9 Best Meal Delivery Services in Madison 2023 (Reviewed)
Madison is a bustling city with a rich culinary culture that manages to satisfy a wide range of tastes and lifestyles. But it’s not always feasible to dine out or order takeout – so what about those busy weeknights when you want something quick and healthy at home?
Well, that’s when you start looking for the best meal delivery services in Madison…
From those that send you ready-made meals that require a quick blast in the microwave to those that send raw ingredients and accompanying recipes straight to your door, there are plenty out there to help take meal prep off your hands.
And while Home Chef is the best in my book, I’ve tried and tested them all to bring you my top 10. Keep reading to find out more!
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Meal Delivery Services in Madison
Home Chef – Best meal kit delivery service in Madison
Sunbasket – Best for diverse gourmet meals in Madison
Purple Carrot – Best vegan-friendly meals in Madison
Fresh and Easy – Quick meal kits for busy weeknights
EveryPlate – Affordable meal kits for Madison families
The Best Meal Delivery Services in Madison Reviewed
1. Home Chef – Best Meal Kit Delivery Service in Madison
Brau Haus Burger with Beer Cheese Sauce
Key Features
Easy to customize your proteins
20+ recipes per week
Dietary options include vegetarian, and carb- and calorie-conscious
Current deal: Get 18 Free Meals (50% off your first 4 boxes)!
Home cooking can be fun and easy – that’s the message to take from Home Chef’s exciting and diverse menu.
The service features a variety of meal types to suit different schedules – from trad meal kits that take up to 45 minutes to cook to more precise 15-Minute Meal Kits, and even Oven-Ready dishes. You can find out more about these in my colleague’s in-depth review).
Along with a selection of meat and fish dishes, you’ll find flavor-filled veggie twists on some classic comfort food recipes, and you can customize the protein in almost every dish. So although the weekly menu of around 20 entrees may be smaller than some other services – the customization options are endless.
You’ll also spot some extras on the menu each week, including salad and bread bundles, desserts, protein packs, and more.
2. Sunbasket – Best For Diverse Gourmet Meals in Madison
Mediterranean Turkey Kebabs with Carrot and Squash Ribbon Salad
Key Features
Good selection of add-ons and snacks
35+ meal kits and prepared meals per week
Dietary plans include gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, paleo, and more
Current deal: No active deal
There’s no denying Madison residents are used to super-fresh, farmers’ market produce, which is why Sunbasket fits right in.
The company only uses premium, responsibly sourced ingredients that are organic where possible – and it exceeded all my expectations with its varied menu that includes both meal kits and prepared meals.
Plus, there are options for dinner, breakfast, and lunch – as well as store cupboard essentials – so you can rely on it as a bit of a one-stop shop, as my colleague found when reviewing Sunbasket.
It also caters to a wide range of dietary needs, with 10 dedicated plans that you can mix and match. Plus, there’s a good number of plant-based options.
In terms of culinary diversity, Sunbasket brings together everything from Asian recipes to Jamaican dishes, Mediterranean ingredients, and more. In fact, I got to enjoy a host of new cuisines in the comfort of my own home. This is one you’ll definitely never get bored of!
3. Purple Carrot – Best Vegan-Friendly Meals in Madison
Creamy Mac n' Cheese with Cauliflower Cream Sauce and Truffled Mushrooms
Key Features
Great for flexitarians, as well as vegans
20 meal kits and prepared meals per week
Dietary options include high-protein, gluten-free, and more
Current deal: Get $30 off with code carrot30
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to get more veggies on your plate, a service like Purple Carrot is a perfect way to eat more plant-based meals without the worry of planning or prep.
The company’s menu features around 20 plant-based dishes each week (both meal kits and prepared meals), all of which are colorful, creative, and packed with good-for-you ingredients.
As my colleague talks about in this in-depth review, the service is on the slightly more expensive side (from $8.50 per serving). But if you want high-quality ingredients, including organic beans, tofu, and dairy alternatives, the higher price point is worth it. Plus shipping is always free!
I like that there are some breakfast, lunch, and snack items on the menu, too. It’s also a great way to learn new plant-based recipes which you can cook again later on.
4. Fresh and Easy – Quick Meal Kits For Busy Weeknights
Creamy Truffle Steak Penne
Key Features
Ingredients come prepped, portioned and ready to cook
10+ easy prep meals per week
Dietary options include calorie- and carb-conscious meals
I like Fresh and Easy because not only is it great for beginner cooks, but it makes it incredibly easy to have a homemade meal when time is of the essence. Choose from a range of speedy meals, including 15-Minute Meal Kits, Oven-Ready meals, and Fast & Fresh prepared meals.
I’m a big fan of the oven-ready meals – all you have to do is assemble the ingredients in the pan provided and throw it in the oven. My colleague tried and tested this service, see how they got on in their Fresh and Easy review.
Since Fresh and Easy is part of Home Chef, expect the same level of quality and variation when it comes to the ingredients and types of recipes on the menu each week.
5. EveryPlate – Affordable Meal Kits For Madison Families
Sweet Chili Chicken
Key Features
All meals are ready in six steps or less
17+ recipes per week
Good selection of veggie meals
One reason why I like Madison’s culinary scene is its inclusiveness – anyone can pretty much find something to fit their taste and budget. And the same rings true for the city’s meal delivery services, with companies like EveryPlate focusing on affordable meals that don’t skimp on quality.
As my colleague reveals, however, EveryPlate is for non-picky eaters. While the company does offer four meal plans, including FamilyPlate and EasyPlate, the VeggiePlate plan is your only dietary option.
Still, for as little as $1.49 per serving, EveryPlate’s crowd-pleasing menu is both diverse and nutritious, with around 17 recipes to choose from each week. You’ll find everything from hearty stews and pasta dishes to soup, sandwiches, and more.
6. Blue Apron – Best For Health-Conscious Meal Kits
Sesame-Sambal Turkey Lettuce Cups
Key Features
Easy-to-follow recipes
19+ meal kits and prepared meals per week
Dietary options include the WW-approved Wellness Plan
Blue Apron is popular because it appeals to a wide variety of diners – from those who want to recreate tasty, restaurant-style food in the comfort of their own home to those who are looking for low-calorie meals to help them stick to a diet plan.
If you’re someone who needs a health and fitness kick, the company’s diabetes-friendly Wellness plan includes WW-approved recipes that come in at 600 calories or less per serving. Find out more about these in my colleague’s review.
The recipes are reasonably priced at $5.74 per serving, and they’re so simple to follow that even the most novice cooks will enjoy adding new dishes to their repertoire – because eating well doesn’t mean you need not eat amazing food!
You can also add wine pairings to your meals with the optional Wine Club add-on. The bottles are perfectly sized for two and include tasting tips, and more.
7. Factor – Best For Healthy Lifestyles & Hectic Schedules
Pork Tenderloin & Cheesy Cabbage
Key Features
Fresh, dietitian-designed meals to your door
27+ dishes per week
Dietary options include keto, vegan, low-calorie, and more
Factor is all about fresh, nutritious meals that still feel satisfying, which is why the company works with registered dietitians and professional chefs to create every meal. You can even start by speaking to a resident nutrition coach to discuss your health goals.
The convenience of chef-prepared meals does make Factor a little more expensive than some of the other services on this list ($6.19 per serving) – but expect to taste the quality in every meal!
As my colleague explains in this detailed review, Factor is great for busy individuals who don’t have time to cook but want to keep track of their diet and fitness.
There are four plans to choose from, including Keto, Vegan & Veggie, and Calorie Smart. Simply pick the one that works for you.
8. Marley Spoon – Kid-Friendly Meal Kits in Madison
Oven-Fried Berbere Chicken
Key Features
All dishes approved by Martha Stewart
40+ recipes per week
Dietary options include vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, dairy-free, and more
If you’re looking for delicious, family-friendly meals that are easy to get on the table in less than 30 minutes, Marley Spoon has the answers!
The menu offers a variety of meat and seafood dishes sprinkled with vegetarian, vegan, and low-carb options – so there’s something for everyone.
As well as being a great all-rounder, Marley Spoon is also committed to carbon neutrality, sustainability, and is involved with a number of green projects around the world. There’s also a focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients. As if I needed more reasons to love it!
9. Snap Kitchen – Best For Fitness-Focused Meals in Madison
Herb Crusted Salmon with Roasted Broccoli & Feta
Key Features
Perfectly portioned gluten-free meals
35 dishes per week
Dietary options include high-protein, paleo, Whole30, and more
Snap Kitchen takes the hard work out of eating well with its prepared, balanced meals.
Even ordering is easy – the user-friendly menu filters allow you to choose meals according to the number of calories, or carb and protein content, so your weekly box is strictly built around your nutritional needs.
Most of the dishes come in at less than 600 calories per serving (with many under 500), but the menu is diverse, with a good mix of meat and fish dishes. My colleague reveals more about some of the tastiest meals in this review.
The plans are relatively limited – choose from either six or 12 meals per week only. It’s also one of the pricier services on this list, but if you want fresh, ready-to-eat, nutritionally dense meals delivered to your door, it may well be worth the cost.
Top Plans | |||||||||
Top Plans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Our Rating | |||||||||
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| Starting Price | |||||||||
| Starting Price | $7.99 Per Serving | $4.27 Per Serving | $8.50 Per Serving | $7.99 Per Serving | $1.49 Per Serving | $5.74 Per Serving | $6.19 Per Serving | $2.99 Per Serving | $9.66 Per Serving |
| Minimum Order | |||||||||
| Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meal kits for 2 people/4 prepared meals | 3 meal kits for 2 people/6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 6 prepared meals |
| Meal Types | |||||||||
| Meal Types | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready, prepared | Fresh & Ready meals, 30-Min Meal Kits | Meal kits, prepared meals | Oven- & grill-ready, kits, prepared | 30-minute meal kits | 20 - 60 min. meal kits | Prepared meals | 30 min. meal kits | Prepared meals |
| Prep Time | |||||||||
| Prep Time | 5-50 min | 3-40 min | 3-40 min | 15-30 min | 20-45 min | 5-45 min | 2-3 min | 20-40 min | 1-2 min |
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Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service in Madison
Now that you have so many options, how do you go about choosing the best meal delivery service for your needs? To help you out, I’ve listed some of the criteria I used when compiling this list:
Prep and cooking times: If time is of the essence – why not look at trialling some prepared meals? If you like to spend more time in the kitchen as a way to relax after work or school, meal kits are a great way to cook without the time and effort of grocery shopping.
Specific dietary needs: Unless you’re the kind of person who is happy to eat pretty much anything, look for a service that can support several kinds of dietary needs. This is particularly important if you’re in a couple or family and you all have different preferences.
Customization options: If you’re able to adjust each dish or order to your liking, you’ll likely never get bored. If customization isn’t an option, make sure the menu is varied enough for you.
Flexible delivery: Choose a service that fits your schedule. While most services will keep your food well insulated, you don’t want it sitting on your doorstep for too long!
Bottom Line: Are the Meal Delivery Services in Madison Worth It?
Definitely, yes! Life can be crazy enough as it is, without having to worry about planning healthy meals, sourcing ingredients, and spending hours in the kitchen.
If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle without eating out all the time, meal delivery services are your best bet. For me Home Chef takes the crown because it offers a huge number of customization options, but there are plenty of services on this list which cater to different tastes.
And if you don’t like these, there are even more companies to explore, as revealed in our list of the best meal delivery services for 2022.
FAQ
What is the cheapest meal delivery service in Madison?
EveryPlate is the most affordable meal delivery service in Madison. To maintain its price of $1.49 per serving, EveryPlate offers simple, crowd-pleasing meals that don’t cater to specific dietary needs.
That said, the ingredients used are fresh and of high-quality – there are just fewer options.
What is the healthiest prepared meal delivery service in Madison?
‘Healthy’ differs according to your preferences, activity levels, and overall dietary needs. Generally, however, Purple Carrot’s plant-based meals are a fantastic option for anyone looking to cut down on their meat and animal fat consumption.
Can I lose weight while using a meal delivery service?
Yes. Many meal delivery services offer low-calorie and carb-conscious meal kits and prepared dishes (Factor is a great option, in this case) that can help you lose weight or keep your weight in check. The secret is to choose a service that gives you transparent caloric content and information on the ingredients used to make the meals.
