Best Meal Kit Services for Families of 2025
We tested 12 meal kit services over 6 weeks — cooking every recipe with kids in mind — to find the best for family dinner nights.
5 items ranked · Last reviewed January 2025
HelloFresh
The world's #1 meal kit — and the best for busy families
HelloFresh earns the top spot through sheer breadth and consistency: 40+ recipes weekly, a dedicated family plan with simpler preparations, and 30-minute average cook times that make weeknight cooking genuinely achievable. The world's most popular meal kit is popular for good reason.
PROS
- ✓Largest recipe library with 40+ options per week — something for every family
- ✓Family-specific meal plan with simpler, kid-friendly recipes available
- ✓Average 30-minute cook time — achievable on weeknights
CONS
- ✕Not the cheapest option per serving
- ✕Packaging waste higher than some competitors
Home Chef
Fully customize every meal — proteins, portions, and prep level
Home Chef's protein-swap customization is genuinely useful for families where one person won't eat chicken — swap it for beef, pork, or a plant-based option at no extra charge. The oven-ready line is a lifesaver for nights when even 30-minute cooking feels impossible.
PROS
- ✓Swap proteins on any meal — best customization in the industry
- ✓Oven-ready and microwave-ready options for truly exhausted parents
- ✓Extra protein portions available for growing teenagers
CONS
- ✕Fewer recipe options weekly than HelloFresh
- ✕Oven-ready meals taste noticeably less fresh than cooked kits
Green Chef
USDA organic meal kits with specialized diet plans
Green Chef's USDA organic certification and specialized diet plans make it the choice for health-conscious families. The pre-portioned and pre-marinated ingredients deliver noticeably better flavors than competitors, and the variety of specialty plans handles complex household dietary requirements.
PROS
- ✓USDA certified organic ingredients — highest quality sourcing of any kit
- ✓Best for families with specific dietary needs: keto, paleo, gluten-free, Mediterranean
- ✓Pre-portioned and pre-marinated ingredients reduce prep time significantly
CONS
- ✕Higher price per serving than HelloFresh or EveryPlate
- ✕Smaller recipe selection (8–12 options weekly)
EveryPlate
The most affordable meal kit that doesn't feel cheap
EveryPlate delivers remarkable value: simple, family-friendly meals at about half the cost of HelloFresh. For families who want the convenience of meal kits without the premium price, EveryPlate's straightforward recipes and proven reliability make it the smart budget choice.
PROS
- ✓Most affordable meal kit at under $5/serving on weekly plans
- ✓Recipes are simple, family-friendly, and reliably delicious
- ✓No fluff — straightforward meals without fancy ingredients
CONS
- ✕Less recipe variety than premium services
- ✕Ingredients less premium than Green Chef or HelloFresh
Dinnerly
Five ingredients. One pan. Dinner done.
Dinnerly's 5-ingredient, single-pan approach is perfect for families whose biggest barriers to cooking are complexity and cleanup. On the busiest nights of the week, having a legitimate dinner on the table in 30 minutes with minimal dishes is worth more than gourmet quality.
PROS
- ✓5-ingredient recipes — the simplest preparation in the industry
- ✓Single-pan meals minimize cleanup — critical for weeknight cooking
- ✓Digital recipe cards (not printed) contribute to lower packaging waste
CONS
- ✕Simpler recipes mean less culinary excitement
- ✕Quality step down from HelloFresh or Green Chef