7 Best Fresh Meal Delivery in 2024: Easy & Healthy

Sourcing the freshest ingredients no longer means having to browse farmers’ markets or trek to your local grocer. Now, thanks to many of the top meal delivery services in the US, you can get fresh, high-quality produce delivered to your door. But which fresh food service is right for you?

I’ve found some great options to fit various dietary needs and lifestyles – and my team has tried and tested every service on my list. Whether you’re looking for fresh prepared meals that are ready in minutes, meal kits made up of sustainable and organic ingredients, vegetarian or vegan menus, or fresh food on a budget, I’ve got you covered. 

Factor wins my top spot thanks to its fresh prepared meals, which are both highly nourishing and convenient. But every company on this list will deliver healthy and nutritious, feel-good food to your door. Read on to find out which services made my top list.   

The Best Fresh Food Meal Delivery Services Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Fresh Prepared Meal Delivery Service

Factor’s prepared meals use only premium ingredients from its network of trusted partners. Since many of the meals are high in protein, it also focuses on the high-quality treatment and welfare of animals – particularly chicken – which you can find out a bit more about on its FAQ page. 

What’s on the Menu?

The meals are delivered fresh, as opposed to frozen. They make great fridge fillers and take just minutes in the microwave, allowing you to have healthy meals on hand for lunch or dinner whenever you need them. When we tested Factor at home, we were impressed by the flavor and quality. 

Factor offers the following 6 plans but lets you choose any item on the wider menu, so you can mix and match across different dietary options: 

• Chef’s Choice: Healthy, balanced meals to fit any lifestyle
• Keto: Low-carb, high-fat meals
• Calorie Smart: 550 calories per serving or less
• Vegan & Veggie: Meat-free, plant-based meals
• Protein Plus: 30 g (or more) of protein per serving
• Flexitarian: Balanced meals focused on veggies and protein 

The Roasted Garlic Chicken (pictured above) is a good example of a Calorie Smart/Protein Plus meal with 450 calories and 41 g of protein per serving.

What Makes It Special?

Factor dishes are an excellent choice for people who are looking for clean, feel-good foods as part of their workout plan – the Keto options feature lower-carb substitutes like cauli-rice and zucchini noodles in place of rice and pasta. 

You can order fresh extras including proteins, smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and other add-ons. You'll find high-protein breakfast options like egg bites, oats, and pancakes, plus keto-friendly snacks, too. 

You also get a free 20-minute consultation with an in-house dietitian when you sign up, with the option to purchase additional sessions to help you meet your health goals. 

Is It Good Value?

Factor is one of the more expensive meal delivery services on this list, but if you’re looking for prepared meals that are fresher than any you’ll find in the supermarket, you’ll find them here. 

Factor's prices drop with larger orders. You can get 18 meals for just $103.41 on your first order using our link. Many will find the convenience and quality worth the price.

2. Green Chef – Best for Certified Organic Ingredients

Green Chef was the first USDA-certified organic meal delivery service, which means more than 95% of its ingredients are organic, and its meat and seafoods are responsibly sourced, non-GMO, and free from antibiotics, hormones, and steroids. 

What’s on the Menu?

This is also a service that caters well to different dietary needs. There are 8 plans to choose from to help narrow down your options, but you can mix and match across the entire menu each week. The plans include:

• Keto: Low-carb, high-protein recipes with no gluten, grains, soy, or legumes
• Plant Based: Meat-free meals showcasing plant-based ingredients
• Mediterranean: Recipes packed with veggies and healthy fats
• Quick & Easy: Recipes that are ready in 25 minutes or less
• Gluten-Free: Free from wheat, barley, rye, and and triticale
• Protein-Packed: Meals containing around 30 g of protein per serving
• Calorie Smart: All recipes have 650 calories or less per serving

These dishes definitely pass the taste test, too. We tried Green Chef and can attest to the high quality of its fresh meal kits. You don’t even need to worry about finding these complex recipes intimidating either; the instructions are clear and easy to follow, and you’ll even get some prepared ingredients like ready-to-use sauces and chopped and portioned veggies.

What Makes It Special?

The recipes are colorful and nutritious – expect healthy, balanced meals packed with fresh veggies like Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with Carrots, Bell Pepper, Shiitakes, and Black Sesame Seeds.

Many items on the Green Chef menu are also certified gluten-free, including some of the Keto menu. The meals that do contain gluten are prepared and packed in a separate facility to avoid cross-contamination, which makes Green Chef a great option for those who are highly gluten sensitive or allergic. 

Is It Good Value?

Green Chef prices start at $9.99 per serving. You can order 3 or 4 meals per week for either 2, 4, or 6 people, making it great for larger households. The 4-person plan also gives you the option to order just 2 recipes per week.

3. Blue Apron – Best Fresh Gourmet Meal Kits

All of Blue Apron’s ingredients are responsibly sourced and non-GMO. The company sources produce from local family-run farms, as well as sustainably caught seafood and meats free from antibiotics and hormones, so you can be sure you’re getting only the healthiest food. Everything is also seasonal where possible. 

What’s on the Menu?

The service offers different plans depending on which meal type you choose, but both are fresh. Meal Kit preferences include Chef Favorites, Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy, and Veggies. Prepared & Ready meal preferences include 600 Calories or Less, 30 g of Protein, and Carb Conscious. But no matter which you choose, you can always order any item on the menu.

You’ll find a good selection of meal kits and prepared meals. Most Blue Apron meal kits can be prepared in about 30-40 minutes, but some of them also take slightly less time. The prepared meals can be heated up in about 5 minutes or less.

On the Add-Ons menu, prepared meals for up to 2 people, breakfasts, salads, and extra proteins like pork belly, smoked bacon, tail-on shrimp, and chicken breast pieces. Blue Apron has also recently introduced the option to replace certain protein options and customize meals.

What Makes It Special?

The meal kits are great for seasoned chefs and beginners alike, with how-to videos and online demos via the app and website. When we tried Blue Apron, we found that the recipe cards are clear and concise, and everything arrives packaged up by recipe, so it's easy to navigate your box upon delivery. 

Because the menu features many ingredients you might not encounter otherwise, Blue Apron is a great way to expand your culinary horizons. You can also pick up Meal Kit and Prepared & Ready bundles in the Market without a Blue Apron subscription.

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron prices start from $4.00 per serving. You can order 2 to 5 meal kits per week for households of either 2 or 4. On the Prepared & Ready plan, you can order a minimum of 4 single-serving meals each week. 

4. HelloFresh – Best for Fresh, Family-Friendly Meals

HelloFresh’s ingredients come from a pool of trusted suppliers who meet strict quality standards – and the team always visits them in person. Everything is seasonal and sustainably harvested, resulting in a large weekly menu with tons of family-friendly dishes, vegetarian offerings, and even calorie-smart meals. 

What’s on the Menu?

The menu is packed with crowd-pleasing dishes – think tacos, pasta recipes, chicken, pork chops, and so much more. We tested HelloFresh and loved how our chosen meals turned out. 

HelloFresh advertises 100+ recipes per week, so you’ve got plenty of choices. You can select from 6 categories when you sign up. This helps HelloFresh recommend the right meals, but you’re free to order anything you like. The plans include:  

• Meat & Veggies: Balanced omnivorous meals
• Veggie: Vegetarian and vegan recipes
• Family Friendly: Kid-approved dishes
• Fit & Wholesome: Lighter meals with around 600 calories per serving
• Under 20 Minutes: Easy prep options
• Pescatarian: Meals with seafood and veggies

There’s a wide range of vegetarian options, as well as some vegan meals. However, those who only eat plant-based foods might fare better with a service like Purple Carrot, or 1 that features on our list of the best vegan meal delivery services.

What Makes It Special? 

The HelloCustom feature lets you swap out proteins or sides on 12+ recipes each week. You can replace potatoes with a lower-carb side of broccoli, for example, trade steak for chicken or pork, or add extra protein to an otherwise-veggie salad. 

The recipes are clear and easy to follow. You’ll get cards in your weekly box, along with fresh ingredients that have been thoughtfully packaged, often in paper packaging.

Almost every part of HelloFresh’s packaging can be recycled. The service has an ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, so your meals aren’t just fresh, they’re kinder to the earth, too.

Is It Good Value?

Subscribers also get access to the HelloFresh Market, which offers extra grocery items like spices and desserts, as well as high-quality proteins and produce. If you live in a food desert where fresh ingredients can be harder to find, this is a simple way to get them delivered to your door.

HelloFresh pricing is reasonable, especially with larger orders that reduce the per-serving cost. A box of 6 meals for 4 people costs $107.75 for your first purchase when you use our link. Shipping costs stay the same for any weekly order. 

5. Home Chef – Best for Meal Customization

Home Chef has a wide range of fresh options on its weekly menu. You’ll find gourmet meals in the Culinary Collection, with recipes created in collaboration with celebrity chefs, including Rachael Ray. But you’ll also see comfort-food favorites like burgers, pasta, and risotto, all made using high-quality ingredients that deliver on taste week after week.

What’s on the Menu?

Omnivores will find a lot to love at Home Chef, and its 6-serving option makes it great for larger households and families who want easy, speedy meals. There are some vegetarian items – you can find around 6 options each week. There are a few recipes marked Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Smart, and Paleo-Friendly but probably not enough (yet) for an entire week.

Many of the recipes are rated by difficulty, though most are rated either Easy or Intermediate to make weeknight meals as straightforward as possible. If you’re interested in trying out the more complex options, however, find out how we got on when we prepared an Expert dish for ourselves. 

Along with its more involved kits, Home Chef also offers fast oven- and grill-ready options. If you’re in a hurry, these quick kits can be a convenient way to put supper on the table.

What Makes It Special?

Home Chef really pulls ahead with its Customize It feature. Many services now offer a few customizable meals, but Home Chef lets you swap out or double-up on the protein in most recipes. 

The BBQ Chicken Ranch Salad (pictured top), for example, can be ordered with strip steak or salmon filets. In some cases, you can also upgrade to higher-quality meats. Our reviewer upgraded their chicken in the Crispy Chicken and Black Garlic Crema dish (pictured above) to Antibiotic Free Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast. 

You can also fill your box with extras each week, including sides, snacks, and protein packs. The bundles are particularly great for anyone who wants to save money on quick, fresh breakfast or lunch options – think Breakfast Fritatta and Mocha Latte duos, or Chopped Ranch Salads with Ready-to-Cook Chicken Breasts. 

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef’s prices start from $9.99 per serving with each meal priced separately. You can order anywhere between 2 and 6 recipes for up to 6 people per week. 

Home Chef also offers discounts to doctors, nurses, hospital employees, military, first responders, and teachers. 

6. Marley Spoon – Best Meals for Eco-Conscious Customers

Marley Spoon offers one of the largest menus out there and uses only the freshest produce and proteins sourced from trusted local suppliers. You’ll find some organic ingredients in your box where possible, and all meats used are grass-fed and antibiotic-free. 

What’s on the Menu?

The menu boasts a whopping 100+ items each week. Tags such as Under 30 Minutes, Kid Friendly, Dairy Free, Low Calorie, One Pot, and No Added Gluten will help you navigate the menu, but there’s no real order to it. You can also pick up extras like desserts and seasonal platters. The option to customize some dishes only expands your options further.

You’ll find adventurous recipes from a number of international cuisines, but many of them could also be described as family-friendly, with tasty-sounding options like Grilled Pesto Chicken, Italian-Style Cheeseburger, and Teryaki-Glazed Steak with Peanut-Chili Crisp. Marley Spoon’s wide selection of vegetarian and vegan recipes also earned it a spot on our list of the best vegetarian meal delivery services.

This is also a service that accommodates dietary needs fairly well. The Ingredient Hub lets you check recipes for allergens, while some recipes (like those labeled No Added Gluten, for example) might be suitable for those with minor intolerances. Since all the meals are prepped in the same facility, it might not be a good choice if you have serious allergies.

What Makes It Special?

Marley Spoon is an excellent choice if you're looking to learn new cooking skills. The easy-to-follow recipe cards make everything clear. We tested Marley Spoon and found the meal kits to be easy enough even for beginners. Some dishes might expect you to have a well-stocked pantry, however, so be sure to check the recipes before ordering. 

Marley Spoon also takes sustainability seriously. It was the first meal delivery service to be carbon-neutral and its website features a ton of information on how to recycle its packaging. You can even select meals with a Climatarian label that produce less than 1.1 lbs of CO2 per serving.

Is It Good Value?

Marley Spoon meals start at $4.99 per serving, so you get all this quality and variety at a very reasonable price. You can order up to 6 recipes each week for either 2 or 4 people, with a minimum order of 2 recipes per week. 

7. Purple Carrot – Best for Vegetarians and Vegans

Purple Carrot’s exciting menu is a great way to get more fresh veggies into your diet. Whether you’re purely plant-based or simply want to cut down on the number of animal products you consume, a few meals a week from this service will undoubtedly change the way you look at vegan food. 

What’s on the Menu?

The service offers both fresh meal kits and prepared meals. The menu is inspired by a number of global cuisines – think Asian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and more. The meal kits do a great job of teaching you new recipes and techniques you can use in your own cooking, too. 

The prepared meals are just as varied, and take just minutes to heat in the microwave. Look out for options like the Saffron Rice Bowl with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables or the Romesco and Chana Masala with an Almond Sultana Pilaf. If you want to add some prepared meals to your order, Purple Carrot allows you to create a custom box. 

Purple Carrot's Less Prep meals sit somewhere in between a kit and a prepared meal, featuring ready-made sauces and pre-chopped vegetables to save you valuable cooking and cleanup time.

What Makes It Special?

Purple Carrot’s tasty produce is sourced from trusted farms all around the US. The non-produce items in your box (including beans, tofu, and vegan cheese) will be organic and non-GMO, but because of Purple Carrot’s efforts to provide specialty ingredients, sometimes it’s limited in its options for organic goods. 

Purple Carrot also caters well to other dietary needs, with options for high-protein, soy-free, nut-free, low calorie (under 600 calories per serving), and gluten-free meals. On the meal kit menu, you’ll also find breakfast and lunch extras such as the Farmers’ Market Tofu Scramble with Mushrooms and Spinach, Mezze Bowls, and Smoky Tempeh BLTS.

Is It Good Value?

Though Purple Carrot's menu is smaller than some, its meals are top-notch. We tested Purple Carrot and are sure that even non-vegans will love this service. We enjoyed the food and didn’t miss meat at all. 

Prices start at $11.00 per serving. You can order 3 or 4 meal kits for 2 or 4 people per week, or subscribe to 6, 8, or 10 single-serving prepared meals each week. 

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Fresh Food Meal Delivery Services

Most meal delivery services claim to use fresh ingredients to some degree – but that doesn’t mean they’re fresh when they get to you. Here’s what I looked for in the best fresh food meal delivery services when compiling my list: 

• High-quality foods: The best meal kit services deliver ingredients that are ripe and ready to eat or cook. The texture and firmness of fruits and vegetables, like those from Factor, signal freshness. They should also smell good and be vibrant in color.
  

• Locally-sourced ingredients: Not only does locally-sourced food taste better because it spends less time in transit, it’s better for the environment, too. Plus, it’s nice to know you’re supporting local businesses and farmers. Look out for services such as HelloFresh, which promise local produce.

• Organic and non-GMO labels: While these ingredients may be more expensive, they are grown without man-made fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides. Therefore, organic meal delivery services like Green Chef are better for both your body and the environment.

• Reasonable pricing: You may expect fresher ingredients to cost more, but there are meal delivery services that offer high-quality ingredients at a very reasonable price. 

FAQ  

Which meal delivery service has the best prepared meals?

Factor’s prepared meals are made with high-quality ingredients and are always delivered fresh. As well as offering flavorful and balanced meals, Factor also caters well to dietary needs. Look out for the service’s keto menu, plus its high-protein and plant-based options.  

What is the best meal delivery service for organic food?

Green Chef was the first USDA-certified organic meal delivery service and continues to offer organic produce and antibiotic-free, sustainably-harvested proteins in all its meal kits. Many Green Chef meals (including some of the keto menu) are also certified gluten-free and are safe for those with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity.

Which meal delivery service is the cheapest?

Blue Apron and Marley Spoon are pretty affordable, starting at $4.00 and $4.99 per serving, respectively.

Best Fresh Meal Delivery in 2024 — Final Score