9 Best International Food Subscription Boxes 2024

As a fellow foodie, I know that finding exciting new flavors from around the globe isn’t always an easy task. Especially when you’re thinking about getting yourself a meal delivery subscription.

Many meal delivery services fall short on fresh ingredients for international recipes and instead opt for boring renditions of the same bland dishes. However, after extensive sampling, I’ve discovered 9 international food subscription boxes that truly deliver mouthwatering meals inspired by traditions from around the world.

The clear winner for me is Factor for its consistent quality, varied global menu, and convenient fully-prepared meals. I was also impressed by its Add-on menu, which is very well-stocked with all sorts of goodies. But I also know Factor can be a bit pricey. So, if this isn't your first choice, browse my list until the end!

The Best International Food Subscription Boxes Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Ready-Made International Recipes

Factor is a meal delivery service that ships pre-made, chef-designed meals nationwide. You can choose from a variety of healthy recipes, and a combination of American and international cuisines inspires the menu.

What’s on the Menu?

Factor offers a wide variety of fully prepared, chef-crafted meals ready in just 2 to 5 minutes. Besides the convenience factor, you embark on a weekly culinary expedition through some famous cuisines, such as Asian, Mexican, and Mediterranean. Plus, all the ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced from humane, eco-friendly farms.

According to our full-length review, the standard Factor menu is best suited for an omnivore diet. However, there are plenty of options to accommodate various lifestyles and diets, such as vegetarian, keto, flexitarian, gluten-free, low-calorie, high-protein, and even some vegan recipes.

If you need more, Factor has an extensive add-on menu with over 40 items each week. Here, you can find anything from cooked proteins, to breakfast options, to healthy desserts and smoothies, shakes, juices, and vitamin shots.

What Makes It Special?

One of the standout features of Factor is its perfectly portioned meals, most of which range from 350 to 900 calories per meal. This makes it easy to manage your daily caloric intake, whether your goal is weight loss or maintenance. 

Additionally, you can book a 20-minute free nutrition coaching session with Factor’s on-board nutritionists. This is a great opportunity to ask a nutrition expert those burning questions that have been on your mind for so long.

Lastly, Factor’s meals are available on fitness tracking apps, such as MyFitnessPal, LoseIt, and Carb Manager. This saves you the hassle of introducing every recipe yourself and helps you stay aware of your daily calorie intake.

Is It Good Value?

Even though Factor isn’t the most budget-friendly service on the market (prices start at $10.49 per serving for the maximum box size), I say it’s reasonably and competitively priced for the ingredients, quality, and convenience it provides.

The quality of Factor's meals, ingredients, freshness, and taste are excellent. So you’re getting restaurant-style meals, which justifies some premium pricing. Additionally, the menu diversity and the fact that you get new recipes each week can keep you entertained for a long time.

2. Green Chef – Best Organic Mediterranean Meals

Green Chef delivers organic, nutritionist-designed meal kits featuring international recipes and clean, ethical ingredients to your door weekly. With most prep and cook times under 35 minutes, it offers an accessible way to create diverse, fresh meals at home through pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards.

What’s on the Menu?

Green Chef’s diverse weekly menu features an array of international cuisines, from Mexican to Middle Eastern, in addition to American comfort foods. Plus, there’s a dedicated Mediterranean meal plan that features flavorful, healthy recipes, like Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Pistou or Maple Harissa Carrots with Vegan Schug Crema.

One of Green Chef’s most endearing features is its care toward various culinary preferences. As such, you’ll find recipes that fit different dietary needs, such as gluten-free, low-added sugar, protein-packed, vegan, vegetarian, and more.

Our reviewer was also quite impressed with Green Chef’s Add-On menu, which offers a variety of extras, such as ready-to-cook proteins, breakfasts, desserts, side dishes, and lunches, to make your box more interesting.

What Makes It Special?

As America's first USDA-certified organic meal kit company, Green Chef goes the extra mile to source ingredients sustainably and support partners who nurture the environment. Every recipe is nutritionist-designed to incorporate organic produce, responsibly raised proteins, and whole food ingredients to nourish your body.

Green Chef offsets 100% of carbon emissions from delivering boxes nationwide through investments in forest conservation projects. They also offset all plastic in packaging by supporting projects that recycle as much plastic as their shipments produce.

Lastly, most meal kits take 35 minutes or less to prep and cook before enjoying fresh, flavorful dishes like Thai Coconut Curry or Chicken Tagine. You also get around 4 ready-to-heat 10-minute lunches each week for easy workday meals.

Is It Good Value?

While Green Chef is on the pricey side of things, with prices starting at $9.99 per serving, it delivers exceptional value, especially for those seeking organic, highly nutritious ingredients and world flavors.

You can choose between 2 and 4 weekly meals, with standard box sizes for 2, 4, or 6 people, so the service accommodates all household sizes. With flexibility around your frequency of orders and prudent use of add-ons, you can personalize plans to balance your budget and nutritional priorities.

3. Blue Apron – Best Gourmet Dishes and International Flavors

Blue Apron has a tireless commitment to ingredient quality and transparency around sourcing. This makes it a great option for those of us who are looking for exquisite taste and recipes. Every meal kit contains responsibly raised proteins free of hormones and antibiotics, prioritizing animal welfare and sustainability at the highest standards in the industry. 

What’s on the Menu?

Blue Apron's weekly menu features diverse recipes that incorporate international flavors across cuisines like Mediterranean, Latin American, and Pan-Asian. So, you can expand your palate with globally inspired meal kits featuring Moroccan Spiced Chicken, Spanish Seafood Stews, or Teriyaki Salmon Bowls.

According to my colleague’s review, Blue Apron’s menu also features classic American and European comfort food dishes. Each week, you can choose from 16 2-serving meal kits, 14 4-serving meal kits, and 6 ready-made meals. The meal kits and ready-made meals are available as separate plans, so you can only order from 1 section per week.

Those seeking even more variety can supplement their boxes with Heat & Eat single-serve meals, signature breakfast sandwiches, and decadent desserts from Blue Apron's well-stocked Add-Ons section.

What Makes It Special?

Blue Apron offers some customization options for its meal kits (around 10 recipes each week). These include protein swaps/upgrades, and the Make it Vegetarian feature. For instance, you can replace the ground beef in the Pimento Cheeseburger with a red pepper pattie to make it veggie-friendly.

I also like Blue Apron’s care for quality ingredients and sustainably sourced foods. The company works with the foremost sustainability experts to find ways to create better standards for growing food and raising animals.

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron delivers restaurant-worthy international recipes right to your doorstep. Plus, you have options regardless of whether you like cooking or not.

With meal kits, prices start at $3.74 per serving, and you can choose to order 2 to 5 weekly servings for either 2 or 4 people. With prepared meals, prices start at $12.49 per meal, and you can order  4, 6, 8, or 10 single-serving recipes per week.

4. HelloFresh – Best International Meals for Every Family Member

Through its well-designed meal kits, HelloFresh offers an accessible and convenient way for you to put tasty and nutritious meals on the table. Whether you’re cooking for 2 or a family of 4, HelloFresh’s massive menu has something to keep you entertained.

What’s on the Menu?

While HelloFresh incorporates global flavors across Asian, Italian, Greek, and Mexican cuisines, around half of the recipes are American classics and comfort foods like pot roasts, casseroles, sandwiches, and burgers. I do like that you can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes that require minimal cleanup and prep.

HelloFresh features an array of meal kit categories, such as 10-15 minute Quick Lunches, Fast & Fresh kits with 5 ingredients or less, and Family Friendly options with kid-approved recipes. HelloFresh also features some double-portion recipes (4 servings instead of 2), which are designed to feed a crowd.

In addition, HelloFresh offers a solid variety of vegetarian dishes each week. Vegans can find several dairy and egg-free meal options on the site as well. Plus, the HelloFresh Market is the perfect one-stop shop for every meal of the week. Choose from a curated selection of quick breakfasts, lunches, snacks, desserts, and other essentials.

What Makes It Special?

HelloFresh allows flexibility and personalization through its HelloCustom program. Each week you can substitute and upgrade over 12 sides and proteins to tailor recipes perfectly to your family's tastes.

In sourcing high-quality ingredients, HelloFresh partners with trusted, ethical suppliers and focuses on seasonal farm-fresh produce at peak ripeness. They have high standards for responsibly raised meats, sustainable seafood, and support for local businesses.

HelloFresh also stands out through its sustainability commitments to eliminating food waste, offsetting carbon emissions from delivery, and innovating eco-friendly packaging. Read my colleague’s well-detailed HelloFresh review to learn more.

Is It Good Value?

With prices starting at $3.32 per serving for most orders, HelloFresh is quite an affordable option. I appreciate the menu diversity and the fact that each week there’s something new on the list of recipes.

Additionally, I like the company’s focus on sustainability and package material recycling. Also, HelloFresh is a company with a powerful social impact, keeping communities connected and thriving through good food and delicious recipes.

5. Home Chef – Best Globally-Inspired Recipes for Every Taste

Home Chef provides exceptional variety and flexibility with its meal kit offering that suits any household's needs. Alongside classic recipes with pre-portioned ingredients for cooking from scratch, Home Chef offers convenient oven-ready and express options you just assemble and cook, as well as Fast & Fresh recipes with 5 ingredients or less for simplified cooking.

What’s on the Menu?

Home Chef recipes feature a global palette of flavors, from all-American comfort foods to Asian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and beyond. Home Chef also provides family-friendly options (in a separate menu dedicated to families), like double portions for feeding 4 instead of 2 with minimal extra effort.

With an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients from sustainable sources, generous portions, and accommodating diverse diets from vegetarian to carb-conscious, Home Chef goes above and beyond to ensure all customers find meal kits suited to their priorities, preferences, and lifestyles.

Each week, Home Chef’s menu offers 5 ready-made lunch options, so you can keep your energy levels high throughout the day. And, if you find something missing from the main menu, you can always browse the Extras and Bundle & Save sections. Here, you’ll find proteins, side dishes, juices, desserts, and more.

What Makes It Special?

Home Chef allows you to customize your weekly meal plan through its Customize It tool, swapping proteins in recipes to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Tired of chicken or want to go meatless for a night? Easily select alternate proteins like beef, shrimp, beans, or tofu instead.

Vegetarians will also appreciate Home Chef’s solid selection of designated plant-based meals each week, crafted to ensure flavor and satisfaction without sacrificing diet. According to my colleague’s review, many recipes feature flexible proteins or veg-centric sides already, allowing pescatarians, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike the chance to enjoy versatile dishes their own way.

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef offers reasonable value, especially for families and those ordering larger quantities of meals per week. 

With prices starting at $7.99 per serving and a maximum order of 6 people at 6 meals weekly, feeding your family nutritious, tasty homemade meals is quite affordable. Meals are priced individually, so you won’t find yourself with a higher per serving price for a smaller order.

6. Purple Carrot –  Best Plant-Based International Delights

Purple Carrot is an entirely plant-based meal delivery service that caters to vegan and vegetarian diets. And, unlike other plant-based cooking services that rely heavily on meat substitutes and dairy/egg replacements, Purple Carrot puts vegetables, grains, legumes, and other plant foods in the spotlight.

What’s on the Menu?

The Purple Carrot menu focuses on delivering satisfying, nourishing meals that creatively leverage plants in their whole food form across a diverse palette of global flavors. Each week, you can choose from a multitude of exotic recipes, such as Black Pepper Tofu, Tamarind-Stuffed Eggplant, or General Tso's Crispy Shiitake Protein.

In addition to traditional meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients for cooking at home, Purple Carrot offers an assortment of pre-made meals (16 options each week). In the Meal Kits section, you can also find lunches and breakfasts that take 5 to 15 minutes to put together.

While working on our tested Purple Carrot review, my colleague was also impressed by the Plantry section. Here, you can find a variety of healthy desserts and snacks, plant-based cheeses, oat milk, juices, and more.

What Makes It Special?

Besides being 100% vegan, Purple Carrot is a service that accommodates a multitude of dietary needs. Each recipe is marked with tags like High-Protein, Soy-Free, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, and <600 Calories to help you identify the ones that fit your needs.

If you’re in a hurry, check out Purple Carrot’s Less Prep Meal Kits. These save you time in the kitchen by including shortcuts like prepared sauces and washed and chopped veggies. They’ll also cut cleanup time by using fewer pots and pans.

Is It Good Value?

Whether customers have dietary restrictions, want to expand their culinary creativity with plants, or simply wish to incorporate more veg-centric options into their routine, Purple Carrot provides an accessible approach to enjoying flavorful, veggie-loaded cuisine through weekly deliveries.

Prices start at $8.50 per serving for meal kits and $13.00 per serving for prepared meals (fixed price). You can order 3-4 meal kits per week for 2 people or 2-3 meals for 4 people. The minimum order for prepared meals is 6 meals but you can also order 8 or 10 per week. Prepared meals are portioned for 1 person.

7. Trifecta – Best Weight Loss Meals with International Flavors

Trifecta delivers chef-designed, dietitian-approved meals using organic, sustainable ingredients to fit your diet goals. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, build muscle, or eat better, Trifecta offers convenient, restaurant-quality dishes shipped to your door. 

What’s on the Menu?

Trifecta offers 4 customized meal plans that follow specific dietary needs: Clean for balanced whole meals, Paleo Whole30 Approved excluding dairy/grains with nutrient-rich proteins, Keto low-carb to cut appetite, and Plant Based. Each of the 4 plans features a combination of classic American and global cuisines.

If you want something more flexible, check out Trifecta’s Meal Prep section. Our reviewer had a lot of fun mixing proteins, carbs, and veggies and creating meals that fit their taste. Trifecta also offers a Classics menu for single-serving, chef-crafted entrees that fit several dietary needs.

Overall, Trifecta’s menu delivers delicious meals tailored to several important diets. All its meals are nutritionally balanced and convenient, but they also offer variety to meet a wide range of tastes and nourish an active lifestyle.

What Makes It Special?

I was quite impressed by Trifecta’s capacity to create a personalized experience for each member. This is possible due to their companion app that can tailor your macros and daily tasks to match your goals and schedule. Additionally, you can trust Trifecta’s dietitians to choose the right nutrients for your specific needs.

I've found the online community hugely motivational as well. Posting on the groups and accessing the credentialed coaches and nutritionists anytime you need a few quick tips or support makes it easier to stick to your program.

Is It Good Value?

Trifecta caters to health-conscious individuals focused on their fitness goals. However, with quality ingredients and highly personalized plans, Trifecta does come at a price – $13.79 per serving. However, fans of the service find it well worth the money for customized nutrition support and chef-made, diet-specific entrees.

You can order up to 21 meals per week (14 entrees and 7 breakfasts), and you can choose your own meals or leave the task to Trifecta’s capable chefs.

8. Dinnerly – World-Tasting on a Budget

Impressively catering to multiple diets with over 100 low-cost menu items, Dinnerly offers fresh, easy-to-craft dinners without cutting variety or quality. While the recipes are simpler compared to pricier competitors, Dinnerly proves you can access diverse, tailored culinary variety for a fraction of the cost of a standard meal kit.

What’s on the Menu?

Dinnerly's weekly menu offers a globe-spanning variety of flavors to spice up your home cooking. Expect diverse cuisine recipes ranging from hearty American favorites like pot roasts and Mac n' Cheese to Asian-fusion curries, tacos, and stir-fries that add some delightful kick. Dinnerly really does dish up all your international comfort food cravings.

Beyond the core entrees, you'll also find a nice assortment of meal add-ons like snacks, sides, salads, and desserts to supplement the main dishes. Load up on tasty companions like cheesy garlic bread, bacon Brussels sprouts, or chocolate chip cookies for the complete dinner experience.

For easy one-stop shopping, venture into the Dinnerly's Market section for all the pantry and fridge staples you'll need to complement these homemade meals. According to my colleague’s Dinnerly review, the Market section is great for stocking up on produce, proteins, desserts, and more.

What Makes It Special?

Even though Dinnerly prices are low, you still have access to some customization options. You can upgrade or customize certain recipes, but beware – changes come with a small added fee per serving. So, you can swap russet potatoes for sweet potatoes or sub in a premium beef sirloin for the called-for chuck roast, but it will cost you a little extra.

Another perk is Dinnerly's user-friendly recipes – with straightforward instructions and only 30-45 minutes of cooking time, they work beautifully for home chefs at any skill level. If you want to skip cooking altogether, Dinnerly also offers several ready-made meals you simply heat and eat. 

Is It Good Value?

Dinnerly is 1 of the meal delivery services that offers the most value for your buck. With prices starting at $2.12 per serving and options to feed 2 or 4 people, Dinnerly works great for both couples and families.

Furthermore, the menu diversity and size make it easy to find what you like, even if you’re a picky eater.

9. Marley Spoon – Best for Culinary Variety

Marley Spoon delivers pre-portioned ingredients for gourmet recipes to your door in eco-friendly packaging. Sourcing premium produce, ethical proteins, and artisanal pantry staples from trusted suppliers, Marley Spoon makes savoring healthy, sustainable restaurant-quality dishes at home easy.

What’s on the Menu?

Expect a diverse blend of recipes ranging from quick and easy to more complex dishes for aspiring home chefs. At its core, the menu features elevated American classics, but globetrotting foodies will also find many internationally-inspired meal options drawing flavors from Italy, Asia, and Mexico's vibrant culinary traditions, among others.

Marley Spoon's expansive weekly menu includes over 100 breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert creations to explore new dishes daily. This variety spotlights seasonal, restaurant-worthy inventions like Seared Tuna Romesco Bowls, Chicken Banh Mi Salads, or Bucatini Carbonara, mixing comfort with culinary adventure.

Everyone can find something to suit their needs, whether you follow a plant-based diet, are counting calories, or if you’re feeding a family. If you’re a novice cook or simply don’t have much time to cook, keep an eye out for recipes tagged Under 30 Minutes – they’re a great way to get started in the kitchen.

What Makes It Special?

Marley Spoon offers Customizable recipes, allowing you to tailor components to your taste and priorities with just a click. Options include upgrading proteins like beef or chicken to organic, swapping in plant-based alternatives, or replacing pasta with gluten-free varieties. If you want to learn more about such options, check our in-depth Marley Spoon review.

In addition to customization, Marley Spoon takes sustainability seriously. From recyclable packaging to responsibly sourced ingredients, the company implements eco-friendly initiatives that minimize environmental impact from farm to table.

Marley Spoon also provides versatile cooking options that fit any schedule. Choose from 30-minute meals, one pot/pan streamlined dishes, or even microwaveable options for your busiest nights. With such flexibility, personalization, and conscientious practices, Marley Spoon makes high-quality, global cuisine conveniently accessible and adjustable to your values.

Is It Good Value?

Marley Spoon provides plenty of value through its commitment to fresh, nutritious ingredients and globally inspired recipes engineered for maximum flavor.

Also, despite sourcing premium produce and proteins, Marley Spoon meal kit pricing starts at $2.99 per serving with the largest plan. Feeding either 2 or 4 people weekly, that's an affordable service for restaurant-tier recipes from a trusted culinary authority.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best International Food Subscription Boxes

Now that you’ve read my list of the Best International Food Boxes, hopefully you’ll have plenty of choices to suit your culinary tastes. If you’re still unsure, check out these handy tips.

• Look for boxes that specialize in a specific cuisine: If you’re passionate about a specific cuisine (like Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Mexican), find a service that caters to your preferences. Otherwise, if you’re just interested in exploring international dishes, HelloFresh offers a variety of recipes.

• Personal dietary restrictions or preferences: Many boxes now offer gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, keto, and other options. For instance, if you follow a vegan diet, you should have a look at Purple Carrot’s offer. 

• Consider add-ons: Breakfasts, smoothies, juices, extra proteins, and delicious desserts add spice to your regular meals. This is why Factor is such a popular service!

• Compare pricing: While the price shouldn’t be the most important factor, you should still look for the best value for your budget. Also, if you’re buying for a larger family, look for services like Home Chef that offer discounts for the larger boxes.

FAQ

Which meal delivery service has the most varied menu?

Several meal delivery services on my list feature 70 to 100+ menu items each week. However, when it comes to variety, I think Green Chef comes first. Its weekly menu features meals from a wide range of international cuisines, and most of the produce used is organic.

Are meal delivery services worth it?

It depends on your budget and time availability. For instance, a service like Factor takes shopping and cooking off your hands. However, the cost per serving doesn’t fit everyone’s budget. On the other hand, a meal kit service, like HelloFresh, is a bit more affordable but also requires a time investment.

Which service features affordable international dishes on its menu? 

Dinnerly is the most affordable meal delivery service on my list and features a wide range of international dishes week after week. The meals are usually simple and designed to be family- and kid-friendly.

Best International Food Subscription Boxes in 2024 — Final Score