10 Best Meal Delivery Services in Tuscaloosa 2023 (Updated)

Tuscaloosa boasts an engaging culinary landscape thanks to many meal delivery services. You can choose between businesses delivering meal kits or prepared meals. Meal kits empower you to become your own chef with minimal prep. Or you can order prepared meals you can eat after a few minutes of heating. But the differences run deep even between companies delivering the same meal type.

Some meal kit services provide the flexibility to customize ingredients, while others don't. Moreover, the preparation time for these kits can vary, with some offering quick-prep options and others requiring up to an hour or so. Prepared meal delivery services may send fresh or, more frequently, frozen meals. But every service commonly caters to various dietary preferences.

Factor is the overall winner for various reasons. A versatile menu at a great price and a free nutritional coaching session for new subscribers are some of them. But other competitors also stand out in some ways. So, check out our best meal delivery services in Tuscaloosa to see which 1 works best for you.

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Tuscaloosa Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Prepared Meals for Tuscaloosa

Factor is a renowned prepared meal delivery service. What makes its dishes sought-after is the team that designs and prepares them. With ready-to-heat-and-eat recipes, you'll enjoy minimal prep and effortless cleanup. For that, it’s a great option for people who are always in a hurry and those who want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible.

What’s on the Menu

Factor offers 35 prepared meals suitable for most dieters each week. Certified dietitians create the recipes while experienced chefs prepare them, ensuring you get healthy and restaurant-grade food.

The service provides a 3-week advance notice of its weekly menus. That way, you have ample time for meal planning and adjustments. You can identify meals tailored to your dietary preferences with the color-coded tags. Some of them are Keto, Calorie Smart, and Protein Plus. 

Factor has an extensive range of nearly 50 Add-Ons. These feature items such as juices, smoothies, energy bites, proteins, and bundles. Some options I'd order any time are Tangy BBQ Chicken Wings and Strawberry Mascarpone Cheesecake. Read our in-depth review to learn more.

What Makes It Special

You can book a free nutrition coaching session with a licensed dietitian through Factor. Its team consists of experts in various fields, so you may find a specialist who can address your specific needs.

You'll always get fresh meals from Factor. The company prepares dishes from fresh ingredients, thus recommending not freezing its recipes. Its meals maintain freshness for approximately 7 days in the refrigerator, covering the time between deliveries. 

The company has 6 dedicated dietary plans, 1 of which is pretty rare. These are: 

• Keto

• Flexitarian

• Protein Plus

• Calorie Smart

• Chef's Choice

• Vegan & Veggie

Is it Good Value?

Factor maintains the high nutritional integrity of its recipes. That way, you’re sure to consume well-balanced food curated by expert nutritionists. Unlike this provider, Home Chef allows ingredient swaps, if you prefer meal personalization.

The business prepares recipes inspired by various international cuisines. Mexican, Thai, and Italian are just a handful of them. 

The cost of your order comes down to how many single-serving meals you choose. The largest order, which includes 18 meals, comes out to $6.19 per serving. You can opt for 6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 weekly meals.

2. Green Chef – Organic Meal Kits for Special Diets

What makes Green Chef shine is that it’s 100% USDA-certified organic. All ingredients are sustainably sourced from trusted farms to ensure the highest quality. You'll probably find the food meets your specific dietary requirements, as it offers several plans catering to different types of diets.

What’s on the Menu

Green Chef offers a weekly rotating selection of 46 recipes. This organic food delivery service updates its menu 4 weeks ahead. Most meals’ serving times are up to 40 minutes. But you can go for 10-Min Lunches if you need to make a meal quickly. 

Self-explanatory tags make it easy for you to find the right meals. If you prefer to avoid gluten, pick Gluten-Free meals. If you work out a lot, go for Protein-Packed dishes. If you're a fan of healthy and delicious food, check out Mediterranean-tagged recipes. 

To explore additional options, check out Green Chef's Add-ons. Here, you might find proteins such as Shrimp, Wild-Caught Sockeye Salmon Filets, and Beef Tenderloin. The menu also includes other extras like oatmeal, cakes, bites, and salads.

What Makes It Special

The company provides organic produce, beef, poultry, wild-caught seafood, and eggs. In cases where organic ingredients are unavailable for valid reasons, Green Chef communicates this through inbox messages and labels. But you still get the highest-quality ingredients.

Green Chef offers a free 20-minute nutrition coaching session with 1 of its registered dietitians. It's an opportunity to set nutrition goals and receive personalized guidance to maximize the benefits of your diet. You speak with the expert over the phone.

This company offers 8 meal plans, the most among those I've reviewed. The options include Keto, Gluten Free, Plant Based, Quick & Easy, Calorie Smart, Mediterranean, Protein Packed, and Delicious Discoveries. Choose as many as you wish when setting up your meal plan.

Is it Good Value?

Green Chef offers healthy and tasty meals. Many recipes feature proprietary sauces and spice blends. For example, the keto-friendly Grilling Cheese pictured above comes with premade creamy chimichurri. The premium Beef Tenderloin in Coconut Aminos recipe comes with a Shichimi Togarashi spice blend.

All this comes with a price, of course. You can read our expert review to see if everything that Green Chef offers is worth this price for you. As for the cost per meal, you can have organic meals from this meal delivery starting from $9.99. 

Note that the more meals you purchase, the lower the price per serving. The maximum order is 4 weekly meals for 6 people while the smallest order is 3 dishes per week for 2 people.

3. HelloFresh – The Best Family-Friendly Meal Kits Straight from the Farm

HelloFresh is great for families thanks to its crowd-pleasing recipes, from One-Pot Wonders to tacos and pasta dishes. It has an extensive, weekly changing menu that suits a wide range of dieters. Also, you’ll find meal inspiration by visiting its on-site cookbook brimming with thousands of options. 

What’s on the Menu

You can choose from recipes under numerous categories including Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Quick and Easy, and Veggie. In other words, you can choose anything from around 70 weekly recipes to order. 

The service repeats only the most popular meals. You'll recognize them by eye-catching labels like Best Recipe 2023 and Hall of Fame. Also pay attention to meals labeled Premium Picks, which contain deluxe ingredients and come at an extra cost. 

HelloFresh rates its meals as Easy, Medium, and Hard to prepare. Most of its recipes are easy to whip up, including the Best and Hall of Fame recipes. I found most of the Medium and Hard dishes among Premium Picks. 

What Makes It Special

You can even change up the recipes if you like. Chicken in the Roasted Veggie Kale salad sounds good, but you could choose steak instead. You can also switch side dishes, so if crispy potatoes sound like too many carbs for you, simply select broccoli instead.

HelloFresh boasts an extensive Cookbook on its website, encompassing thousands of recipes. Explore these by browsing the Dishes and World Cuisines categories. Some available Dishes are Burger and Taco Recipes. Among the World Cuisine options, you can find Cuban and African Recipes.

Is it Good Value?

HelloFresh has an extensive menu at affordable prices, providing great value for money. It has 6 plans suiting a wide range of dieters. They are Veggie, Meat & Veggies, Pescatarian, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, and Quick & Easy. 

The good news is that the plans aren’t set in stone. My colleague’s review expands more on what’s offered from each category. 

The number of meals determines the price per serving. The starting point is $3.32 per dish for orders that include 6 meals for 4 people. The cost per portion is highest for the smallest orders, which consist of 2 dishes for 2 individuals.

4. Home Chef – The Best Overall Meal Service for Tuscaloosa

Home Chef brings Tuscaloosa residents the perfect balance between easy and healthy. Whether you want something fancier, like the above-pictured Smoked Almond and Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast from the Culinary Collection, or simple 15-minute tacos, you have plenty of options to choose from.

What’s on the Menu

Home Chef presents a weekly menu with a variety of dishes under categories like Meal Kits, Easy Prep Meal Kits, Lunch, Bundle and Save, and Extras. If you're looking to save time, choose the Easy Prep Meal Kits, Lunch, or Bundle and Save options. 

With the Fast & Fresh meals, you can save even more time as they’re ready to pop in the microwave. With your extra time, you can go for a walk along the River Side or take it with you for a nice picnic at Capitol Park.

You can plan your meals far ahead with this meal delivery service. Home Chef releases its upcoming recipes 6 weeks in advance. It has Vegetarian, Keto-Friendly, Carb-conscious, and Calorie-conscious plans, but you can also order desserts, breakfasts, or protein bundles.

What Makes It Special

What’s cool is that you can customize the protein in your recipes. Want a veggie patty for your burger? No problem. Fancy some salmon instead of pork chops? Yes, sir. Or even double the meat, if you feel so inclined. You can read more about the customization options in my colleague’s review.

You can exclude up to 9 allergens, either due to personal dislike or intolerance. In the third phase of customizing your meal plan, you can opt out of poultry, beef, pork, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, and mushrooms.

Is it Good Value?

Home Chef is a top choice for picky eaters and people particular about some ingredients. And it caters especially to couples and families. If you live alone or your diet differs from the people you live with, consider subscribing to Factor, assuming you don’t have any allergies or intolerances. 

Home Chef's per-serving cost remains consistent regardless of your order size. The price per recipe is $7.99. Regarding order placement, you can buy no less than 2 dishes for 2 people and no more than 6 meals for 6 people.

5. Fresh and Easy – Best 15-Minute Meal Kits

Fresh and Easy is Home Chef's line of quick meals. These are ideal for people with limited time who still wish to steer clear of fully prepared heat-and-eat options. This approach combines the advantages of both meal kits and prepared meals – saving time, the joy of cooking, and the flexibility to experiment with ingredients.

What’s on the Menu

To locate these meals, browse the Express-labeled dishes within the Easy Prep Meal Kits section. If you don't mind spending between 5 and 15 extra minutes in the kitchen, also research the Express Plus recipes.

The primary distinction I observed between Express and Express Plus recipes is their preparation time. Express meals are ready in 10 to 15 minutes, whereas Express Plus dishes typically take from 10 or 15 to 30 minutes to serve.

In general, you'll find 6 Express recipes on the menu every week. The number of Express Plus recipes is 3 or 4, depending on the week. Thus, you'll have 10 or so of these speedy recipes to choose from weekly. 

What Makes It Special

The secret of quick serving times is pre-portioned ingredients. You'll also get ground, chopped, diced, and sliced foods, depending on the meal. Also, I discovered during my Best Meal Delivery Services in Tuscaloosa review that the company also sends pre-washed and pre-cooked ingredients.

Fresh and Easy meals feature the Customize It tool letting you replace ingredients. When I looked at the Crispy-Cajun style Mahi-Mahi Tacos, I found 4 replacement options, including Shrimp and Diced Chicken Thighs. Read our expert review to learn more about the line’s recipes. 

Is it Good Value?

If you’re after quick prep and easy cleanup, Fresh and Easy should make it to the top of your list. Oven-safe trays accompany many Fresh and Easy meals. And meals designed for grilling include grill-safe bags. Moreover, you usually won’t need traditional cookware like pots and pans.

Pricing for this line of meals corresponds to other Home Chef dishes. Meaning that each serving has a predetermined price that doesn't depend on the order size, which isn't the case with most other meal subscription services. The cost per serving starts from $7.99.

6. BistroMD – Greatest Tuscaloosa Weight-Loss Meal Delivery Service

BistroMD stands out as 1 of the top-rated weight-loss meal delivery services nationwide. Dr. Cederquist, a renowned expert in weight-loss programs, leads the service, offering delicious meals, which is a rarity in the weight-loss industry. BistroMD has programs for males and females and accommodates various dietary preferences and needs.

What’s on the Menu

BistroMD offers over 150 meals, setting it apart from most other meal delivery services because of its non-rotating weekly menu. The offerings are organized into 3 categories: Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner, and Snacks.

The business sources healthy, wholesome ingredients to prepare meals. But if you're after a certified organic meal subscription service, I recommend checking out Green Chef. 

Check meals if you have food sensitivities or dislikes. That’s crucial because BistroMD doesn't accommodate ingredient replacement requests. But you can arrange excluding meals based on your preferences, as mentioned in our expert review. 

What Makes It Special

This acclaimed company has 7 programs, some of which are rare among meal deliveries, and they are: 

• Signature, offering a selection of 150+ meals

• Gluten Free, providing over 100 recipes

• Heart Healthy, featuring more than 100 dishes

• Diabetic, encompassing at least 100 options

• Menopause, consisting of 100+ alternatives

• Keto Flex, including approximately 85 recipes

• Vegan, comprising no less than 25 meals

Note that you can choose only 1 plan when setting up your mealtime. But you can tailor your meal plan. You'll enjoy a My Night meal once a week if you choose a full 7-day program, serving as a reward for adhering to the weight-loss regimen.

Is it Good Value?

BistroMD is an excellent option if you're looking to eat healthily or lose weight. The company ships frozen meals to preserve nutrients. But if you're interested in fresh meals with a decent shelf life, Factor should be a good alternative. It offers about a dozen calorie-smart meals weekly.

Your savings increase as you order larger quantities. Opting for the largest order, which includes 20 weekly meals, will result in a per-meal cost of $8.24.

7. Purple Carrot – The Most Creative Plant-Based Dishes in Tuscaloosa

Purple Carrot’s recipes are an easy way to incorporate more veggies into your diet. So, consider this reputable business if you follow a strict vegan diet or just want to eat more healthily while satisfying your taste buds and your tummy alike. If this sounds like you, I think you’d be better off with Factor, which has protein and veggie plans. 

What’s on the Menu

Purple Carrot's Menus section has 5 categories. These are Meal Kits (the most extensive), Prepared Meals, Plantry, Less Prep, and Frozen Meals. Meal kits are further organized into Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, and Plantry subcategories.

Sticky Apricot Seitan, for instance, features green beans and quinoa-speckled rice. It has under 600 calories and is high in protein. Moreover, it’s under the Nut-Free label, in case you have allergies. Other labels on the menu include Gluten-free, Soy-free, and Chef’s Choice. More on this in my colleague’s review.

If you’re worried about time, almost all meal kits are ready in under 35 minutes. And if you’re super busy (or lazy, like most of us), choose between 12 prepared meals per week. They’re ready in 2 minutes, max, and come in microwave-safe containers. 

What Makes It Special

The company suits many dietary needs while maintaining a vegan approach. Thus, it avoids common allergens, rendering it suitable for health-focused individuals. You're in the right place if looking for higher protein, lower calorie meals, or a gluten-free diet. 

Purple Carrot boasts a thorough FAQ section. I found all the information I needed there. It's rare to come across such a comprehensive FAQ where there's no need to reach out to customer support and wait for hours, even days, for a response.

Is it Good Value?

The company offers excellent value, sourcing high-quality ingredients and serving individuals, couples, and families. But note that most of its ingredients are not organic, except non-produce items like tempeh and vegan cheese. If organic food is a priority, consider Green Chef.

You'll pay different prices for meal kits and prepared meals. The per-dish price begins at $8.50. For meal kits, you can order a minimum of 3 recipes serving 2 people, or a maximum of 3 meals serving 4 people. Prepared meals come in bundles of 6, 8, or 10 single servings.

8. Blue Apron – Best Meal Kits That Don’t Require Subscription

Blue Apron stands out as a bonus option for meal delivery with an on-site Marketplace that allows you to buy meal kits without membership, a unique offering in the industry. This lets you subscribe to a service that best suits your needs and occasionally vary your menu.

What’s on the Menu

Blue Apron offers Signature, Wellness, and Vegetarian plans for 2 people, and a Signature for Four which is perfect for small families in Tuscaloosa. Read more about the plans in our dedicated review. Besides, you can order various extras, including appetizers, breakfasts, and desserts, from Add-Ons. 

The weekly-changing menu features meat, fish, Beyond Meat™, and diabetes-friendly options. Some are more crafty, like the gourmet burgers, and some are labeled Premium and feature more sophisticated ingredients – these both cost a bit extra.

Most of the menu is suitable for the whole family, like the Fig-Balsamic Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables. And you also have the prepared meals, which are ready in 5 minutes in the microwave to save you extra time.

What Makes It Special

Order bundles of meal kits in the Market section on the website if you don’t want to get a weekly subscription straight away. Some intriguing offerings I found are Seasonal Boxes, containing various holiday boxes, and meal kits that don’t require a subscription. 

Another great feature is the opportunity to turn selected omnivorous meals vegetarian and the other way around. In Spicy Pork Udon, for instance, you can replace meat with broccoli to make it plant-based. 

Is it Good Value?

Blue Apron may not have a vast selection of dishes, but they offer good value if you ask me. The meal customization options further enhance the diversity of their menu. If you're looking for a wider range of meals suiting more diets, consider exploring HelloFresh.

Go for larger orders to maximize your meal value. With a 5-meal plan featuring 4 servings each, you'll pay $5.74 per dish. The smallest package includes 2 meals with 2 portions.

9. Eat Clean to Go – Portion Control Prepared Meals

With EatClean to Go, you can personalize your portions depending on your appetite or sharing preferences. The company offers 2 serving sizes for all of its plans. And you can try some internationally inspired dishes by joining the EatClean to Go club, including Italian and Cuban.

What’s on the Menu

EatClean to Go has meat- and plant-based meals on its menu. It’s a prepared meal delivery service with a decent range of meats ideal for weight loss and maintenance. During my review of the best meal delivery services in Tuscaloosa, I found options that were around 200 calories.

Choose between Regular Portion and Large Portion while setting up your plan. Keep in mind that the larger portion comes at a slightly higher price. But it's money well spent if you fall into 1 of the categories I mentioned.

You won't find any snacks, desserts, or beverages here, as my colleague noted in their expert review. 

What Makes It Special

Note that the number of weekly meals per plan varies depending on the portion size. You can choose between 6, 8, 10, or 12 portions if you go for Regular Portion. If you opt for Large Portion, you can select either 4, 6, 8, or 10 dishes a week. 

Another thing I like about the site is the pop-up window that asks for your zip code. That way, the system lets you know right away if you're eligible for delivery.

Is it Good Value?

EatClean to Go offers good value if you fall into 1 of the following 4 distinct plans: 

• Keto

• Paleo

• Traditional

• Plant Based

The first 3 plans teem with animal-derived proteins, including chicken, pork, beef, and turkey. Fish and seafood are pretty limited on Eat Clean to Go's menu. So consider opening a HelloFresh account if you yearn for pescatarian food. 

Portion and order sizes determine your total cost. Prices begin at $8.60. As you buy more dishes, the per-recipe cost becomes more budget-friendly.

10. Marley Spoon – Inspired Recipes from Martha Stewart

Take a glimpse into Martha Stewart’s kitchen with carefully curated meal kits. They include unique flavors thanks to the proprietary spice blends and make use of ingredients in creative ways. And by investing in sustainability, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon ranks among the best eco-friendly meal subscription services. 

What’s on the Menu

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon features a menu with more than 100 meals, updating its selections weekly and announcing future dishes four weeks ahead. I found that nearly all the dishes feature many tags highlighting their key features. 

The menu has an international feel with Mexican, Asian, European, or classic American fare. You’ll be sure to get a nice tour of different cuisines.

Check meals labeled as Customizable that allow ingredient personalization. Around two-thirds of the meals provide this convenient option. But note that some substitutions may incur additional charges.

What Makes It Special

I think it’s nice that 1 of the priorities of Marley Spoon is sustainability. While carbon emissions are unavoidable, it counteracts them with carbon offset projects, like planting trees. Thus, the 100% recyclable packaging the business uses doesn’t come as a surprise.

The service offers a range of choices for meat lovers, pescatarians, and vegetarians. Furthermore, it caters to couples and families, but not singles. If you're on your own, you better check out BistroMD. 

Is it Good Value?

The company’s meals are super accessible to the average cook, as our detailed review shows. Some of the recipes are ready in 30 minutes or less, and all of them require just 6 simple steps.

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon's pricing shifts depending on the order size. The cost starts at $2.99 per serving for boxes containing 6 weekly meals for 4 people. For those with smaller appetites, the smallest available order has 2 recipes for 2 people.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in Tuscaloosa:

There are some fool-proof criteria to choose the best meal delivery services available in your area. Here are some of them that me and my team used in the selection process:

• Budget: Whether you want to splurge on a premium dish and feel like a fancy chef or cut back on meal costs, look for a service that fits into your budget. Many of the services on this list have options for both cases.

• Diets: Every member of the family should have options on the menu, so you should look for a company that provides meals for your specific needs and preferences. Low-carb, low-cal, vegetarian, keto, or diabetes-friendly, you’ll find some great variety on this list.

• Flavor: Let’s be honest, nobody wants to eat bland food. Even if you prefer a plant-based diet, are on a keto diet, or choose a less expensive option with fewer ingredients, the recipes should incorporate plenty of aromatics and spices, not just salt and pepper.

• Flexibility: You need to be able to skip deliveries, pause your subscription, and cancel any time you want. Luckily, I’ve only put flexible delivery services on this list, to save you some trouble.

Bottom Line: Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It?

Yes, meal delivery services are very much worth it. They help you control what you eat, reduce takeaway costs, and even help you become a better chef.

It’s easy to find meals that align with your specific dietary needs and you won’t need to wander around grocery stores for hours anymore. You can spend that time sunbathing at Lake Lurleen or going to a concert at the Amphitheater instead.

You can check out my top choice for Tuscaloosa to see if the menu inspires you. But no matter which meal delivery service on this list agrees with your taste, you’re in good hands.

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Tuscaloosa?

HelloFresh is the most affordable meal delivery service in Tuscaloosa. With meals starting at $3.32 per serving, it caters to all types of budgets. You can also use our special discount code to save even more on your first few orders.

Home Chef also offers affordable meals that can help you save money and time, as many of the dishes are low- or no-prep. Read more about Home Chef’s menu, which includes vegetarian, low-calorie, and low-carb dishes.

What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Tuscaloosa?

Green Chef is the best healthy meal delivery service for Tuscaloosa residents, with meal kits that feature organic ingredients. You can read more about Green Chef’s many plans above.

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Tuscaloosa?

Home Chef delivers low-calorie and low-carb meal kits to Tuscaloosa customers. You shouldn't have to break the bank or move mountains to follow a healthy and easy diet, which is why Home Chef is an excellent choice and top of my list.

What is the best vegetarian meal delivery service in Tuscaloosa?

Purple Carrot is the best vegetarian meal service in Tuscaloosa. With both meal kits and prepared meals, it features exotic recipes that are high in protein and overall super healthy. Read more about Purple Carrot’s menu, including its quick breakfast and lunch options and plant-based pantry items.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Tuscaloosa in 2023 – Final Score: