10 Best Meal Delivery Services in Madison in 2024

Choosing the best meal delivery services in Madison is a lot easier said than done. Choosing a service that guarantees quality, diversity, and value for money isn’t all that simple when there seem to be tens of options. It's like navigating a large food festival with endless vendors.

I've done the legwork this year to help save you time and find what you’re looking for. After thorough research and vetting, I've rounded up the best options. I want to help you make a more informed decision, whether you’re looking for meal kits or heat-and-eat prepared meals.

Among all the options, Factor is my top choice. It offers an elevated dining experience with a large selection of prepared meals. The menu is inspired by global cuisines – and you get lots of extras, snacks, and beverages.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Madison Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Prepared Meals for Fitness Enthusiasts

Factor is all about fresh, nutritious prepared meals that still feel satisfying. 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. 

What’s on the Menu?

Factor is best if you’re too busy to cook but want to keep track of your diet and fitness. My colleague explains that there are a variety of health-conscious plans to pick from in their tested Factor review 

Factor’s plans include Keto, Vegan & Veggie, Protein Plus, Flexitarian, and Calorie Smart. Speaking of health-focused, most of the meals you’ll find contain 600 calories or fewer. I’d also say that around 80 to 90% of the meals have the Protein Plus label for those who wish to consume more protein than average.

There is an impressive number of cuisines on offer. There’s everything from Latin American, Asian, French-inspired, Italian, Greek, and many more. Most of the meals are definitely more Americanized, but that can be expected with prepared meals. 

What Makes It Special?

Factor's single-serving, prepared meals are perfectly suited for individuals or couples seeking quality and ease in their dining experience. The format eliminates food waste and simplifies meal planning and preparation, making it a smart choice for those with busy lifestyles.

You can get a bunch of add-ons and extras with Factor. Choose items such as pancakes, egg bites, extra smoked sausages, smoothies, keto desserts, extra chicken wings, steaks, veggie sides, granola, and lots more. It’s among the most impressive selections of sides I’ve seen.

Is It Good Value?

Factor's pricing might be on the higher side when stacked against some competitors, yet it offers an opportunity to economize through bulk ordering. By choosing the largest package of 18 meals per week, the cost per meal drops to $10.49 per serving.

However, it's important to note that selecting meals labeled as Gourmet Plus will incur additional costs. With a starting point of 6 meals per week and various options up to 18, Factor provides flexibility to suit your lifestyle and schedule.

2. Green Chef – Best Organic Meals

Green Chef’s meal kits are some of the quickest, with an average prep time of 30 minutes. A few options each week may require up to 40 minutes, which remains manageable for busy individuals looking to streamline meal times without compromising on quality or variety.

What’s on the Menu?

Green Chef offers a variety of mix-and-match meal plans. These include Protein Packed, Keto, Plant Based, Mediterranean, Calorie Smart, Quick & Easy, Gut & Brain Health, and a specialized Gluten Free option.

The service focuses on nutritious ingredients, incorporating plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The ingredients are free of GMO’s, pesticides, and antibiotics, and all proteins are raised with high animal welfare standards.

In terms of cuisine, Green Chef offers a gourmet experience with a diverse range of international dishes. Expect Italian, Asian-inspired, Mexican, French, and more. Roughly a third of the menu comprises classic American recipes, like Cheesy Artichoke Chicken Sandwiches, and some international flavors that have been given an Americanized twist, like the BBQ Sweet Potato Tacos.

What Makes It Special?

The service also offers a broad selection of add-ons and extras. You’ll find breakfast items like egg bites and pancakes, lunches such as salads and wraps, keto-friendly cookies for dessert, and an array of protein add-ons featuring shrimp, salmon, chicken, beef, and various ground meats.

Green Chef also sets itself apart with a strong commitment to sustainability. The packaging is designed with a minimal carbon footprint in mind, and the meals incorporate high-quality, USDA-certified organic ingredients.

Is It Good Value?

It's worth noting that Green Chef doesn't provide ready-made meals. If you prefer heat-and-eat meals, consider exploring services like Factor. However, cooking with Green Chef is straightforward thanks to vivid recipe cards and clear instructions. My colleague’s tested review explores this further.

The smallest order from Green Chef is 3 meals for 2 people per week, with the possibility of ordering up to 4 meals for 6 people. With the biggest order, you can save roughly $1.50 per serving, resulting in a cost of $9.99 per serving.

3. Blue Apron – Best For Health-Conscious Meal Kits

Blue Apron is perfect if you want tasty, restaurant-style meals in the comfort of your own home. The recipes are gourmet, yet also don’t take too much time to prepare. You can serve most meal kits in 30 or 40 minutes, while prepared meals require only quick heating. Find out more about Blue Apron’s many options in our tried-and-tested review.

What’s on the Menu?

In terms of actual cuisines, there are plenty to choose from. There’s everything from Latin American, French, Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, and lots more. 

Overall, the meals are pretty simple to prepare, too. If you’re a novice cook, you’ll enjoy adding new dishes to your repertoire. Each dish comes with easy-to-follow recipe cards that come with your delivery.

I’d say that most of the meals are kid-friendly as well since they’re not overly exotic. If you get the meal kits, it’s also easy to omit certain ingredients if anyone in your household doesn’t like anything in particular.

Speaking of which, it’s easy to customize some of your meals as well. Some meals allow you to replace the protein option. For instance, the Steaks & Garlic Mashed Potatoes will let you get bistro or tenderloin steaks, depending on your preference. 

What Makes It Special?

On top of that, you get access to lots of extras among Add-Ons. Blue Apron also has a Market section where you can buy subscription-free meal kits. This is great if you want to try out some of its meals before signing up for a subscription.

Every week brings new options, too. There may be some overlap in terms of options from week to week, but for the most part, the menu will rotate. This includes the main meals, sides, snacks, and add-ons.

Is It Good Value?

Blue Apron’s minimum Meal Kits order is 2 meals of 2 servings per week, up to 5 meals of 4 servings. If you prefer Prepared & Ready recipes, you can buy 4, 6, 8, or 10 single-serving meals per plan. Note that you can add extra meals manually if you need more food. The price per portion starts at $3.74.

You can switch between meal plans from one week to the next. Or you can mix and match meal kits and freshly cooked, heat-and-eat options in the same week by placing separate orders.

4. HelloFresh – Best Family-Friendly Meals

HelloFresh stands as a budget-conscious, family-centric alternative to Green Chef. It provides an array of recipes that require around 20 minutes of preparation, catering to various dietary needs.

What’s on the Menu?

HelloFresh offers 6 specific plans. These include Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Quick & Easy, and Pescatarian. You can find detailed information on each plan in our tested HelloFresh review.

The service also accommodates specific dietary preferences such as low-carb, low-calorie, and pescatarian. However, if you have any food allergies or intolerances, HelloFresh advises thoroughly inspecting the ingredients list of each meal before placing an order.

Expect to receive easy-to-follow recipes, fresh premium ingredients, and a wide variety of cuisines. You'll find lots of traditional American recipes as well as Asian-inspired, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and more.

What Makes It Special?

The breadth of meal and add-on choices offered by HelloFresh is one of the most extensive I've seen. Extras include breakfast items like granola, desserts, salad, sides, bulk proteins, and even some ready-made meals. But this just scratches the surface; I urge you to explore the site personally for a complete overview.

With HelloFresh, you can preview up to 6 weeks of menus ahead of time. Notably, the meals typically rotate each week, a deviation from many competitors who often reuse meals from previous weeks.

Is It Good Value?

HelloFresh offers great value for families looking to simplify their meal times without breaking the bank. With a diverse range of meal plans tailored to family sizes, this service provides fresh, quality ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes that cater to both adult and kid tastes. 

Prices start at $3.32 per serving. To get this price you need to select the largest order size, which is 6 meals for 4 people. The minimum order is 2 meals for 2 people.

4. Home Chef – Best Customization Options

Home cooking can be fun and easy – which is what Home Chef’s goal is. It offers a variety of meal kits and oven-ready meals that don’t take much of your time to prepare. You can find out more about Home Chef’s offerings in our full review.

What’s on the Menu?

Home Chef has a handy <30-minute menu filtering option on the menu. This will populate the menu with the fastest options. You’ll find meals that are as fast as 15 minutes, like the Diced Chicken Gyro, or the Oven-Ready Dilly Alfredo Salmon, which takes 20 to 30 minutes in the oven.

Along with a selection of meat and fish dishes, you’ll find a good number of veggie dishes. Other dietary options include carb- and calorie-conscious, and veggie. You can also find a range of Keto-Friendly and Gluten Smart tagged recipes too. 

I do like the number of cuisine options, though. You’ll find everything from Japanese, Italian, French, Asian, classic American, Latin American, Greek, and much more. I’d say that Home Chef’s meals are a bit fancier than Blue Apron’s, but not as exotic as Green Chef’s – which happens to make it kid-friendly, too.

What Makes It Special?

With its Customize It feature, you can replace the proteins in many meals. For example, the Portobello and Pepper Sauté is usually veggie. However, it can be sent to you with filet mignon, NY strip steak, boneless skinless chicken breast, or boneless pork chops instead.

Home Chef elevates the meal kit experience by offering an extensive list of ingredients you can opt to avoid, including shellfish, pork, tree nuts, and mushrooms, among others. This customization feature ensures that your menu aligns with your dietary needs and preferences.

Is It Good Value?

You’ll also spot some extras on the menu each week. These include salad and bread bundles, desserts, protein packs, and much more. Home Chef offers up a truly impressive selection of add-ons.

6. Fresh and Easy – Best Quick Meal Kits

Fresh and Easy is a special collection of very fast meal kits found on the main Home Chef site. As a matter of fact, it’s actually a Home Chef brand. This means you get access to the entire Home Chef menu, which can be mixed and matched with Fresh and Easy. I like Fresh and Easy because the meals only take 15 to 20 minutes to make. 

What’s on the Menu?

Our reviewer rated the recipes and found it easy to make a homemade meal quickly. Choose from a range of speedy meals, including 15-Minute Meal Kits, Oven-Ready meals, and Fast & Fresh prepared meals, plus entreé salads.

All you have to do is assemble the oven-ready meals in the pan and throw them in the oven. There’s no prep involved, which is super convenient. If you’re looking for these super quick Fresh and Easy meals, look out for the Express, Fast & Fresh, or Oven-Ready labels on the Home Chef menu.

If you have a bit more time, you can also click the < 30min menu filter on the Home Chef menu to only see those options. Lots of these options only take around 15 to 20 minutes to make, like the Diced Chicken Gyro.

What Makes It Special?

Just like Home Chef, you can get a ton of add-ons and extras. These include canned coffee products like lattes, banana bread, sausage and egg croissants, garlic bread, smoothies, soups, mac and cheese, and even extra meats. There are also lots of salad options along with desserts and combo packs. 

Fresh and Easy offers recipes that can be adapted to fit different dietary needs or preferences. For example, the Jalapeño Popper Beef Sliders can be made with Impossible Burger, ground turkey, or ground beef. This option to customize ensures your meals match your dietary requirements or taste preferences, simplifying meal planning and preparation.

Is It Good Value?

The minimum order matches that of Home Chef, offering 2 meals for 2 people per week, extending up to 6 meals for 6 people. This range caters to both small and larger households, providing flexibility in meal planning.

Prices start at $7.99 per serving. This makes it an affordable option for those looking to enjoy quality meals without stretching their budget.

7. BistroMD – Best Weight Loss Plans

If you're targeting weight loss, BistroMD is a top pick. Its meals are scientifically crafted for weight reduction, and according to our reviewer, the flavor luckily isn't sacrificed for health benefits.

What’s on the Menu?

You can select from various specialized diet plans – Heart Healthy, Gluten Free, Keto Flex, Diabetic Friendly, and Vegan. Choose the plan that best aligns with your goals. Remember that these plans are exclusive and not mix-and-match like Factor's. You'll only receive meals from your chosen plan.

BistroMD's menu filtering system is also a pretty notable feature. It allows you to focus on your preferred ingredients such as beef, turkey, chicken, soups & stews, and even pasta. 

BistroMD offers a wide variety of meals, spanning breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and more. You’ll see meals such as Butternut Squash with Chicken Meatballs and Grilled Salmon with BBQ sauce for lunch/dinner. For breakfast, you could try a Cheese Omelet with Turkey Sausage. The Vegan menu brings you exciting dishes such as African Peanut Stew and Harissa Chickpea Power Bowl.

What Makes It Special?

Every day brings a new meal to the table, keeping your diet journey exciting and far from repetitive. This avoids the fatigue that can set in from consuming the typical "chicken and broccoli" constantly.

However, remember that the menu lacks extensive international dishes. While the meals aren't "boring", don't expect a surplus of adventurous Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean dishes. Most meals cater to a broader audience with a strong American influence.

Is It Good Value?

The minimum subscription allows for lunches and dinners across 5 days each week. Options extend to covering lunches and dinners for a full week or embracing the Full Program, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for either 5 or 7 days.

Prices start at $8.24 per serving, and the Full Program introduces a unique feature where you manage your dinner for 1 night each week. This flexibility encourages a balance between enjoying prepared meals and exploring personal cooking endeavors.

8. Purple Carrot – Best Vegan Meals

As a vegan-only service, Purple Carrot’s meals make it easy to stick to the vegan lifestyle, as our tested review points out. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to get more veggies on your plate, this company is your best bet.

What’s on the Menu?

The company’s menu features a combination of prepared meals and meal kits each week. Each meal is colorful, creative, and packed with good-for-you ingredients. The veggies are celebrated, and the company doesn’t rely on “fake” meats like Beyond products or meat analogs. 

Every dish is inspired by international recipes. For example, the Chickpea Massaman Curry is a Middle Eastern classic and only takes 30 minutes to prepare. But you can definitely still find some more classic American-style foods like the Creamy Mac and Cheese pictured above. 

I also like that there are some breakfast, lunch, and snack items on the menu, too. It’s a great way to learn new plant-based recipes which you can cook again later on. 

What Makes It Special?

Aside from that, there are plenty of add-ons as well. For instance, you can get salad dressings, vegan cheeses, egg scrambles, soft baked cookies, chocolate, oatmeal, and plenty more. 

Purple Carrot's recipe booklet is included in every delivery. This is filled with each week’s recipes and makes a useful addition alongside your cooking books. It helps you to explore a variety of vegan meals and add more plant-based dishes to your diet.

Is It Good Value?

Purple Carrot has 2 separate minimum orders – for meal kits and for prepared meals. If you go with the meal kits, you need to order at least 3 2-serving meals per week. But you can mix and match a combination of each meal type in your account.

9. Marley Spoon – Best Variety of Meals

Marley Spoon is great for those looking for delicious, family-friendly meals that are easy to get on the table. Most meals take less than 30 minutes, which is pretty impressive. On top of that, it has among the largest menus I’ve ever seen.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu offers a variety of meat and seafood dishes sprinkled with vegetarian, vegan, and low-carb options. There’s something for everyone, which our Marley Spoon review discusses in greater detail.

There’s also an impressive number of cuisines to tempt you each week. Choose from Italian, French, Asian, Greek, Mediterranean, Latin American, Middle Eastern, Indian, and of course, Classic American.

Marley Spoon stands out for its extensive selection of kid-friendly dishes, making it a favorite among families looking to please younger palates. The menu is thoughtfully curated to include recipes that are not only nutritious but also appealing to children, featuring familiar favorites with a healthy twist such as the Reuben-Style Schnitzel and the Pan-Roasted Chicken & French Fries.

What Makes It Special?

Marley Spoon’s main focus is its large menu of meals, but there’s a handful of add-ons as well. You can find things like muffins, cookies, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, roasted veggie pinwheels, pasta salads, cupcakes, smoothies, brownies, and more. 

I love that this service is also committed to environmental friendliness. The company is both carbon-neutral and sustainable and is involved with a number of green projects around the world. There’s also a focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients.

Is It Good Value?

I also like the inclusion of a handful of prepared meals per week, like the Ready Made! Chicken Rigatoni Alfredo. It’s definitely not the largest selection of prepared meals, though – so check out Factor instead if you specifically want prepared meals.

10. Dinnerly – Best for Sheer Affordability

Dinnerly sets the bar for affordable meal delivery services, as detailed in our expert-tested Dinnerly review. It offers unmatched value, charging nearly 50% less than its closest competitor HelloFresh.

What’s on the Menu?

Despite its cost-effectiveness, Dinnerly does not compromise on quality. Keep in mind, though, that the choices of ready-made meals are limited, usually around 3 to 4 per week. If you're seeking a broader array of pre-cooked meals, Factor is a worthy alternative.

What Dinnerly does boast is a diverse array of simple meal kits without any frills. Still, you can anticipate a variety of globally-inspired dishes, including Italian, French, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and others. The recipes are simplified, making them great for families and children.

For those seeking speed, there are many options ready in 30 minutes or less. Consider the Spring Tortelloni & Squash Salad, ready in no more than 20 minutes. Another quick option is the Easy Clean Up! Sheet pan Shrimp Fajitas, ready in 30 minutes. This service has an ample selection of such quick-prep meal kits.

What Makes It Special?

Each dish has a difficulty level clearly stated on the official website. The meals mentioned above fall under the Easy category, as do most Dinnerly meals. However, the difficulty levels span from Easy to Hard.

Dinnerly stands out for its straightforward subscription management. You can quickly adjust meal choices, skip weeks, or pause your subscription with ease. This flexibility and simplicity make it an attractive option for anyone looking for hassle-free meal delivery service management.

Is It Good Value?

Bear in mind that Dinnerly is light on add-ons and extras, aligning with its budget-friendly approach. If you fancy a variety of add-ons, consider exploring Home Chef.

The smallest order you can place with Dinnerly is 2 meals for 2 people per week, scaling up to 6 meals for 4 people. Dinnerly's unbeatable pricing can be further reduced by opting for the largest order size, costing you only $2.12 per serving.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service in Madison

To choose the best meal delivery service for your needs, consider the criteria I used when compiling this list:

• Prep and cooking times: If time is of the essence – why not look at trialing some speedy prepared meals? Factor dishes take just minutes in the microwave. 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 like Green Chef 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. Home Chef has some of the best personalization tools. 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! HelloFresh offers delivery up to 7 days a week, depending on your location.

FAQ

What is the cheapest meal delivery service in Madison?

Dinnerly is the most affordable meal delivery service in Madison. To maintain its price of $2.12 per serving, Dinnerly offers simple, crowd-pleasing meals that don’t cater to specific dietary needs and aren’t too exotic or fancy.

What is the healthiest prepared meal delivery service in Madison?

I recommend going with a service that takes pride in its ingredient quality. For instance, Green Chef offers a number of organic ingredients and easy-to-prepare meal kits. Plus, there aren’t very many items that contain high levels of fat, sodium, or sugar.

Can I lose weight while using a meal delivery service?

Best Meal Delivery Services in Madison in 2024 — Final Score