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5 Meal Services That Make Cooking Easier Than Ever

We tried some of those dinner services you've been hearing about — here's how they cooked up.

Headshot of The Good Housekeeping InstituteBy The Good Housekeeping Institute
Food, Dishware, Ingredient, Tableware, Cuisine, Cutlery, Produce, Kitchen utensil, Leaf vegetable, Salad,
Courtesy of Hello Fresh

We tried out five popular dinner kit services that deliver the precise amounts of raw ingredients for creating gourmet meals. And here's how they cooked up.

1

Blue Apron

<p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Busy couples who want to learn to cook
</p><p><strong>PLAN:</strong> $70 for two meals for a family of four
</p><p><strong>PROS:</strong> The site offers help via videos. "My girlfriend and I never make new dishes — it's so much work! With this, we had lots of handholding," said a tester.
</p><p><strong>CONS:</strong> Doesn't offer full nutritional info. One couple complained, "We were still hungry."
</p><p><em><strong>SAMPLE DISH:</strong> Salmon with Fava Beans</em></p>
Courtesy of Blue Apron

BEST FOR: Busy couples who want to learn to cook

PLAN: $70 for two meals for a family of four

PROS: The site offers help via videos. "My girlfriend and I never make new dishes—it's so much work! With this, we had lots of handholding," said a tester.

CONS: Doesn't offer full nutritional info. One couple complained, "We were still hungry."

SAMPLE DISH: Salmon with Fava Beans

2

Plated

<p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Foodies</p><p><strong>PLAN:</strong> $48 for two meals for two people</p><p><strong>PROS:</strong> Cooks learn to use new ingredients (e.g., banana leaves, exotic spices). A novice chef raved, "Tasted like a five-star restaurant meal." Has the most recipe options.</p><p><strong>CONS:</strong> Lots of techniques, steps and tools required; meals could use more greens for nutritional value.</p><p><em><strong>SAMPLE DISH:</strong> Za'atar Beef Koftas</em></p>
Courtesy of Plated

BEST FOR: Foodies

PLAN: $48 for two meals for two people

PROS: Cooks learn to use new ingredients (e.g., banana leaves, exotic spices). A novice chef raved, "Tasted like a five-star restaurant meal." Has the most recipe options.

CONS: Lots of techniques, steps and tools required; meals could use more greens for nutritional value.

SAMPLE DISH: Za'atar Beef Koftas

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3

The Purple Carrot

<p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Vegans; those who are gluten-free; health nuts
</p><p><strong>PLAN:</strong> $59 for three dinners for two people or two dinners for four people
</p><p><strong>PROS:</strong> Offers vegans a great-tasting culinary experience without compromising their dietary preferences.
</p><p><strong>CONS:</strong> Some produce came wilted. All cooks found prep lengthy. "It took a long time for pasta," said a working parent. Not enough protein.
</p><p><em><strong>SAMPLE DISH:</strong> Black Bean Enchiladas</em></p>
Courtesy of The Purple Carrot

BEST FOR: Vegans; those who are gluten-free; health nuts

PLAN: $59 for three dinners for two people or two dinners for four people

PROS: Offers vegans a great-tasting culinary experience without compromising their dietary preferences.

CONS: Some produce came wilted. All cooks found prep lengthy. "It took a long time for pasta," said a working parent. Not enough protein.

SAMPLE DISH: Black Bean Enchiladas

4

Hello Fresh

<p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Families who put a premium on nutrition</p><p><strong>PLAN:</strong> $109 to $129 for three meals for a family of four</p><p><strong>PROS:</strong> It rated highest overall and was deemed most nutritious. Directions were clear; prep was simple; testers of all ages liked the meals.</p><p><strong>CONS:</strong> The only service from which a highly perishable item (chicken) arrived at an unsafe temp (over 40°F).</p><p><em><strong>SAMPLE DISH:</strong> Shrimp Orecchiette with Zucchini and Mint</em></p>
Courtesy of Hello Fresh

BEST FOR: Families who put a premium on nutrition

PLAN: $109 to $129 for three meals for a family of four

PROS: It rated highest overall and was deemed most nutritious. Directions were clear; prep was simple; testers of all ages liked the meals.

CONS: The only service from which a highly perishable item (chicken) arrived at an unsafe temp (over 40 degrees F).

SAMPLE DISH: Shrimp Orecchiette with Zucchini and Mint

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5

PeachDish

<p><strong>BEST FOR:</strong> Big families or those who are entertaining</p><p><strong>PLAN:</strong> $57 for one meal for four (order regularly to get $7 off). Pick up to 12 servings of any dish.</p><p><strong>PROS:</strong> Simple instructions. "My 9-year-old followed them easily," bragged one mom. The only company that lets you order for as many as 12 people.</p><p><strong>CONS:</strong> Not particularly Southern, though it claims to be.</p><p><em><strong>SAMPLE DISH:</strong> Chicken Breast, Walnut, and Snow Pea Salad</em></p>
Courtesy of PeachDish

BEST FOR: Big families or those who are entertaining

PLAN: $57 for one meal for four (order regularly to get $7 off). Pick up to 12 servings of any dish.

PROS: Simple instructions. "My 9-year-old followed them easily," bragged one mom. The only company that lets you order for as many as 12 people.

CONS: Not particularly Southern, though it claims to be.

SAMPLE DISH: Chicken Breast, Walnut, and Snow Pea Salad

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