These days, you can get just about anything delivered. And since it's becoming more popular to cook health-conscious meals at home, typical takeout is being crowded out by weeklong meal-subscription delivery boxes that come right to our front doors. We're talking about fresh ingredients, picked for us, and prepackaged with recipes tailored to our specific dining preferences. Hey, this sounds pretty damn convenient.
But before we all run out to sign up, there are a few questions to be answered: How much do these services actually cost? And which one (if any) of the dozens out there is right for us?
We've rounded up 13 of the most popular meal-delivery subscriptions available today. So scroll ahead to get the 411, and see which could be the one for you.
"Makes cooking fun and easy. We'll provide you with all the ingredients that you need to make a delicious meal in exactly the right proportions."
Cost: 2-person plan supplies 3 recipes per week (serving 2) for a total of $59.94 ($9.99 per serving). The Family Plan supplies 2-4 recipes per week (serving 4) for a total of either $69.92 or $139.84 (each $8.74 per serving).
Delivery schedule: Tuesday through Friday, with select Monday and Saturday availability in certain areas.
What you get: A flexible subscription for farm-fresh dinner with seasonal produce and spot-on proportions (no leftover food-waste here). Blue Apron also offers a wine-pairing membership to complement your selected dishes (if you so choose).
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Great for: Those looking to share in a straightforward food-delivery lifestyle with fresh food and wine.
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Apron.
"Chef-designed recipes, pre-portioned ingredients, delivered every week."
Cost: 2-7 dinners (serving 2) a week from $48-$168 (free shipping on orders over $50). Desserts can be added for an additional $4.
Delivery schedule: Delivery between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
What you get: A flexible meal-delivery subscription offering plenty of recipe combinations, plus dessert! The meals are designed by chefs and utilize sustainable and locally sourced products.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus staples (e.g. eggs, salt, pepper, olive or vegetable oil, etc.).
Great for: Those who are looking to prepare fresh dinner AND dessert on demand.
Photo: Courtesy of Plated.
"Delivers great recipes and fresh ingredients to your home each week. Cook fast, healthy recipes designed by nutritionists and chefs."
Cost: Choose from 3-5 meal boxes, ranging from $59-$99 (serving 2) or $105-$129 (serving 4).
Delivery schedule: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, with select delivery from Saturday through Tuesday in certain areas.
What you get: A flexible subscription for your choice of weekly dinner menus preplanned by chef Jamie Oliver ( swoon).
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Jamie Oliver fans or anyone with a busy life looking to get in on weekly meal prep made easy (and fresh).
Photo: Courtesy of Hello Fresh.
"Famous recipes and premium ingredients. Delivered to your kitchen and home-cooked by you."
Cost: Meals range from $33-$79 and serve 2.
Delivery schedule: Delivery between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; order one day prior to your desired cooking date.
What you get: Offering a wide array of dinner dishes from well-known chefs across the country (i.e. lots of Food Network stars). Less of a food subscription and more of a make-your-own-meal-on-demand service.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Non-committers who are interested in some occasional weeknight kitchen assistance.
Photo: Courtesy of Chef'd.
"Chef-prepared, healthy meals, delivered weekly."
Cost: Choose from 6-21 meals per week ranging between $69-$229.
Delivery schedule: Tuesday through Saturday — meals can arrive up to as late as 10 p.m. on the selected delivery date.
What you get: A flexible subscription with chef-prepared recipes and ingredients that not only come fresh (not frozen), but are ready to eat within 2 minutes of opening — no prepping, cooking, or cleaning required. All meals are free of gluten.
Cooking required? No. You get fully prepared meals.
Great for: Anyone looking to do zero work and eat extremely fresh food.
Photo: Courtesy of Fresh.
"Eating clean has never tasted so good."
Cost: 3 meals per day for $82 (one-week program) or $69 (weekly subscription).
Delivery schedule: Monday through Friday within the flexible timeframe that you select.
What you get: Flexible options for either a one-off or weekly subscription service of breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered to your door. All meals are plant-based, gluten-free, and organic.
Cooking required? No. You get fully prepared meals.
Great for: Those into clean eating, or with dietary restrictions, who have money to spend.
Photo: Courtesy of Sakara.
"Our weekly meal-delivery service has everything you need to prepare home-cooked meals in about 30 minutes."
Cost: $9.94 per serving.
Delivery schedule: Tuesday through Friday with a $10 fee for orders under $45.
What you get: Flexible subscription to chef-prepped, sustainably sourced and portioned meals that you can whip together in as little as 30 minutes or less.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Those who care about food sustainability and time — especially on weeknights.
Photo: Courtesy of Home Chef.
"Delivers fresh, locally sourced meal kits right to your door."
Cost: 2-12 servings of weekly dishes starting at $50 ($12.50 per serving).
Delivery schedule: Flexible select delivery dates depending on location.
What you get: Flexible subscription delivering food products that are sourced from small-scale Southern farms. All meals are packaged and proportioned in recyclable containers by classically trained chefs.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Those who are interested in some good old Southern comfort food made easy.
Photo: Courtesy of Peach Dish.
"Cook delicious plant-based meals at home."
Cost: 3 meals per week (serving 2) for $68 or 2 meals per week (serving 4) for $74.
Delivery schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday, dependent upon delivery area.
What you get: Flexible subscription for plant-based (i.e. vegan) meals that come freshly prepped and ready to cook.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Great for: Vegans.
Photo: Courtesy of Purple Carrot.
"Seasonal ingredients and delicious recipes from Martha Stewart delivered directly to your door."
Cost: Two-person box ranging from $48-$76 (2-4 meals a week), or the Family Box ranging from $76-$139 (serving 2 adults and 2 children, 2-4 meals a week).
Delivery schedule: Tuesdays and Fridays (shipping is free of charge).
What you get: Gourmet-made easy dinners by the legend herself, Martha Stewart — with the future possibility of breakfast, lunch, and dessert subscriptions.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Martha wannabes who don't have very much time to cook.
Photo: Courtesy of Marley Spoon.
"Fresh, organic ingredients. Healthy, chef-crafted recipes. Right at your doorstep."
Cost: Each weekly box contains 3 recipes for either 2, 4, or 6 servings ranging from $10.49 per meal to $14.99.
Delivery schedule: Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on your chosen delivery day (shipping is an additional $9).
What you get: A flexible subscription for USDA-certified organic dinners that will take you 30 minutes or under to cook.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured and prepped ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Those with dietary restrictions looking for some well-rounded meal support.
Photo: Courtesy of Green Chef.
"Custom, on-demand meal plans and grocery lists for your unique lifestyle. Optional grocery delivery."
Cost: 6-month and 12-month flexible subscriptions beginning at $8 monthly (excluding optional grocery costs).
What you get: Customized recipes, access to personal meal plans that are tailored to your specific needs, and an optional grocery list. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cooking required? Yes. You get recipes with optional corresponding ingredient deliveries.
Great for: Those who love to cook, but hate to plan ahead.
Photo: Courtesy of PlateJoy.
"A recipe for real life."
Cost: 1-serving items from $3.99 or 2-serving items from $9.99-$17.99. Shipping is free with a minimum order of $64.99.
Delivery schedule: Delivery days vary dependent upon area; meals will arrive between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
What you get: Flexible subscription for seasonally fresh meals that are pre-portioned and can be thrown together in 30 minutes or less. Food arrives in a convenient "climate-controlled, eco-friendly vessel" that is reused for future orders.
Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.
Great for: Those wanting fresh, dietary restriction-conscious meals delivered and tailored to their household sizes and schedules.
Photo: Courtesy of Terra's Kitchen.
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