10 Best Meal Delivery Services for Pittsburgh 2023: Reviews

Meal delivery services can help make life in Pittsburgh a little easier by removing the stress of cooking from your routine. Without them, meal planning can be overwhelming, especially when you want to make sure you’re covering all your food groups and keeping some variety in your diet.

Together with our culinary specialists, I researched all the options in Pittsburgh. I rounded everything up in this list of the 10 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 ready-made 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!

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, and vegan. 

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.

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 my colleague mentioned in their in-depth review, a large part of Factor’s meals are inspired by international cuisines like Italian, Thai, Chinese, and Mexican.

The menu also includes delicious American-based dishes, tweaked to better suit a healthy lifestyle. Recipes like Southwestern Black Bean, Corn & Quinoa, or Herb Grilled Chicken have less than 600 calories but retain the authentic American cuisine style. So you can enjoy the dishes you like without worrying about your weight too much. 

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.

Factor is a bit on the steep side with prices starting at $5.74 per serving. This price is available for the maximum order, which is 18 meals per week. The minimum order is 6 meals per week, and according to Factor, the most popular plan is 10 meals per week.

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. 

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 makes sure to source conventional ingredients of the highest quality. All the animal proteins used for these meal kits are raised following high animal welfare standards. 

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). If you’re pressed for time, it’s easy to avoid the longer recipes since you can see the prep time for each while browsing the menu.

The menu features a mixture of American and international cuisines, with options for various dietary preferences. Our reviewer was thrilled by Green Chef’s recipes available on the Delicious Discoveries plan, but also mentioned that some of the more exotic kits may not be a good fit for families. There’s also a well-stocked add-on menu to help fill in any gaps.

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.

At $5.99 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. HelloFresh – Great for a Wide Range of 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. 

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 for the picky eaters and treat yourself to a unique delicacy like the Spicy Tunisian Bulgur & Chicken Bowls. When the menu is this diverse, there are few limits to what you can enjoy!

Besides the impressive variety, our reviewer enjoyed trying out HelloFresh’s many easy-to-cook options. 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.

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 is nice to have the option.

HelloFresh also has a good offer for vegetarians and vegans, with 10-minute lunches and entrees for the entire family. On the flip side, there are no meals marked as gluten-free, soy-free, or dairy-free. So if you want to avoid these ingredients, you’ll have to do some digging through the menu. 

HelloFresh is a great fit for families as you can order up to 6 meals for 4 people per week (or 24 total servings). In this case, you’ll pay $3.32 per serving, which is quite affordable. Honestly, I found the minimum box size, which is only 4 servings, has a good price as well ($12.49 per serving).

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

It’s easy to see why Home Chef is one of the most popular meal delivery services. The variety of meal choices and prep requirements alone is incredible. 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.

You can customize most meals by using Home Chef’s Customize It feature. This lets you swap the protein options with various other items. For instance, if you order Marsala Fig Pork Chop, you can choose between Filets Mignon, USDA Choice New York Strip Steak, Sirloin Steaks, Antibiotic-Free Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, and Boneless Pork Chops.

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. Plus, our reviewer found Home Chef’s recipe cards extremely easy to follow.

I would’ve loved to see more diet-specific meals, such as Home Chef's vegetarian options. Each week, there are at least 10+ vegetarian menu items to choose from. Also, Home Chef often offers Impossible Burger as an alternative to meat-containing dishes. This means you can turn some of the classic entrees vegetarian as well.

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 and Save category, where you can pair extras and create a bundle at a better price.

Home Chef is a great fit for large families since you can order for 6 people, a maximum of 6 meals each. The great news is that you’ll pay $7.99 per serving for any box size, besides the minimum order (2 meals per week for 2 people).

5. Fresh and Easy – Best for Speedy Home-Cooked Meals

Fresh and Easy takes the work out of home-cooked meals and makes it easier to cook for the entire family. The menu includes Home Chef’s fastest meal kits, so you can trust the quality of the ingredients and the instructions available on the provided recipe cards.

Because Fresh and Easy is a Home Chef brand, it offers the same unique features. Some recipes are customizable via the Customize It feature, and you’ll have access to Home Chef’s Extras as well as the Bundle and Save section.

The core menu offers 3 types of meal kits and a few entree salads. You have 15-Minute Meal Kits, Fast & Fresh meals that only need a few minutes in the microwave or oven, and Oven- and Grill-Ready recipes that come pre-prepped and only need some assembly before cooking.

Just like Home Chef, Fresh and Easy has a few vegetarian meals on the menu. Plus, you can turn some of the meat-containing meals vegetarian by using the Impossible Meats option (if available). As my colleague points out in their in-depth Fresh and Easy review, this is one of  the simplest meal kit delivery services out there.

The recipes are quite simple, but this doesn’t mean they are boring. Even though speed is the top priority here, you still get impressive dishes like Balsamic-Glazed Chicken Cutlet or Bok Choy and Mushroom Lo Mein (ready in 10 to 15 minutes). Also, the Oven-Ready recipes come with a recyclable oven-safe tray, so you don’t have to dirty any of yours. 

Fresh and Easy practices the same pricing system and order size as Home Chef. This means you can order any box size for $7.99 per serving, besides the minimum order (2 meals for 2 people). Also, you can order between 2 and 6 meals for 2, 4, or 6 people.

6. Blue Apron – Easy-to-Follow Meal Kits

Blue Apron offers a selection of around 19 different recipes each week, including a good variety for most types of eaters. However, the menu mainly caters to an adult palate, so there aren’t too many family-friendly meals.

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. 

Since Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service, you’ll need to do some prep work and cooking. The recipe cards are pretty easy to follow, featuring step-by-step instructions with text and pictures. If you’re brand new to cooking, you can find additional instructions on the website with videos and more photos. You can see a breakdown of the full process in my colleague’s expert review.

I like that you have recipes for every skill level, from absolute newbies in the kitchen to experienced home cooks. This way, you can improve your cooking skills and learn to work with more exotic ingredients that wouldn’t be a part of your diet otherwise.

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, which makes the menu more flexible.

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. 

At $5.74 per serving, I find the service quite affordable, especially considering the quality of meals and ingredients. However, this price is based on Blue Apron’s maximum box size, which is 5 meals for 4 people each week. If you decide on the minimum box size, the price per serving will increase. It’s still affordable, though.

7. 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. 

I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical about how good frozen meals could be. But according to my colleague’s well-detailed review of the service, BistroMD meals are nothing like your typical TV dinners. The meals are flash-frozen to lock in freshness, and they actually taste pretty darn good.

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.

Some people seem to find the portion sizes a bit small, but I think they’re decent. After all, BistroMD is a healthy weight loss service focused on creating a calorie deficit. Plus, 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.

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.

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 $8.24 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.

8. 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. 

The menu is well-designed and includes options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks. 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.

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 130 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 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.

Nutrisystem’s prices start at $8.54 per day for the Essentials plan. However, you’ll need to try a larger plan like Uniquely Yours Max+ if you want access to the full menu. The Essential plan covers 5 days, and the Uniquely Yours Max+ covers 5 or 7 days of the week.

9. 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.

The menu caters to a wide range of diets, such as keto, paleo, clean eating, Whole30 Approved, and High Protein. Regardless of the diet you choose, all the recipes include carefully calculated macronutrients to help you lose weight, gain muscle, and get in shape. 

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

As our reviewer put it, Trifecta makes it easier to stick to a diet. 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 in each delicious meal. 

The meal plans feature a chef-selected menu, which means you don’t get to choose the recipes. Your weekly box is decided by Trifecta’s in-house dietitians and nutritionists based on your profile. You can decide on the size of the box and exclude 2 ingredients from your menu.

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 vegetarian and vegan plans), 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 $6.00 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.

10. Dinnerly – Best for Budget-friendly and Nutrient-rich 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 without being boring or lackluster. Despite the low pricing, 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 not a ton of ingredients to work with. And if you're following a specific diet like keto, you might not find many options that work for you.

Dinnerly makes other compromises, including removing the physical recipe cards. You’ll have to download the recipes online, but I think this is a reasonable trade considering the money you can save with this service.

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

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.

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.

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.

At $2.12 per serving, Dinnerly is a great budget-friendly option for any household. You can order for 2 and 4 people, between 2 and 6 meals per person each week.

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.

• Read reviews and check out menus – Before committing to a meal delivery service, read reviews from other customers to get an idea of the quality of the food and service. You should also check out the menus to see if they offer a variety of dishes that appeal to your tastes. Factor is the best-reviewed 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 university students living in dorms or apartments with minimal kitchen space. The service offers 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 2023 — Final Score