Cooking at home is getting a serious upgrade — the U.S. meal kit delivery market is projected to surpass $20 billion in the coming years, per Grand View Research, driven by demand for convenience without sacrificing nutrition. Whether you're tired of the 5 p.m. "what's for dinner?" panic or simply want to cut back on takeout spending, meal kits offer a structured, cost-effective solution. Before committing to a service, it's worth checking out a food delivery cost comparison to see where kits stack up against apps — and pairing that with grocery price tracking apps to maximize your savings. We've rounded up the 8 best meal kit delivery services available right now — let's dig in!
Quick Answer
The best meal kit delivery services include HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef, Green Chef, and EveryPlate, among others. These services range from budget-friendly options around $9–$10 per serving to premium organic choices. They reduce takeout spending while providing structured, nutritious home cooking with pre-portioned ingredients delivered weekly.
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Summary Table
| Item Name | Price Range | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Apron | $9.99–$12.99/serving | Best overall, chef-designed meals | Visit Site |
| EveryPlate | $5.99–$6.99/serving | Best budget meal kit | Visit Site |
| Home Chef | $9.99–$13.99/serving | Flexible plans, family-friendly | Visit Site |
| CookUnity | $10.99–$13.99/serving | Chef-crafted ready-to-eat meals | Visit Site |
| Purple Carrot | $9.99–$11.99/serving | Best plant-based meal kit | Visit Site |
| Dinnerly | $4.99–$6.49/serving | Lowest cost per serving | Visit Site |
| Green Chef | $11.99–$13.99/serving | Best for organic & special diets | Visit Site |
| Sunbasket | $10.99–$15.99/serving | Best for clean, organic eating | Visit Site |
8 Best Meal Kit Delivery Services for Families (2026)
Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.
1. Blue Apron
Blue Apron is one of the original meal kit delivery services and remains a strong contender for home cooks who want restaurant-quality recipes with pre-portioned ingredients shipped weekly. It's best suited for adults who enjoy cooking from scratch and want to expand their culinary skills with chef-designed meals. Pricing starts around $9.99–$11.99 per serving depending on the plan.
Key features:
- 2–4 serving plans with 2–5 recipes per week
- Wine pairing add-on available
- Frequent first-box discounts (often 50–60% off)
2. EveryPlate
EveryPlate consistently ranks among the most affordable meal kit options, making it a practical pick for budget-conscious households exploring home cooking delivery. Meals start at roughly $4.99 per serving — significantly cheaper than most competitors — without sacrificing variety. It's an ideal starting point if you're new to meal kit subscriptions and want to keep costs low. You can also check out grocery delivery services compared to see how it stacks up against traditional grocery options.
What you get:
- 2–5 recipes per week, 2–4 servings each
- Simple 30–45 minute recipes with minimal prep
- No premium or specialty add-ons — straightforward value
3. Home Chef
Home Chef stands out among weekly dinner kit services for its flexibility — you can choose between traditional meal kits, oven-ready meals, and fast-prep options all in one subscription. Pricing starts at around $9.95 per serving, and the service is available exclusively through Kroger stores or online delivery. It works well for busy households that want variety without committing to a single cooking format each week.
Notable perks:
- Oven-ready and microwave-ready meals alongside classic kits
- Customize protein type and portion size on most recipes
- Pick-up option at Kroger locations in addition to home delivery
4. CookUnity
CookUnity stands out among meal kit options by delivering fully prepared, chef-crafted meals rather than raw ingredients — making it a strong pick for busy households that want variety without cooking. Each meal is made by a roster of professional chefs, so the quality and creativity tend to exceed standard meal kit offerings. Plans start around $10–$12 per meal depending on how many you order weekly.
Key features:
- Choose from 50+ rotating chef-made meals per week
- Meals arrive ready to heat in minutes — no prep required
- Flexible plans: 4, 6, 8, or 16 meals per week
5. Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal kit service, making it the top choice in this category for vegetarians and vegans who want structured, flavorful recipes delivered weekly. Every meal is 100% plant-based, with portions designed to be filling and nutritionally balanced. Pricing runs approximately $11–$13 per serving, which is competitive for specialty diet meal kits.
What you get:
- 2–4 plant-based recipes per week with pre-measured ingredients
- Nutritional info included for every meal
- No meat, dairy, or eggs — fully vegan-friendly
6. Dinnerly
Dinnerly is consistently one of the most affordable meal kit delivery services available, with prices starting around $4.99–$5.99 per serving — significantly cheaper than competitors like HelloFresh or Blue Apron. It keeps costs low by using digital recipe cards instead of printed ones and offering simpler recipes with fewer ingredients. This makes it a practical option for budget-conscious families who still want the convenience of home-cooked meal delivery.
Notable perks:
- Starting price: ~$4.99/serving (one of the lowest in the market)
- Family-friendly recipes under 30 minutes
- Flexible subscription — skip or cancel anytime
7. Green Chef
Green Chef stands out among meal kit delivery services as the top choice for specialty diets, particularly USDA-certified organic ingredients. Every box is tailored to specific eating plans — keto, Mediterranean, plant-based — making it one of the few services that genuinely supports dietary restrictions without compromising on quality. Prices start around $11.99 per serving, which is slightly higher than average but reflects the certified organic sourcing.
Key features:
- USDA-certified organic produce and proteins
- Plans: Keto + Paleo, Mediterranean, Plant-Based, Gluten-Free
- Pre-measured ingredients cut prep time to 30 minutes or less
- Best for: Health-focused households with specific dietary needs
8. Sunbasket
Sunbasket appeals to health-conscious subscribers who want organic, clean-label ingredients alongside flexible meal formats — including fresh-and-ready options that require no cooking at all. As a meal delivery option, it bridges the gap between traditional kit cooking and fully prepared meals, offering more variety than most competitors. Plans start at roughly $10.99 per serving, with 18+ weekly recipe choices spanning paleo, diabetes-friendly, Mediterranean, and vegetarian menus.
What you get:
- 18+ weekly recipes with organic produce and responsibly sourced proteins
- Fresh-and-ready meals (fully cooked, heat-in-15-minutes option)
- Flexible subscription — skip, pause, or cancel anytime
Final Words
From family-friendly plans to gourmet chef-crafted menus, these eight meal kit services cover nearly every budget and lifestyle. If you're still exploring broader options, browse our guide to food subscription boxes to find your perfect fit.