HelloFresh ($12+ per serving) is second only to Blue Apron; the recipes I tried had great flavor, but the instructions may be difficult to follow for inexperienced home cooks. Furthermore, the sirloin steak I tried was not something I would enjoy serving. It may be a lot to expect a meal kit company to ship a top quality steak, but then again, a steak should not be offered if the cut is not up to par. Apart from that negative point, the two services are largely comparable.
Green chef ($13+ per serving) is another great option for beginners (also owned by HelloFresh), and it offers plenty of plans around different dietary restrictions. Almost every ingredient is also organic. The recipe instructions include easy-to-follow images that guide the trickier steps, and unlike some other services, Green Chef’s recipes don’t jump from part to part. For example, all products are prepared at the same time. That’s more intuitive (and time-saving) compared to other recipes I’ve tested.
Every plate Recipe cards ($5+ per serving) are concise, saving you counter space, and there are helpful notes that offer advice or other instructions if you double a recipe. (It’s also another HelloFresh brand.) Some steps require some kitchen knowledge, like cutting things diagonally or having an idea of when a steak you prefer is done. You’ll also need more pantry ingredients, like butter, flour and milk. If you keep your kitchen stocked, the cost of EveryPlate is lower than most other plans.
Veestro ($10+ per serving) is another great option for vegans. The ready-made meals are delivered frozen. As any vegan knows, it’s good to have food options nearby in case your takeout order (again) includes dairy-based cheese on your burger. The service has many filters to choose from for different dietary needs, and breakfast dishes are available, in addition to lunch or dinner meals. The food itself had a satisfying taste and texture for me, an omnivore, and also for my 15-year-old vegan co-tester. I’m not a fan of the meal plan or “weight loss” marketing. Always talk to your doctor before traveling to change your weight or dietary habits.