Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Review 2024

Overview

Marley Spoon is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable, family-friendly meal service. It has a huge menu and a wide variety of cuisines available each week. Recipes are curated by the famous TV host, chef, and homemaker Martha Stewart and include her signature seasonings and sauces.

The menu is full of American comfort foods, plus Mexican, Mediterranean, German, and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. When I tried it for myself at home, I found the recipes tasty and the portion sizes generous, however some of the recipes were quite involved. I definitely wouldn’t recommend Marley Spoon for complete beginner chefs or if you aren’t confident at multitasking. 

This service is a great option for anyone who wants to cook more at home and get creative with recipes. It isn’t perfect since the customization options are limited and recipes require a lot of pantry items. However, its shipping and delivery service is 100% carbon neutral, which is pretty impressive. Read on to discover more in my Marley Spoon review.

Marley Spoon’s Menu: Excellent Variety at a Good Price

Marley Spoon’s menu boasts 100+ recipes each week, which is well above average of all the meal delivery services I’ve reviewed! The menu includes entrees, sides, Premium meals, microwave-ready meals, and desserts. This variety is welcome, especially since there aren’t extensive dietary and allergy accommodations

Meal Options: There’s Something for Everyone on the Marley Spoon Menu

Marley Spoon caters to a wide variety of diets, including: 

These include: 

Just keep in mind that, if you’re vegan or follow a plant-based diet, your choices are much more limited, and you may want to check out our top vegan meal delivery services instead.

From Classis American Dishes to International Favorites 

The menu mostly consists of classic American crowd-pleasers, such as the Glazed Mini Meatloaf and turkey burgers. Families with picky little ones will also be able to order kid-friendly meals like quesadillas and breaded pork cutlets.

I like that Marley Spoon caters to more adventurous palates as well, with international dishes like Korean Chicken Lettuce Cups, Lebanese Hashweh (a one-pot rice dish), and Mexican tortas.

Saver Options: Cheap but Delicious Meals 

These meals start at $1.00 less than the standard portion price. Some examples of Saver recipes include Chicken Parm Skillet Meatballs and Pork Katsu. I tried the Chicken Karaage meal, and it was the easiest to prepare out of all the meal kits I tried. You’ll find around 8+ Saver meals on the menu each week.

Fast Options: Prepared Meals for Busy Days 

There are only a couple of prepared meals on the menu, so it’s not a good option if you want some super quick meals during the week. You’ll find meals that are called “Fast!” such as the Fast! Pulled Pork Souvlaki Platter, which takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. Or you’ll see “Easy Prep!” meals like the Easy Prep! Sheet Pan Parmesan Ranch Chicken, which is slightly less involved than the majority of Marley Spoon's recipes. Check out my experience of cooking and eating with Marley Spoon later on to find out how I got on in the kitchen.

Premium & Seasonal Options: Meals for Special Occassions 

If you feel like getting fancy, you can select Marley Spoon’s Premium meals. There are about 13 Premium recipes each week. These include higher-quality cuts of meat, organic ingredients, and richer flavors. I really enjoyed the Premium dish I tried at home. The Brown Butter Lobster Ravioli tasted better than some lobster ravioli I’ve eaten in restaurants!

However, what qualifies as a Premium meal isn’t entirely clear. While there are a few more decadent options, like the Organic Truffle Butter Steak, there are also more standard options like lasagnas and enchilada dishes. 

You might also spot some seasonal or festive dishes on the menu. I found some Valentine’s Day Double Chocolate Cupcakes, and 4 different Lunar New Year specials. These might be tagged as Special or Festive. However, I recommend keeping an eye on the upcharge to decide whether the meal is worth it for you.

Marley Spoon Has a Good Range of Extras to Choose From 

One thing I love about this service is all the extras you get. On the menu, you’ll also find desserts, protein packs, and brunch options. You’ll also find some microwavable meals. I tried the Truffle Butter Pasta Alfredo and it was perfectly cooked, reheated well, and the sauce was really creamy and tasty. I definitely preferred it to other prepared meals I’ve tried.

It’s frustrating that you can’t see the marketplace and extras until you’ve signed up and provided your payment information. You can ask customer service if there’s a particular protein add-on you’d like to order so you can double up on a recipe you like, or to give you examples of what else might be available as an extra, but you still can’t see the market itself.

Recipes Include All the Information You Need to Prep the Meals 

When you click on any recipe, you’ll see the prep time and level of skill required, nutrition facts, allergens, and a complete dish description. You’ll find a list of everything included in your delivery, as well as what ingredients you’ll be expected to provide. This information is handy and can help you plan whether you need to do any extra grocery shopping.

A downside I’ve noticed is that Marley Spoon asks for way more pantry ingredients than other services. Marley Spoon’s recipes call for everything from flour and sugar to sherry vinegar and finishing salt. Most meal kits usually only expect you to have things like oil and pepper on hand. 

Some ingredients, like sherry vinegar, are pretty niche for a standard pantry – so I’d recommend checking each recipe carefully before ordering. For the recipes I ordered, 2 of the meals required flour. I was surprised to find that flour had been included in 1 recipe, yet I was expected to provide my own for the other.

Plenty of Customization Options to Meet Your Needs 

Marley Spoon’s customizable options cover sides, proteins, and add-ons on some of its menu. Customizable options are different for each meal, ranging from swapping jasmine rice for ready-to-eat rice to adding desserts like cheesecake, to swapping non-organic proteins for organic, wild-caught, or plant-based options. 

These customizable options really expand the menu. They are great for increasing vegetarian options with plant-based substitutes, increasing the nutrition factor of your meals, or rounding out your meal with a proper dessert. Recipes with customizable proteins or sides are labeled with a Customizable icon on their recipe card on the main menu (pictured below).

The menu is huge and until you sign up for a plan there’s no way to filter it. After you’ve checked out and paid, you will be able to filter meals based on diet, ingredients, cuisines, cook time, and allergens. 

Not a Great Fit for People With Food Allergies 

Marley Spoon's entire menu is subject to allergen cross-contamination, despite the customizable feature. People with severe allergies may be better suited to a more specialized meal delivery service like Green Chef or will need to make ingredient substitutions from their own kitchen.

As Marley Spoon mainly offers meal kits, you can leave out certain recipe ingredients you don't want to consume. The only downside of addressing recipe customization this way is that you might end up wasting food if no one in your home is willing to eat what you don't want.

Or, you can read through the Ingredient Hub – Marley Spoon's online ingredient database. It lets you search for any ingredient that you'd find in a Marley Spoon box. This is the best way to learn about allergens and potential cross-contamination in your ingredients, and it’s great for people with allergies or other restrictions who need to know exactly what's in their food.

If you have allergies, it’s up to you to sort through Marley Spoon’s weekly Ingredient Hub and recipes for the ones that suit your needs. It’s a thorough resource but can be time-consuming when it comes to choosing meals each week.

Marley Spoon’s Menu at a Glance

My Unboxing Experience With Marley Spoon: What’s Not to Love!

The unboxing experience with Marley Spoon was really enjoyable. Mainly because of how well everything was packed. It was really refreshing to see ingredients grouped together in a sizable box, avoiding unnecessary plastic. All of the perishable items are well-insulated and kept cool, demonstrating the commitment to minimizing waste.

Be prepared for plenty of kitchen prep as your fresh produce arrives whole. So get ready for chopping, slicing, peeling, or whatever method your recipes require. Meats and seafood need to be refrigerated straight away due to their frozen or partially thawed state. The pre-portioned ingredients are often provided in slightly larger quantities than needed. The recipes do suggest other uses for the extra ingredients, which was a nice touch.

Sorting through the box was straightforward. Non-refrigerated items were neatly placed in a cardboard tray, simplifying storage. I really liked that the small cardboard tray housed most of the ingredients that didn’t need to be refrigerated. This was a convenient way to store them during the week. 

The inclusion of well-known brands like BelGioioso and Giovanni Rana added a touch of quality to the meals. Most ingredients, especially the leafy greens, were fresh and lasted well throughout the week. One cool thing was the freshness sensor card included. I scanned this on my phone along with the code on the box to confirm the contents were guaranteed fresh.  

Unfortunately, there was a minor hiccup with a spoiled onion. It was rotten on the inside, so mostly unusable, and slightly ruined my Bratwurst with Caramelized Onion Sauce recipe. I do understand that this would have been impossible to know before cutting into it. I was happy that it was quickly addressed after completing an ingredient issue form in my account.

Marley Spoon's commitment to sustainability is impressive. It balances any unavoidable emissions with carbon offset projects to make it 100% carbon neutral. You’ll find clear guidance on its website about how to recycle or reuse packaging materials. The plastic jars can be disposed of curbside while the plastic bags can be taken to supermarkets.

I was pleased that the overall package used less plastic and was easier to recycle compared to other meal kits. The ice pack is not recyclable at home, and the freezing liquid can’t go down the drain. This is my biggest headache with meal kits, but almost every major service uses these same sorts of ice packs. I’m sure this is an aspect that Marley Spoon could improve on.

The inclusion of large, easy-to-read recipe cards enhanced my cooking experience. If you’re conscious about using too much paper, digital versions are readily available to access online. Plus, you can opt out of paper versions in your account, which I think links well with its sustainable approach.

Cooking and Eating With Marley Spoon: I Felt Like a Pro Chef!

Marley Spoon is the most involved meal delivery service I’ve tried. This means I felt like a real chef. For example, for 1 recipe I was blooming gelatine and baking from scratch. These are not skills I often (or ever) have to use with meal kits. I’d recommend a thorough read of all recipe steps before choosing your meals to check what exactly is involved and what additional items you might need.

While recipes are simple to follow, they can take longer than the estimated times. Every recipe is broken down into 6 steps (though they aren’t always “simple”), and meals generally took at least 15 minutes longer than the estimates stated on recipe cards. I’d advise inexperienced chefs to use caution here, as although most of my recipes were labeled “easy” I have to disagree.

This is the least premade meal kit I’ve ever tried. Firstly, you’ll spend time looking for all the ingredients, as they’re not packaged by recipe. However, I didn’t mind this, as I appreciate having less unnecessary packaging. The next hurdle is the pantry staples you’ll need to have on hand. I did appreciate that Marley Spoon sends you details on exactly what you need beforehand.

Overall, I had quite an experience cooking with Marley Spoon. I enjoy being pushed out of my comfort zone, but these recipes had me running around the kitchen like a professional chef! If you prefer less involved recipes, definitely look out for the Fast or Easy Prep meals. I recommend a more beginner level service if you enjoy quicker meals like those from Fresh and Easy or HelloFresh.

Another thing to note is that you won’t go hungry with Marley Spoon’s meals. Generally, every recipe I cooked made enough for leftovers the next day. So portion sizes are definitely on the generous side. 

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Bratwurst With Caramelized Onion Sauce

The cooking process of Bratwurst with Caramelized Onion Sauce was a mixed bag of experiences. While the dish itself turned out to be delicious, the preparation required significant effort. Cooking multiple components in the same skillet demanded a good level of kitchen confidence and coordination, which may not suit everyone. 

The mashed potatoes were a delightful surprise in their simplicity and taste. By keeping the skin on I saved prep time and gained texture and flavor. I’ll be using butter and the boiling liquid from the potatoes again instead of the traditional milk or cream.

The bratwurst needed minimal effort but delivered classic and satisfying flavors. This component of the meal proved to be straightforward and enjoyable, highlighting the quality of the ingredients in the meal kit. It's a reminder of the joy that simple, well-prepared elements can bring to a dish.

Unfortunately, the caramelized onion sauce didn’t meet expectations, primarily due to the problematic onion. This affected the sauce's flavor, making it saltier and less robust than intended. While this was a letdown, a dash of mustard provided a tastier alternative.

Creamy Alfredo Four Cheese Lasagna

The Creamy Alfredo Four Cheese Lasagna promised an easy preparation experience, but it leaned more towards a culinary project than the straightforward assembly anticipated. While it was labeled easy, compared to other meal kits this wasn’t the case. Marley Spoon tends to require hands-on involvement even for dishes that suggest convenience.

The process involved microwaving spinach and mixing it with ricotta to create 1 layer, then preparing another cheese layer separately. The lasagna's construction involved layering pasta sheets with spinach, cheese mix, and alfredo sauce.

Despite the additional effort and cleanup, the lasagna reminded me of a white sauce pizza in lasagna form. The portion size was generous, easily serving 4 instead of the suggested 2. You could pair it with a side or save it for leftovers.

The inclusion of a recyclable aluminum tray was a thoughtful touch, emphasizing sustainability. I was impressed with its durability, as I was able to clean and reuse it for other purposes, like reheating the leftover scones. 

Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Scones

This recipe proved to be a demanding baking venture, far removed from the simplicity often associated with meal kits. The preparation was messy and labor-intensive, involving numerous kitchen tools and leaving a trail of flour in its wake. Despite some initial doubt about my baking skills, the end result was a delicious breakfast treat.

I liked the combination of flakiness and butteriness with just the right touch of savory ingredients. I appreciated the subtlety of bacon, cheese, and scallion in each bite. It provided a balanced flavor without overwhelming the pastry.

The accompanying jam added an adventurous twist to the experience, introducing the novel task of making pepper jelly from scratch. The process was a learning curve, involving techniques like blooming gelatin and boiling down peppers. Although the jelly took much longer to cool, I’d created a versatile condiment to enjoy beyond the scones.

This recipe was priced similarly to other meal kits but offered multiple servings. In fact, I enjoyed the scones over several days and the flavor of the pepper jelly improved with time. It’s definitely not a recipe for those new to meal deliveries but enjoyable all the same.

Recipes Summary

Prices: Marley Spoon Is One of the Most Affordable Meal Kit Services

Prices per serving decrease as you order more meals per week, but shipping remains the same. Marley Spoon features on our list of the most affordable meal delivery services. I really like how it combines affordability with a diverse and expansive menu, featuring international cuisines and premium choices.

All Premium meals require at least a $2 per portion fee, but some meals are more expensive. Premium meal prices show once you’ve confirmed your first order. The Saver meals are around $1 less but may just be $0.50 less. It depends on the dish.

These prices are lower than eating out at a restaurant – even at the most expensive per portion price, including the shipping fee. That said, they can still be pricier than grocery shopping for yourself and cooking at home.

Shipping & Delivery: Overall Pretty Good

Marley Spoon delivers to most US continental states. You can type in your zip code on the site before signing up to check whether Marley Spoon delivers to your area. You may find that you have 1 or more delivery day options – it all depends on your location.

Living in a big city, I’m used to seeing the maximum number of delivery days offered by a service. It was nice to have the option to get delivery any day of the week, including Sunday. Most services don’t even have the option for weekend or Sunday deliveries. Like most services, Marley Spoon gives a broad delivery window between 8 am and 8 pm. While you can’t choose your delivery time, you’ll at least know which day your delivery is expected to arrive.

When your order is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with all the delivery details, including a list of additional ingredients you’ll need to complete your recipes. Trying to track my delivery was a bit of a hassle because there wasn't a straightforward shipping link, and the website interface isn’t very intuitive to navigate. Marley Spoon uses different couriers for each shipment, which means the service delivering your box might change for each order.

The change request deadline varies by zip code and is midnight 5 to 6 days before your next delivery for most orders. You’ll see your change request deadline in your account and will receive an email reminder to make any last-minute changes. If you want to change any details for a delivery that’s already confirmed or en route, you’ll have to reach out to customer service.

How Marley Spoon Works: Step by Step Guide

The entire process to sign up for a Marley Spoon account is easy, and it can be broken down into 5 simple steps.

How to Sign Up for Marley Spoon (Just 5 Simple Steps)

1. Click on Choose Your Meal Kit. You’ll start by selecting a plan. Here you can choose the number of people – 2 or 4 – and the number of recipes you want per week – between 2 and 6. You can also opt to make your box vegetarian, which simplifies choosing your meals later on.

2. Input your zip code and email address. The zip code will help determine which days you can receive your weekly delivery.

3. Select your delivery day and input your address. Delivery day options differ depending on your zip code.

4. Input payment details. You can pay via PayPal or with a credit card, but you have to enter your payment method before you choose your meals.

5. State what kind of recipes you like and complete your taste profile. Marley Spoon will suggest meals based on these answers, but you have total control over which dishes you add to your shipment.

Once you’re in, you can set up a taste profile where you can select the meat varieties that you do or don’t eat (or exclude them altogether). There’s even the option to say if you like spicy food.

Based on the preferences you’ve already added, you’ll get a few recommendations. I prefer to go through and pick my own meals, but it’s great that there’s a choice for people who are indecisive, busy, don’t have dietary concerns, and want to try something new.

Once you’ve chosen your recipes, all that’s left is to wait until your meal kit arrives. If you stay subscribed and don’t choose your own meals, you’ll continue to get recommended meals each week.

Managing Your Subscription

It’s easy to change recipes or skip a week. But keep in mind – your last chance to make changes will be midnight 5 to 6 days before your delivery day. You can skip boxes up to 8 weeks in advance.

The user experience of the account page is quite basic and less intuitive compared to other similar vendors. On the account page, you can access essential information like your plan, payment details, addresses, taste profile, and other basic settings 

However, finding what you need can be a bit confusing since there isn't a single "account" landing page. Instead, information is split between a "user information" tab and a "settings" tab, with each holding about half of the expected details, making navigation less straightforward.

Customer Service: I Was Impressed With Marley Spoon’s Support

Marley Spoon’s customer service offers some of the best customer support features for a meal kit delivery service. The website is easy to navigate, there’s a comprehensive and easily searchable FAQ and Ingredient Hub, and you can chat with a customer support agent on the live chat 24/7.

You can also chat with customer support via the app by tapping the phone line number, through the automated chatbot, or by typing “human agent” into the chatbot messaging window. You need to sign up before accessing all the app’s convenient features, but you can still contact customer support via live chat, phone line, or email before you sign up.

The chatbot is proactive in offering suggestions, but I had difficulties receiving precise responses to my inquiries. When trying to find out the number of prepared meals on the menu, I got the same unhelpful automated reply, regardless of how I rephrased my question.

You can manage and cancel your subscription either through the app or by logging into your account. Canceling my account directly on the page included unnecessary steps. I wasn't required to speak with anyone but had to fill out a detailed 3-part survey. No incentives were offered to stay, just multiple confirmations asking if I was sure about canceling. 

Confirmation of my account changes came via email, which was a straightforward part of the process. Compared to other services, canceling wasn't too hard but felt more tedious due to the lengthy survey. Although answering a few questions is expected, the extensive questionnaire was a bit much. The "Pause Account" feature is a positive aspect, offering flexibility not always available with other services.

If you're looking for step-by-step guidance on how to cancel your Marley Spoon subscription, we've written a short blog post that shows you how to cancel in 3 easy steps.

How Marley Spoon Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

• Marley Spoon vs. Green Chef: Green Chef stands out as the premier organic meal kit option, offering USDA-certified organic, non-GMO ingredients, despite higher prices per serving. Marley Spoon isn’t great for people on keto or meat-free diets, and doesn’t prioritize ingredient quality. Green Chef caters well to various dietary needs with Keto, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, and Calorie-Smart plans among its 45+ weekly meal choices.

• Marley Spoon vs. Factor: Marley Spoon only offers a couple of prepared meals per week. Factor offers quick, high-quality microwavable meals, ready in minutes. Its weekly menu features 35 recipes. It supports diverse diets like High Protein, Keto, and Vegetarian. Factor's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of cage- and antibiotic-free poultry, pasture-raised meats, and sustainably sourced salmon, catering to health-conscious individuals who prioritize ethical ingredient sourcing alongside convenience.

• Marley Spoon vs. Blue Apron: Blue Apron is a top choice for gourmet meal delivery, offering both meal kits and single-serving ready-to-eat meals, making it a versatile option for a range of needs. It offers flavor-forward dishes and restaurant-style meals that surpass the comfort food offerings of Marley Spoon. Its plans cater to those who are looking to eat healthily, follow a low-carb diet, or adopt more plant-based meals into their weekly menu. 

The Bottom Line: Is Marley Spoon Worth It?

Marley Spoon’s service is worth it if you enjoy mostly American comfort foods with some internationally inspired recipes, don’t mind spending an average of 30-45 minutes cooking, don’t have any allergies, and aren’t on a specific diet. The variety of the dishes available caters to a wide array of taste preferences that will keep most palates satisfied.

There’s an extensive selection of 100+ recipes each week, which is one of the largest selections of meal kits I've seen on the market. The downside is you'll need more extra pantry ingredients than other services. This is made very clear on the website, in your order confirmation email, and on the recipe cards you’ll receive in your box – so you won't be caught off guard.

Overall, I think this meal delivery service would be perfect for couples and families who want to save time on grocery shopping and deciding what to eat, and are happy to spend time in the kitchen to get an impressive, home-cooked meal on the table. 

FAQ

How much does Marley Spoon cost?

Marley Spoon’s prices range from $8.69 to $12.99 depending on how many recipes you order per week. This price puts Marley Spoon in the middle of the meal kit delivery pricing spectrum. If you order Premium meals, this will be a more expensive meal kit delivery option.

However, the overall service features, customer support, and app make trying Marley Spoon well worth it. Plus, you can bring your costs down to $4.99 per serving if you’re trying it for the first time.

Is Marley Spoon good for weight loss?

Marley Spoon doesn’t offer a specific weight loss menu, and recipes don’t offer customization for weight loss or diet planning. However, you can search the page for Low Carb or Low-Calorie labels for recipes that might fit your weight loss diet.

If you’re trying to diet or lose weight, you should check out our list of the Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services.

Are Marley Spoon Meals Healthy?

Marley Spoon offers a range of low-calorie and low-carb meal options. There’s also an extensive menu of veggie options, as well as vegan and seafood dishes. However, don’t count on Marley Spoon to be healthy across the board. Many recipes exceed 1,000 calories per serving, so you’ll have to choose carefully.

If going organic is your version of healthy, you can check out our full review of Green Chef’s service to find out more about its USDA-certified organic produce, humanely-raised proteins, and sustainably-sourced fish.

Does Marley Spoon have prepared meals?

Yes. Marley Spoon offers 3 to 5 microwave-ready meals each week. They’re ready within 2 to 5 minutes of heating, depending on which meal you order, and are the Premium menu, and they will incur an upcharge per portion. The upcharge depends on how many meals you choose to order that week. f you want extra convenience, you’ll find a full menu of prepared and healthy meals from Factor.

Where is Marley Spoon shipped from?

Marley Spoon orders are shipped from centers in New Jersey, Texas, and California. Its office headquarters are in New York.