5 Best Meal Delivery Services - 2018 Rankings
We're excited to announce the launch of our Meal Kit Delivery Services Rankings for 2018! Our Rankings are determined by a range of factors such as actual product tests in the No Recipe Required kitchen, consumer feedback, cost, and cleanup, packaging, and speed of delivery. Analysis of recipes and nutrition information is another important deciding factor.
In addition to earning high marks in these areas, the Best Meal Delivery Services will offer delicious, pre-prepared meals that are ready to eat in just minutes. Variety is high on the list as well, so the best meal delivery services will offer meals that appeal to vegans and vegetarians, meat eaters, seafood lovers, families on a budget, foodies, and those who prefer to eat organic. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and diet-friendly options will be readily available as well.
Besides offering time-savings, convenience, and dishes for every type of eater, the companies on our list are user-friendly, they offer a flexible policy that allows customers to pause or cancel their subscription at any time, and most provide a variety of shipping options to suit all budgets—including free.
Below is our list of the Best Meal Delivery Services for 2018.
1. Freshly
Established in 2015, Freshly is a New York-based, weekly subscription meal service that promises to deliver fresher and faster meals. Meals do not contain artificial ingredients, hydrogenated oils, refined sugars, artificial preservatives or items from Freshly’s list of over 85 banned ingredients. Meals are fully prepared and ready to eat in just three minutes, so customers don’t have to deal with prep or clean up. Meals can also last up to a week refrigerated.
Besides using only fresh, all natural ingredients, Freshly uses biodegradable recycled denim insulation as an eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam to keep meals cool and fresh. Containers are 100% recyclable and meals are perfectly portioned to avoid contributing to landfill waste.
Freshly’s weekly rotating menu offers 30+ different chef-inspired preparations with both new choices and favorites. The menu is 100% gluten-free, making freshly the largest producer of fresh, certified-gluten-free meals in the U.S. Besides never having to worry about gluten in their meals, customers never have to worry about their waistlines. The average Freshly meal contains 30 grams of protein and just 500 calories.
Sample meals include Jamaican-Style Chicken, Three Bean Ancho Turkey Chili, and Korean-Style Shrimp. Breakfast options and vegetarian meals are also available. Plans include:
- 4 Meals/Week: $12.50/meal, $49.99/week
- 6 Meals/Week: $9.99/meal, $59.99/week
- 9 Meals/Week: $9.99/meal, $89.99/week
- 12 Meals/Week: $8.99/meal, $107.99/week
Shipping is free for all plans and skipping weeks or canceling is easy. Users can skip a week or cancel anytime as long as they notify Freshly before the weekly deadline prior to shipping.
2. MamaSezz
Launched in 2017, MamaSezz is a plant-based meal delivery service that delivers fresh food to the customer’s door, with no cooking required. The New Hampshire-based company allows customers to order anything from the kitchen and the MamaSezz team will chop, cut, and prepare all of the meals and snacks. Orders are accepted until 8 p.m. eastern on the Sunday before the set Thursday or Friday delivery times. Each meal includes a return shipping label for cooler recycling.
All meals, desserts, sides and sauces are available for one-time purchase or by subscription to “bundles,”
which are delivered once a week or every two, three or four weeks. Options include the Family Bundle, Get Me Started Bundle, Heart Healthy Bundle, Just for Me Bundle, Soy-free Bundle, and the Senior Bundle, to name a few. Sample dishes include the Black Bean Bowl, Lazy Lasagna, Moroccan Stew, Southwest Quinoa, and the Veggie Loaf.
Bundle prices range from $89-$99 with one exception—the 2-Week Plant-Based Challenge Course Meal Plan PLUS Ready-Made Meals Delivered for $154. This plan includes a challenge course, 15-minute coaching call, private Facebook group access, and expert tips to help customers transition to a plant-based lifestyle and stick to it.
Shipping is either free or it will start at $19.95 based on location and order costs. Customers can edit, change, pause or cancel their subscription at any time.
Featured in Reader’s Digest and Boston, MamaSezz also has a store located in Brattleboro, Vermont for local customers who prefer to pick up their meals.
3. Fresh n' Lean
Established in 2010, Fresh n’ Lean is a California-based meal delivery service that offers options for diets ranging from Paleo to vegan. All ingredients are organic and proteins are grass-fed, free-range or wild-caught, and antibiotic- and hormone-free. Fresh ‘n Lean does not use fillers, preservatives, or frozen or processed ingredients, and produce is always local and in-season. Oils and “salty sauces” are kept to a minimum and soy-, dairy- and gluten-free options are available.
Customers can subscribe to Fresh ‘n Lean to receive weekly meals or they may order one-time meals (A La Carte). There is a $105 minimum order for A La Carte orders and prices per entree range from $11.99-$14.49. Sample dishes include Mango Chutney Samosa Rice, Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta, Paleo Beef or Salmon, Quinoa and Teriyaki Broccoli, and Roasted Pepper “Aioli” Brown Rice. Plans have two options including Three Meals, Five Days a Week or Three Meals, Seven Days a Week.
ION Performance Paleo (Low-Carb): Five Days $12.69/meal, $190.35/week; Seven Days $12.69/meal, $266.49/week.
ION Performance Protein +: Five Days $12.25/meal, $183.75/week; Seven Days $12.25/meal, $257.25/week.
Low Carb / Low Cal Plant-Based: Five Days $11.33/meal, $169.95/week; Seven Days $11.33/meal $237.93/week.
Standard Plant Based: Five Days $9.33/meal, $139.95/week; Seven Days, $9.33/meal $195.93/week.
Shipping is free for all Fresh ‘n Lean meal plans and orders are delivered every week in specially designed coolers with ice packs. Containers are microwave and oven-safe and all shipping materials are recyclable. Meals are delivered to the customer’s home or office.
4. Veestro
Founded in 2012, Veestro is a unique meal delivery service that uses only 100% plant-based, organic ingredients. The California-based company, which has been featured in Cooking Light, InStyle, Men's Health, and SELF, says it uses only sustainable, preservative-free ingredients, with plenty of gluten-free and kosher options on the menu. Veestro is one of the few meal delivery services that also offers a weight-loss plan and a juice cleanse plan.
Chef-crafted and fully prepared meals include creations such as Lentil Meatloaf, Mushroom Risotto, Red Curry with Tofu, Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce, and Thai Chick’n Stew. Juices bear unique names such as Beet Zinger, Beta Blast, Immunity Kick, Kale Punch, and Mighty Greens. Customers choose their meals from four selections including:
A la Carte, a one-time delivery only option that includes breakfast, entrees, soups, desserts and juices. Complete meals start at $10 and single items are under $7.
Meal Packs, a one-time delivery or subscription option starting at $8/per meal. Packs range from protein and gluten-free to meatless Monday and wedding prep.
Weight-Loss, a subscription-only selection that includes three-, five-, or seven-day options. Each shipment contains two weeks’ worth of meals, shipped every two weeks. Prices start at $8/meal.
Juice Cleanse, a one-time delivery or subscription selection that has three- and five-day options. The package includes 100% cold pressed juice with no added water or sugar. Prices start at $6/juice.
Customers can cancel anytime and shipping costs are as follows: Orders under $98 ($35), $99-$198 ($19) and over $199 (free).
5. The Vegan Garden
The Vegan Garden is a plant-based, meal delivery service that sells completely prepared dishes and desserts. This California-based company also offers cleanses and smoothies, along with a variety of light breakfast items. TVG meals and drinks are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and gluten-free options are available. Sample meal items include Chickpea Curry Soup, Mexican Jumping Beans, Mongolian Chik’n, Moroccan Lentils, Quinoa Burrito, and Spaghetti & Meatballs. Smoothies run the gamut from Berry Blast and Blueberry Beet to Cocoa Powder and Green Machine.
The Vegan Garden offers 11 packages. Examples include:
Skinny Feast Protein Pack: An assortment of 12 protein infused smoothies and 12 higher protein entrees. The cost for this 6-day meal plan is $145.
Slim & Trim: Five vitamin filled 100% natural smoothies, five lunches, five dinners, and five light desserts. The cost for this plan is $210.
Slim Dinners: 14 dinners and 14 low calorie, 100% vegan, desserts. Some items are gluten-free. The cost for this package is $160.
Superfood Cleanse – Soups and Protein Smoothies: 3-day soup and 100% raw juice cleanse contains nine soups and nine protein infused smoothies. The cost for this plan is $160.
The Pioneer Meal: One full week’s worth of vegan readymade meals, in a pre-set menu created by TVG’s kitchen specialists. Each day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. The cost for this 7-day meal plan is $295.
Meals are shipped using FedEx “ground home delivery,” and the cost per package is $19 in California and $29 for the rest of the U.S.
Comments (7 )