10 Best Meal Delivery Services in Boston 2023: With Discounts

Meal delivery services take the hassle out of cooking by providing you with tasty recipes and high-quality ingredients, all delivered to your door. So if you feel like you’re always running out of dinner inspiration, it could be time to let the pros handle the menu. 

I’ve researched and compiled this list of the 10 best meal delivery services in Boston that cater to a variety of needs, including plant-based, vegetarian, weight-loss meals, and more.

My top choice is Blue Apron. It allows you to choose from a range of gourmet meal kits and prepared meals packed with global-inspired ingredients and flavors. It also has some of the best add-ons, including wine, desserts, and breakfast dishes.

Read on to learn more about Blue Apron and the rest of Boston’s best meal delivery services.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Boston Reviewed

1. Blue Apron – Best Overall Meal Delivery Service in Boston

Blue Apron is geared towards foodies who love to cook, but it’s also great for enthusiastic beginners who want to up the ante in the kitchen, with how-to videos on the website and app, and easy-to-follow recipes in each box. 

Its main offering is DIY meal kits, which include dishes like Cous-Cous Stuffed Peppers with Tahini Dressing, and Za’atar Chicken Bowls with Warm Farro Salad and Creamy Feta, although you can also order ready-to-cook options that come with a recyclable baking tin, or microwavable meals for those nights you want something quick.  

Blue Apron offers 5 different plans to help personalize your options every week, but you can always order from the wider menu. These plans include the Wellness Plan, with diet-friendly options and WW-recommended meals; Fast & Easy, which includes quick-to-prep dishes; and a Family Friendly plan for meals that kids are sure to love. 

In fact, our reviewer praised Blue Apron for its huge variety – all of which come at a pretty reasonable price point. Blue Apron’s Premium recipes involve more advanced cooking techniques and come with an upcharge thanks to their high-end ingredients (think tenderloin steak and pan-seared duck), while the Quick Prep meal kits include several sheet pan and one-pot dishes. 

The service also regularly partners with renowned chefs, including Tim Hollingsworth of Netflix’s The Final Table, which means diners have regular access to new and exciting ingredients. Wine lovers will enjoy having the option to pair bottles with their home-cooked dishes, too. 

Blue Apron offers a range of add-ons, making this service something of a one-stop shop. Pick up everything from breakfast dishes – like Blueberry Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter, and Chorizo Breakfast Burritos – to desserts, charcuterie boards, extra microwaveable meals, additional proteins, and so much more. 

Blue Apron lets you order 2. 3, or 4 meals per week for either 2 or 4 people. Pricing starts at $5.74 per serving when you order the maximum number of meals. 

2. Factor – Best Prepared Meals for Boston Gym-Goers

Factor’s prepared meals are a quick and healthy option for those who are looking to eat well but struggle due to lack of time. Whether you want to stick to a keto diet, eat more plant-based foods, or just enjoy more balanced meals, these dishes are a good place to start. 

The service is particularly known for its keto menu, which combines healthy fats and lean protein with fewer carbs than standard ready meals to keep your body burning fat through ketosis. As an example, the Keto Poblano Bowl (pictured) uses broccoli rice in place of long-grain rice. 

Factor also offers vegetarian and vegan meals. While the weekly selection (typically around 3 vegan and 2 vegetarian meals) may not be enough for those who are purely plant-based, these meals are a great way to add some meat-free days into your diet. 

You’ll also get a free 20-minute consultation with an in-house dietitian when you sign up to Factor. If you find your session helpful, you can subscribe to additional nutrition coaching support. This personalized, professional approach to healthier eating can be helpful for people looking to make lasting lifestyle changes.

Factor’s protein packs, smoothies, soups, and other add-ons make this service even more convenient. Look out for high-protein breakfast options like the Sausage and Egg Skillet, while the smoothie packs and keto-friendly snacks are perfect for enjoying post-workout. 

The meals take around 3 minutes to warm up in the microwave and are both tasty and filling. If you’re skeptical, Factor’s meals fared especially well in this review, being praised for their quality and flavor. 

Factor prices start at $6.19 per serving, and you can order 6 to 18 single-serving meals per week. While it’s one of the more expensive meal delivery services on my list, those looking for convenient and balanced meals may find Factor worth the cost.

3. HelloFresh – Best Family-Friendly Meal Delivery in Boston

HelloFresh subscribers are spoiled for choice with a huge number of meal kits to choose from each week. The menus are developed around seasonal produce and include a wide variety of American and international favorites. 

You’ll always have access to the full menu each week, but you can narrow down your choices with one of HelloFresh’s 6 plans, which include Veggie, Pescatarian, Fit & Wholesome, and Family Friendly, among others. 

The service labels all its recipes by difficulty. You’ll find that most dishes are rated “Easy” – like the One-Pan Cheesy Black Bean Tacos pictured – or “Medium”, but you can choose the  meals to match your culinary skill. 

You’ll also spot some Hall of Fame recipes, which come back by popular demand from HelloFresh subscribers and crop up every so often. You can browse the menu even without having to log in, so you can work out if this service is one that appeals before you sign up.

Our reviewer loved how their meals turned out when they tried HelloFresh at home, and since then the menu has only grown to give diners even more options – from tacos and burgers to flatbreads, tagines, and pasta bakes.

There are some customizations available, too. If you like the sound of the Golden Chicken Schnitzel, for example, but are watching your carb intake, HelloCustom lets you swap in a broccoli side instead of the potatoes. You can also swap the protein choice on some dishes.

If you’re new to meal delivery services, HelloFresh is an easy and friendly introduction. I’ve found the customer service to be great, the website easy to navigate, and the recipes straightforward. Plus, Boston’s students, military, and veterans can all get a 15% discount. 

HelloFresh also has an extensive selection of recipes and blog posts on its website for you to refer to. These are a great resource, whether you need some guidance in the kitchen or you simply need to be inspired when it comes to weeknight dinners. 

You can order between 2 and 6 recipes per week for either 2 or 4 people. Prices start at $3.32 per serving.

4. Green Chef – Best Organic Meal Delivery in Boston

Green Chef was both the first USDA-certified organic meal delivery service and the first meal kit to receive gluten-free certification. Its healthy, balanced dishes are varied and exciting – and it offers a particularly great range of options to suit specific dietary needs. 

There are 7 plans to choose from, including Green Chef’s renowned Keto plan. Others such as the Mediterranean plan, Fast & Fit (calorie-conscious meals that are ready in 25 minutes or less), Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Protein-Packed, are all also popular with healthy individuals.

Green Chef will appeal to healthy eaters, but it’s also a great choice for families, with the option to order up to 4 recipes for 6 people each week. And with rave reviews like “the best meals I’ve ever had from a meal delivery service.”, it’s likely to prove a hit, no matter who you’re cooking for.  

Each meal focuses on nutritionally dense ingredients, so your body will get everything it needs without skimping on portion size or flavor. Indulgent but healthy dinner options include Tropical Teriyaki Sockeye Salmon Bowls with Rice, Mango, Cabbage Slaw, Sriracha Aioli, and Pickled Ginger. 

Green Chef also focuses on eco-friendly packaging, using only recyclable materials or paper where possible. It’s one of the pricier options on my list, but those who value high-quality, organic, sustainably sourced ingredients will consider it worth the cost. 

There’s now a great range of add-ons available, too. Every week you can order extras like breakfast entrees and 10-minute salads and wraps, as well as additional proteins like chicken cutlets and salmon filets. Not only are these super convenient, but they could also help you resist the temptation of the grocery store aisles and stick to your healthy eating goals. 

Green Chef starts at $5.99 per serving when you order the maximum number of meals per week. 

5. Home Chef – Best Customizable Meal Delivery in Boston

Home Chef’s secret weapon is its Customize It feature. Many meal delivery services have now followed suit with their own customization options – but few offer as many as Home Chef.

You can swap or double up on the protein in almost every meal. The Churrasco Steak Farfalle (pictured) can be ordered with shrimp, chicken breast, or filet mignon, for example.

Home Chef also lets you choose between a variety of meal types. These range from top-end, restaurant-quality meals to quick and easy prepared dishes.  

For those who have more time, the Culinary Collection features complex dishes that take around 60 minutes, and the service regularly hires top cooks like Rachael Ray to produce new signature dishes. Premium options start at around $15 per portion, which is certainly cheaper than takeout from a fancy restaurant. 

Home Chef also has easy-prep recipes like its 15-Minute Meal Kits, oven-ready options, and Fast & Fresh microwaveable meals. And you can order extras like protein packs, super-speedy salad bundles, desserts, breakfasts, and beverages. 

I’ve found Home Chef’s ordering process to be both simple and intuitive. The menu provides difficulty ratings and a spice level for each meal, allowing you to choose recipes that suit both your culinary skills and heat tolerance. 

The service also makes it easy to avoid ingredients you don’t want. You can exclude recipes containing foods such as sesame, tree nuts, pork, shellfish, mushrooms, beef, poultry, peanuts, or fish when you sign up. Though Home Chef still prepares its kits in facilities where these ingredients are being used, it may not be suited to people who have serious allergies.

My colleague said they had “a pretty perfect experience” after trying Home Chef for themselves, citing the quality of the meals and the option of leftovers as a highlight. 

Though Home Chef does many things well, its selection of vegetarian entrees is limited – and you’ll find very few – if any – plant-based options. Veggies and vegans will be better off with a service like Green Chef that has dedicated plant-forward plans. 

You can choose Calorie-Conscious meals that have less than 625 calories per serving, and Carb-Conscious meals with less than 35g of carbs per serving, but if you’re on a strict keto or paleo plan, you’ll fare better with a meal delivery service that has a dedicated menu. 

Home Chef lets you order up to 6 meals with up to 6 servings each week. Prices start at $7.99 per serving but note that this is just a guide price and everything from customizations to add-ons will affect that. 

6. Fresh and Easy – Boston’s Easiest Meal Delivery Service

Fresh and Easy is a subsidiary of Home Chef, offering only its easy-to-cook dishes so you can get dinner on the table with next-to-no prep and cleanup. If long working hours leave you pressed for time to make supper, Fresh and Easy may be just what you are looking for. 

Fresh and Easy meals come portioned, chopped, and ready to cook, with microwave- and oven-ready options that require nothing more than some minor assembling. As our reviewer put it, “you’ll save loads of time and hassle!”. 

For something quick but a bit special, try Fresh and Easy’s Express Plus and Oven-Ready Plus entrees. Meals like Almond-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Edamame Rice mean you’ll have top-quality food on the table in less time than it would take to get a table at a Boston restaurant. These meals can only cost a few dollars more per serving. 

You’ll also have access to Home Chef’s speedy 15-Minute Meal Kits for those nights when you feel like doing some hands-on cooking. In fact, your Fresh and Easy subscription gives you access to the full Home Chef menu – so you can order any dish that works around your schedule.

And don’t worry, you’ll have access to Home Chef’s Customize It feature on the Fresh and Easy plan, too. This allows you to switch up the protein on almost every dish, so if you’re not a sausage fan, you can order the Italian Sausage Fettuccine (pictured) with ground turkey or beef, for example.

Like its parent company, Fresh and Easy has little to offer those on specialized diets and will not be the best choice for people on a strict vegetarian diet. But omnivores who want fast and tasty meals will find a Fresh and Easy subscription makes suppertime a lot less stressful. 

As with Home Chef, you can order between 2 and 6 recipes, with up to 6 servings per week. As a guide, prices start at $7.99 per serving.

7. BistroMD – Boston’s Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Service

There’s no denying the convenience of BistroMD’s prepared meals. The service delivers breakfast, lunch, and dinner to your door to make tracking your food, losing weight, and managing certain health conditions as easy as possible. 

The founder of BistroMD, Dr. Caroline J. Cederquist, is a bariatric physician specializing in weight loss. She started BistroMD to ensure her patients were getting balanced meals that provided all the daily nutrition they needed. Today Dr. Cederquist works with other medical professionals to provide weight-loss programs that cover all kinds of goals and conditions. 

There are 6 plans to choose from, including Gluten-Free, Heart-Healthy, Diabetic, Menopause-Friendly, and Keto programs. When you sign up, along with receiving your daily meals, you’ll have access to registered dietitians and fitness experts to help guide you. 

BistroMD offers support that can help people develop healthier lifestyle habits, including maintaining their ideal weight once they reach it.

You can order as few as 2 meals per day (lunch and dinner) or go as high as the full 3 meals per day for 7 days a week. Our reviewer was especially impressed by BistroMD’s desserts and snack options. 

Optional EATS (Essential And Tasty Snacks) are available to help diners avoid the temptation of calorific alternatives, and include high-protein and high-fiber treats like strawberry cheesecake, cookie dough protein bars, shakes, chips, and more. 

Each entrée comes in at less than 450 calories per serving to help you stay on track, yet the portion sizes are generous enough that you won’t feel cheated or hungry. The meals are prepared using fresh ingredients – which are then flash-frozen to preserve the nutrients. Once they’re delivered, all you have to do is pop in the microwave and enjoy.

BistroMD starts at $8.24 per serving when you order the maximum number of meals per week. And if you want to lose weight with your partner, BistroMD offers a 15% discount for couples.

8. Purple Carrot – Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service in Boston

Purple Carrot is a great option for long-standing vegans and plant-based newbies alike. Each week you can choose from 8 prepared meals or 8 meal kits, alongside some easy-prep breakfast and lunch dishes and vegan-friendly add-ons like chocolate, cookies, plant-based cheese, and bean burgers. 

Purple Carrot’s menu is modest compared to some of the other services on this list. But for vegans or people who want to increase their veggie intake, Purple Carrot is the best plant-based meal delivery service on the market.

It doesn’t rely on processed meat alternatives. Instead, Purple Carrot’s dishes celebrate veggies, with highlights like Lemon-Braised Chickpeas with Rosemary and Cashew Cheese, and West African Peanut Stew with Swiss Chard and White Quinoa (pictured).

Not vegan? Not a problem. We could all use more veggies in our diet, and Purple Carrot is a great introduction to new and exciting plant-based ingredients. My omnivorous colleague tried Purple Carrot at home and declared that the recipes were guaranteed to please even the fussiest of meat-eaters.

You can also pick up meals that are high in protein, soy-free, low-calorie, gluten-free, and nut-free, while the new Less Prep recipes feature prepared sauces, pre-chopped vegetables, and methods that mean less cooking and cleanup. 

Purple Carrot’s prepared meals will be ready in just 2-3 minutes after a blast in the microwave. It’s rare to find microwave meals that feel both nourishing and comforting but with dishes like the Saffron Rice Bowl with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables and Romesco, and Chana Masala with an Almond Sultana Pilaf, Purple Carrot has plenty of them.

Purple Carrot lets you mix and match between menu offerings, too so you can include prepared meals, meal kits, and Less Prep meals in one order.

Prices start at $8.50 per serving with a minimum order of 3 recipes for 2 people per week. The prepared meals come as single-serving portions and can be ordered in bundles of 6, 8, or 10 per week.

9. Marley Spoon – Best Meal Delivery Service For Variety

Marley Spoon’s meals are curated by TV host and cookbook author Martha Stewart. If you want to learn new cooking skills and try new cuisines, Marley Spoon can expand your recipe repertoire so you can make gourmet meals for your family at home.

The menu caters to kids, families, dieters, vegans, and more, plus Marley Spoon’s step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, with many recipes coming in at 6 steps or less. The service’s ready-made sauces and perfectly portioned produce will also save you serious prep time. 

Most of the dishes are sophisticated takes on classic American meals – like burgers, tacos, chilaquiles, meatloaf, and more – but you’ll also find other worldly options, including Asian, Italian, and Caribbean influences.

So Marley Spoon is definitely a great all-rounder, as my colleague reveals in their review. It’s also a meal delivery service that works hard on sustainability and was the first to be declared 100% carbon-neutral. 

The website features clear and concise recycling instructions for all its packaging and gives details on how Marley Spoon achieves its zero carbon footprint. You can also look out for the new “Climatarian” label on meals that have been made with ingredients whose production required less than 1.1 pounds of CO2 emissions per serving. 

Meals start at $2.99 per serving, so you’re not paying a premium price tag just because the service has been endorsed by Martha Stewart. The reasonable costs are another reason why it’s so great for families. You can order between 2 and 6 recipes per week for either 2 or 4 people.

10. Dinnerly – Cheapest Meal Delivery Service in Boston

Dinnerly is Boston’s cheapest meal delivery service, with meals from $2.12 per serving. Yet despite its modest price tag, Dinnerly has a great selection of tasty recipes to choose from and promises sustainable proteins and even some organic fruits and vegetables. So, how does Dinnerly keep its prices so low?

Dinnerly recipes generally use only a few ingredients. The No Chop! Cheesy Baked Spaghetti meal kit (pictured), for example, will include spaghetti, Parmesan and Fontina cheese, tomato paste, Italian chicken sausage, and a Tuscan spice blend. But while the meals are less complicated than some other services, the ingredient quality is still excellent.

Dinnerly offers a surprisingly good selection of vegetarian and pescatarian meals, too, with around 10 vegetarian and 3-4 seafood dishes on the menu each week. The weekly menu will even include 1 or 2 vegan entrees – something you don’t see on most low-cost services. There’s a tick box on the sign-up page to make your box vegetarian.

Market by Dinnerly offers subscribers some ingredients and grocery items. You can find seasonal desserts, snacks, and breakfast options like Chocolate Cupcakes or Oat & Chia Pancakes. There is even a selection of prepared meals. 

Our reviewer found that Dinnerly also cuts back on paper and plastic use in its boxes to help keep its prices low.  And while many meal delivery services package ingredients separately, Dinnerly bundles its ingredients together – a cost-cutting measure but one that’s much better for the environment! 

You won’t find paper recipe cards – instead, you’ll have to follow digital versions. If you’re a beginner cook, you might be disappointed to learn that the instructions do not include pictures either. I like to see how my meal is supposed to look at each step of the process. Blue Apron is much better at this, with pictures and even follow-along videos. 

Dinnerly is owned by the same parent company as Marley Spoon, so it uses much of the same labeling and advice when it comes to allergens. 

Prices start at $2.12 per serving and you can order between 3 to 6 meals serving either 2 or 4 people every week. 

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service in Boston

You may be thinking, “how do I decide between all of these options?” Here are the criteria I explored when compiling my list: 

• Find options that fit your schedule: I’ve included a mix of meal kits and prepared meals so you can choose a service that complements your level of cooking skill and the amount of time you have to spend in the kitchen.

• Identify your specific dietary requirements: From paleo to vegan to weight-loss programs, I've discovered services that make sticking to your chosen diet a breeze. Look for a service that provides the widest variety to meet your specific needs.
  

• Select the best option for your budget: It goes without saying you should choose a service that you can afford, taking into account any extra grocery shopping you may need for the week. This list includes a variety of price points for different budgets, ranging from Dinnerly’s basic kits to Factor’s specialized, prepared meals. 

• Consider the extras offered: If you like a one-stop shop, many of the best meal delivery services offer additional items like proteins, snacks, and grocery items to come with your order.

FAQ

Which is the best meal delivery service in Boston? 

Blue Apron is my top choice as the best meal delivery service in Boston. Not only does it offer a wide range of meal kits and cuisines to choose from, but it has some great add-ons too – including prepared meals, breakfasts, wine pairings, desserts, and more.

What is the best vegan meal delivery service in Boston? 

Purple Carrot is the highest-ranking vegan service on my list. It offers gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and high-protein options, as well as a selection of plant-based breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.  

What is the best weight-loss meal delivery service in Boston?

BistroMD is the best choice for Bostonians looking for a weight-loss meal delivery service. Its prepared meals are all under 450 calories, with plans that offer up to 3 meals per day, plus snacks. BistroMD’s fitness experts and dietitians will also help you develop healthy food and lifestyle habits.

Where can I find cheap family meal delivery in Boston?

Dinnerly has the cheapest family meals in Boston, with prices starting at just $2.12 per serving, Dinnerly’s menu features simple, crowd-pleasing recipes that even picky eaters and young children will love, made with high-quality ingredients.  

What's the best Boston meal delivery for new parents?

Since new parents have very little time to cook, Factor would be my pick. Factor’s healthy, prepared meals are ready after just 3 minutes in the microwave. 

What's the best gluten-free meal delivery in Boston?

Green Chef is the best choice if you are looking for a gluten-free service. Green Chef’s gluten-free meals are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) to contain less than 10 parts per million (10 ppm) of gluten or similar grain proteins. Most Green Chef meals are gluten-free, including the entire Keto menu.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Boston 2023 — Final Score