Best Meal Delivery Services for Knoxville in 2023

If you want to make the most of your free time instead of feeling trapped in the kitchen, you’ve come to the right place. This list of the best meal delivery services in Knoxville suggests options that will save you time, effort, and money.

From meal kits to food delivery, I’ve covered a range of services to cover every skill level and diet. You can visit Knoxville Zoo or take a walk through the Market Square knowing your food’s been taken care of.

What’s the Difference Between Meal Delivery and Food Delivery?

Meal delivery services such as Home Chef, work on a subscription basis. You pick a meal plan, receive an insulated delivery with all of your meals, and then you just need to cook them (for meal kits) or heat them up (for prepared meals) before eating.

With food delivery services like Grubhub, you get a one-time order from local restaurants. This way, your food arrives warm and ready-to-eat from the kitchen of your favorite place in town.

Our Best Meal Delivery Services Reviewed

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

Home Chef Best Features

• Great for families – orders can feed up to eight people

• Affordable meals – suitable for most budgets

• Customizable proteins – change to your taste

• Special discount – 75% Off Your 1st Box + 60% Off Your 2nd and 3rd Boxes!

Home Chef in a Nutshell

Home Chef offers quality, reliability, and super-quick recipes, from grill- and oven-ready meals to easy meal kits. There’s even the option of Fast & Fresh prepared meals ready to pop into the microwave.

You can see how our reviewer got on trying Home Chef’s quick and easy menu in our tried-and-tested review. 

With so many low and no-prep options, you’ll save countless hours in the kitchen. Instead, you can take your friends or family on a trip to Ijams Nature Center or enjoy an evening at the Knoxville Theater.

And not only are the meals easy to make, there’s a large weekly menu to ensure you never get bored. There are more than 30 meals to choose from, including dishes like Mango Miso Chicken and Creamy Tomato Parmesan Tortellini. For those with a sweet tooth, there are also desserts.

2. Blue Apron – Easy and Healthy Meal Kit Recipes for Tennessee Kitchens

Blue Apron Best Features

• Market items available – from kitchen utensils to unique spice blends

• Wine subscription available – to complement your meals

• Recyclable packaging – sturdy yet eco-friendly

• Special discount – Enjoy $130 off across your first 6 orders

Blue Apron in a Nutshell

Blue Apron mainly deals in meal kits, although there are a couple of ready-made meals on the menu for days when you don’t have time to cook.

You can choose from the Signature for 2 or 4, Vegetarian, or Wellness plans. Find more about plans and pricing in our detailed review.

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 & Carrot Fried Rice, as well as Mediterranean and South American cuisines.

You can also indulge in classic American burgers and plant-based burgers with a twist, like the Miso-Ponzu Beyond Burger™ with Sesame Shishitos & Mushrooms.

If you’re looking for health-focused or weight-loss dishes, you’ll like the low-carb, WW-approved meals from the Wellness plan. 

3. Purple Carrot – Surprising Flavors in Plant-Based Meals for Knoxvillians

Purple Carrot Best Features

• Shipping is free – on every order

• Plant-based recipes – to help with sugar and cholesterol levels

• Vegan extras – shop pantry items such as hummus or chocolate

• Special discount – Get $30 Off with code carrot30

Purple Carrot in a Nutshell

Good news for Knoxville gourmands who love plant-based food – Purple Carrot has every meal of the day covered with its quick kits and prepared meals. Breakfast and lunch meal kits take just five minutes to put together, and dinners take around half an hour.

You can save even more time with the prepared dinners menu, which you can read all about in our expert review.

Both menus feature tofu, tempeh, and beans as sources of protein and keep it clean in the ingredients department.

The feel is fairly international, so you can expect to try recipes like Spicy Gochujang Rice Noodles with Japanese Yam & Sesame Cabbage or Sage Walnut Pesto Penne with Crispy Broccolini & Cranberries.

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

HelloFresh Best Features

• Premium ingredients  – carefully curated suppliers

• 27+ weekly recipes – so you never get bored

• Great for planning ahead – see the menu for the next six weeks

• Special discount – Get 25 free meals + free shipping + 3 surprise gifts

HelloFresh in a Nutshell

HelloFresh delivers hearty meal kits that feed the whole family, with a weekly order of up to six recipes for four people. That's a lot of servings.

Rest assured – the family-friendly recipes have been approved by kids as well as adults. There’s a great selection of classic dishes like burgers and pasta that even picky eaters will enjoy. Plus, the One-Pot Wonders are great for busy kitchens as they keep washing up to a minimum.

It’s not all basic dishes, though. For something more sophisticated, try the Gourmet Plus recipes, like the Lobster Stuffed Ravioli & Shrimp in a Tomato Cream Sauce.

There’s a good choice of plans on offer, including Veggie, Pescatarian, Meat & Veggie, and Calorie Smart. You can read about all of the dietary preferences HelloFresh caters to in our detailed review.

Not only are HelloFresh’s kits great for families and a range of mainstream diets, but they’re quick and easy, too. Many of the recipes are ready in under 20 minutes, while some meals are oven-ready and need no prep on your side.

5. Sunbasket – Great Meals for Special Dietary Needs

Sunbasket Best Features

• Quality ingredients – USDA-certified organic 

• Plans for special diets – diabetes-friendly, paleo, and more

• Breakfast and lunch covered – from egg bites to noodle bowls to empanadas

• Special discount – $90 off Plus a Free Gift!

Sunbasket in a Nutshell

Sunbasket offers an extensive menu of 40+ healthy weekly recipes, about half meal kits and half prepared meals.

The menu is arranged across 10 health-focused plans, including Gluten-Free, Diabetes-Friendly, Paleo, Carb-Conscious, and Vegetarian.

Our in-depth review provides more info on Sunbasket's mission to provide organic food and sustainable ingredients.

Many of the recipes follow a Mediterranean style while others draw inspiration from Asian cuisines, like the Honey-Umami Glazed Salmon with Vietnamese Garlic Noodles.

Meal kits are usually ready in 15-40 minutes and are straightforward and fun to make as a family. Sunbasket provides detailed instructions – and even suggests how you can involve your kids in the process.

6. Marley Spoon – Exciting Meal Kits from Martha Stewart

Marley Spoon Best Features

• Meals for all tastes – whether you prefer seafood, meat, or veggie

• Unique ingredients – including Martha’s favorite spice blends

• Sustainable approach – from carbon neutrality to eco-friendly packaging

• Special discount – Get $190 off Your First 4 Boxes!

Marley Spoon in a Nutshell

Marley Spoon prides itself on its high-quality ingredients and well-tested recipes – and also its Martha Stewart pedigree.

The menu gives you a lot of choices – more than 40 each week – which are divided into five plans: Health & Diet, Vegetarian & Vegan, Meat & Fish, Under 30 Minutes, and Family-Friendly.

Even though there are many kid-friendly recipes, this menu won't leave you eating tater tots and chicken nuggets. Far from it! You can also enjoy plenty of gourmet-style dishes, like Shrimp Fajitas with Poblano Peppers & Lime Crema. Even the pizza on the menu is a delectable-looking Margherita Pizza topped with fresh basil and served with a caesar salad.

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

7. Freshly – Nutritionist-Designed Ready-Made Meals

Freshly Best Features

• A range of weekly options – over 40 recipes on the menu

• Great for people with allergies – gluten- and peanut-free recipes

• Ditch cooking altogether – meals are ready to heat and enjoy

• Special discount – Get $250 Off + Free Shipping

Freshly in a Nutshell

Freshly is a great meal delivery service for people who want something ready-made without compromising on healthy eating. 

This is thanks to the dietitian-created plans, which include FreshlyFit, Takeout Twists, and the Signature Collection, with a total of over 40 single-serve dishes to choose from.

Nervous that prepared meals might be lacking in taste? Check out our Freshly review where my colleague puts them to the test.

You can enjoy protein-packed dishes like the Super Kale Pesto Chicken with Roasted Seasonal Veggies, and those who follow a plant-based diet can pick from the new Purely Plant plan, which has vegan recipes such as a Middle Eastern Falafel Bowl with Garlicky Tahini Sauce & Whole Grains.

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

Green Chef Best Features

• 100% organic ingredients – in every meal

• Premium, clean produce – without any antibiotics, pesticides, or GMOs

• No need to prep – even the sauces and marinades come ready to use

• Special discount – Get $250 Off + Free Shipping

Green Chef in a Nutshell

Besides being 100% organic, Green Chef sources its ingredients sustainably and offers healthy, chef-created meal kits.

There are three plans to choose from: Balanced Living, Plant-Powered, and Keto + Paleo.

Each plan offers around nine recipes for that specific diet. For example, the vegan plan includes exciting dishes like Blackened Sweet Potato Bowls with Dirty Rice, Pecans, and Paprika-Dijon Aïoli. Yum! Plus, a good portion of the menu is gluten-free as well.

What may turn some people off is the price of the meals, so make sure to read our in-depth review to find out more about the cost before you make your decision.

9. EveryPlate – The Most Affordable Meal Kits in Knoxville

EveryPlate Best Features

• Great value – just $1.49 per portion

• Interesting flavors – from savory-sweet to spicy

• Protein extras available – including chicken breast and ranch steak packs

• Special discount –$1.39/meal On Your 1st Box

EveryPlate in a Nutshell

Of all the meal delivery services on my shortlist, EveryPlate is the most affordable, with servings starting at just $1.49. Its four plans are ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, FamilyPlate, and EasyPlate. These amount to 17 weekly recipes, plus two protein sides.

There are also a few premium recipes on each weekly menu. It's nice to have options for when you want to feel like a gourmet chef, but these do cost a bit more. Plus, the weekly delivery fees can add up as well, so bear that in mind when calculating your costs.

As my colleague's review points out, it's super easy to put the meals together, since each comes with comprehensive six-step instructions.

Just because the meals are affordable and easy to make, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for basic flavors. I was impressed with some of the creative dishes on the menu: Sriracha Pork Stir-Fry with Cabbage, Zesty Rice, & Peanuts, anyone?

10. Grubhub – Best Food Delivery Service in Knoxville

Grubhub Best Features

• Grubhub+ subscription available – for free deliveries

• Local restaurants – your favorite Knoxville food

• Order in seconds  – use the app or order directly from the website

Grubhub in a Nutshell

Grubhub is a food delivery service that brings you cooked food from your favorite restaurants in Knoxville, including Super Mario's Pizza.

Browse the menu on the app or online, select the dish you’re craving, and hit order. It’s that simple. You can then track the food from the restaurant kitchen to your door – no cooking required!

Plus, you can use the new Grubhub Perks to earn rewards from different restaurants for your loyalty and even get free food.

The delivery fee is usually $3-$6 or you can sign up to Grubhub+ for $9.99 per month to get unlimited free delivery on orders of $12 or more. This is especially useful if you find yourself ordering takeaway regularly.

Try Grubhub commitment-free with its 14-day free trial.

Best Meal Delivery Services for Knoxville: Comparison Table

Bottom Line: Are Meal Delivery Services in Knoxville Worth It?

Yes! Meal delivery services help save you precious time by taking away the stress of planning, prepping, and going grocery shopping. 

No more frantically searching the stores for the perfect ingredients or wondering what to cook for dinner: you’ll receive everything you need in one box. 

Check out our full list of Today’s Best Meal Delivery Services for even more options. 

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Knoxville?

EveryPlate is the most affordable meal delivery service for Knoxville residents. The prices start at just $1.49 per serving, and you can also use our special discount listed above for greater savings.

Home Chef also offers great value for money. Its customizable plans cater to vegetarian, low-calorie, and low-carb diets. Learn more + get the discount above.

What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Knoxville?

The best healthy meal delivery service in Knoxville is Sunbasket, with its multitude of healthy plans. You can choose from paleo, gluten-free, and diabetes-friendly meals full of organic veggies and sustainable protein. Learn more in my description above.

Browse our list of the Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services for even more choices.

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Knoxville?

Home Chef’s low-calorie and low-carb plans are designed to help you keep your weight in check. The meals are often super quick and easy to make, too.

Blue Apron's Wellness plan is another great choice. It has meals that are WW-approved, high in protein, and low in carbs.

For more options, check out our full list of Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services of 2023.

What is the best paleo meal delivery service in Knoxville?

Sunbasket offers the best Paleo plan in Knoxville. The meals include ethically sourced meat and seafood, fresh veggies, plus some house-made paleo sauces and spice blends.

You can also try Green Chef’s Keto + Paleo plan, which is certified organic AND gluten-free.