9 Best Meal Delivery Services for Carmel 2023 (Updated List)
With so much to explore and enjoy in beautiful Carmel and the Indianapolis metro area, many of you Hoosiers are looking for ways to simplify life so you have more time for fun! Meal delivery services are one of the best ways to gain some time back. Read on for my list of the best meal delivery services in Carmel.
Whether you’re looking to eat healthier, or just save some time meal planning and grocery shopping each week, I’ve got an option on my list for you. Thanks to my extensive research, you’ve got a shortcut to the best options right here. Home Chef topped the charts with simple recipes and healthy options, but if it isn’t right for you, there are nine other great options below.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Meal Delivery Services in Carmel
Home Chef – Best overall meal delivery service in Carmel
Blue Apron – Great meal delivery service in Carmel with a variety of flavors
Purple Carrot – Best plant-based meal delivery service
HelloFresh – Simple recipes the whole family will love
Sunbasket - The best organic meal delivery service for all diets
The Best Meal Delivery Services in Carmel Reviewed
1. Home Chef – Best Overall Meal Delivery Service in Carmel
Key Features
Simple recipes the whole family will love
Choose from two, four or six servings per meal
15 Minute Meal Kits and Oven-Ready options available
Current Deal: Get 18 Free Meals (50% off your first 4 boxes)!
Home Chef is a great fit for most families. Not only can you feed up to six people, but the Customize-It option allows you to swap out proteins for something different like a plant-based option. It’s a great choice if you’re hosting people for a Colts game because you can order larger amounts for one specific meal.
Choose from 20 different menu options, including meals that are ready to put in the oven and meal kits that enable you to get a bit more creative in the kitchen. For that extra kick, add one of the desserts or salad bundles to your delivery. Read more in our dedicated Home Chef review.
Check out the different collections, like the Culinary Collection, Greatest Hits, and Fresh Start, to narrow down your choices. And, if you can’t wait for your next delivery, Home Chef’s meals are even available in select Kroger-owned grocery stores around the Carmel area as well.
2. Blue Apron – Great Meal Delivery Service in Carmel with a Variety of Flavors
Key Features
Over 18 meal options to choose from each week
Add on wine and market items to keep your kitchen stocked
Wellness plan available as a partnership with WW
Current deal: Enjoy $180 off across your first 6 orders
If you’re looking for a meal delivery service that’ll introduce you to unique flavor combinations inspired by all kinds of different cuisines, check out Blue Apron. Each week, you’ll receive meal kits for the recipes you’ve selected. Just follow the simple step-by-step instructions to prepare your meals.
When selecting meals, you’ll notice options like Craft Burgers, Easy Prep & Cleanup, and Premium as tags on the recipes. These help you choose the best fit for your household each week. Read more in our Blue Apron review.
A unique offering from Blue Apron is the option to add wine to your deliveries. The professionals pair wines with particular meals. These are delivered to you in smaller bottles, with tasting notes, and are perfectly sized for two people to share. Enjoy on a beautiful summer night or cozy winter evening in Carmel for a perfect simple date activity.
3. Purple Carrot – Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service
Key Features
Gluten-free and high-protein options available on the menu
Huge focus on sustainability and edible plants
Add in vegan breakfasts, lunches, and snacks
Current deal: Get $30 off with code carrot30
Purple Carrot is the best completely plant-based meal delivery service available in Carmel. It’s the perfect option for strict vegans and people who want to test out plant-based living. You won’t have to do any meal planning or recipe hunting, it’s all taken care of for you. Read our Purple Carrot review for more details.
If you have other dietary restrictions, the website clearly marks each recipe with information like “soy-free” and “nut-free.” Try out new tofu recipes or see what you think of cauliflower as a meat substitute. You might be pleasantly surprised at these healthy swaps.
Purple Carrot offers eight different dinner meal kit options with additional breakfast, lunch, and snack options. If you want to try the prepared meals, you’ll have 12 meals to choose from.
4. HelloFresh – Simple Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
Key Features
Great variety of menus to cater to different dietary needs
Stock up on pantry items and other marketplace necessities
Recipes are simple to follow regardless of your culinary skills
With more than 30 different meal options to choose from each week, you’ll be able to find recipes that the whole family is excited about. Plus, it’s more fun to cheer for the Colts each week than spend your Sunday meal planning and grocery shopping.
Choose from the easy prep or oven-ready options if you have a busy week or go for the gourmet plus meals if you want to spend a little more time practicing your kitchen skills. Our HelloFresh review goes into more detail about the different categories.
Even for families with picky eaters, HelloFresh has recipes that are well-balanced, delicious, and perfect for even the toughest critics. Delight them with takeout twists that will have them thinking you got dinner delivered.
5. Sunbasket – The Best Organic Meal Delivery Service for All Diets
Key Features
Choose between two or four servings for each meal
Great variety of globally inspired dishes
Add on snacks and pantry goods to your delivery
Sunbasket caters to many different diets, including paleo, vegan, diabetes-friendly, and more. Our full Sunbasket review breaks down all the different menu options.
The company puts a lot of focus into sustainability and giving back to the community. By choosing this meal delivery service, you’re also helping to support the organizations Sunbasket partners with, like Second Harvest Food Bank.
Enjoy a great organic meal delivery service that uses locally grown produce. With choices of prepared meals or meal kits, there’s something for every schedule and household.
6. Marley Spoon – Martha Stewart-Inspired Meals Kits Delivered
Key Features
Recipes use Martha Stewart’s special spice blends
Each meal is prepared in six steps or less, with photos and clear instructions
Under-30-minute meals available when you’re short on time
Marley Spoon has partnered with Martha Stewart to deliver some of her kitchen wisdom straight to your home. Recipes, like the Carne Asada Tacos shown above, are designed in collaboration with Martha and feature her signature spice blends and cooking techniques.
The company is dedicated to carbon neutrality and works hard to offset carbon, with different projects around the world. By using sustainable ingredients and produce straight from farms (like the fields of Indiana), Marley Spoon is making huge strides in the sustainability movement. Read more in our full Marley Spoon review.
For special occasions, you’ll find different festive add-ons like charcuterie boards, seasonal desserts, and holiday side dishes.
7. Green Chef – Organic Meal Plans for Different Diets
Key Features
USDA-certified organic produce used in every meal
Prepared ingredients like sauces, dressings, and spice blends are included
Most recipes are ready in about 30 minutes
If you’re looking for a meal delivery service that uses USDA-certified organic produce and sustainably sourced fish and meat, Green Chef is a great option. By partnering with local farmers around Indiana and the surrounding states, you’ll be sent ingredients that are as fresh as possible.
Choose from the Balanced Living, Plant-Powered, and Keto + Paleo plans. Each recipe has clear tags on the website to help you find the best options for your dietary needs. Read our full Green Chef review for more information on the menu choices.
Check out Green Chef if you’re looking for healthy options that help support local farmers and economies and utilize premium ingredients.
8. EveryPlate – The Most Affordable Meal Delivery Service
Key Features
Vegetarian and family options available
Simple, easy to follow recipes in each box
Prices remain the same for any order size
If you’re looking for home-style, classic meals, EveryPlate is a great option that comes at a lower price than most competitors. Each serving is $1.49 and the price remains the same for any amount that you order. Get more information on the pricing in our EveryPlate review.
The plans remain pretty simple, but there are a few options to help narrow down the choices. You can select the veggie options that come without meat. The EasyPlate option includes all meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less. FamilyPlate is an option with kid-approved and family-friendly meal choices.
EveryPlate is the most affordable option in Indiana, so it’s perfect for Carmel residents sticking to a budget. With 17 different choices each week, there’s something for everyone.
9. Grubhub – Best Food Delivery Service in Carmel
Key Features
Service that allows you to order food from your favorite local restaurants
Easy to search and filter different menu options
On demand food when you need a quick meal
Grubhub’s website and app partner with local restaurants to offer a delivery service with tracking. Search the different menus and variety of cuisines to find the food you’re craving. You can even check reviews from your neighbors to see local favorites in the Carmel area..
For unlimited free delivery and exclusive perks, you can sign up for Grubhub+. This membership is worth it if you often order in. The perks are offered by different restaurants and may include discounts or free food items with your purchase. If you want to pick up your food at the restaurant instead of delivery, you can still use Grubhub to order and track the food’s progress.
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| Our Rating | |||||||||
| Our Rating | |||||||||
| Starting Price | |||||||||
| Starting Price | $7.99 Per Serving | $5.74 Per Serving | $8.50 Per Serving | $3.32 Per Serving | $4.27 Per Serving | $2.99 Per Serving | $5.99 Per Serving | $1.49 Per Serving | |
| Minimum Order | |||||||||
| Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meal kits for 2 people/6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meal kits for 2 people/4 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | Varies by supplier |
| Meal Types | |||||||||
| Meal Types | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready, prepared | 20 - 60 min. meal kits | Meal kits, prepared meals | 20 - 30 min. meal kits | Fresh & Ready meals, 30-Min Meal Kits | 30 min. meal kits | 30-minute meal kits | 30-minute meal kits | Prepared |
| Prep Time | |||||||||
| Prep Time | 5-50 min | 5-45 min | 3-40 min | 15-40 min | 3-40 min | 20-40 min | 25-40 min | 20-45 min | 0 |
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Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in Carmel
When it comes to choosing the best meal delivery service for your household and schedule, there are a few things you should consider.
Number of Servings: Find a service that offers the right number of servings for your household. Each service is a little different, so check the number of servings available.
Dietary Needs: Make sure to find a service that meets your dietary needs – whether you eat keto, paleo, vegan, or have any allergies.
Your Schedule: Consider how much time you have to cook and prepare dinners. Some options are ready to put in the oven or microwave and others require chopping and prepping.
Extras Needed: Some services offer additional items like protein, snacks, and breakfast options. If you’re hoping to completely avoid the grocery store, choose a service that allows you to add on extras.
Bottom Line: Are Meal Delivery Services in Carmel Worth It?
Absolutely!
Meal delivery services can help save you time and eat more healthily. There are options for every family and household, so try the one that best fits your needs. Whether you’re 100% vegan or searching for a plan to help you stay on budget, I’ve got it on this list.
All of these services will provide you with meals that aren’t just salads and vegetable juices, but will get you fully balanced meals that have been designed by professionals. Just order and let someone else do the work for you.
FAQ
What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Carmel?
The most affordable meal delivery service is EveryPlate. Each serving is only $1.49 and doesn’t change regardless of the amount of meals you order. Home Chef also offers options as low as $7.99 per serving if you select a certain number of meals.
What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Carmel?
For healthy meal delivery services in Carmel, you have some great choices. Home Chef offers a large selection of healthy meals that are well balanced. If you want an option that utilizes certified organic produce and sustainably sourced meats, try Green Chef.
What is the best diet meal delivery service in Carmel?
If you follow a specific diet like keto or mediterranean, you can choose Sunbasket which has a huge collection of different diets to choose from. Green Chef has diet-specific plans as well. For plans that work with WW, you can check out the Wellness plan from Blue Apron.
What is the best paleo meal delivery service in Carmel?
Paleo diets include lean meats, fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and seeds. Sunbasket and Green Chef both offer paleo-specific diets to make it easy for you to order meals that will help keep you on plan.
Best Meal Delivery Services for Carmel in 2023 – Final Score:
