8 Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services 2023: Tasty, Fresh & Ready to Eat
A ready meal can be a fantastic option after a long, hectic day when the last thing you want to do is start cooking. And though sometimes they get a bad rap for being unhealthy or bland, there are plenty of prepared meals out there that are nutritious, healthy, and fresh – if you choose the right service.
To help you save even more time, I researched the biggest prepared services out there and, along with the help of an expert team of reviewers, put together the top 9 best prepared meal delivery services right now.
My number one choice is Home Chef. It has a unique range of no and low-prep options, like its Fast & Fresh ready meals as well as grill and oven-ready dishes. Read on to find out more…
Short on Time? Here Are The Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services
Home Chef – Best low-prep meals for busy people
Factor – Best for nutritious and flavorful meals
BistroMD – Physician-designed meals for weight loss
Freshology – Healthiest meals for dieters
The Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Reviewed
1. Home Chef – Best Low-Prep Meals for Busy People
Oven-ready chicken and vegetables in a foil pan
Key Features
Great for novice cooks
More than 20 weekly options
Family-sized portions (up to six servings)
Current deal – Get 18 Free Meals (50% off your first 4 boxes)!
The best thing about Home Chef is the fact you can substitute your protein with an option to your liking on almost all of its dishes. This includes upgrading it to an organic, antibiotic-free variety or replacing it with another protein altogether.
Home Chef started out as a meal kit delivery service, but the current menu offers a combination of Oven-Ready Meals, Easy Prep Meal Kits, and 15-Minute Meal Kits, so there’s always something to suit your schedule.
Not only are the Oven-Ready dishes convenient and time-saving – they taste great! Have a read of my colleague's in-depth review to learn more about Home Chef and its approach to quick and tasty food.
All the ingredients are ready to assemble in the included foil pan, so you don’t even have to worry about doing the dishes! And you won’t need any culinary skills beyond turning on your oven…
2. Factor – Best For Nutritious & Flavorful Meals
Keto Monterey Spinach Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo & Cauliflower Gratin
Key Features
Plenty of options for keto dieters
Good-sized portions, up to 700 calories per dish
27 or more dietitian-designed meals per week
Current deal – Up to $276 off!
Factor definitely stands out in the taste and quality department. All its chef-prepared meals are nutritious and wholesome, yet utterly delicious. It’s on the pricier end of the prepared meal delivery scale, but the company uses only antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins and non-GMO ingredients. In just five minutes, you’ll have a tasty, generously-sized meal on the table.
The menu is refreshed each week and you can see the offerings one week in advance to help you plan ahead. The plans include Vegan & Veggie, Keto, Calorie Smart and the standard Chef’s Choice for those who just want healthy, balanced meals.
3. BistroMD – Physician-Designed Meals for Weight Loss
Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Marsala
Key Features
Helps dieters meet their weight loss goals
Dedicated plan for people with diabetes
Options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
BistroMD was founded by Dr. Caroline Cederquist, who currently employs a team of dietitians to deliver healthy weight loss plans to those who need them. The menu features more than 150 meals, with new options added regularly. This means you shouldn’t find yourself having to eat the same meals week after week.
In addition to its standard Women’s or Men’s programs, BistroMD also caters to dieters who have specific health issues, with a Diabetic Friendly Program, Heart Healthy Program, Gluten-Free Program, and even a Menopause Program.
You can also add the company’s EATS (Essential & Tasty Snacks) package to your order, if you require it.
4. Freshology – Healthiest Meals For Dieters
Monte Cristo, Raspberry Maple Syrup, Sweet Plantains
Key Features
Nutritionist-designed and chef-prepared meals
Plans include Keto-Carb30, Vegetarian, and Balance-Diabetes
Meals have a frozen shelf life of up to 30 days
Powered by Diet-to-Go, Freshology offers healthy, balanced meals that promise no compromise on taste to help diners meet their weight loss goals. Plus, you can get a free diet analysis on the website before you sign up!
The company offers four plans: Balance, Balance-Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, and Vegetarian. All the foods are low carb and low calorie and have controlled sodium and cholesterol.
Each menu has tons of options that follow a five-week rotation system – so there’s always plenty of variety. If, however, you’re vegan, lacto-vegetarian, pescatarian, or gluten-free, this service is not for you.
5. Veestro – Plant-Based Prepared Meals
Miso Udon
Key Features
Vegan versions of classic comfort foods
Nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, high-protein, and low-calorie options
Stock up on up to 30 meals at a time
Whether you’re strictly vegan or just want to include more plant-based foods in your diet, Veestro is a great meal delivery service that allows you to fill up the freezer with quick and healthy dishes for whenever you need them.
You can choose between the a la carte menu (where you can order bundles of 10, 20, or 30 meals) or the dedicated weight loss menu (where you can sign up to either a five- or seven-day plan). Learn more about how this company works, and how much it costs, in our Veestro review.
Overall, on the menu you’ll find a spread of more than 45 entrees and up to eight breakfast items, which is pretty vast considering that most prepared meal delivery services have only a small number of plant-based options.
In addition to high-protein and low-calorie dishes, you can filter your meals to be nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and even kosher.
6. Daily Harvest – Best For Cramming Fruits, Veggies & Superfoods
Daily Harvest’s Harvest Bowls
Key Features
Organic, farm-fresh ingredients
Always gluten- and dairy-free
Delightful combos that feel decadent yet healthy
Getting the recommended intake of fruit, vegetables, and so-called “superfoods” is not always easy when life is busy. But with no need to shop, prep, or cook, Daily Harvest makes healthy eating as simple as it gets.
And its vibrant smoothies, soups, bowls, and bakes are just as yummy as they look. You’ll also find a range of tasty flatbreads on the menu, piled high with healthy toppings, as well as chia and oat bowls for breakfast, ice cream, plant-based milks and colorful lattes.
Choose your plan of nine, 14, or 24 items from the 80 plant-based options available, delivered either weekly or monthly, as you wish. Perfect for those with hectic lifestyles or who hate spending too much time in the kitchen, the only two skills you need to excel in are blending and heating!
7. Fresh n’ Lean – Best For Keto & Fitness Fans
String beans and salmon on rice
Key Features
Easy to maintain a well-balanced diet
Plans include Keto, Paleo, and Vegan, and Low-Carb Vegan
Only clean proteins, free from hormones or antibiotics
As the name suggests, Fresh n' Lean is a dedicated prepared meal delivery service that focuses on healthy and nourishing food. Though it has something to suit most diets and lifestyles, it’s particularly great for athletes and active people looking for high-protein options.
In addition to its Protein+, Keto, and Paleo plans, it also has Vegan and Low-Carb Vegan plans. You can also order A La Carte and all the meals arrive fresh and ready to eat.
The menu allows you to filter out allergens as per your preferences. There are even high-protein snacks and desserts to keep your cravings in check. However, unless you choose to order from the a la carte menu, your weekly dishes will be decided by a chef – so bear that in mind if you like total control or consider yourself a picky eater!
8. Snap Kitchen – Dieting Made Effortless & Delightful
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl with Forbidden Rice
Key Features
Diet-friendly variations of your comfort-food favorites
High-protein, gluten-free, keto-friendly meals, and more
Generous portions – perfect for bigger appetites
Snap Kitchen accommodates several diets, including keto and paleo. Plus, the menu also has options for high-protein, low-carb, and gluten-free meals.
The menu overall is varied and appealing, and features around 36 dishes that change weekly. Look out for meals such as Korean BBQ Meatballs with Sesame Broccoli and Carrots, as well as comfort-food classics like Chicken Tenders. All the meals are approved by a registered dietitian, and you can choose six or 12 options per week.
Snap Kitchen is a brand focused on quality and healthy ingredients. As a result, all the foods are made with clean ingredients that don’t contain any preservatives, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, or hormones.
Top Plans | ||||||||
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| Our Rating | ||||||||
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| Starting Price | ||||||||
| Starting Price | $7.99 Per Serving | $6.19 Per Serving | $8.24 Per Serving | $4.60 Per Serving | $7.16 Per Serving | $3.70 Per Serving | $7.53 Per Serving | $14.99 Per Serving |
| Minimum Order | ||||||||
| Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 6 prepared meals | 10 prepared meals | 10 prepared meals | 10 prepared meals | 9 items | 5 prepared meals | no minimum |
| Meal Types | ||||||||
| Meal Types | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready, prepared | Prepared meals | Prepared meals | Prepared meals | Prepared meals | Prepared meals, smoothies | Prepared meals | Prepared |
| Prep Time | ||||||||
| Prep Time | 5-50 min | 2-3 min | 2-3 min | 2-3 min | 2-5 min | 0-3 min | 3 mins | 2 min |
| Active Deals | ||||||||
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Tips for Choosing the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services
The right prepared meal delivery service means different things to different people based on their needs. That said, there are key considerations to keep in mind when picking the perfect plan, such as:
Does it cater to your dietary requirements? With countless meal delivery services, come countless options. There are diabetes-friendly meals, keto- and paleo-friendly meals, meals for weight loss, and, of course, balanced meals that are simply designed for people with busy lifestyles. Be sure to pick a service that best suits your needs.
Are there enough options on the menu? Some companies have a limited number of meals to choose from, while others offer a large variety. If you don't want to have to choose what to eat each week, a fixed, automated menu could work well for you. If you like full control, you’ll be better off with a delivery service that lets you customize your meals.
Does the delivery and packaging fit your needs? The meals must be packaged safely so they arrive undamaged. Will they arrive or chilled or frozen – and will they stay cool on the doorstep if you’re not home? Also look for brands that care for the environment and go the extra mile to make their packaging recyclable.
Can you afford it? There's little explanation required here, except that the cost should be factored into your daily/weekly/monthly food budget.
Bottom Line: Are Prepared Meal Delivery Services Worth It?
Considering that prepared meal delivery services eliminate everything from grocery shopping to cooking while ensuring that you get healthy, nutritious food on the table every day, we’d say they’re worth every penny. Plus, you may actually manage to stick to your health goals when you don’t have to worry too much about what to cook!
Not only are these wholesome meals brought to your doorstep, meal delivery services generally offer a time window for delivery and can be flexible with your changing schedule, as long as there’s notice beforehand.
FAQ
What is the best prepared meal delivery service?
Home Chef ranked top of my list for fresh, healthy meals with low to no prep but if you follow a specific diet, there may be another service better suited to your niche. For example, Veestro is great for plant-based options.
Why use prepared meal delivery?
Prepared meal delivery services are a huge time-saver. You get back time otherwise spent meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. What's more, when compiling my list of the best prepared services out there, I found many that allow you to achieve your health goals, including sticking to specific diets, without much effort on your part..
What is the least expensive meal delivery service?
Fresh n’ Lean is the lowest-priced prepared meal delivery service on my list, at $7.53 per serving for certain plans and shipping is always free. The meals are geared towards those with an active lifestyle, so it may not fit everyone’s needs and preferences.
Which prepared meal delivery service is best for diabetics?
Several meal delivery services offer a specific diabetes-friendly plan, including Freshology and BistroMD. Of these brands, BistroMD is the only service that works with dietitians and doctors to create healthy, diabetes-friendly meals.
However, before committing to any plan, it would be best to check with your doctor.
Are prepared meals healthy?
Many delivery services on my list work with trained chefs and nutritionists to create balanced dishes packed with veggies and other nutrient-dense ingredients. They’re also conscious about where their ingredients come from, carefully selecting their providers to make sure everything is fresh, of high-quality, and responsibly sourced.
Which meal delivery service is already cooked?
Look for services that offer prepared meals. This means that the food has already been cooked and only requires heating (in the oven or microwave). In some cases the meals may require some minor assembling. All of the meal delivery services on my list offer prepared, heat-and-eat options.
