We all know the truth: you need food to live (and to avoid embarrassing “hangry” outbursts). But if you don’t have much free time or aren’t into cooking, meal times aren’t always easy. Do you want leftovers? Do you want pasta, again? Do you just say “forget it” and make a sandwich or a bowl of cereal? Luckily, food subscriptions can be a lifesaver. Food subscriptions can save you time and effort so you can get the food you need and you can enjoy it–without finding a new recipe, spending time at the grocery store or taking too long to prepare it, depending on the subscription you choose.
So if you’re now considering the freedom and relief food subscriptions can bring you, you might be overwhelmed by all the choices out there. There are meat subscriptions, prepared meal subscriptions, vegetarian subscriptions…how do you choose the right food subscription for you or your family? Don’t worry–we got you.
Every year, we ask our readers to share their top recommended subscriptions of all types. Then we ask our experts to share what they know about each subscription to make it easy for you to know which subscription is right for you. Below, you’ll find our insights for shopping food subscription boxes and see readers’ top choices for meal kits, snack boxes, grocery deliveries, and even a wine box.
Top Subscription Boxes Featured In This List:
HelloFreshBest Overall Food Subscription Box
Starting at $56.95Try at Hello Fresh
Green ChefBest Low-Carb Food Subscription Box
Starting at $71.94Try at Green Chef
Home ChefBest Customization Meal Kit Subscription
Starting at $65.00Shop Home Chef
ModifyHealthBest Healthy Food Delivery Service
Starting at $25.00Try at Modify Health
Purple CarrotThe Best Vegan Food Subscription
Starting at $51.94Try at Purple Carrot
And more! Keep reading to see the full details of the top food subscriptions plus many more recommendations.
What To Look For When Shopping Food Subscriptions
When shopping for a food subscription you'll want to consider the following features:
- Food Variety: Does this food subscription offer you more than a handful of options to choose from each week? You'll definitely want to choose a plan that provides you with as many options as possible that way there's always something you'll like on the menu.
- Ingredient Sourcing: How does this food subscription source its ingredients? Does it use a farm-to-table approach or use seasonal ingredients? Does it offer organic ingredients or meat from humanely-raised animals? Make sure to check and see if a brand offers information related to ingredient sourcing and that it aligns with your values.
- Dietary Accommodations: Does this subscription accommodate your diet or allergies? While some subscriptions are geared towards the general public, others go above and beyond to ensure that strict measures are taken to ensure that you can use their service and that there are meals that are safe for you to eat.
- Value: Is this food subscription cost-effective, or does its higher cost provide me with better quality food? While convenience is a huge factor, you'll want to ensure that the subscription you choose provides you with a cost-effective approach to eating and is competitively priced against store-bought meals and restaurants. If its cost is somewhat higher than what you would find in these places, at least check to see that it reflects the quality of ingredients it uses.
The Most Popular Food Subscription Boxes
Read on for our reader’s recommendations for the best meal subscriptions currently available. If we missed anything, drop us a comment. If you’ve tried one of these services, be sure to leave a quick review (even if you had a poor experience — your review can help other readers avoid subscription remorse).
1. HelloFresh
Best Food Subscription Box Overall
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Our readers love HelloFresh, and so do thousands of others; it’s currently the most popular food subscription box in the United States.
They offers six different types of meals which include:
- Meat & Veggies
- Veggie
- Family Friendly
- Fit & Wholesome
- Quick & Easy
- Pescatarian
You’ll get a recipe and the ingredients to whip up your meals. This variety allows you to satisfy a number of diets; so if you have a family with members that all eat differently, you can ensure that they’re all fed well. You can order 2-6 recipes per week for 2 or 4 people.
In our experience, HelloFresh recipes were significantly easier than other premium services; we never found ourselves rushing back and forth between hot pans and the prep table, which made for a less stressful cooking experience. On average, they take about 20-30 minutes to cook.
Our readers also love how HelloFresh meals use easy-to-find ingredients. If you want to recreate a recipe, you won’t need to head to a specialty grocery store. It’s a great feature for people who like to try food subscriptions for a bit, then pause (and by the way, HelloFresh offers easy options for skipping weeks or canceling).
The ingredients are dependably high quality, and the recipes are delicious and versatile. A large number of the recipes tend to feature Southwestern flavors, but by logging in online, you can suit the menu to your taste preferences. Helpful tags help you find meals with quick prep times, limited calories, and other features. If you’ve never tried a food subscription box, this is the perfect place to start.
Pros
- Recipes are very easy to follow
- Multiple meal options with weekly rotations
- Allows for some flexibility in most meal options and recipes
Cons
- Not ideal for people with certain allergies or dietary restrictions
- Harder to choose meals to fit specific macro and calorie ranges
- Can only choose from options for 2 or 4 people
Shipping: Ships to the contiguous US for $7.99.
2. Green Chef
Best Food Subscription Box for Low-Carb Eating
What's In This Food Subscription Box
The Green Chef subscription box focuses on providing gourmet meals with fresh, organic ingredients. They also offer paleo- and keto-friendly meals, so if you’re cutting carbs, they’re certainly worth a look. Ingredients come pre-measured and prepped along with pre-made sauces, marinades, and spice blends. You're also able to receive 3 or 4 meals per week for 2, 4, or 6 people and can subscribe to one of the six following plans:
- Keto + Paleo
- Vegetarian
- Mediterranean
- Fast & Fit
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
Green Chef uses 100% organic foods and offers over 20 recipes per week. Popular recipes include Pecan-Crusted Pork Chops, Baked Ricotta Chicken with Risotto, and Mushroom Curry Udon Bowls.
Green Chef was the first food delivery box to offer certified gluten-free meals, and they’re dedicated to addressing subscribers’ unique needs. Despite being able to filter out certain allergens from your weekly recipe selection, though, be aware that all ingredients are processed and packaged in the same facility, and cross-contact with major food allergens may occur.
Pros
- Offers different plans to suit a number of diets
- Huge menu with up to 20 recipes per week
- All meals feature organic ingredients
Cons
- Not the cheapest meal kit around
- Not ideal for picky eaters or kids
Shipping: Ships to the continental US for $7.99 per box.
3. Home Chef
Best Food Subscription Box for Customization
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Home Chef is a food delivery box that provides delicious, crowd-pleasing meals for 2, 4, 6, or 8 people.
Home Chef offers a customization option for most plates, which is what readers love. Add proteins, swap ingredients, or make other changes — you’ll pay more when customizing, but we appreciate the option. They also offer low- or no-prep meals (their Fresh & Easy food subscription service) and dietitian-approved plans (Fresh Start). Subscribers can easily add meals, pause deliveries, or make other changes as needed.
Home Chef also allows people to screen for the following allergens: wheat, dairy, nuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish. However, be aware that Home Chef’s facility is not certified allergen-free so it's only recommended for those without severe or life-threatening allergies.
Given the price, Home Chef offers an excellent value. The customizable menu is definitely the selling point, but be prepared to pay extra if you’re adding additional items to your order.
Pros
- Boxes include a Home Chef cookbook with all your recipe cards
- Includes ideas and instructions for substitutions
- Offers oven-ready prepared meals and meals that require more cooking
Cons
- Very limited vegetarian and vegan meal options
- Products are only organic occasionally
- Limited options for different diets
Shipping: Ships to most of the US.
4. ModifyHealth
Best Low FODMAP, Gluten-free and Allergy Sensitive Subscription Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
When you’re on a specific diet, it’s not always easy to find food subscription plans that suit those needs. However, ModifyHealth delivers tasty, ready-to-eat low FODMAP and Mediterranean meals right to your door. Both of the meal plans offered are gluten-free, and customers are able to customize their boxes based on plant-based needs, allergies, or low-sodium.
Both of the meal plans offered are gluten-free, and customers are able to customize their boxes based on plant-based needs, allergies, or low-sodium.
This subscription aims to support those who are wanting to bolster their overall health (via the Mediterranean program) or learn about foods that cause sensitivity, as well as gain control over your digestive health (via the low FODMAP program).
What our readers really love, though, is that there is optional dietician support. If you’re getting used to a new diet, having an expert on hand to help is great.
Pros
- Over 60 meal options to choose from each week
- The program is customizable to target specific needs
- Optional dietitian support is available to help you choose your path
Cons
- There are only two program types available
- All meal plans offer only one type of duration, which are weekly commitments
5. Purple Carrot
Best Vegan Food Subscription Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Purple Carrot is a vegan food subscription box aimed at bringing plant-based eating into the mainstream. They deliver weekly boxes of fresh produce and easy-to-follow recipes for some tasty veggie meals. Subscribers can also add on plant-based breakfasts, lunches, and packaged snacks.
Going veggie helps to lower your environmental impact; on average, each Purple Carrot meal has a 72% lower carbon footprint than the standard American meal, per the company’s site. Of course, switching to a plant-based diet is easier if you’re eating delicious food, and that’s where Purple Carrot’s recipes shine.
You can expect to see dairy- and meat-free versions of staple classics (such as loaded avocado toast), along with adventurous offerings inspired by worldly cuisine (like grape leaf mezze bowls). There's definitely something for everyone with Purple Carrot as you can also choose from meals that are designated as low calorie, high protein, quick and easy, and more.
The menu changes regularly, and you’ll find 12 different vegan meal options every week that even non-vegans will love. If you choose to go with meal kits, you can subscribe to 3 or 4 dinners per week with 2 or 4 servings each, whereas if you choose prepared meals instead you can order 6, 8, or 10 dinners per week–but each of those meals will only have one serving.
While you can select meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, and soy-free, it's important to note that Purple Carrot's facility is not certified allergen-friendly so those with severe food allergies should proceed with caution.
Pros
- One of the few meal delivery services designed for vegans
- Most recipes are easy to made and can be completed in less than 40 minutes
- Comes with breakfast, lunch, and grocery items available
Cons
- The menu options are quite limited
- Not the most affordable meal kit
Shipping: Ships to most of the US.
6. Winc
Best Wine Subscription for Upgrading Your Meals
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Okay, Winc isn’t a food subscription box, but it offers a great way to upgrade your meals.
After a quick introductory quiz, Winc will gather your preferences and use your results to match you with unique, affordable wines. Before shipping, Winc will send you their picks for approval. You can give them the thumbs up to receive their recommendations, make changes to customize your box, or skip the month altogether.
We love that Winc offers some vegan wines, as well as the occasional cider to switch things up. Paired with one of the other options on this list, Winc helps you create a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.
Pros
- Wide range of wines that come with clear tasting notes and descriptions
- Recommendations become more accurate after you start rating your wines
- Wines are being added all the time
Cons
- Your favorite wines might not be around forever
- A la cart shopping sometimes doesn't work
- Customer support and service levels are not the best
7. Splendid Spoon
Best Food Subscription Box for Plant-Based, Ready-to-Eat Meals
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Want something light for meals and snacks? Splendid Spoon is a plant-based food delivery box specializing in nutrient-rich smoothies, soups, and grain bowls. All of their products are vegan, gluten-free, and made with GMO-free ingredients.
Many of their products are made to be enjoyed cold — including some soups — so you can enjoy a wholesome meal on the go, with no cooking at all.
Some of their plans include:
- Breakfast - 5 smoothies
- Lunch - 5 soup & grain bowls
- Breakfast + Lunch - 5 smoothies, 5 soups & grain bowls
- Breakfast + Lunch + Reset - 5 smoothies, 5 soups & grain bowls, 5 light soups (Reset day)
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Reset - 5 smoothies, 5 soups & grain bowls, 5 noodles, 5 light soups (Reset day)
Splendid Spoon is one of the more affordable ready-to-eat food subscription boxes on the market, depending on what you choose. Their menu changes regularly, and you’ll find satisfying options regardless of your preferences; if you don’t have time to cook, but you’re ready to improve your diet, here’s a great service to get you on the right track.
Pros
- You'll always get plant-based and gluten-free meal options
- Smoothies are tasty and easy to drink from the bottle
Cons
- Limited flexibility of plans
- Not much variety outside the smoothies
- Deliveries are only on Wednesdays or Fridays
Shipping: Ships free to the US.
8. Butcher Box
Best Food Subscription Box for High-Quality Meats
What's In This Food Subscription Box
The Butcher Box is a food subscription box that sends you a preferred mix of grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage-breed pork. It’s a convenient way to ensure you’re getting healthy, high-quality meats sourced from animals that have been raised humanely.
For carnivores and omnivores, Butcher Box offers a more ethical (and eco-friendly) way to eat. The real draw is the quality — for about $6 per meal, you’ll have a freezer full of the best meats available. If you love meat, this is one of the best food subscription boxes available. We’d recommend trying the mixed protein boxes — while the quality of their beef is incredible, the chicken is just as good, and the company has recently added wild-caught seafood to their selection.
You can choose to subscribe to one of the following meat subscription boxes and select either a classic box (good for individuals and small families) or a big box (good for mid-size families and large freezers):
- Custom Box - 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood.
- Mixed Box - 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, and pork raised crate-free.
- Beef & Chicken Box - 100% grass-fed beef and free-range organic chicken.
- Beef & Pork Box - 100% grass-fed beef and pork raised crate-free.
All Beef Box - 100% grass-fed beef.
Pros
- Wide selection of 100% organic chicken and grass-fed beef
- Comes with add-ons like bacon, sausages, and pork chops
Cons
- Many complaints about customer service and phantom fees
- With delivery delays, often ice arrived melted
Shipping: Ships free to the continental US.
9. Dinnerly
Most Affordable Food Subscription Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Dinnerly is a fast, simple, and affordable meal subscription, with servings starting at $1.99/each. This food subscription box sends you six-ingredient dishes that only take about 30 minutes to make.
You’ll get ingredients by mail, but Dinnerly provides digital recipe cards for each dish to help cut down on both cost and clutter. By cutting out unnecessary marketing campaigns and simplifying packaging, Dinnerly is able to maintain an incredibly low cost per meal.
When subscribing to Dinnerly you can choose from a two-person or family box and order 3-6 meals per week. Popular–and familiar–meals include Homestyle Chicken & Biscuits, One-Pot Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli Florentine, and Vegetarian Pad Thai. Our readers report that this subscription is especially good for picky eaters because of the classic meals available.
Pros
- Very affordable compared to other meal kits
- Recipes are easy to make and delicious for the entire family
Cons
- There's no option to switch recipes with this subscription
- Recipes and ingredients aren't cutting edge or different
Shipping: Ships to most of the contiguous US for $8.99.
10. Gobble
Best Food Subscription Box for Quick Cooking
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Hate cooking or don’t have a lot of time? Gobble is a food subscription box with recipes that can be completed in 15 minutes or less. Their chefs handle all of the prep work, so you can skip the cutting board and get right to work.
You can choose meals from its Classic Dinner and Lean & Clean Dinner plans and there are plenty of mouth-watering recipes to try, including:
- Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice & Naan Bread,
- Pan-Seared Ribeye Steaks with Balsamic Glaze & Roasted Root Vegetables
- Wagyu Beef Sliders with Crispy Potatoes & Cabbage Slaw
Given the time you’ll save peeling, chopping, and marinating, Gobble is remarkably affordable. Its per-meal prices are on par with some of the other full-meal subscriptions on this list, and the recipes are delicious. The service also accommodates some dietary preferences, with dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free options.
The main disadvantage of ready-to-eat meal kits is the pricing: Gobble is significantly more expensive than options like HelloFresh, but you’re paying for the convenience. We love that Gobble is still less expensive than takeout (and much, much more nutritious than fast food). Still, if you’re on a budget and you don’t mind cooking, some of the other options on this list make more sense.
Love to cook, but only have 15 minutes? No worries - Gobble's got the meal subscription for you.
Pros
- Recipes and ingredients come packed together
- Portion sizes are very generous for sharing or saving for later
- Most recipes are really quick and easy to make
Cons
- No nutritional facts are included with the recipes
- The cost is a bit higher than other meal kits
Shipping: Ships to the continental US for $6.99.
11. Hungryroot
Best Food Subscription Box for Groceries
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Hungryroot is a fresh food subscription box that aims to “make healthy eating easy.” To that end, they give you more control over ingredients than other services; think of Hungryroot as a trip to the grocery store (without the lines). In fact, if you aren’t ready to subscribe, Hungryroot can also serve as an easy way to get your grocery store shopping out of the way.
Mix and match ingredients from their catalog of prepped veggies, sauces, proteins, and more to create quick meals in a matter of minutes. You can hand-pick every item in your shipment each week, or you can have Hungryroot provide recipes and matching ingredients.
By combining high-quality groceries with a typical food delivery box model, Hungryroot provides versatility for aspiring home chefs. Other options make more sense if you’d rather not fuss about each meal — but if you’d like to expand your abilities while still getting guidance, this is an exceptional service.
vice.
Pros
- You can add additional grocery items to this box
- Offers endless customizations to even build meals from grocery items you choose
- Includes kid-friendly meal options
Cons
- The online ordering portal can be confusing at first
- There isn't an option to cancel your subscription until your first box arrives
Shipping: Ships free to the US with ground shipping; $10 with air shipping, determined by zip code.
12. EveryPlate
Best Food Subscription Box for Simplicity
What's In This Food Subscription Box
EveryPlate is a wallet-friendly food subscription box with crowd-pleasing meals — but the company doesn’t emphasize hard-to-find gourmet ingredients. Their recipes feature high-quality produce and proteins, but the recipes are simple and easy to follow.
Their recipes feature high-quality produce and proteins, but the recipes are simple and easy to follow. You get one of 16 or 17 recipes, the ingredients and directions to prepare them and you’ll have a full meal on the table in less than half an hour.
You can choose to subscribe to either the ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, FamilyPlate, or EasyPlate plan, and can order 3-5 meals per week for 2 or 4 people. Each week features a rotating menu with tasty (and kid-friendly) recipes including meals that your kids will be begging to have seconds of such as Southwest Sloppy Joes, Caramelized Onion Burgers, and Easy Chicken Fajitas. Our readers say that kids typically like these meals because they’re familiar with them–and they taste great!
EveryPlate cuts out unnecessary expenses to keep their per-meal price low. It’s one of the cheapest food delivery box options on this list, but currently, the service doesn’t offer options for special dietary needs.
Pros
- One of the most affordable meal kits on the market
- Includes kid-friendly meals designed with picky eaters in mind
- You can add additional proteins to your weekly orders
Cons
- Doesn't offer accommodations for those with special diets
- Very limited options for vegans or vegetarians
- While ingredients are fresh, they're not always organic
Shipping: Ships to the majority of the continental US.
13. Sun Basket
Best Gourmet Food Subscription Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Sun Basket makes planning easy with options for meal kits and ready-to-eat meals. Created by the former head chef of a James-Beard-Award-winning restaurant, this food subscription box emphasizes clean, healthy eating.
Plan options address special dietary considerations (you can pick paleo-friendly, vegetarian, vegan, or Mediterranean diet options, among others), and all food boxes include organic produce and responsibly sourced meats & seafood.
If you’re interested in culinary exploration — and you don’t mind paying slightly more for adventurous recipes — Sun Basket is one of the best food subscription boxes to try.
Pros
- With their "Fresh & Ready" option you can just cook meals in the microwave or oven
- Meals are delicious with high-quality ingredients
Cons
- Not the most affordable meal delivery service
- Very limited options for low-calorie meals
Shipping: Ships to most zip codes in the contiguous US.
14. Martha & Marley Spoon
Best Food Subscription Box for Learning Cooking
What's In This Food Subscription Box
The goddess of domestic arts, Martha Stewart herself, has teamed up with Marley Spoon to offer this food subscription. Martha & Marley Spoon is a gourmet food delivery box with recipes and inspiration from Martha Stewart. The high-quality ingredients are already pre-portioned, and the recipes are easy to follow.
Given the name on the label, it’s no surprise that this food subscription box focuses on teaching new techniques. It’s surprisingly simple, affordable, and fun — in other words, it’s right in line with the Martha Stewart brand.
Unlike other recipe-based meal subscriptions, you're not required to subscribe to a specific meal plan. Rather, you choose the number of people you're ordering for (2 or 4), the number of recipes you want each week (2-6), and then select Martha Stewart meals from 40 options which fall under the following categories:
- Health & Diet,
- Vegetarian & Vegan
- Meat & Fish
- Under 30 Minutes
- Family-Friendly
Some of Marley Spoon's most popular recipes include Harissa Salmon with Couscous & Broccoli, Honey-Dijon Steak with Green Beans & Potatoes, and Chicken Milanese with Cucumber-Arugula Salad.
Pros
- Great variety of meals that you can choose from up to 10 recipes each week
- Recipes are easy to make and can be done in less than 45 minutes
- The meals have Martha Stewart's seal of approval
Cons
- Not many options for those with dietary restrictions
- The recipes are not for those counting their calories
Shipping: Ships to most of the contiguous US for $8.99.
15. Freshly
Best Prepared Food Subscription Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Only feeding yourself and don’t want to spend time cooking? That’s why our readers keep calling Freshly a great choice. It's an incredibly consistent food subscription box, which should earn them a spot on any best-of list. Their meals are prepared in advance — you simply heat them up in minutes— so there’s no prep work to speak of (and fewer dirty dishes). Each plate is gourmet quality, which is incredible given the affordable cost-per-meal. And if the meals can be refrigerated; if you don’t touch them for a few days, you won’t have to worry.
You can sign up to receive anywhere from 4 to 12 meals per week and choose from 50+ recipes that include categories like Signature Collection, Purely Plant, FreshlyFit, and Protein and Sides. Popular recipes include Asian-Style Chicken & Noodles, Golden Oven-Fried Chicken & Mash, and Three-Grain Harvest Bowl.
Unlike most other subscriptions we've reviewed so far, all of Freshly's gluten-free meals are prepared in a certified gluten-free safe spot and some of its meals are made in kitchens free from peanuts and wheat as well. However, the same cannot be guaranteed or other allergies like dairy so be sure to check each meal's ingredient labels before ordering.
Options are available for people with different dietary preferences, and unlike many other services, Freshly offers options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The one downside: There are limited plant-based options, so if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll probably want to check out other food delivery boxes like Splendid Spoon (detailed earlier in this list) for a pre-made meal option.
Options are available for people with different dietary preferences, and unlike many other services, Freshly offers options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The one downside: There are limited plant-based options, so if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll probably want to check out other food delivery boxes like Splendid Spoon (detailed earlier in this list) for a pre-made meal option.
Pros
- Over 30 meal options to choose from
- You can choose which day of the week your delivery ships
- Recipes with healthier takes on classic dishes
Cons
- Very limited for strict dieters
- Limited options for Keto, vegan, or vegetarian eaters
Shipping: Shipping costs vary by order size and location.
16. Blue Apron
Best Food Subscription Box for Building Cooking Skills
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Blue Apron is a leading food subscription box, and if you haven’t heard of them by now, you’re not paying attention. This is the food delivery box that perfected many of the standards of the industry — high-quality ingredients, gourmet recipes, and pre-portioned ingredients, with extensive online and offline resources for refining your cooking techniques.
With a lower cost per plate (starting at about $40, depending what you choose), Blue Apron offers a mix of quality and value, and they’ve taken steps to make their packaging more eco-friendly. We wouldn’t recommend this service for absolute beginners; you’ll need some basic cooking skills (and we do mean basic) to get started.
You can choose to subscribe to one of four plans which are
- Signature- offers a mix of meat and fish and is Weight Watchers approved and diabetes-friendly
- Wellness- fresh produce, whole grains, high-quality proteins and natural sweeteners.
- Vegetarian
- Heat & Eat: these are Blue Apron’s premade meals
Also, you can order 2-4 recipes for 2 or 4 people per week.
The recipes tend to be a little on the adventurous side, with options such as Hoisin Duck & Orange Lo Mein or Tilapia & Orange-Jalapeño Salsa. However, there are plenty of options available that are more traditional in nature that the whole family will enjoy like Crispy BBQ Chicken Sandwich and Pan-Seared Chicken & Mashed Potatoes. The Heat & Eat offerings bring the Blue Apron experience to your microwave; they’re ready to eat in less than five minutes.
The service also has limited options for special diets — apart from the seafood and vegetarian options — though you can accommodate most diets with careful meal selection.
With that said, if you’re looking for innovative dishes without a hefty price tag, Blue Apron is still one of the best food subscription boxes around.
Pros
- Comes with plans for vegetarian
- All recipes come with pre-portioned ingredients to speed up the cooking process
Cons
- Very limited options to choose from if you have dietary restrictions
- The cancelation process is tricky and troublesome
Shipping: Ships to the contiguous US.
17. Umai Crate
Best Subscription Box for Ramen
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Umai Crate is a ramen subscription service that sends you 7-8 instant ramen noodle varieties each month. In addition to adventurous new flavors, you’ll get a booklet of tips about ways to upgrade your ramen with yummy add-ins. You won’t find most of these products at your grocer — or even specialty stores — but they’re all delicious.
Ramen is one of the world’s most popular comfort foods, and this food subscription box allows you to fully explore ramen culture. It’s one of the most food-specific crates we’re covering, but if you love slurping up new noodles (slurping is accepted in Japan, FYI), don’t miss it.
Pros
- A great option for having backup lunches
- It comes down to about $3.75 per lunch/dinner
Cons
- Not a traditional meal delivery kit
- Doesn't include many add-ons needed for the recipes like eggs, vegetables, and some seasonings
Shipping: Ships worldwide.
18. Daily Harvest
Best Food Subscription Box for Healthy, Ready-to-Eat Meals
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Daily Harvest is a food subscription box that offers pre-portioned smoothies, soups, bowls, and snacks. Most of the nutrient-packed items arrive in frozen cups (with the exception of the flatbreads). That makes them excellent for healthy on-the-go eating, and they’re seriously delicious — and surprisingly filling.
Subscribe for a weekly or monthly plan, then customize your own box (if you don’t feel choosy, you can also receive the best-sellers). With minimal sugars and mostly organic ingredients, this is a hassle-free, vegan-friendly option at a great price.
Note: In May, Daily Harvest had to recall their French Lentil and Leek Crumbles after customers complained of severe abdominal pain and other issues. Daily Harvest customers at large did not feel they were as forthcoming as they could be.
Pros
- All foods already come prepared and conveniently packaged
- One of the easiest ways to add plant-based foods into your diet
Cons
- Meals still require some thaw times before cooking
- Not all items can be used as meal replacements
19. Vegancuts Snack Box
Best Vegan Snack Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Vegancuts Snack Box is a monthly food subscription box that provides an outstanding selection of vegan snacks (the name sort of gave it away, didn’t it?).
Many of the items are gluten-free, but this is not a dedicated gluten-free food box. Each delivery contains 7-10 vegan snacks, pantry items, and supplements. Whether you’re a strict vegan or you’re just looking for healthier options, Vegancuts is a fun way to upgrade your snacking.
They also offer a beauty box of cruelty-free makeup, if you’re looking for cleaner beauty products.
Pros
- You get a really good selection of snacks and drinks in each box
- Subscribers also receive exclusive deals to purchase the items of the box later
- There's an option to skip boxes if wanted
Cons
- There aren't many personalization options
- There are no questions about allergies when subscribing to the box
- The cancelation process can be troublesome and lengthy
20. SnackCrate
Best Healthy Snack Subscription Box
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Each month, the SnackCrate food subscription sends a bright-blue box full of hand-picked treats from around the globe. A new country is featured with every delivery. They guarantee you’ll never receive the same snack twice — we love the element of surprise. They offer 3 sizes for snack boxes:
- Mini: contains 5-6 full-sized snacks
- Original: contains 10-12 full-sized snacks
- Family: contains 18-20 full-sized snacks
To give you a better idea of the snacks that may come in your box, the Poland box contains snacks such as a Jeżyki Classic cookie bar, Wypiekarnia Bajgle pretzel crackers, and a Princessa Zebra chocolate wafer treat.
Each box includes a booklet with fun facts, games, and a music playlist. SnackCrate also has a store you can shop at for individual snacks and candy, called The CandyBar. There, you can shop snacks with a pretty comprehensive search feature that allows you to filter by country and select your favorite snack types.
Our readers also love that you could get more than just snacks from SnackCrate. Every single box you purchase enters you into a contest where the prize is a trip around the world; you just have to win the lucky Adventure Ticket.
Pros
- Comes with a balance of sweet, salty, and savory snack options
- You get the opportunity to win another box
Cons
- You can't choose the countries or snacks you'll like to try
- The box doesn't accommodate dietary needs or allergies
Shipping: Ships worldwide for free.
21. SnackSack
Best Snack Subscription Box for Savory Snacking
What's In This Food Subscription Box
SnackSack is another monthly food subscription box that focuses on natural, healthy snacks–which is great if you like to eat between meals but don’t want to feel guilty.
Their snacks tend to be organic, all-natural, non-GMO, vegan, or fair trade — and options are available for people on vegan or gluten-free diets.
Each month, you’ll receive anywhere from 11 to 15 new snacks all selected around a season or theme. You may not be able to customize your snack order, but they offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. You can expect to receive items like popcorn, cookies, jerky, or energy bars (depending on which plan you pick). What our readers really appreciate, however, is that you can choose between classic, vegan, gluten-free, or vegan & gluten-free plans.
With free shipping, this is a great way to keep a steady supply of additive-free snacks. It makes a great gift, and the seasonal themes add to the excitement of every unboxing.
Pros
- You can choose a box that best fits your diet, including vegan and gluten-free options
- There's a box designed for the workplace
Cons
- There isn't an option to opt-out of snacks based on allergies
22. Mantry
Best Pantry Subscription for Stocking Your Man Cave
What's In This Food Subscription Box
Build “the modern man’s pantry” with Mantry, a quarterly subscription box. You'll receive 5 to 6 full-size premium food products from small artisans across the US in each box.
From bacon, BBQ, and honey, to chocolates, crackers, and beyond, the box has fun and exciting items to try each time. Our readers appreciate that Mantry also donates 1% of its sales to City Harvest, an organization that helps redistribute food to families in need.
Pros
- The box arrives with a booklet that includes info about the products you received and recipes on how to use them
- Some boxes arrive in a wooden crate you get to keep
Cons
- There aren't many options to customize your subscription
- There isn't an option to check for allergies or dietary restrictions
How to Get The Most Out of Your Food Subscription Once You've Picked
Once you've picked out the right box for you, follow our steps to help make sure you make the most of your new food subscription.
- Check for coupons before buying. The grocery store isn’t the only place that takes coupons. Many food subscription boxes have discounts for new subscribers. Our MSA Deals Page is a great resource if you’re trying to save when you sign up. You can also check our brand pages for the best coupons for a particular subscription.
- Personalize your subscription. Many food subscriptions allow you to choose the types of foods you like/dislike, as well as allowing you to update those preferences to keep things fresh. If you need to tweak menus to allow for allergies or foods you love, be sure to customize your subscription.
- Have a plan for pickup. Even though you don’t have to go to the grocery store, you do have to put your meals or ingredients away when they arrive. While subscription companies do use special packaging that protects them from the elements for a time, you do need to consider what you’ll do if you’re not home when the food arrives.
- Make room in the fridge. If you’re not cooking much anyway, you should have space in the refrigerator for your food items. But if you have to clean up, take time to do so before delivery.
- Re-assess your needs. Periodically, re-assess your need for the frequency of your deliveries. You might not be as busy and find that you have time to do a bit more cooking; you may need to order fewer meals or kit. However, you may find that you need even more food!
- Try new food subscriptions. FYou don’t want to fall into an eating rut. Luckily, with so many subscriptions out there, you don’t have to! If you’re tired of cooking ingredients, for example, you may try a prepared meal food subscription. If you’ve been ordering meat but want to eat a bit lighter, you can try a subscription that caters to vegetarian choices. By switching things up, you may find you’re happier all around.
Factors We Considered When Reviewing These Food Subscription Boxes
Finding healthy, affordable, and convenient food delivery options isn’t easy. While our research led us to some of the best food subscription boxes on the market, we had specific requirements to determine which ones made the cut — and which ones were left on the shelf.
Some of the key factors we considered when making this list:
- CONVENIENCE. Ease of use is important. We focused on the food subscription boxes that offered the convenience in ordering,f plan flexibility, and necessary ability level (for meal prep boxes). Our readers chose boxes that cover all skill levels and time requirements so anyone should be able to find a food subscription, whether you’d like to cook meals yourself or have them ready-made.
- QUALITY AND VARIETY – We paid attention to the subscriptions that offered high-quality ingredients as well as those which offered a variety of meals so that you can avoid certain ingredients if you need/want to–or if you want to avoid getting bored with the same food every week.
- PRICE AND VALUE – Price point is an incredibly important factor when it comes to choosing a food subscription box. Our readers were willing to pay a bit more when the offerings were higher-quality and/or organic. We also included the most reasonably priced (but still high-quality) prepared meal options for those who prefer to skip cooking entirely.
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