Top 6 Meal Delivery Selections for Families in 2025

TL;DR

• HomeChef is the best overall meal delivery for families, offering customizable options and meal kits.
• Tempo provides prepared meals ready in minutes, focusing on protein and vegetables for quick dinners.
• Factor offers diverse, dietitian-designed prepared meals with a rotating menu for variety.
• Hungryroot provides organic meal kits and prepared meals with a focus on anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Collaborating with a qualified nutrition coach, we evaluated and trialed selections designed to simplify weeknight dinners, catering to households that favor pre-made meals, fast assembly kits, or a combination. These services can offer assistance when you're occupied managing tasks and commitments while still prioritizing healthy eating and family time.

Top Meal Delivery Options for Families in 2025

• Best Meal Delivery Service for Families Overall: HomeChef
• Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service for Families: Tempo
• Best Meal Delivery Service with Variety for Families: Factor 
• Best Organic Meal Delivery Service for Families: Hungryroot
• Best Budget Meal Delivery Service for Families: Forkful
• Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service for Families: HelloFresh

Comparison of Top Meal Delivery Services for Families

Top Choice for Family Meal Kits: HomeChef

Our Thoughts on HomeChef

Home Chef is our pick for the best overall meal delivery service families because of its wide variety of more than 60 weekly dishes, ranging from ready-to-heat meals to step-by-step kits perfect for cooking together. The brand’s “Customize It” feature allows parents to swap proteins or adjust ingredients to meet different dietary preferences, making it easy to please everyone at the table (even the picky eaters).

Kayla evaluated this food package and discovered the online platform user-friendly, giving it a perfect score of 5 for her overall purchasing journey. “You can change the cadence of how often you get the meals, like bi-weekly, weekly, or monthly. You can customize your meals and swap out protein types and different ingredients,” she commented. “It’s super easy to skip deliveries via the website. The user experience is great.”

The individual testing the product found the setup and instructions straightforward, assigning it a score of 4 out of 5 for this aspect. “I love the booklet with the instructions,” she commented. “The prep time does seem very quick for the number of steps, but nothing is hard to do. I also love that the instructions help you time manage.” Kayla stated the preparation required approximately 20 minutes, especially regarding this dish (the truffle cream tortellini), her involvement was minimal as all components were pre-measured, and she only needed to chop chives and mushrooms. Overall, the preparation phase was quite smooth. 

Regarding serving dimensions, Kayla assigned a score of 4 out of 5: “The portion could be a little bigger for two people. I think it’s perfect for one person to have some leftovers, but I don’t think two people would be satisfied and feel full, even though it is meant for two people.” Nevertheless, for a child, these serving dimensions would be ideal, Kayla commented. In general, she appreciated the wide variety of choices offered on a weekly basis. Kayla also found it beneficial that menus are accessible several weeks ahead, enabling advance planning.

The meals she sampled were delightful to her palate, earning a perfect 5 out of 5 for their taste. “This was so good!” Kayla commented. “It was something I would 100% make and eat again. It really tastes like restaurant quality—I’m super impressed.”

Tempo: The Top Choice for Family Meal Kits

Our Thoughts on Tempo

Tempo stands out as our top selection for meal delivery catering to families requiring extremely quick evening meals. They provide completely prepared, expertly designed dishes that can be ready to eat in approximately two to three minutes after being removed from refrigeration. Their emphasis on recipes abundant in protein and vegetables assists parents in offering a healthier alternative to takeout, and the individual serving sizes simplify the process of combining different dishes to suit each family member's preferences.

My personal interaction with Tempo allowed me to evaluate the website's navigation and the ordering process, which I scored a perfect 5 out of 5. I found the site quite user-friendly, and a mobile application is also offered, though I did not utilize it. In my history of ordering from various meal kit providers, having a dedicated app significantly simplifies and streamlines the process of placing orders, making modifications, postponing deliveries, and other related tasks.

Among the dishes I sampled was the “Marry Me Salmon,”, which I rated a 3 out of 5 for its flavor. The salmon itself was palatable, though its consistency resembled that of a salmon fillet cooked from frozen, which wasn't the most pleasing sensation. I genuinely enjoyed the broccoli accompanying this entree; it was vibrant, delicious, and perfectly seasoned with garlic and parsley. 

Regarding the various sauces accompanying this dish (alfredo, basil pesto butter, tomato cream, and sun-dried tomato pesto), I had anticipated a more pronounced taste and depth. The combination of orzo, broccoli, and alfredo sauce seemed somewhat underwhelming, failing to deliver the flavorful and fulfilling pasta experience I was hoping for. In general, it seemed to lack sufficient seasoning. 

Tempo's chimichurri filet, accompanied by potatoes and cauliflower, also received a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for taste. The steak, prepared medium, was presented with the chimichurri sauce, and I found both to be excellent. The cauliflower was fresh, and the potatoes had a pleasing consistency. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish and would repurchase it.

For both meals, the serving size was generally appropriate. The salmon was the correct portion, and I appreciated that the pasta accompaniment wasn't crammed or excessively filled in the container. Consequently, after consuming the food, I felt satisfied but not overly stuffed. Nevertheless, I did feel inclined to have a snack roughly two hours afterward.

Factor: The Top Meal Delivery Service Offering Diverse Options for Families

Our Thoughts on Factor

Factor stands out as our top choice for family meal delivery offering diverse options, as its consistently updated menu and international tastes ensure weeknight suppers remain engaging for children and grown-ups alike. The pre-prepared meals simplify presenting a new dish nightly without additional forethought, enabling families to dedicate more moments to each other and less to food preparation.

Taylor evaluated Factor, giving his overall ordering experience a score of 4 out of 5. “I gave this a four only because I don’t like that I can’t select my meals before putting in my payment information,” he stated. “You can see the menu on the first page but I wanted to see individual pricing before making a commitment. Sometimes with meal delivery they will lock you in on a price but then upcharge you for meals like steak and I think it be more helpful and transparent to see that pricing before paying.” In conclusion, Taylor found the Factor website straightforward to use for canceling, skipping, and navigating.

Regarding flavor, Taylor gave Factor a score of 4 out of 5. “These meals are flavorful for a frozen prepared meal,” he commented. “The meals were well seasoned and they weren’t soupy or watery like I’ve experienced with some other meal delivery options.” Taylor appreciated that certain dishes included a sauce or butter, which can boost the taste, particularly for children with particular preferences. “Sometimes you need a little extra seasoning or sauce to make it really tasty, and Factor did a good job of that,” he stated.

Taylor assigned a rating of 3 out of 5 to his sensations of satiety and contentment subsequent to consuming a Factor meal. “The portion size was decent, however, it seems better for a smaller person, not someone who is 210 pounds,” he stated. “The meals ranged in calories but most were in the 400 to 600 calorie range, which is good for lunches, but perhaps not sustainable for dinners.” While one of these dishes would probably suffice for a younger individual, for grown-ups, we suggest being mindful of the quantities selected when placing an order. 

Hungryroot: The Top Choice for Organic Meal Delivery for Families

Our Thoughts on Hungryroot

Hungry Root stands out as our top choice for organic meal delivery catering to families, skillfully blending the adaptability of a grocery service with straightforward, customizable organic meal kits designed to expedite dinner preparation. An initial questionnaire identifies dietary requirements, preferred cuisines, and flavors the family enjoys, alongside ingredients to be excluded, thereby simplifying meal planning to accommodate finicky eaters, allergies, and diverse nutritional objectives within a single weekly shipment.

Meredith evaluated Hungry Root and discovered the ordering procedure to be a favorable encounter, assigning it a score of 4 out of 5. “The website had a good UX and was very easy to navigate,” she commented. “You can simply get started by selecting your plan, providing any restrictions you may have, and then selecting your menu. It’s simple to skip a meal or pause your membership if need be.”

Upon sampling her initial dish, Meredith was convinced by its taste. She awarded the flavor a perfect score of 5 out of 5. “The super crunch veggies and Thai coconut chicken was delicious! There were a variety of ingredients that contributed to this great flavor and texture: crunch from the super veggie blend, savory from the chicken and lentils, and a tangy coconut sauce,” she commented. 

The meal left her feeling quite satisfied, and the recipe yielded enough food for her household, leading her to give her contentment and satiety a perfect score of 5 out of 5. “I was pleasantly surprised by how much food I ended up with,” she commented. “There were minimal leftovers with this meal, and it was perfectly portioned.”

Top Affordable Meal Kit for Households: Forkful

Our Thoughts on Forkful

Forkful stands out as our top choice for the most economical meal delivery option for households, owing to its graduated pricing model that reduces the expense per dish with larger order quantities, thereby enhancing affordability for acquiring numerous midday and evening meals. Procuring items in larger volumes enables guardians to maintain a supply of quick-to-prepare dishes for all household members. 

Kate evaluated Forkful, assigning her overall ordering process a score of 3 out of 5. She found it inconvenient that account creation and payment details were required prior to viewing the available meal choices. While this practice is common among numerous meal delivery providers, and the annoyance is understandable, she appreciated the wide array of dietary preferences catered to, including options like GLP-1, paleo, plant-based, high-protein, and low-carb, among others.

Our tester rated the taste and flavor of the meals she tried as a 4 out of 5. “The meatballs were really good! The cauliflower wasn’t as good, but the quality was strong,” Kate said. “This was very impressive for a microwaved and pre-prepped meal. This is a strong contender for someone who is always on the go but wants good quality food.”

When it comes to feeling satisfied and full, Kate rated Forkful a 4 out of 5. “These are good lunch portions,” she said. “If I was someone looking to bulk up, it probably wasn’t enough food.” The meal she tried was under 400 calories, which is a bit lower for a meal. However, this would be great as a lunch option for both adults and kids, especially if it’s packed with an extra snack or two.

Top Plant-Based Meal Kit for Households: HelloFresh

Our Thoughts on HelloFresh

HelloFresh stands out as our top choice for a vegan meal delivery service catering to families, thanks to its extensive selection of recipes that are both suitable for children and have adaptable features. Beyond the ability to modify ingredients when assembling your meal and select dishes that are quick to prepare for youngsters, HelloFresh also features vegetarian and some predominantly plant-based options that can accommodate vegan or largely vegan households with straightforward substitutions. The company further provides larger servings for specific meals, simplifying the process of feeding larger families without requiring additional forethought.

Gwen tried HelloFresh, giving her ordering process a perfect score of 5 out of 5. “The HelloFresh website is incredibly easy to use and navigate,” she commented. “The pages are clean and well-designed.” She also appreciated the ability to modify your meal selection up to a specific deadline before the delivery, a feature the website makes sure to notify you about.

Following a sampling of several dishes, she awarded the tastes a perfect score of 5 out of 5. While Gwen's specific choices weren't plant-based, HelloFresh offers an extensive assortment of vegan meal options. “The flavor was really impressive,” Gwen commented. 

In fact, let's incorporate your idea into that: Our evaluator tested a couple of distinct dishes, observing, “Both tasted like something I would order at a takeout spot. Everything also tasted pretty fresh.” She was especially pleased with how fresh the produce was in the items she received.

“There was a good amount of prep involved with the meals I chose,” Gwen said, rating the preparation process and ease of following the directions as a 3 out of 5. “I had to bread chicken for one of the meals and do both baking and frying elements at the same time.” This option is great for parents who want a fresh meal and have a little extra time to cook.

Additional Meal Delivery Options for Households We Evaluated

We evaluated a total of more than 10 meal kit providers, encompassing the most well-known names available. Below are some that did not qualify for our recommendations, along with the reasons.

• Purple Carrot: Our tester liked some of the dishes, but most of them lacked seasoning or the texture was off
• EveryPlate: Our tester thinks the portion size for two people is too small
• Green Chef: Our tester noted that the meals took longer than the 35 minutes listed to cook the meals

Our Methodology for Identifying Top Meal Delivery Services for Families

Households require choices that accommodate actual circumstances: demanding timetables, varied culinary desires, and diverse financial plans. This is how we concentrated on provisions that simplify the process of serving wholesome, child-appealing dishes without increasing the burden on parents.

Plans & Customization

When assessing meal services, the primary consideration was the ease with which a family could accommodate diverse palates at the dinner table, ranging from those who enjoy trying new foods to children with limited preferences. Offerings that provided adjustable portion options, communal serving platters, and straightforward methods for exchanging main components or omitting specific items received top marks.

Taste

Since no strategy succeeds if your household refuses to consume the dishes, culinary evaluations concentrated on taste, consistency, and the durability of meals post-reheating. Additional credit was awarded to providers offering dressings, spices, and selections suitable for children, which prevented evening meals from becoming monotonous.

Meal Variety 

Families often juggle different preferences, so variety across cuisines, proteins, and prep styles was essential. Services that offered “family-friendly” or kid-focused recipes, along with options for picky eaters and more adventurous adults, ranked better.

Ordering Process

The process for placing orders had to be straightforward, fitting in between taking children to school and attending professional appointments. Essential requirements included user-friendly websites and applications, straightforward methods for skipping deliveries, and unambiguous deadlines for modifying purchases.

Ingredient Quality

The selection of ingredients was examined for their quality, identifiable elements, and minimal use of synthetic preservatives. Companies prioritizing unprocessed foods, abundant fruits and vegetables, and careful procurement practices received preference, particularly for households aiming to establish nutritious routines.

Value

Regarding worth, we give greater importance to brands that obtain their ingredients from fresh, pure whole foods and possess accreditations, like USDA-certified organic.

Navigating the Top Meal Kit Subscriptions for Your Household

Selecting the appropriate meal provider involves weighing ease of use, health benefits, and your children's actual preferences. Begin by considering the number of evenings weekly you'd like assistance with your evening meal and the extent of culinary preparation you're prepared to undertake.

A Range of Food Choices and Dining Selections

Seek out menus that explicitly identify family-friendly, child-approved, or picky-eater selections, alongside provisions for common dietary requirements such as vegetarian, dairy-free, or gluten-free. Top-tier services enable you to combine different dishes, ensuring that younger children, adolescents, and adults can each discover a meal to their satisfaction.

Ingredient Quality

Examine the components of meals for unprocessed foods, quality protein sources, and abundant produce, and verify if the provider utilizes organic or ethically obtained ingredients when such factors are significant for your household. For those preparing meals for children, you might also consider examining the amounts of sodium and added sweeteners.

Cost

For the majority of households, the cost per portion accumulates rapidly, making it crucial to assess the actual weekly expense, inclusive of delivery fees. Seek out providers that feature reduced rates for larger orders of servings, and evaluate if they can genuinely substitute for several restaurant meals or spontaneous grocery trips.

Prep Process

Parents with packed schedules find the greatest advantage in dishes requiring minimal dicing, washing, and cooking. Determine if your family leans towards meals that just need heating, swift assembly kits, or a combination of the two, and seek out providers whose preparation durations can accommodate schedules between tasks, assignments, and sleep.

Advantages of Food Subscription Programs for Households

There are plenty of benefits of using a meal delivery service to feed your family. Here are a few:

• Reduces daily “what’s for dinner?” Stress by giving families a clear plan
• Saves time on shopping, planning, and cooking so parents can focus on kids and activities
• Cuts food waste with pre-portioned ingredients or single-serve meals
• Supports healthier eating with balanced recipes and easy access to nutritious options

Frequently asked questions

What is the best meal delivery for families?

The top meal delivery option for households is a service that aligns with your financial plan, provides dishes your children will consume, and suits the amount of time you're willing to dedicate to meal preparation. We've selected Home Chef as the premier meal delivery service, featuring over 60 diverse weekly options, from pre-prepared meals to guided cooking kits, ideal for shared culinary experiences.

Is it cheaper to buy groceries or meal kits?

Preparing your own meals and purchasing food items typically results in a lower cost per portion, particularly for households with more members. Nevertheless, pre-made meal solutions and meal kits offer benefits such as minimizing discarded food, curbing unplanned spending, and conserving time, benefits that certain families deem valuable enough to justify the higher expense.

How long do meal deliveries take to make?

Ready-made dishes typically require 2–10 minutes to warm, whereas meal kits intended for families generally take around 15–30 minutes to prepare. The precise duration differs based on the provider and the specific instructions, making it beneficial to sort by “quick” or “under 20 minutes” selections when your schedule is particularly demanding.