9 Best Meal Delivery for Picky Eaters 2024: Reviewed

Finding the best meal delivery for picky eaters can be frustrating and confusing. This can be especially true if you have certain allergies, want to avoid certain ingredients, or just have very strong preferences for a handful of ingredients.

My team and I have personally tested every service on this list, which, in my opinion, contains all the best options for picky eaters. The best meal delivery services should have a large selection of meals, help you filter out allergens and other ingredients quickly, let you swap out different ingredients entirely, and tell you what each meal’s spice level is as well.

I believe Factor is the best thanks to its simple but tasty prepared meals that cover most mainstream diets. I’ve put together a list of the best meal delivery services for picky eaters to help you find your perfect meal, no matter what your personal preferences might be.

The Best Meal Delivery Services for Picky Eaters Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Selection of Different Meal Types

One of the most significant advantages of Factor is the convenience it brings to the table. As a picky eater, meal planning and preparation can be a daunting task. Factor takes away the hassle by delivering fully prepared meals directly to your doorstep.

What’s on the Menu?

Factor provides a wide variety of delicious meals, allowing you to choose from a diverse range of options that align with your specific tastes. Whether you have dietary restrictions, specific food aversions, or simply prefer certain flavors, Factor has you covered with its extensive menu selection.

Factor’s main strength is the different meal types available. This includes breakfast, sides, desserts, and proteins. You can even choose from smoothies, juices, shakes, and wellness shots. For picky eaters, variety is key, and Factor delivers on this front. 

The meals aren’t customizable (as with most prepared services), so you should check the ingredients for each meal before ordering to make sure it suits your needs. However, in my opinion, the large menu selection makes up for this.

What Makes It Special?

I like that there’s an option to book a free call with a nutritionist. This is really handy if you need some advice about which meals are best suited to your particular needs. It might even give you some ideas about other dishes you might enjoy trying.

The main dinner menu is quite vast and contains many different prepared meals for a range of diets including vegan, vegetarian, keto, flexitarian, and low-calorie. So if you’re a picky eater, there are always plenty of options.

Is It Good Value?

With Factor, you can enjoy flavorful and satisfying meals without any of the usual prep work. Our reviewer was impressed with the high-quality ingredients and that meals are ready in under 5 minutes.

Factor pricing varies by order size, with larger orders providing the best savings. For example, you can get 18 meals for $103.41 on your first order with our link.

2. Green Chef – Best for Plan Preferences

Green Chef offers a customizable menu that caters to various dietary preferences, making it a great fit for picky eaters. It provides a wide range of meal plans, including options for vegetarian, vegan, keto, and more.

What’s on the Menu?

Green Chef focuses on meal kits rather than prepared meals. This gives you much more flexibility and the opportunity to omit or substitute ingredients. However, if you prefer the ease of prepared meals, I recommend looking at Factor instead.

The company takes the stress out of meal planning and grocery shopping, making it a hassle-free experience for picky eaters. With its meal delivery service, you receive pre-portioned ingredients right at your doorstep, along with easy-to-follow recipes like the Quick & Easy Chicken and Potato Soup.

Most of Green Chef’s meal kits can be cooked in around 30 minutes. Plus there are Quick & Easy recipes that include pre-prepared ingredients and use fewer utensils. Our expert reviewer found that most recipes were “foolproof”, making it a good choice for novice chefs.

What Makes It Special?

Green Chef is committed to using organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. This is particularly beneficial for picky eaters who prioritize quality and are conscious of the ingredients they consume. Green Chef works closely with farmers and suppliers to ensure that the ingredients in its meals are of the highest quality.

You can choose meals from different plans. This means that if you have a vegetarian and a keto dieter in the household, both can have meals to suit their needs. This is also a great way to expand the range of cuisines to choose from.

Is It Good Value?

You can select a meal plan that aligns perfectly with your specific taste preferences and dietary needs. You can order 3 or 4 meals per week for 2 or 6 people and 2, 3, or 4 recipes for 4 people. Prices start at $9.99 per serving.

3. Blue Apron – Best for Menu Diversity

Blue Apron makes it easy to order the right meals if you’re a picky eater thanks to its massive selection of meal kits and prepared meals. Plus you might find that you’ll never get bored with the menu, as dishes are changed weekly.

What’s on the Menu?

There are various recipes, some of which are family-friendly, on the menu every week. Some dishes, like the Italian Chicken Focaccia Sandwiches and the Smoky Vegetable Enchiladas, can be made in around 30 minutes.

If you prefer easier prep options, there are Oven-Ready meals and Fast & Easy meals. These reduce the time you spend in the kitchen, giving you more time to sort out any sides that you know your picky eater is likely to enjoy.

If you opt for the prepared meals, you can easily preview the ingredients on the website. That means you can avoid anything you can’t eat and choose an alternative recipe instead. You can even check out our reviewer’s pick of their favorite Blue Apron meals in their review.

What Makes It Special?

You can easily omit certain ingredients during the cooking process if you order meal kits. Plus some meal kits also offer swaps. For example, the Shrimp Tacos and Peach Salsa can be made with shrimp or corn and tomatoes instead. Don’t forget you can also leave out ingredients or make your own substitutions at home.

Blue Apron promotes a sense of fun and creativity in the kitchen. Cooking can become an enjoyable experience, allowing you to experiment with flavors, try new cooking techniques, and customize recipes to suit your preferences. With Blue Apron, you can engage in the joy of cooking while sticking to your picky eating habits.

It introduces you to a variety of ingredients and flavors in a manageable way. Its recipes are designed to be accessible, and each dish comes with step-by-step instructions, making it easy to prepare even for novice cooks. This gives you the opportunity to start in your comfort zone and expand your culinary horizons gradually.

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron emphasizes high-quality ingredients, which is especially beneficial for picky eaters. The freshness and quality of the ingredients significantly impact the overall taste.

You can get started with Blue Apron with a minimum order of 2 servings of 2 Meal Kits per week, and prices start at $4.00 per serving. Families are well catered for as you can order up to 4 servings of 5 meals per week. You can also order a minimum of 4 prepared meals per week.

4. HelloFresh – Best Family-Friendly Meal Delivery

HelloFresh is the most family-friendly and budget-friendly service that’s great for picky eaters. It offers a variety of dishes that are relatively low in spices, and most of its meals are Americanized and not too exotic. The Family Friendly plan is great for encouraging younger, pickier family members to help out in the kitchen.

What’s on the Menu?

Whether you prefer classic comfort foods or have a preference for specific flavors and ingredients, you’ll find things like chicken dishes, meatloaves, burgers, pasta dishes, and salads on the menu.

The meals themselves are all meal kits, so you’ll need to spend some time cooking, but that could work in your favor. You’ll have much more control over every ingredient that goes into the recipe. So you could leave out the chili and spice blend in the One-Pot Cowboy Turkey and Bean Chili.

You’ll also only be getting mains here for dinner or lunch, so no sides or breakfasts, but there are a large number of entrees so there’s something on the menu you’ll enjoy. Plus, there’s a range of 10-Minute Lunches for a lighter meal, and even a brunch option every week.

What Makes It Special?

The service provides pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. As a picky eater, you may find it challenging to try new foods or experiment with different ingredients. HelloFresh lets you enjoy the benefits of home-cooked meals without the hassle of measuring or wasting ingredients.

If a meal has a particular ingredient you’re not fond of, you can choose to omit it. If you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, onion, or garlic, for example, you can replace them with an alternative that you do like.

The step-by-step instructions make it easy for even novice cooks to prepare delicious meals with confidence. The recipe cards are really clear as noted by my colleague when they tested HelloFresh at home. In fact, HelloFresh road tests each recipe 200 times, so even the more complex-sounding dishes should be logical to follow.

Is It Good Value?

HelloFresh provides options for many dietary preferences including vegetarian, vegan, and low-calorie. This means you can tailor your meal selections to accommodate any specific dietary restrictions or personal preferences you may have as a picky eater.

HelloFresh offers affordable prices, especially with larger orders. A 6-meal box for 4 costs $107.75 with our link, and shipping is a flat fee no matter the order size.

5. Home Chef – Best for Protein Customization

Home Chef offers a huge menu with 35+ meal kits of varying degrees of difficulty, depending on how much time you have. This can help you try out new recipes you may not have thought of. Or you can just save time by simply heating and eating your meals if you choose 1 of the extras like Creamy Tomato Soup.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu variety of Home Chef is good for picky eaters, as it allows you to explore different tastes in a controlled and accessible way. Home Chef balances classic tastes with new and exciting flavors, so there's something for everyone.

You can also choose between vegetarian, carb-conscious, or calorie-conscious meals. This is 1 of the filters on the menu, which makes it easy to see what kind of dishes to expect each week. For more details, check out our expert-tested review of Home Chef.

What Makes It Special?

Something else I like about Home Chef is the ability to customize the protein in most of the meals. Don’t like chicken? Don’t worry. Pork, turkey, steak, shrimp, or vegan “Impossible Burger” are some of the alternatives you’ll find. This makes it relatively simple to find something you’re likely to be happy with if you’re picky.

Home Chef also makes it pretty easy to choose the exact meal ingredients you prefer. You can select the ingredients you want to avoid during the signup process. These include pork, beef, poultry, fish, shellfish, mushrooms, sesame, tree nuts, or peanuts.

Lastly, each meal comes with a “spice level” indicator telling you exactly what to expect. Not every service has this, so it's great if you're picky about hot food. One of my favorite low-spice recipes is the Creamy Bacon and Green Onion Chicken Cutlet. 

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef provides detailed and user-friendly recipes that are designed to make meal preparation a breeze. The step-by-step instructions are clear and concise, making it easy for even novice cooks to follow along. This is especially helpful for picky eaters who may be hesitant to try new recipes or techniques.

A minimum order is 2 meals for 2 people per week. But you can order up to 6 meals for 6 people if you have a larger family. Prices start at $9.99 per serving and the ordered quantity doesn’t affect the cost per serving.

6. BistroMD – Great Choice for Different Dietary Needs

BistroMD is great for picky eaters because of its extensive support for a lot of different dietary needs. In addition to catering to those who prefer heart-healthy, gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and low-sodium meals, it also caters to low-carb, dairy-free, Mediterranean, and vegetarian. There’s even a dedicated plan for women going through the menopause.

What’s on the Menu?

Meals arrive fully prepared and frozen to retain freshness. Although this means you can’t customize individual ingredients, you can contact customer services to have dishes containing certain ingredients removed from your menu in your account.

Each dish is expertly crafted to provide a well-balanced and nutritious meal with a combination of proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. This is especially beneficial for picky eaters who may struggle to incorporate a variety of nutritious foods into their diets.

You can also get access to other types of meals like breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The same filtering system and dietary options apply to those types of meals as well. If you prefer to have more control over your meal’s ingredients, I recommend Blue Apron instead, which has meal kits and prepared meals.

What Makes It Special?

There are 7 plans to choose from including a Vegan plan. Don’t feel overwhelmed with the extensive number of dishes as they’re rotated every 6 weeks. Plus, the choices are limited further if you select a more specialized plan like Keto Flex. Our full, tested BistroMD review has all the details.

BistroMD goes the extra mile in supporting picky eaters by offering nutrition advice. You can access a team of registered dietitians who are ready to provide guidance and support.

Is It Good Value?

BistroMD is among the best options for picky eaters, even more so for those trying to lose weight. It also lets you personalize your weight loss journey to some extent, even having a free night to satisfy your cravings along the way. 

The minimum order is 10 meals per week which covers you for lunch and dinner. Prices start at $6.59 per serving based on the full 3 meals a day plan for 7 days (minus My Night).

7. Purple Carrot – Best for Plant-Based Picky Eaters

Purple Carrot specializes in plant-based meals, offering a wide variety of flavorful and creative recipes. Whether you're a picky eater looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet or someone who already enjoys plant-based cuisine, Purple Carrot has a diverse menu that caters to different taste preferences.

What’s on the Menu?

The meal delivery service offers a range of cuisines, flavors, and ingredients to keep your meals exciting and satisfying. That being said, if you choose the meal kit option, it’s easy to omit or even replace any ingredients you aren’t a fan of.

If you aren’t averse to trying out more adventurous options, you’ll find some on the Purple Carrot menu. Meal kits include Crispy Broccoli Pakoras, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Summer Vegetable Ciabatta, which is a Less Prep option.

Less Prep meals contain more pre-prepped ingredients. This makes them easier to cook for novice chefs but may still take around 30 minutes to prepare. If you prefer fully prepared meals, you can choose from dishes like Portobello Tortelloni and Cuban Style Black Beans.

What Makes It Special?

Each recipe is designed to incorporate a range of essential nutrients. This is particularly beneficial for picky eaters who may struggle to incorporate a diverse range of vegetables and plant-based proteins into their diet. Purple Carrot's meals ensure that you're getting a good balance of nutrients while enjoying classic flavors.

One thing to note is that Purple Carrot isn’t as eco-friendly in terms of packaging, despite its vegan credentials. Our reviewer wasn’t happy with the amount of plastic that they found in the delivery box. However, there are tips and instructions for recycling or reusing the packaging materials on the Purple Carrot website.

Is It Good Value?

You have the flexibility to choose from a selection of vegan recipes, so you get meals that align with your specific tastes. However, the menu is more limited than other services, like Green Chef for example, which caters to more than just plant-based diets and therefore has more weekly variety.

A minimum order is 2 servings of 3 meals per week for the meal kits plan. Or you can order 6, 8, or 10 prepared meals. Prices start at $11.00 per serving.

8. Dinnerly – Most Affordable Meal Delivery Service

Dinnerly keeps it simple, which is great for picky eaters. You’ll find some of the most affordable meals here, and most of them are quite basic with not too many ingredients or spices.

What’s on the Menu?

You have the freedom to choose from a diverse range of options, ensuring that you find meals that excite your palate. Whether you have a preference for classic comfort foods like the No Chop! Creamy Spring Linguine (pictured above) or prefer specific flavors and ingredients, Dinnerly has a big menu of pretty classic dishes.

You’ll find mostly meal kits here and a few prepared meals per week. Each meal only takes about 20-30 minutes to prepare, which, in my experience, is pretty reasonable. The prepared meals are found as part of the main menu.

Unlike most meal delivery services, you may need additional ingredients. Generally, this means seasoning, but you might need to add egg, milk, vinegar, or flour to create the recipe. Check the details before you start cooking.

What Makes It Special?

I like that there aren’t too many ingredients per dish, so you won’t have to spend a long time reading each list to see if there’s something you can’t eat. You’ll be able to enjoy your meal with the knowledge that it suits your needs.

Dinnerly prioritizes quality ingredients too. I like that it doesn't compromise on quality to maintain affordability. Find out more about how it uses sustainable proteins in our tried-and-tested Dinnerly review.

I love that you have the option to customize some of the meals, too. For example, the Garlic-Butter Chicken with French Fries recipe can be created with chicken or salmon. Just keep in mind that upgrades generally cost more.

Is It Good Value?

The meal kit provider often introduces innovative twists on classic dishes, allowing you to expand your culinary horizons without overwhelming your taste buds. Dinnerly provides an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try something new in a fun way.

With Dinnerly, you can order a minimum of 2 meals per week for 2 people. Prices start at just $2.12 per serving, making it a really affordable option. If you have a bigger family, no worries! Dinnerly also offers the option to order up to 6 meals per week for 4 people.

9. Marley Spoon – Best for Omnivores

Marley Spoon is best for omnivores who enjoy a variety of flavors and ingredients. It offers an extensive menu that includes a rich assortment of (mainly) meat-based dishes.

What’s on the Menu?

If you're exploring meal delivery services, Marley Spoon offers a weekly menu with about 100 meal kits. This is a huge variety, but bear in mind that not all meals rotate weekly in its selection, as I discovered. 

It's important to note that Marley Spoon's menu may be more limited for vegans. While it does offer some vegetarian recipes, the focus is primarily on meat and dairy-based dishes. As a result, vegans may not find many suitable options within the Marley Spoon menu. If you follow a vegan lifestyle, you might want to consider alternatives like Green Chef.

What Makes It Special?

Marley Spoon allows you to customize your weekly menu by providing options for substitutions and personal preferences. If there are specific ingredients or flavors that you're not fond of, you can make swaps or omit them from your chosen recipes. Our reviewer noted this isn’t limited to proteins, they were able to swap the type of rice in a dish, too.

It provides detailed and easy-to-follow recipes with step-by-step instructions. The clear instructions make it simple for picky eaters to prepare meals without feeling overwhelmed.

Is It Good Value?

Prices start at $4.99 per serving and you can choose between 2 to 6 recipes per week for either 2 or 4 people, which gives you the same flexibility as Dinnerly.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery for Picky Eaters

When you’re selecting a meal delivery for picky eaters, I recommend ensuring that you get the following:

• Personalization: I suggest opting for a service that allows you to personalize your meals. This ensures you receive the exact ingredients you prefer, especially if you have specific dietary preferences. Home Chef provides outstanding options for personalizing your protein choices. 

• Dietary options: Meal delivery services can cater to different dietary needs, but this differs depending on the service you choose. Check the menu carefully before signing up. If you’re looking for keto meals, try a prepared meal service such as Factor, or if you prefer meal kits, try Green Chef.

• Spices: Some meal delivery services show how spicy their meals are, and some don't. If your chosen service doesn't share this information, it's good to take a close look at the ingredients of each meal and look out for chilis, curry powders, and spice mixes. Home Chef shows the spice level for each dish.
  

• Menu size: Choosing a meal delivery service with a large variety of meals is particularly beneficial for picky eaters. You're not confined to specific ingredients, which is a big plus. HelloFresh, for instance, has an extensive menu filled with family favorites, all backed by easy-to-follow recipes. If there are ingredients you dislike, you have the freedom to omit them when you're preparing the meal at home.
  

FAQ

What meal delivery service is best for picky eaters?

Factor is my top choice for picky eaters. Depending on your dietary and ingredient preferences, you’ll find plenty of options on the menu. The pre-cooked and ready-to-eat meals are great for all kinds of eaters. Read about all the options on my list to find the best meal delivery service for you.

What is the cheapest healthy meal delivery service for picky eaters?

Though many meal delivery services are affordable, the most budget-friendly is Dinnerly. It offers a large selection of simple meals that aren’t too spicy and don’t contain very many ingredients, which could be the perfect option if you’re a picky eater.

What meal delivery service lets you customize your meals?

The most customizable meal delivery service on my list is Home Chef. You can choose your preferences when you sign up, and there are meals suitable for a range of dietary preferences. Plus, you’re able to customize meals by swapping proteins, which gives you much more freedom of choice.

Best Meal Delivery Services for Picky Eaters in 2024 — Final Score