Best Meal Delivery Service for Families (2025): Making Family Dinners More Manageable

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Kids eating meals from Nurture Life while seated at a table

Ferris Bueller said it best—“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.” And ain’t that the truth? Life seems to get busier and busier, especially when you add kids into the mix.

If you feel like your family meals are the first thing to go when the schedule gets out of hand, you’re not alone. Maybe you don’t have enough time in the day or enough energy in the tank to prepare well-balanced meals. Either way, meal delivery services can help.

RELATED: High-Protein Meal Delivery

We’ve tried over 40 meal delivery services, putting them all through our rigorous testing methodology, and we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best meal delivery services for families. We considered factors like:

  • Price per serving
  • Ordering flexibility
  • Taste
  • Ease of preparation
  • Portion sizes
  • Ingredient quality
  • Meal variety
  • Meal plans and customization
  • Access to nutrition information
  • Packaging and shipping
  • Sustainability efforts
  • Customer service

Our team of registered dietitians, certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, athletes, and parents considered every aspect of the best meal delivery service for families to provide you with as much information as possible in an effort to help you make an informed decision for your household. If you’re looking for a meal service that fits your family’s lifestyle and nutrition needs, then check out our top picks.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

10 Best Meal Delivery Services for Families

  • Best Meal Delivery for Families Overall: HelloFresh
  • Best Meal Delivery for Babies and Toddlers: Little Spoon
  • Best Meal Delivery for Kids and Teens: Nurture Life
  • Best Budget Meal Delivery for Families: Dinnerly
  • Best Prepared Meal Delivery for Families: Magic Kitchen
  • Best Meal Delivery for Busy Families: Gobble
  • Best Meal Delivery for Picky Eaters: Hungryroot
  • Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Families: Purple Carrot
  • Best Organic Meal Delivery for Families: Green Chef
  • Best Meal Delivery for Families Who Like to Cook: EveryPlate

Best Meal Delivery for Families Overall: HelloFresh

Good for: Families who don’t mind a bit of cooking

Best Overall
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4.1
HelloFresh
Meal kit
Meal prep
Vegetarian
Vegan options
Deliver to all states across the continental US
Pause or cancel at any time
Use code GGR10FM for 10 free meals + free item for life See Details
Meal Options
6 different plans available, including vegan and pescatarian options
Sustainability
Sourced from U.S. farmers
Price
Around $9.99
Meals per Week
Up to 8
Easy Prep
Our tester rated HelloFresh a 4 out of 5 for preparation, noting quick prep and cleanup times
Options
You can choose from 6 meal plans, including vegan and pescatarian options
Pros
Saves on meal-prepping
Can swap out ingredients
Chef-curated recipes
Sourced from U.S. farmers
6 meal plans to choose from
Cons
Customer reviews complain about ingredient inconsistencies
Some reviews claim meal portions are small
Lacks variety for specialty dieters
Meal Type
Meal Kit
Meals Per Week
Up to 8
Diet Types
Vegetarian, fit & wholesome, pescatarian
Price Per Meal
Around $9.99

HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals. They provide six different plans, including plant-based, pescatarian, and quick and easy meals. Additionally, 40 different recipes are available each week, and proteins and sides can be swapped out as needed. The subscription is flexible, as you can skip a week, pause, or cancel your account at any time.

What our tester says:

“There are around 5 to 8 meals that I consider my favorites that I like to choose when they are in the rotation, but I’m regularly able to expand my palate and try something new, especially with the seasonal options they include.”

Whether cooking for yourself or your whole household, HelloFresh has a plan that can meet your nutrition demands. Each week, you’ll choose from more than 30 recipes to design a family meal delivery that serves your household well.

To start, you’ll answer a few questions about what you need in a meal plan. Here, you can request family-friendly meals or what HelloFresh calls “kid-tested recipes.” You can also customize how many meals and servings you’d like delivered every week. You can order two to six weekly meals with two or four servings each.

Hello Fresh Meals And Cards

So, what can you expect in your meal kit? HelloFresh meal kits come with step-by-step instructions and all the pre-measured, high-quality ingredients you need for each meal. Each wholesome recipe should take no more than six steps and can be ready in about 30 minutes. Talk about HelloFresh setting you up for success!

Our testers rated HelloFresh 4.13 out of 5 overall with deductions stemming from the price per meal and the occasional not-so-fresh ingredients. At around $11 per meal (depending on how many meals you order), it earns a 3.5 out of 5 for its price point. Registered dietitian and regular GGR contributor Perry Nix, RD, LD, shares her perspective on HelloFresh:

“I really like that HelloFresh offers Family Friendly meal choices. As a mom of two young children, it can be difficult to find nutritious meals that everyone will eat. Also, since you cook these meals at home, the kids can help prepare their meals, which inspires them to taste new foods.”

A close-up image of a noodle bowl from HelloFresh

GGR’s SEO Director Ashley Little, who has used HelloFresh for years, says, “There are around 5-8 meals that I consider my favorites that I like to choose when they are in the rotation, but I’m regularly able to expand my palate and try something new, especially with the seasonal options they include,” when rating HelloFresh a 4 out of 5 for variety. She adds that some ingredients weren’t very fresh upon delivery (3.5 out of 5 for the category) but appreciated that most meals only dirty one or two dishes, making cleanup easy!

For more, check out our in-depth HelloFresh Review.

Price per serving$8.99-$12.49
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit
Meals per weekUp to 6
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedJalapeno Popper Stuffed Burgers, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandos, Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Melts, Moo Shu Pork Bowls

Best Meal Delivery for Babies and Toddlers: Little Spoon

Good for: Families in the thick of the toddler years

Best for Babies and Toddlers
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4
Little Spoon
For babies & toddlers
Nut-free
Vegan options
Deliver to all states across the contiguous US
50% off first order + 15% off second order
Pause or cancel at any time
Meal Options
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options for babies and toddlers
Sustainability
Sourced from local ingredients in California, with recyclable packaging and reusable plates
Price
Around $7, depending on the stage and number of meals
Meals per Week
8-12
For Babies, Toddlers
These meals are made and prepared for varying age ranges, from newborn infants to toddlers
Options
You can choose from specific dietary needs and preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options
Pros
All meals are nut-free
Limited amount of added salt and sugar
Suitable for a variety of dietary needs
Can pause subscription plan as needed
Cons
Limited menu
Subscription plans only
Shipping isn't included
Meal Type
Prepared meals
Meals Per Week
8-12
Diet Types
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options
Price Per Meal
Around $7, depending on the stage and number of meals

Busy parents will rejoice in picky-eater approved menu items with hidden vegetables and wholesome ingredients from Little Spoon, a kid-specific meal delivery service. Little Spoon has meal options for babies who are not yet eating solid foods, little ones moving to bite-size pieces, toddlers eating finger foods, and smoothies for on-the-go snacks. Subscription plans offer bi-weekly delivery cadence that can be skipped, paused, or canceled at any time.

What our tester says:

“I’m not sure how many meals are offered in total, but you’d probably have to repeat in your bi-weekly order…and honestly, at least for my kids, this would be fine for a while. If they like something, they don’t mind eating it again and again.”

Whether you’re navigating baby-led weaning or trying to introduce new foods to your rapidly growing toddler, Little Spoon might be your MVP. Little Spoon is a comprehensive meal delivery service that caters to your kids—from the baby days to the big kid years.

Certified nutrition coach, personal trainer, and GGR editorial team member Nicole Davis gave Little Spoon a 4 out of 5 rating, with deductions coming from shipping times (2.5 out of 5) and lack of customization options (3 out of 5). Little Spoon focuses on flavors kids crave with ingredients parents can feel good about. The toddler and kids meals have hidden veggies and preservative-free ingredients to offer balanced nutrition without the junk. And when it comes to protein sources, Little Spoon relies on antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins. Meals can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 14 days and in your freezer for up to three months.

A person holds two smoothie pouches in front of an array of plates from Little Spoon

But the best part about Little Spoon meal deliveries, perhaps, is how it helps parents introduce new foods to their kids. “My favorite part about Little Spoon is the diversity in ingredients that babies and kids are offered through their meals. It’s helpful to expose your child to many flavors and foods to diversify their palate early on. As they grow, they’ll be more likely to try new foods, which makes meal times a lot easier for the whole family,” says Perry Nix, RD, LD, and mom of two.

Impressions were mixed in regards to taste with Nicole’s children, who she describes as being “moderately picky” eaters, so Nicole rates the taste a 3 out of 5. “Chicken and dumplings were the favorite by far. My kids were fighting over who got the last bite,” she says. “Other meals, they took a bite and didn’t want anymore,” she adds. Smoothie pouches were also mostly a miss with her kids, as they only liked one of the four flavors tried: Strawberry Banana.

Nicole's Daughter Eating Little Spoons Mac And Cheese

You can order four to 12 meals weekly, but orders are placed two weeks at a time. Little Spoon meals and snacks may cost anywhere between $2.82 to $7.50 each, depending on the stage of meals and the size of your order. Costs may be more expensive than traditional grocery shopping, but that doesn’t account for the added convenience of prepared meals and the high-quality ingredients used. Plus, Little Spoon meals come ready to heat and eat—a major pro when you’re trying to keep up in those toddler years!

For more, check out our in-depth Little Spoon reviews.

Price per serving$2.82-$7.50, depending on the stage and number of meals
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week4-12 per week, 8-24 per delivery
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedChicken and Mini Dumplings, Chicken Teriyaki, Mac and Three Cheese with Butternut Squash, Mini Pancake Puffs, Broccoli Bites, Turkey Tacos, Pizza Pocket, Smoothie Pouches

Best Meal Delivery for Kids and Teens: Nurture Life

Good for: Families with older kids who need nutritious, customizable meals

Best for Kids and Teens
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4.3
Nurture Life
For kids & teens
Gluten-free options
Vegetarian options
Deliver to all states across the contiguous US
50% off first week
Pause or cancel at any time
Meal Options
Kids meals, finger foods, Super Sammies, Oaties, smoothies, Mighty Bites, and Purely Puddin’
Sustainability
100% recyclable packaging
Price
$7.49 per meal, before discounts
Meals per Week
6 minimum
For Kids and Teens
These meals are made and prepared for varying age ranges, with options ranging from finger foods for younger children to full meals for older kids
Options
You can choose from specific dietary needs and preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and egg-free options
Budget Prices
At $7.49 per kids meal at most, this is one of the less expensive meal deliveries available
Pros
Products range from finger foods and smoothies to full meals
Ready in one minute with microwave
Each product states if it is a good source of protein, iron, calcium, etc.
Can pause subscription plan as needed
Cons
No adult meal options
Subscription plans only
Shipping isn't included after first week
Meal Type
Prepared meals
Meals Per Week
6 minimum
Diet Types
Vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and egg-free options
Price Per Meal
$7.49 per meal, before discounts

Nurture Life offers nutritious full meals for kids as well as finger foods, snacks, and smoothies. Offered on a weekly basis, meals are $7.49, with the ability to get a discount and free shipping during your first week.

What our tester says:

“Some of the meals like the beef taco pockets did seem like TV dinner quality, but others, like the beef roast with broccoli, looked and tasted very fresh.”

With so many meal delivery services focused on serving the adult population, Nurture Life is like a breath of fresh air for parents. Nurture Life is a kid-friendly meal delivery service that caters to younger and older children, offering meals, finger foods, snacks, and smoothies.

Designing your meal plan is simple. Nurture Life offers various plan sizes ranging from 6-16 items, and it even fills your cart with suggested meals and snacks. Not a fan of the suggested options? No problem. Your order is completely customizable, so you can add and delete meals according to your kids’ preferences.

nurture-life-meals-and-snacks

“Ordering is definitely easy! Just a few clicks of a button, and you’re good to go. They do make it easy to skip a week, and canceling was also simple. There is no app, but their website is mobile friendly, and I didn’t have any issues with it,” says GGR tester, Brittany Combs. She gave Nurture Life a 5 out of 5 for ordering.

Nurture Life also makes it easy to understand the nutritional content of its meals. We all want to know that we’re feeding our kids, so the breakdown of nutrition highlights is definitely an added bonus. 

Girl eating spaghetti from Nurture Life

In addition to the nutrition facts, Nurture Life shares quick facts about the meals (when applicable) with terms like a good source of calcium, a good source of iron, hidden veggies, and an excellent source of protein, so you can make informed decisions about your order.

Brittany rated Nurture Life a 2.5 out of 5 for taste, with the primary issue relating to the hidden veggies that can be tough to get past picky eaters. “They nailed the hidden veggies on some—all three of my kids liked the spaghetti and meatballs, mac ‘n’ cheese and fruit smoothies, even after noticing that it tasted different,” Brittany adds. “Other meals, they would take a few bites and say it was good, but would then fight me on finishing it and ask for other food, later, which was disappointing.”

Meals cost $7.49 each, but the price decreases the more you order. The food is shipped fresh but can be stored in the freezer for up to 90 days. The kids meals are meant to serve ages 1 to 12, so you might need to combine the meals with other macronutrient sources to meet the needs of your active teenager.

RELATED: Nurture Life Coupon Code

Price per serving$7.49 (for 6 meals), before savings
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per week6-16
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedSpaghetti and Meatballs, Mac n Cheese, Fruit Smoothies

Best Budget Meal Delivery for Families: Dinnerly

Good for: Families on a budget—AKA all of us

Best Budget Meal Delivery for Families
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4
Dinnerly
Meal kit
Meal prep
Vegetarian
Vegan options
Deliver to most contiguous US states
Pause or cancel at any time
Meal Options
7 different plans available, including vegetarian and low-carb options
Sustainability
Sourced from U.S. farmers
Price
Starting at $7.99 per meal before discounts
Meals per Week
2-6 (4-24 servings)
Budget Prices
With prices starting at $7.99 per serving, this can fit into many budgets
Options
You can choose from 7 meal plans, including vegetarian and low-carb options, and can easily swap meals out
For Families
You can choose meal kits that can serve up to four people
Pros
Fresh ingredients
Recipe cards for easy preparation
Edit, pause, or cancel subscription at any time
Ability to choose your delivery day of the week
Cons
Fresh ingredients need to be cooked within 4 days of delivery
Meal selection only after signing up and entering payment information
Meal Type
Meal Kit
Meals Per Week
2-6 (4-24 servings)
Diet Types
Vegetarian, gluten-free, low-calorie, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan
Price Per Meal
Starting at $7.99

Skip the food shopping and the chopping—Dinnerly is a meal kit service that sends you fresh ingredients right to your door with most of the food preparation already done. You’ll need to sign up and provide credit card information before browsing the menu and making your selection. Meals start around $8, but the more meals in your weekly subscription, the greater the potential discount.

What our tester says:

“The introductory plan is 3 meals per week with 2 portions. I got my first week for 50% off as a new customer promotion, too. All in all, this is one of the more affordable meal kit services, by far.”

If it seems like your budget is giving you the side-eye these days, I feel you. It can be hard to keep up with today’s rising grocery costs, especially when the kids are growing as fast as they are. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice nutrition or the convenience of delivered meals to stay on budget. Dinnerly is looking out for you with their budget-friendly meal kit for families.

RELATED: Cheapest Meal Delivery Service

Dinnerly’s meal prices start at $7.99 and go up to $8.99 per serving, depending on the size of your order, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for its price. The more you order, the cheaper your meals. There aren’t set meal plans, so you’re responsible for picking all your weekly dishes. Each week, you choose from over 100 recipes, including family-friendly, fast, low-carb, vegan, and vegetarian meals, and then Dinnerly ships the necessary ingredients straight to your door.

All items from a one-week box from Dinnerly

And the best part? Your dinner recipes should take, at most, five steps to prepare. Our Dinnerly tester was Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, and mom of three, who confirms the simplicity of each recipe:

“For the meals you cook, so far it’s fairly easy—I’ve made 3 to date. Prep takes 5 to 10 minutes, then about 20 minutes of cooking time, so 30 minutes total. This is about the max I like to spend in the kitchen making dinner during the week.” 

Woman making turkey taquitos from Dinnerly

However, Nicole notes that Dinnerly doesn’t send the recipe card with the food items (possibly to keep costs low). You’ll need access to the website to pull the recipe when it’s time to cook, so she rated this service a 3 out of 5. 

“All in all, this is one of the more affordable meal kit services, by far,” says Nicole. For more, check out our Dinnerly review.

Price per serving$7.99-$8.99
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit
Meals per week2-6 (4-24 servings)
Delivery area Contiguous U.S., but availability and delivery days may vary between zip codes
Meals we triedBeef Stir-Fry in Garlic Sauce, Turkey Taquitos, Pastrami-Crusted Steak with an Everything Bagel Potato

Best Prepared Meal Delivery for Families: Magic Kitchen

Good for: Families who have dietary restrictions but don’t have time to cook

Best for Prepared Meals
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4
Magic Kitchen
Semi-prepared meals
Family servings
Frozen ingredients
100% satisfaction guarantee
Delivers to the Continental US
Order as needed with no subscription
Meal Options
Several meal options available on an a-la-carte menu, including dairy-free and diabetic-friendly meals
Sustainability
Reusable, recyclable Styrofoam containers sent with dry ice
Price
$12 to $60, depending on the meal and size
Meals per Week
$50 minimum purchase
For Families
You can choose meals that can serve up to four people
Options
You can choose from an entirely a-la-carte menu, with filters for certain dietary needs or restrictions
Pros
Gluten-free options
There is a wide variety of fish, meats, carbs, and vegetables
Products are both sold a la carte and as complete meals
Cons
The meal bundle cannot be customized
No free shipping
No smartphone app to manage subscription
Meal Type
Semi-prepared meals
Meals Per Week
Minimum of $50
Diet Types
Portion controlled, diabetic friendly, dairy-free, low-sodium, low-carb, low-fat, renal diet, dialysis friendly, gluten-free, vegetarian
Price Per Meal
$12 to $60, depending on the meal and size

Magic Kitchen is a meal delivery service that is entirely gluten-free with other options for those with dietary restrictions. The service allows you to individually select the meals that you would like, but you cannot choose auto shipments. Products range from $12 to $60 depending on the meals and size you order.

What our tester says:

“The corned beef, salmon, veggie stew, and chicken were all very flavorful. Some foods, such as the beef bourguignon and rice with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes, were bland, though.”

Magic Kitchen’s mission is to provide nutritious and delicious meals for individuals and families with specific dietary needs. Choose from dialysis, low-carb, low-sodium, low-fat, and diabetes-friendly options, among others, and rest assured that your meals are designed by dietitians and prepared by top-notch chefs.

Magic Kitchen meals arrive frozen and microwave- or oven-ready, meaning you can have a home-cooked dinner in minutes. Talk about easy meals. Plus, your prepared meal delivery order is completely customizable. You can order as much or as little as you want—either get through the week or stock your freezer full to have meals on hand as needed. Prices vary between meals, depending on the type of meal and number of servings you order.

Magic Kitchen All The Food Received

If ordering off the a la carte menu, you can choose family-style meal deliveries where multiple servings of the same recipe are delivered. Examples of family meals include Roasted Turkey Breast, Beef Lasagna, Chicken Pot Pie, and Beef Shepherd’s Pie.

Our meal tester, Stephanie Lehner, gave Magic Kitchen a 3 out of 5 rating for taste (she found some meals bland) and a 4 out of 5 for ease of preparation. “Most meals did not require much work. I either put them in the oven or microwave. Some required more time than what was stated on the package. The few that I made in the microwave were extremely quick and easy to prepare,” says Stephanie.

A woman preparing Beef bourguignon and rice from Magic Kitchen

She went on to say, “The cleanup was minimal! At most, I had to clean the dishes or a cookie tray if I placed the packages on the tray to be heated in the oven.” Anyone who has cleaned up after a big family meal knows that’s a SCORE!

Check out our Magic Kitchen review for an in-depth look at this meal delivery service.

Price per servingVaries between meals and selected number of servings
Type (meal kit or prepared)Prepared
Meals per weekCustomizable
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedBeef Lasagna, Steak Fajitas, Alaskan Cod, Beef Bourguignon and Rice

Best Meal Delivery for Busy Families: Gobble

Good for: Families who don’t have a minute to spare cooking their meals

Best for Busy Families
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
3.57
Gobble
Meal kit
15-minute meals
Vegetarian
First 6 meals for $36 and free shipping
Deliver to most contiguous US states
Pause or cancel at any time
Meal Options
3 different plans available, including vegetarian and lean and clean options
Sustainability
Recyclable packaging and reusable gel ice packs
Price
Starting at $11.99 per meal before discounts
Meals per Week
2-5 (4-20 servings)
Options
You can choose from 3 meal plans, including vegetarian, and can filter through dairy-free options and other dietary needs
For Families
You can choose meal kits that can serve up to four people
Quick Prep Time
These meal kits are all guaranteed to have 15 minutes of prep or cook time or less
Pros
Fresh ingredients
Prepare dinner in 15 minutes
Edit, pause, or cancel subscription at any time
Wide range of meals to choose from
Cons
No smartphone app to manage subscription
No free shipping after first week
Meal Type
Meal kit
Meals Per Week
2-5 (4-20 servings)
Diet Types
Vegetarian, low-carb, low-calorie, wheat-free, dairy-free
Price Per Meal
Starting at $11.99

Gobble is a meal kit delivery service with three meal plans including Classic, Lean and Clean, and Vegetarian options. Regardless of which plan you choose, you’ll have fresh ingredients show up at your doorstep that are mostly prepared and ready for your final touches. Depending on how many meals are in your subscription per week, prices range from $16.99 to $11.99 per meal.

What our tester says:

“Everything arrived fresh and ingredients looked good. There was an apple that came with one meal that looked really beat up, but I don’t judge too hard on that stuff; it did get shipped right to my door.”

The best meal kits prioritize efficiency and ease for their customers, and Gobble understands the assignment. Gobble delivers chef-prepped meal kits that get your meals ready and on the table in 15 minutes or less.

Start by choosing your meals from Gobble’s diverse weekly menu, including low-carb, pescatarian, and vegetarian options. Then, Gobble chefs get to work preparing your fresh ingredients. When your meals arrive at your door, there’s no measuring, chopping, or dirty dishes required in your meal prep! And since meals can be prepared quickly, busy families have more time to spend together.

Gobble meal kits for two meals

Servings cost between $11.99 and $16.99, depending on how many meals are included in your order. You can order two to five meals per week with two or four servings of each meal. Gobble offers globally-inspired flavors and family-friendly recipes, such as Pesto Lasagna Rolls with Broccolini and Grape Tomatoes and Grilled Filet Mignon Kebabs with Saffron Rice. Plus, meals can be prepared dairy-free, nut-free, and wheat-free by withholding certain ingredients from your recipes.

Tester Lauren Strong, certified personal trainer (CPT), gave Gobble a rating of 3.5 out of 5 based on meal plan customization availability, as well as a 4 out of 5 for variety, calling out Gobble’s “big menu selection [that] looks like it constantly changes.”

Woman holding two dinner plate with pasta

Perry Nix, RD, LD, adds, “Gobble is great for busy families who prefer not to eat frozen dinners. The menu is extremely diverse, with everything from global cuisine to classic comfort food. Meals include protein, carbs, and vegetables to provide you with the nutrients and energy you need to feel good.”

For more, read our in-depth Gobble reviews.

Price per serving$11.99-$16.99
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit
Meals per week2-5
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedRavioli Dish, Chicken Burger, Slaw, Yuca Fries

Best Meal Delivery for Picky Eaters: Hungryroot

Good for: Families who need to customize their meals

Best for Picky Eaters
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4.4
Hungryroot
Meal kit
Affordable
High-quality
Free shipping on orders over $70
100% money-back guarantee on first delivery
Skip, reschedule or cancel at any time
Diet Types
Accommodates multiple diet types, including vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy, free, and more
Prep Time
Most recipes only take 10 minutes to prepare
Price
$10 per serving
Meals per Week
16
Great taste
Our tester awarded every meal she tried a 5 out of 5 rating, noting that the ingredients are fresh and don’t need extra seasoning
Tons of options
There are meals that fit just about every type of dietary preference
Pros
Simple and quick
Caters to many styles of eating
Can add on groceries to your order
Affordably priced
Earns high marks for taste and overall eating experience
Cons
Requires cooking time
Have to meet plan minimum each week (though you can adjust your minimum on a weekly basis)
Ordering process can be time-consuming
Meal Type
Meal kit
Meals Per Week
16
Diet Types
Vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, pescatarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, egg-free, shellfish-free
Price Per Serving
$10

Hungryroot offers a unique take on meal delivery in that you find a recipe you like, and the company will send you all the ingredients to make it. There are many options for types of food to choose from, and you can even order extra groceries that you might need, as well. You do have to cook though, so if that’s not interesting to you, this won’t be the right plan.

What our tester says:

“Everything is so fresh, and you don’t need to do any seasoning because most foods are prepped already for you with spices. If you wanted more salt or whatever, you could add your own. ”

If you have picky eaters at home, you might be searching for a meal kit you can customize in order to prepare meals your kids will actually eat. (We’ll get through this picky stage, fellow parents!) If that sounds like your house, Hungryroot might be your answer.

Hungryroot isn’t a traditional meal kit delivery service. Instead, it puts a fun twist on your everyday grocery shopping by providing personalized recommendations and accompanying recipes. It saves you time and gives you freedom to prepare your own meals.

To get started, Hungryroot asks you to take a quick quiz, giving them an idea of how many people you’re feeding, your family’s dietary preferences, and your health goals. Then, Hungryroot works its magic and creates a grocery plan that fits your needs! Groceries and related recipes are automatically added to your cart, but you can change your order and adjust your recipes as needed—grocery shopping with the click of a button.

Hungryroot Food In One Delivery

Choose from more than 300 kid-friendly recipes that include premium proteins, fresh fruits and veggies, healthy snacks, and even delicious sweets. Hungryroot offers groceries for grain bowls, pasta, stir-fries, burgers, smoothies, and more.

Weekly plans vary in price, depending on how much food you order. However, plans start at $65 per delivery, comparable to today’s typical grocery bills. GGR editorial team member Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, put Hungryroot’s subscription to the test, ordering four lunch and dinner servings. One of the main perks she highlighted? “It’s completely customizable. You create your own food profile with likes/dislikes, preferences, allergies, etc.,” she says. That, alone, was enough for Kate to give Hungryroot a 5 out of 5 for customization.

Woman Cooking Hungryroot Chicken Burrito Bowl

As for ingredient quality, Kate gives this service a 4.5 out of 5, adding, “Everything is high-quality—humanely raised meat and dairy, a lot of organic fruit/vegetables/grains. I did have some things, like a bell pepper mix, that weren’t organic. However, in terms of quality, everything is so fresh and crisp.” 

Sounds like groceries you can feel good about feeding your family. For more, read our full Hungryroot review.

Price per servingMinimum $65 per box 
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit and groceries
Meals per week3-8
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedSeared Chicken Breast and Corn Black Bean Rice Bowl, Everything Chicken Quesadillas, All-in-One Chicken Burrito Bowl, Turkey Meatloaf and Sweet Kale Salad

Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Families: Purple Carrot

Good for: Families who live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle

Best Plant-Based
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
4
Purple Carrot
Vegetarian
Vegan
Meal kit
Free shipping on orders over $100
Vegan and vegetarian
Skip or cancel at any time
Vegan-Friendly
All of Purple Carrot’s meals are 100% vegan
Prep Time
Purple Carrot offers quick-prep meal options that take less than 25 minutes to prepare
Price
$13.25 per serving for 2-serving meal kit
Options
Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and pantry items available
Portion sizes
Our tester gave Purple Carrot 4 out of 5 stars for portion sizes, noting that it’s “quite generous for a plant-based meal service”
Plenty of options
Purple Carrot offers meal kits, ready-to-eat options, groceries, and more
Pros
Has meal kits and prepared meals
Can choose from the whole menu
Menus change weekly
Great option for vegans and vegetarians
Cons
Can’t mix and match meal types
Maxes out at 4 meals per week
No option for add-on proteins
Meal Type
Prepared or meal kit
Meals Per Week
Up to 4
Meal Types
Plant-based
Price Per Serving
Ranges between $11-$13.49 per serving

Purple Carrot offers vegan meal kits and prepared meals. There are no specific meal plans, but you can choose from the full menu, which includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and “plantry” items—add-on products like brownie bites and salad dressing. You can’t mix and match meal types, though.

What our tester says:

“My favorite was the sloppy Joe (with tofu instead of meat). Considering this was a plant-based meal service, I was quite happy with how everything came out, and the portions were quite good, too.”

Purple Carrot specializes in vegan meals, offering customers meal kits and pre-cooked meal options. Whether you like to make your meals from scratch or heat up healthy meals in the microwave, Purple Carrot has something for the whole family.

You can order two to four meals per week with two or four servings included. Purple Carrot offers many different meals, but you may need to be strategic about choosing family-friendly options. For example, Peanut Pad Thai Noodles and Charred Corn Salad sound delicious, but they may not be top picks for the kids.

Purple Carrot Meal Ingredients

Prices start at $11 and go up to $13.25 per serving, comparable to the average takeout meal. Purple Carrot does not accommodate many dietary restrictions outside of gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. However, you can filter the meal options for high-protein and low-calorie options.

Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC, put this plant-based meal delivery to the test and reported back with positive results:

“I only went with the meal kit (the stuff you make at home). The ingredients were fresh, and I thought everything tasted really good! My favorite was the sloppy Joe (with tofu instead of meat). Considering this was a plant-based meal service, I was quite happy with how everything came out” He rated Purple Carrot a 5 out of 5 for taste.

Portion sizes get a 4 out of 5, which Anthony adds, “Portions were pretty good, quite generous for a plant-based meal, actually. I always felt full after a meal.”

Sloppy joes from Purple Carrot

Last, but not least, you can order plant-based add-on grocery items through their “Plantry” section. So, if foods like vegan cream cheese, crab cakes, or bacon strike your fancy, you can easily include them in your shipment.

Check out our in-depth Purple Carrot review.

Price per serving$11-$13.25
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit and prepared
Meals per week2-4
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedTofu Sloppy Joes

Best Organic Meal Delivery for Families: Green Chef

Good for: Families who prioritize organic ingredients

Best Organic
GGR Score:
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology.
3.92
Green Chef
Meal kit
Rotating menu
Mix-and-match
Free shipping and 50% off first order
Ships to Contiguous US
Skip, reschedule, or cancel at any time
Use code GGR50FB for 50% off your first box + 20% off for two months See Details
Diet Types
Accommodates multiple diet types, including plant-based, high-protein, Mediterranean, calorie-smart, gluten-free, and more
Prep Time
Most recipes only take about 30 minutes to prepare and cook
Price
$11.99 to $13.49 per serving
Meals per Week
2-4
Great taste
Our tester awarded the meal delivery a 4.5 out of 5 rating for taste, noting that the meals she had were delicious, while the oatmeal was just fine
Tons of options
There are meals that fit just about every type of dietary preference
Pros
Offers several specialized diet plans
Can mix and match meal plans
New meals drop weekly
Most ingredients are organic and high-quality
Cons
On the expensive side (but ingredients are organic)
Shipping fee after first order
Meal Type
Meal kit
Meals Per Week
2-4
Diet Types
Plant-based, high-protein, Mediterranean, calorie-smart, gluten-free, gut health
Price Per Serving
$11.99 to $13.49 per serving

If you want high-quality and/or organic ingredients, Green Chef is a good option that can feed two to six people per recipe. There are several specialized diets to choose from, and you can mix and match from weekly menus to suit your needs.

What our tester says:

“Green Chef is all-organic, which is a great no-brainer for those who prioritize organic food. However, I didn’t find the actual ingredients much different than other meal kits I’ve tried that don’t prioritize organic ingredients.”

Green Chef is a nutritious meal delivery service that caters to many different lifestyle preferences and dietary needs, including gluten-free, plant-based, keto, and Mediterranean. But what caught our eye when researching family meal services was the abundance of organic options Green Chef has to offer.

Green Chef is the first meal kit company to be certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers, and those standards carry into their products. Green Chef recipes include sources of organic produce, eggs, beef, chicken, and wild-caught seafood. And all ingredients go through extensive screening to meet their high-quality standards.

RELATED: Best Organic Meal Delivery

Items from a Green Chef Delivery

Setting up your subscription is easy—so easy our testers gave ordering a 4 out of 5. GGR editorial team member Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, docked a point because “you have to pay first before you can pick meals, which is a bit weird.”

Choose a delivery plan that fits your lifestyle preferences and dietary needs. Then, order chef-curated meals from their list of more than 80 weekly menu options and wait for them to arrive at your door. Green Chef recipes are delivered with pre-portioned ingredients, meaning there’s no measuring while your kids scream, “MOM, MOM, MOM!” or, “DAD, DAD, DAD!” 

Where Green Chef falters on the scorecard is the price per meal, ease of preparation, and portion size, all receiving 3 out of 5. Nicole states:

eating-a-green-chef-meal

“The meals take about 30 minutes to cook, which is the most I’d want to spend cooking during the week. They do require multiple pieces of equipment, but it lists what you need on the recipe card.”

Depending on your family’s needs, you can order two to six servings of two to four meals per week. Prices range from $11.99 to $13.49 per serving, but remember, Green Chef prioritizes organic ingredients.

For more, check out our in-depth Green Chef Reviews.

Price per serving$11.99 to $13.49
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit
Meals per week2-4
Delivery area Contiguous U.S.
Meals we triedMonterey Jack Cheese-Smothered Chicken with Mushrooms and Squash, Chicken Burrito Bowl, Breakfast Bundle

Best Meal Delivery for Families Who Like to Cook: EveryPlate

Good for: Families who like to spend time bonding in the kitchen

Best for Cooking Enthusiasts
EveryPlate
Meal kit
Rotating menu
Mix-and-match
Get $1.99 per meal on first box
Ships to majority of the Continental US
Skip, reschedule or cancel at any time
Use code GGR199EP for $1.99 per meal on your first box See Details
Meal Options
Five customizable meal plans including Smart & Fit, Meat & Veggie, Quick & Easy, Family Faves, and Veggie plans
Prep Time
30-40 mins
Price
$5.99 per serving
Meals per Week
3-5 (6-30 servings)
Budget-Friendly
With meals normally costing about $5.99 per serving, this is one of the most affordable meal kit services available
Customizable
You’ll be able to swap out meals from your plan, as well as customize meals with your choice of protein or adding premium ingredients
Pros
Low price per serving
Can mix and match from all meal plans
New meals drop weekly
Most meals take less than 30 minutes to prepare
Cons
Doesn’t cater to any specialized diets
Testers found prep time took longer than advertised
Not a lot of focus on ingredient quality
Meal Type
Meal kit
Meals Per Week
3-5 (6-30 servings)
Diet Types
Smart & Fit, Meat & Veggie, Quick & Easy, Family Faves, and Veggie plans
Price Per Serving
$5.99

EveryPlate is a low-cost meal kit delivery service that offers new meals weekly. If you don’t have dietary restrictions or need to follow a specialized diet, it could be a good option for you.

What our tester says:

“The seasoning is minimal, a few of the recipes simply call for just salt and pepper. That said, EveryPlate does have a few unique seasonings that don’t seem to have grocery store equivalents.”

Cooking with kids can be tricky, but some of the best memories are made in the kitchen. If you like to cook with your family, EveryPlate might have the setup for you. EveryPlate recipes typically have only six steps and require about 30 minutes of cooking time, meaning it’s realistic to get your kids involved in the process.

To get started, decide the number of meals and servings you want delivered weekly. Then, choose from 26 chef-curated recipes, such as the Crispy Southwest Chicken Sandwich, Caramelized Zucchini Linguini, and Pork Loaded Sweet Potatoes. Next, EveryPlate does the grocery shopping for you, sending you all the ingredients you need to be a home chef.

everyplate-ingredients-and-finished-meal

Perry Nix, RD, LD, uses EveryPlate meal delivery for her family and says, “I was tired of meal planning and making the same meals over and over again. I’m now cooking with new ingredients I wouldn’t typically buy at the store, and my family enjoys the variation in meals.”

everyplate-beef-bowls-finished-recipe

GGR product tester and certified nutrition coach (CNC) Erin Chancer rates EveryPlate a 4 out of 5 for taste and variety, but notes, “You will have a fair amount of cleanup from your used pots, pans, and cutting boards.” So, be ready to put your kids on dish duty after dinner. She rates the prep time and cleanup a 2 out of 5.

Prices are about $5.99 per meal, which seems to not change from the number of weekly meals and servings you order. Of note—to keep costs low, EveryPlate does not cater to special diets. You can learn more in our in-depth EveryPlate review.

Price per serving$4.99 to $7.49
Type (meal kit or prepared)Meal kit
Meals per week3-6
Delivery area Most of the continental U.S.
Meals we triedSouthwest Pork Flautas, Beef Banh Mi Bowls, Crispy Buffalo Ranch Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Sausage and Kale Soup, Beef and Black Bean Chili, Loaded Pork Potato Wedges

Other Meal Delivery Services for Families We Researched

Meal delivery services are game changers when it comes to eating well-balanced meals as a family. While we’ve listed 10 of our favorite options above, there are others worth mentioning as well:

A countertop covered with all items from a delivery from Sunbasket
  • Sunbasket: Sunbasket is a meal delivery service that offers meal kits and prepared meals. They feature meals that fit a variety of lifestyle choices, such as paleo, keto, Mediterranean, carb-conscious, gluten-free, pescatarian, and vegetarian. Meal kits start at $11.49 per serving before any available savings. You can also round out your order with market options like snacks and specialty meats. Sunbasket earned a 3 and 2.75 out of 5 for portion size and ingredient quality, respectively, so they didn’t quite make the cut.  
  • Blue Apron: Blue Apron is a fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service that helps you cook your meals at home. You can order two to five meals per week with two or four servings per meal. You choose your recipes each week and can update your dietary preferences as needed. Meals start at $7.99 when ordering the maximum weekly meals and servings. However, putting together these meals can take a lot of prep and clean-up (2.5 out of 5).
  • Home Chef: With Home Chef, you can choose from over 30 meals and 18 extras each week. Fresh ingredients are delivered to your door, ready to prepare a well-balanced meal of your choosing. Meals start at $12, and you can even find Home Chef meals in select grocery stores. Home Chef also received a lower score for ease of preparation (2 out of 5) and price per meal (3 out of 5).

RELATED: Blue Apron Vs HelloFresh Vs Home Chef

How We Picked and Tested the Best Meal Delivery Services for Families

We weren’t messing around when we set out to find the best meal delivery services for families. We’re a team of certified personal trainers, athletes, nutrition coaches, and, most importantly, parents, so we know how important it is to trust what we feed our households. And we know you feel the same way, too. 

We relied on our professional and personal experiences and consulted registered dietitians to examine these meal delivery services from every angle. Below is a breakdown of some of the main criteria we graded on:

Price Per Serving

In our research, we found that meal delivery services can cost less than $8 or up to $16 per meal. Prices that were on the higher end were examined for cost versus factors like portion size, while prices below this average were questioned for affordability versus factors like ingredient quality. 

Taste 

Nurture-life-girl-eating-meal2

Subscribing to a meal delivery service for your family only makes sense if your kids will actually eat the meals, so we prioritized taste in our research. We included our kids in the trials, so we have the inside scoop on whether or not the meals were kid-friendly. We also took customer reviews into consideration.

Ease of Preparation

Meal delivery services offer a wide range of options, from fully prepared meals to those that require cooking and cleanup. We looked at how involved the preparation process is and how helpful the directions are. 

Ingredient Quality

No matter how convenient a meal delivery service is, the meal probably won’t meet your expectations if the ingredients aren’t fresh or have a shorter shelf-life. Considering whether the meals are fresh or frozen, we examined if all the ingredients look and taste up to par. 

Benefits of Meal Delivery Services for Families

Meal delivery services can require an investment in more ways than one, but many families find them worth their while. Meal delivery services can also offer a wide range of benefits for families, including:

Convenience

Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to parenthood, and having groceries or prepared meals delivered to your doorstep is about as efficient as it gets. Meal services help you skip the grocery store—and the dreaded candy aisle—and make serving well-balanced meals more convenient for your family.

Meal Planning

Decision fatigue is real, especially when managing an entire household. By dinner time, my brain has all but shut down, drawing a blank on what to cook. Scheduling your meal deliveries helps you plan your meals ahead of time, ensuring your family will have a nutritious meal on the table after a long day.

Sustainability

Nicole's Daughter In Little Spoons Box

As food waste1 contributes to environmental concerns, we’re searching for ways to support sustainability in our food industry. Meal delivery services help streamline portion sizes and keep our food-to-waste ratios within reason.

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Meal Delivery Services for Families

Families will often have different dietary needs and food preferences, so there’s no one-size-fits-all meal delivery service. However, there are a few factors worth considering that can help you navigate the many options available to you:

Meal Variety

Meal variety might be a deal breaker for some meal delivery services, especially when you start accounting for foods that your kids will eat. If possible, look for a delivery service that offers a variety of meals to help you adjust to your family’s ever-changing preferences.

Portion Sizes

When investing in a meal service, you will want to know that the portions provided are helping you and your family meet your nutritional requirements2. Research portion sizes to ensure your growing kiddo has enough on their plate.

A boy eating a meal from Nurture Life

Price Per Serving

With added convenience comes added cost. While meal delivery services can make mealtimes much more manageable, the cost of some could be a deal breaker. However, there’s no need to break your budget when signing up for a meal delivery service.

Before signing up for a subscription, knowing that your order will sufficiently feed your family is important. Also, consider the quality of the ingredients for the price.

Customer Service

While we all hope for a smooth purchasing experience, it’s always good to know that customer service has your back should anything go wrong. Before placing an order, check out customer reviews and make note of any mention of customer service encounters. Also, ensure you have a way to reach customer service should you need it.

Sustainability Efforts  

Some families incorporate meal delivery services to reduce food waste and care for the environment. However, some meal kits can increase the use of plastics, so consider searching for companies that prioritize recycling and green manufacturing processes.

Meal Delivery Services for Families FAQs

Are meal kits worth it for families?

Incorporating meal kits into your family’s weekly meals is a personal choice, but when juggling a busy schedule, help in the kitchen can make a world of difference when meeting your nutritional needs. While they may be slightly more expensive than traditional grocery shopping, many meal programs offer the added convenience of pre-measured ingredients or single-serve microwave or oven-ready meals. 

Does HelloFresh work for large families?

With HelloFresh, you can order two to six meals weekly with two or four servings per meal. Our meal testers found that the portion sizes were pretty filling, with some leftovers. 

Is HelloFresh good for picky eaters?

HelloFresh offers a wide range of weekly recipes, allowing customers to tailor their deliveries to their dietary preferences. And since you’ll be preparing the meals, you can eliminate ingredients you (or your kids) don’t care for.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

  1. Paritosh, K., Kushwaha, S. K., Yadav, M., Pareek, N., Chawade, A., & Vivekanand, V. (2017). Food Waste to Energy: An Overview of Sustainable Approaches for Food Waste Management and Nutrient Recycling. BioMed Research International, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2370927
  2. Faizan U, Rouster AS. Nutrition and Hydration Requirements In Children and Adults. [Updated 2022 Aug 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562207/

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