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Meal kits can make weeknight cooking easier: the planning is mostly done, ingredients arrive in one box, and you follow step-by-step instructions. The trade-off is cost and packaging, so the “best” option depends on your budget and how often you cook at home.
How we chose these meal kits
- Good fit for real life: weeknight-friendly recipes and clear instructions.
- Menu variety: enough options so you don’t get bored quickly.
- Diet flexibility: common needs like vegetarian, higher-protein, or lower-calorie.
- Availability: widely available in the U.S. (shipping coverage varies by location).
Note: Prices and menus change often. Always check the latest details on the provider’s website before ordering.
Quick picks
- HelloFresh — a simple starting point with lots of weekly choices.
- Home Chef — good if you want flexibility (including faster “oven-ready” options).
- Sunbasket — strong for health-focused meals and ingredient quality.
- Green Chef — useful if you want specific eating styles (like keto or paleo).
- Blue Apron — classic meal kit format with more “cook-from-scratch” recipes.
HelloFresh
Best for: beginners who want easy recipes with lots of weekly variety.
Why it stands out: The menus are usually broad (family meals, quick meals, comfort food), and the instructions tend to be straightforward.
Home Chef
Best for: busy weeks when you still want a home-cooked dinner.
Why it stands out: Home Chef often includes faster formats (like oven-ready) alongside standard meal kit recipes.
Sunbasket
Best for: people who want more health-focused choices.
Why it stands out: Sunbasket tends to lean toward ingredient-forward meals and options that feel a bit “cleaner” compared to classic comfort menus.
Green Chef
Best for: targeted eating styles (for example: keto, paleo, or higher-protein).
Why it stands out: It’s easier to filter for specific preferences without doing a lot of manual menu scanning.
Blue Apron
Best for: people who enjoy cooking and want slightly more involved recipes.
Why it stands out: Blue Apron has a classic “meal kit” feel and can be a good fit if you like learning techniques as you cook.
FAQ (quick answers)
Are meal kits worth it?
They can be, especially if they help you cook at home more often. If cost is the biggest issue, try using a meal kit for 2–3 weeks to build a “recipe bank,” then shop those meals yourself.
What should you check before you subscribe?
- Shipping days in your area
- Serving sizes (and whether leftovers matter to you)
- Diet filters and allergen info
- Cancellation and skipping weeks
Bottom line
If you want the simplest starting point, try HelloFresh. If you want more flexibility, Home Chef is a strong option. If your goal is more health-focused meals, Sunbasket and Green Chef are worth comparing. Blue Apron is a good fit if you enjoy cooking and want slightly more hands-on recipes.
