10 Best Meal Delivery Services in Irvine 2024: Updated

Irvine has access to some of the highest-quality meal delivery services. Many of them ship meal kits while others specialize in heat-and-eat recipes. I even included some that deliver both meal kits and prepared meals among the 10 best meal delivery services in Irvine. 

However, an abundance of services can often lead to decision fatigue. So I took it upon myself to rank them according to menu options, taste, ingredients, cost, and more.

If you want the very best, I can’t recommend Factor enough. The menu features restaurant-quality dishes designed by dietitians and cooked by expert chefs. But other companies I reviewed in this guide also have great offerings. So, it ultimately depends on your dietary preferences, budget, and convenience factors. So read on and check them out.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Irvine Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Irvine Meal Delivery Service Overall

In my view, Factor emerges as the top meal delivery option in Irvine. You can serve the service's meals prepared by experts in just a couple of minutes. As a result, you save time on preparation and, consequently, cleanup. And you can get nutritional advice for free. 

What’s on the Menu?

Factor offers 35 weekly meals that cater to different diets, each labeled with key features. Some tags are Keto, Protein Plus, and Vegetarian. For a premium dining experience, check out Gourmet Plus, Top Rated, and seasonal favorites (Fall Favorites, at the time of my review).

A few noteworthy meals I keep finding are "Cheesesteak" Filet Mignon, Garlic Herb Salmon, and Louisiana Shrimp.

Factor's fresh meals are inspired by various renowned international cuisines besides American. Read more about this in our complete review. 

What Makes It Special?

Factor’s dietitians and culinary experts craft highly nutritious and tasty dishes. On top of that, experienced chefs cook them. That way, you’ll get restaurant-quality dishes that you can quickly serve. 

You can also schedule Factor's free nutrition coaching session for dietary insights and tips. Choose from among a dozen experienced nutritionists specializing in various fields. 

This service delivers fresh, not frozen meals that are ready after a quick heat-up, minimizing prep and cleanup time. Meals remain fresh for about 7 days, longer than many competitors, ensuring freshness until your next delivery.

Is It Good Value?

Factor is a meal subscription service providing the best value for money, in my opinion. Its meals are nutritionally balanced and tasty, coming at a reasonable price. But it comes at a cost since meal personalization isn’t an option. To swap certain ingredients in selected meals, check out Home Chef. 

You have 6 plans to choose from with Factor. These are Vegan & Veggie, Chef's Choice, Calorie Smart, Protein Plus, Flexitarian, and Keto. Note that you can choose as many plans as you wish. 

The cost of your order depends on the quantity of individual servings. The price per portion starts at $10.49  for 18 single-serving meals. Additionally, you can opt for 6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 weekly recipes.

2. Green Chef – Best Organic Meals for Irvinians

Green Chef’s an organic-certified meal kit delivery service. Its recipes come neatly packed in meal kits with pre-measured ingredients. You’ll find its options suitable for various dieters, whether you’re looking for plant-based meals or you’re following a keto or low-calorie diet. 

What’s on the Menu?

The service has around 40 meals weekly on its menu. You can serve most of these recipes in under 30 minutes. Tags like Calorie Smart, Gluten-Free, and Protein Packed help you pick meals. Additionally, check out labels such as Chef Select and Daytime Bundles.

Note that the service doesn’t offer single servings, so it doesn’t fit single Irvinians too well. But it’s perfect for couples or families who appreciate the cooking experience. 

For quick meal options, search for dishes tagged as 10-Min Lunches. However, if time is consistently scarce for you, subscribing to Factor might be more suitable, as it offers prepared meals that are ready in just 2 to 3 minutes and always delivered fresh.

What Makes It Special?

The service commits to quality and transparency. It offers organic produce and sustainably sourced meats (poultry and beef), eggs, and seafood. If organic ingredients are unavailable, it communicates high-quality alternatives clearly.

Benefit from a free 20-minute session with a registered dietitian, where you'll receive personalized advice and recommendations based on your unique nutritional needs and objectives.

Is It Good Value?

Green Chef delivers top-quality meals, but the price tag may be high for some people. It has 8 dietary plans, which is more compared to other meal delivery services in my Best Meal Delivery Services in Irvine list. And you can mix and match them any way you wish.

The available plans are Keto, Gluten Free, Plant Based, Quick & Easy, Calorie Smart, Mediterranean, Protein Packed, and Gut & Brain Health. Learn more about these plans from our in-depth Green Chef review.

The per-meal price decreases as the number of dishes you buy increases. The cost per dish starts at $9.99 for 4 weekly meals serving 6 people. The highest per-recipe price is for 3 dishes serving 2 people.

3. HelloFresh – Best Meal Kit Delivery Service

HelloFresh is all about the customer experience so it should come as no surprise that our detailed review is overly positive. After all, who doesn’t like delicious meal kits that are easy to prepare and affordable?

What’s on the Menu?

HelloFresh offers a menu of around 70 recipes, including child-friendly options, with new dishes introduced weekly. This approach ensures a diverse selection, with only the most popular recipes making recurring appearances.

The service is perfect for Irvinian families and couples who want a healthy lifestyle. The recipes take around 15 to 40 minutes to prepare and cook and the detailed cards are a huge help.

To tailor your diet, refer to specific tags such as Calorie Smart, Easy Cleanup, Quick, and Veggie. Quick meals are especially convenient, usually requiring just 15 to 20 minutes to prepare.

What Makes It Special?

The service lets you combine meal plans, and you can even play with your proteins and sides to customize each meal to your taste. I also like that the menu is easy to browse due to the tags. 

HelloFresh hosts a Cookbook on its website, offering thousands of recipes. These can be browsed by categories such as Dishes and World Cuisines, including options like Flatbread and Meatball Recipes. Some available World Cuisines are Mediterranean and Indian Recipes.

Is It Good Value?

HelloFresh is a cost-effective meal delivery service for residents in Irvine. It has 6 plans tailored to meat eaters, plant eaters, and people with other dietary preferences. These are: 

• Veggie

• Pescatarian

• Quick & Easy

• Family Friendly

• Meat & Veggies

• Fit & Wholesome

HelloFresh has some low-carb options, but you should check out its sister company Green Chef instead if you’re after keto-friendly meals, as this premium service has a dedicated keto plan. 

The cost per meal depends on the order size. Prices per serving start at $4.49 for orders serving 4 people with 6 portions. The highest cost per meal is associated with orders containing 2 recipes for 2 individuals.

4. Home Chef – Best Customizable Dinner Menu in Irvine

Home Chef is 1 of the most versatile meal delivery services on the market, as our in-depth review states. It lets you call the shots when it comes to building the weekly menu. You choose your preferences regarding taste, ingredients, and dietary preferences. 

What’s on the Menu?

Home Chef provides meals across 5 categories: Meal Kits, Easy Prep Kits, Lunch, Bundle and Save, and Extras. Bundle and Save and Extras take 5-10 minutes, while Meal Kits offer a longer, up to 40-minute cooking experience. You can serve Lunch options in under 5 minutes.

The Extras section includes breakfasts, snacks, and more. Waffles, croissants, soups, and bites are some available offerings. If you wish to prepare your own meals or add some meat, choose between various proteins, like pork chops and steaks. 

Home Chef’s vegetarian section is a treat for all plant-based food enthusiasts! I was pleased to find a variety of options, with at least several delectable choices offered each week. And some of them are quick to prepare (15 or so minutes). 

What Makes It Special?

Use the Customize It tool to make each meal fit your needs. Options vary by the meal but typically include a couple of proteins. In the Truffle Butter Chicken, for instance, some available options are Sirloin Steaks and Pork Tenderloin Medallions besides Chichen Breasts.

When establishing your meal schedule, you can eliminate up to 9 common allergens. You can exclude shellfish, fish, poultry, pork, beef, mushrooms, sesame, peanuts, and tree nuts from your plan.

Is It Good Value?

To sum up, Home Chef fits well in a family-oriented town like Irvine. The menu is diverse enough to suit the needs of an entire family. And there are options for easy prep meal kits (under 15 mins), oven-ready meals, and fancy meals that call for a bit more skill in the kitchen.

Each Home Chef meal has its price tag. In other words, the cost per recipe doesn't change, whatever the size of your order, and it starts from $9.99 ($6.99 W/ discount).

5. Fresh and Easy – Best Speedy Meals for Busy Cooks

Fresh and Easy is Home Chef’s line of speedy meals. You can serve them in 10 or 15 minutes and thus combine the benefits of cooking and prepared meals. To find them, simply scroll down the menu until you get to the Easy Prep Meal Kits section. Then look for dishes marked with the Express label. 

What’s on the Menu?

Fresh and Easy offers more options for meat eaters and fewer for plant eaters. If you're looking for a broader selection of vegan and vegetarian recipes, I recommend considering HelloFresh. 

Expect to find pre-sliced, chopped, diced, and ground items along with pre-measured ingredients in your delivery. Sometimes, these may also be pre-washed or pre-cooked for added convenience. The Express recipes are easy to prepare.

You'll get 15-minute meal kits in trays safe for conventional and microwave ovens. Moreover, meals designed for grilling include grill-safe pouches. Also, these recipes generally eliminate the need for traditional cookware like pans and pots.

What Makes It Special?

Fresh and Easy meals typically come with the Customize It tool. It lets you swap out ingredients and is particularly useful if you avoid certain animal proteins. For a vegetarian option, you can opt to completely remove the protein.

You can eliminate up to 9 allergens from your meal preferences, including beef, poultry, pork, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, mushrooms, and sesame. For this reason, Fresh and Easy is a top contender in meal delivery choices if you're intolerant to some of those.

Is It Good Value?

Fresh and Easy is virtually irreplaceable for busy cooks who wish to have control when preparing meals. You can choose up to 6 of these quick recipes a week and mix and match them with other Home Chef recipes. 

I find Express Plus meals worth considering if you have a bit more time. You can whip up these meals in about 20 to 30 minutes. Check our dedicated review to learn more about available Fresh and Easy meal types. 

Every Fresh and Easy meal has a consistent fixed price, regardless of the order size. The cost per serving starts at $7.99, with the Express Plus choices being slightly pricier than the Express options.

6. BistroMD – Top Meal Delivery for Weight Loss

BistroMD stands out as 1 of the leading weight-loss meal delivery services nationwide. It has gender-based programs and caters to various sensitive dietary needs. Also, the food from BistroMD is quite flavorful, which sets it apart from many other meal delivery services that focus on shedding pounds.

What’s on the Menu?

You'll discover a menu with over 150 meal options. This makes it the most extensive menu among the services I've reviewed. But note that BistroMD maintains a consistent menu, unlike other meal subscription services that rotate their offerings on a weekly basis. 

You'll find Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner, and Snacks on the menu. 7 Grain Waffles with Strawberry Compote is my favorite choice for breakfast. I could have Turkey Breast with Cranberry Apple Chutney for dinner any time. 

What Makes It Special?

The business has 7 dietary programs, which are:

• Vegan

• Diabetic

• Signature

• Keto Flex

• Menopause

• Gluten Free

• Heart Healthy

Take a look at our full review to learn more about each plan. Whichever you choose, note that meals are typically available across more than 1 of them. 

BistroMD keeps the nutritional value of its meals by freezing them after preparation. Take a look at Factor, which offers approx. 12 calorie-smart meals every week, if you prefer fresh meals with a decent shelf life.

Is It Good Value?

BistroMD provides great value to people wishing to personalize their mealtime and lose weight. Choose between the Full Program, covering all 3 meals daily, or Lunches & Dinners. Besides, you can select recipes for either 7 Days or 5 Days per week.

The Full Program includes a feature called My Night. It offers you 1 meal per week as a reward for sticking to the weight-loss plan. On this occasion, feel free to indulge in any desired meal.

The more meals you order, the less per serving you pay. The price tag per recipe starts at $6.59 for the 20-meal Full Week plan. The price per dish is the highest for a Work Week Lunches & Dinners plan.

7. Purple Carrot – Best Plant-Based Recipes in Irvine

Subscribe to Purple Carrot to find tasty meatless meals. Finding suitable recipes and shopping for vegan ingredients are 2 of the main difficulties of sticking to a plant-based diet. Purple Carrot makes both easy – and it ranks high on our list of the best vegan meal delivery services. 

What’s on the Menu?

You have options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you choose meal kits, which are, BTW, easy and fast to prepare. On the other side, you get single-serving dishes with prepared meals. This is great if you’re the only 1 in the family who follows a plant-based diet or if you live alone.

Check tags accompanying dishes, which highlight key features, when perusing Purple Carrot's menu. Some of them are Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, and High-Protein. Besides, you'll find information about serving times and calorie content specified for each dish.

What Makes It Special?

This company caters to different dietary requirements within a vegan framework, supporting high-protein diets, gluten-free needs, and diabetes management. Its adaptability makes it an ideal option for a range of health-conscious consumers.

Its meals don’t come as imitations of meat dishes. You have access to recipes where veggies are the star of the show. Read more about it in our Purple Carrot review.

Is It Good Value?

Purple Carrot provides top-quality ingredients, offering a big bang for your buck. Most of its non-produce items are organic but rarely more than that. For incorporating more organic choices into your diet, consider subscribing to Green Chef.

The service does not offer options for ingredient customization. However, this is typically not a concern with meal kits, as you have the flexibility to substitute ingredients as needed.

The cost per serving may differ depending on the meal type and the quantity. The largest meal kit package includes 3 meals serving 4 people, with each portion priced at $11.00. For prepared meals, you can select bundles of 6, 8, or 10 single servings.

8. Blue Apron – Best for Irvinians Who Want Restaurant-Like Meals

Blue Apron is a great service for anyone who enjoys a bit of class in their meal delivery service. The recipes are refined with a focus on flavor and richness, but they also call for some skill in the kitchen. In short, this meal kit and prepared meal service may not be a good fit for beginners in the art of cooking. 

What’s on the Menu?

Blue Apron’s Meal Kits menu comprises 5 categories, which are Signature, Signature for Four, Vegetarian, Wellness, and Add-Ons. Signature categories are essentially the same but cater to different group sizes. The company has dozens of meal kits, which may fall into different categories. 

The service advertises its upcoming recipes 4 weeks in advance. And you can narrow down your options thanks to various labels and tags accompanying each dish. Some labels are Pescatarian, Carb Concscious, and Ready to Cook. Tags mainly indicate serving times.

You can also find various prepared meals, including several frozen ones, that only require 5 or so minutes in the microwave on the menu. Just note that you can find fresh heat-and-eat options in the Prepared & Ready section of the menu and frozen ones among Add-Ons. If you’re looking for more heat-and-eat options a week, I suggest checking out Factor. 

What Makes It Special?

The service is right at the sweet spot between premium meals and affordable prices if you decide to stick to Blue Apron. Check my colleague’s dedicated review to learn more about their impressions. 

All the ingredients in the meal kits are pre-portioned to reduce waste. Also, Blue Apron's Market has meal kits catering to different dieters, including pescatarians and vegetarians. You can try these without subscribing. 

Is It Good Value?

Each meal kit comes with exclusive spice blends, and all the produce is fresh so it has the optimal level of nutrients. For this reason, Blue Apron qualified among the best meal delivery services. 

Note that you can swap between meal kits and prepared meals week by week. Also, you can mix and match both in the same week by placing separate orders.

9. Trifecta – Chef-Curated Dishes for Irvinians

Trifecta suits physically active individuals and those adhering to specific dietary plans. It has 4 distinct plans – Clean, Keto, Paleo Whole30 Approved, and Plant Based. Note that you can't mix and match recipes from different plans. If you prefer the flexibility to choose dishes from various programs, Factor might be a better fit for you.

What’s on the Menu?

Peruse the Weekly Menu to see 6 weekly meals per plan. Some keto dishes I could eat any time are Panang Chicken Curry and Tomatillo Turkey Casserole. If I choose a paleo menu, I'd favor Shrimp Paella and Sweet Potato & Sausage Stew. 

Besides the menu, you can browse Classics and Meal Prep. Read our review to learn more about these. In short, the Classics menu contains prepared meals, while the Meal Prep options introduce individual ingredients that you can prepare yourself.

What Makes It Special?

When it comes to choosing meals from the menu, you have 2 options with Trifecta. You can entrust chefs to select meals for you or choose for yourself. 

Besides, you can personalize your meal selection by excluding 1 of several common allergens. Also, opt for 5, 7, 10, or 14 entrees and decide whether to include breakfasts or not.

You can rely on the Trifecta app to track your progress and review your meal plan. Download the app for Android or iPhone devices.

Is It Good Value?

You should find Trifecta offering good value whether you’re after heat-and-eat meals or do-it-yourself cooking. Still, allergen customization options are a bit slim since you can only choose 1 to leave out of your meal plan. Check out Home Chef if you have multiple intolerances. 

Your weekly Trifecta order's total cost depends on your chosen plan among other factors. The per-meal price starts at $13.79 for the largest order.

10. Marley Spoon – Martha Stewart’s Meal Kit and Chef-Worthy Recipes

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is ideal if you’re after hearty, home-cooked food. Each meal kit is carefully designed to look and taste good, so you can easily get a tasty dinner on the table. You’ll learn new cooking techniques each week, but it’s beginner-friendly too – every recipe is ready in 6 steps or less!

What’s on the Menu?

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon boasts a 100+ meals menu, announcing future dishes 4 weeks ahead. Each dish is labeled with tags like Kid-Friendly, Under 30 Minutes, Low-Calorie, and Dairy-Free, aiding in the quick identification of appropriate meals.

Look for customizable meals to adjust ingredients according to your preferences. Approximately two-thirds of the meals come with this customization feature. But be aware that some ingredient swaps incur extra charges.

What Makes It Special?

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is ideal for you’re eco-conscious. What’s more, it offers a wide range of easy-to-prepare dinners, lunches, and breakfasts. And you can customize the lion’s share of them by swapping available ingredients. 

I also like that the company is 100% carbon neutral (packaging and logistics as well) and most packaging materials are recyclable. To learn more, check our in-depth Marley Spoon review.

Is It Good Value?

The meals available provide good value for money. But I find the lack of meal plans inconvenient, as you should check each meal individually to see if it suits you. Only if you're a vegetarian can you shortlist options when setting up your mealtime.

The cost per recipe decreases as you increase the number of dishes in your order. The affordable per-serving price is $4.99. To pay as much per meal, consider purchasing 6 meals designed for 4 people. The smallest order is 2 meals serving 2 people.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service in Irvine

The best meal delivery service is different for each family, couple, or individual. That’s because everyone has a set of preferences and dietary needs they want to satisfy. Still, if you feel a bit disoriented by the sheer number of meal delivery services out there, here are a few tips to help you filter some of them out:

• Meal kit vs. prepared meals: Do you enjoy cooking but lack the time to shop? In this case, a meal kit service is your best bet. Alternatively, if you don't want to spend more than 10 minutes on food preparation, you should choose a service that delivers prepared meals that only need heating.

• Meal options: The best meal delivery service has enough options on its menu to keep you entertained. Also, you should choose a service that changes the menu weekly, so you’ll have easy access to new cuisines and tastes.

• Dietary needs: If you follow a specific diet or there are ingredients you can’t eat, choose a service that offers different dietary options such as gluten-free, low-calorie, vegetarian, and so on.

• Price: A higher price doesn’t necessarily indicate better quality of foods, but it can indicate care towards creating specific menus for various diets. Overall, the price (including shipping) needs to fit your budget.

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Irvine?

HelloFresh is the cheapest meal delivery service from our list in Irvine. Its prices start at $4.49, and there are frequent deals and special offers to save you even more money.

What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Irvine?

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Irvine?

Factor is my top recommendation for people subscribing to niche diets because it caters to various dieters. It offers choices for those on keto, plant-based, high-protein, and low-calorie diets. Moreover, it includes a flexitarian plan, a rarity among meal subscription services.

What is the best paleo meal delivery service in Irvine?

Trifecta provides paleo and keto meal kits to Irvine residents, so it can be a good choice if you’re on either of these 2 diets. The service lets you choose your recipes or let its chefs do that on your behalf.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Irvine in 2024 – Final Score