The Best Meal Delivery Service for Singles: 7 Delicious Options
Living solo or with roommates is more popular now than ever.
But when it comes to the kitchen, it can lead to:
- Wasted groceries
- Time-consuming prep
- Leftovers that never sound appetizing
Many of us like to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible.
However, that can quickly turn into an unhealthy diet, a costly takeout bill, or all-day snacking rather than eating solid, well-rounded meals. Not to mention missing out on the flavor of a home-cooked dinner!
The perfect answer might be a meal kit delivery for singles.
Some meal delivery services are best for families, while others cater to parties of one.
Looking for a way to save time, save money, and eat healthier than ever? We’ve compiled a list of the top options for meal kit delivery for one.
We’ll break down the key features to look for. In the end, you’ll land on the best meal delivery service for one person.
The result could be:
- Achieving your health goals
- Cutting your takeout budget
- Reducing the stress involved with mealtime
Meal kits for one can make dinner fun!
Best Meal Delivery Services For One Person
- Best Overall Meal Delivery Service: Gobble
- Best Affordable Meal Delivery Service: Daily Harvest
- Best On-Demand Meal Delivery Service: DoorDash
- Best Organic Meal Delivery Service: Sunbasket
- Best Ready-to-Eat Meal Delivery Service: Fresh N Lean
- Best Diet-Specific Meal Delivery Service: Factor
- Best Health-Focused Meal Delivery Service: Sakara
Now that you know what you’re looking for in healthy meal kits for one, it’s time to identify the best meal delivery service for one person – for you! No two situations are exactly alike, but rest assured that your perfect match is out there. Ready to cook like a chef at home—for yourself?
1. Best Overall Meal Delivery Service: Gobble
What if you could remove all the hassle of cooking, but still enjoy fresh ingredients, gourmet flavors, and home-cooked goodness? This isn’t a pipe dream anymore… Gobble has you covered! Let’s dive into the details of our top pick for the best meal delivery service for singles:
How It Works
Gobble delivers pre-portioned, prepped, and marinated ingredients to save you from slicing and dicing. Ready in 15 minutes or less, they offer the convenience of frozen food, without compromising on your health or flavor goals.
Choose from over 15 dishes on each week’s menu (as well as countless sides, breakfasts, and desserts). Each menu includes global flavors to satisfy your curious taste buds, as well as gourmet ingredients you won’t find at your grocery store.
With Gobble, you’ll feel like a pro chef is right to next you in your kitchen. A two-person Gobble plan can provide one satisfying, well-balanced portion for a one-meal-a-day lifestyle. Alternatively, each meal can be quickly prepped and split into a lunch and dinner, or have leftovers saved for the next day.
Weekly shipments can be customized to accommodate skipped weeks, low-carb meals, extra portions, and personalized proteins to double your portion or swap in your choice of meat (when available).
Gobble also offers a selection of Lean & Clean meals each week, chef-designed to hit nutrient macros while keeping calories down. There’s no plan commitment or need to limit your choices.
Choose from Lean & Clean meals when you want, and opt for Classic meals, or family-style meals when the need arises. Or mix and match to your heart’s content!
Type
Gobble is a meal kit service, which means you will still have to cook the meals yourself. However, the prep work is taken care of, making it a quick and easy process. All ingredients and recipe cards come with each box!
Pros
- Meals are quick and easy to prepare, ideal for busy individuals.
- Ingredients are pre-prepped, reducing cooking and cleanup time.
- Offers diverse menu options catering to various tastes.
Cons
- Although there are different plans to choose from, there are limited customization options for specific dietary restrictions.
- Higher cost compared to some other meal kit services—but you’re paying for quality!
Delivery Area
Gobble currently delivers its kits to many states across the contiguous U.S.! The company is rapidly expanding and is excited to meet and serve new families across the nation. They deliver to the contiguous U.S. with the exception of Montana.
There is limited service in Nebraska, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Louisiana.
Average Cost
The cost depends on how many nights per week you plan to eat Gobble’s meals. For example, if you order the “Dinner for 2” plan, you can get 4 meals per week for $12.99 per serving. But if you order 5 meals instead of 4, the cost would be $11.99 per serving. If you’re a first-time customer, you can order your first 6 meals for $36!
2. Best Affordable Meal Delivery Service: Daily Harvest
If you’re on a budget but still want healthy meals, Daily Harvest is an excellent choice. It’s all about convenience and nourishment. Here’s why Daily Harvest made our list:
How It Works
Rather than being a traditional meal kit delivery for singles, Daily Harvest is closer to having a Jamba Juice in your freezer! Though they’ve begun to offer more diverse options like soups and grain bowls, Daily Harvest is most known for smoothies.
Each week, you’ll receive a frozen container of pre-portioned, ready-to-blend fruits and veggies. Just add your favorite milk or milk alternative, any supplements or powders, and blend!
For those of us with a post-workout or pre-workday smoothie ritual, it’s an extremely convenient way to get your daily fruits and veggies. However, it’s not likely to completely replace every meal in a given week.
You’ll still need to head to the store and cook most of your other meals. But in certain cases, like replacing your daily smoothie, or having a quick and light lunch available at work, Daily Harvest is fairly affordable, healthy, and delicious.
Type
Daily Harvest offers items that are ready-to-eat once blended or heated. No prep work required!
Pros
- Emphasizes organic, plant-based ingredients, ensuring that each item is as nutritious as it is delicious.
- Convenient and minimal preparation required, making it perfect for those with busy lifestyles.
- Suitable for various dietary preferences, including vegan and gluten-free. Everyone can enjoy high-quality, healthy meals.
Cons
- Focused on snacks, smoothies, and bowls. Limited options for those seeking hearty, cooked meals. There are pasta options, though.
- Requires freezer space for storage.
Delivery Area
Daily Harvest delivers to most of the continental U.S. Some stores carry Daily Harvest products in-person. They also offer instant delivery in select major cities, coordinating same-day service through their partnership with popular delivery apps.
Average Cost
Daily Harvest charges a set price per item, so the overall cost will depend on what you order. For example, a smoothie will usually cost $8.49, whereas a harvest bowl will cost $9.79.
The minimum order is 9 items per box, which would cost around $70-$80 depending on the items selected. Shipping and handling costs $9.99, but you may be able to get free shipping for your first order.
3. Best On-Demand Meal Delivery Service: DoorDash
DoorDash is perfect for those who need meals on demand. It’s all about convenience and speed. With DoorDash, you can order from your favorite local restaurants. Meals arrive quickly, so you save time. You also get to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines. Here’s what you need to know about DoorDash:
How It Works
DoorDash is a great choice for the opposite use case. If you’re looking for the best meal delivery service for singles who have zero time to invest in the kitchen, DoorDash might just be perfect. DoorDash allows you to order fresh delivery from countless restaurants in your area.
You’ll place your order an hour or so before mealtime and receive a hot, fresh, and delicious meal to fit any craving. The variety of options on DoorDash will vary depending on your location. In big cities, you’ll never run out of options, while in more rural and suburban areas, your choices may be more limited.
For those who are seeking to de-prioritize meal time, avoid the kitchen at all costs, and never stress about grocery shopping again, DoorDash is a great option for meal delivery for one person.
Type
DoorDash is an on-demand meal delivery service that offers food from local restaurants.
Pros
- You can easily order an extra dish if you’re hungry, or skip a meal if you have plans.
- There is no subscription to manage.
- No delivery planning is required.
- No need to skip or pause meals.
Cons
- Between service and delivery fees, tips, and marked-up items, a delivery habit is not cheap.
- It’s also not uncommon to deal with missing items from your order.
- Drivers may get lost or be unable to find your location.
- Cold or damaged deliveries can occur.
- DoorDash customer service is typically attentive and can resolve issues, but be warned: too many service complaints and you can be removed from the app entirely!
Delivery Area
DoorDash operates in over 300 cities across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Each restaurant or merchant on DoorDash has its own delivery area where customers within that range can order from that store.
Average Cost
Although the cost will depend on what you order, the DoorDash fees are not cheap:
- Delivery Fee: Typically ranges from $1.99 to $5.99, varying by restaurant and demand.
- Service Fee: 10% to 15% of the subtotal, minimum $0.60.
- Small Order Fee: $2.50 for orders below a certain amount.
- Restaurant Commission: Up to 30%, indirectly increasing menu prices.
- Tip: Optional, but customary for the delivery driver.
On average, expect to pay $5 to $10 per order—on top of the cost of food.
4. Best Organic Meal Delivery Service: Sunbasket
If you value organic food, Sunbasket is for you. It’s a meal kit service focusing on high-quality, organic ingredients. Let’s explore what makes Sunbasket stand out:
How It Works
Sunbasket offers organic meal kits with recipes tailored to various dietary needs, including paleo, keto, and vegan. Users receive pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards for easy meal preparation.
Type
Sunbasket is a meal kit service, which means you will need to prepare and cook the meals yourself. All the ingredients are pre-measured for convenience.
Pros
- Focus on organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.
- Accommodates a range of dietary preferences.
- Recipes are health-focused and flavorful.
Cons
- Some meals require more preparation time.
- Higher cost compared to some non-organic services.
Delivery Area
Sunbasket delivers to most areas of the contiguous United States, covering 47 states. Specifically, they ship to most zip codes in the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana. This extensive delivery range ensures that many people can access Sunbasket’s high-quality, organic meal kits.
Average Cost
Like most meal kit services, Sunbasket offers a variety of plans to suit a variety of families. But if you’re cooking for one, you’ll most likely want to choose the “Dinner for 2” plan (the smallest one). Those meal kits start at $11.49/serving. The price can increase depending on the meals you choose. Sunbasket charges a $9.99 shipping fee per box for most orders. However, shipping is typically free on your first order as a new customer.
5. Best Ready-to-Eat Meal Delivery Service: Fresh N Lean
Fresh N Lean is ideal if you want ready-made meals. They use fresh, organic ingredients. You don’t need to cook or prep anything. This service saves you time and effort. Here’s what makes Fresh N Lean a top choice:
How It Works
Meals are freshly prepared, never frozen, and delivered weekly in insulated boxes. You’ll unpack your box and put the items in the fridge. The meals come ready-to-eat. All you need to do is heat them up and enjoy!
Type
Fresh N Lean is a meal delivery service with ready-made meals.
Pros
- Meals are nutritionally balanced and convenient.
- Wide variety of options, including paleo, keto, and vegan.
- No preparation required—just heat and eat.
Cons
- Limited ability to customize meal delivery.
- Requires refrigeration and has a shorter shelf life.
Delivery Area
Fresh N Lean delivers to select cities across the U.S. You can check their website to find out if your city is included.
Additionally, Fresh N Lean meals can be found in dedicated stores, major grocery stores, and Smart Fridge locations. They also have a physical store in Santa Monica, California.
Average Cost
The meals start at $10.66 per meal, but the price varies depending on the meal plan and number of meals you choose. For example, if you only need meals for dinner 5 days per week, you’ll pay $15.99 per meal. Fresh N Lean also offers add-ons for an additional cost.
6. Best Diet-Specific Meal Delivery Service: Factor
Factor excels in catering to specific diet needs. They offer meals designed for various dietary preferences. It’s a great option if you live in Canada! Whether you’re following a keto, paleo, or low-carb plan, Factor has you covered. There are vegetarian options you can choose from. Now, let’s dive into the details about Factor:
How It Works
Factor delivers fully prepared, diet-specific meals focusing on health and wellness. Meals are crafted by dietitians and chefs to align with dietary goals like keto or calorie-conscious diets.
Type
Factor is a meal delivery service that offers ready-to-eat meals.
Pros
- Meals cater to specific dietary needs, such as keto or low-calorie.
- Fully prepared and ready to heat.
- Weekly rotating menu with new dishes.
Cons
- May be less appealing for those without specific dietary needs.
- Higher cost compared to some other ready-to-eat services.
Delivery Area
Factor meal delivery service currently delivers to the following provinces in Canada:
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
Factor is also available in the United States, where it delivers to the continental U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Average Cost
Factor’s meals start at $12.99 per serving. The more meals you order, the lower the cost. Shipping is $9.99.
7. Best Health-Focused Meal Delivery Service: Sakara
Eating healthy can be a challenge. Sakara makes it easier. This is a slightly different service that offers nutrition programs. Each program has the option to choose a certain number of days or weeks of meals. Here’s why Sakara is a top pick for health-focused meal delivery:
How It Works
Sakara offers plant-based, ready-to-eat meals designed for holistic wellness. The service also has nutrition programs with meals, supplements, and snacks aimed at improving overall health.
Type
Sakara is a meal delivery service that offers ready-to-heat and-eat food.
Pros
- Emphasis on whole, organic, and plant-based ingredients.
- Meals and programs designed for overall health and wellness.
- Includes additional wellness products like teas and supplements.
Cons
- Premium pricing may deter some people.
- Limited to plant-based options.
Delivery Area
Sakara delivers meals to cities throughout the contiguous U.S. You can look on their website to see if your city is included.
Average Cost
The price will depend on the specific program and duration you choose. For example, the Signature Nutrition Program costs $395 for 3 meals per day, 5 days per week. The cost increases for longer programs and add-ons such as snacks and supplements.
Features to Look For In A Meal Delivery For One Person
Shopping for meal kits for one isn’t always easy. Most delivery services are geared towards couples and families, often focusing on child-friendly dishes. With the variety of meal kits out here, there are so many offerings to navigate.
Depending on your personal preferences, dietary needs, and budget, there are plenty of things to consider. To aid in your search for the best meal delivery for singles, here are some key features to keep in mind (we’ll go into detail on the most important ones):
- Portion Size
- Leftover Friendly
- Preparation Time
- Cost
- Flexibility
- Variety
Portion Size and Leftovers
While some healthy meal kits for one exist, it’s important to understand the real-life difference between a meal kit delivery for singles and a meal kit delivery for couples or families. While it’s easy to restrict your search solely to “meal kits for one,” it’s worth looking at the benefits of meal delivery services to weigh your options.
Cost is one aspect to consider – smaller, single-serving deliveries will usually cost more per meal than a larger delivery since you won’t be buying the same ingredients in bulk. Furthermore, you’ll usually end up paying the same shipping and delivery fees for less food.
Portion size and leftover-ability are key features when comparing meal delivery for one. If you enjoy larger meals, spend time in the gym, and want more calories for your buck, or follow an intermittent fasting plan and want fewer, more filling meals, the average “meal kit for two” might be better suited as a single meal for you. You should also look for a high-protein meal delivery service if you’re counting your macros.
As you’ve probably tasted, not all leftovers are made equal. Meal kits for one that include frozen, microwaveable ingredients are less likely to reheat with pleasant flavors and textures. If you plan on splitting your meals in half before cooking, it’ll be much easier to do with a meal kit that includes fresh, portioned ingredients. And if you’d prefer to “cook once and eat twice”, your leftovers will be better-tasting and better-textured if cooked recently with fresh ingredients.
Time In The Kitchen
Time spent in the kitchen might be a pro or a con! If you’re a beginner chef who likes the idea of learning to cook, meal kits with fresh, raw ingredients can help. You’ll learn basic kitchen skills, without the stress of coming up with ideas, testing recipes, and wasting ingredients.
On the other hand, you might be looking for a meal kit for one because you can’t afford to spend any time in the kitchen. Being busy with work, wanting more downtime, or simply not being a fan of cooking are all valid reasons to opt for a zero-prep meal kit.
Flexibility and Variety
When cooking for one and trying to stay healthy, save money, and save time, the most likely outcome is falling into a routine of cheap, repetitive meals. We won’t diss your chicken and broccoli plate, but after a few weeks, you’ll likely be ready for something new.
One way to satisfy variety is with a regular cadence of takeout and delivery, such as UberEats or Doordash. But, those costs add up quickly and can lead to unhealthy habits in no time.
When looking for healthy meal kits for one, it’s important to find a service that offers the right balance of healthy meals, diverse flavors, and the ability to personalize meals to fit your needs. As a single person, you’ll also want supreme flexibility with your meal delivery service.
What if you need to skip a week while you travel? What if you want to cook for a date or a friend in town? Rather than juggling multiple services that you flip off and on, it’ll save you time and energy to find one service that fits all your needs.
Now You Know the Best Meal Kit Delivery Services For Singles
Ready to decide on the perfect meal delivery for one person? That’s a call that only you can make, but we hope our comparison helped outline the key features and popular options to help you choose. We recommend you do further research to compare meal kits vs. meal delivery and decide which option is the best for you.
Delivery services like DoorDash provide a ton of choice and variety but can be costly and inconvenient at times. Quick meals like Daily Harvest provide neat, single-serving dishes with a focus on health, but sacrifice fresh flavor and variety for maximum convenience.
So, what’s the verdict on the best meal delivery service for singles? A prepared-meal service like Gobble can be the best of both if you’re looking for a balanced, flexible approach. Happy eating!
