7 Best Meal Delivery Services in Cincinnati in 2024

Finding time to plan, shop and prep meals can be hard in a busy city like Cincinnati. Whether you’re a busy student, an aspiring gourmet, or a working household head, you could use some help getting healthy, tasty meals on the table. This is why I’ve prepared a list of the 7 best meal delivery services in Cincinnati.

I’ve consulted my colleagues, who have tested all 7 of these services. After considering their experiences, I conducted additional research on the current menus and plan offerings to determine the very best options on the market today.

Factor gets the top ranking, thanks to its prepared meals designed and cooked by culinary experts. But every service on our list has something to offer, no matter what your dietary preferences or mealtime needs. Read on to find out how you can save time and eat better.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Cincinnati Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service in Cincinnati

Factor provides healthy and nutritious prepared meals designed by dietitians and prepared by in-house chefs. The meals take only a few minutes to heat up in a microwave or conventional oven and are both filling and flavorful.

What’s on the Menu?

Meals are available in a variety of international cuisines, including Mexican, Indian, Thai, Italian, and American classics, making it easy to enjoy a diverse range of flavors. Factor is especially good for those on specialized diets since you can choose between 6 different plans:

• Chef’s Choice 

• Keto

• Calorie Smart

• Vegan & Veggie

• Protein Plus

• Flexitarian

Factor’s Keto menu is especially strong, with 15 or more options available each week. For instance, the Baja Shrimp is garnished with cauliflower rice and has 590 calories. In other words, it’s a great keto lunch or dinner that’ll leave you feeling full and keep your body in fat-burning ketosis mode.

You can also order vegetarian and vegan meals, although the selection is limited to around 2 vegan and 3 vegetarian options each week. However, these meals are a great way to add some meat-free days to your diet. But if you’re a strict vegetarian, you might do better with another company on our list of the best vegan meal delivery services.

You can use the colored labels and tags accompanying the recipes for guidance. They highlight the meal's main features and guide you to selections that match your dietary preferences. You’ll see tags such as Keto, Carb Smart, Calorie Smart, and Vegan. Also, look for meals marked as Top-Rated and Gourmet Plus. These may come at an extra cost, but they offer an elevated dining experience.

What Makes It Special?

Factor also offers add-ons like protein packs, smoothies, soups, and keto-friendly snacks. This makes it even more convenient for customers to enjoy a balanced and healthy diet. Overall, our tested review determined that Factor is great for busy lifestyles.

Additionally, customers receive a free 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian when they sign up. You can subscribe to additional nutrition coaching support if you find it helpful. This personalized support can be very helpful if you’re trying to lose weight, get back into shape, or need to address specific health goals.

Is It Good Value?

Factor’s pricing depends on the number of meals you order each week, with larger orders lowering the per-meal price. The best-value option offers 18 single-serving meals for $103.41 on your first purchase if you use our link.

A flat-rate delivery fee for Cincinnati residents is $10.99, regardless of the box size.

2. Green Chef – Best Organic Meal Delivery in Cincinnati

Green Chef is a premium meal delivery service that uses top quality ingredients like organic produce and eggs and antibiotic and hormone-free meats. 

What’s on the Menu?

Green Chef meals focus on nutritionally dense but delicious ingredients. You get 8 Green Chef meal plans to choose from, but you can order any of Green Chef’s 45+ weekly recipes, no matter which plans you choose. The 8 meal plans are:

• Keto

• Gluten Free

• Plant Based

• Quick & Easy

• Calorie Smart

• Mediterranean

• Protein Packed

• Gut & Brain Health

Additionally, many Green Chef meals are certified gluten-free, including some keto meals. Meals containing gluten are prepared and stored in a separate facility. Green Chef’s gluten-free menu is suitable for those with celiac disease or serious gluten sensitivity. And you’ll find Green Chef on our list of the best gluten-free meal delivery services.

Green Chef’s organic produce really shines in the extensive selection of Plant Based recipes. You can also order a range of convenient add-ons, such as breakfast entrees and additional proteins, making it easier to stick to healthy eating goals.

What Makes It Special?

Green Chef is the first meal kit service to receive the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certification. Besides, it boasts a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certification. And it collaborates extensively with family-run farms and artisanal enterprises.

On the other hand, Green Chef’s recipe cards are easy to follow, and the premade sauces and spice blends make cooking restaurant-quality meals easy. We tried Green Chef at home and enjoyed some of the most impressive food we’ve ever had from a meal kit.

Lastly, Green Chef also prioritizes sustainability, using eco-friendly packaging materials whenever possible. Boxes are insulated with ClimaCell, a proprietary plant-based insulating material that is also curbside recyclable.

Is It Good Value?

The emphasis on high-quality, organic ingredients means the cost per meal is typically higher than average meal kits. Prices start at $9.99 per serving for the largest order, which is 4 meals a week for 6 people.

The minimum Green Chef order is 3 meals a week for 2 people, and the price per serving is $13.49. Don’t forget to factor in the delivery fee of $9.99 for Cincinnatians.

3. Blue Apron – Best Gourmet Meal Delivery Service

Blue Apron is a meal kit and prepared meal delivery service renowned for its high-quality, chef-designed recipes that cater to a variety of tastes and cooking experiences. Its menu is designed to make gourmet cooking accessible at home through detailed recipe cards that simplify the cooking process.

What’s on the Menu?

Blue Apron’s menu is divided into 5 main categories (Chef Favorites, Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy, and Veggies). But no matter which categories you select, you’re free to order any recipe on the menu.

If you’re in a hurry, you have quick-prep meal kits that let you create delicious meals without spending too much time in the kitchen. Also, the ready-to-cook recipes come with a pan and pre-chopped ingredients. For even faster prep, try the Prepared & Ready meals that only take 2-3 minutes in the microwave.

The menu also includes premium recipes, but these require more advanced cooking techniques and cost a bit more because they use more expensive ingredients like steak and seafood. Our review recommends Blue Apron for those looking to put weeknight meals on autopilot.

If you want to add something extra, check the Add-ons menu. Here, you’ll find extras such as salads, muffins, prepared meals, and a la carte proteins like shrimp and chicken breast pieces. Sometimes, you’ll even find plant-based Black Bean and Red Pepper Patties on the menu.

What Makes It Special?

Blue Apron is highly focused on quality ingredients. For instance, the Wellness meal plan is inspired by a heart-healthy diet. It includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins with moderate amounts of dairy. Carb-conscious, calorie-conscious, and high-protein recipes are available for specialized diets.

Additionally, some recipes allow you to swap or add proteins. For instance, you can substitute Bistro Steaks with Tenderloin Steaks or Flank Steaks in Steaks & Cipolline Onion Butter. Or you can make vegetarian Oven Baked Cheesy Pesto Gnocchi omnivorous by adding Pancetta. You can even make some meat-containing meals vegetarian-friendly.

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron focuses more on general cuisine than specialized diet plans, making it a great choice for regular family dinners.

You can order 2 to 5 recipes per week, serving 2 or 4 people. Pricing starts at $4.00 per serving. Prepared & Ready meals are single serving and the minimum order is 4 meals. The flat-rate delivery cost for Cincinnatians is $10.99.

4. HelloFresh – Best for Fresh, Family-Friendly Food at Home

HelloFresh features easy-to-follow recipes using high-quality ingredients and inspiration from its creative team of chefs. Its meal kits are prepared and packaged to make cooking as simple as possible.

What’s on the Menu?

The HelloFresh menu has 6 categories:

• Meat & Veggies

• Veggie

• Family Friendly

• Fit & Wholesome

• Under 20 Minutes
  

• Pescatarian

You can mix and match recipes from different meal categories. These HelloFresh plans are for organizational purposes only.

HelloFresh prepares food originating from various parts of the world. Among other meals, you'll find Thai, Italian, Mexican, Caribbean, and American options on its menu. We tried HelloFresh at home and loved how adventurous the recipes can be.

Coming across the same dishes is unlikely with HelloFresh. Deliberate repetitions of popular recipes are the only exceptions. Also, note that some variations of the same meals are possible, such as Beef Tacos and Turkey Tacos. Whatever the company's policy, you can check upcoming meals 5 or 6 weeks in advance.

What Makes It Special?

HelloFresh is great for meal delivery service newbies thanks to its simple, fast, and delicious meals. The recipes are clear and easy, while the menu diversity ensures you will never get bored!

HelloFresh tags recipes by difficulty level, so customers can find dishes that match their cooking skills. Most recipes fall under the Easy or Medium category, with Easy Prep and Easy Cleanup options available for added convenience. The One-Pan Santa Fe Pork Tacos pictured above is an Easy Prep recipe that only takes 20 minutes to prepare.

Is It Good Value?

While not the cheapest meal kit on the market, HelloFresh balances cost with the quality of ingredients and the convenience of having meal planning and portioning sorted for you.

Larger orders offer a better per-serving price, while smaller orders are a bit higher. For example, as a first-time user, you can get 6 meals for 4 people for only $107.75 by using our link. 

5. Home Chef – Best Customizable Meal Delivery in Cincinnati

Home Chef is a popular meal delivery service designed to make home cooking accessible and enjoyable for everyone. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and simple, tasty recipes, the company caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and skill levels.

What’s on the Menu?

Home Chef’s menu emphasizes comfort foods and filling, wholesome meals. We found a lot to love when we tested Home Chef for ourselves.

Home Chef also offers a series of special categories, such as Fresh Start meals or the Culinary Collection. Fresh Start meals are dietitian-designed takes on classic favorites. You can easily identify them with the green tomato icon.

The Culinary Collection category offers sophisticated entrees with more expensive ingredients and signature dishes from famous chefs. Additionally, the menu includes a multitude of easy-prep recipes like Express Meal Kits and Fast & Fresh microwaveable meals. You can also order extras like protein packs, salad bundles, desserts, and breakfasts.

What Makes It Special?

Home Chef has an exceptionally customizable menu. You can swap proteins using the Customize It tool, order options from the Extras section, and choose meal kits to suit your culinary skills and available time.

The company also offers an efficient filtering system for people with food sensitivities. You can exclude up to 9 prevalent allergens while tailoring your meal plan. Click on Pick Your Meals and proceed to Step 3 to make your allergen choices. You can opt out of mushrooms, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts, poultry, beef, pork, fish, or shellfish at this step.

Lastly, Home Chef offers a lot of flexibility for couples and families seeking a variety of meal options, from familiar, family-friendly dishes to more refined selections. It can be an ideal dinner solution for cooks looking for tasty, reasonably priced meals.

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef is quite a great choice considering the variety of meal choices and the flexibility in customizing those meals. The minimum weekly order is 2 servings for 2 people. The maximum order is 6 servings for 6 people per week.

The cost per meal starts at $9.99 per serving and doesn’t depend on the quantity, which makes this service different from most others. Cincinnati residents pay $10.99 to get boxes delivered to their doorsteps.

6. BistroMD – Cincinnati’s Best Weight Loss Meals Delivered

Dr. Caroline J. Cederquist, BistroMD’s founder, is a bariatric physician specializing in weight loss. She created BistroMD so her patients could receive balanced, low-calorie meals. Today, Dr. Cederquist collaborates with dietitians, nutritionists, and medical professionals to offer weight loss programs tailored to different medical conditions and weight loss goals.

What’s on the Menu?

BistroMD’s flash-frozen prepared meals are an easy, effective diet solution. Weight loss meal delivery services are notorious for unappealing processed food. But BistroMD provides meals that satisfy even the most discerning dieters. Our in-depth review declares BistroMD a solid service for those serious about weight loss.

The company categorizes meals into Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner, and Snacks sections. Note that every plan features each of these sections except for Vegan, which only has Lunch/Dinner options.

BistroMD supplements your meals with Essential And Tasty Snacks (EATS). These treats include high-protein and high-fiber desserts like strawberry cheesecake and shakes. If you find yourself tempted to cheat on your diet, EATS is a great alternative to high-calorie sweets and junk food.

What Makes It Special?

Each BistroMD entrée contains less than 450 calories, but generous portion sizes ensure you won't feel hungry or cheated. Meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and then flash-frozen to retain their nutrients. Pull a meal out of the freezer, pop it into the microwave, and enjoy!

You can get 3 meals a day for 5 or 7 days a week, excluding snacks. If breakfast isn't your thing, select the Lunches & Dinners option when tailoring your meal plan. Opting for the Full Week plan provides you with 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners. The extra dinner slot termed My Night, gives you a free evening to enjoy any meal you choose.

Is It Good Value?

BistroMD is a great option if you’re looking for a structured meal plan to support weight loss. The company offers nutritionally balanced, chef-prepared meals that are calorie-controlled and designed by dietitians.

Prices start at $6.59 per serving. It also offers a 15% discount for dieting partners and couples. This weight loss company ships its calorie-smart meals to Cincinnati for a $19.95 fee. 

7. Purple Carrot – The Best Option for Vegetarian Cincinnatians

Purple Carrot features a 100% plant-based menu. With no animal products like meat, cheese, eggs, or anything else on the menu, Purple Carrot is an excellent option for those who are looking for healthy and delicious vegan food.

What’s on the Menu?

Plants are the star of Purple Carrot’s meals, a welcome change from the meat substitutes many vegan meal delivery services rely on. Meals like Tofu Palak Paneer or Tahinin Bulgur Bowls are a good example of the international cuisine you can expect. And many Asian and African recipes will teach you new ways to cook vegan meals.

You get a weekly selection of meal kits, prepared meals, and quick “Less Prep” meals that are ready in 25 minutes or less. You can mix and match meal types, so you can choose anything on the weekly menu. You can order vegan breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Purple Carrot’s Plantry offers a range of vegan desserts and staples like cashew cream cheese.

Purple Carrot also offers prepared and frozen meals. You can serve most of the 16 prepared recipes in 2 minutes. Some of them, like Chilled Three Bean Salad, you won’t have to microwave at all.

What Makes It Special?

I like that Purple Carrot offers a variety of creative and diverse recipes each week, emphasizing health-conscious, eco-friendly eating without compromising on flavor or culinary experience.

While Purple Carrot is aimed primarily at vegans, it’s great for omnivores, too. Purple Carrot’s motto is “Eat More Plants,” and they make it easy to do that. We tried Purple Carrot at home and found it tasty enough to please even the fussiest of omnivores.

Is It Good Value?

Purple Carrot is a great option for plant-based diets. Its specialization in exclusively plant-based meals makes it a unique offering in the meal kit market, especially valuable for vegans, vegetarians, or those looking to reduce meat consumption.

The price per serving starts at $11.00. For meal kits, you can order 3 or 4 meals with 2 servings each, or if you prefer meals with 4 servings, you can order 2 or 3 meals per week. Prepared meals come as single servings and cost the same per meal, whether you order 6, 8, or a maximum of 10 meals.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a big city with many culinary options. So it can be difficult to choose a meal delivery service that works for you all the time. To give you a hand, here are some of the criteria I used in choosing the candidates for my best meal delivery services list:

• Know your skill level in the kitchen: I enjoy trying various meal delivery services for the culinary adventure. You get to cook and taste recipes that may not have come your way otherwise. Still, if you don’t know how to boil an egg, it’s best to stick to ready-to-eat meals from a service like Factor.

• Avoid monotony: Constantly eating the same thing can quickly become monotonous. Therefore, consider the size and variety of the menu and how often it changes. For instance, a service like HelloFresh can keep things interesting for a long time.

• Price isn’t the most important factor: Of course, this is only true when you’re not on a tight budget. Still, there are options even when the funds are low. In most cases, you should have a few different options that fit within your budget, so make sure you know your dietary needs.

• Sample multiple services: In a city like Cincinnati, where meal delivery choices are abundant, I recommend shortlisting your top 3 services and giving each a try.
  

FAQ

What is the best meal delivery service in Cincinnati?

Both Factor and Green Chef deserve the award for Cincinnati’s best meal delivery service. Factor is the best prepared meal delivery service, offering great value-for-money meals. Green Chef is the finest meal kit delivery service sourcing organic but tasty ingredients.

What is the best prepared meal delivery service in Cincinnati?

Factor is our top choice when it comes to prepared meals. Factor meals are designed by dietitians and prepared by chefs, with options for vegetarians, vegans, and keto dieters.

Which Cincinnati meal delivery service is best for picky eaters?

HelloFresh has the widest selection of family-friendly meals for picky eaters, especially children. HelloFresh’s high-quality ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes make it a great choice for busy parents trying to get fussy eaters to eat better.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Cincinnati in 2024 — Final Score