11 Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services of 2023: Tested and Reviewed

Share on Pinterest

Meal delivery services can be an easy way to add more variety to your diet while saving time on meal prep.

Prepared meal delivery services are especially convenient, with many offering meals that can be simply reheated and enjoyed — no cooking, cutting, or cleaning required.

However, not all prepared meal delivery services are created equal. Healthline writers and editors tried numerous options to find out which ones are worth paying for.

A quick look at the best prepared meal delivery services

• Best overall: Factor | Skip to review
• Best for fitness enthusiasts: Trifecta Nutrition | Skip to review
• Best for weight loss: BistroMD | Skip to review
• Best organic: Daily Harvest | Skip to review
• Best oven-ready: Home Chef | Skip to review
• Best for keto and paleo: Snap Kitchen | Skip to review
• Best plant-based: Sprinly | Skip to review
• Best for singles: Splendid Spoon | Skip to review
• Best affordable: Mosaic Foods | Skip to review
• Best for seniors: Magic Kitchen | Skip to review
• Best for diabetes: Diet-to-Go | Skip to review

How we chose our top picks

We selected the prepared meal delivery services included in this article based on the following criteria:

• Ingredient quality: We looked for services that prioritize fresh, high quality ingredients. When trying the services, we paid attention to whether the ingredients arrived in good condition or whether any were damaged or spoiled.
• Taste: We know that taste is subjective. Still, when trying the services, we noted whether the meals were flavorful on their own or needed additional spices and seasonings.
• Menu variety: Some say variety is the spice of life. To keep you excited about your meal delivery service, we prioritized companies that offer meals featuring a wide range of ingredients and flavor combinations.
• Dietary options: To accommodate those who try to eat a generally balanced diet as well as those following a vegan, keto, or diabetes-friendly diet, we included options to suit a range of dietary needs and preferences.
• Vetting: All services on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.

Disclaimer: All the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors, who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.

Healthline’s picks of the best prepared meal delivery services

Best overall

Factor

• Price: starts at $10.99 per serving
• Shipping: $10.99
• Menus/diet types: Chef’s Choice, Keto, Vegan & Veggie, Protein Plus, Calorie Smart
• Subscription options: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 meals per week
• Number of meal options per week: 35+

Why we love it: Factor provides dietitian-designed meals for a wide range of diets. The meals are consistently flavorful and don’t get mushy after microwaving, earning it our pick for the best overall prepared meal delivery service.

How it works: Featuring more than 35 dietitian-designed meals each week, Factor uses fresh, never frozen ingredients to create meals free from hormones, antibiotics, refined sugars, and GMOs.

Meals can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days, and Factor provides oven and microwave reheating instructions for each meal.

When placing your order, you can filter the weekly menu to view recipes that are suitable for paleo, ketogenic, low calorie, low carb, or vegetarian diets.

Use link below to get $120 off across 5 boxes.

What our tester says

“I have to admit that any time I see a tray covered with plastic film, I get a bit nervous. However, Factor’s meals exceeded my expectations. None of the vegetables were bland or mushy, the proteins were all cooked perfectly, and the flavors were on point.

“While it is a bit pricey, after trying other prepared meal delivery services, I feel that the flavors and quality of Factor’s ingredients make it well worth the money.

“Read more about why Factor was my overall favorite prepared meal delivery service in this comprehensive review.”

— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II

Best for fitness enthusiasts

Trifecta Nutrition

• Price: starts at $11.42 per meal
• Shipping: $9.99
• Menus/diet types: Paleo, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30 Approved, Clean
• Subscription options: 1–4 meals per day for either 5 or 7 days per week
• Number of meal options per week: chef-selected

Why we love it: Specializing in nutritionally balanced entrees containing lean protein, complex carbs, and veggies, Trifecta is a great option for athletes.

How it works: Trifecta Nutrition provides fully prepared, fresh meals tailored to fit a variety of diets, with a rotating menu of paleo, keto, vegan, and vegetarian options.

While the needs of individual athletes vary, these meals may be appropriate fuel for exercise and recovery.

The meals can be stored for up to 7 days in the fridge and for 3 months or longer in the freezer. Each meal comes with reheating instructions for the microwave, stovetop, and oven.

The company also uses organic and sustainably sourced ingredients to ensure quality.

What our tester says

“I found that the meals contained a range of diverse ingredients and reheated well. Plus, I found that the variety of flavors helped keep me from feeling bored throughout the week.

“With that said, the meals are a bit light on vegetables, so you may want to consider adding a side salad or roasting a batch of vegetables for the week. Some meals tasted even better with extra spices and seasonings.

“Read more about my experience in this comprehensive review of Trifecta Nutrition.”

— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer

Best for weight loss

BistroMD

• Price: starts at $10.99 per serving
• Shipping: $19.95, contiguous United States
• Menus/diet types: Signature, Heart Healthy, Gluten-Free, Keto Flex, Diabetes-Friendly, Menopause, Men’s, Women’s
• Subscription options: 2 or 3 meals per day, 5 or 7 days per week
• Number of meal options per week: 150

Why we love it: BistroMD provides low calorie pre-portioned meals specifically designed for weight loss.

How it works: BistroMD is a frozen meal delivery service that specializes in low calorie meals for weight loss.

The meals typically have fewer than 400 calories each, and the service offers unique plans for gluten-free or low carb diets and heart health, diabetes, or menopause.

In addition to breakfasts and lunch and dinner entrees, you can purchase optional snacks that fit into the meal plan you choose.

BistroMD allows you to choose either its full program — which includes breakfasts, lunches, and dinners — or just lunches and dinners. You can choose to receive 5 or 7 days’ worth of food per week, and snacks are an optional add-on purchase.

What our tester says

“Compared to other frozen meals I’ve tried, the quality of BistroMD seemed much better.

“While other frozen meals often have pooled liquid in the tray after being heated, BistroMD didn’t usually have this problem, so the food was much more appetizing.

“However, the portions are on the small side and may not be appropriate for active people or people with larger appetites.”

— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer

Best organic

Daily Harvest

• Price: starts at $6.79 per entree
• Shipping: free
• Menus/diet types: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free
• Subscription options: 9, 14, or 24 items per shipment
• Number of meal options per week: 65+

Why we love it: Daily Harvest uses high quality organic ingredients in all its meals and snacks. The products are also flavorful, easy to prepare, and made without any artificial ingredients.

How it works: Daily Harvest is a plant-based meal delivery service that provides a variety of organic meals, snacks, and smoothies.

In fact, the company’s menu boasts an array of options, including oat bowls, flatbreads, soups, harvest bowls, lattes, and more.

In addition to being fully organic, all meals are vegan and gluten-free and require just one step of preparation.

Daily Harvest products are frozen and can last in your freezer for at least 30 days — or longer if you don’t open your freezer very often, as this reduces the risk of freezer burn.

What our tester says

“I tried several of Daily Harvest’s items and found each item easy to prepare, although you’ll need a bit of patience or a high powered blender for the smoothies.

“In particular, I enjoyed the Cacao Nib + Vanilla Bites (hello, cookie dough-flavored bites!) and the oat and chia bowls.

“Overall, if you’re looking for a few breakfasts, snacks, or light lunches to keep in the freezer, Daily Harvest is a great option. However, as I note in my in-depth review, it’s not ideal if you’re looking for larger or more filling entrees.”

— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer

Best oven-ready

Home Chef

• Price: starts at $7.99 per serving
• Shipping: $7.99–$13.99
• Menus/diet types: Calorie-Conscious and Carb-Conscious
• Subscription options: 2–6 meals per week for 2, 4, or 6 people
• Number of meal options per week: 30+

Why we love it: For those short on time, Home Chef offers an assortment of oven-ready meals appropriate for singles, couples, and families.

How it works: Home Chef is a popular, family-friendly meal delivery service that specializes in minimal-prep recipes and oven-ready meals.

Most of Home Chef’s meal kits require a small amount of prep work, but if you sign up for the Fresh and Easy meal plan, you can order meals that are ready to heat in the oven.

Oven-ready meals arrive fully assembled and packaged in oven-safe tins, so all you have to do is preheat your oven and cook them.

The Fresh and Easy plan also includes Grill-Ready meals, microwavable entrees, and Express Meal Kits, which feature prepped and pre-portioned ingredients for meals that are ready in 15 minutes or less.

What our tester says

“I thought this was a really great service! There were plenty of family-friendly options to choose from, and the meals themselves were overall tasty and easy to prepare. I was impressed with how many vegetables were included in the meals and appreciated the generous serving sizes.

“Overall, I think it’s one of the best meal delivery services for busy families.”

— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer

Best for keto and paleo

Snap Kitchen

• Price: starts at $11.34 per serving
• Shipping: free
• Menus/diet types: high protein, keto, low carb, paleo, gluten-free
• Subscription options: 6 or 12 meals per week
• Number of meal options per week: 30+

Why we love it: Snap Kitchen provides several keto- and paleo-friendly breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees, so it’s a great option if you’re following either of those diet plans.

How it works: Snap Kitchen helps take the work out of weekly meal prep by delivering healthy dishes directly to your door.

In addition to a balanced meal plan, the service offers menus to suit several low carb diet patterns, including keto and paleo diets. Snap Kitchen meals are shipped fresh, can last 4–7 days in the fridge, and are designed to be reheated in the microwave.

Plus, you can store the meals in your freezer to extend their shelf life.

What our tester says

“I tried a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees from Snap Kitchen. I found that there was a good variety of meals to choose from and didn’t have any difficulty identifying meals that fit my dietary needs and preferences.

“The meals arrived in good condition and were easy to reheat. The portion sizes were average, and the ingredients were flavorful and tasted fresh. While some of the dishes were a bit spicy for my taste, my husband really enjoyed them.

“Read more about my experience in this hands-on review of Snap Kitchen.”

— Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, Healthline writer

Best plant-based

Sprinly

• Price: starts at $16.05 per serving
• Shipping: varies by location
• Menus/diet types: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free
• Subscription options: 6, 12, or 18 meals per week
• Number of meal options per week: 6

Why we love it: Sprinly’s fully vegan meals are bursting with fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces, making this service a great pick whether you follow a plant-based diet or not.

How it works: Sprinly is a premade meal delivery service that provides vegan and gluten-free single-serving meals. The meals are delivered fresh and are made using organic ingredients with no refined sugar or artificial preservatives.

Because the meals are delivered fresh, you should eat them within 5–6 days of receiving them. Some items can be frozen for longer storage. Sprinly recommends freezing only soups and curries and eating salads fresh to maintain quality.

What our tester says

“If you love the hot food bar at Whole Foods or enjoy grab-and-go salads, then you’ll want to check out Sprinly. While it’s not the cheapest option, Sprinly’s ingredients were by far the freshest out of all the prepared meal delivery services I tried.

“I also found the portion sizes to be generous and the flavors on point, with most of the meals featuring tasty sauces, like a sunshine lemon dressing and a finger-licking-good pineapple soy sauce.

“The biggest downside, other than the cost, is that the meals need to be transferred to a plate or bowl before reheating. I work from home, so this wasn’t an issue. However, it does make the meals less convenient for taking on the go.”

— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II

Best for singles

Splendid Spoon

• Price: starts at $8.67 per entree
• Shipping: $12.99 for 7 meals, free for 14 or 21 meals
• Menus/diet types: vegan, gluten-free, higher fiber, higher protein, lower calorie, lower fat, lower carb, lower sodium, lower sugar
• Subscription options: 7, 14, or 21 meals per week
• Number of meal options per week: 40+

Why we love it: Featuring flavorful single-serve meals and smoothies, Splendid Spoon is a tasty and convenient way to keep your fridge and freezer fully stocked.

How it works: Splendid Spoon is a meal delivery service that makes it easier than ever to follow a plant-based diet.

The company offers a rotating menu of breakfast smoothies, grain bowls, soups, and noodle dishes, all of which are vegan and gluten-free. Also, the company recently added a line called Dishes — meals that are designed to be more filling and contain at least 12 grams of plant-based protein per serving.

You can select from several plans, which include 7, 14, or 21 meals each week. The company also offers on-demand boxes, which include bundles with various items and don’t require a subscription.

What our tester says

“If you’re a fan of smoothies, noodle bowls, or grain bowls, then I highly recommend Splendid Spoon.

“I particularly liked the smoothies because they’re made with nutrient-rich ingredients and aren’t overly sweet. The noodle bowls — especially the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles — make great lunches since you can keep them in the fridge or freezer and quickly reheat them in the microwave.

“Read more about which items I’d order again in my comprehensive hands-on review.”

— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II

Best affordable

Mosaic Foods

• Price: starts at $4.99 per serving
• Shipping: free for orders of 12 items or more, $9.99 otherwise
• Menus/diet types: vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein
• Subscription options: 6, 12, or 18 items per box
• Number of meal options per week: 50+

Why we love it: Mosaic Foods provides both single-serve and family-size meals at an affordable price, with free shipping even included for some plans.

How it works: Mosaic Foods is a popular frozen meal delivery service offering single-serving and family-size (multiple servings per package) plant-based meals.

It’s also one of the most affordable prepared meal services, with entrees starting at $5 per serving.

Mosaic offers a fixed menu with a variety of selections, including veggie bowls, pizzas, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls, along with several limited-time seasonal meals.

What our tester says

“I tried four of Mosaic’s family-size meals and, with the exception of the Italian “Sausage” Lasagna, I really enjoyed each dish. The meals were flavorful without being overly salty or seasoned, and the textures were overall good and not too mushy.

“I particularly appreciated that each meal included at least four types of vegetables and that there was a good variety of flavor combinations to choose from. Just keep in mind that the family meals do take 60–90 minutes to reheat in the oven, so they’re not ideal if you need to put dinner on the table quickly.”

— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II

Best for seniors

Magic Kitchen

• Price: starts at $8.50 per serving
• Shipping: starts at $18.95
• Menus/diet types: Signature Meals, Senior Meals, Portion Controlled, Diabetic-Friendly, Dairy-Free, General Wellness, Low Sodium, Low Carbohydrate, Low Fat, Renal Diet, Dialysis-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
• Subscription options: custom
• Number of meal options per week: 250+

Why we love it: With its large fixed menu of nutritious meals designed to accommodate a wide range of health conditions, Magic Kitchen is a great choice for older adults and those with certain dietary needs.

How it works: Magic Kitchen offers a range of fully prepared frozen meals to fit a variety of dietary needs and preferences.

Unlike other services, the company offers meal plans tailored to specific health conditions, including dialysis-friendly, low sodium, renal, and diabetes-friendly diets.

Magic Kitchen also has a menu designed specifically for older adults, with meals that are nutritionally balanced and low in sodium. Plus, you can order your meals either online or over the phone, which some older adults may prefer.

The meals are easy to reheat in the microwave, and you can safely store them in the freezer for 6 months or longer.

You can order meals individually or choose from various bundles, which offer meal packs at a discounted price. You can make a custom subscription by calling the company.

Best for diabetes

Diet-to-Go

• Price: starts at $9.71 per serving
• Shipping: $19.98, contiguous United States
• Menus/diet types: Balance, Balance-Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, Vegetarian, Mediterranean
• Subscription options: 2 or 3 meals per day, 5 or 7 days per week
• Number of meal options per week: varies depending on the plan

Why we love it: Diet-to-Go caters specifically to people with diabetes and offers prepared meals designed to support blood sugar management.

How it works: Diet-to-Go aims to make healthy eating easy, offering fresh, fully prepared meals that are dietitian-approved.

In addition to the company’s signature Balance menu, it offers ketogenic, Mediterranean, and vegetarian meal plans.

Diet-to-Go also has a menu designed specifically for people with type 2 diabetes, which is heart-healthy, calorie-controlled, and fully customizable.

These meals can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or frozen for longer shelf life. It’s best to defrost them before reheating them, and you can reheat them using the microwave, stovetop, or oven.

Quick comparison of the best prepared meal delivery services

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

What are prepared meal delivery services?

Prepared meal delivery services are those that send ready-to-eat meals directly to you. Whereas meal kits require some assembly (and often cooking), prepared meals come fully assembled. Some are delivered fresh, while others are frozen.

Keep in mind that prepared meal delivery services are pricey, even compared to regular meal delivery services (the kind that require some cooking).

If you want to save some money and don’t mind doing some cooking, you might want to try an inexpensive meal kit service instead. Or you may want to make your own meals with these cheap, healthy foods and lower your grocery bill with these tips.

Who should try a prepared meal delivery service?

There’s no getting around it: Prepared meal delivery services aren’t cheap. However, some people may find that the benefits of these services outweigh the cons.

You may benefit from a prepared meal delivery service if you:

• are short on time
• dislike cooking
• frequently order out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
• need help following a new dietary pattern
• are interested in trying new flavors and ingredients

On the other hand, prepared meal delivery services might not be ideal if you:

• are looking to brush up on your cooking skills
• have certain dietary restrictions or food allergies
• prefer to prepare your own food at home
• are on a tight budget
• have a large family or household

How to choose a prepared meal delivery service

Here are several factors to consider when selecting a prepared meal delivery service that’s right for you:

• Menu selection: Look for a company that offers a diverse menu, with a variety of options to fit your specific food preferences and dietary restrictions.
• Ingredient quality: In addition to freshness, some people may prefer a service that uses organic or sustainably sourced ingredients.
• Nutritional quality: Opt for services that prioritize meals containing lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. When possible, try to avoid meals that contain artificial additives or large amounts of sodium or added sugars.
• Cost and availability: As they vary greatly in price, be sure to select a service that fits your monthly budget, including shipping. It’s also important to check whether the service is available in your area.

How we tested each service

Determining the best prepared meal delivery service involved several steps, including a review of each service by a registered dietitian, vetting by Healthline’s team of medical experts, and taste-testing by Healthline writers and editors.

For services that offer multiple menus, we requested entrees from each menu to get a more comprehensive view of the types of flavors and meals the service offers.

During testing, we considered the following factors:

• Sign-up process and menu navigation: Was the sign-up process straightforward? Were there diet-specific menus or filter options to make it easier for people with certain dietary preferences and restrictions to find suitable meals?
• Recipe variety: How many meal options were there to choose from? Was there a good variety of types of cuisines and ingredient combinations?
• Nutritional composition: Were most of the meals nutritionally balanced? Did they contain a generous serving of vegetables?
• Ingredient quality and freshness: Did the ingredients arrive fresh and in good condition? Did the service offer some higher quality items, such as organic produce or grass-fed beef?
• Ease of preparation: Were the meals relatively easy to make, or did they require some expertise in the kitchen? Were the estimated cooking times accurate?
• Taste: Were most of the meals well seasoned, or did we need to add ingredients to boost the flavor, such as spices, herbs, or condiments?
• Packaging: Did the meals arrive in mostly recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging? Was it obvious which items could be recycled or reused?

Frequently asked questions

What is the healthiest premade-meal delivery service?

This depends on what kind of diet you prefer to follow, any dietary restrictions you have, and your health goals.

For example, BistroMD and Diet-to-Go offer low calorie meals that may be a good fit if you’re trying to lose weight.

Other services, such as Factor and Trifecta Nutrition, feature menus to suit certain diet patterns. Their meals are also crafted to be nutritionally balanced, featuring lean proteins, complex carbs, and plenty of vegetables.

What is the best prepackaged food delivery?

This depends on your preferences for taste and types of meals offered, as well as your health needs. Any of the services on this list may be a great starting point if you’re looking for a prepared meal service that’s a good fit for you.

What is the cheapest prepared meal delivery service?

Mosaic Foods is one of the most affordable prepared meal delivery services, with entrees starting at $5 per serving and free shipping for orders with 12 or more items.

What’s the difference between a prepared meal delivery service and a regular meal delivery service?

Meals from regular meal delivery services typically require some preparation and cooking. Meals from prepared meal delivery services don’t require any preparation besides reheating or blending (for smoothies).

What are oven-ready meals?

Oven-ready meals are entrees that are typically packaged in oven-safe trays. While some contain pre-portioned ingredients that require minimal preparation, other oven-ready meals may arrive fully assembled.

Unlike many other prepared meals that can be reheated using a microwave or stovetop, these dishes should be baked in the oven until fully cooked and ready to enjoy.

The bottom line

Many meal delivery services are available and can help you enjoy healthy meals at home.

There are options for many specific diets and food preferences, including services tailored to older adults, vegetarians, athletes, and more.

When picking a prepared meal delivery service, be sure to consider factors such as cost, availability, variety, and quality.