After a long day of work or school, all you want to do when you get home is slip into some sweatpants and cue up the Netflix. And although you’re famished, even the thought of prepping and cooking a full meal can seem exhausting.
Enter subscription meal delivery services, an innovative and increasingly popular option for busy people who desire to eat healthful, balanced meals without schlepping to the grocery store or scouring the web for appealing and accessible recipes.
Using these services, you can choose to have a set number of meals delivered straight to your home every week. The company ships you all of the ingredients, along with detailed instructions. Most of the ingredients are already prepared, so you won’t have to worry about slicing onions or peeling potatoes.
Each service varies in terms of the price and the kinds of foods they provide. Most offer an online menu from which you can select your weekly meals. The menu usually changes pretty regularly, so you won’t get bored having the same thing week after week.
To help you choose the right one for your budget and lifestyle, we’ve compiled five of the best subscription meal services available. Also be sure to check out this article for some kitchen essentials to make your new delicious daily routine even better.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron is one of the most popular delivery services, and one of the least expensive.
You’ll receive six meals per week (three per person for two people), along with recipe cards for each meal. Blue Apron incorporates seasonal ingredients, and its menu changes weekly.
There is one caveat: There aren’t as many options for those with dietary restrictions. But you can swap out meals in one box for those in another, provided there is enough in stock to accommodate the request.
The cost of the services is about $8.74 to $9.99 per person, depending on whether you choose the two-person or family size (four person) box.
Green Chef
At this time, Green Chef is the only USDA-certified organic mail-order meal kit company.
Besides everything being organic—even the seasonings—the service is also a prime choice for anyone with specific dietary restrictions, offering options for vegetarian, vegan, Paleo, gluten-free, omnivorous, and carnivorous diets.
You’ll receive a box of three recipes for two people, complete with a recipe card. The menu changes weekly. The omnivore package includes a seafood, meat, and veggie meal.
Pricing starts at $11.99 per person per meal.
PeachDish
Have a little Southern hospitality delivered straight to your door with PeachDish, a service providing Southern-inspired meals.
Each week, you’ll receive two servings of two vegetarian meals or two meat-based meals (or a combination of the two). There’s no gluten-free option, but you can view which meals are gluten-free in order to choose those that accommodate your dietary needs.
The cost for PeachDish is about $11.25 to $12.50 per serving, with a discount for purchasing more servings. Bonus: You can try one box for free before committing to a subscription.
Plated
Plated provides locally sourced ingredients with antibiotic-free meat and dairy products.
The smallest box includes two dinners for two people and costs $12 per person per meal.
This service requires a bit more preparation than many of the others (searing, chopping, etc.), but it is a great choice for picky eaters or those in need of a gluten-free option. You can also opt for low-calorie meals, which the majority of other meal delivery services don’t offer.
Hello Fresh
This one includes a celebrity endorsement from Jamie Oliver, who collaborates with the company to provide one special recipe each week.
Hello Fresh is also comparatively less expensive than some other services. You’ll receive three meals per week for two people at a price of about $8.75 to $9.90 per person per meal, depending on the size of the box you select.
You can choose from the vegetarian box, family box, or classic box. The menu changes weekly.
[tweetthis]Have you considered #mealdelivery by subscription? Check out this list of the top 5![/tweetthis]
Whether you’re a college student looking for a healthy, quick alternative to takeout or a parent seeking a means to incorporate some fine dining into your family’s regular meal rotation, subscription meal services can offer an accessible and easy option. And with so many services to choose from, there’s sure to be one perfectly suited for you. Give it a try and let us know your experiences in the comments below!