10 Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services in 2021

Anyone who follows a strict gluten-free diet knows how hard it can be to trust that there’s zero gluten in your food, whether you’re dining in a restaurant, enjoying dinner cooked by a friend, or ordering from a meal delivery service. Many people simply don’t understand that accidentally eating the wrong thing could cause serious discomfort or even be dangerous to your health.

To help you find dishes that are both safe and convenient, we’ve combed through the many meal delivery services on the market to bring you the top 10 options for anyone on a gluten-free diet.

Our list includes services that offer gluten-free options as well as companies that are entirely and certifiably gluten-free – ideal for those who suffer from more serious gluten allergies. Find out which are the tastiest, which are the healthiest, and which suit your budget and lifestyle.

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services of 2021:

• Sunbasket – Farm-fresh gluten-free meal kits

• Freshly – Best prepared gluten-free meals

• Home Chef – Most popular meal kit with gluten-free options

• See 7 more gluten-free meal delivery services

• Comparison table

• FAQ

Our Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services Reviewed

1. Sunbasket – Farm-Fresh Gluten-Free Meal Kits

Sunbasket Best Features

• Quality ingredients – antibiotic- and hormone-free, and organic where possible

• Dietitian-approved – plentiful portions filled with protein, fiber, and good-for-you fats

• Adaptable – choose your own recipes or select a dedicated meal plan

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $90 off and 4 FREE gifts from Sunbasket

Sunbasket in a Nutshell

Sunbasket has a really good range of meal plans – 10 to be exact – including an extensive Gluten-Free plan. The company promises at least five to eight gluten-free options on the menu each week, with meals ranging from about 400 to 800 calories per (generous) serving. They’re also high in protein and fiber.

Although Sunbasket has a large gluten-free selection, its kitchens are not certified gluten-free, so this service is not recommended to anyone with a severe gluten allergy.

The meals are easy to put together and take around 30 minutes. If you want something even quicker, Sunbasket has a number of prepared gluten-free dishes as part of its Fresh & Ready range. These single-serving prepared meals are great for mixing and matching, especially if you’re ordering with a partner who’s not gluten-free. The Quick & Easy meal kits are also great for new cooks. Learn more about Sunbasket’s menu in this dedicated Sunbasket review.

Sunbasket delivers to most of the US from Monday to Thursday, though there are some restrictions, including parts of Montana, North Dakota, and New Mexico.

2. Freshly – Best Prepared Gluten-Free Meals

Freshly Best Features

• All meals are certified gluten-free – have access to the whole menu

• Quick and convenient – heat and eat in just three minutes

• Order up to 12 meals a week – that’s lunch and dinner taken care of

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Save $60 with Promo Code LAUNCH15 from Freshly

Freshly in a Nutshell

You can enjoy any meal on Freshly’s menu of more than 30 dishes each week with zero risk of contamination, thanks to its Gluten Intolerance Group-certified kitchens. The facilities are entirely peanut-free, too.

Freshly also has options for anyone on a low-carb or low-calorie diet, showcasing more than 20 meals that come in at less than 500 calories, a range of dishes that boast less than 35g of carbs. There are also dairy-free meals.

Choose between four and 12 meals per week, with the cost per serving dropping the more you order. We discuss Freshly plans in more detail in this complete Freshly review.

Currently, Freshly delivers across the continental US. Meals are prepared fresh and designed to be kept in the refrigerator for four to five days. Shipping is calculated at checkout and depends on your location and meal plan.

3. Home Chef – Most Popular Meal Kits With Gluten-Free Options

Home Chef Best Features

• Completely customizable – swap, upgrade, or double-up on protein 

• Recipes to suit your schedule – Oven-Ready dishes and 15-Minute Meal Kits

• Great for families – feed up to six people per meal

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $80 off plus free shipping from Home Chef

Home Chef in a Nutshell

Home Chef is one of the more flexible meal kit delivery services out there. From choosing your delivery day to customizing the protein in your meals, it likes to give you choices. It also does a very good job of highlighting allergens and allowing you to filter them out.

Though wheat and gluten do not appear on the list of ingredients that can be avoided, the allergens on each recipe are clearly labeled, so it’s easy to pick out the wheat-free meals. You’ll typically find around five to eight wheat-free dishes on a menu of 20. It’s also worth noting that while all ingredients are individually packaged, Home Chef’s facilities are not certified allergen-free.

We go into more detail on how the service works in this dedicated Home Chef review. In short, the recipes change weekly and each one comes with easy-to-follow instructions.

Most meals take about 30 minutes to prepare, though there are quicker options including 15-Minute Meal Kits and Grill- or Oven-Ready meals, as well as a Culinary Collection of gourmet dishes that take around an hour to make. With servings starting at just $6.99, it’s one of the most affordable meal delivery services on the market.

4. Green Chef – Certified Organic Gluten-Free Meal Kits

Green Chef Best Features

• Dedicated gluten-free box – choose from nine gluten-free meals per week on the Keto + Paleo plan

• Certified organic – fresh, high-quality ingredients all responsibly sourced

• Family-friendly – order up to six servings, three or four times per week

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $80 off plus free shipping from Green Chef

Green Chef in a Nutshell

Green Chef was the first meal delivery service to be certified organic by the USDA and gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group.

Its Keto + Paleo plan features nine tasty, chef-crafted recipes each week that are entirely gluten- and grain-free – perfect for not only those who suffer from celiac disease but those looking for inspired and creative dishes.

Green Chef also offers its Balanced Living and Plant-Powered plans, which feature some gluten-free dishes. Learn more about the plans available in our expert Green Chef review.

The recipes change weekly and most take about 30 minutes to put together. Note that shipping costs are $8.99 a week, with delivery (all available in recycled or recyclable packaging) available across the US, except Alaska, Hawaii, and certain parts of Louisiana.

5. Factor – Chef-Prepared Gluten-Free Meals

Factor Best Features

• Entirely gluten-free – enjoy nutrient-dense grains and plant-based carb substitutes

• Prepared meals – plus soups, shakes, desserts, and juices

• Caters to many dietary needs – keto, plant-based, dairy-free, low-carb, and more

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $90 off over your first 3 orders with Factor

Factor in a Nutshell

Factor offers more than 20 fresh and healthy meals a week, all of which are gluten-free. You can either pick your meals yourself or allow Factor to surprise you based on your taste profile and meal history. Find out all the details in our full-length Factor review.

Its plans allow you to choose between four and 18 meals per week, with prices starting at $11 per serving. While this does put Factor on the pricier end of the meal delivery spectrum, the company prides itself on using only the highest quality ingredients, and shipping is free. Your meals will arrive fresh, ready to heat and serve.

6. Purple Carrot – Gluten-Free Vegan Meal Kits

Purple Carrot Best Features

• 100% vegan – bursting with plant-based goodness

• More than just dinner – pick up breakfast, lunch, and grocery items

• Adventurous menu – everything from Vietnamese Seitan to Mediterranean Flatbreads

• Delivery Rank special discount available – $20 off and free shipping with Purple Carrot

Purple Carrot in a Nutshell

If you’re a gluten-free vegan, Purple Carrot is quite possibly the definition of foodie heaven! Before choosing your recipes, select the Gluten-Free preference to see all the options available to you. If you’d like to choose from the full menu, you’ll be glad to see that the gluten-free meals are clearly labeled.

Keep in mind that while the meal kits you choose are gluten-free, the facilities in which they’re prepared are not, and the company can’t guarantee that cross-contamination has not occurred somewhere along the line.

The meals are fairly easy to cook and take the standard 30 minutes to get on the table. Learn more about how the service works in our Purple Carrot review.

Delivery days are determined by your proximity to the distribution center.

7. Marley Spoon – Martha Stewart’s Meal Kits

Marley Spoon Best Features

• Extensive menu – more than 29 recipes per week (around eight gluten-free options)

• Easy to follow – pre-measured ingredients and simple six-step recipes

• Extra protein available – add meat, chicken, and seafood packs to your box

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $100 off your first 4 boxes with Marley Spoon

Marley Spoon in a Nutshell

While Marley Spoon doesn’t offer a dedicated gluten-free plan, there are many recipes on the menu labeled with No Added Gluten. In fact, all the allergens are clearly marked. The company offers more than 29 new meals each week, around eight of which are gluten-free.

Considering its celebrity status and adventurous menu, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is surprisingly affordable, with meals starting at just $6.99 per serving when you order six meals per week for four people. For more details about the plans available, check out our expert Marley Spoon review.  Delivery is an additional $8.99.

Each meal is ranked on a scale of Easy to Difficult based on the level of expertise required. Plus, the meals that take less than 30 minutes to get on the table are clearly labeled for your convenience.

8. BistroMD – Gluten-Free Weight-Loss Meal Program

BistroMD Best Features

• Dedicated Gluten-Free program – tested to meet FDA standards

• Helps with weight loss goals – nutritionally balanced meals approved by dietitians

• Customizable program – manage your plan via the members’ portal

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get 25% off plus free shipping with BistroMD

BistroMD in a Nutshell

BistroMD is not your average meal delivery service. It was created by Dr. Caroline Cederquist, who has long been working with patients wanting to achieve healthy weight loss. It means that not only are the dishes physician-designed and dietitian-approved, but you’ll also have access to individualized support every week.

BistroMD offers a gluten-free plan that includes all meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a wide selection of snacks. Choose either a five-day or seven-day Full Program or simply Lunches & Dinners. Find out more about the plans in our in-depth BistroMD review.

The meals are prepared fresh then frozen for shipping, and can be ready to eat in as little as five minutes. The company delivers throughout the US but it’s worth taking into account that shipping costs $19.95 a week as standard.

9. Fresh n' Lean – Strictly Gluten-Free & Organic Prepared Meals

Fresh n’ Lean Best Features

• Suits a range of diets – high-protein, keto, paleo, vegan, and more

• High-quality ingredients – organic, seasonal, and sustainably sourced

• Add-ons available – stock up on proteins and sides

• Delivery Rank special discount available – $20 off first box + 15% off all other orders with Fresh n’ Lean

Fresh n’ Lean in a Nutshell

Fresh n’ Lean offers healthy, prepared meals that are all certified gluten-free and designed to support an active lifestyle. Each meal across the five plans (Protein+, Keto, Paleo, Standard Vegan, and Low-Carb Vegan) arrives individually packaged to be kept in the fridge – though they freeze well, too. Check out the details of each plan in our expert Fresh n’Lean review.

When hunger strikes – whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner – zap a meal in the microwave, and three minutes later, it’s ready to enjoy. Bear in mind that if you opt for one of the plans, your meals are chosen for you. That means if you have particular preferences, you might be better off looking at the a la carte option.

Fresh n’ Lean offers free shipping with delivery available throughout the country (including Alaska and Hawaii). Your meals will arrive on either a Friday or Saturday, though you can request a different delivery day for an extra charge.

10. Splendid Spoon – Gluten-Free & Vegan Prepared Meals & Smoothies

Splendid Spoon Best Features

• Nutrition-packed smoothies, soups, and bowls – full of fiber and antioxidants

• Dishes for every time of day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks

• Advanced payment plans – receive discounts on up to 12 deliveries per year

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $60 off your first 3 boxes plus free shipping with Splendid Spoon

Splendid Spoon in a Nutshell

Splendid Spoon is known for its smoothies, which are included in each of its five plans:

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Breakfast + Lunch

• Breakfast, Lunch + Reset

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Reset

The menu features more than 50 plant-based smoothies, soups, grain bowls, noodle bowls, and wellness shots, all of which are ready to eat. We go into more detail in this dedicated Splendid Spoon review.

Everything on the menu is vegan and gluten-free – though the company does state that the smoothies and soups are made in a facility that sometimes handles common allergens, including wheat.

Splendid Spoon calls itself a “wellness brand” with the goal of making healthy eating as easy as possible. That means its meals are also low in sodium, non-GMO, and free from dairy and soy. The company delivers throughout the continental US and offers free shipping as standard.

Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services: Comparison Table

What to Look For in the Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services

Whether you want meal kits to make in your own kitchen or prepared meals that just need heating, there’s a gluten-free meal delivery service for you.

What to Look For in Gluten-Free Meal Kits

• Varied prep times – on average these take around 30 minutes, but some can be ready in as little as 15 – you only need to work as hard as you want!

• Required cooking experience – the level of expertise is often clearly labeled, so pick a service that’s in line with your skills

What to Look For in Gluten-Free Prepared Meals

• Heating method – if you don’t have a microwave, ensure the meals can be heated on the stove or in the oven

• Convenient packaging – microwavable containers or oven-safe pans will help you save on the washing up

• Fresh or frozen – fresh meals have shorter expiry dates but frozen meals can take up a lot of freezer space – especially if you buy in bulk

What to Look For in Both Prepared Meals and Meal Kits

• Extensive menu filters – choose a service with a dedicated gluten-free plan or one that has clear allergen labels

• Menu variety – some will boast international-inspired dishes, while others keep it simple

• Meal types and frequency – you might want three meals a day plus snacks, or just a break from cooking dinner a few nights a week

• Flexibility – read the small print so you know if you can switch meals, pause your service, skip a week, switch delivery days, or cancel entirely without paying a fee

• Overall affordability – don’t forget to factor in shipping fees, which can be up to $20 a week

• Quality ingredients – if you’re committed to using only organic veggies or sustainably sourced animal products, make sure the service meets your standards

How Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services Work

The Difference Between Regular Gluten-Free Meal Plans & Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services

While most suggested meal plans will provide gluten-intolerant diners with interesting recipes, information on what they should and shouldn’t eat, and nutritional coaching, it’s not always easy to sort through all the information. There’s also no guarantee you’re going to find the food you need, and it doesn’t make meal planning, grocery shopping, or cooking any easier!

Instead of just giving you ideas, a gluten-free meal delivery service saves you time and energy by delivering the food you need to your door. And with an increased awareness about gluten sensitivity and a rise in the popularity of keto and paleo diets, you’ll have no trouble finding such services.

You can get both gluten-free meal kits (like those from Home Chef) or ready-made gluten-free meals that only require heating (such as those from Freshly, all aligned with any other diet or health goals you might have.

Meal Kits vs. Prepared Meals: Which Is Right for You?

Deciding whether to sign up to a company that sends all your meals ready-to-eat or one that requires you to do some of the work depends on one thing – how much time do you want to spend preparing your meals?

If you have some time on your hands – even just 15 minutes – and you enjoy cooking, you’ll probably prefer the meal kit route. In most cases, you’ll receive a box with all the portioned ingredients, plus a recipe card with step-by-step instructions. Meal kits give you the confidence to put your culinary inhibitions aside and experiment, with lots of guidance along the way.

Some services offer both types of meals – Sunbasket is one of them.

Meanwhile, Home Chef has everything from super-quick oven- and grill-ready meals to 15-minute meal kits and gourmet dishes that can take up to an hour to get on the table.

For those who are very busy or would rather be anywhere else but the kitchen, go for a service that delivers meals ready to heat and eat. Both Freshly and Factor offer exclusively gluten-free prepared meals. To see more options, see our full list of the best prepared meal delivery services.

Gluten-Free Delivery Service Plans Explained

Some meal delivery services offer a completely gluten-free menu, including Freshly and Splendid Spoon, while others have dedicated gluten-free plans, such as Sunbasket and Green Chef. There are also those that simply have a good selection of gluten-free meals to choose from each week, like Home Chef and Purple Carrot.

Each company functions according to its own model. Many, like Sunbasket, will start by asking how many people you’d like to feed, and how many times per week. Then there are other services, like Factor, where you simply sign up for a plan based on the number of meals you’d like to receive each week – these are usually the companies that offer prepared, single-serve portions.

If you’re looking for a more all-inclusive plan, with three meals per day plus snacks, there are services like BistroMD.

If you want the freedom of ordering one-off meals as well, some services like Fresh n’Lean, also offer a la carte options.

Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Service Prices

Meal delivery services can start from about $5 per serving, but be aware that more specialized plans – such as gluten-free – could be more expensive than a “regular” menu. The cheapest company for gluten-free meals on this list, for example, is Home Chef at $6.99 per serving.

Some companies offer a price per serving that gets cheaper the more meals you order, while others have a flat rate. Depending on the plan you choose, you could either be charged weekly or monthly. At first glance, the monthly option looks expensive, but once you start breaking it down, these bulk purchases are often cheaper per meal than weekly services.

When looking at the cost of meal delivery services, remember you are also saving yourself the time, stress, and energy it takes to plan your meals, go grocery shopping, cook, and clean up. You’re also saving on gas, the costly ingredients you use once in a never-to-be-repeated recipe, and leftovers that go moldy after living in the fridge for a week!

How Gluten-Free Meal Service Shipping Works

An important factor to keep in mind is shipping costs and delivery details. Some companies (like Sunbasket) charge a flat rate, some (like Home Chef) adjust the shipping fee based on the size of your order, and others (like Purple Carrot) offer free shipping.

For those that do charge, there can also be a big range, with companies like BistroMD adding on nearly $20 a week. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth the cost or that free shipping is necessarily better (they may work the cost into the price of the meals) – it’s just a different pricing model.

Once you’ve got the shipping costs figured out, make sure your food can get to you when you want it. Some companies have set days for shipping, no matter where you live. Others deliver on specific days to specific areas, and some will deliver whenever you want (more likely if you live in a big city).

All meal delivery services, however, allow you to track your order through the shipping company or through the company’s app or website.

When it comes to packaging, while the materials may differ (some are more eco-friendly than others), the meals usually ship in an insulated box or container filled with ice packs to ensure the food reaches you in optimal condition. Green Chef is just one of the companies on our list that seeks to minimize its carbon footprint and use all recyclable packaging.

How to Pause, Skip, or Cancel Your Orders

Unlike trying to cancel your phone or internet service, meal delivery services actually make it easy to both sign up and cancel your account. It’s usually just a matter of finding the pause, skip, or cancel button on the company’s website or app. If you can’t do it directly from the website, you might need to send an email or call to make alterations.

That’s not to say you can decide to cancel or even change your plan spontaneously. Most services require warning at least five (sometimes seven) days in advance. Fail to heed the very specific instructions and you could end up being out of pocket for a delivery you don’t want.

Sunbasket requires you to make changes to your order by the Wednesday before your delivery. It also gives you the option to forward your box to a different address if you’re going out of town.

When Is a Gluten-Free Meal Service NOT Right for You?

At first glance, a meal delivery service offering a wide variety of gluten-free options might seem great. If you’re someone who avoids gluten for medical reasons, such as celiac disease, rather than dietary preference, make sure you read the small print before signing up.

Many services offer gluten-free meals, but only some have gluten-free certification or can guarantee there will be no cross-contamination. Freshly is a great example of a company that has a certified 100% gluten-free menu.

If you have diabetes, suffer from Crohn’s disease, or have other medical issues that affect your diet, double check with your healthcare professional before signing up with a service. You may want to consider a company like BistroMD, which provides nutritional coaching and dedicated plans for diabetics.

Setting medical issues aside, there are plenty of other reasons a particular plan might not be a good fit, ranging from an unappetizing menu to an inconvenient delivery day. It may sound basic, but these are all reasons a plan or service might not suit your needs.

Bottom Line: Why Choose Gluten-Free Meal Delivery?

People choose gluten-free meal delivery services for all sorts of reasons. Probably the most important is to ensure they can enjoy tasty, quick-to-prepare meals that work for their diet.

Whether you cook like an Iron Chef or have no idea how to boil an egg, meal delivery services offer something for every skill level and palate. By choosing a gluten-free meal delivery service, you’re taking care of your health, your diet, and giving your taste buds a treat. You’re also helping to minimize food waste, and often, your carbon footprint.

Sounds pretty good, right? Given all that, the real question becomes – how soon can you start?

FAQ

Is Home Chef gluten-free?

Although Home Chef isn’t strictly designed for people who follow a gluten-free diet, there are always quite a few wheat-free options on the menu.

If you’d rather save yourself the hassle of sorting through meals that aren’t relevant for your lifestyle, check out a service like Green Chef, which has a completely gluten-free plan, or Freshly, which is entirely gluten-free. Both of these companies are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group.

Are there gluten-free weight-loss programs?

Yes! BistroMD is just one example of a gluten-free meal delivery program that provides prepared meals designed to promote weight loss.

Fresh n’ Lean is another entirely gluten-free meal delivery service that provides prepared, nutritious meals that are low in calories and carbs.

To see more options, check out our detailed list of the best meal delivery services for weight loss.

Is Purple Carrot gluten-free?

Although Purple Carrot’s vegan meal kits are not certified gluten-free, it does offer a dedicated gluten-free plan.

If you’re looking for meals that are both vegan and gluten-free, take a look at Fresh n’ Lean, an entirely gluten-free service with both a regular and low-carb vegan meal plan, or Splendid Spoon, which is entirely gluten-free and vegan.

To see all your plant-based options, browse our compilation of the best vegan meal delivery services on the market today.

Are all Freshly meals gluten-free?

Yes! All Freshly meals are prepared in kitchens certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group, which means the company doesn’t handle or store any items containing gluten. If you’re looking for gluten-free meals geared towards specialty diets like keto and paleo, consider Fresh n’ Lean, which is also entirely gluten-free and has various meal plans.

Does Blue Apron have gluten-free meals?

Blue Apron doesn’t specialize in gluten-free meal kits. You’d be better off ordering from Sunbasket’s gluten-free meal plan or considering Purple Carrot’s vegan meal kits.