While food delivery services seem pricey for some folks, the rising cost of groceries has made them a more attractive option. Between the time saved on grocery shopping, meal preparation, cooking, and clean-up, meal delivery has become invaluable to people with busy schedules (so, everyone.) But more than that, having a variety of healthy meals on demand makes it much easier to stay on track with your wellness goals because there are no healthy grab-and-goes open at 11 pm. Whether you are a busy parent, a couple with different dietary preferences, or a single person who loves dining in, a prepared meal delivery service is worth trying.
Food delivery services offer frozen or refrigerated fresh foods prepared just for your order, almost like having a home chef. Many services — like Daily Harvest, Mosaic and Blue Apron— have apps, so with a few clicks on your phone, you can have an entire week’s worth of food prep done in moments. You will also throw out less spoiled food with prepared options because you only order what you will eat. Schedule orders weekly or less frequently with each service.
While we’ve written about meal delivery services that require preparing and cooking, this list is for people who truly want to save the most time by opening a package and, at most, heating its contents. There are pricier or budget options and choices for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores, so scroll to find the best for you.
Mosaic Foods
We’re drooling at the menu: jerk lentil and plantains bowls, creamy pesto pasta, Mexican mole and more. All Mosaic foods are vegetarian, and the brand offers many vegan options focused on higher protein counts. Choose weekly or every two, three or four weeks for delivery, and meals cost around $11 each, with a discount for more you buy. Meals such as oat bowls and family-sized dishes start at $6 a serving, making this service one of the more cost-friendly. Smoothies are on the menu, made by Splendid Spoon, another plant-based food service.
Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest makes every type of meal, from smoothies to veggie bowls and pasta, and everything is free from animal products and gluten. The brand encourages you to add a protein, whether plant-powered or omnivore, to round out the meals. All orders over $100 get a 10% discount, with a $50 minimum. For ET Shop readers, use code DH15, which is 15% off when you $100+ on your first order. Try the portobello and pesto flatbread. Meals come frozen.
Thistle
Thistle offers plant-based meals from $10-$13 and snacks (like vegan cherry cheesecake mousse) for $7. Meat options cost a few dollars more per serving. Dishes like Grilled Corn And Poblano Chile Salad and Umami Mushroom & Lemon Miso Bowl are some of the culinary delights, and you can add juices and sides like soups and salads. While Thistle is available in most of the country, some zip codes may still not be available.
CookUnity
CookUnity’s unique hook is that well-known chefs create the meals. Dishes on the menu include herb-roasted salmon with truffle mash and blackened shrimp with cheddar-pancetta risotto, which is pretty fancy for food service. Use filters to view menus for keto, vegan, dairy-free, and more from an extensive selection that comes refrigerated, not frozen. It is well-rated, but some meals are fairly high in calories. You can score 50% off your first order.
Sakara
Sakara Life is a luxe nutrition-driven food service with a price tag to match. While one of the most costly options, it gets rave reviews for taste and healthfulness, with celebrity fans from Victoria’s Secret models to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chrissy Teigen. The brand claims to help you reset your cravings and get you on a healthier path, with options for supplements and shorter-term detox plans. Sakara might be especially great if you have a big date, like a wedding approaching, and want to glow. Everything is plant-based and comes refrigerated.
Factor
Factor offers dishes at around $14 per serving, which may be better for those eating keto or who prefer meat. Find options like garlic chicken with green beans and mashed potatoes, cold-pressed juices, and add-ons like lemon buttermilk pancakes. They have a rotating menu to avoid boredom and offer six to 18 weekly meals.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron is a popular meal delivery service that has expanded to ready-made options. The heat-and-eat options include dishes like lemon-caper steak and vegetables to veggie chili with cheddar cheese and farro. The brand boasts it offers 80 weekly options, and if you would like to do some cooking, you can throw in a few meal kits with your order.
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