Cooking at home has gained more popularity in the past years from Pinterest and an increase of food blogs, but now with companies delivering food to your doorstep it has really taken a twist for the every day person. A subscription (or 3, like I have) helps eliminate the amount of trips you will take to the grocery store and will save you money from buying items you don't need. The other major bonus is that you will eat healthy while learning a few new tricks in the kitchen. After a few boxes, your friends and family will be calling you Chef [insert your name].
With so many companies to chose from, I have done all the research to help you narrow down which choice is best for you. I have my favorites marked in asterisks in the descriptions.
All services include:
Fresh food, never frozen
Easy to Recycle Packaging
Can Pause Subscription Anytime
Incentives for reviews and/or social media posts
Free meals or boxes for friends after you've established yourself
Nutritional Information
Here's a quick comparison chart in case you don't want to read about each service:
The perfect option for the person who is on the go or doesn't like to cook but still wants a healthy and fresh meal.
PROS:
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Plans for 6, 9, 12, or 21 meals per week
Delivers up to twice per week depending on meal plan
No Cooking required
All meals are gluten and peanut free
Accepts multiple Dietary Preferences
Why Freshly isn't for me: I really enjoy cooking and learning new recipes. I felt that Freshly was like an upscale frozen dinner. I loved the breakfast quinoa porridge but the rest of the meals I felt were lacking in flavor and weren't filling.
Meals come unprepared and in cute boxes that don't clutter my fridge. The recipes are easy to follow with multiple pictures.
PROS:
Lunch and Dinner
Meal prep and cook time in under 40 mins
3 Meals per box serving 2 people per meal.
Family Box option for 4 people
Offers FIT plan (all meals under 650 cals per serving)
Offers QUICK plan with easiest and quickest recipes
500-800 cals per serving
Can see future recipes for 4+ weeks
Gift Cards available
HelloFresh referral code: TWO FREE MEALS ($40 OFF) Why I recommend HelloFresh for first-timers: The meals come packed in their individual recipe box, the recipes are easy, and they seem more hip than the other companies. Each menu book includes a recipe for a drink (loved the sangria) or things to pair together (they did a mustard pairing that was so interesting). I also have received excellent customer service, which has really won my heart over.
Meals come unprepared. They have knick-knack bags of random miscellaneous items you will need while cooking.
PROS:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Offers Vegetarian Plan
Family Box option for 4 people
500-800 cals per serving
Wine Pairing subscription for additional fee
'Market' to purchase kitchen utensils for cooking
Can see future recipes for 4+ weeks
Blue Apron referral code: none :(
Why Blue Apron isn't for me: I felt the meals weren't always healthy, some were very bland, and rarely offered one or more side. For example the Beef Arepas didn't include a side so I felt unsatisfied in my meal even though it was one of the most flavorful ones. The Maryland Crab Cake only offered a cole slaw side but the recipe mentioned you could also put it on the sandwich. I felt that they were trying to keep their meals under 800 cals which meant not offering a side because the main protein was bread heavy.
This is the perfect service for someone who is genuinely interested in where their food is coming from. Each box includes information about the farm and its practices. These meals come unprepared and they just started "Meals in under 20 minutes".
PROS:
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Organic, non-GMO ingredients | USDA Certified Organic
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Paleo Options
Farm to Table: Sustainable and responsible sourcing
Family Box option for 4 people
20-30 minute recipes
Gift Cards available
Meals come unprepared. Items in the same recipe come bagged together but if they cannot then there is a sticker stating the item with which recipes it corresponds to. It is extremely easy to organize.
Gift Cards available
Plated referral code: they don't have referral codes but I may have a free box to send so contact me. What I love about Plated: The recipes are always delicious and I highly recommend the Red Fish. It's an Icelandic white fish, super flaky, and easy to cook. I really appreciate that you can add on appetizers and dessert. It's nice to bring a chef-crafted appetizer to parties.
This is a great service for someone who is looking for locally-sourced products and wants a quicker meal option (i.e., omnivore or carnivore, or vegan). If you have a specific diet you can select it from the drop down menu and it will give you a few meal options per week. Other services you have to select your dietary preferences after you select your plan.
PROS:
Lunch and Dinner
Organic, non-GMO ingredients | USDA Certified Organic
Omnivore, Carnivore, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Paleo Options
Farm to Table: Sustainable and responsible sourcing
450-750 cals per serving
Gift Cards available
Side note about Green Chef: We order the paleo box, which costs a bit more and that means we order from Green Chef a little less. When we want to be super strict on eating paleo, we have a reliable go-to. Thanks Green Chef!