Meal Kit and Prepared Meal Services Compared for Quality and Dietary Needs

Business Insider tested a dozen meal kit delivery services and 56 prepared meals from eight brands to compare ingredient quality, recipe clarity, prep time accuracy, dietary flexibility, packaging, delivery, and overall value. Meal kits cost between $8 and $20 per serving.

Services can reduce grocery trips and takeout expenses for some households while offering options for various diets and schedules.

Blue Apron provides recipes that require 30 to 45 minutes of cooking time. The service allows customers to order meals without a subscription and includes vegetarian and wellness-focused options. Deliveries arrived with fresh produce and fewer quality-control issues than some competitors during testing. Blue Apron can become more expensive when premium meals and shipping fees are added.

HelloFresh meals generally take 20 to 30 minutes to prepare. The service offers vegetarian filters, add-ons, and pantry staples. Recipes are described as approachable and satisfying. Some users may find repeated quick-prep options less varied over time.

Factor supplies prepared meals that can be reheated in a microwave. The menu includes keto, high-protein, vegetarian, and vegan choices. Meals arrive fresh and should be consumed within about a week. Some side dishes may lose texture after freezing and thawing.

Sunbasket uses mostly organic produce and responsibly-raised proteins. Meals can be sorted by paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, and diabetes-friendly categories. Pre-chopped ingredients reduce prep work for some dishes. The service costs more than several competitors.

Home Chef offers one of the broadest menus among services tested. Different household members can select carb-heavy or protein-forward meals in the same delivery. The service supports carb-conscious and vegetarian preferences with customizable weekly plans.