Sacramento is considered the Farm-to-Fork Capital of the US – maybe the world – with over 1.5 billion acres of farmland in the region. Sacramento is still a big city, and finding time to plan and prep meals might not be on your agenda. A meal delivery service with equally high-quality produce may be your best bet.
I curated a top list of meal delivery services that can suit your needs. Whether you're cooking for 1, 2, or more, you'll find fresh and convenient plans on this list.
At the top of my list is Factor with its commitment to using cage-free chicken and its thoughtfully curated prepared meals. Factor prides itself on using healthy, balanced ingredients that cater to a range of niche diets, too.
Read on to discover more fresh and convenient meal delivery service options.
Factor – Best fresh and fully prepared meals
Green Chef – Best organic meal delivery service in Sacramento
Blue Apron – Best high-quality meal delivery service in Sacramento
HelloFresh – Best family meal delivery service for Sacramentoans
Home Chef – Best customizable meal delivery service
Ready-made recipes made for athletic lifestyles
35 recipes and 40+ add-ons weekly
6 plans including Chef’s Choice, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, Keto, Flexitarian, and Protein Plus
Current deal: Starting at $130 off! Code: DELIVERY130
Factor has secured a leading position on my list, thanks to its incredible taste and convenience. Microwavable meals aren’t always known for their quality, but Factor proves that it's possible to enjoy restaurant-quality dishes in just a matter of minutes.
Accommodating a variety of dietary requirements, Factor provides 6 meal plans – all of which are gluten-free! These plans include:
Chef’s Choice – featuring recipes from every diet plan
Keto – focused on low carb, high fat, and moderate protein recipes
Calorie Smart – offering recipes with 550 kcal per serving or less
Vegan & Veggie – comprising meat-free meals
Protein Plus – containing 30 g of protein or more per meal
Flexitarian – meals designed around veggies and purposeful proteins
The well-rounded Chef's Choice plan is ideal for busy individuals in Sacramento, while its keto menu excels with approximately 15 high-protein, moderate-fat, low-carb options each week. Factor offers around 5 plant-based recipes every week.
Its add-ons primarily target keto-eaters and omnivores and can be a great way to integrate low-carb days into your meal plan.
Factor sets itself apart by delivering meals fresh, not frozen. It's recommended to consume the meals fresh, but you can easily store them in the fridge or freezer in the trays they come in if you need to extend their shelf life. A fellow reviewer tried Factor's service and meals and mentioned, "if healthy, prepared dinners are what you're after, then Factor ranks among the best."
Factor takes pride in using top-notch ingredients from humane and sustainable sources for its produce and proteins. Although not an organic service and lacking detailed information about ingredient sourcing, Factor passed my colleague's home test with outstanding results – as did its flavors.
You can enjoy a free 20-minute nutrition coaching session with 1 of its in-house dietitians even before subscribing to Factor. Consulting with a registered dietitian (RD) can be incredibly helpful for those wanting to lose weight, improve fitness levels, or revamp their eating habits.
While Factor's pricing places it in the premium category, I think you get what you pay for in terms of convenience, ingredient quality, and variety. For Sacramento residents searching for quick, convenient, and dietitian-approved meals, the price might be well worth it.
Factor's meal pricing begins at $10.49 per serving, with costs increasing for smaller orders. With a minimum order of 6 single-serving meals per week and the option to buy up to 18, it's perfect for keeping your fridge stocked.
Organic ingredients
45+ unique recipes each week
8 meal plans include keto, gluten free, plant-based, and more
Current deal: 50% Off + 50 FREE Credits with Class Pass!
Green Chef's main attraction stems from its organic ingredients and dietary options. As the first predominantly organic meal delivery service, Green Chef uses only CCOF-certified and USDA-certified organic produce, ensuring all produce is free of hormones and antibiotics.
Every week, you can choose from 45+ recipes across 8 plans:
Keto – featuring low carb, moderate protein, and high fat recipes
Gluten-Free – offering recipes without added gluten
Gut & Brain Health – high fiber recipes to reduce bloating and boost energy
Plant Based – providing meat-free meals
Protein-Packed – including high protein meals ideal for omnivores
Quick & Easy – meals ready in under 25 minutes
Mediterranean – consisting of recipes with a focus on veggies, fish, and healthy fats
Each recipe on the weekly menu has a tag on it, so you know what diet plan it belongs to. For instance, Green Chef's Barramundi Over Carrot-Ginger Salad with lettuce, bell pepper, cashews, sesame seeds, and mint is part of the Gluten-Free, Keto, and Quick & Easy menus.
Green Chef also offers an assortment of add-ons to complete your weekly menu. The selection changes weekly, just like the main menu, but you can expect a variety of sides, breakfasts, proteins, colorful salads, oatmeal, and desserts.
Green Chef prepares meal kits with pre-made sauces and spice blends and even pre-washes and chops certain vegetables to streamline the cooking process. This helps cut down on how much time you spend in the kitchen. However, if you're looking for prepared meals, you might want to consider Factor.
Green Chef’s meal plans offer flexibility, allowing you to choose meals across plans and granting you access to the full menu. I mostly eat Mediterranean recipes while trying to adhere to Keto-friendly options. So, I appreciate being able to order dishes that feature on one or both menus.
Even though the premium ingredients cost more, it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re looking for organic ingredients. A colleague of mine tried Green Chef at home and found that the exceptional ingredients led to more flavorful meals.
Pricing begins at $9.99 per serving, based on a maximum order of 4 meals for 6 people per week. Being able to order for up to 6 people makes this an excellent choice for larger families. The minimum order consists of 3 meals for 2 people.
80+ recipes to choose from
Meal kits and prepared meals available
Dietary options include vegetarian and low-calorie
Blue Apron offers a variety of weekly recipes and fresh, pre-portioned ingredients delivered directly to your door. The company works with over 100 family-run farms to source the most seasonally fresh, sustainably grown produce and humanely raised proteins to ensure high quality and taste.
Blue Apron boasts restaurant-quality dishes with fresh, high-quality ingredients. You can choose from the following meal plans:
Meal Kits for 2: Blue Apron’s main menu
Meal Kits for 4: Balanced menu with meals serving 4 people
Prepared & Ready: Fresh prepared meals portioned for 1 person
Add-ons: Sides, proteins, salads, and prepared meals with up to 2 servings
The globally-inspired dishes offered by Blue Apron give you the chance to experiment with new flavors you might not have cooked with before, such as the ponzu sauce and sesame in the Yuzu and Soy-Glazed Tilapia with Aromatic Rice, Green Beans, and Sesame Seeds. The cuisine is primarily American, Mediterranean, and Asian-inspired flavors.
The menu changes weekly, but you'll still see recurring favorites as Blue Apron rotates the menu. There are plenty of choices if you prefer variety.
If you don’t have much cooking time, try the Prepared & Ready meals. These are fresh and can be heated in the microwave in just 2 minutes. The same quality of ingredients is used in prepared meals and the Meal Kits.
Every recipe card has clear instructions and pictures, and you can even find how-to videos on the app, so cooks of all skill levels can prepare every dish with success. My colleague tested Blue Apron's service and found that the recipes are fun for skilled and unskilled chefs.
You'll also see some customization options, like swapping proteins or Make it Vegetarian. The Yuzu and Soy-Glazed Tilapia can be prepared with tilapia for shrimp. You can even see the nutrition facts for each swap when you click the View Recipe button next to the swap option.
Blue Apron provides great value, with prices starting at $4.00 per serving. The minimum Meal Kits order is 2 recipes for 2 people, and the maximum order is 5 recipes for 4. The minimum order of Prepared & Ready meals in 4 meals.
Meals cost less than dining out in a restaurant but cost more than planning and shopping for your weekly meals. The convenience of the service and the freshness and quality of the produce and proteins may be well worth it for you.
Large selection of family-friendly meal kits
More than 100 weekly meal options and add-ons from the Market
Dietary options include low-calorie, pescatarian, and vegetarian
HelloFresh truly shines as an exceptional family-focused meal delivery service, offering premium, competitively priced fresh ingredients. With over 100 menu items to choose from every week, you'll discover a mix of popular recipes tagged Hall of Fame and globally-inspired dishes.
HelloFresh features 6 adaptable meal plans:
Meat & Veggies – protein and vegetable-based dishes for balanced diets
Veggie – vegetarian and vegan options
Family Friendly – dishes that everyone will enjoy
Fit & Wholesome – health-conscious meals ready in under 25 minutes
Under 20 Minutes – dishes for busy nights with little cooking time
Pescatarian – seafood and vegetarian options
The cuisine mainly draws inspiration from Mediterranean and American traditions, with a hint of Asian flair. On the same menu, you’ll find Pork Katsu with Sesame Roasted Carrots and Ginger Rice, Tex-Mex Turkey Bowls, and Zucchini and Tomato Flatbreads.
Easy-to-read recipe cards are included with every meal kit, making cooking simple and enjoyable even for inexperienced cooks. My coworker tested HelloFresh, and found the recipe cards easy to follow, and was very pleased with how delicious the meals tasted.
HelloFresh lets you customize proteins in certain meals, enhancing the range of available meals or making a meal vegetarian. Keep in mind, though, that customization incurs an additional fee per serving, depending on what protein you switch.
You can also replenish essential groceries through the HelloFresh Market, which offers extra produce, proteins, desserts, and spices to complete your weekly menu. The Market makes HelloFresh a great option for those trying a meal delivery service for the first time since you can easily add Market ingredients or adjust proteins flexibly.
HelloFresh is a great option for those with a busy lifestyle – the time saved in planning, shopping, and portioning can be a significant advantage. Also, the company offers a diverse menu with fresh ingredients, catering to different dietary preferences.
The order minimum is 2 recipes for 2 people, and the maximum is 6 recipes for 6 for each plan. Prices start at $4.49 per serving.
Double-up or swap proteins
32+ recipes weekly
Dietary options include calorie-conscious, carb-conscious, and vegetarian
Home Chef offers a balance of classic home-cooked meals and adventurous, globally-inspired dishes, appealing to a broad range of tastes. Known for its user-friendly interface and flexible subscription model, Home Chef makes it easy for customers to manage their meal plans and preferences.
Home Chef offers a diverse range of options that cater to different lifestyles and culinary preferences. The offering includes classic meal kits with exciting and easy-to-follow dishes, family-friendly recipes, and interesting gourmet options.
You can also use the extensive extras menu to create your own meals. Imagine a Quiche Lorraine with a Lobster Bisque and Creamy Tomato side, with an Everything Chopped Salad, and a Vanilla Latte by La Colombe for breakfast. Other extras include meal bundles, desserts, breads, juices, microwave-ready meals like empanadas, and a charcuterie board.
My colleague tried Home Chef and was really impressed. The meals tasted great, and there were even some leftovers for the next day. You can check out their review of Home Chef’s complete service here.
What sets Home Chef apart is that you can customize proteins in many of its recipes. This customization option expands the menu even further, as many recipes are available with 2 to 4 proteins. Keep in mind that protein swaps incur an extra fee per portion.
Another advantage of this service is the variety of meal prep types it offers. These range from its standard kits ready in about 30 minutes to recipes in the Culinary Collection that are ready in about 45 minutes, which are also a bit pricier than the standard kits for their more premium ingredients.
You can also find easier and faster prep 15-minute and oven-ready kits that merely require assembly in the provided pan.
Home Chef offers convenience and variety, and it’s a great option if you have limited time for meal planning and grocery shopping. The starting price is $9.99 ($6.99 W/ discount) per serving.
The minimum order is 2 recipes for 2 people, and you can order up to 6 recipes for 6 people. This maximum is above average for a meal delivery service, making this a great option for small families, parties, or small groups of roommates.
Several weight-loss plans
150+ low-calorie recipes across 7 dietary plans
5- and 7-day programs
BistroMD offers microwavable low-calorie meals for those pursuing weight loss. By ordering any of its plans, you'll enjoy wholesome dishes crafted by registered dietitians and cooked by skilled chefs. Rather than eating less or skipping meals, BistroMD promotes filling, calorie-conscious options for those trying to shed pounds.
BistroMD's menu is based on American cuisine but also offers numerous Mediterranean dishes. The company offers 7 meal plans:
Signature – the main menu of 150+ low-calorie recipes
Gluten Free – wheat-, barley-, and rye-free, with 20ppm (or less) gluten per meal
Heart Healthy – under 3.5 g of saturated fat and under 600 mg sodium per serving
Keto Flex – 85+ less-restrictive alternatives to traditional keto meals
Diabetic – recipes with under 25 g of net carbs per serving
Menopause – recipes designed to help manage hormonal changes
Vegan – a program of plant-based meals
The meals are designed to fulfill a diet of 1,200 to 1,600 calories per day. Typically, breakfasts contain about 250 calories, with lunches and dinners averaging 300 calories each. Snacks clock in at around 200 calories. For more, check out my colleague’s thoughts on the menu.
Plans specifically designed for both men and women are what sets BistroMD apart. There’s a slight difference in the number of calories in women's plans and men's plans.
The recipes are designed to meet specific macro and nutrient counts for the plan you choose and are meant to be consumed as is. Aside from the Gluten-Free plan, this means you won’t find any allergy accommodations.
The cost per serving is the same, irrespective of the plan you choose. Prices start at $6.59 per serving for the 3 meals for 7 days plan. The price per serving increases as you order fewer meals.
You can choose 2 or 3 meals per day for 5 or 7 days per week and decide whether to include snacks. If you choose 2 meals per day, you’ll get lunches and dinners. The complete 7-day program provides 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners, leaving you with 1 night to indulge as you please.
Options for lunch and breakfast
12 meal kits and 16 ready-made meals each week
Dietary options include high-protein, gluten-free, and more
Purple Carrot specializes in plant-based cuisine catered to vegan diets. The menu excludes meat, cheese, eggs, and all other animal-derived ingredients.
The menu features dinners, breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and grocery items. Around 4 breakfast and lunch options are available on each weekly menu. Breakfasts come in 4 servings, lunches in 2 servings, and dinners in 2 and 4 servings. Additionally, snacks and extras can be chosen from the Pantry.
Purple Carrot's menu highlights a diverse array of international cuisines. You'll find Italian, French, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean recipes. Vegan takes on American classics, like the Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches.
While Purple Carrot sources organic and non-GMO ingredients for its meals, it occasionally faces limitations in acquiring them. If you prefer organic food, consider Green Chef – a USDA-certified organic company.
This meal delivery service provides both meal kits and prepared meals suiting cooking enthusiasts and those with limited time. Typically, the menu offers over 12 meal kit choices and 16 ready-to-eat recipes. Read my colleague's comprehensive review of their nearly flawless experience with Purple Carrot's service.
Purple Carrot also offers a Less Prep category for quicker meal kits. Meals in this group resemble the regular meal kits but include pre-chopped ingredients and premade sauces. Less Prep dishes also minimize cleanup time, as they typically require fewer utensils during preparation.
Navigating the Purple Carrot menu is a breeze. Essential information accompanies each meal, such as prep times, ingredients, and macro and calorie counts. Each meal also has symbols under the image indicating things like gluten-free, <600 calories, <30 minutes, nut-free, and high protein.
If you’re interested in a plant-based diet, Purple Carrot is a great option for the convenience it offers. The cost per serving depends on whether you select meal kits or prepared meals and the number of servings.
The minimum weekly meal kit order consists of 3 meals with 2 servings, and the maximum meal kit order includes 3 meals with 4 servings. For prepared meals, you can order 1 serving for 6, 8, or 10 meals. The price per serving begins at $11.00 per serving.
Recipes curated by kitchen guru Martha Stewart
100+ dishes on the menu per week
Dietary options include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more
Marley Spoon accommodates various dietary needs, featuring recipes labeled as low-calorie, no gluten added, and dairy-free. The offer is varied, and you can access desserts, sides, and cakes too.
The menu mainly includes American comfort foods with some globally-inspired fare, catering to those craving more adventurous meals. You'll find familiar dishes like spaghetti and tacos, as well as more internationally-inspired foods such as Thai Red Curry. This makes Marley Spoon ideal for anyone needing to feed fussy eaters or those who enjoy varying their meals.
Marley Spoon’s priority is being budget-friendly, so no diet-specific plans are available. If you follow a diet like keto, you may want to check out Green Chef.
My colleague tested this service and noted that anyone who wants to cook at home more frequently will appreciate what Marley Spoon has to offer.
Marley Spoon provides an array of customization options. Recipes with customizable features display a yellow Customizable icon on the recipe’s image. This feature allows you to swap proteins or sides for higher quality, easier prep, or pescatarian options. For example, you can upgrade to wild-caught shrimp in the Shrimp Tikka Masala with peas and rice.
It's important to note that allergen cross-contamination is possible for the whole menu. Those with severe allergies are better off with a service like Purple Carrot, which offer better allergy-conscious menus.
For all you eco-conscious Sacramentoans – Marley Spoon is 100% carbon neutral. Furthermore, meal kit ingredients are pre-portioned as required for each recipe, resulting in minimal food waste and less required packaging.
Marley Spoon stands out for its large menu and variety of dietary accommodations. However, it's important to note that there are no menu filters, so you’ll have to browse the full menu to find the best meals for you.
Per serving, prices start at $4.99, and the minimum order per week is 2 meals while the maximum is 6. This means Marley Spoon is a good service for singles, couples, and small families, as you can order 2 or 4 servings per meal. You can even add desserts, microwavable meals, and sides to your order once you’ve signed up.
Dinnerly is 1 of the most affordable meal delivery services out there. With over 100 recipes on the menu every week, you definitely won’t be struggling for choices.
Dinnerly's menu provides a wide range of choices at an affordable price point, making it a practical option for those seeking simple, tasty, and budget-friendly meal solutions.
As well as the main meals, you’ll also find fun sides and desserts like Cinnamon Rice Pudding and Lemon-Poppy Ricotta Pancakes.
Dishes are simple and easy enough for even total beginners to prepare. Read more about Dinnerly’s complete menu and service in my colleague’s full tested review.
If you want something fancier, you may want to try Dinnerly’s PremiYUM meals. For a small upcharge, PremiYUM meals provide slightly more complicated recipes. The menu also has a few microwavable meals (marked as Ready Made!) that offer added convenience if you don’t have time for meal prep every night.
What’s impressive about Dinnerly’s affordable menu are the dietary options. There are no filters, but each meal has tags underneath its image to help you. Some tags you’ll see are low-calorie, low-carb, vegetarian, no added gluten, and dairy free.
Overall, Dinnerly is a great choice if you’re on a budget. You can order as few as 2 meals for 2 people per week. The meals are quite basic, though, so if you have a sophisticated palate, I suggest you try a service like Blue Apron.
Dinnerly is the cheapest service on my list, with per-serving prices starting at $2.12. This serving price is only achieved by ordering the maximum of 6 meals for 4 people per week.
Top Plans | |||||||||
Top Plans | ![]() | ||||||||
Our Rating | |||||||||
Our Rating | 9.8 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.2 |
Starting Price | |||||||||
Starting Price | $10.49 Per Serving | $9.99 Per Serving | $4.00 Per Serving | $4.49 Per Serving | $9.99 ($6.99 W/ discount) Per Serving | $6.59 Per Serving | $11.00 Per Serving | $4.99 Per Serving | $2.12 Per Serving |
Minimum Order | |||||||||
Minimum Order | 6 prepared meals | 3 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 10 prepared meals | 3 meal kits for 2 people/6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people |
Meal Types | |||||||||
Meal Types | Prepared meals | 10-45 minute meal kits | 5 - 60 min meal kits and prepared meals | Meal kits, speedy kits, prepared meals | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready | Prepared meals | Meal kits, prepared meals | 30-60 min meal kits | 30-minute meal kits |
Prep Time | |||||||||
Prep Time | 2-3 min | 25-40 min | 5-45 min | 5-50 min | 5-50 min | 2-3 min | 3-40 min | 20-40 min | 20-45 min |
Active Deals | |||||||||
Active Deals |
Here are 4 essential tips to help you make the best decision when you're searching for the perfect meal delivery service to meet your needs and preferences.
Prioritize freshness and quality: Opt for services that use high-quality ingredients such as local, sustainably sourced, grass-fed, and organic products. Given that Sacramento is renowned as the Farm-to-Fork capital, it's crucial not to compromise on the quality of your local options. Green Chef is known for delivering organic, fresh, and seasonal ingredients in its meal kits, ensuring a superior cooking experience.
Consider dietary restrictions: It's crucial to select a meal delivery service that can accommodate your specific dietary requirements. Each menu on this list caters to different allergens and dietary accommodations, so scrutinize plans and recipes meticulously. Factor is an excellent option for specific diets as it offers 5 meal plans ranging from Keto to Vegan and Veggie.
Consider recipe prep time and complexity: Ease of meal prep and cooking time required are important factors when selecting a meal delivery service. You don’t want to subscribe to a service to reduce your weekly meal prep time and end up with recipes that take an average of 45 minutes to prep and require cooking skills you don’t have. So look for a service like HelloFresh that offers a variety of cooking times.
Think green: Meal delivery can create a lot of waste. If you care about the environment, go for a service that uses eco-friendly packaging and responsible sourcing. Marley Spoon, for example, has a carbon-neutral delivery system, which really sets it apart.
Yes – some of the services I recommended, including Factor and Green Chef, cater to specific diets. You’ll find plenty of options for vegans and veggies, as well as menus that cater to high-protein, Mediterranean, low-calorie, and low-carb diets, including keto.
Many of the services on my list use locally sourced ingredients and prioritize using sustainably-sourced, hormone-free foods. These include Green Chef, Blue Apron, and Purple Carrot. To ensure the quality and sourcing of ingredients, you can read through vendor FAQs to determine whether sourcing policies seem transparent and whether partnerships with local farms or artisan producers are emphasized.
You can expect an average price per serving of $9 to $15 per meal, with per serving prices varying by what vendor, meal plans, add-ons, or upgrades you choose. Some companies offer discounts or promotions for first-time customers or larger orders, which can help reduce the overall cost. For more budget-friendly services, you can check out our review of the Best Cheapest Meal Delivery Services 2024.
Consider reading each service’s FAQs, which is where you can typically find sourcing policies. FAQs often include information about packaging materials, the company’s efforts to reduce food and delivery material waste, and local and organic farm partnerships. Marley Spoon is a 100% carbon neutral meal delivery service and has plenty of information on its website about how the service achieves this.