daily Harvest and Freshly.

What makes a prepared meal delivery service different from a conventional meal delivery service?

Regular meal delivery services often entail some cooking and preparation of the meals. The only preparation necessary for meals from prepared meal delivery services is warming or blending (for smoothies).

What is the most affordable prepared meal delivery service?

• Every place. beginning at $5 per serving. @ Every plate, please.
• Dinnerly. beginning at $6 per serving. Check out Dinnerly.
• Foods mosaic. Plans begin at $5 per dish. Visit Mosaic Foods to see.
• HelloFresh. If you purchase meals for four, each portion costs $8.
• domestic chef beginning at $9 per serving.

What is the best mail-order food service?

• domestic chef Home Chef offers a decent selection of dishes, and there are numerous options for modification if you have dietary constraints. 
• EveryPlate
• Purple Carrot
• Freshly
• Factor
• Dinnerly
• Hungryroot.

The conclusion

You can have healthy meals at home thanks to the many meal delivery services that are offered.

Services designed for elderly persons, vegetarians, athletes, and others are among the options available for a variety of specific diets and culinary preferences.

Make sure to take into account elements like price, accessibility, variety, and quality when choosing a prepared meal delivery service.