Meal Kit
Pre-portioned ingredient boxes for home cooking.
Rankings
1. HelloFresh
Global meal kit with a vast recipe range and dietary options.
HelloFresh is a global leader in the meal kit space, offering pre‑portioned ingredients and step‑by‑step recipes delivered weekly to dozens of markets. Its strength lies in recipe variety (well over 100 weekly options) and broad dietary accommodations, including vegetarian, pescatarian, and family‑friendly menus. Since its 2011 founding in Berlin, HelloFresh has scaled to a truly international footprint, backed by a large logistics network and ongoing menu refreshes. For many households, it’s a reliable way to learn new techniques and expand weeknight diversity while eliminating shopping decisions. The brand differentiates itself with extensive recipe labs, Ready Made and One‑Pan options, and frequent sign‑up promos that reduce initial costs. However, the per‑serving cost can be higher than cooking from groceries, especially when shipping is factored in, and some recipes require longer prep than advertised. It’s best suited for beginners to intermediate cooks who want dependable guidance and a wide flavor palate. Established 2011; HQ Berlin, Germany. Integrations: none notable. Market presence: global.
Rated 4.8
2. Blue Apron
New‑world chef‑inspired meals with flexible delivery options.
Blue Apron is a long‑running US meal kit service known for chef‑driven dishes and reliable portions. Since its 2012 founding in New York, the brand has evolved from a subscription‑only model to a more flexible approach while maintaining a core emphasis on high‑quality ingredients and diverse cuisines. It appeals to families and multi‑meal households seeking variety and learning kitchen techniques without purchasing full grocery staples. Pros include a broad weekly menu and the opportunity to try an array of global flavors; cons can include higher per‑serving costs for smaller orders and shipping charges, especially when promos aren’t applied. While not as globally expansive as HelloFresh, Blue Apron remains popular in the US market for cooks who enjoy experimentation and restaurant‑style finishes at home. Established 2012; HQ New York City, USA. Integrations: none notable. Market presence: strong in the US.
Rated 4.0
3. Marley Spoon
Chef‑driven Marley Spoon boxes with global flavors.
Marley Spoon delivers pre‑portioned ingredients and chef‑driven recipes to households across multiple regions, including the US, Australia, and Europe. The service blends global flavors with accessible home cooking, backed by the Martha Stewart partnership in the US market. It is known for reliably fresh ingredients and a solid balance of variety and practicality, appealing to families and culinary enthusiasts who want to cook more adventurous meals without shopping for ingredients. The US arms leverage Martha Stewart’s library for curated choices via Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, offering a blend of prestige and convenience. Ship times and pricing can vary by region, but the core value remains consistent: high‑quality ingredients, clear instructions, and a broad recipe library. Established 2014; HQ Berlin, Germany. Integrations: none notable.
Rated 4.2
4. Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
Martha Stewart–curated meals delivered with Marley Spoon.
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is the US‑market collaboration bringing Martha Stewart’s recipes to home cooks via Marley Spoon’s platform. It blends Martha’s culinary archive with Marley Spoon’s scalable logistics, delivering pre‑portioned ingredients and recipe cards designed for reliable weeknight cooking. The service emphasizes approachable sophistication, appealing to fans of Martha Stewart and to households seeking a higher‑end kit experience without restaurant prices. Availability and pricing are regionally tuned, with shipping and taxes applying per locale. Established 2016 (Martha Stewart collaboration); HQ varies by region (US operations), Berlin for the parent brand. Integrations: none notable.
Rated 4.0
5. Green Chef
USDA‑certified organic meal kits with diet filters.
Green Chef is a premium, organic‑focused meal kit that pioneered USDA organic certification in this space. Founded in 2014 and later acquired by HelloFresh, Green Chef emphasizes clean ingredients, broad dietary options (gluten‑free, vegan, Keto, paleo, etc.), and flexible serving sizes (2, 4, or 6 people). The menus feature creative, globally inspired dishes and emphasize sustainable sourcing. While pricier than some peers, many households value the organic focus, portion control, and dietary versatility. Availability spans the continental US, with multiple distribution centers historically supporting broad coverage. Established 2014; HQ Boulder, Colorado. Integrations: none notable.
Rated 4.1
6. Sunbasket
Healthy, organic meal kits with broad dietary options.
Sunbasket targets health‑minded cooks who want organic ingredients and diverse dietary options. Since its 2014 inception in San Francisco, Sunbasket has expanded to offer Meal Kits and Ready‑to‑Eat options, plus a mix of pre‑prepped market items. The platform emphasizes diet variety (vegetarian, keto, gluten‑free, Mediterranean, diabetes‑friendly, etc.) and a marketplace mindset that includes add‑ons. It’s well suited to intermediate cooks who enjoy experimenting with global flavors and value ingredient quality and portion sizes. The service also frequently runs promotions to reduce upfront costs. However, prices per serving can be higher than mass market kits, and availability is US‑centric with some zip‑code limitations. Established 2014; HQ San Francisco, California. Integrations: Instacart (availability for ordering groceries via Instacart).
Rated 3.9
7. Home Chef
Flexible, affordable meals with customization and Kroger reach.
Home Chef is a large US meal kit service known for flexibility and value. Founded in 2013 in Chicago and later integrated into Kroger’s ecosystem, Home Chef offers a rotating menu of 30+ weekly recipes with the ability to customize proteins and portions. It targets busy families and individuals who want dependable weeknight meals with easy preparation, including oven‑ready and grill‑ready options to reduce cooking time. Its Kroger retail presence broadens access beyond online signups. Pros include wide availability and straightforward cooking steps; cons can include a more conventional flavor profile and occasional pricing shifts. Established 2013; HQ Chicago, Illinois. Integrations: Kroger stores; US nationwide distribution.
Rated 4.2
8. Purple Carrot
100% plant‑based meal kits and ready meals for vegans and flex‑eatters.
Purple Carrot is a plant‑based meal service with kit and ready‑to‑eat options. Founded in 2014, the brand emphasizes vegan cooking with globally inspired flavors, appealing to vegetarians, vegans, and cooks looking to diversify meatless meals. Its Plantry lineup includes ready meals, breakfasts, and groceries, offering flexibility to mix meal kits with heat‑and‑eat dishes. The service is notable for ambitious plant‑forward recipes and dietary accommodations like gluten‑free and high‑protein options, though it remains pricier than many meat‑based kits. Availability is primarily US‑centric with occasional international adjustments. Established 2014; HQ Needham, Massachusetts. Integrations: none notable.
Rated 3.8
9. EveryPlate
Very affordable, family‑friendly meal kits with simple recipes.
EveryPlate targets budget‑mocused households by offering some of the lowest per‑serving costs in the market. Since its 2018 founding as a sister brand to HelloFresh, EveryPlate emphasizes familiar, comforting meals with few ingredient overheads and straightforward instructions. The service appeals to families and busy singles who want predictable costs and simplicity, without compromising on taste. Pros include strong price per serving and easy, repeatable recipes; cons include fewer adventurous options and less premium ingredient choice. Availability is strongest in the US with ongoing expansion. Established 2018; HQ New York, USA. Integrations: none notable.
Rated 3.9
10. Dinnerly
Ultra‑affordable kit with simple, quick recipes.
Dinnerly markets itself as an ultra‑affordable meal kit option. It originated as a Marley Spoon spin‑off in 2017 and positioned itself for value seekers through reduced packaging and lean recipe cards accessible online. Dinnerly suits households that want reliable weeknights without a high price tag, offering a rotating menu of quick, approachable recipes. Pros include affordability, simplicity, and a broad US reach; cons include fewer premium ingredients and sometimes less adventurous flavors. Availability is strongest in the US with occasional regional promos. Established 2017; HQ New York, USA. Integrations: none notable.
Rated 3.7