What to Buy Food Food & Meal Delivery Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Factor is the best delivery service for prepared meals By Asonta Benetti Asonta Benetti Asonta Benetti is a freelance writer based in Phoenix, Arizona. She specializes in travel, food, and beverage, including spirits, wine, and beer, and she covers luxury experiences, hole-in-the-wall finds, and everything in between. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 13, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Larissa Veronesi / Getty Images Modern-day life can be hectic, and sometimes prepping dinner at the end of a long day is the last thing you want to do. But a lack of time—or a lack of interest in cooking—doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good meals. Luckily, there are numerous prepared meal delivery services that will give you incredibly quick dinners that still satisfy. These prepared meal companies send ready-made, fully cooked dishes that often only require a few minutes of reheating before you dig in. Here, we’ve rounded up the best prepared meal delivery services across a variety of categories so you can choose one that suits your needs (and your palate). Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services of 2023 Best Overall: Factor Best for Singles: Trifecta Best Meals for Weight Loss: bistroMD Best Overall Value: Revive Superfoods Best for Frozen Meals: Mosaic Foods Best for Senior Citizens: Magic Kitchen Best for Vegan Meals: Purple Carrot Best for Organic Meals: Epicured 01 of 08 Best Overall: Factor Factor Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With weekly menus full of meals like Louisiana shrimp and creamy Parmesan chicken, Factor provides its customers with keto-friendly options without sacrificing flavor. Pros and Cons Pros Add-ons available, like smoothies and pre-prepped proteins Over 30 meals to choose from each week Cons Meals are single serving only Overview Although Factor has a focus on keto and low-carb offerings, it’s an excellent prepared meal delivery option no matter your dietary preferences. The company provides calorie-smart, vegan, vegetarian, and “protein plus” options, all ready to eat after two minutes in the microwave. Additionally, Factor offers a selection of add-on items like smoothies, shakes, and extra proteins, and subscribers can receive a complimentary virtual nutrition coaching session with a dietitian. Testers were impressed with Factor’s flavor and quality, including a mango salsa salmon dish that managed to stay flaky and buttery after reheating. Pricing and Plans 6 meals per week: $12.99 per serving8 meals per week: $12.49 per serving10 meals per week: $11.99 per serving12 meals per week: $11.49 per serving14 meals per week: $11.19 per serving16 meals per week: $10.99 per serving Meals We Tried Mango salsa salmon with coconut rice and black beansCreamy Parmesan chicken with broccoli and tomatoesVegetable ratatouille with mascarpone polentaSmoked tofu almond stir-fry with edamame succotash 02 of 08 Best for Singles: Trifecta Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.42 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With an emphasis on macro-balanced meals, Trifecta is serious and transparent about the nutrition it provides its customers. Pros and Cons Pros Can purchase premade ingredients for easy meal prep All organic ingredients Cons Variety is somewhat limited Overview Trifecta is perfect for those who want to ensure they’re getting healthy and nutritious meals that are ready to go without having to scroll through menu after menu. You’ll start by choosing the type of meal plan you need, such as paleo or vegan, and how many meals you want each week. From there, Trifecta takes care of the rest. With options like Korean beef bulgogi or a crispy tofu skillet, recipes rotate weekly with minimal effort on your part. Pricing and Plans Meal plans starting at $99.99 per week, with a minimum of seven entréesÀ la carte meals and single items available, with a minimum spend of $119 Meals We Tried Kung pao grilled chicken with broccoli and roasted sweet potatoBeef skillet with roasted sweet potato and marinated cabbageHerb-roasted cod with walnut basil pesto and vegetablesSlow-cooked rosemary thyme beef with root vegetablesSalmon Mexican bowl with tomato salsa and vegetablesGinger shrimp with herb-marinated sweet potatoCajun chicken andouille sausage and roasted vegetables 03 of 08 Best Meals for Weight Loss: bistroMD BistroMD Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Designed specifically for those who have weight loss goals, bistroMD also supports other dietary needs, like diabetic friendly and gluten free. Pros and Cons Pros Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks available Customizable meal plans Dietitian support available Cons Recycling packaging is not straightforward All meals come frozen Overview BistroMD is not your mom’s weight loss plan. The company has made its mission to provide healthy meals supportive of weight loss that don’t sacrifice flavor or selection. Customers can choose unique items, from stuffed grape leaves with tomato sauce to a Southwest bison meatloaf, with plans that will provide breakfasts, lunches, and dinners every week. Pricing and Plans BistroMD’s pricing will depend on which meal plan you select. Prices range from $149.90 for five days of lunch and dinner to $219.80 for seven days of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Per-serving prices start around $10.99. Meals We Tried Chicken, rice, and cheddar casseroleSalmon with dill mustard sauceTurkey breast with cranberry apple chutneyOven-fried catfish with spicy tomato leek sauceBaked pasta marinara with chicken sausageMeatloaf with honey bourbon glazeMojo pork with black beans and riceChicken pad ThaiGrilled salmon with creamy pestoLasagna with garden marinara 04 of 08 Best Overall Value: Revive Superfoods Revive Superfoods Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $6.99 per servingDelivery Area: Not specifiedProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It With a menu driven by “superfood” ingredients, Revive Superfoods provides nontraditional delivery service items with smoothies and açai bowls. Pros and Cons Pros Reusable straw provided with order Large variety for smoothie selection Cons Menu is somewhat limited Overview If you’re looking to incorporate more fruits into your diet, Revive Superfoods is a terrific option. The company’s menu is completely plant based, featuring dishes like açai bowls, soups, savory grain bowls, and over 20 different smoothie flavors—all at a wallet-friendly price point. With great textures and unique flavor combos like sweet peach and yuzu or blueberry and maqui berry, you’re sure to find something that pleases your palate. Pricing and Plans Weekly subscriptions include nine, 12, or 24 itemsMonthly subscriptions are 12 or 24 itemsItems are priced individually, from $6.99 to $8.49 each Meals We Tried Hazy Cocoa smoothie Pink Dragon smoothie Açai Twist smoothie Chipotle and black bean supermeal Lentil and sun-dried tomato supermeal Avocado and quinoa supermeal Chickpea and pomegranate supermeal Guajillo tortilla soup Artisan bean and tomato soup 05 of 08 Best for Frozen Meals: Mosaic Foods Mosaic Foods Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $9.43 per servingDelivery Area: Depends on ZIP codeProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Dedicated to vegan and vegetarian meals, Mosaic Foods provides flavorful plant-forward options to keep your freezer stocked. Pros and Cons Pros Family-sized meals available Easy and clear packaging disposal instructions Cons Limited delivery area Add-ons and grocery items not available Overview With a menu that’s entirely vegetarian or vegan, Mosaic Foods makes it easy for those who want to eat plant-based cuisine at a moment’s notice. Choose from tasty meals like noodle and grain bowls, soups, family-sized casseroles, and even pizzas with creative flavors like aloo chaat and mint chutney. Testers were impressed with the taste and texture of the meals, noting that the overall quality is superior to other frozen plant-based options. Pricing and Plans Single meals: $5.99 to $11.99 eachFamily meals: (2-4 people): $19.99 eachMinimum 6 meals per order Meals We Tried Spicy dan dan noodlesBuffalo cauliflower pasta bake (family size)Mac and greensPozole verdeVeggie kebab platterCoconut chickpea curry 06 of 08 Best for Senior Citizens: Magic Kitchen Magic Kitchen Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Meal planning as a senior can be tough, especially if there are physical conditions that make shopping or cooking difficult. Magic Kitchen provides well-rounded meals that are easy to heat without sacrificing quality and selection. Pros and Cons Pros Trial packs and multi-month subscriptions available Items like soups and breads can also be added Cons Some meals can lack flavor Overview Magic Kitchen offers an array of dining options that support seniors and those on medically restrictive diets, including low sodium and dialysis friendly. The company even works with insurance companies and can assist with post-discharge meals. Magic Kitchen’s meals are packaged individually, and the selection is unbeatable. Choose from dishes like baked tilapia, beef shepherd’s pie, breakfast omelets, and plenty of snacks, sides, and desserts. Pricing and Plans Meal programs provide one to three meals a dayAuto-ship with weekly, biweekly, or monthly optionsÀ la carte items can be ordered as a “bundle”Price varies; average cost of Complete Meals is $10 to $14À la carte items and Complete Meals can be ordered individually Meals We Tried Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinachBeef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blendBalsamic glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beansChili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets 07 of 08 Best for Vegan Meals: Purple Carrot Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It A straightforward approach for vegan dining, Purple Carrot offers a rotating menu of prepared entrées that only take a couple of minutes to cook. Pros and Cons Pros Vegan pantry add-ons offered Can mix and match prepared meals and meal kits Cons Not geared toward families or children Overview It can sometimes be difficult to find decent vegan meals that are ready to heat and can also be delivered directly to your door. Purple Carrot comes through on all of these factors, providing a weekly menu of flavorful and unique vegan dishes that can be reheated in minutes. Although the selection can be limited compared to other services, there is still enough variety to keep your palate engaged. Choose from globally inspired options including palak cauliflower, cavatappi alla Norma, and gochujang fried rice, plus “plantry” items like cashew cream cheese and vegan cookies. Pricing and Plans Prepared meal plans include either six, eight, or 10 meals per week for $13 per serving. Meal kits are priced as follows: 3 meals with 2 servings each: $13.25 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $13.25 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $11 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $11 per serving Meals We Tried Meal Kits: Sesame orange tofu with roasted green beans and sticky riceCurry roasted cauliflower with masala chickpeas and ginger cucumber salsaRajas tacos with avocado and roasted corn salsa Prepared Meals: Peanut noodles with gingered edamame and braised tofuCreamy mac and cheese with pesto peas and sun-dried tomatoesSpelt risotto with summer vegetable caponataChilled curried chickpea salad with dates and quinoa red pepper pilafTofu palak paneer with carrot biryani 08 of 08 Best for Organic Meals: Epicured Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.29 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Using organic ingredients whenever possible, Epicured boasts an extensive menu of gourmet meals catered specifically toward those with gluten sensitivities. Pros and Cons Pros Easy filtering for dietary preferences and allergens Some prepared meals are also freezer friendly Cons Only single servings available Overview Epicured takes its role in providing low-FODMAP and gluten-free meals seriously, partnering with registered dietitians to ensure the company’s food meets those criteria. To help maintain the quality of its offerings, Epicured’s ingredients are non-GMO and free of preservatives. Additionally, the company works with local farmers to source organic produce and protein whenever possible. Meal choices run the gamut from paella de la huerta to a hearty Colorado lamb ragu pasta. Pricing and Plans Items available à la carte or as meal “bundles”10 different bundles for multiday meals, starting at $10.29 per serving Meals We Tried Vietnamese rice noodles Pad Thai with chickenSesame-crusted grilled salmonPulled BBQ chicken Final Verdict With a large selection of chef-prepared meals, including keto-friendly options, Factor is the best choice for a prepared meal delivery service. With dietitian-designed menus and 35 weekly choices, there are plenty of entrées available that can match your health and dietary needs. Plus, Factor’s list of add-ons makes it a well-rounded service to get you through any part of your weekly meal and snack needs. Compare the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Company Starting Price Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping Factor Best Overall $10.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Trifecta Best for Singles $11.42 per serving 50 states Fresh No No bistroMD Best for Weight Loss $10.99 per serving 48 states Frozen No No Revive Superfoods Best Overall Value $6.99 per serving Not specified Frozen Yes No Mosaic Foods Best for Frozen Meals $9.43 per serving Depends on ZIP code Frozen Yes Yes, after a minimum purchase amount Magic Kitchen Best for Senior Citizens $10 per serving 48 states Frozen Yes No Purple Carrot Best Vegan Meals $11 per serving 48 states Fresh No No Epicured Best Organic Meals $10.29 per serving 48 states Fresh No No Guide to Choosing the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services What to Consider When Choosing the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Price/Cost per Meal: Does the service fit in your budget as a replacement for grocery bills or restaurant meals?Number of Meals per Delivery: Do you need a service to provide every meal for the week? Do you want meals with enough servings for multiple people or leftovers?Flexibility: Are the items fresh or frozen? Does the meal delivery service have plans that work for your schedule or can be easily skipped and canceled?Menu Selection: Is there enough variety to keep you interested? Does the menu change weekly or do the options remain the same?Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: Do you have dietary preferences that require specific ingredients or preparation by the service? Does the company provide enough nutritional transparency and insight for your health needs? Who Should Consider the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services? If you’re someone who doesn’t derive pleasure from chopping and dicing in the kitchen, or if you’re crunched on time but still value a hearty meal, signing up for a prepared meal delivery service may be a good choice. These services can also help make things easier if you have special dietary preferences, allowing professionals to put together a meal that fits your needs. Depending on the service, meals can be fresh or frozen, which can help you keep your fridge and freezer stocked with quick options to get dinner on the table. Frequently Asked Questions Are Prepared Meal Delivery Services Affordable? When considering a prepared meal delivery service, one of the most important factors is the cost. Affordability differs from customer to customer, so the price range you consider reasonable could be varied and dependent on what comes with the service. Will a weekly supply of prepared meals replace a significant chunk of your grocery bill? Does it help cut down on the number of restaurant orders? How valuable to you is having meals ready to go without spending time cooking? The affordability of a prepared meal delivery service is based on a variety of factors unique to your lifestyle. Do Prepared Meal Delivery Services Offer Healthy Meal Options? Since we all define “healthy” in different ways, it’s important to decide what you consider to be healthy meal options when weighing up a subscription. Several prepared meal delivery options have a significant selection of meals that accommodate dietary needs and preferences in their plans. Popular choices like vegan or keto can be found across many services. “Healthy” could also be meals that are medically required, which might narrow down the options of services that can support your health needs. Or it may be organic ingredients, which some plans are proud to offer. With so many choices, it’s easy to find something to fit you and your family. Are Premade Meals Cheaper Than Eating Out? They can be—but it depends on why you choose to eat out. Is it out of necessity due to the time needed to make meals? Is it an opportunity to unwind and relax over your dinner? Or perhaps it’s a way to try foods or flavors you wouldn’t normally have? With the great selection of prepared meal delivery services available, you can likely find one that provides restaurant-quality meals at an equal or lower price than you’d find when dining out. However, the price can vary based on the types of meals, just like in a restaurant. And if there are experiential things you enjoy about eating out, those should be taken into account whether prepared meals are a financially good fit or not. Do Prepared Meal Delivery Services Accept EBT? EBT cards that are used for government-funded benefits have specific criteria on how they can be used and what they can pay for. The program has restrictions on the type of foods, whether they are already prepared, or even if they are hot or cold. In order to determine if you can use EBT for a prepared meal delivery service, it is best to check with your local state government guidelines and the service you are interested in. Methodology Our panel of testers reviewed 40 different companies to assess the best meal delivery services. The review criteria for services consisted of sustainability practices, customer service, flavor, dietary selection and information, ingredient freshness, as well as the process of meal preparation. Our testing team contains a variety of people, including food writers and kids, to capture as many voices as possible. How We Test and Rank Meal Delivery Services Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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