9 Best Meal Delivery Services for Pittsburgh 2024

Meal delivery services can help make life in Pittsburgh a little easier by removing the stress of meal planning and cooking from your routine.

Together with our culinary specialists and meal delivery testers, I researched all the options in Pittsburgh. I rounded everything up in this list of the best meal delivery services worthy of your attention based on menu options, prices, and culinary preferences. 

There’s a great variety with something for everyone – from vegans to meat lovers and those in between. For me, Factor is the best option on the list due to its impressive menu variety and focus on restaurant-like prepared meals. But if our tastes are different, there are many other companies on my list, so make sure to check it out.

The Best Meal Delivery Services for Pittsburgh Reviewed

1. Factor – Best for Delicious Microwave Meals in Pittsburgh

Factor is a prepared meal delivery service that takes prep and cooking off your hands. Each meal comes in single servings in microwave-safe containers. Dishes only need between 3 and 5 minutes in the microwave. Easy-peasy!

What’s on the Menu?

Most recipes follow a classic formula of lean protein, complex carbs, and fresh vegetables. However, this doesn’t mean that the menu is boring. As mentioned in our tested Factor review, many of the meals are inspired by international cuisines like Italian, Thai, Chinese, and Mexican.

The menu also includes delicious takes on American-based dishes. Recipes like Southwestern Black Bean, Corn & Quinoa, or Herb Grilled Chicken have less than 600 calories but retain the authentic American cuisine style.

Factor’s impressive add-ons menu is also worth checking out. It’s packed to the brim with convenient breakfasts, lunches, cooked protein, healthy desserts, juices, smoothies, and shakes.

What Makes It Special?

Your meals are cooked by professional chefs working with registered dietitians to create nutrient-rich and healthy recipes. Also, Factor’s menu caters to several dietary needs, such as high-protein, calorie-smart, keto, vegetarian, vegan, and flexitarian.

All the ingredients are fresh and carefully selected for maximum flavor and nutrients. Whenever possible, Factor uses organic ingredients (especially produce and eggs), and every dish is GMO-free. Poultry is antibiotic-free and raised cage-free, and all the meats are grass-fed and/or pasture-raised.

You can get a free session with a licensed dietitian. This service has a diverse team of experts, and you can connect with a specialist tailored to your unique dietary needs. If you like the support you get, you can sign up for additional sessions.

Is It Good Value?

Factor's recipes are designed with nutrition in mind, ensuring that every meal you consume is well-balanced. This is thanks to the guidance of expert nutritionists. Unlike many prepared meal delivery services, Factor prides itself on delivering fresh meals that stay fresh for up to 7 days.

Factor pricing varies by order size, with larger orders providing the best savings. For example, you can get 18 meals for $103.41 on your first order with our link.

2. Green Chef – Best for Healthy Meal Prep Kits With Unique Flavors

If you’re looking for healthy meal kits and nutrient-rich foods, Green Chef is a great option. All the recipes include lean proteins, whole grains, and veggies, so each meal is well-balanced.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu features a mixture of American and international cuisines, with options for various dietary preferences. We were impressed with how the recipes turned out when we gave Green Chef a try. There’s a well-stocked add-on menu to help fill in any gaps. Order protein packs, breakfasts, salads, and more.

Most kits on the menu are easy to make and are ready within 20 to 35 minutes. There are a few recipes that require a bit more time and recipes that’ll only take 10 minutes (look for the 10-Min Lunches tag). The prep time is clearly visible on the main menu.

Green Chef uses clear tags to help you quickly identify suitable meals. Choose Gluten-Free options if you need to avoid gluten, select Keto-tagged dishes for a keto diet, or explore Gut & Brain Health-tagged recipes for high-fiber meals.

What Makes It Special?

The company works hard to deliver organic fresh produce, eggs, and some proteins (such as beef, chicken, and wild-caught seafood). Whenever organic options aren’t available, Green Chef will still use high quality ingredients. All the animal proteins used for these meal kits are raised according to high animal welfare standards.

People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can trust Green Chef’s thorough process. The company was among the first meal delivery services to receive a certification from the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) for its Gluten-Free plan. All recipes in this plan are prepared and packed separately from the rest of the recipes to avoid cross-contamination.

Is It Good Value?

Green Chef caters to health-conscious individuals with its delicious and nutritious meals. It sources top-quality ingredients from trusted and verified providers. And many of its meals feature unique sauces and spice blends. 

At $9.99 per serving for 24 servings (4 meals for 6 people per week), I find the service a bit pricey. Still, organic ingredients are not cheap, and in this case, the price reflects the quality. But you can start with the minimum box size (3 meals for 2 people per week) or the best-value order, which is 4 meals for 4 people per week.

3. Blue Apron – Best International Recipes

Blue Apron offers a selection of around 80 different recipes each week, including a good variety for most diets. However, the menu mainly caters to an adult palate, so there aren’t too many family-friendly meals.

What’s on the Menu?

Blue Apron offers both meal kits and prepared meals. Kits take up to 45 minutes to prepare, and prepared meals take just 2 to 3 minutes in your microwave. You can see a breakdown of the full cooking or heating process in our expert-tested Blue Apron review.

It offers recipes from international cuisines like Mediterranean, Asian, and Mexican. Each week, you’ll get to try new and exciting recipes like Sweet & Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry or Cheesy Pork Chorizo Enchiladas. There are also American recipes like NY Strip Steaks or a Creamy Poblano Burger. 

Blue Apron’s Add-ons menu includes desserts, soups, salads, and a few ready-to-eat dishes updated weekly. If you prefer to cook meals by yourself, you can buy individual proteins like Cooked Pork Belly or Bistro Steaks.

What Makes It Special?

Blue Apron’s menu offers a few customization options, allowing you to upgrade/change certain ingredients. For instance, you can make a meal vegetarian or add meat to a vegetarian meal. There are also options to change the sides or proteins for specific meal kits.

Blue Apron is committed to waste reduction, which is why most of its packaging materials are recyclable and/or reusable. However, I’m not a big fan of wrapping individual ingredients in plastic film, which Blue Apron does to maintain optimal transit conditions.

The Market section is another distinguishing feature of this particular service. There, you can buy its meals without opening an account. This is perfect if you want to try them out before committing.

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron prepares tasty meals for various diets, including omnivores, vegetarians, and pescatarians. Many recipes include ingredients you might not normally try. I also like that you have recipes for every skill level, from absolute newbies in the kitchen to experienced home cooks.

At $4.00 per serving, I find the service quite affordable, especially considering the quality of the meals and ingredients. However, this price is based on Blue Apron’s maximum box size. Smaller orders cost more per serving, but it’s still affordable.

Note that you can add more meals to your order, so there’s no hard cap. To order both kits and prepared meals in the same week, you have to place separate orders. You can also switch from 1 meal type to another from week to week.

4. HelloFresh – Best Easy-To-Cook Options

Whether fussy children or picky adults, HelloFresh has something for everyone on its massive menu. And, even though it’s a meal kit service, you have plenty of options for easy-prep recipes that’ll only keep you in the kitchen for 30 to 35 minutes.

What’s on the Menu?

I was also impressed by the menu’s diversity, which lets you try dishes from international cuisines. This way, you can order Tex-Mex Turkey Stuffed Green Peppers and Spicy Tunisian Bulgur and Chicken Bowls in the same week. When the menu is this diverse, there are few limits to what you can enjoy!

We enjoyed trying out HelloFresh’s many easy-to-cook options when we reviewed the service. At least one-third of the menu is made from one-pan, easy prep, and easy cleanup meals (follow the tags to find them). This allows even busy parents to create delicious home-cooked meals that suit everyone’s tastes.

This service brings back its most beloved meals, identifiable by standout labels such as Best Recipe 2024 and Hall of Fame. Look out for Premium Picks dishes featuring high-quality ingredients and a higher price. Moreover, you can assess the complexity of each dish—categorized as Easy, Medium, or Hard—by selecting it.

What Makes It Special?

To top everything off, HelloFresh lets you customize 12+ sides and proteins each week. This way, you can decide if you want chicken or steak with your salad or if you want broccoli instead of potatoes with your Golden Chicken Schnitzel. In all fairness, the HelloCustom feature isn’t as comprehensive as Home Chef’s custom options, but it’s nice to have the option.

HelloFresh boasts an extensive on-site cookbook filled with over 2,500 recipes. This collection spans a range of global cuisines, including Thai, Mexican, and French. Also, it features a Dishes sub-section, where you can explore specific categories like Stir-Fry, Soup, and Skewer recipes.

Is It Good Value?

I like that HelloFresh has options for low-calorie, pescatarian, and other diets. It also boasts a good offer for vegetarians and vegans, with 10-, 15-, and 20-minute lunches and entrees for the entire family.

HelloFresh is a great fit for families, as you can order up to 6 meals for up to 6 people per week. Larger orders reduce the per-serving cost, so for example, a box of 6 meals for 4 people costs $107.75 for your first purchase when you use our link.

5. Home Chef – Best for Customized Meal Plans for Pittsburgher Families

It’s easy to see why Home Chef is 1 of the most popular meal delivery services. It provides great meal customization options and lets you exclude ingredients you don’t like. This Pittsburgh meal subscription service has options for busy people and those who relish time spent in the kitchen. Besides entrees, you can buy various add-ons. 

What’s on the Menu?

The variety of meal choices and prep requirements alone are outstanding. From Culinary Collection gourmet options like Baked Butter Cracker Salmon to an oven-ready Turkey Diavolo Ravioli that just needs to be heated up, there’s something to fit every schedule.

Home Chef’s meal kits include flavors from American and international cuisines. While you may not have as many gourmet options as with Blue Apron, there are 5 Culinary Collection meals each week. We also found Home Chef’s recipe cards easy to follow in our tested review.

Besides classic dishes, Home Chef’s menu includes a wide range of add-ons and extras. You can add breakfast, smoothies, snacks, desserts, soups, ready-made foods, and cooked proteins. There’s also the Bundle & Save category, which includes sets of popular extras, like salads and soups, at a better price.

What Makes It Special?

You can customize most meals by using Home Chef’s Customize It feature. This lets you swap the protein options. The Marsala Fig Pork Chop has many protein options, including Filets Mignon, USDA Choice New York Strip Steak, Sirloin Steaks, and Antibiotic-Free Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.

You can leave out up to 9 allergens due to preferences or intolerances while setting up your meal plan. These are fish, shellfish, pork, poultry, beef, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and mushrooms.

Is It Good Value?

I would’ve loved to see more diet-specific menu filters, besides vegetarian, carb-, and calorie-conscious. Each week, there are dozens of vegetarian menu items to choose from. Also, Home Chef often offers Impossible Burger as an alternative to meat-containing dishes. This means you can make some of the classic entrees vegetarian as well.

Home Chef is a great fit for large families because you can order for 6 people, up to 6 meals per person. The price per serving starts at $9.99. The minimum order is 2 meals per week for 2 people.

6. BistroMD – Best for Specific Dietary Needs

If you want to get in shape without sacrificing delicious food, BistroMD is a great option. The meals are created by a doctor and a team of dietitians and cooked by professional chefs. This way, it’s like you’re being assisted by a team of professionals on your weight loss journey. 

What’s on the Menu?

Experts tailor BistroMD's meals to meet your weight loss calorie requirements. As a result, most recipes have between 300 and 500 calories per serving. The menu is diverse, offering portion-controlled, ready-made meals from various renowned global cuisines.

BistroMD is a healthy weight loss service focused on creating a calorie deficit and the portion sizes reflect this. You get 3 meals per day plus snacks (1 snack per day for women and 2 snacks for men). The meals and snacks on women’s plans bring in 1200 calories per day, and men’s have 1400 calories per day.

BistroMD features a fixed menu with more than 150 meals. Options vary depending on the plan. For example, the Signature plan boasts over 150 meals, while the Vegan plan has about 25 recipes. Meals fall into 3 menu sections: Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner, and Snacks.

What Makes It Special?

BistroMD’s meals are perfectly portioned, so you won’t have to worry about counting calories. There are meal plans tailored for the needs of women, men, people with diabetes, heart health, menopause, gluten-sensitive people (gluten-free), keto dieters, and vegans.

The other plans are designed to fit particular diets. For instance, the Heart Healthy program follows the American Heart Association's recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat, and saturated fat. Also, gluten-free meals are tested to the FDA gluten-free standard.

Is It Good Value?

I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical about how good frozen meals could be. But in our tried-and-tested BistroMD review, we found the meals to be much better than your typical TV dinners. They're flash-frozen to lock in freshness, and they taste pretty darn good.

BistroMD is a service for individuals looking to lose weight while eating healthily. All the meals are in a single-serving format, and you can order the Full Plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or the Lunches & Dinners plan (lunch and dinners). Both are available for 5 or 7 days and include snacks that fit your dietary needs.

Prices start at $6.59 per serving on the Full Plan, which places BistroMD on the pricey side. Still, considering the amount of care put into creating healthy weight-loss meals, it makes total sense.

7. Nutrisystem – Simple and Delicious Meals for Weight Loss

Nutrisystem is a weight loss meal plan that hooks you up with yummy food and tips. It even claims that you’ll start seeing results within the first 4 weeks of eating meals on its diet plan. 

What’s on the Menu?

The menu is well-designed and includes options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks. Nutrisystem’s meals are ready-made and sized to fit your dietary and caloric needs. They're packed with lean proteins, healthy fats, and smart carbs that are balanced with veggies and dietary fiber for maximum nutrition.

Most of the cuisine is American, but you’ll find a few international influences, including Italian and Pan-Asian. Considering the size of the menu (over 100 options), it’s not easy to get bored, especially since you can add some of your own fruits and veggies. Learn more from our in-depth Nutrisystem review.

The weight-loss company delivers fresh and frozen meals. Everything is well labeled, so you won’t have any difficulty working out which meals need to be frozen.

What Makes It Special?

All the meals are designed in collaboration with registered dietitians and follow the high protein and low glycemic index formula. This means that you won't feel hungry all the time, and your blood sugar levels will stay steady.

The NuMi app sets Nutrisystem apart from other weight-loss-oriented services, like BistroMD. The app was designed so you can easily keep tabs on your food, water, and activity, making it a breeze to stay on top of your goals.

The service sends daily motivators to keep you pumped up and motivated throughout the day. You also get personalized advice based on your tracked progress, which makes it feel like you have your own diet coach guiding your steps.

Is It Good Value?

Nutrisystem is particularly well-suited for individuals and couples looking to lose weight. However, it also serves as an excellent choice for those aiming to maintain a healthy diet.

Nutrisystem’s prices start at $9.64 per day for the most affordable plan. You also have the option to add additional meals and protein shakes to your order for an additional cost.

8. Trifecta – Great for Fitness-Oriented Ready-Made Meals

Trifecta offers prepared, macro-balanced meals designed to boost your fitness journey. Each recipe is backed by food science and created with the help of a team of medical and diet specialists and nutrition-trained chefs.

What’s on the Menu?

You can choose your own meals among 4 plans: Clean, Paleo & Whole30 Approved, Keto, and Plant Based. Regardless of the diet you choose, all the recipes include carefully calculated macronutrients to help you lose weight, gain muscle, and get in shape.

Let Trifecta’s in-house dietitians and nutritionists select for you, or choose your meals if you prefer. You can decide on the size of the box and typically exclude 1 ingredient from your menu.

If you prefer to prepare your own meals, you can choose from the Meal Prep options. This selection includes 10 types of proteins, 4 varieties of vegetables, and 4 kinds of carbohydrates. Each has 4 servings, and you can mix and match them however you like.

What Makes It Special?

All the ingredients are sourced from environmentally sustainable farms and fisheries. The company also uses organic ingredients whenever possible. It’s a way to respect the health of its customers while also respecting the environment.

Trifecta isn’t Certified Organic, like Green Chef. So you can’t know for sure what percentage of your meal is organic until you read the label.

Trifecta makes it easier to stick to a diet, as we learned in our tested review. That’s because all the meals are low in calories but have a high protein content. This way, you’re getting the best quality nutrition from each delicious meal.

Is It Good Value?

Since the meals are designed with nutrition in mind, there isn’t much culinary variety. You should expect a combination of lean meats (except for Plant Based plan), in-season vegetables, and whole grains. The entire menu is free of gluten, which makes Trifecta a great option for celiacs and people with gluten sensitivities.

Pricing starts at $13.79 per serving, but this varies depending on the plan you choose and the number of meals you order. The maximum box size includes 14 entrees and 7 breakfasts, which gives you the best value. The minimum box size is just 7 entrees per week but comes with a higher per-serving cost.

9. Dinnerly – Best for Budget-Friendly Hearty Meals

If you're looking for an affordable meal delivery service, Dinnerly might just be your go-to option! The meal kits are budget-friendly but not boring. There are a number of number of customizable recipes, surpassing many of its more expensive competitors.

What’s on the Menu?

Dinnerly offers over 100 different items on its menu each week, giving you plenty of variety to choose from. However, there’s still a trade-off for these low-cost recipes. For instance, some of the dishes are pretty basic, with just a few ingredients to work with. And if you're following a specific diet like keto, you might not find many options that work for you.

The menu has enough variety to satisfy all but the pickiest of eaters. In fact, we thought Dinnerly had a better selection than many more expensive services when we reviewed it.

The massive menu includes a wide range of American dishes, but there are also more exotic recipes inspired by international cuisines. So, in the same week, you can enjoy a Thai Beef Bowl and some delicious Chicken Parm.

What Makes It Special?

Dinnerly makes other compromises to keep costs down. The recipe cards don’t feature any images, which may be difficult for beginner chefs. But I think this is a reasonable trade considering the money you can save with this service.

Dinnerly allows for the customization of sides and proteins in certain dishes, identifiable by the Customizable label on the main menu. I was surprised to find that more than half of the menu items offer this flexibility. Note that altering ingredients might incur a small surcharge.

Is It Good Value?

Dinnerly is committed to sourcing sustainable proteins and produce from trusted suppliers. This means that all the meal kits include ingredients like antibiotic-free chicken, grass-fed beef, and even some organic fruits and veggies on occasion.

There are plenty of kid-friendly options and easy-prep recipes (follow the Under 30 Minutes and One Pot Meals tags). And, if you're feeling fancy, Dinnerly offers some more expensive recipes called PremiYUM. These come with a varying per-serving upcharge.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services for Pittsburgh

• Consider your dietary needs and limitations – Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or simply trying to cut back on carbs, make sure to select a meal delivery service like Green Chef that provides options tailored to your specific dietary requirements.
  

• Look for customization options – Some meal delivery services, such as Home Chef, allow you to customize your meals to your liking, such as selecting specific proteins, veggies, or sides. This can be a great way to ensure you're getting meals you actually enjoy.

• Browse feedback and examine menus - Prior to settling on a meal delivery service, peruse reviews from other clients to get a sense of the food and service quality. It's also advisable to look at the menus to determine if they provide a range of meals that suit your preferences. Factor is the top-rated service on my list.
  

• Compare prices and delivery options – If affordability is a priority, Dinnerly ranks as the most budget-friendly option on my list. You should also verify that the chosen service can deliver to your specific zip code on a day that works for you.
  

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Pittsburgh?

Dinnerly is the most affordable meal delivery service on my list, and it doesn’t make compromises on food quality. The service features a massive menu (100+ recipes) and offers a wide range of culinary variety.  

What is the best meal delivery service in Pittsburgh for university students?

Factor is a great option for students living in dorms or apartments with minimal kitchen space. The service offers single-serving prepared meals that just need to be thrown in the microwave or oven, and they’re ready to eat.

What is the healthiest meal delivery service in Pittsburgh?

HelloFresh is a great healthy meal delivery service with calorie-smart options and lots of fresh produce. HelloFresh offers a wide selection of meals each week to help you reach your health goals.

Best Meal Delivery Services for Pittsburgh in 2024 — Final Score