10 Best Meal Delivery Services in New Orleans 2023: Full List

The Big Easy is one of the best food cities in the world. From po'boys and jambalaya to beignets and chicory coffee, there’s a delicious dish for everyone to enjoy. But eating out can get expensive and finding time to cook amidst your busy New Orleans social life can be a challenge. Which is where I come in.

I’ve pored over ingredient lists, compared prices, consulted colleagues, and sampled meals to help bring you the list of the top meal delivery services that deliver to New Orleans.

While I gave Blue Apron my top spot thanks to its gourmet-oriented menu, every meal delivery service on this list has something to offer. Whether you’re a homemaker with a hungry family, a vegan looking for plant-based menus, or a Tulane student looking for healthy prepared meals, there’s a meal plan here that’s perfect for you.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in New Orleans Reviewed

1. Blue Apron – Best Jazzy Meals and Diverse Dishes in New Orleans

Blue Apron is one of the most popular meal delivery services in the United States, thanks to its diverse collection of dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. The menu includes familiar, New Orleans-inspired dishes like Cajun Chicken and Rice alongside more adventurous meals like One-Pan Udon Noodle Stir Fry.

Blue Apron is mostly known for its gourmet recipes that help you enjoy a restaurant-like dinner in the comfort of your own home. Inspired by some world cuisines such as Italian, Mediterranean, Korean, Indian, Thai, and Mexican, the Blue Apron offer is sure to impress. Our reviewer goes into more detail in their in-depth review into this service.

The menu rotates weekly, and each week there are recipes for everyone, including picky eaters, kids, vegetarians, and people on a weight loss diet (there are plenty of WW-approved recipes). Some of the meals can even be customized by upgrading the protein or by making the meal vegetarian.

Blue Apron also has quick-prep meals for busy people who don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. Look for meal kits that are low-prep and only take around 20 to 30 minutes to cook. These are easy to find while browsing the menu since the prep time is clearly displayed under each recipe. The recipe cards include easy-to-follow instructions that describe each step in great detail.

Blue Apron sources its high-quality ingredients from a network of farmers, fisheries, and ranchers to make sure your meals will have the best taste and the most nutritious value. The company works with more than 100 family-run farms that use sustainable farming practices.

To top it off, Blue Apron also offers a personalized wine delivery service, so you can enjoy 6 personalized wines every month to pair with your home-prepared Blue Apron dishes. This service is separated from the meal kits, so it’s up to you if you add it to your order or not.

Blue Apron offers 2-person and 4-person plans, with prices starting at $5.74 per serving. You can order 2, 3, or 4 meals per person each week, but you get the most bang for your buck with the 4-person plan, 4 servings per person. You also have to pay for shipping, which is a $9.99 flat fee per order.

2. Factor – Best Prepared Meals in New Orleans

Factor offers prepared meals designed to make healthy eating easy. The menu is well-stocked and varied, with options to suit several dietary preferences, such as keto, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, and high-protein. The vegan meals and most of the keto ones are also dairy-free.

Most of the meals are of American inspiration, but there are also recipes from international cuisines like Greek, Asian, France, and Mediterranean. I mean, you can enjoy Chorizo Chili Mac (a favorite amongst kids), Indian Butter Chicken, and Grilled Steakhouse Filet Mignon at home without any effort on your part. Our reviewer found the meals to be high quality and great tasting.

Factor's recipes follow the classic formula of protein, veggies, and starchy sides and only need 5 minutes in the microwave before you can enjoy a restaurant-worthy meal. And, if you’re watching your weight, you should know these meals range from 350 to 900 calories, with an average of 600 calories per meal.

All the ingredients used to cook the meals are antibiotic- and hormone-free. Factor only works with a network of trustworthy suppliers who employ sustainable practices. The same is true for the items available in the add-ons section, where you can find cooked protein, smoothies, juices, breakfast options, and healthy desserts.

Since these are ready-made meals, there are no customization options. However, the variety of options and Factor’s tags (Calorie Smart, Protein Plus, Keto, Vegan, and Vegetarian) make it easy to find the right food for your needs. Factor subscribers also get a free 20-minute consultation with an in-house dietitian who can help with your diet goals.

With prices starting at $6.19 per serving, Factor is a bit pricey. But, I do like the single-serving, ready-made meals and the fact that you can order 6 and 18 meals per week. Most customers prefer the 10-meal box size since the price per serving is still affordable, and you have enough meals to take you through the week.

3. Green Chef – Best Organic Meal Kits for Healthy Lifestyles

Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic meal delivery service, which makes it the perfect choice for health-conscious individuals and families. Its meals are designed to provide nutritionally dense ingredients and are varied enough to satisfy adults, children, and even picky eaters.

There are 7 meal plans – Mediterranean, Fast & Fit, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Keto, Vegetarian, and Protein-Packed, but you can still mix and match when placing your order. If you’re not on a strict diet, this feature makes the service more flexible.

Meal prep ranges from 20-40 minutes (there are a few 10-minute lunches), but most Green Chef meals take 30 minutes or less. This is possible due to Green Chef’s prepared ingredients – including chopped organic veggies and ready-to-use sauces and seasonings, which make cooking healthy, sophisticated meals easy.

The company also offers add-ons like breakfast entrees, salads, and protein packs. So, whether you're looking to eat healthier or just trying to save time, Green Chef is the perfect meal delivery service for you.

Green Chef is all about organic (when possible), high-quality ingredients and sustainable practices. It was the 1st meal kit to receive a gluten-free certification. Our reviewer tried Green Chef at home and was very impressed by the gluten-free options.

I also like the recipes for vegetarians and vegans. The options are a bit limited (10+ vegan and vegetarian meals per week), but the dishes are delicious. A good example is the totally vegan Artichoke “Crab” Cakes. Served with quinoa, roasted red peppers, sautéed zucchini, and walnuts, this dish is a fresh-tasting and nutrient-packed take on the classic seafood staple.

Green Chef allows customers to choose between 2, 4, or 6 servings per recipe, making it a great choice for larger families. Not to mention that, if you order the maximum box size (4 meals for 6 people per week), the price per serving starts at $5.99. In my view, this is quite affordable.

4. HelloFresh – Best for Family Dinners in the Big Easy

HelloFresh is one of the world’s most popular meal delivery services and for good reason. With over 60 recipes to choose from each week, you’ll definitely be able to find something for every member of your household, including the kids!

The menu is diverse, with recipes to suit every palate, including vegetarian, family-friendly, and calorie smart. Plus, there’s plenty of room for Louisiana-inspired classics like the Cajun Blackened Tilapia as well as HelloFresh’s famous Firecracker Meatballs.

Many recipes are developed around seasonal produce to keep the taste and nutrient content at maximum levels. Our reviewer tried HelloFresh at home and found the recipes were easy to prepare and enjoyable to eat.

HelloFresh provides its customers with easy-to-follow recipe cards for every recipe. Most of the meal kits take between 20 and 40 minutes to prepare and only 6 steps to cook. Also, you get detailed information on the spices and utensils you’ll need to have at home.

You’ll have no problem finding recipes to match your cooking skills, with most of the recipes rated "Easy" or "Medium" on the difficulty scale. So whether you're a novice or an experienced cook, you'll find something to suit your needs.

There’s also the option to customize some of the meals (12+ sides and proteins each week) with HelloCustom. However, the powers of this feature are limited to swapping out ingredients like potatoes for broccoli or choosing a different protein. Still, it’s a good feature for whenever a meal you want to order doesn’t quite fit your needs.

HelloFresh is committed to sustainability, as evidenced by its recyclable packaging and ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact. From the box to the ice packs, everything can be recycled, making it a great choice for customers who are conscientious about their own carbon footprint.

You can order 2-6 recipes per week for 2 or 4 people, making HelloFresh a good option for couples and families in New Orleans. Prices start at $3.32 per serving for the maximum box size (6 meals for 4 people per week), and the most popular box size is 3 meals for 2 people per week.

5. Home Chef – Best for a Flexible and Customizable Menu

My favorite thing about Home Chef is its Customize It feature. Nearly every dish can be customized with different proteins, such as adding an extra portion or substituting chicken for steak, pork chops, or even salmon.

I like that the menu offers variety in more ways than just international cuisines. For instance, in the Culinary Collection category, you’ll find meals like Red Wine Bordelaise NY Strip Steak or Balsamic Rosemary Beef Burger, which let you flex your skills in the kitchen and boast to your guests about your refined taste.

There are plenty of easy-to-prepare meals that can fit into any schedule. Whether it's an oven-ready meal, a traditional meal kit, or a 15-minute meal kit, there's something for everyone. So, for nights when you’d rather be at Preservation Hall, you can use one of Home Chef’s quick and easy dinners to help you get out of the house in no time.

I also like that you can exclude recipes that contain certain ingredients, such as sesame, peanuts, tree nuts, beef, poultry, pork, shellfish, mushrooms, or fish when you sign up. No wonder my colleague was so impressed when they tried Home Chef. Read their review to find out more.

However, please note that the kits are all prepared in the same facility. This means Home Chef may not be suitable for people with serious allergies. If you have any allergies, read each recipe’s ingredient list and make an informed decision. You can also check out our list of the Best Allergy Friendly Meal Delivery Services.

There’s also a broad selection of add-ons you can choose from. You’ll see things like cooked proteins, options for lunch (soups, bread loaves and cheese spreads, salads, Mac & Cheese), breakfasts (frittatas, pretzel bites, smoothies), and desserts (cakes, waffles), making it one of the best meal delivery services around.

Home Chef offers a 6-person plan for up to 6 servings per week at just $7.99 per serving, so it's a great option for larger households. But it’s still a good deal for couples who only want to order 2 meals per person per week (although you get a way better deal with the 3 meals per week plan).

6. Fresh and Easy – Best for Speedy & Freshly Prepared Meals

Fresh and Easy is the perfect solution for busy New Orleanians who don't have the time for complex homecooked meals but still want to enjoy freshly-made foods. This is possible due to Fresh and Easy’s pre-portioned, ready-to-cook meal kits that make it easy to cook up a delicious lunch or dinner in no time.

It offers a wide range of low-prep meal options, like microwave-ready Fast & Fresh meals, Express meal kits, Grill- and Oven-Ready dishes, and Entree Salads. There's something for everyone – no matter how little time you have to get dinner on the table.

Besides speedy meal kits, Fresh and Easy also provides detailed recipe cards with step-by-step instructions and images to make prep and cooking even easier. Plus, you get full nutritional information and information on extra spices and utensils you may need to have at home. For more about the menu, my colleague’s Fresh and Easy review goes into more depth.

Fresh and Easy is a subsidiary of Home Chef, so you also get access to the features that made Home Chef so popular. As such, you have the Customize It feature, which you can use to swap proteins on most dishes, but you also have the Bundle and Save and the Extras section. You may also modify some of the recipes at home with additional ingredients if you feel the need.

Fresh and Easy's meals aren’t tailored towards any specific dietary needs, and while you can filter for common allergens, most of them contain wheat or dairy. So, if you suffer from allergies or have a gluten or lactose intolerance, Fresh and Easy may not be the best option. For gluten-free meals, try Green Chef.

Lastly, Fresh and Easy features the same pricing system as Home Chef. As such, you can order for 2, 4, and 6 people, between 2 and 6 meals each week. Prices start at $7.99 per serving for the maximum box size (6 meals for 6 people per week), but the service is still affordable even when you’re ordering for 2 people.

7. BistroMD – Great for Weight Loss Dieters

Created by a bariatric physician, BistroMD’s menu is designed to cater to various dietary needs. All the recipes are nutritionally balanced to meet an adult’s needs, but also keep an eye on the calorie content to encourage healthy weight loss (each entree has less than 450 calories per serving).

BistroMD is a prepared meal delivery service that offers customizable meal plans to help people reach their health and wellness goals. From standard weight-loss plans to specialized diets like gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, menopause management, and heart-healthy eating, BistroMD has a program to fit everyone's needs.

For a well-balanced diet, BistroMD’s meals are designed following a specific formula that combines protein, healthy fats, and carbs in fairly equal amounts (with protein usually being the star of the show at 25-30 grams per meal).

BistroMD’s dietitians and nutritionists understand women and men have different caloric needs, which is why there’s a meal plan for Women (1,200 calories per day) and a meal plan for Men (1,400 calories per day). These calories are spread out over 3 meals and snacks per day (men get 2 snacks, and women get 1). This way of eating helps keep blood sugar levels balanced, which also keeps cravings in check.

Our reviewer was quite impressed by the desserts and snacks on offer. Considering this is a weight loss meal delivery service, there are plenty of healthy alternatives to keep you entertained.

BistroMD calls its snacks EATS (Essential And Tasty Snacks) and offers delicious options, such as protein-packed strawberry cheesecake, cookie dough protein bars, and shakes. Their job is to provide tasty and nutritious treats that are sure to satisfy any craving and keep temptation at bay.

BistroMD is designed for individuals, so all the meals are in a single-serving format. With the Full Program, you can get 3 meals plus snacks per day (5 or 7 days a week), but there’s also the option to get just Lunches & Dinners (5 or 7 days a week). Prices start at $8.24 per serving, which is a bit pricey. However, if you have the budget and want to lose weight, BistroMD is a great option.

8. Purple Carrot – Plant-Based Versions of All Your Favorite Dishes

New Orleans is becoming a great spot for vegetarian and vegan foodies alike. However, staying on a completely plant-based diet can be rough if you don’t know where to shop. Fortunately, Purple Carrot makes it easy for you to enjoy delicious plant-based breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Purple Carrot’s menu consists of around 20 vegetarian/vegan dishes each week. This is split into dinners, breakfast and lunch entrees (around 2 of each), and prepared meals. This may be smaller than other services such as Green Chef or Blue Apron, but the quality is uniformly excellent. See what our reviewer thought when they tried Purple Carrot at home.

The menu features a range of international cuisines. You can find dishes like Black Pepper Tofu, Caribbean Sweet Potatoes, and Buffalo Kimchi Noodles – so you get to go on a wonderful culinary adventure around the world.

The menu rotates each week. Unfortunately, you have to decide between meal kits or prepared meals and can’t mix and match. If you want both, you’ll need 2 separate orders. But, if you choose meal kits, you also have access to breakfast and lunch options. The Plantry offers vegan-friendly add-ons like vegan chocolate, plant-based cheese, spices, cookies, and snacks (like Sea Salt Crackers).

Purple Carrot’s dedication to celebrating real plants means there are no processed meat alternatives in your dishes. It’s easy to find delicious recipes that are soy-free, nut-free, high in protein, and low in calories. The Less Prep meal kits are incredibly convenient as they come with pre-prepared sauces and vegetables so that you can have quality meals with less cooking and cleanup.

If you want to try meal kits, prices start at $8.50 per serving for the maximum order (3 meals for 4 people per week). There’s also a 2-person plan, where you can order 3 or 4 meals per person per week. On the other hand, the prepared meals are only available in a single-serving format, with the option to order 6, 8, or 10 recipes per week.

9. Marley Spoon – Best for Aspiring Kitchen Wizards

Marley Spoon is a great way to upgrade your cooking skills and try new flavors. With recipes curated by the legendary Martha Stewart, you can make restaurant-quality dishes right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The extensive menu has something for everyone, with meals that are easy to make and take minimal prep time. The recipes cater to kids, families, dieters, vegans, and more, and the instructions are simple to follow. Plus, the ready-made sauces and marinades make it even easier to make delicious meals.

I was quite impressed by the level of culinary diversity Marley Spoon offers. Even though a large part of the menu features classic American cuisine, there are plenty of exotic flavors from around the world. Plus, you’ll always find vegan and vegetarian recipes and options that are dairy-free, gluten-free, kid-friendly, and so on.

The meals are simple and the recipe cards are easy to follow. Our reviewer tried Marley Spoon at home and loved the step-by-step recipe cards. They were producing meals of a standard they never thought possible. Read more about their experience here.

In addition to a wide range of dishes, Marley Spoon also offers many extras, including desserts, breakfasts, and brunch options. Moreover, most of the meals can be customized by selecting a different protein or side dish. You can even turn some meals vegetarian.

Marley Spoon was the 1st meal delivery service to be declared 100% carbon-neutral. So, with Marley Spoon, you can feel good about the food you're eating while also doing your part to help the environment.

Meals start at $2.99 per serving, making Marley Spoon very reasonably priced. You can order for 2 or 4 people between 2 and 6 meals per week and request that your box be entirely vegetarian.

10. Dinnerly – Ultra-Affordable Meal Kits for the Budget-Conscious

Dinnerly offers crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s great for families. The great thing about this service is that it allows you to save money without sacrificing quality. Not only are the ingredients fresh, but you'll also get antibiotic-free chicken and some organic produce.

You won’t find Blue Apron-level gourmet meals, but there are options from a wide range of international cuisines, such as Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, Indian, and more. Of course, American cuisine is the foundation for the entire menu, so you’ll find all the meals you love.

Most of the recipes are simple and easy to make, but this doesn’t take anything away from the taste. Dishes like Creamy Lemon Garlic Ravioli, Chicken Taco Salad, and Baharat Chicken & Turmeric Rice are kids’ favorites and take less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.   

If you follow a specialized diet such as keto or gluten-free, you’ll have limited options. In that case, you might be better to try a service like Green Chef. But if you follow a balanced, non-restrictive diet, you’re sure to be impressed. Overall, our reviewer had a great experience with Dinnerly.

Dinnerly's approach to meal delivery is kind to both your wallet and the environment. The company keeps costs low by minimizing paper and plastic use and bundling ingredients together instead of packaging them separately. Sadly, this means you won’t receive printed recipe cards, but this is a minor inconvenience when you can support the environment.

At $2.12 per serving, Dinnerly lets you eat good food and save money on your weekly meals. It’s also a great fit for couples and families due to its 2- and 4-person meal plans, where you can order between 2 and 6 meals per person. And just like with Marley Spoon, you can ask for a fully-vegetarian box.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in New Orleans

With so many different meal delivery services in New Orleans, finding the right one can be daunting. Here are some professional tips on finding the service that’s right for you.

• Know your culinary limits: Meal delivery services are a great way to discover new ingredients and master new cooking skills. But if you have limited kitchen equipment or talent, you may be happier with a service offering prepared meals like Factor.

• Be flexible with your budget: Price is important, but it’s important to crunch the numbers before you sign up. For instance, a service like Dinnerly is amazing when the budget is tight. Otherwise, if you want restaurant-worthy meals, you may want to check out Blue Apron.

• Know your dietary preferences: Those on a keto or vegan diet will find that meal delivery services with a dedicated menu (like Green Chef) give you more choices than more generalized services that may offer only 1 or 2 weekly entrees that suit you.

FAQ

What’s the best meal delivery service in New Orleans?

Blue Apron is the best meal delivery service in New Orleans. The company offers gourmet meals made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and low-prep kits that make cooking fast and easy. Plus, there’s a wine pairing service, so you can have the perfect restaurant-worthy meal.

What is the best prepared meal delivery service in New Orleans?

Factor is a great option when it comes to prepared meals. The company uses fresh ingredients (sometimes organic), and the food is always delivered fresh. Plus, the menu is varied, so you can find something to fit everyone's tastes.

What’s the most affordable meal delivery service in New Orleans?

With incredibly low prices, Dinnerly is the most affordable service in New Orleans. The food is always of the best quality, made with fresh (sometimes organic) ingredients sourced from suppliers that use sustainable practices.

Best Meal Delivery Services in New Orleans in 2023 — Final Score