Meal prepping and 30-minute dinner recipes are always great in theory — but as any busy parent knows, that’s easier said than done. Whether you’re an actual pro chef or an ace home cook, everyone eventually needs to take a break from that stovetop or Instant Pot. That’s where some of the best meal delivery services come in.
If you’re looking to break up the monotony of microwaved meals (hey boo, do you!) or seeking superfood-packed breakfasts (that your kids will actually eat), there are plenty of online meal kit options these days. What’s great is that they’ll also save you the hassle of going on a grocery store run, because let’s be real: that’s never as fun as it sounds, especially during a pandemic.
Sun Basket
Good for: Health-conscious dinners made of organic produce and clean, sustainably-sourced ingredients. We love their Fresh & Ready dinners that are table-ready in as little as six minutes, and there are also options for a range of dietary needs, like low carb, paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and more.
Cooking times: Six to 35 minutes
Menu examples: Southwest turkey and sweet potato skillet, walnut-mushroom flatbreads with apricots and lemon-tahini dressing, Black Angus steak with sauteed veggies and sweet potato fries
Perks: Sun Basket allows you to add other pantry staples (think handmade pastas and ready-made sides) and organic snacks (like granola bars, nuts, vegan chocolate bars, and more) to your order, making it easy to eat healthy all day and eliminating the need for another grocery run.
Pricing: $11 to $13 per serving
Sign up: Sunbasket.com
Blue Apron
Good for: Hands-on chefs who love healthy gourmet dinners and who don’t mind doing all of the chopping, sauteeing, and baking themselves — just not the grocery shopping. Blue Apron offers two- to four-serving recipes for every palette, including meat, fish, Beyond Meat, WW-approved, diabetes-friendly, and more.
Cooking times: 20 to 55 minutes
Menu examples: Sour cherry-glazed lamp chops, orange and soy-glazed tofu, harisa chickpea shakshuka
Perks: Vino lovers can pair their meals with Blue Apron’s monthly wine deliveries ($10 per bottle).
Pricing: $7.50 to $9.99 per serving
Sign up: Blueapron.com
Gobble
Good for: Fast and fresh dinners that don’t compromise quality and flavor — that means there’s no chopping or peeling needed. Gobble also offers low-carb Lean & Clean meals that come in at under 600 calories
Average cooking time: 15 minutes
Menu examples: Garden vegetable puttanesca with penne pasta, buffalo-style burger with broccoli slaw and creamy buttermilk-ranch dressing, Thai coconut curry chicken soup
Pricing: $11.99+ per serving
Sign up: Gobble.com
Yumble
Good for: When you’re too tired to whip up a separate dinner for your picky kids, but want healthier options than what you usually find at the store’s microwaveable meal section.
Average cooking time: 1.5 minutes
Menu examples: Vegetarian bean burrito, cheesy broccoli and meatballs, chicken marinara and alfredo
Perks: Get six free meals when a friend signs up with your referral code.
Pricing: $5.99 to $7.99 per serving
Sign up: Yumblekids.com
Hello Fresh
Good for: Easy, family-friendly meals made with responsibly-sourced ingredients. Choose from subscriptions for two to four people and two to four recipes per week.
Average cooking time: 30 minutes
Menu sample: Chicken over garlic parmesan spaghetti, Tex-Mex pork enchilada bowls, shawarma chickpea couscous bowls
Perks: Even if you’re not a member, HelloFresh offers delicious and free recipes for everyone to try.
Pricing: Starting at $7.49 per serving
Sign up: HelloFresh.com
Factor
Good for: Nutritious, dietician-developed meals that you can cook up in the oven or microwave. Gluten-free and keto- and paleo-friendly dishes available, and meal plans range from four to 18 meals per week.
Average cooking time: Under 10 minutes
Menu sample: Pork tenderloin with cabbage casserole, roasted vegetable risotto, keto turkey chili
Perks: Subscriptions come with a complimentary 20-minute consultation with a registered dietician.
Pricing: $11 to $15 per meal
Sign up: Factor75.com