We tried all the popular ones, and here’s how everything stacked up.
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Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
Meal delivery kits continue to be really popular these days — and it's easy to see why.
They're convenient, time-saving, delicious, and they get you one step closer to dinner at night.
Blue Apron
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to figure out which one is truly the best for you. I wanted to find out — so I researched the most popular ones and tested eight of 'em.
HBO / Via blueapron.com
• I only included kits that offered nationwide delivery.
• For most kits, I ordered three meals (for two people) to give myself the best feel for what a weekly subscription box might look like. The costs below reflect that.
• I tried to pick a a wide array of recipes, or things that I don't normally buy and cook for myself. If I'm spending the extra $$ on a meal kit, I want it to be different (and/or better!) than what I might otherwise cook or pick up.
• The most important thing to me was finding a kit that combined quality ingredients + inventive recipes + the feeling that I was still cooking, learning, and improving my kitchen skills along the way. But I also realize that other home cooks might be looking for something else, so I tried to make my reviews as comprehensive as possible, listing pros and cons, and suggestions for who a certain kit might be best for.
Sun Basket, which had fresh organic ingredients, creative and delicious recipes, and plenty of vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo options. Overall, it was my favorite meal kit.
Best for: People who grocery shop in the organic aisle and enjoy trying lots of different cuisines.
Sun Basket / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via sunbasket.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
Plated, which offers tons of variety and flexibility, and lets you choose from 20 different recipes each week — the most of all of the kits I tried.
Best for: The adventurous eater who wants to become a better cook, and who wants variety most of all.
Plated / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via plated.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
Gobble, which focuses on one-pan meals that you can make in 15 minutes or less.
Best for: Busy people (and people who hate doing dishes).
Gobble / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via gobble.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
HelloFresh, which offers hearty, back-to-basics recipes that are developed by dietitians.
Best for: Carnivores who want classic, filling, 30-minute dinners.
Hello Fresh / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via hellofresh.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
Home Chef, which puts a fresh twist on old favorites — and still keeps prep to 30 minutes.
Best for: Creative, healthy meals that don't take all night.
@realhomechef / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via homechef.com
Marley Spoon, which is owned by Martha Stewart and has options for for carnivores, vegetarians, and gluten-free eaters.
Best for: Health-conscious eaters who want seasonal, creative recipes.
The Martha Blog / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via themarthablog.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
Blue Apron — aka the OG of meal kits — which works with farmers and chefs to source fresh ingredients and create step-by-step recipes.
Best for: Filling weeknight dinners, and people who are counting on lots of leftovers.
Blue Apron / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via blueapron.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
Veestro, which is a 100% plant-based meal kit that delivers precooked, frozen meals to your door.
Best for: People with dietary restrictions or those who want heat-and-eat options.
@vestrofood / Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed / Via instagram.com
Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed
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