9 Best Meal Delivery in Boston 2024: With Discounts

Meal delivery services take the hassle out of cooking by providing you with tasty recipes and high-quality ingredients, all delivered to your door. So if you feel like you’re always running out of dinner inspiration, it could be time to let the pros handle the menu. 

I’ve researched and compiled this list of the 9 best meal delivery services in Boston that cater to a variety of needs, including plant-based, vegetarian, weight-loss meals, and more.

My top choice is Factor. You can choose from a weekly menu of super-convenient prepared meals for a range of diets. Keep reading to find out all the details.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Boston Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Overall Meal Delivery for Boston

Factor’s prepared meals are a quick and healthy option for those who are looking to eat well but struggle due to lack of time. Whether you want to stick to a specific diet, try more plant-based foods, or just enjoy more balanced meals, Factor is a good place to start. 

What’s on the Menu?

The service is particularly known for its keto menu, which combines healthy fats and lean protein with fewer carbs than standard ready meals to keep your body burning fat through ketosis. As an example, the Keto Poblano Bowl (pictured) uses broccoli rice in place of long-grain rice.

Factor also offers vegetarian and vegan meals. While the weekly selection (typically 4 across both categories) may not be enough for those who are purely plant-based, these meals are a great way to add some meat-free days into your diet. 

Factor’s protein packs, smoothies, soups, and other add-ons make this service even more convenient. Look out for high-protein breakfast options like the Sausage and Egg Skillet, while the smoothie packs and keto-friendly snacks are perfect for enjoying post-workout.

What Makes It Special?

The meals take around 3 minutes to warm up in the microwave, and they are both tasty and filling. If you’re unsure, Factor’s meals were an overall hit with our reviewer in this tested review.

You’ll also get a free 20-minute consultation with an in-house dietitian when you sign up for Factor. If you find your session helpful, you can subscribe to additional nutrition coaching support. This personalized, professional approach to healthier eating can be helpful for people looking to make lasting lifestyle changes.

Is It Good Value?

Factor's service is ideal if you follow a specific diet, like keto, low calorie, or high protein, offering balanced, ready-to-eat meals, delivered right to your doorstep. This eliminates the hassle of meal planning and preparation for specialized diets. 

Factor's prices drop with larger orders. You can get 18 meals for just $103.41 on your first order using our link.

2. HelloFresh – Best Family-Friendly Meal Delivery in Boston

HelloFresh subscribers are spoiled for choice, with a huge number of meal kits to choose from each week. The menus are developed around seasonal produce and include a wide variety of American and international favorites. 

What’s on the Menu?

You’ll always have access to the full menu each week, but you can narrow down your choices with one of HelloFresh’s 6 plans, which include Veggie, Pescatarian, Fit & Wholesome, and Family Friendly, among others.

The service labels all its recipes by difficulty. You’ll find that most dishes are rated Easy – like the One-Pan Cheesy Black Bean Tacos pictured. Some are Medium or Difficult, but you can choose meals to match your culinary skill. 

You’ll also spot some Hall of Fame recipes, which come back by popular demand from HelloFresh subscribers. You can browse the menu even without having to log in, so you can work out if this service appeals before you sign up.

Our reviewer loved how their meals turned out when they tried HelloFresh at home, and since then the menu has only grown to give diners even more options – from tacos and burgers to flatbreads, tagines, and pasta bakes.

What Makes It Special?

There are some customizations available, too. If you like the sound of the Golden Chicken Schnitzel, for example, but are watching your carb intake, HelloCustom lets you swap in a broccoli side instead of the potatoes. You can also swap the protein choice on some dishes.

HelloFresh also has an extensive selection of recipes and blog posts on its website for you to refer to. These are a great resource, whether you need some guidance in the kitchen or you simply need to be inspired when it comes to weeknight dinners. 

Is It Good Value?

If you’re new to meal delivery services, HelloFresh is an easy and friendly introduction. I’ve found the customer service to be great, the website easy to navigate, and the recipes straightforward. Plus, Boston’s students, military, and veterans can all get a 15% discount. 

You can order a minimum of 2 recipes for 2 people and a maximum of 6 recipes for 6 people. Larger orders offer a better per-serving price. For example, as a first-time user, you can get 6 meals for 4 people for only $107.75 by using our link.

3. Blue Apron – Best Wellness Meal Kits in Boston

Blue Apron is geared towards foodies who love to cook, but it’s also great for enthusiastic beginners who want to up the ante in the kitchen, with how-to videos on the website and app, and easy-to-follow recipes in each box. 

What’s on the Menu?

Its main offering is DIY meal kits, which include dishes like Cous-Cous Stuffed Peppers with Tahini Dressing. You can also order Prepared & Ready meals that arrive fresh and ready to cook. The Add-ons menu offers salads, sides, and other extras.  

Blue Apron offers 5 different plans to help personalize your options every week, but you can always order from the wider menu. These plans include the Wellness Plan, with diet-friendly options; Fast & Easy, which includes quick-to-prep dishes; and a Family Friendly plan for meals that kids are sure to love. 

In fact, our reviewer praised Blue Apron for its huge variety and reasonable price point. Blue Apron’s Premium recipes involve more advanced cooking techniques and come with an upcharge thanks to their high-end ingredients (think tenderloin steak and pan-seared duck), while the Quick Prep meal kits include several sheet pan and one-pot dishes. 

What Makes It Special?

The service also regularly partners with renowned chefs, including Tim Hollingsworth of Netflix’s The Final Table, which means diners have regular access to new and exciting ingredients.  

Blue Apron offers a range of add-ons, making this service something of a one-stop shop. Pick up everything from breakfast dishes – like Blueberry Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter, and Chorizo Breakfast Burritos – to desserts and extra microwaveable meals, additional proteins, and so much more. 

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron lets you order 2, 3, 4, or 5 meals per week for either 2 or 4 people. You can also order 4, 6, 8, or 10 Prepared & Ready meals, and even add additional meals to your regular order. This flexibility caters to various household sizes and dining preferences, from couples to larger families. 

In terms of pricing, Blue Apron’s meals start at $4.00 per serving when you order the maximum number of meals. Shipping costs $10.99 per delivery.

4. Green Chef – Best Organic Meal Delivery in Boston

Green Chef was both the first USDA-certified organic meal delivery service and the first meal kit to receive gluten-free certification. Its healthy, balanced dishes are varied and exciting – and it offers a particularly great range of options to suit specific dietary needs.

What’s on the Menu?

There are 8 plans to choose from, including Keto, Mediterranean, Calorie Smart, Plant Based, Quick & Easy, and Protein-Packed. 

Each meal focuses on nutritionally dense ingredients, so your body will get everything it needs without skimping on portion size or flavor. Indulgent but healthy dinner options include Tropical Teriyaki Sockeye Salmon Bowls with Rice, Mango, Cabbage Slaw, Sriracha Aioli, and Pickled Ginger.

Green Chef recipes come with detailed step-by-step instructions, ensuring a smooth cooking experience even for beginners. Each recipe includes a comprehensive equipment list and nutritional information, so you’re fully informed.

What Makes It Special?

Green Chef also focuses on eco-friendly packaging, using only recyclable materials or paper where possible. It’s one of the pricier options on my list, but those who value high-quality, organic, sustainably sourced ingredients will consider it worth the cost.

There’s now a great range of add-ons available, too. Every week, you can order extras like breakfast entrees and 10-minute salads and wraps, as well as additional proteins like chicken cutlets and salmon filets. Not only are these super convenient, but they could also help you resist the temptation of the grocery store aisles and stick to your healthy eating goals.

Is It Good Value?

Green Chef will appeal to healthy eaters, but it’s also a great choice for families, with the option to order up to 4 recipes for 6 people each week. And with rave reviews like “the best meals I’ve ever had from a meal delivery service”, it’s likely to prove a hit, no matter who you’re cooking for.

Green Chef starts at $9.99 per serving when you order the maximum number of meals per week.

5. Home Chef – Best Customizable Meal Delivery in Boston

Home Chef’s secret weapon is its Customize It feature. Swap or double up on the protein in almost every meal. Many meal delivery services have now followed suit with their own customization options – but few offer as many as Home Chef.

What’s on the Menu?

Home Chef also lets you choose between a variety of meal types. These range from top-end, restaurant-quality meals to quick and easy prepared dishes. There’s also a new Family Menu that filters out the 10+ best family-friendly meals each week.

For those who have more time, the Culinary Collection features complex dishes that take around 60 minutes, and the service regularly hires top cooks like Rachael Ray to produce new signature dishes. Premium options start at around $15 per portion, which is certainly cheaper than takeout from a fancy restaurant.

Home Chef has a good selection of vegetarian entrees, but there’s still not a lot of choice for vegans, who will be better off with a service like Green Chef that has dedicated plant-forward plans. I like that you can find meals tagged Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Keto-Friendly, and Gluten-Smart meals on the menu, extending your options further.

What Makes It Special?

I’ve found Home Chef’s ordering process to be both simple and intuitive. The menu provides difficulty ratings and a spice level for each meal, allowing you to choose recipes that suit both your culinary skills and heat tolerance. 

Avoiding ingredients you don’t want is simple. When you sign up, you have the option to remove recipes that include sesame, tree nuts, pork, shellfish, mushrooms, beef, poultry, peanuts, or fish. Serious allergy sufferers may find Home Chef unsuitable, as cross-contamination is still possible.

My colleague said they had “a pretty perfect experience” after trying Home Chef for themselves, citing the quality of the meals and the option of leftovers as a highlight.

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef also has easy-prep recipes like its Express Meal Kits, oven-ready options, and Fast & Fresh microwaveable meals. And you can order extras like protein packs, super-speedy salad bundles, desserts, breakfasts, and beverages.

Home Chef lets you order up to 6 meals with up to 6 servings each week. Prices start at $9.99 per serving. This is just a guide price, as many meals cost more, and everything from customizations to add-ons will affect the final price.  

6. BistroMD – Boston’s Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Service

There’s no denying the convenience of BistroMD’s prepared meals. The service delivers all 3 meals of the day to your door to make tracking your food, losing weight, and managing certain health conditions as easy as possible. 

What’s on the Menu?

There are 7 plans to choose from, including Gluten-Free, Heart-Healthy, Diabetic, Menopause-Friendly, Vegan, and Keto programs. When you sign up, you’ll also have access to registered dietitians and fitness experts. 

Optional EATS (Essential And Tasty Snacks) are available to purchase as extras. They include items like protein shakes, protein bars, granola, nuts, and more. 

Each entrée comes in at less than 450 calories per serving to help you stay on track, yet the portion sizes are generous enough that you won’t feel cheated or hungry. The meals are prepared using fresh ingredients – which are then flash-frozen to preserve the nutrients and just need to be heated in the microwave.

What Makes It Special?

The founder of BistroMD, Dr. Caroline J. Cederquist, is a bariatric physician specializing in weight loss. She started BistroMD to ensure her patients were getting balanced meals that provided all the daily nutrition they needed. Today, Dr. Cederquist works with other medical professionals to provide weight-loss programs that cover all kinds of goals and conditions. 

BistroMD offers support that can help people develop healthier lifestyle habits, including maintaining their ideal weight once they reach it.

Is It Good Value?

You can order 2 (lunch and dinner) or 3 meals per day for 5 or 7 days a week. Our reviewer was especially impressed by BistroMD’s desserts and snack options. 

BistroMD starts at $6.59 per serving when you order the maximum number of meals per week. And if you want to lose weight with your partner, BistroMD offers a 15% discount for couples.

7. Purple Carrot – Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service in Boston

Purple Carrot is a great option for long-standing vegans and plant-based newbies alike. Each week, you can choose from 16 prepared meals or 12 meal kits, along with some easy-prep breakfast and lunch dishes and vegan-friendly add-ons like chocolate, cookies, plant-based cheese, and bean burgers. 

What’s on the Menu?

Purple Carrot offers a well-curated menu that provides a commendable range of cuisines. It’s an excellent choice for vegans or those looking to increase their intake of plant-based meals. 

It doesn’t rely on processed meat alternatives. Instead, Purple Carrot’s dishes celebrate veggies, with highlights like Lemon-Braised Chickpeas with Rosemary and Cashew Cheese, and West African Peanut Stew with Swiss Chard and White Quinoa (pictured).

You don’t need to be vegan to enjoy Purple Carrot. We could all use more veggies in our diet, and it’s a great introduction to new and exciting plant-based ingredients. My omnivorous colleague tried Purple Carrot at home and declared that the recipes were guaranteed to please even the fussiest of meat-eaters.

What Makes It Special?

You can choose meals that are high in protein, soy-free, low-calorie, gluten-free, and nut-free, while the new Less Prep recipes feature prepared sauces, pre-chopped vegetables, and methods that mean less cooking and cleanup. 

Purple Carrot’s prepared meals just need 2-3 minutes in the microwave. It’s rare to find microwave meals that feel both nourishing and comforting, but with dishes like the Burrito Power Bowl with Mojo Rojo Tofu and Mango Salsa, Purple Carrot has plenty of them.

Is It Good Value?

Purple Carrot lets you mix and match after you’ve signed up so you can include prepared meals, meal kits, and Less Prep meals in 1 order.

Prices start at $11.00 per serving. You can order meal kits for 2 or 4 people, with a maximum order of 4 recipes for 2 people or 3 recipes for 4 people per week. The prepared meals are single-serve and you can order 6, 8, or 10 per week.

8. Dinnerly – Cheapest Meal Delivery Service in Boston

Dinnerly is Boston’s cheapest meal delivery service, with meals from $2.12 per serving. Yet despite its modest price tag, Dinnerly has a great selection of tasty recipes to choose from and promises sustainable proteins and even some organic fruits and vegetables in its recipes.

What’s on the Menu?

Dinnerly recipes generally use only a few ingredients. The No Chop! Cheesy Baked Spaghetti meal kit (pictured), for example, only includes 6 ingredients. But while the meals are less complicated than some other services, the ingredient quality is still excellent.

Dinnerly offers a good selection of vegetarian and pescatarian meals, too, with around 10 vegetarian and 3-4 seafood dishes on the menu each week. The weekly menu will even include 1 or 2 vegan entrees – something you don’t see on most low-cost services. There’s a tick box on the sign-up page to make your box vegetarian.

Market by Dinnerly offers subscribers additional ingredients and grocery items. You can find seasonal desserts, snacks, and breakfast options like Chocolate Cupcakes or Oat & Chia Pancakes. There is even a selection of prepared meals.

What Makes It Special?

Dinnerly now offers both digital and printed recipe options, allowing you to choose your preference in your account settings. Our reviewer found that Dinnerly maintains low prices through simple packaging and efficient use of ingredients. Its eco-friendly focus is evident in its minimal packaging, which reduces paper and plastic use by bundling ingredients together.

Dinnerly's recipes are more straightforward compared to Blue Apron's detailed visual guides and cook-along videos. However, its simplicity and cost-effective approach makes Dinnerly a practical option if you’re looking for an affordable and environmentally conscious meal kit service.

Is It Good Value?

Dinnerly is owned by the same parent company as Marley Spoon, so it uses much of the same labeling and advice when it comes to allergens. 

Prices start at $2.12 per serving, and you can order between 3 to 6 meals serving either 2 or 4 people every week. 

9. Marley Spoon – Best Meal Delivery Service For Variety

Marley Spoon’s meals are designed by culinary royalty Martha Stewart. Martha’s easy-to-follow recipes can help you improve your cooking skills and get you and your family trying something new.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu caters to kids, families, dieters, vegans, and more, plus Marley Spoon’s step-by-step instructions are simple to follow, even if you’re new to cooking. Many recipes can be ready in 6 steps or less. The service provides ready-made sauces and perfectly portioned produce, which will save you serious prep time. 

Most of the dishes are sophisticated takes on classic American meals – like burgers, tacos, chilaquiles, meatloaf, and more – but you’ll also find other worldly options, including Asian, Italian, and Caribbean influences.

Marley Spoon's extensive menu isn’t the easiest to browse. Although the menu features handy tags like No Added Gluten, Dairy-Free, Kid-Friendly, and Healthy, they’re all the same color, which can make it difficult to quickly identify and differentiate between various dietary options.

What Makes It Special?

Marley Spoon’s meals were a hit when our reviewer tested them. It’s also a meal delivery service that works hard on sustainability and was the first to be declared 100% carbon-neutral. 

The website features clear and concise recycling details for all parts of the packaging and gives details on how Marley Spoon achieves its zero carbon footprint. You can also look out for the new “Climatarian” label on meals that have been made with ingredients whose production required less than 1.1 pounds of CO2 emissions per serving. 

Is It Good Value?

The service's flexibility in meal planning adds to its appeal, allowing orders of 2 to 6 recipes each week for either 2 or 4 people. This range accommodates different family sizes and dining preferences, making it versatile for various household needs.

Meals start at $4.99 per serving, so you’re not paying a premium price tag just because the service has been endorsed by Martha Stewart.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service in Boston

When selecting a meal delivery service in Boston for 2024, several key factors can guide your decision to match the city's dynamic lifestyle.

• Think about flexibility: In a city like Boston, where schedules can be unpredictable, a flexible meal delivery service is invaluable. Factor is known for its flexible subscription options, allowing changes in meal plans and delivery schedules to suit varying needs.

• Know your dietary needs: Boston's culinary diversity demands a meal service that can cater to various dietary preferences. Green Chef specializes in offering a wide range of diet-specific options, including keto, vegan, and gluten-free, making it a suitable choice for those with specific dietary requirements.

• Consider required prep time: The fast-paced life in Boston means that meal prep time is a crucial consideration. Blue Apron, with its focus on pre-prepped and quick-to-cook meals, aligns well with the need for efficiency in meal preparation.

• Investigate extras: Additional offerings can significantly enhance your meal experience. HelloFresh is noted for its variety of extras like desserts and sides, providing an opportunity for a more comprehensive dining experience and appealing to those who enjoy a fuller culinary experience.
  

FAQ

Which is the best meal delivery service in Boston? 

Factor is my top choice as the best meal delivery service in Boston. Not only does it offer a wide range of prepared meals and cuisines to choose from, but it also offers free nutrition coaching.

What is the best vegan meal delivery service in Boston? 

Purple Carrot is the highest-ranking vegan service on my list. It offers gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and high-protein options, as well as a selection of plant-based breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.  

What is the best weight-loss meal delivery service in Boston?

BistroMD is the best choice for Bostonians looking for a weight-loss meal delivery service. Its prepared meals are all under 450 calories, with plans that offer up to 3 meals per day, plus snacks. BistroMD’s fitness experts and dietitians will also help you develop healthy food and lifestyle habits.

Where can I find cheap family meal delivery in Boston?

Dinnerly has the cheapest family meals in Boston, with prices starting at just $2.12 per serving, Dinnerly’s menu features simple, crowd-pleasing recipes that even picky eaters and young children will love, made with high-quality ingredients.  

What's the best Boston meal delivery for new parents?

Since new parents have very little time to cook, Factor would be my pick. Factor’s healthy, prepared meals are ready after just 3 minutes in the microwave. 

What's the best gluten-free meal delivery in Boston?

Green Chef is the best choice if you are looking for a gluten-free service. Green Chef’s gluten-free meals are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) to contain less than 10 parts per million (10 ppm) of gluten or similar grain proteins. Most Green Chef meals are gluten-free, including some of the Keto menu.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Boston 2024 — Final Score