Food subscriptions can be a lifesaver, both for the everyday person as well as the seasoned cook. They allow you to enjoy your favorite meals without having to shop for ingredients or spend hours preparing them. But, there's one problem - there are way too many options out there! When faced with dozens of choices for meal subscriptions, it can be incredibly challenging to determine which one is best for your needs.
But don't worry, with help from our readers we've come up with a list of the best food boxes in 2023 to help. Our list includes options for traditional meal kits, heat-and-eat meals, and more. Whether you're a hard-core carnivore or committed to consuming a plant-based diet, there's something for everyone on our list (kids included).
Top 12 Food Boxes in 2023:
HelloFreshBest Overall Food Subscription Box
Starting at $56.95Active Deal16 Free Meals + First Box Ships Free + 3 Surprise GiftsUse Coupon Code MSA16HFTry Hello Fresh
Home ChefBest for Customization
Starting at $65.00Shop Home Chef
Green ChefBest for Organic Meals
Purple CarrotThe Best Vegan Food Subscription
Starting at $51.94Try Purple Carrot
Nurture LifeMost Popular for Toddlers and Kids
Starting at $47.94Shop Nurture Life.jpeg)
Blue ApronBest for Adventurous Recipes & Wine
Starting at $39.96Shop Blue Apron
SunbasketBest for Farm-Fresh Meals
Starting at $8.99Try SunbasketActive DealGet $90 off and 4 free gifts on first-time order of $65 or more
Splendid SpoonBest for Plant-Based Smoothies & Bowls
Starting at $65.00Shop Splendid Spoon
EveryPlateBest for Budget
Starting at $29.94Active DealTry Everyplate at $1.49/meal on 1st box + 20% off next 2 boxes!Use Coupon Code MSA200Shop EveryPlate
Mosaic FoodsBest for Plant-Based, Chef-Inspired Meals
Starting at $79.92Try Mosaic.jpg)
Little SpoonBest for Organic Baby Food
Starting at $2.74Active DealUse code HEALTHYKIDDO to get $20 Off Your First OrderUse Coupon Code HEALTHYKIDDOTry Little Spoon.jpg)
Snap KitchenBest Option with Retail Stores
Starting at $126.00Active DealGet 50% off your first Snap Kitchen subscription box!Use Coupon Code MSA50Shope Snap Kitchen
The 12 Best Food Boxes in 2023
Best Overall
1. HelloFresh
Best Overall
Image via our review.
HelloFresh is currently rated as the best meal kit service in the United States. Each box includes traditional meal kits that come paired with step-by-step instructions and their respective ingredients. You can order 2-6 recipes for 2 or 4 people each week, and select from 60-75+ recipes. They cater to a large range of diets and offer 6 major categories for their meal plans: meat & veggies, veggie, family-friendly, fit & wholesome, quick & easy, and pescatarian.
Pros
- Order 2-6 recipes for 2 or 4 people each week
- Can choose from 6 meal types
- Huge selection of recipes
Cons
- Doesn't accommodate certain diets and allergens
- There are no heat-and-eat meals
- Ingredient sourcing isn't as strict as other brands
2. Home Chef
Best for Customization
Image via our review.
Home Chef is all about customization. Choose from traditional meal kits, easy prep meal kits (~10-20 min prep), or heat-and-eat meals. You can choose from 16+ traditional meal kits and 20+ easy prep meal kits each week which include options for the vast majority of diets. And, Home Chef also lets you add on proteins, swap ingredients, or throw in bundles and other extras too. You can order for 2, 4, or 6 people and include 2-6 recipes in each box. Or, upgrade to their Family Plan menu and you can order 4, 8, or 12 servings per recipe.
Pros
- Offers a high level of customization
- Choose from 30+ recipes and 18+ extras each week
- Swap out ingredients and set dietary preferences
Cons
- Customizations typically cost extra
- Not a great choice for stricter diets (i.e. keto, paleo, vegan)
- Pricing structure and plans are a bit confusing
3. Green Chef
Best Organic Meal Kit Service
Image via our review.
Green Chef focuses on providing subscribers with gourmet meal kits made from fresh, organic ingredients. They're the first-ever CCOF-Certified Organic Meal Kit Company as well as the first food box to receive Gluten-Free Certification. Choose from 30+ recipes each week along with bundles of customer favorites for easy meals that are made to heat and eat. There are recipes for most major diets such as keto, paleo, and plant-based (vegan included). You can order 2-4 meals per week for 2, 4, or 6 people. This is by far one of the best options available for those with dietary restrictions.
Pros
- All produce and eggs are organic
- Works with farmers for sustainable ingredients
- Offers meals that fit several diets
Cons
- Slightly more expensive due to ingredient sourcing
- Fewer recipes for certain diets
- Not always guaranteed to have all organic ingredients
4. Blue Apron
Best for Adventurous Foodies and Wine Lovers
Image via our review.
Blue Apron has a reputation for creative recipes that are surprisingly delicious, so it's a great choice for adventurous foodies. While anyone can make Blue Apron meals, this is a favorite food subscription box among more seasoned cooks and couples who are looking to step up their weekly date nights. You can order 2-5 recipes per week along with 2 or 4 servings per meal. Choose from 70+ recipes from meal categories like chef favorites, wellness, family-friendly, fast & easy, or veggies. Blue Apron also offers a wine subscription that delivers 6 bottles of wine each month.
Pros
- A mix of unique recipes and classics
- Options for most consumers
- You can also subscribe to their wine box
Cons
- Offers fewer servings than other brands
- Fewer recipes for certain diets
- Ingredient sourcing isn't as good as other services
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5. Sun Basket
Best for Organic Farm-Fresh Meals
Image via our review.
Sunbasket strives to help people eat healthier and more consciously through their meal kits and ready-to-eat meals. They feature farm-to-table recipes that use organic vegetables, antibiotic and hormone-free meats, and sustainable seafood. There are options for most diets and they address several different dietary restrictions.
You can order 2-5 dinners per week for 2 or 4 people, or receive 4-10 eat-and-heat meals per person. There are at least 20 meals kits and 10 Fresh & Ready meals to choose from each week. And, you can add on items like ready-to-eat proteins, pizzas, extra meat, and more. Sunbasket is one of the best food subscription boxes to try if you prioritize ingredient sourcing and want to eat more mindfully.
Pros
- Offers meals made from organic produce, meats, and poultry + wild-caught seafood
- Options for both traditional meal kits and heat-and-eat meals
- 30+ meals each week as well as market items
Cons
- More expensive than other brands
- Not as many recipes for stricter diets (i.e. keto, vegan)
- Not for those who shy away from adventurous recipes
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6. EveryPlate
Best for Budget
Image via our review.
EveryPlate is a wallet-friendly food subscription with crowd-pleasing meals. 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 2+ tasty and kid-friendly recipes. EveryPlate cuts out unnecessary expenses to keep their per-meal price low and is the most affordable meal kit service on our list.
Pros
- 25+ recipes each week
- Recipes are easy to make
- Most meals are kid-friendly
Cons
- Isn't the best for those on strict diets
- No heat-and-eat meals
- Ingredient sourcing isn't as good as other services
Best for Plant-Based Diets
7. Purple Carrot
Best Overall for Vegan Food
Image via our review.
Purple Carrot is the best meal delivery service for vegans and offers both prepared meals as well as traditional meal kits. Each week you can choose from 12 dinners, 4 breakfast meals, and 4 lunches from their meal kit selections or pick from 8 prepared meals. Subscribe to 3 or 4 recipes per week with 2 or 4 servings each, or order 6, 8, or 10 prepared meals per week. With Purple Carrot you can customize your plan to include meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, and soy-free.
Pros
- 100% vegan-friendly meals
- Provides breakfast and lunch meal options
- Can add on pantry items and other extras
Cons
- Many meals require a blender or food processor
- Longer prep time than other meal kits
- Limited recipe selection
8. Splendid Spoon
Best for Plant-Based Smoothies and Bowls
Image via our review.
Splendid Spoon specializes in plant-based, nutrient-dense snacks, meals, and drinks. All of their products are vegan, gluten-free, and made with GMO-free ingredients. Order 7, 14, or 21 meals per week, all of which come with a mix of smoothies, bowls, noodles, and dishes. Choose from 22 smoothies, 23 bowls, 8 noodles, and 10 dishes when building your box. You can also throw in shots and juices as well.
Pros
- Huge variety of meals and smoothies
- Throw in add-ons like shots and juices
- 95% of smoothies and wellness shots are organic
Cons
- Much more expensive than other services
- Not as customizable as other brands
- Smoothies and soups are packaged in plastic
9. Mosaic
Best for Plant-Based, Chef-Inspired Meals
Image via our review.
Mosaic is THE meal subscription for chef-inspired vegan meals and family-sized portions. There are plenty of veggie bowls, family meals, soups, oat bowls, and other entrees to choose from and each meal only requires 5 minutes or less to heat. You can choose to add 8-12 meals to your Mosaic Foods box and receive your meals every 1-4 weeks.
Pros
- Offers individual and family portions
- Includes chef-inspired entrees
- Strives to use organic ingredients
Cons
- $70 minimum order size
- Limited chef-inspired entrees
- Limited oat bowls
Best for Kids
10. Nurture Life
Most Popular for Toddlers and Kids
Image via our review.
Nurture Life is intended for children ages 10 months and older, picky eaters included! They offer 4 main types of meals: Kids' Meals (lunch or dinner for toddlers and kids), Finger Foods (little bites for babies and toddlers), Snacks (yummy treats to satisfy any kid's sweet tooth), and Smoothies. No prep is required for their meals - you can either eat them as they are or pop them in the microwave for 1 minute. You can order 6, 9, 12, or 15 meals per week and include add-ons (i.e. smoothies and/or snacks). Typically, there are around 27 Kids' Meals, 18 Finger Foods, 2 Smoothies, and 4 Snacks to choose from each week.
Pros
- Options for toddlers and kids
- Great range of options for meals
- Sneaks veggies into every meal
Cons
- No options for babies under 10 months
- Most ingredients aren't organic
- Only a few smoothie and snack options
11. Little Spoon
Best for Organic Baby Food and Clean Ingredient Meals
Image via our review.
Little Spoon delivers organic baby food as well as snacks and meals for toddlers and big kids. Their BabyBlends collection features a wide range of purees, from smooth and simple to complex and textured. Biteables are ideal for toddlers who are transitioning to finger foods, whereas their Plates can be enjoyed by older kids. They offer ~50 BabyBlends, 8 Biteables, 26 Plates, and 15 Smoothies to choose from. Something that sets apart Little Spoon from other meal services for kids is their dedication to using organic ingredients and humanely-raised meats (which includes grass-fed beef as well as free-range chicken and turkey).
Pros
- Options for toddlers and kids
- Great range of options for meals
- Sneaks veggies into every meal
Cons
- Not many options for Biteables
- Biteables and Plates aren't organic
- Lacks seafood-based meals
Best Meal Delivery Service with Retail Stores
12. Snap Kitchen
Image via Snap Kitchen.
Snap Kitchen offers freshly prepared meals made with dietician-designed portions and clean ingredients. All meals are free from hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, artificial flavoring, and gluten. Meal plans are available for diets including paleo, keto, and low-carb, and you can also build your own meals through their custom plan option. You can order 6 or 12 meals per week and choose from a seasonal, rotational menu of 30+ recipes. Another incredible feature of this meal subscription is that it only uses packaging that's 100% recyclable and reusable.
Pros
- Free shipping
- More affordable than other prepared meal delivery subscriptions
- Offers pickup for select locations
Cons
- No plant-based options
- Other brands use better ingredient sourcing
- Limited add-on items
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first Snap Kitchen subscription box!
CODE: MSA50
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