Signing up for a meal delivery service can be a great way to avoid the stresses (and time-sucks) of grocery shopping, meal prepping, and recipe-seeking. And, depending on the brand, the benefits can extend beyond convenience: Your meal kit of choice might even help level up your cooking skills and broaden your palate. There’s a wide variety of meal delivery options to consider, but SELF’s stalwart home cooks are here to narrow the field.
How to choose the right meal kit delivery service for you
On the most practical level, the meal kit you choose should suit your budget and schedule. Luckily, the majority of services make it easy to skip and pause deliveries, and to change the quantity of meals you receive every week. Other factors to consider are your preferences and any potential dietary restrictions. You can find brands that spotlight vegetarian and vegan meals, remove allergens, use seasonal ingredients, and offer on-the-go items like soups, smoothies, and frozen meals. Beyond that, it’s a matter of, well, taste. You may need to try out a couple brands before you find the one that works for you.
You can also shop with your idea of healthy eating in mind: While what this means is super individualized, it could look like prioritizing nutritious ingredients, satisfying servings, or even delicious, joyful dishes. So whether you’re incredibly busy, exploring a more plant-based diet, interested in eating local, looking to find more pleasure in your meals, or some combination thereof—you can likely find a meal kit that’ll satisfy your needs.
Finally, you can make your meal kit pick by simply perusing our curated list below for some options. All of the meal delivery services featured here have been tested and reviewed by SELF staffers, who followed our meal kit shopping guide to make their assessments. Kits that receive at least a rating of seven out of 10 are considered SELF Certified (i.e., exceptional and definitely worth a try)—whereas ones that scored in the mid-range offered some advantages, along with a few drawbacks. Read on for our top meal kit picks, and perhaps find your new favorite way to get dinner on the table with minimal fuss.
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All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Home Chef
Best for: The person who’s newly committed to home-cooked meals
Rating: 9/10
