8 Best Meal Delivery Services for Singles, According to Testing (2024)

Fresh N Lean ships doctor- and dietician-approved meals to those who want balanced and healthy meals without having to cook. The organic meals can be heated in the oven, on the stovetop or in the microwave and are ready in three minutes.

How it works: Choose if you want five or seven days' worth of food, then select your meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and/or snacks). Over 100 menu items can be filtered by plans like Protein+, Keto, Whole 30-Approved, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Mediterranean Diet and Low-Carb Vegan. Fresh meals arrive in an insulated box. Just unpack and put them in the fridge. The company provides nutritional information for each meal on its website.

Lab results: Our experts love that the company uses grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and eggs and sustainable seafood. Ingredients are sourced locally.

The service received top scores for portion sizes and meal satiety among the testers. One tester said, "It doesn't get much easier for those who are short on time but still want to eat a meal that fits into their diet plan." It's worth noting that premium meals can be expensive.

Favorite meals: Ginger sesame steak with sweet potatoes, tofu-mushroom shawarma and Caribbean jerk chicken

Daily Harvest is a frozen meal delivery service that makes eating five servings of fruits and veggies daily easy. The company sources diverse, sustainably grown and organic produce that is crafted into delicious, easy-to-prep meals. You’ll get to taste over 185 unique crops, which means more vitamins, minerals and nutrients without gluten or dairy.

Ingredients are frozen at peak ripeness, typically within 24 hours of harvest, to lock in flavor and nutrition, reduce food waste and eradicate the need for additives or harmful preservatives.

How it works: Select how many items you want (nine, 14 or 24) and how often you want them delivered (weekly or monthly). Pick from smoothie cups, harvest bowls, soups, energy bites, oat bowls, lattes and flatbreads. The base meals leave just enough room for you to add your own personal spin and make it more filling or more to your taste. Consider it a foundation of fruit and veggies for you to build on. See ideas here.

Lab results: Most of the ingredients are organic and our registered dietitian likes that the nutritionally balanced meals are flash-frozen within 24 hours of harvest or preparation to lock in nutrients and flavor. When you open the lid of any of their products, you'll see colorful whole fruits and vegetables. Since all their meals are frozen, this service might not be right for those who crave salads or fresh greens.

While the smoothies are definitely some of our favorite items, we were also impressed with the soups, which are chock-full of vegetables (some have ancient grains mixed in). However, the soups are low in calories and we do not recommend them as standalone meals. The vegan flatbreads are made from gluten-free cassava flour and also packed with veggies.

Favorite meals: Artichoke and spinach flatbread, mushroom-miso soup and cauliflower rice with kimchi harvest bowl

Sakara is a meal delivery service that prioritizes wellness and nutritionally balanced meals. These plant-based, organic meals (also gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and free from refined sugars) deliver great flavor and sizable portions. Sakara’s meals brim with leafy greens and don’t rely on starches to fill out the meal, but the service comes at a high cost.

How it works: Choose from various plans with preset menus ranging from two days to two months. Opt for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. You can also add beverages, snacks and sweets. Sakara has five targeted nutrition programs, including:

• Signature Nutrition Program: A healthy eating plan with nutritionally designed meals. Select from two, three or five days a week based on your location.
• The Metabolism Reset: Designed to support your metabolic health with meals that can help boost energy and regulate hormone health.
• The Fresh Start Cleanse: Aims to support the body's natural detoxification process and replenish the body with vital nutrients through specially curated meals.
• The Gut Health Reboot: Probiotic-packed meals without common gastrointestinal irritants to support the gut microbiome.
• The Performance System: Nutrient-dense meals curated for whole-body health.

Lab results: Sakara's meals were a favorite among testers for their balanced portions and innovative ingredients. Our experts praised the high-quality ingredients, and although the plan is intended to offer health-conscious plant-based options, testers found the meals filling and flavorful. "I enjoyed being introduced to new and intriguing ingredients that I had never heard of," said one tester. Another tester commented, "The delivery was well-organized, and the meals were fresh, flavorful and satisfying." One potential downside: They don’t accommodate food allergies beyond gluten and dairy.

Favorite meals: Technicolor quinoa salad, zuppa with focaccia and harissa falafel with red beet hummus

Thistle meals are designed by nutritionists and crafted by chefs with a focus on predominantly plant-based foods (fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains). The globally inspired menu is innovative and offers various protein options, like tofu, beans, chicken, turkey and pork, making it an ideal choice for flexitarians. Meals are made with a lot of fiber-rich vegetables yet without dairy, gluten, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, additives or dyes.

How it works: Enter your zip code to see if you're in their local delivery or shipping area. Select the number of meals you want per week and your protein preferences. There are breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, soups, side salads and juices. Thistle will assign meals each week according to your plan but you may swap, add or remove items. Local delivery meals arrive in a reusable tote bag and are ready to eat or heat. Shipped meals are prefixed only, including six meals: two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners (starting at $84 per box). There is also a box option with only juices ($60 per box) and a box with only snacks, soups and jarred salads ($76 per box).

Lab results: Our registered dietitians approve of Thistle's meals, as they have balanced macronutrient ratios and sufficient fiber and protein to keep you full. Testers appreciate that the service is plant-forward, but also offers high-quality animal proteins.

One tester said, "I enjoyed that everything was gluten- and dairy-free, and the meals tasted fresh with good quality vegetables." However, the limited shipping area is a significant disadvantage of Thistle. Only those living on the West Coast or Northeast can access Thistle's full menu. Those residing in other areas where the brand ships can only access fixed plans.

Favorite meals: Pad Thai, southwestern black bean salad, chili verde soup and grilled corn and poblano chile salad.

Tovala is a meal delivery service and smart oven (that can bake, broil, toast, reheat and air-fry). The brand sends fresh meals that cook perfectly in their oven when you scan the corresponding QR code. No more rubbery chicken and soggy broccoli!

How it works: To use this service, you need to purchase their smart oven, which is listed at $249, but there’s always a deal when you order it with a meal plan (currently $69 when you order meals six times over six months). Then, choose four to 16 meals per week from a menu of over 30 chef-crafted meals. These mostly pre-prepared meals require one minute or less of prep. After scanning a QR code, the oven cooks the meal in around 20 minutes or less. You can filter for carb-conscious, gluten-free, vegetarian and calorie-smart meals.

Although the Tovala oven has a steep start-up cost, it can scan and cook over 1,000 different foods and allows you to make your own meals from scratch. The Wi-Fi-connected oven also has a recipe library.

Lab results: During testing in the Nutrition Lab, each meal came out consistently and perfectly cooked. Our at-home testers were impressed with the high-quality ingredients and easy clean-up. One tester said, "The salmon meals were very filling. The oven made cooking seamless." And yes, the Tovala oven can replace your standard toaster oven.

Favorite meals: Miso-glazed salmon with broccoli, sesame-crusted chicken breast with crunchy veggie salad and Salisbury steak meatballs and mashed potatoes

CookUnity offers restaurant-quality meals crafted by award-winning chefs. There are over 200 gourmet options to choose from weekly, meaning there’s something for every kind of eater, even if you’re picky or easily bored with limited menus.

How it works: Set your dietary preferences and choose between four to 16 meals per week. Filters for gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo and vegan make it easy to find what’s right for you. Menus are posted two weeks in advance and you can either select your own meals or let CookUnity choose for you. Each meal is delivered fresh with heating instructions.

Lab results: CookUnity received top scores for flavor, portion sizes and overall food quality. All testers said they would recommend the service to a friend or family member. "The meals were easy to prepare and absolutely delicious," one tester shared, while another said, "You can taste and see the creativity that went into each meal!"

While the service is best for gourmet comfort food (not many greens here), it also offers some health-conscious options. Our nutritionists appreciated that each meal came with a full nutrition facts panel. It's important to note that the shipping area is somewhat limited but expanding.

Favorite meals: Chris Ratel's beef bourguignon with buttered egg noodles, Andres Mendez's chicken tikka masala, Akhtar Narwab's lamb kebab with turmeric hummus and Einat Admony's marinated chicken shawarma over Israeli couscous

Splendid Spoon’s plant-based meal delivery service provides a range of meals, all of which are gluten-free, dairy-free and free of artificial sweeteners.

How it works: Choose the number of meals you need: seven, 14 or 21 and customize the delivery frequency, which can be weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. The menu includes over 50 pre-made smoothies, soups, noodles and dishes — the most extensive range among all vegan meal delivery services we tested.

You can filter meals based on additional dietary requirements like higher fiber, higher protein, lower calorie, lower carb, lower fat, lower sodium and lower sugar. Meals arrive frozen but don’t require thawing; just heat for a few minutes in the microwave.

Lab results: Our registered dietitians had positive feedback on the nutrient-dense, high-quality ingredients. Testers found the service convenient as it provided healthy meals that were ready to heat and eat. One tester shared that the smoothies and soups contained ingredients they enjoyed and would have never tried otherwise.

Testers noted that the freshness of each item was still apparent despite arriving frozen. The meals are light — some are small — but nutritious and flavorful.

Favorite meals: Kimchi fried quinoa, "meatball" marinara noodles and cacao almond smoothie

Factor is a meal delivery service that prepares keto and low-carb options, making it a great choice for people who want to watch their carb intake. The service is designed by dietitians and offers a range of fresh meals that have been enjoyed by both our experts and testers.

How it works: Choose from over 35 dietitian-designed and chef-crafted meals and how many meals you want each week (from six to 18). There’s also the option to add on breakfasts, beverages and sweets. As a bonus, all subscriptions come with a free consultation with a registered dietitian. There are several diet plans to choose from but you can also mix:

• Chef's Choice: A variety of healthy chef-crafted meals
• Keto: Low-carb, high-fat meals
• Flexitarian: Balanced, veggie-forward meals with purposeful proteins
• Protein Plus: Satisfying meals with 30 grams of protein or more
• Calorie Smart: Meals with 550 calories or less
• Vegan & Veggie: Veggie-forward, meat-free meals

Lab results: The meals were delivered in great condition and the ingredients tasted fresh and flavorful. Testers gave high ratings to the meal variety and portion sizes as well. One tester even said that microwaving the meals did not affect the taste or texture. The service also offers add-ons like shakes, smoothies, juices, snacks, proteins and desserts.

Customers who follow low-carb and keto diets will find plenty of compliant choices on the menu, which is a significant improvement compared to other services with limited offerings. The meals were creative, satisfying and flavorful, but some keto meals can be very high in fat.

Favorite meals: Sun-dried tomato chicken with zucchini noodles, scampi-style barramundi with cauliflower gratin and creamy pesto pork chop with spinach cauliflower rice

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test various food products and services. From protein bars and supplements to food subscription boxes and pre-made meal delivery services, our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best in quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more.

In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we gathered a team of over 300 individuals, alongside our food and nutrition experts, to test various meal delivery services. Our evaluation process included testing over 50 different meal delivery services, ranging from fully prepared options to traditional kits with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card.

Here are some other factors to consider when choosing the best service for you:

✔️ Servings: Most meal kits (the kind that require you to prep and cook) include servings for at least two people. Prepared meal services like the ones highlighted here offer single-portion servings and may be better suited for one person. Tovala is one exception because many of its meals arrive raw and require a short cooking time in the oven.

✔️ Dietary preferences: Certain meal delivery services cater to particular nutritional requirements like gluten-free, keto or vegan diets, while others may take into account specific allergens. Although most services consider some nutritional needs, assess a service based on your personal requirements before subscribing.

✔️ Menu selection: Most meal delivery services have either a weekly rotating menu, which may be smaller but is still likely to have 20 or more options, or a more static menu that’s likely to have over a 100 options, such as CookUnity. Whether you like consistency or an exciting new dish every day will determine the right menu for you.

✔️ Cost: It can be challenging to manage a food budget when cooking for one person but meal delivery services can come in handy. Some premium services like Sakara come with premium pricing but offer high-quality ingredients and detailed wellness plans. More affordable options like Daily Harvest are also made with great ingredients but designed to be a healthful foundation for you to build on.

✔️ Delivery range: Check that the service delivers or ships to your location. Most meal delivery services charge a flat shipping fee, although some will provide free shipping if your order exceeds a certain amount.

✔️ Sustainability: Finding a balance between food safety and sustainable features in meal delivery service packaging can be difficult. However, many brands have developed innovative ways to focus on sustainability while maintaining good delivery quality. Nearly every service provides specific instructions on recycling or disposing of all the items in the box on its website. Some services offer local delivery in major cities, which means no hassling with cardboard boxes and loads of insulation materials.

✔️ Storage: Ready-to-eat meals can quickly occupy a lot of space in your refrigerator or freezer. Consider ordering the smallest order size as a test before subscribing, especially if you have limited fridge or freezer space or share a kitchen with others. If you have an extra freezer, perhaps a service with frozen meals, such as Daily Harvest and Splendid Spoon, is best for you.

For those prone to dining out or ordering in, meal delivery services can be a great way for singles to prioritize health and wellness while staying on budget. Compared to restaurant food, these services are generally less expensive per meal and often offer more nutritious options, as well as the ability to accommodate special diets.

When it comes to convenience, meal delivery services that offer freshly prepared meals are hard to beat. Although they may not have the same shelf life as frozen options, they can typically be eaten as is or heated up in just a few minutes. Close behind are frozen meal delivery services, which also usually require only a few minutes in the microwave.

However, it's worth noting that not all meal delivery services come with the same price tag. Services with the highest nutritional value and innovative menus can be costly but you can also choose a cheaper option and supplement with a bagged salad or sautéed greens.

As a recipe developer and food journalist, Perry Santanachote has researched and written numerous articles about nutrition and diets. She also develops meal plans and has personally tried dozens of meal delivery services because even cooks are sometimes too busy to cook for themselves.

As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani Sassos is passionate about putting healthy meals on the table for her family without having to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Prepared meal delivery services are something that she relies on throughout the week, especially for lunch during busy days. Stefani has led meal delivery testing efforts for the brand for the past four years and is well-versed in the current meal delivery landscape.