Meal kits can be a convenient and healthy addition to your meal times! Given the abundance of choices, sometimes finding the right service can be challenging. We’ve compiled our picks for the top meal delivery services you need to try!
What are meal delivery services?
After a long day of work, errands, KIDS – we get it. You’re time poor. Lacking creativity. Or, perhaps you’re simply uninspired of the same rotating meals week after week.
Let us introduce you to meal delivery services! These include meal kits and ready made meals, a now popular alternative to fast grabbing take away or tired family dinner repeats.
Food subscription boxes are prepared meal kits containing portioned ingredients with an allocated recipe for easy cooking. Meal kits are delivered to your home along with instructions, ingredients and recipes as frequently as you want. Customers can choose a one-off box to try or sign up for food subscription boxes which will arrive regularly.
Similarly, ready-made meals are pre prepared and packaged frozen or fresh meals that requires no preparation besides heating and eating. Like meal kits, meals can be chosen and delivered at a frequency of your choice.
We have found Australia’s best meal kits and best ready made meal delivery services to try out.
Meals Kits Vs Ready to Eat Meals
A ready to eat meal is exactly how it sounds, from purchase to unpackaging the meal it is entirely ready for consumption. There are many ready to eat meal options available in Australia and can be a perfect solution for those who are looking for back-up-meals to leave in the fridge, an easy to grab meal for those who live busy lives or for those who don’t enjoy cooking. Ready to eat meals can be ordered directly through providers as needed or through monthly food subscription boxes.
Meal kits are a great alternative for those who don’t mind cooking or prefer to eat food freshly cooked. Meal kits can be a great way to get the whole family involved in meal times with regularly updated recipe selections available with seasonal food options. Meal ingredients are portioned and contain all necessary ingredients, you will sometimes be required to have pantry staples such as cooking oils. As with all good food delivery services you will be able to filter choices by dietary requirement and preferences.
The Best Meal Kits 2023
Best All-Round Meal Kit
- Dietitian-approved meals follow a balanced meal structure
- Wide selection of options including seasonal and farm-fresh ingredients
- Recipe filtering to meet dietary requirements or preferences
- Meals may not be a good long-term solution as they don’t contain adequate quantities of veggies
- Those with strict allergy requirements may not be suited for meal kits as trace elements can’t not be guaranteed
AV Cost: $5.99/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, NT, SA, WA
The reason HelloFresh is by far the most well-known meal kit supplier is that they consistently rotate their recipes, placing an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, and they create menus that accommodate various dietary preferences.
With a focus on macronutrient balance and a variety of nutritious foods, Hellofresh offers a variety of protein, good fats, and everyone’s favourite… carbs. From a nutritionist’s perspective, there’s always an opportunity for suppliers to increase their vegetable portions, but HelloFresh is one of the more giving ones!
Best Meal Kit for Weight Loss
- High fibre, low GI, and lean proteins
- Balanced macronutrient with low-carb vegetable selections
- Low carb recipes stick to <25g of carbohydrates
- Not all recipe selections offer adequate serves of vegetables
- Very low calorie options may not be satiating enough
AV Cost: $8.50/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, TAS, SA
If you’re looking for delicious, hassle-free meals that will help you reach your weight loss goals, Marley Spoon’s low calorie menu, which has less than 550 calories per dish could be the meal kit for you!
Low-calorie meals from Marley Spoon include lean protein, wholegrains, and veggies high in fibre. Meals are easy to make and meet a variety of dietary needs. Currently, there are at least two low-calorie options released each week, but we would love to see Marley Spoon release more options for customers to choose from including more seafood options for our avid fish lovers!
Best Meal Kit for Families
- Each meal is substantial and provides between 2000 and 3000 kJ
- ‘Kid Friendly’ tags on weekly menu items
- EveryPlate does not accommodate certain dietary requirements like keto, gluten-free, or paleo
- There is limited knowledge of where ingredients are sourced
- Fewer ingredients limits the quantity and variety of vegetables in each meal
AV Cost: $2.39/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA
EveryPlate offers plans for 2, 4, or 6 people making it a popular food box service for those with larger families.
Even the pickiest and youngest eaters will find it easier to choose from Everyplate’s fewer recipe rotations compared to other providers because the dishes are more broadly adapted to suit most taste preferences. We would like to see more recipes that include whole grains and veggies as the star ingredients for high fibre and nutrient goodness!
Best Meal Kit for Vegans & Vegetarians
- Diverse range of protein sources to suit different tastes and preferences
- Dinnerly vegan recipes excludes ALL animal products
- Each recipe has approximately 17g-20g of protein per serve – this may not be enough for some individuals
- Lack of quantity and variety of vegetables in each meal
AV Cost: $5.49/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, NT, SA, TAS
Dinnerly, one of Australia’s most cheap meal-kit providers, provides vegan meals cooked with natural, fresh ingredients that have the seal of approval from their in-house nutritionists. Dinnerlys menu includes at least 1 vegan and at least 5 vegetarian recipes each week.
Various plant-based protein sources are incorporated into Dinnerly dishes, including tofu, whole grains, legumes, vegan cheeses, tempeh, falafel, and v2food Plant-based mince. The variety of vegan protein sources keeps meals interesting and whilst providing a range of nutritional variation to customers diets.
Best Cheap Meal Kit
- Each meal’s components, allergies information, and nutritional information are all supplied with each recipe detail
- You can alter the protein in several recipes to suit your tastes and preferences
- EveryPlate currently exclusively serves vegetarians and individuals without specific dietary demands or preferences in order to keep expenses down
- Due to the possibility of cross contamination, EveryPlate may not be suitable for people who have severe food allergies or intolerances
AV Cost: $2.39/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA
With hassle-free dinners for only $2.39 a plate, EveryPlate is grabbing attention by offering value that you won’t find at the grocery store.
For customers who are cost-conscious, choosing a meal kit is a smart and inexpensive approach to ensure that you obtain the nutritional necessities, such as a macronutrient-balanced meal, at a fantastic price. The meals from EveryPlate provide a generous serving of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in a great portion size, which is a must for every plate. Although meals don’t include a lot of veggies or aren’t adjustable for dietary needs, we must praise them for their value for money!
Best 'No Added Gluten' or Gluten Free Meal Kit
- For those who avoid gluten or have gluten sensitivity, this is a great solution
- Meals are nutritionally balanced and contain lean proteins, high fibre, and low GI carbohydrates
- The Marley Spoon menu offers options for all dietary preferences and lifestyles, including vegan, low-calorie, and kid-friendly selections
- Recipes are not safe for those with life-threatening allergies or those who are coeliac -Recipes are not marked as Gluten Free as the ingredients may not have been sent away for 3rd party gluten testing
- Some recipes demand more vegetable options and are less nutritionally balanced than others
AV Cost: $8.50/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA, TAS
There is a large selection of No Added Gluten dishes at Marley Spoon. Each of the nutrient-balanced No Added Gluten meals contains lean proteins, high fibre, and low GI carbs.
There are numerous No Added Gluten recipes available for people who follow a gluten-free diet or have a gluten sensitivity. There is a meal option for everyone, and recipes are always seasonal and updated!
Best Meal Kit for those with Food Allergies
- Created with dietitians and are compliant with Monash University’s low FODMAP guidelines
- Meals are high in protein, filled with whole foods, and free of typical food allergens
- Appropriate for those following diets that are: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fodmap, Vegan, Vegetarian
- The menu is smaller with only 8 recipes on rotation to choose from at time
- Some dishes have fewer veggies than others
AV Cost: $9.98/serve
Delivery Area: QLD
Dietitian-recommended low FODMAP meal kits Gutrition, provide customers everything they need to prepare delicious low FODMAP meals at home.
Every week, Gutrition offers eight low-FODMAP meal choices, including meals that are low in calories, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, don’t include any extra gluten, and are family friendly. Customers who purchase meals from Gutrition can enjoy meals without worrying because they are balanced and safe, ensuring that they get all the nutrients they need.
The Best Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Services 2023
Best Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Service for Everyone
- Caters to different dietary requirements: Vegetarian, Vegan, Low Carb, High Protein, No Added Gluten, No Added Dairy
- Those with life threatening or strict allergies cannot be guaranteed that meals are free from any allergens
- Portion sizes can be on the smaller side, those with larger appetites or higher energy requirements may need bigger portions
AV Cost: $10.80/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA
For consumers who want to maintain health goals and feel certain that the meals they purchase are well-balanced and healthy, Chef Good’s Everyday Wellness Plan offers a menu with larger portions and nutritious meals. To create a personalised menu that matches your unique demands, you can combine meals from their entire menu.
Meals follow the healthy plate model offering protein, carbs and healthy fats. Although most meals include a serving of vegetables, it never hurts to add a few additional to the side to give the dish some added freshness.
Best Weight Loss Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Service
- Wide range of prepared meals to choose from offering a variety of tastes
- Customers can filter meal choices by several dietary preferences and restrictions such as: Plant-Based, Low Carb, Paleo, Dairy-Free, No Added Nuts, No Added Wheat and Allergens
- Comparatively speaking to other MACROS diets, the protein component is less and primarily composed of veggies and carbohydrates
- Meals lack a variety of vegetables
- Microwavable meals can lose nutrients in the preparation, transportation and reheating process
AV Cost: $9.40/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA
With their low calorie and low carb tailored meals, Macros weight loss meals are designed to produce quick results. Meals are single-serve, 300g meals with less than 350 calories.
Protein needs are prioritised in meals so that you feel full and satisfied for a longeramount of time. Low-calorie vegetables including everyone’s favourite greens like beans, broccoli, peas, edamame, and many others are favored in the weight loss meals.
Best Cheap Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Service
- Meals contain a variety of lean proteins, carbohydrates and starchy, energy rich vegetables
- There is a wide range of meal options, which helps remove the uncertainty surrounding nutrition and meals
- High-protein meals for gaining muscle and to refuel and support athletes and gym goers
- Options for vegans are restricted
- Meals contain additives such as flavour enhancers, colours, emulsifiers and more
- Some meals contain high sodium
AV Cost: $8.60/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA, WA
One of the most sought-after prepared meal delivery services right now is My Muscle Chef. Their initial success in the health and fitness world quickly spread to larger areas full of people looking for quick, tasty, and reasonably priced meals. My Muscle Chef meals hero protein to ensure no matter what your health goal is you will be fuller for longer.
Meals provide a variety of balanced macronutrients along with a small serving of vegetables.
We would love to see the My Muscle Chef ingredients list hero wholefood ingredients and limit additives in their meals where possible.
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Service
- Meals adhere to oil-free whole food plant-based guidelines
- HerbiDoor is certified by Vegan Australia, following strict requirements for the manufacturing of vegan products
- Meals contain a wide range of whole foods which are nutrient-dense and high in fibre
- Not all meals contain adequate portions of vegetables, customers may need to add more veggies to meals
AV Cost: $9.95/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA, WA, TAS
Meals from HerbiDoor are satiating and nutritious since they are prepared with balanced portions of vegetables and macronutrients.
HerbiDoor meals are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and are entirely vegan and gluten free. To ensure that consumers receive nutritionally-balanced meals that not only meet their nutritional needs but also keep them fuller for longer, HerbiDoor uses a variety of plant-based proteins. Depending on the meal you select, HerbiDoor offers a substantial amount of vegetables together with a balanced dish of excellent fats, carbs, and protein. Increase your vitamin intake by serving your food alongside some fresh leafy greens!
Best 'No Added Gluten' or Gluten Free Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Service
- All of their gluten-free dishes include fresh ingredients that are locally sourced and feature premium meats, grass-fed beef, and free-range eggs
- Meal customisation means customers with various dietary needs can have their demands met while still receiving a well-balanced, nutrient-dense meal
- Although A Life Plus adhere to strict coeliac guidelines, those needing to follow strict gluten restriction need to consider potential cross contamination due to shared commercial kitchen spaces
AV Cost: $9.00/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA, WA, TAS
A Life Plus creates tasty, wholesome meals that follow a gluten-free diet. They provide prepared meals made entirely from natural ingredients.
The gluten-free meals from A Life Plus never contain any wheat, rye, or barley. A Life Plus prepares Coeliac-compliant meals and goods that are free of gluten. However, it’s important to remember that the food is prepared in a commercial kitchen that also prepares dishes containing gluten.
A Life Plus meals contain a generous portion size and are one of the more generous providers in the veggies department. As an extra bonus all their meals include no added chemicals, sugars or preservatives!
Best Ready To Eat Meal Delivery Service for those with Food Allergies
- Using this meal delivery service would make switching to a Low FODMAP diet simple and practical
- Each meal contains just a few simple, whole foods. There are no artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives
- Meals lack a hearty portion of veggies
- The Low FODMAP range is smaller in offering which means customers may lack choice and diversity in range
AV Cost: $5.99/serve
Delivery Area: NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, NT, SA, WA
Dineamic creates wholesome, ready-made meals for people who adhere to a Low FODMAP diet. Fresh, natural ingredients are used in every dish at Dineamic, which sources its ingredients from local farmers and growers.
Dineamic dishes are delicious and made to cater to a wide variety of tastes while still meeting nutritional needs and remaining a balanced healthy meal. Ingredients are favourable using foods you recognise and as minimal as possible without sacrificing taste! Lean, free-range, and grass-fed meats come in serving sizes that will keep you satisfied for longer.
Dineamic also offers meals to those who follow low gluten, low calorie or vegetarian diets.
How we chose the best meal providers
Our team of expert Nutritionists and foodies have considered what information you need to be able to decide which is the best meal kit delivery service provider. We have looked into customisation of menus, allergy and dietary requirements, nutrition, cost, flexibility in subscription, taste, turn over in recipes, delivery ranges and more.
Unsure which meal provider is right for you? Take our meal finder quiz to get personalised meal recommendations!
In terms of the cheapest meal kit in Australia, EveryPlate continues to hold a competitive advantage.
Their prices begin at just $2.39 per plate, with Dinnerly following closely behind at $4.85 each serve. Dinnerly offers delivery Australia wide whereas EveryPlate is only catering to NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD, SA at this stage.
My Muscle Chef continues to be competitive in terms of products, delivery, and prices, with servings starting at just $8.60. With their vast reachability not just online but also within grocery stores, local stores, and petrol stations, My Muscle Chef has dominated the meal delivery market. They are a great and dependable meal service with something on the menu for even the pickiest eaters!
There are no meal kits that are organically certified on the market right now. However, a well-known meal delivery business, A Life Plus (A+), provides ready-to-eat organic meals created by in-house chefs from fresh, local products. No artificial additives, colours or chemical preservatives are used in any of the recipes.
Additionally, they may tailor the dishes to your preferences by changing the amount of salt, the ingredient combination, the sauce, removal of allergens and other factors.
A number of meal kits from Harris Farm have been released featuring a wide selection of ready-to-cook meals that should appeal to most people’s tastes. The majority of their meal kits are designed to feed 4 people and have a tasty range of seasonal rotating recipes to choose from.
In order to provide clients the ultimate convenience, Harris Farm develops seasonal fresh recipes with an emphasis on including high-quality fruit and vegetables throughout meals.
