Best Meal Delivery Services for Pasadena in 2023

The City of Roses is a rich cultural hub that attracts students, young professionals, and families. If that wasn’t enough, Pasadena’s dining scene is truly impressive! With 600+ restaurants, almost every cuisine out there is well-represented.

Yet, the high cost of living and the fact that the majority of its inhabitants are young adults who most likely have limited cooking skills or time, means not everyone can afford to eat out every day. That’s why I summoned my happy helpers and put together a comprehensive list of the best meal delivery services in Pasadena.

My choices focus on quality, fresh ingredients, and diversity. Keep reading to find out more!

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Pasadena Reviewed

1. Home Chef – The Most Well-Rounded Meal Kit Delivery Service In Pasadena

Key Features

• The “Customize It” feature lets you alter the proteins for your meals

• Easy-to-cook recipes with clear instructions

• Flexible subscription that can be edited from one week to another

• Special discount – Get 18 Free Meals (across first 5 boxes) + Free Shipping on your 1st box

Home Chef’s menu includes dishes from various cuisines including Asian, American, and Mediterranean. It has options for people who pay attention to their carb and calorie intake with dedicated Carb-conscious and Calorie-Conscious plans.

You can also find vegetarian options, but my colleague’s Home Chef review shows these are a bit scarce – only around five or six per week. If your heart isn’t set on a plant-based diet, you can choose from about 30+ weekly meal kits and oven-ready meals plus a rich offer of extras.

Overall, the affordable starting price of $7.99 and recipes like Mojito Lime Fish Cakes or Sirloin and Mushroom Demi-Glace are the reasons why Home Chef is first on my list.

2. HelloFresh – America’s #1 Meal Kit

Key Features

• Easy to cook meal kits that take 15-45 minutes to prepare

• Access to 2,500+ delicious dinner recipes in the Cookbook section

• Pre-measured ingredients to avoid waste

• Current deal: 18 free meals + first box ships free + 3 surprise gifts
  

I’m sure Pasadenans will appreciate HelloFresh’s approach to food and recycling. It also has one of the biggest menu selections on my list. Plus, it has many family-friendly options.

You’ll discover a rich menu with 60+ fresh recipes weekly. Meals are designed by professional chefs and nutritionists. Plus, while working on our detailed HelloFresh review, my colleague learned that everything is well-timed and the recipes are easy to prepare – even by an absolute beginner.

HelloFresh features six plans – Meat & Veggies, Veggies, Family Friendly, Calorie Smart, Quick and Easy, and Pescatarian – but you can easily mix and match by selecting several plans at once.

3. Green Chef – Organic Ingredients & Tasty Foods

Key Features

• Most ingredients are certified organic, sourced from the best suppliers

• Many ingredients are pre-prepped to reduce the time you spend in the kitchen

• You learn to cook restaurant-quality meals

• Current deal: Get $250 off + free shipping
  

Pasadena’s culinary landscape is sprinkled with restaurants that offer vegan and vegetarian dishes, but the costs can get pretty high. So if you want to start a plant-based diet or you avoid animal products, you need a meal kit delivery service like Green Chef.

The menu at Green Chef is divided in three categories: Balanced Living, Keto + Paleo, and Plant-Powered. The offer is diverse for each of these categories, but I like that the vegetarian menu is well-stocked with at least nine new recipes per week.

Plus, according to my colleague’s Green Chef review, the meals are tasty and easy to put together. And, while you may feel a bit put off by the higher starting price of $9.99, Green Chef is worth a try!

4. EveryPlate – Great Choice for a Budget Meal Kit

Key Features

• All recipes can be prepared in six simple steps

• Allergen information is easily available on the site and in your box

• The weekly menu contains 16 different recipes

EveryPlate is a meal kit delivery service focused on keeping prices low while also offering nutritional meals. So if you feel that Pasadena’s restaurants are a bit too pricey and you don’t want to eat junk food (the go-to budget alternative), EveryPlate’s a great option.

While working on this EveryPlate review, my colleague learned that EveryPlate has a dedicated plan for families, making this a great meal kit for kids.

There are four main plans to choose from: ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, FamilyPlate, and EasyPlate You can order three to five meals for two or four people.

5. Blue Apron – Delicious, Restaurant-Worthy Recipes In Your Pasadena Home

Key Features

• Detailed, step-by-step instructions for each recipe

• Access to a well-stocked wine menu (separated from the meal kit plan)

• Blue Apron Market, where you can buy kitchen tools, pantry items, and more

Blue Apron’s meal kits take, on average, 30 to 40 minutes to prepare. The ingredients are fresh, high-quality, and come from local farmers who practice sustainable agriculture.

The four flexible plans – Signature, Vegetarian, Wellness, and Signature for Four – can accommodate couples and small families. This is ideal for Pasadena’s social landscape of young professionals and students.

However, if you check our well-detailed Blue Apron review, you’ll notice vegetarians don’t have many options – only about four per week. Still, if you’re not strictly on a plant-based diet, you can enjoy recipes like Roasted Sweet Potato Quesadillas or Creamy Pesto Chicken and Orzo.

6. Purple Carrot – Perfect for Health-conscious Pasadenans

Key Features

• The offer includes meal kits and prepared meals

• You can add snacks with products from the Plantry section such as Fried Green Tomatoes

• Plant-based recipes that promote a healthy lifestyle and help with weight loss

You don’t have to be a devout vegetarian or vegan to want to switch to plant-based recipes from time to time. Luckily, Purple Carrot offers a flexible and affordable subscription with an interesting menu with 100% plant-based recipes. 

Find out more in this in-depth Purple Carrot review, but I can tell you right now that I love the diversity of the recipes. I love the Scallion Noodles (for dinner) and the Strawberry and Cream Cheese Toasts (for breakfast)!

The menu is rather short in options since it only features 12+ meal kits for all its breakfast, lunch, and dinner options and about the same number of prepared meals. However, you won’t get bored due to a combination of exotic tastes and textures.

7. Sunbasket – Delicious, Chef-designed, Recipes for Every Lifestyle

Key Features

• Easy to mix and match recipes, regardless of your favorite plan

• A selection of curated add-ons, like healthy snacks and proteins

• Organic fresh produce and clean ingredients

Sunbasket may as well have the most diverse and rich menu from all the vendors on my list! Its offer can cater to various diets with plans including (Paleo, Carb-conscious, Mediterranean, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, and Diabetes-friendly). Also, there are options like Chef’s Choice, Fresh & Ready for those who want prepared meals, and Lean & Clean for low-calorie meal kits.

Sunbasket offers both meal kits and prepared meals and everything is prepared with high-quality ingredients and organic produce. If it seems a bit too good to be true, please check my colleague’s in-depth Sunbasket review and learn more about it.

Speaking of the menu, you’ll find recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a few festive options for the holidays. And, considering it costs $4.27 per serving, I say it’s worth it!

8. Marley Spoon – Try Martha Stewart’s Recipes in Your Own Home

Key Features

• Smart, 6-step recipes that only take about 30 minutes to prepare

• 40 new recipes every week

Have you ever tried to cook a seared steak from scratch at home? I have. And that’s how I know it can be quite a gamble. Also, that’s why I love Marley Spoons’ Seared Steak and Garlic Butter and other similar recipes like the Rancher Shrimp.

The collaboration with Martha Stewart is one of the reasons all Marley Spoon recipes taste so good. Each meal kit is delivered with the right quantity of fresh ingredients and Martha’s favorite spice blends to create interesting and enticing flavors! My colleague’s Marley Spoon review goes more in-depth, so make sure to check it out.

I also like the diversified menu with 40+ recipes weekly and the different categories you can choose from: Health & Diet, Vegetarian & Vegan, Meat & Fish, Under 30 Minutes, and Family-Friendly.

9. Grubhub – Best Food Delivery Service in Pasadena

Key Features

• User-friendly online platform and mobile app

• Easy access to your favorite restaurants

• Fast delivery

Grubhub is a food delivery service that brings you dishes that are ready to eat upon arrival. Plus, the service works with local restaurants, diners, fast-foods, and coffee shops so you can order anything your heart craves.

Grubhub also tells you the ETA, so you’ll know just how long you have to wait before food reaches your door. The delivery costs differ depending on your order and the distance from the restaurant to your home.

In Pasadena, you can find a wide range of vendors on Grubhub, among which you’ll find big names like McDonald’s, Russell’s, Subway, or Chick-fil-A. You can also order wine and delicious sweets using this platform, so make sure to browse the entire list of vendors!

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in Pasadena

The Crown City has a large offering of health food stores, family-run restaurants, and killer Chinese spots where you can eat to your heart’s content. Now, if you want to bring the same diversity to your home cooking, I have a few tips to help you choose the best meal delivery service that will help you achieve just that.

1. Check out their supplier list: The best meal delivery services work with local suppliers who practice responsible and organic farming. These are the brands that will be able to create healthy and delicious meals!

2. Pay attention to cooking times: Whether you choose meal kits or ready-to-eat foods, you should go for a service that can fit into your timeframe. 

3. Check for special dietary needs: Most meal delivery services nowadays have a few vegetarian dishes and several low-cal recipes. However, if you are on a strict diet or you need diabetes-friendly foods, you may need a service that has a dedicated plan that responds to your needs.

4. Seek a good balance: As you'll be purchasing at least a week’s worth of food, the meals must be both nutritious and tasty. Look for services that maintain a good balance of meat to veggies on their menu.
   

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

Yes! Meal delivery services offer an affordable and healthy alternative to eating out or cooking every day. Plus, whether you prefer meal kits or prepared meals, you have access to dishes prepared by well-trained chefs and cooked with the freshest ingredients.

Pasadena is a place where you can always find something interesting to do. Meal delivery services help you cut down the time spent in the kitchen so you have more time to explore. My selection of services was designed to fit a Pasadenan’s lifestyle, but if you want to know more, check our list of top services ever.

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Pasadena?

Prices can vary, but EveryPlate is easily the most affordable meal delivery service. However, this doesn’t mean the service is lacking in any way. You pay $1.49 per serving plus shipping and you receive high-quality meals prepared by well-trained chefs.

EveryPlate’s main focus is to keep costs low while providing customers with delicious and healthy meals. That’s why you won’t find any specific dietary restrictions on their menu; everything is designed to fit a general audience.

What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Pasadena?

Home Chef is a great meal delivery service for health-conscious Pasadenans. The menu includes Calorie-conscious, Carb-conscious, and Vegetarian options and you can customize the menu to fit your needs.

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Pasadena?

Green Chef’s Fast & Fit menu option seems like the best choice for people on a diet. In this category, you’ll find calorie-conscious recipes that only take 25 minutes or less to prepare. Plus, the category includes several with keto and veggie options as well.

What is the best Paleo meal delivery service in Pasadena?

Sunbasket has a dedicated menu section for people who follow the Paleo diet.  You’ll find both meal kits and prepared recipes designed to fit the nutritional needs of a healthy person. Plus, you can add proteins and snacks to your order.

Best Meal Delivery Services for Pasadena in 2023 – Final Score: