10 Best Meal Delivery Services in Knoxville in 2023: Updated

I’ve put together a list of the best meal delivery services in Knoxville that’ll save you time, effort, and money. From meal kits to food delivery, I’ve found a wide range of services that will suit every skill level and diet. 

Blue Apron comes top of my list thanks to its good selection of plans and range of international cuisines. Once you try Blue Apron’s menu variety, you’ll be hooked for at least a couple of months as there’s so much to choose from.

Read on to browse my list of the highest-quality meal delivery services in Knoxville.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Knoxville Reviewed

1. Blue Apron – Best Overall Meal Kit Recipes in Tennessee

Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that mostly caters to an adult audience. However, there are a few Family Friendly meals each week, so families with children won’t feel left out. These recipes include dishes like Three Cheese Pizza and Seared Chicken and Creamy Italian Dressing.

Most meal kits take between 30 and 45 minutes to prepare and cook, but there are a couple of recipe types that don’t require that much attention. For instance, Ready To Cook meals don’t take too long to assemble, however, as they are oven meals, you’ll have to let them cook for about 30+ minutes. On the other hand, the Fast & Easy meals don’t need much chopping, and often everything goes in one pan.

The meals are well-balanced and support a healthy lifestyle. Each weekly menu features a range of international tastes. You’ll find dishes inspired by Asian cuisines, such as the Spiced Pork Roast with Bok Choy and Carrot Fried Rice, as well as Mediterranean and South American cuisines.

Blue Apron works with a carefully selected network of family-run farms, fisheries, and ranchers. This way, all the ingredients are high-quality, hormone-free, and according to high standards. You can find more about meal plans and ingredients in our detailed review.

Blue Apron is more about taste and quality over quantity (if you want a larger menu, try HelloFresh or Marley Spoon). And you can always spice things up with the add-ons menu, where you’ll find healthy desserts, ready-made meals, extra protein, salads, and even breakfast options. And let’s not forget the optional wine subscription that will send you the best wine for your meal preferences.

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, Blue Apron makes a big effort. Many of the packaging materials are recyclable or reusable, but there’s still plenty of plastic from individually wrapping each ingredient. Although in my experience, Blue Apron isn’t the only meal delivery service guilty of this.

You can order 2 or 4 meals per week for 2 or 4 people. Prices start at $5.74 per serving for the largest order and increase for the minimum order.

2. Factor – Best Dietitian-Designed Ready-Made Meals in Knoxville

Factor is an ideal service for busy people who want delicious ready-made meals. Also, as my colleague puts it in their Factor review, the company has a millennial-focused branding that fits perfectly with the city’s majority population.

Factor meals only use premium ingredients obtained from a network of trusted suppliers. All the meals are prepared by professional chefs and designed by dietitians. Once cooked, the meals are chilled (never frozen) for transport. This way, each order arrives fresh and full of nutrients at your doorstep.

Even though the menu isn’t huge, I was impressed by its variety and flexibility. You’ll find plenty of options for different diets, including keto or high-protein. There are several options for vegetarians and vegans, but not enough to support a week’s worth of meals. If you follow a plant-based diet, try Purple Carrot for a fully vegan menu.

Factor isn’t just about lunch and dinners, there are add-ons too. You can spice things up with smoothies, juices, healthy sweets, and snacks. This way, you could start your day with a delicious Chocolate Brownie Keto Shake and end it with a keto-friendly Goat Cheese and Romesco Baked Chicken.

Factor can help with weight loss since most recipes range from 350 to 900 calories, with an average of 600 calories per meal. There are several recipes marked as Calorie Smart, but you have easy access to each meal’s nutrition facts and ingredients. Plus, the Factor subscription comes with a 20-minute free nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian.

The meals arrive in individual, microwave-safe, plastic containers wrapped in a paper sleeve that contains information on allergens, nutrition, ingredients, storage, and the best-by date. However, I’m not too happy with the amount of plastic used since meals and smoothies arrive in plastic containers.

Prices start at $6.19 per serving, which is high but within the normal range for a premium, prepared service. You can only order in single-servings (between 6 and 18 meals per weekly order).

3. Green Chef – Simple Organic Meal Kits for a Clean Diet

Green Chef sources its ingredients sustainably and offers healthy, chef-created meal kits that fit different dietary needs. The service pledges to deliver organic, farm-fresh produce and premium proteins for all of its meal kits, so if you’re looking for top-notch quality – you’ve found it!

I like the menu variety and flexibility as you get options across 7 meal categories, each catering to different diets, such as Keto, Protein Packed, Mediterranean, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Fast & Fit. 

Most Green Chef meals are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). However, the Green Chef facility works with other allergens, so I highly recommend that you read each recipe if you suffer from allergies.

There are around 5 vegan meals and 5 vegetarian meals per week. This gives veggies plenty of choice, but vegans will be more limited. If you’re not on a plant-based diet, Green Chef gives you lots of choices each week as you can mix and match foods across different dietary categories.

The ingredients arrive pre-measured and categorized by recipe, so all you have to do is prep everything and then cook. The cooking instructions are detailed, and you get text descriptions and images for every step. My colleague tested Green Chef at home and found the recipes creative and easy to follow.

If you like cooking at home, but follow a specific diet, Green Chef is a great option. If you follow a more balanced diet, HelloFresh might work out as a better value for you. 

Green Chef’s recipes may be premium, but this isn’t reflected in the prep times. There are plenty of 20-minute recipes on the menu and, more recently, Green Chef added several 10-minute lunch recipes to its menu each week.

If you want more, Green Chef also has a solid offer of add-ons that includes breakfasts, healthy desserts, extra protein, salads, and wraps. However, the add-ons are separate from the core menu, and you don’t have a maximum or a minimum order.

For the core menu, you can order for 2, 4, or 6 people, but only 3 or 4 servings each. As usual, if you order for more people, you get a better deal. For instance, you get the best value for your buck ($5.99 per serving) with 4 meals for 6 people.

4. HelloFresh – Best Family-Friendly Meal Kits Straight From the Farm

HelloFresh delivers hearty meal kits that can feed the whole family, which is why the service is popular with families of all sizes in Knoxville. Rest assured – the family-friendly recipes have been approved by kids as well as adults.

The menu is accessible to people with different dietary options, such as Veggie, Vegan, Calorie Smart, Carb Smart, and Protein Smart. You can read about all of the dietary preferences HelloFresh caters to in my colleague’s tried-and-tested review.

Even though it’s kid-friendly, HelloFresh’s menu is far from basic. Whenever you want to feel fancy, you can check out some of the gourmet recipes on offer, like the Organic Beef and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie. Each week, HelloFresh offers 8 higher-priced meals that include top-of-the-line ingredients. These meals are marked with Premium Picks, Date Night, or Fast & Fresh labels.

Most of the recipes are ready in under 30 minutes, which is great for people looking to get a home-cooked dinner on the table quickly. You’ll also find meal kits that take about 45 or 50 minutes to prepare and cook, and there are even quick lunch options, ready in about 10 minutes. 

Each meal kit comes with a well-designed recipe card, regardless of prep time and complexity. Everything is explained in easy-to-understand steps that contain pictures and written instructions.

HelloFresh is committed to reducing food waste and helping the environment through innovative sustainable packaging. Around 90% of the packaging is recyclable (cardboard boxes, ice packs, paper bags, and labels). However, there are some plastic bags and containers that may not be recyclable, depending on your community’s rules.

You can order 2 to 6 recipes per week for 2 or 4 people. HelloFresh doesn’t cater to single people, but if you don’t mind eating leftovers, a two-person plan could work for you. If you order the maximum number of servings per week, the price can drop to $3.32 per serving.

5. Home Chef – Best All-Rounder Meal Delivery Service in Knoxville

Home Chef offers quality, reliability, and super-quick recipes, from grill- and oven-ready meals to 15-minute meal kits. There’s even the option of Fast & Fresh prepared meals ready to pop in the oven, which works well for Knoxvillians on the run.

The menu is mostly made up of American-style recipes, but there are a few Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican influences as well. You’ll find a wide range of options, from the Garlicky BLT Burger to Greek-Style Zucchini Tostadas (to name a few). Since the meals rotate weekly, it’s a great chance to try new flavors and ingredients.

Home Chef has many Family Meals that are designed with picky eaters in mind. These are usually easy-to-prep, one-pot, comfort food options that appease any appetite and require very little cleanup.

Even the more complex recipes are easy to prepare for novices, such as Beef Stroganoff or Mediterranean-Style Sirloin with Whipped Feta. You can see how our reviewer got on cooking Home Chef meals in our tried-and-tested review. 

Home Chef includes 3 or 4 premium Culinary Collection meals each week, for diners who enjoy a fancy meal from time to time. For an additional upcharge (usually just a few bucks per serving), these recipes offer higher-quality ingredients and more indulgent recipes.

Unlike other services, Home Chef lets you customize most recipes before placing the order. You can do this by swapping the protein in a meal through the Customize It tool. So, if you’d like to change the BBQ Pork Cheddar Melt Sandwich, you can replace the sliced pork with diced boneless skinless chicken breasts or steak strips.

I like that Home Chef categorizes its meal kits on difficulty levels, from Easy to Expert. Most meal kits only need about 30 minutes to prep and cook but the more complex recipes will take around 50 minutes. However, I suggest taking these prep times with a grain of salt if you don’t know your way around the kitchen. In that case, I’d add another 10 minutes to the suggested prep time.

Overall, Home Chef is an affordable service (prices start at $7.99 per serving). You can order between 2 and 6 meals for 2, 4, or 6 people.

6. Fresh and Easy – Best Meal Kits for Busy Knoxvillians

As part of the Home Chef brand, Fresh and Easy features the same quality ingredients, but it only has easy-prep meals on the menu. It’s the perfect option if you want to spend less time and effort cooking dinner. As my colleague puts it in their in-depth Fresh and Easy review, you get a nutritious meal without going too deep on the prep and cleanup.

The menu includes 4 types of easy-prep kits: Fast & Fresh, Oven Ready, Grill Ready, and 15-Minute Meal Kits. The first 2 categories include meals that only need a few minutes in the microwave or to be put straight in the oven. The ingredients are pre-portioned and prepped in a microwave- or oven-safe tray, so you don’t need to do much else.

The Grill Ready meals also come with everything you need, so all you have to do is fire up the grill, toss everything in the grill-safe bag, and then throw everything on the grill. Follow the cooking instructions on the recipe card, and you’ll have a flavorful meal in no time.

The 15-Minute Meal Kits come with fully prepped and portioned ingredients, so you don’t spend more than 15 minutes prepping and cleaning up. And, to make things interesting, Fresh and Easy throws in a few entree salads that make for a quick veggie-based lunch or dinner.

I would’ve liked to see more veggie dishes or recipes that cater to a specific diet, like keto or gluten-free (Green Chef is a much better choice for these diets). Since this isn’t the case, Fresh and Easy isn’t accessible to everyone. On the other hand, if you don’t have any dietary restrictions, this is a convenient option for those days when you don’t feel like cooking.

Lastly, Fresh and Easy has the same prices as Home Chef (starting at $7.99 per serving), and lets you order 2 to 6 meals for 2, 4, or 6 people.

7. BistroMD – Weight Loss Meal Plans Designed by a Doctor

BistroMD is great for Knoxvillians who want to lose weight healthily or have strict dietary preferences. The company features several meal plans (Men’s and Women's weight loss, Heart Healthy, Gluten Free, Keto Flex, Diabetic Friendly, and Menopause) designed by a doctor and put together by professional chefs.

Each meal plan features recipes that meet the restrictions required for each diet. For instance, if you opt for the Heart Healthy Program, you’ll only receive meals that follow the American Heart Association recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat, and saturated fat.

Since the meals are flash-frozen, I had some concerns regarding the taste and texture, but our reviewer found them to be well-thought-out and with generous portion sizes. The meals are easy to heat up and retain their nutrients pretty well.

The menu is predominantly American cuisine, but there are a few Mexican, Italian, and Asian dishes. When I looked through the entire menu, I found a few Mediterranean influences as well. There’s also a good selection of healthy snacks designed to help you keep your cravings in check throughout the day.

Still, keep in mind that most of the meals include meat or fish, so BistroMD isn’t a great fit for vegetarians or vegans. If that’s you, I’d recommend the prepared meals from Factor instead. 

BistroMD manages to keep the plastic wrapping down with its packaging. True, all the food containers are still made of plastic, but you can recycle them, just like the rest of the packaging materials.

BistroMD isn’t exactly budget-friendly. With prices starting at $8.24 per serving, it can be a bit on the pricey side. However, you can choose whether you want to order a Full Program with breakfast, lunch, and dinner or a Lunches & Dinners program. In both cases, you can order meals for 5 or 7 days each week.

8. Purple Carrot – Great Flavors in Plant-Based Meals for Knoxvillians

Purple Carrot has every meal of the day covered with its vegan meal kits and prepared meals, so it’s a great option for Knoxville residents who love plant-based food! Also, if you want a bit more from your plant-based diet, Purple Carrot has an extra section called Plantry, where you can find shelf-stable desserts, snacks, and spices.

The meal kits and ready-made meals are on different plans, so you can’t mix and match within each order. However, you can switch each week. The meal kits are available as breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (although lunch and breakfast options are limited). And, if you’re ever in a hurry, you can choose the Less Prep kits that are ready in under 25 minutes.

Of course, you can save even more time with the prepared dinners menu, which you can read all about in my colleague’s expert, tested review. But I can tell you now that it takes less than 5 minutes to have a delicious dinner ready that’s usually under 600 calories per serving!

Both menus feature tofu, tempeh, and beans as sources of protein. The ingredients are non-GMO, and Purple Carrot constantly reworks its supply chain to source higher-quality ingredients. 

Overall, the menu feels fairly international, with recipes like Spicy Gochujang Rice Noodles with Japanese Yam and Sesame Cabbage or Sage Walnut Pesto Penne with Crispy Broccolini and Cranberries. Plus, some recipes are vegan versions of classic meals, such as Mac N Cheese or Cauliflower Shawarma.

At $8.50 per serving, Purple Carrot isn’t the most budget-friendly option. Still, for a 100% plant-based menu, I think it’s worth it for vegans. You can order for 2 or 4 people on the meal kit plan or in single-servings if you choose the prepared meals. With meal kits, you can order 3 or 4 meals per person, while you can order 6, 8, or 10 prepared meals per order.

9. Marley Spoon – Exciting Meal Kits from Martha Stewart

Marley Spoon prides itself on its high-quality ingredients and well-tested recipes – and also its Martha Stewart pedigree. It also has a huge menu with 100+ dishes!

The weekly menu includes recipes from international cuisines (such as Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, or Thai), but it also has plenty of kid-friendly recipes, which is why Marley Spoon is a great service for families. Not all family-style meals are tater tots and chicken nuggets. Far from it! You can also enjoy plenty of gourmet-style dishes, like Shrimp Fajitas with Poblano Peppers and Lime Crema.

Each meal can be on the table within 30 to 50 minutes, thanks to Marley Spoon’s simple, 6-step recipes. You can read more about the menu in our in-depth review.

I like that Marley Spoon uses plenty of tags to help you find the meal kits you want without having to browse the entire menu. For instance, if you want low-prep meals, look for the Under 30 Minutes or the One Pot Meal tags. Other useful tags are No Added Gluten, Dairy Free, Low Carb, and Low-Calorie.

Keep in mind that each Marley Spoon meal kit requires some preparation since the produce arrives whole. This means you’ll have to do the washing, peeling, chopping, dicing, and slicing. I don’t mind this bit of extra work since I know everything is fresh and most ingredients are organic and locally sourced. If you’re looking for just prepared meals, try Factor.

I also like the minimal packaging, which supports Marley Spoon’s claim of being carbon-neutral and sustainable. Besides some unavoidable plastic wrappings, everything in the box is recyclable or reusable. Plus, the company offers extensive information about how to recycle packaging materials on its website.

Marley Spoon is great for couples and families since you can order for 2 or 4 people, between 2 and 6 meals per person. Plus, if you order the maximum amount, you get great value ($2.99 per serving).

10. Dinnerly – Budget-Friendly Meal Kits for Knoxvillians

Dinnerly’s offer is perfect for people who aren’t interested in following a specific diet. The meal kits featured here are budget-friendly and easy to make since most recipes are ready in 5 steps or less.

Still, this doesn’t mean you have to settle for basic flavors. I was impressed by some of the creative dishes on the menu, such as Honey Ginger Pork Chops or Tunisian-Spiced Chicken. The dishes are a nice combination of international and American cuisine, with a focus on Asian and Mediterranean influences.

There are several premium recipes on each weekly menu (that cost extra). These are made with premium ingredients and follow restaurant-worthy recipes, so they can be more complex to make. However, you’ll have easy access to a detailed cooking guide via the recipe cards. And, as my colleague's review points out, most of the meals are super easy to put together.

Dinnerly offers some limited customization options, but not as many as Home Chef. However, I think the large menu and the clever system of tags to find your culinary preferences make up for this. You’ll find plenty of veggie-based meals, too (between 20 and 30) and around 7 fish dishes each week.

I also like that Dinnerly doesn’t cut corners on ingredients quality. Some of the ingredients are organic, and the protein is humanely raised and free of antibiotics whenever possible. Plus, all of the meat used in Dinnerly recipes comes from local suppliers. There are a few exceptions, but only because the meat isn’t usually available in the US (like high-quality, grass-fed Australian beef).

Dinnerly is one of the most affordable meal delivery kit services, with prices starting at just $2.12. It’s also great for families and couples since you can order 3 to 6 meals per person for 2 or 4 people.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in Knoxville

Knoxville is a city with great access to meal delivery services, but it can be difficult to choose. Heck, I had a tough time trimming the list down to a top 10! If you feel a bit lost, here are a few tips to help guide your choices:

• Look for a varied menu: Meal delivery services with a large menu such as HelloFresh (at least 20+ options per week) encourage culinary diversity and help you experience new tastes. Plus, you won’t get bored 3 weeks into your subscription!

• Pay attention to dietary preferences: Even if you’re not following a diet now, you may want to in the future, so check to see if there are options for popular diets such as keto or Mediterranean, which you get with Green Chef.

• Consider the costs: Price shouldn’t be the only guiding factor, but if you don’t pay attention, the costs can add up (especially if the service has add-ons or expensive shipping). Choose a service that’s affordable for you and doesn’t cut costs on quality. The most affordable service on my list is Dinnerly.

• Meal kits vs. Prepared meals: Decide how much time you want to spend cooking. Meal kits are great, but only if you like to spend around half an hour in the kitchen. Otherwise, it’s best to look for prepared meals like those offered by Factor.

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Knoxville?

Dinnerly is one the most affordable meal delivery service for Knoxville residents. The prices start at just $2.12 per serving, and you can also use our special discount listed above for greater savings.

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Knoxville?

Blue Apron ranked high on my list thanks to its great Wellness plan that’s packed with healthy, low-calorie dishes. The meal kits are easy to make, and link up with WW points, too.  

What is the healthiest meal delivery service in Knoxville?

Green Chef’s menu includes nutritionist-approved recipes made with premium-quality proteins and organic produce (when possible). Plus, Green Chef was the first CCOF-Certified Organic meal kit company and supports a wide range of diets, such as Keto, Gluten Free, Fast & Fit, Mediterranean, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Protein Packed.  

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