#10 Best Meal Subscription Boxes for Families 2023
The last thing busy parents need is a list of things to buy that never ends. We've found the best meal subscription boxes for families of all shapes and sizes.
👤 Written by: | A. K. Sari |
⏳ Updated on: | |
📋 List: | 10 items |
👀 Reader: | 39 views |
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Imagine coming home after a long day and finding a perfectly portioned dinner on your front porch. Several services deliver meals to families and take the stress out of planning and cooking meals. They have easy, crowd-pleasing recipes for almost any type of food, from comfort food to gluten-free food to vegetarian food.
Even better, they are cheaper and better for you than most takeout. With the best meal subscription boxes for families, you don’t have to worry about planning meals, grocery shopping, or cutting up all the food. It gives us more time (and energy!) to spend together at the table.
Table of contents
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1.Gobble Gobble: Best Filling Fare With Minimal Prep
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2.HelloFresh HelloFresh: Best for Busy People
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3.Hungryroot Hungryroot: Best Options for Various Dietary Needs
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4.Green Chef Green Chef: Best Organic Kit Meals
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5.Dinnerly Dinnerly: Best Low-cost meal kits with lots of flavors
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6.Crowd Cow Crowd Cow: Best Customizable Subscription Options
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7.Blue Apron Blue Apron: Best for Novice Cooks
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8.EveryPlate EveryPlate: Best Flavorful Meals
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9.Home Chef Home Chef: Easy Meals With Minimal Cleanup
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10.Yumble Yumble: Best Good Portion Sizes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Can you choose a variety of meal subscription boxes for family members?
Every member of the family is different. You might be the only one who doesn’t eat meat, or your son might be allergic to peanuts. Even if you don’t have food allergies or dietary restrictions, everyone has their likes and dislikes. The eight meal delivery services listed above have categories that meet various needs and wants.
Why should you use a service that helps you find the best meal subscription boxes for families?
Meal delivery services are helpful for a lot of people, no matter what their relationship status is, how big their family is, or whether they like to cook or not. These companies save a lot of time, which is one of their best things.
Many of these services need you to make your supper, which takes around 30 minutes. Families with many tastes and dietary restrictions can benefit from meal subscription boxes. Some companies even let you choose single-serving meals, so each family member can pick the dish they want.
What should I consider before ordering the best meal subscription boxes for families?
In most family-friendly meal plans, you should think about the following:
- Price range: On average, most will cost between $4.50 and $11.00 per serving.
- Other meal options: Why have dinner? Some meal choices also have side dishes and breakfast and lunch recipes.
- Less food waste when choosing a meal plan: All recipes are already measured out so that less food is wasted at each meal.
- Free trials/ease of canceling when needed: Plans for meal delivery services have a lot of good points, like free trials for new customers and easy ways to cancel.
How much is the average price for the best meal subscription boxes for families?
Most meal delivery services charge by the serving, and when you multiply that small number by the number of people you need to feed, it becomes a significant number. If you want to try one of these services, you should know that the costs can add up fast. The companies mentioned in this article offer servings for as little as $4.99, so you can spend your time and money on more important things.
Name | Rank | Check Prices |
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Gobble
Gobble | #1 | Gobble.com |
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HelloFresh
HelloFresh | #2 | Hellofresh.com |
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Hungryroot
Hungryroot | #3 | Hungryroot.com |
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Green Chef
Green Chef | #4 | Chef.greenchef.com |
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Dinnerly
Dinnerly | #5 | Dinnerly.com |
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Crowd Cow
Crowd Cow | #6 | Crowdcow.com |
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Blue Apron
Blue Apron | #7 | Blueapron.com |
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EveryPlate
EveryPlate | #8 | Get.everyplate.com |
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Home Chef
Home Chef | #9 | Homechef.com |
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Yumble
Yumble | #10 | Yumblekids.com |
10 List of Best Meal Subscription Boxes for Families
- Have a problem
with this product?#1Gobble
Best Filling Fare With Minimal Prep
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:All recipes can be made in 15 minutes or less, so you can have delicious food faster than if you ordered takeout and with less work. You still have to put the meal together and cook it, but Gobble’s ingredients are already peeled, chopped, and marinated. It’s genuinely custom because you can choose the number of servings, dietary restrictions (like dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, vegetarian, and kid-friendly), and delivery date for your plan.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Ingredients are mostly prepped
Lots of seafood options
Big flavors that you can adjust to taste
Can view menus four weeks in advanceCons (reasons to avoid)
On the expensive side
Recipes were hit or miss
Some ingredients weren't super freshWhat other experts liked
I set a timer before cooking to determine if Gobble's 15-minute estimate was accurate.What other experts didn't like
The salmon tastes very fishy, an ingredient that couldn't be used as planned, and steaks that aren't very good. - Have a problem
with this product?#2HelloFresh
Best for Busy People
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:HelloFresh has more than two million active customers because it offers a wide range of meals, high-quality ingredients, and recipe cards that are easy to follow and can be used repeatedly. The famous meal kit company has six meal plans: Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Family Friendly, Carb Smart, Quick & Easy, and Pescatarian. This family meal subscription box plan has recipes like Sausage and Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta and Beef and Black Bean Chili that kids have already tried and liked.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Convenient
A vast selection of meals
Meals were easy to prepare
Helpful instructions and resources
Well-rounded and restaurant-worthy recipesCons (reasons to avoid)
A bit pricey
Time-consuming
Considerable cleanupWhat other experts liked
Since the service is so easy to turn on and off, I would definitely think about ordering again if I ever felt like treating myself.What other experts didn't like
This food is not safe for people with gluten or other allergies. - Have a problem
with this product?#3Hungryroot
Best Options for Various Dietary Needs
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:If you can’t wait for the day when your fridge is full, and you don’t have to make a million trips to the grocery store, this is just what you need. Hungryroot is not a typical meal kit service. Instead, it is a grocery delivery service that offers recipes and all the ingredients you need to make them. You may put things in the fridge and pantry that your youngster enjoys snacking on, but you can also be ready to create a fresh and delightful supper for the whole family.
Pros (reasons to buy)
No prep work
Healthy and delicious meals
Most meals cook in less than 15 minutes
Has options for various dietary needs
Can pause or cancel the subscription anytimeCons (reasons to avoid)
Meals are very basic
Same ingredients used frequently
Plastic-heavy packagingWhat other experts liked
This product is like meal kits, but you don't have to follow any specific recipes. The food arrived fresh and in good condition.What other experts didn't like
Too many foods and recipe items are on Hungryroot, and the delivery window is too big. - Have a problem
with this product?#4Green Chef
Best Organic Kit Meals
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Green Chef is the first USDA-approved organic meal kit. It doesn’t use any GMOs, antibiotics, or chemical pesticides. People who sign up for them from this company get healthy recipes and organic ingredients in the mail. This family meal subscription box has three menus: Keto + Paleo, Balanced Living, and Plant-Powered. Each kit has three or four recipes and enough ingredients for two or four people.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Sustainable sourcing criteria
A mix of plant-based and protein-forward meals
Great variety of cuisines and flavors
Certified organicCons (reasons to avoid)
No meal modifications
No add-ons or larger portion sizes
Smaller menusWhat other experts liked
Green Chef offers dinner delivery. It features diet-specific regimens and employs natural substances.What other experts didn't like
Green Chef isn't for finicky eaters or those who prefer bland meals. Green Chef dishes can't be tailored for persons on low-fat diets or with dietary needs. - Have a problem
with this product?#5Dinnerly
Best Low-cost meal kits with lots of flavors
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:There’s nothing more disappointing than putting a lot of time, effort, and money into planning and making a meal, only to have everyone at the table push it around on their plates and then ask for a snack ten minutes later. But Dinnerly will ensure that mealtime goes well: Their simple meals (you can choose from 28 each week) are easy to make and prepare because they have fewer steps and less food.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Affordable
Easy to prepare and cook meals
Can view recipes without subscribing
Environmentally friendly focusCons (reasons to avoid)
Ingredients inbox are not organized by meal
Some meals are a bit blandWhat other experts liked
Dinnerly is a cheap meal kit subscription service for people who want a variety of quick weeknight dinners that don't take much time to make.What other experts didn't like
We found that three of our five recipes didn't have enough taste or excitement. We'd be willing to give Dinnerly one more shot, but if any of the meals weren't very good, we'd cancel our subscription. - Have a problem
with this product?#6Crowd Cow
Best Customizable Subscription Options
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:People who like meat and seafood can be happy. This family meal subscription box sends you your favorite proteins so you can make meals that are sure to please everyone. Crowd Cow takes away the guesswork by giving you meat with no added salt, dyes, or chemicals and no antibiotics or hormones. Even better, you can buy complete meal bundles with the main protein and a side dish for quick dinners with the kids that are still tasty.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Many selections of meat and seafood
Exclusive discounts for members
Flexible and customizable subscription options
Grass-fed, free-range, pasture-raised, wild-caught, and organic proteinsCons (reasons to avoid)
More expensive than grocery store prices
Doesn't offer plant-based meat substitutesWhat other experts liked
Crowd Cow has a huge variety of meats for sale, including beef, chicken, pork, bison, and seafood. Also sells sweets, dog treats, and other things that aren't meat.What other experts didn't like
People who like to buy cheap meat in stores and don't care about how or where their meat comes from are not the kind of people I would recommend Crowd Cow to. - Have a problem
with this product?#7Blue Apron
Best for Novice Cooks
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:The recipes in Blue Apron’s meal kits are made by professional chefs and take between 20 and 45 minutes to complete. The kits come with all the ingredients already measured out and step-by-step instructions, so everyone in the family can help make the meals. The popular meal delivery service has four plans: Signature, Vegetarian, Wellness, and Signature for Four. These plans let you order meal kits with two or four adult servings.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Balanced, eclectic flavors
Teaches techniques
Celebrity guest chefsCons (reasons to avoid)
Frequent use of added sugars and refined carbs
Limited dietary accommodationsWhat other experts liked
Blue Apron is perfect for home cooks who want to explore new foods and eat healthily. Already measured ingredients.What other experts didn't like
Some of the recipes were bad, and some were hit or miss. - Have a problem
with this product?#8EveryPlate
Best Flavorful Meals
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Even on a tight budget, you and your family still deserve to eat fresh, tasty food. This family meal subscription box is one of the most affordable meal kits out there. EveryPlate’s menu also has a lot of great things to choose from. Each week, they serve 17 different meals. Even the pickiest eaters will find something they like. To ensure that, you can select the FamilyPlate plan at checkout. It comes with easy-to-make dinners that kids will enjoy.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Inexpensive
Flavorful
Simple and fastCons (reasons to avoid)
Limited menu
No dietary accommodationWhat other experts liked
Simple, unpretentious meals at the category's cheapest price per serving. also You can switch proteins and sides if you want.What other experts didn't like
EveryPlate doesn't make any special accommodations for special diets. Most of the items have between 600 and 1,000 calories or more, which is a bit high. - Have a problem
with this product?#9Home Chef
Easy Meals With Minimal Cleanup
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:This family meal subscription box includes pre-made meals and meal kits with recipes. You can even buy their food at Kroger supermarkets. Home Chef is great for a family that wants to try new things. Every week, they give out new recipes. You can also make your box exactly how you want it based on how much you want to spend. Just fill out their questionnaire about your tastes, how many servings you need, and how you like to eat, and you’ll get a personalized menu.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Good value
A mix of easy and advanced recipes
User-friendly protein substitutionsCons (reasons to avoid)
Overall, meals high in sodium
No sourcing standards
Limited plant-based optionsWhat other experts liked
There are a lot of quick and easy meal options, and you can easily skip a week without paying extra or getting in trouble.What other experts didn't like
There aren't many vegetarian or vegan meals, and the products aren't always organic. - Have a problem
with this product?#10Yumble
Best Good Portion Sizes
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Yumble is a meal kit you can subscribe to that is made for kids and families. It even has a choice for picky eaters. It has an incredible idea because the meals are simple and familiar, but there are also fun surprises and healthy options. Each dish is already cooked and can be heated up in the microwave. You can eat these for dinner or keep them on hand for quick snacks and lunches during the week.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Free shipping
Good portion sizes
Quality ingredient sourcing
Variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items
Family-oriented activity included in each boxCons (reasons to avoid)
Flavors can be hit or miss
No substitutions or add-ons
Textures can get compromised during reheatingWhat other experts liked
Yumble's meals get cheaper the more you order. Yumble's fair costs for nutritious ingredients make it worth it.What other experts didn't like
Cross-contamination can occur even if a meal doesn't include an allergen because the facility isn't always allergen-free.
Conclusion: Best Meal Subscription Boxes for Families
In the past few years, the best meal subscription boxes for families have become a mainstay for many, and they probably won’t go away anytime soon. When you look more closely at these meal delivery services, it’s easy to see why each family has its favorite. Parents already have a lot to do in their daily lives. The best meal subscription boxes for families can take care of one more thing.