The 5 best prepared meal delivery services I tested are tasty and time-saving

I’ve been in kitchens long enough to know one thing — when you’re a busy professional, a parent, or just someone who values flavor and time equally, the promise of a high-end prepared-meal delivery service starts to look pretty tempting. But not all of them are created equal.

To make your life as a shopper a little easier (it’s our job, after all), we put all the major brands to the test. More specifically, I did, armed with my private-chef ego and discerning eye for nutrition, quality, and taste to find the winners.

What matters when you’re truly eating well using a prepared meal delivery service is threefold: taste, nutrition and ingredient transparency, and execution (from how it arrives to how it reheats and how it eats). I prioritized meal prep services that treat these like pillars of its program. Some delivered bland convenience while others delivered chef-level results, and I’d go ahead and bet you’re eager to know who made the cut.

Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service Overall: Factor

Factor

I’ll say up front that Factor hit the sweet spot for me. As a chef, I appreciate the sourcing (they lean on sustainably raised proteins and organic produce where possible). Their menu is broad (90-plus meals weekly) and you can choose among “Calorie Smart,” “High Protein,” “Keto,” “Vegan + Veggie,” and more.

When I tried the Smokey Garlic Filet Mignon & Broccolini (fresh-refrigerated, oven-baked), the steak had that sear you’d expect in a good restaurant, and the broccoli didn’t arrive soggy and held up through reheating. I liked that the “High Protein” label meant I was hitting 30 grams-plus of protein, and the calorie cap for the “Calorie Smart” plan of 550 calories or less is great if you’re watching intake.

Example meals:

• Lemon Pepper Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
• Korean Style Beef Bulgogi with Cauliflower Rice
• Vegan Teriyaki Tofu Bowl
• Keto Shrimp & Zucchini Alfredo

Delivery type: Fresh | Price per serving: $11 – $15 | Best for: Individuals, couples, anyone who wants reliable, healthy meals

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Best Healthy Prepared Meal Delivery Service: Tempo

Tempo

Tempo is laser-focused on performance eating, but without crossing into joyless gym food territory. The meals are designed around clean macros, high-quality proteins, and controlled portions, making it an excellent option for anyone tracking intake or trying to eat with more intention.

From my testing, Tempo meals are clean, straightforward, and surprisingly satisfying. Proteins are the star, carbs are purposeful, and sauces are used strategically rather than as a crutch. You won’t get restaurant-level indulgence here, but you also won’t get bored chewing through bland chicken.

This is the service I’d recommend to someone who wants structure without rigidity. It supports fitness and wellness goals without making every meal feel like a compromise, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Example meals:

• Grass-Fed Beef Meatballs With Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Green Beans
• Miso-Glazed Salmon With Jasmine Rice and Sautéed Bok Choy
• Turkey Chili With Black Beans and Roasted Sweet Potato
• Chimichurri Flank Steak With Cauliflower Rice and Blistered Peppers

Delivery type: Fresh | Price per serving: $11 – $15 | Best for: Fitness-focused eaters, structured routines, solo diners

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Best Gourmet Prepared Meal Delivery Service: CookUnity

CookUnity

CookUnity actually prioritizes flavor first. These meals are restaurant-driven, not marketing-driven, and the difference is obvious from the first bite. Sauces are complex, proteins are treated with respect, and dishes often feel like something you’d order out, not reheat at home.

In my experience, CookUnity is the service I reached for when I wanted dinner to feel intentional. The menu changes frequently, chefs are clearly credited, and there’s a sense of regional and cultural specificity that most prepared services skip entirely. Some dishes are better than others, but the highs are genuinely impressive.

That said, CookUnity requires a bit more decision-making. With so many options, you need to curate your box carefully. When you do, the payoff is worth it. This is the prepared meal service that makes eating at home feel indulgent rather than practical.

Example meals:

• Farro & Beet Chicken Salad
• Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil
• Chana Masala with Brown Rice (vegan-friendly)

Delivery type: Fresh | Price per serving: $11 – $14 | Best for: Food lovers, couples, anyone bored with basic meal prep

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Best Vegan Prepared Meal Delivery Service: Thistle

Thistle

Thistle stands out for how genuinely fresh everything tastes. Meals arrive crisp, vibrant, and clearly assembled with minimal processing, making this one of the best options if freshness is your top priority. It feels closer to a boutique café than a traditional meal delivery service.

In my experience, Thistle meals are light but not insubstantial. Vegetables are treated with care, grains are properly cooked, and flavors lean clean rather than heavy. This is not comfort food, but it is food that makes you feel good after eating it.

My horse Peanut attempting to get my green juice. New York Post

Because of that, Thistle works best for daytime meals or lighter dinners. It’s not the service I’d choose for a late-night craving, but it’s excellent for maintaining momentum during a busy week when you want something nourishing and low-effort.

Example meals:

• Burmese Butternut Curry with Sesame Ground Chicken
• Miso-Glazed Tofu With Sesame Greens and Brown Rice
• Green Goddess Salmon With Herbed Vegetables and Farro
• Thai-Inspired Peanut Noodle Bowl With Seasonal Vegetables

Delivery type: Fresh | Price per serving: $11 – $16 | Best for: Health-focused eaters, plant-forward diets, lunches

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Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service for Families: What A Crock

What A Crock

What A Crock is built around comfort, simplicity, and volume. These are hearty, slow-cooked meals designed to feed multiple people with minimal effort, making it an excellent choice for families or anyone who wants leftovers without cooking.

From my testing, the appeal here is ease and familiarity. The meals feel homemade in a practical, weeknight sense, not polished or trendy. Flavors are crowd-pleasing, portions are generous, and reheating is straightforward.

Uptown Beef Stew in the packaging, ready to go in the slow cooker New York Post

This is not the service for adventurous eaters, but it is incredibly effective for busy households. If your priority is getting dinner on the table with zero friction, What A Crock does exactly that.

New York Post

Example meals:

• Slow-Cooked Beef Pot Roast With Carrots and Potatoes
• Chicken and Dumplings With Creamy Herb Gravy
• Italian Meatballs in Marinara
• White Chicken Chili With Beans and Mild Spices

Delivery type: Frozen | Price per serving: $9 – $13 | Best for: Families, bulk meals, low-effort dinners

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How do I know if a prepared meal delivery service is nutritionally trustworthy?

Look for clear nutrition labels (calorie count, macros, sodium, ingredients). For example, Factor shows calories of 600 per meal on average and sections where meals are 550 cal or less. And services like Tempo allow you to check each meal’s nutrition panel. If the info is vague (“healthy meals”) without specifics — be cautious. Also, check the sodium content (some meals have high sodium).

How should I pick the “right” service for me?

Ask yourself three questions:

1. What’s my nutrition priority (low calorie, high protein, plant-based)?

2. How much convenience do I need (fresh versus frozen, reheating versus slow-cooker)?

3. What’s my budget? Then match the brand that aligns.

I’d layer in cost per meal, menu variety, and cancellation/skip flexibility. For example, if you want gourmet quality and fresh meals, go with CookUnity. If you want macro-balanced frozen convenience, go with Tempo. If you have a family and want comfort and ease, What A Crock is smart.

Can I use these services if I’m tracking macros (protein/carb/fat) and weight-management goals?

Absolutely, but you’ll want to pick services that prioritize macro balance (like Tempo, Factor) and carefully scan each meal. For example, Tempo emphasizes high protein (30 grams-plus often) and balanced macros. Factor offers “High Protein” tracks and “Calorie Smart” tracks.

If you’re extremely strict (e.g., bodybuilding, medical diet), you’ll still want to cross-check sodium, hidden fats and details beyond just calories.

What if I have other dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten-free, etc.)?

Yes, many of the services offer clear plans or filters. Thistle is plant-forward and good for dairy-free and gluten-free options. CookUnity offers vegan, paleo and gluten-free.

The key is: always check each meal. “Vegan” doesn’t guarantee low sodium or high protein. Some meals might still be heavy on carbs or light on protein.

Are meal kits always better than prepared, reheatable meals?

They offer different advantages. Meal kits with ingredients you cook often involve fewer preservation steps. On the flip side, prepared meals that require refrigeration (or freezing) and reheating offer longer shelf-life and can be more convenient for batch planning. Prepared meals have a reputation for being low quality, emphasizing convenience over nutrition and taste, but that’s not always the case (certainly not with the brands above) in this day and age.

When it comes to the merit of prepared meals, scholarly work suggests that convenience services can improve vegetable intake and reduce saturated-fat intake compared to frequent takeout. Of course, nothing replaces that fresh-from-scratch ideal, but for many people, the barrier isn’t cooking — it’s time, planning and execution. So, a high-quality prepared-meal delivery can actually match or even outperform typical home-cooked meals (especially those rushed or low-effort). Prepared does not mean inferior if the formulations are strong.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to chef-approved gourmet meal kits to the full suite of Ninja appliances. Prior to joining the Post’s shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith’s Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.

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