Not only can you order meal kits and premade meals directly to your door, but these convenient options are also now available with high-quality, organic ingredients that offer maximum nutrition with minimal effort. And the best organic meal delivery services don’t just use high-quality ingredients—they also offer options for various dietary preferences while prioritizing sustainability. The general rule is that organic food must be grown and processed within federal guidelines that address soil quality, animal welfare, pest and weed control, and use of additives. More specifically, organic produce must be grown on soil that’s free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, while organic meats must be given organic feed and raised in humane living conditions that allow them to roam and forage for at least part of the year. Organic meats also have to be antibiotic- and hormone-free. There are four more specific organic labels, too. Here’s a breakdown of what each one means: Once you’ve decided that, the next thing to think about is your individual dietary needs. If you have preferences beyond organic, like gluten-free, low-carb, or Mediterranean, you’ll want to peruse the company’s website to make sure they offer what you need. The next step is to look at the menu and make sure the meals sound appealing to you. Many meal delivery services have rotating menus that change weekly, so what you see today may not be what you’ll get three weeks from now, but the current options can give you a good idea of what types of meals to expect. Of course, you’ll also want to think about the price. Prices typically range from about $10 per serving to closer to $15. The price largely depends on your commitment, too; if you order more meals weekly, you’ll get a lower cost per serving. There are several meal plans to choose from, including paleo, keto, and vegan options, and all meals are made in gluten-free, peanut-free kitchens. You can opt for complete meals that come with a main protein and sides, or choose a bulk meal prep option, where you can build your own meals with different proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables. You have control over quantities too; sign up to receive meals five or seven days a week and choose any combination of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or a third entree. A few meals we’ve tried: -Pollo Guisado white meat chicken with tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, and citrus -Tropical Garlic Shrimp with bell peppers, lemon, and coconut Sustainability & Quality: Trifecta does what it can to reduce its carbon footprint by eliminating unnecessary steps in the food supply chain and using sustainable packaging whenever possible. All packaging is 100% recyclable, but the company’s goal is to use biodegradable packaging by 2023. Cost: From $12 per meal What our editor says: “If you have weight loss goals, certain dietary preferences, or simply want to take the guesswork out of eating healthier, Trifecta is a great meal delivery option. I enjoyed it even though I love to cook, but these fully prepared meals would be even better for someone who wants to spend a very minimal amount of time in the kitchen.” — Carleigh Ferrante, commerce editor Read our full Trifecta review here. While Blue Apron started with meal kits, more recently, the company introduced premade meals, too. When you sign up for your meal plan, you can decide which type of meal you want from the regularly changing menu with all orders available in two or four servings. If you love food variety—hey, we’re here for the biodiversity—you can also look at the next week’s menu well in advance to plan your meal selects accordingly. Example Meal: -Roasted broccoli and fregola sarda -Cheesy truffle steak tip sandwiches Sustainability & Quality: Blue Apron packages many of its ingredients in hard plastic containers that you can throw in your recycling bin, but some of the plastic bags and films must be dropped off at the nearest recycling center that accepts them. All boxes and inserts are curbside recyclable. These are some of the healthiest ingredients we’ve come across in a meal delivery service, but there’s no sacrificing taste, either. The meal options are fun, change weekly, and taste delicious. The brand works with local farms and purveyors to source the freshest seasonal ingredients, with a close eye on sustainability in the farming methods as well. While the packaging is a bit flimsy, it’s made up for by the fact that it’s 100% zero-waste. What our editor says: “I’ve tried a lot of meal delivery services and Daily Dose remains right at the top of my list. The meals are fresh, inventive, and make me feel good. With the protein-forward menu option, I loved knowing I had a healthy, balanced meal waiting for me at home while marathon training this summer. Most recently, I tried the Younger You menu, crafted by Kara Fitzgerald, and it was some of the most delicious food I’ve had from a meal delivery service. I’d recommend Daily Dose to anyone who wants to prioritize their health, but doesn’t have the time to cook every meal at home. I did have a few issues with broken packaging on delivery, but for the most part the meals arrived in tact, and I love the company’s attention to sustainability.” — Carleigh Ferrante, commerce editor When building your plan, you can include breakfasts, lunches, and/or dinners and opt for five or seven meals per week. Fresh n’ Lean has a regularly changing menu with more than 100 meals to choose from each week, all of which are gluten-free (and many of which are also dairy- and soy-free). Example Meal: -Grass-fed steak in a honey dijon sauce with rice and roasted vegetables -Tomatillo shrimp fajita with white rice and black beans Sustainability & Quality: Fresh n’ Lean packs meals in recyclable trays with recyclable plastic wrap. While the insulation used isn’t recyclable, it is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The brand’s biggest selling point is the option to choose a 6-person meal kit; many others max out at four. If you have fewer mouths to feed, you can always opt for smaller 2- or 4-person plans. No matter which size plan you need, you can choose three or four meals per week. Example Meal: -Baja Shrimp and bacon salad and Italian barramundi -Red pepper gremolata Sustainability & Quality: In addition to offering organic foods, Green Chef prides itself on supporting local farmers, family farms, and craft economies. Most packaging is made from recyclable, reusable, and/or compostable materials, with the exception of the plastic used to vacuum seal some of the ingredients. Most of Daily Harvest’s ingredients are organic, and the company prioritizes organically sourcing anything on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list. In the spirit of transparency, you can view the full list of ingredients for each meal to see which ones are organic. Ordering is also simple. Sign up for a small, medium, or large plan, and then mix and match your meals however you want. Just pay close attention to your cart, as prices vary per item. Pro tip: Daily Harvest also messages the day your order processes, allowing plenty of time for cancellation. This makes the brand a great pick for anyone who struggles to keep up with their subscriptions. Example Meals: We’ve tested out more than 30 items on the Daily Harvest menu (view the full list here), but our favorite dishes from the line-up include: -Leek + Fonio Grit: These microwave-friendly grits heat up in less than 3 minutes and offer a satiating snack. However, you may need to add a little extra salt or hot sauce to reach your desired flavor. -Mint and cacao Smoothie: Our reviewer is super picky about her smoothies and rarely considers pre-made options as good as what she makes at home—but this was an exception. Creamy and reminiscent of mint chocolate chip milkshakes, it’s worth adding to your order. -Gigante Bean + Artichoke Olio: Spinach and artichoke fans will love this creamy bake; it’s dairy-free but gets a cheesey taste from nutritional yeast. The final effect is flavorful (thank the herbs) and filling (thank the beans). -Vanilla + Salted Swirled Black Sesame: Dairy-free desserts can be hit or miss, but this frozen pick hits the mark. It’s sweetened with dates but tastes like halva, a sesame-based dessert. Sustainability & Quality: Daily Harvest makes it a point to use recyclable and eco-friendly materials. The cardboard box, cups, and insulation are all recyclable. Bowls are made of pulp and can be recycled or thrown into the compost bin. Daily Harvest also has a dedicated recycling page for more information on how to handle its packaging. Check out our full review of Daily Harvest. These high-quality ingredients are the foundation for Sunbasket’s weekly menu, which features around 20 meal kit options every week. When you sign up, you can select from 10 menu filters, such as paleo, vegetarian, carb-conscious, gluten-free, Mediterranean, and diabetes-friendly. If your dietary needs ever evolve, you can simply adjust the filters to suit your preferences before placing the next order. While the premade meals are perfectly portioned for one, you can choose 2- or 4- person meal kits with up to five dinners per week (aka enough for leftovers). Example Meal: -Mediterranean turkey meatballs with chard and red pepper-cashew crema -Roast chicken with harissa-spiced veggies, cauli mash, and almonds Sustainability & Quality: All of Sunbasket’s packaging is reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable (and much of that packaging is made from recycled materials to begin with). It also has high animal welfare standards and works closely with suppliers—ranchers, farmers, and fisherman—to ensure these standards are always met.
