10 Best Meal Delivery Services in DC 2023: Tried & Tested

Sometimes meal planning can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re someone who tries to live a balanced lifestyle but works long hours. That’s where meal delivery services can help – they take all the hard work out of planning and cooking, and the food comes to you.

To make finding the right service even easier, I’ve road-tested all the options DC has to offer. Now you can spend your free time kicking back or enjoying the latest Smithsonian exhibit, not planning next week’s dinner menu!

Home Chef takes the top spot on my list thanks to its wide-ranging menu and customization options – and I’ll talk about why – but each of these services brings something different to the table. Whether you’re vegan, on a strict paleo diet, or just want something easy and nutritious, I’ve found a meal delivery service for you.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in DC Reviewed

1. Home Chef – Best Customizable Meal Kits in DC

Key Features

• Broad selection of prepared meals and meal kits

• 30 recipes and 18 extras to choose from each week

• Dietary options include carb- and calorie-conscious

• Current deal: 75% Off Your 1st Box + 60% Off Your 2nd and 3rd Boxes!

The top spot on my list goes to Home Chef for its highly customizable menu and variety of meal types. After cooking several Home Chef meal kits, our reviewer declared it  “one of the most versatile meal delivery services out there.” Whatever your tastes, Home Chef gives you the power to choose your own culinary destiny!

For example, take the Shrimp Taco Salad Bowl (pictured). You can swap out the shrimp for chicken or ground beef or double-up on the shrimp. It’s really up to you. You’ll find options like this for almost every recipe on Home Chef’s weekly menu.

Home Chef also provides multiple recipe types to suit your schedule. The 15-Minute Meal Kits and Fast & Fresh Oven-Ready meals, for example, are quick and easy solutions for weeknight dinners. On the other end of the spectrum is the Culinary Collection, featuring premium ingredients and more elaborate cooking techniques.

2. Blue Apron – Best Meal Kits For DC’s Foodies

Key Features

• Great choice for wine lovers, thanks to the Wine Club add-on

• 19+ recipes to choose from each week plus Add-Ons and Market items

• Dietary options include a WW-approved Wellness plan, and more

• Current deal: Enjoy $130 off across your first 6 orders

Blue Apron incorporates a ton of different cuisines into its recipes. Whether it’s the light and refreshing flavors of Greek Farro Salad (pictured) or something hearty like the Spring Pea and Pancetta Pasta, there’s always something new to try.

Not much of a cook? Not a problem! Blue Apron’s recipes are some of the most comprehensive in the game, with detailed step-by-step instructions and videos to help you master all of the techniques you may encounter.

For even easier dinners, try a dish from the Heat & Eat range. Our reviewer said “I love having the option to include one or two of these convenient meals for particularly busy weeks.”.

Diabetes-friendly entrees are good for people watching their blood sugar, while Blue Apron WW entrees let you track SmartPoints on your WW Plan. And Blue Apron even offers wine delivery!

3. Green Chef – Best Organic Meal Kits in DC

Key Features

• The first USDA-certified organic meal delivery service

• 30 recipes per week

• Dietary plans include Keto + Paleo, Plant-Powered, and Fast & Fit

• Current deal: Get $250 Off + Free Shipping

Green Chef was the first USDA-certified organic meal kit delivery service on the market, making it a great choice for DC locals who value high-quality, sustainable ingredients.

This quality comes at a premium cost, but you get what you pay for. After trying several Green Chef entrees at home, I can state without hesitation that they were “the best meals I’ve ever had from a meal delivery service.” .

Green Chef’s prepared ingredients – including ready-to-use sauces and seasonings – make cooking healthy, sophisticated meals easier than you might expect. The Boom Boom Shrimp and Bacon Bowls pictured above takes just 30 minutes, while Fast & Fit meals are ready in 25 minutes or less.

Green Chef’s Keto + Paleo menu is particularly strong, and its plant-forward recipes are great for both vegetarians and vegans. But whatever meal plan you choose, you can order any entree on the menu.

4. HelloFresh – Best Meal Kits For DC Families

Key Features

• Colorful, crowd-pleasing dishes to suit all tastes

• More than 30 recipes each week

• Plans include Veggie, Pescatarian, Fit & Wholesome, and more

• Current deal: Get 25 free meals + free shipping + 3 surprise gifts

HelloFresh is one of the most well-loved meal kit delivery services across the US, and it’s no secret why. This juggernaut delivers exciting yet accessible meals for families of all shapes and sizes.

Picky eaters in the household? Try the Family Friendly plan for crowd-pleasing, home-style dishes. There are Pescatarian and Veggie plans, plus a number of vegan recipes on the menu. HelloFresh’s à la carte Market lets you add snacks, sides, breakfasts, groceries, and more.  After trying the service, our reviewer declared  “HelloFresh’s recipes were foolproof.”

HelloFresh has also amped up its customizability. With HelloCustom, you now have the option to swap out sides and proteins on more than 12 dishes each week. This popular meal kit service is now easier to love than ever before.

5. Purple Carrot – Best Plant-Based Meal Kits in DC

Key Features

• Plant-based meal kits and prepared meals

• 20 entrees each week, plus breakfast and lunch options

• Dietary options include high-protein, gluten-free, and more

• Current deal: Get $30 Off with code carrot30

There are so many meat substitutes out there, many of which are heavily processed. Instead of soy burgers and fake chicken, Purple Carrot celebrates vegetables for their flavor and health benefits, with meals like the West African Peanut Stew pictured above that you might find in a trendy vegan restaurant.

Not vegan? No problem! Our non-vegetarian reviewer tried Purple Carrot at home and declared it “guaranteed to please even the fussiest of omnivores.”. Whether you’re vegan, veggie, or just want to incorporate more plant-based meals into your week, Purple Carrot is a gem.

In fact, Purple Carrot is a one-stop shop for all your plant-based food needs. You’ll also find breakfasts (like Loaded Avocado Toast) and fresh lunch options (like Mango Poke Bowls) in addition to its dinners. There’s even a Plantry with snacks and ingredients.

6. Marley Spoon – Sustainable Meal Kits in DC

Key Features

• Recipes approved by Martha Stewart herself

• Select from 45+ choices per week

• Dietary options include vegetarian, vegan, low-calorie, and more

• Current deal: Get $190 off Your First 4 Boxes!

Martha Stewart’s connection to this service may or may not be a big draw for you, but make no mistake – you’ll be able to taste her expert touch with these gourmet meals. The combination of advanced cooking techniques, signature spice blends, and high-quality ingredients make for an unparalleled home-dining experience.

Along with meals like the Spice-Crusted Steak pictured above, Marley Spoon offers a great selection of family-friendly meals. In their expert review, my colleague declared Marley Spoon  “one of the best all-around meal delivery services out there right now”. There’s something for everybody on Marley Spoon’s menu!

One of the biggest hurdles for many meal delivery services is managing its carbon footprint. While most services promise eco-friendly packaging and recyclable materials, Marley Spoon is ahead of the pack as the first carbon-neutral meal kit delivery service.

7. Factor – DC’s Best Prepared Keto Meals

Key Features

• High-quality ingredients in every dish

• 34 prepared meals each week

• Dietary options include keto, low-calorie, plant-based, and more

• Current deal: Up to $276 Off!

With prices starting at $6.19 per serving, Factor is one of the more expensive delivery services on this list. But Factor meals are chef-prepared with only antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins and non-GMO ingredients combined in utterly delicious combinations.

Choose from a wide selection of keto, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free meals on the Factor menu. Keto choices include tasty entrees like Peruvian Chicken with Red Pepper Cauliflower “Grits” and Broccoli (pictured).

Our expert reviewer found Factor meals to be “of high quality and really tasty”. Every subscription includes a free 20-minute consultation with an in-house dietitian who can help you achieve your goals.

All you need is a microwave and in three minutes you can enjoy a healthy meal. Factor also offers add-ons like protein packs, smoothies, soups, and wellness shots.

8. Fresh and Easy – Fast, Easy-to-Prepare, High-Quality Meals

Key Features

• You can use the “Customize It” option

• 14+ unique recipes per week

• Dietary options: calorie-conscious, and carb-conscious

• Current deal: Get 16 Free Meals!

Fresh and Easy is a Home Chef brand that delivers the same food quality but at a faster pace. The menu includes meals that only need a few minutes in the oven, on the grill, or in the microwave, 15-minute meal kits, and salads.

My colleague summed it up in their expert review: if you sign up for Fresh and Easy,  “you’ll save loads of time and hassle!” In just a few minutes, you’ll be serving your family meals like BBQ Pulled Pork with Smoky Bacon Mac and Cheese and Creamy Poppyseed Slaw (pictured).

Also, the cleanup is a breeze since everything is prepared and pre-packaged. Plus, oven-, microwave-, and grill-ready meals come in containers and trays, so there’s no need to get any pots and pans out.

9. EveryPlate – Best Budget Meal Kits in DC

Key Features

• Affordable, home-style recipes from the minds behind HelloFresh

• 25 recipes to choose from per week

• Some vegetarian and low-calorie options available

• Current deal: $1.39/meal On Your 1st Box

Washington DC is an expensive place to live, and that includes the cost of groceries. At $1.49 per serving, EveryPlate is the cheapest meal delivery service on our list. So how do they keep the prices so low?

The company keeps its prices down by simplifying its packaging, streamlining the delivery process, and relying on simple ingredients. But its meals are tasty, filling, and family-friendly. As our reviewer put it after sampling its recipes, “it’s exceedingly easy to love EveryPlate”.

EveryPlate won’t be a good fit if you have specialized dietary needs or allergies. But if you’re looking for hearty home-cooked meals like the Cacio el Pepe pictured above at a great price, EveryPlate may be perfect for you.

10. Grubhub – Best Food Delivery Service in DC

Key Features

• Get free delivery on all orders over $12 with Grubhub+

• Order from more than 500 local DC restaurants

• Get snacks and convenience items as well as dinner

DC’s diverse restaurant scene never fails to impress, but homebodies like me don’t always have the drive or the time to visit these eateries in person. Grubhub saves the day with its extensive network of delivery drivers.

Now, you can order delivery from all your favorite local spots and have it on your doorstep within the hour.

Getting delivery through Grubhub is as easy as downloading the app, inputting your details, and choosing from the hundreds of local restaurants currently available.

You’ll pay a delivery fee (and don’t forget to tip your driver!), but sometimes convenience is worth the cost, right?

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in DC

With so many options out there, it can be difficult to know what to look for when deciding which meal delivery service to go with for the first time. Here are my tips:

• Know your dietary needs – This is probably the most important thing to consider, particularly if you have allergies, intolerances, or are trying to stick to a specific diet. Always browse the plans and menu first.

• Work within your budget – Look out for those that offer free shipping or a reduced price per serving the more recipes you order.

• Check change and cancellation policies – The last thing you want is a box of food left on your doorstep if you’re going away for the weekend. Some services make it easier than others to skip weeks and even cancel your subscription.

• Check available delivery days – Different services offer different levels of control over when you can receive your delivery. Make sure to pick a service that works for your schedule.

Bottom Line: Why Choose a Meal Delivery Service?

Simply put, meal delivery services can make your life easier and suppertime more interesting.

Whether you need help sticking to a particular diet, are struggling to find the time to grocery shop and cook, or just want to expand your culinary knowledge, meal kits and prepared meals are on hand to help.

Plus, if you’re often throwing away out-of-date ingredients or leftovers, they could also be a great way to save money and waste, since everything is perfectly portioned to suit your needs.

While we think Home Chef’s versatility and customization features make it the best choice for most Washingtonians, our list of DC’s best meal delivery services has something for just about everybody. Whatever your dietary needs or culinary talents, there’s a meal service out there for you.

FAQ

What is the best meal delivery service in DC?

Home Chef wins the top spot on our list of the best meal delivery services in DC, simply because it does so many things well. Thanks to its wide-ranging menu and Customize It feature, Home Chef has something for almost every hungry DC resident.

What is the healthiest meal delivery service in DC?

Green Chef’s certified organic meal kits and menus for specialized diets make it our choice for DC’s healthiest meal delivery service. If you’re on a keto, paleo, or Mediterranean diet, Green Chef should be on your meal delivery service shortlist.

What is the best prepared meal delivery service in DC?

Factor’s healthy, chef-prepared meals make it DC’s best prepared meal delivery service.  Factor sends you tasty, nutritious prepared keto, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free meals that are ready after just three minutes in the microwave.