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The 5 best meal delivery services for families in 2024, according to a nutritionist and expert testers
From Blue Apron to Green Chef, you'll find an easier, more convenient way to get dinner on the table for your family.
There's no question that planning your family's meals ahead of time can help smooth out the dinner rush. Meal planning sidesteps the struggle of figuring out what to eat each night and whether you have all the ingredients. That said, it can be daunting and time-consuming, especially when you want to keep dinners new, exciting and nutritious. One solution? Finding the best meal delivery service for families that meets your household's needs, including dietary restrictions and picky-eater quirks. In under 10 minutes, you can choose a week's worth of meals to be delivered to your door, making meal planning incredibly easy and even enjoyable.
Blue Apron
Best meal delivery service for families overall
EveryPlate
Best budget meal delivery service for families
Green Chef
Best organic meal delivery for families
Purple Carrot
Best vegan meal delivery service for families
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
Best meal kit delivery service for picky eaters
The best meal delivery services offer pre-portioned ingredients and simple-to-follow recipes or heat-and-eat meals that will make nightly dinners a breeze. These services specialize in delivering healthy meals focused on various dietary needs, such as keto, vegan and organic, and often provide meals that can be on the table in under 20 minutes. To help you find the best weekly meal delivery service for your family, our team at Yahoo has researched, tested and tasted these services, evaluating each one based on cost, meal variety, freshness of ingredients, eco-friendly sourcing and packaging, and overall user-friendliness. We recognize that each family has distinct needs and preferences, so our objective is to provide you with the pros and cons of each service to help you make a decision that's best for your household.
The best meal delivery services for families overall
Price per serving: $8-$12 | Meal type: Meal kits and prepared meals | Number of servings per meal: Two to four or single-serving prepared meals Weekly menu options: 70+ | Dietary options: Chef favorites, wellness, family friendly, fast and easy, vegetarian
Our top pick for families, Blue Apron, stands out because its renowned chefs create flavorful, family-friendly recipes made with high-quality ingredients. You can choose from meal kits you make using preportioned ingredients or freshly prepared meals that you simply heat and eat on busy nights. Additional items such as breakfast kits, frozen single-serve meals, à la carte proteins and desserts are also available.
Each week, you'll select two to five dinners for two to four people from more than 80 menu options. Available add-ons include breakfast burritos, warm sandwiches, prepared frozen meals, salads and even charcuterie boards for entertaining. Everything you need for each meal comes in the meal kit, including butter and sesame oil for Asian dishes. Another feature we love is the ability to customize the meals with your preferred proteins, including swapping red meat for fish or shrimp. It's easy to skip a week or two if you're going on vacation.
You can choose from flexible pricing plans with meals ranging from $8 to $12 per serving. For instance, for four people eating five meals per week, the cost is $170.79 plus shipping. I don't know about you, but that cuts my grocery budget in half, and with this you don’t have to think about how much food you need to buy. Everything is portioned for you. There are also introductory offers that make trying Blue Apron more affordable.
Blue Apron provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions with images, so even if you’re just learning how to cook, you have specific directions from Blue Apron chefs. You can also opt to follow along with a video from the website instead of using printed instructions.
Blue Apron's packaging is made from recyclable and compostable materials wherever possible.
Blue Apron is also a favorite of our Senior Health Editor, April McCormick: "I've been subscribing to Blue Apron for years. Each week, there are plenty of family-friendly meals to choose from so we never get bored with the selection. The ingredients arrive fresh, the recipes are easy to follow and most meals are ready in under 30 minutes." Read our full review of Blue Apron.
- Offers a wide variety of international flavors that are family-friendly
- Provides preportioned ingredients, reducing food waste
- Some meals can be customized
- Some may find the number of recipe components overwhelming
Other top meal delivery services for families we recommend for 2024
Price per serving: $5-$6.50 per serving | Meal type: Meal kits and groceries | Number of servings per meal: Two, four or six | Weekly menu options: 26 recipes | Dietary options: Customer favorites, 30 minutes or less, vegetarian, vegan, omnivore, pescatarian, family faves, quick and easy, nutrish and delish (650 calories or fewer)
EveryPlate shines as the best budget meal delivery service for families by offering a balance of affordability, variety and convenience. The service provides a wide range of familiar flavors inspired by global cuisine, making it a crowd-pleaser for families. The easy-to-follow instructions and preportioned ingredients simplify meal preparation, making it a great choice for busy households.
You can choose from various meal kit delivery plans that range in size and preferences, so it's easy to find a plan that suits your family's needs. The pricing is budget-friendly, with meals starting at $5 per serving. We do want to point out that during testing, we found that meal prep often took longer than EveryPlate said it would, although they do provide easy-to-follow instructions with images.
You can choose from 26 menu options weekly, with familiar flavors inspired by global cuisines such as Italian, Tex-Mex, Greek and American classics. Although EveryPlate does not cater to specific dietary restrictions, some vegetarian and plant-based recipes are available. You can filter recipes in a number of ways, including quick and easy (ready in 30 minutes or less) or "nutrish and delish" (each serving is 650 calories or fewer) with an order maximum of four servings for up to five meals per week.
Read our full review of EveryPlate.
- Offers a variety of familiar flavors inspired by global cuisine
- Provides easy-to-follow instructions and premeasured ingredients
- Great for beginner cooks
- Prep times may be longer than advertised
- Does not cater to specific dietary restrictions
Price per serving: $12-$13.50 | Meal type: Meal kits | Weekly menu choices: 40+ menu selections; add-on breakfasts, lunches, sides and snacks | Number of servings per meal: Two, four or six | Dietary options: Calorie-smart, gut and brain health, gluten-free, keto, Mediterranean, plant-based, protein-packed, quick and easy
Green Chef is our top pick for the best organic meal delivery service for families because it provides a wide variety of flavorful organic dishes that can satisfy various dietary needs and even the pickiest eaters. The service, owned by Hello Fresh, offers more than 40 weekly menu options. Each meal kit arrives with individually packed ingredients, including proteins, organic vegetables, seasonings, sauces and organic fresh herbs. Step-by-step instructions with images are included.
Green Chef is certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and holds a California Certified Organic Farmers accreditation, so unless stated otherwise, all produce in your meal kit is organic. Pricing ranges from $12 to $13.50 per serving, plus shipping. We found the meals tasty and satisfying, with reasonable portion sizes. However, it's worth noting that the service does not allow you to specify allergies, and premium meals come at an extra cost.
The service caters to different lifestyles with eight dietary programs, including quick-and-easy meals for busy family nights, Mediterranean and keto selections, low-calorie meals, plant-based meals, protein-packed meals and gluten-free selections. Prepared meal choices such as breakfasts, heat-and-eat lunches and desserts are available as add-ons.
Green Chef's packaging is made from recycled, reusable and/or compostable materials.
Read our full review of Green Chef.
- USDA-certified organic company
- Packaging is made from recycled, reusable and/or compostable materials
- Add-on options include salads, desserts, heat-and-eat lunches, breakfasts, sides and snacks
- Cannot specify allergies
- More flavorful dishes or those with steak are 'premium selections' and cost $7 to $10 more per serving
Price per serving: $11-$13 | Meal type: Meal kits and prepared meals, plus pantry add-ons | Weekly menu options: 16, along with additional options for breakfast and lunch | Number of servings per meal: Two or four | Dietary options: Under 600 calories, gluten-free, high protein, low sodium, high fiber, nut free, soy free
Purple Carrot is our unanimous choice for the best overall vegan meal kit for families. It offers an outstanding level of quality, flavor combinations, menu options and convenience, plus a weekly vegan cookbook complete with vibrant photos and step-by-step instructions. Purple Carrot serves fresh vegan meals that are nutritious and incredibly delicious, making it an ideal choice for long-standing vegans and those new to the lifestyle. Its diverse menu and high-quality ingredients are impressive enough that even the biggest carnivores should enjoy a vegan meal or two each week with this service.
Ordering meals that suit your flavor and dietary preferences is easy. There are plentiful selections for breakfasts, lunches and dinners, plus a range of "Plantry" add-ons — think matcha cold brew coffees, fresh juices, instant lentils, homestyle chili, plant-based crab cakes, juice shots, chocolates, nuts, crackers, and vegan cheeses. Pricing varies depending on which plan you choose, starting at $11 and rising to $13 per serving for meal kits and $13 for single-serving heat-and-eat prepared meals. There are menu options suitable for various dietary preferences, including high-protein, nut-free, and gluten-free.
Our tester praised Purple Carrot's meals for convenience, flavor and freshness, saying all meals won over her family. She was especially impressed by the creamy dairy-free dressings and sauces. Everything was so tasty that she got her family of carnivores and vegetarians to regularly enjoy two vegan meals a week, which she called an "epic win."
The company uses recyclable shipping and packing materials wherever possible.
Read our full review of Purple Carrot.
- Offers meal kits and prepared meals
- New vegan cookbook included each week
- Full pantry of add-on options
- Pricey
- Limited meal selection
Price per serving: $9-$13 per serving, plus $11.99 for shipping | Meal type: Meal kits | Weekly menu options: 100+ recipes | Number of servings per meal: Two or four | Dietary options: Low carb, low calorie, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, kid-friendly, one pot, omnivore, pescatarian, under 30 minutes, breakfast, appetizers, desserts, family-friendly
Marley Spoon is our top pick for the best meal kit delivery service for picky eaters because it offers over 100 weekly menu options. This makes it an excellent choice for families with picky eaters, as there is a high likelihood of finding meals that suit everyone's tastes.
Meals are delicious and satisfying, with decently sized portions created by Martha Stewart's culinary experts. However, some recipes may be too complex for beginner chefs or those who need quicker, simpler meal prep, making this service more suited to those comfortable in the kitchen.
Marley Spoon's packaging is mostly recyclable, and the company provides clear recycling instructions on its website.
- 100+ menu options each week
- Gourmet flavors created by Martha Stewart and culinary experts
- Uses fresh, high-quality ingredients
- Multiple steps aren't as beginner-friendly
Factors to consider when choosing a meal kit for families
Cost: Consider the price per serving and the number of servings you'll need for each meal. Meal delivery services for families should offer plans that cater to larger groups. Prices typically range from $7 to $13 per serving and decrease as you order more meals per delivery. It's important to compare the cost per serving across different services while also taking into account how the service suits your family’s dietary preferences and tastes.
Ease of use: Meal delivery kits for families should be easy to use, save time and reduce mealtime stress. They should have a simple ordering process, clear cooking instructions and a convenient delivery schedule. Some services offer prepared meals that only need to be heated, while others provide ingredients and recipes for you to cook the meal yourself. Still, others offer add-on sides, snacks or additional meals. Services that cater to families often offer meals that are easy to prepare and kid-friendly.
Menu choice: A good variety of recipes and ingredients make it more likely that your family will enjoy meals without waste. Look for a service that offers a range of recipes that fit your family's dietary needs and tastes. The ingredients should be fresh and high quality.
Taste: Above all, the meals should be delicious; otherwise, uneaten dishes mean wasted money and food. Taste can be subjective, so it's a good idea to read reviews or try a few different services to find one that suits your family's palate.
Eco-friendly packaging: Consider the type of packaging the meal delivery service uses, including how it's shipped and whether it can be reused or recycled. Many services try to reduce their environmental impact by using recyclable or compostable packaging. This is especially important for families who want to shrink their ecological footprint.
How we chose
Every meal kit we reviewed has different strengths and weaknesses. Some are very easy, others offer more variety; some are great for families with picky eaters and special diets, others are geared toward vegans and vegetarians. We also tested some heat-and-eat meal options (remember when we used to call them TV dinners?) to throw into the mix for busier families.
To narrow down the list of the best meal delivery services, an in-house culinary expert and Yahoo testers and editors collectively tried 15 of the top delivery services with their families. We evaluated the services according to the number of weekly menu choices, quality and freshness, ease of cooking, cost, eco-friendly packaging and — most of all — taste.
FAQs
Are meal delivery services good for families with picky eaters?
Meal delivery services can benefit families with picky eaters since they offer a range of meals suited for different dietary preferences, making it easier to find meals that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Do meal delivery services help families save money?
While meal delivery services seem expensive up front, they can help families save money in the long run. They reduce food waste by providing pre-portioned ingredients, and they can save time spent on meal planning and grocery shopping. If you regularly rely on takeout, delivery or other more expensive, convenient options, these delivery services can save you money and provide more nutritional meals.
Can a meal delivery service feed a family of 5 or more people?
Many meal delivery services offer plans catering to larger groups, including families of five or more, though some serve only up to four. The specific number of servings will depend on the particular service and the meal plan. Green Chef and EveryPlate have options for up to six people, but you could also double up on a specific meal if you have a larger family and save any leftovers for lunches.
Can I cancel my meal delivery subscription at any time?
Most meal delivery services offer flexible subscriptions that allow you to cancel anytime. Specific cancellation policies are unique to each service, so be sure to research these when choosing a plan.
