As parents we wear oh so many hats—driver, coach, nurse. You name it; parents do it. And with the start of the school year just around the corner, we know you’ll be putting another hat on top of your (very tall) stack—chef. But what if someone else helped with that heavy lift, at least a little? That’s where the best Boston meal delivery services for families come in. We’ve got tons of meal kit picks that let your family sit down to a healthy, home-cooked (and often plant-based) meal that you didn’t have to plan or prep…much. Read on to let someone else do the cooking for a change.
Clover Food Lab
While we’re sure you’ve seen this local spot around town, if their meal delivery kits haven’t made it onto your radar yet, they’re worth a look. Clover started the delivery side of their restaurant biz in the early days of the pandemic, and they’ve kept it going because it filled a need. Boston families are always on the lookout for healthy, plant-based meals they can get on the table quickly (these take anywhere from 5-15 minutes to prep). That’s what you’ll find here.
There are a few ways to get in on the action. Subscribe to the Meal Box program and count on an evolving menu within a daily category (think: Salad Mondays, Taco Tuesday or Pasta Saturdays…you get the idea). Not sure you want to commit? Simply order Meal Boxes individually to see what you think and go from there. Families can also mix and match Meal Bundles any day of the week. It comes with everything you need to make the meal, and saves you (yet another) trip to the store. Sauces, dips and produce can be added to your order to help fill in the gaps.
Cost: starting at $39
Online: cloverfoodlab.com/mealboxes
Mama Sezz
With a name like Mama Sezz we’re already sold on this local mom-owned meal delivery service that makes feeding your family plant-based meals super easy. Each meal serves 2-3 people, can be frozen for up to two months and is completely heat-and-eat. That means families have total flexibility to get a healthy dinner on the table whenever they need it. If you’re not so sure about plant-based or have been flirting with the idea for a while now, try their Get Me Started bundle that helps newbies know where to be begin. Their MOM bundle is another great option for families—it’s got all kinds of vegan meals your kids will absolutely love.
Cost: $4-$6/serving
Online: mamasezz.com
Related: 36 Time-Saving Food & Prep Hacks That Actually Work
al FreshCo
If a local company focused on sustainability is what’s on your family’s menu, look no further than al FreshCo. Serving the greater Boston area since 2013, they source all of their ingredients from local New England farms to make their creative and healthy meals. The service works like many other—families opt in to the number of meal kids they’d like each week (one kit feeds two), place your cooler outside and get your food. If you're not quite sure you want to go all in, you can also try a one-time order. Orders are placed by Saturday (at midnight) for delivery the following Tuesday. And the sustainable packaging used to wrap these easy-prep meals will make you feel extra good about the whole experience.
Good to know: If you're outside of their delivery zone, check their pick-up locations to see if there's one close by.
Cost: Starting at $26/week
Online: al-freshco.com
Feast & Fettle
Feast & Fettle is like having a private chef without someone cooking in your kitchen. The business was founded by Maggie Pearson, a former personal chef who believes busy, working families shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience. The meal delivery service puts an emphasis on high quality ingredients that are delivered locally to Rhode Island and Boston residents. The menu changes every week, incorporating seasonal trends and local partners. All meals are made in their local kitchen, then delivered to your door by their own team of delivery drivers. This model ensures your meals arrive fresh, not frozen.
Their plans for singles, couples families are highly customizable, and each menu incorporates items fit for all dietary preferences. Not sure what tastes great together? Try out the Chef's Pairings. They even have their own line of kids meals that are perfect for the picky eaters in your life.
Cost: Starting at $65/week
Online: feastandfettle.com
Related: 15 Genius Kitchen Organization Hacks
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot brings you plant-forward meals that are good for you and good for the planet. Families have two options when it comes to meal delivery with Purple Carrot and both are great for busy families. Boxed Meal Kits include everything you need to make a healthy dinner. All you have to do is prep and cook and call the kids down to eat. Then there's fresh, Prepared Meals (think: Italian Pasta Bowls and Chilled Curried Chickpea Salad). These tasty dishes are heat and serve, leaving you more time to do things like help with homework, make the latest after school run or even just relax (imagine that!). All meals are meat-free and easy to prepare. You can add on breakfast, lunch and snack items to get you through the week. Skip or cancel any time.
Good to know: We're crushing on Purple Carrot's Plantry ingredients like cauliflower snacking crackers and chocolate-covered oat bites that kids can grab and eat.
Cost: Starting at $11/serving
Online: purplecarrot.com
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
This cook-at-home food delivery service partnered with Martha Stewart to help harried families discover their inner Martha. The partnership gives Marley Spoon access to Martha's archive of over 18,000 tried-and-true recipes to feature in their meal kits. They promise quality purveyors offering grass-fed beef, Berkshire pork, American-caught shrimp and artisanal cheeses. The menu features 45 choices every week and the website tags meals as family-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free and more.
Favorites include: chicken fajita bowl, bacon-wrapped skillet meatloaf and lemon-brown butter salmon. The website provides big, colorful step-by-step photos for careless cooks and kids who want to help. Also, the blog offers great tips and ideas, like what to do with lentils, immune-boosting foods and Martha’s easy Oscar party snacks. The family kit feeds four adults, so will easily feed two adults and two kids.
Cost: Plans start at $9/portion + $10 shipping
Online: marleyspoon.com
Freshly
Freshly is a weekly subscription service delivering fresh (not frozen), chef-cooked meals that can be heated and served in three minutes. Unlike meal kits, all you need is a microwave, fork and plate (optional!) to get a satisfying lunch or dinner on the table. Think “nutritionist meets personal chef” vs. TV dinner when it comes to quality and flavor.
With a food philosophy centered on less sugar, less processed and more nutrients, the menu features better-for-you versions of comfort foods with smart ingredient swaps. For example, Chicken Parm is coated in almond flour vs. bread crumbs and topped with marinara sauce sweetened with honey instead of refined sugars; Mac and Cheese is made with brown rice pasta and cheesy sauce blended with a purée of cauliflower and butternut squash; and Turkey Meatballs are packed with mushrooms and served over zoodles for a lower-carb alternative to pasta.
Cost: $9-$12/meal + $10-$12 for shipping
Online: Freshly.com
Dinnerly
If your goal is to get a wholesome, easy meal on the table for your family, then Dinnerly is the meal delivery option for you. Each week Dinnerly customers choose from over a dozen rotating options. The choices are totally kid-friendly with options like sweet and sour Swedish meatballs, turkey burgers and enchiladas. Each meal has only five prep steps and takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table. Perfect for rushed weeknight dinners! Not interested in getting your box this week? No problem. You can skip any time.
Cost: Starting at $5/person
Online: dinnerly.com
Home Chef
Home Chef meal kits offer fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered weekly. You'll be able to choose from 30 different recipes that rotate on a weekly basis. Most recipes include a "Customize It" option to accommodate any dietary needs or preferences. Skip a week any time you'd like wit these meals that are convenient and kid-friendly. The 15-minute meal kits include options like Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Carrots. Or, opt for more sophisticated meals from the culinary collection like Steak and Garlic Thyme Butter with balsamic Brussels Sprouts and Parmesan Twists.
Cost: Starting at $7/serving
Online: homechef.com
Hello Fresh
The goal of HelloFresh is to bring the fun of cooking back into people’s lives by doing all the planning, portioning and shopping for in-season, sustainably-sourced, healthy and flavorful ingredients. HelloFresh prides itself on its delicious recipes with quick cook times. All your chopping, zesting and sautéeing will take less than 30 minutes and you'll have 27 different recipes to choose from each week. Family-friendly meals include Tomato Tortellini Bake, Ginger Plum Chicken and Pork Chops with Apple Rosemary Pan Sauce.
Cost: Starting at $60/week, including shipping
Online: hellofresh.com
Gobble
Say goodbye to grocery shopping, meal planning and prep and all that cleanup! Gobble shops, chops and delivers gourmet three-step recipes for one-pan cooking with zero prep required. How about picky eaters? Try Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes & Béarnaise Sauce or Crispy Chicken Sandwich & Napa Cabbage Slaw with Caraway Vinaigrette. New recipes are added weekly. What have you got to lose when it's just a one-pan cleanup?
Cost: Starting at $12/serving
Online: gobble.com
Blue Apron
Blue Apron has been part of the meal delivery game for a long time and their expertise shows. Choose among two-serving, four-serving, wellness and vegetarian menus to select the options that are right for your family. We love that the meals typically take 40 minutes or less and include kid-friendly ingredients like baked chicken and pasta, while exposing kids to different flavors like curry and chile-lime. With super easy-to-follow recipes, you can definitely get the kids involved in the cooking process.
Cost: Starting at $8/serving + $10 for shipping
Online: blueapron.com
Green Chef
Healthy eating at home is the name of the game with Green Chef. Choose from three plans: Keto + Paleo, Balanced Living and Plant-Powered. Set up your deliveries to come weekly or less frequently if you prefer. Menus change every week and you'll enjoy options like Steak & Cheddar Melts, Salmon with Creamy Chimichurri, and Creamy Baked Penne Pasta.
Cost: Starting at $12/serving + $10 for shipping
Online: greenchef.com
Veestro
How about 100% plant-based, organic, non-GMO, chef-prepared entrees, soups and juices that just show up at your front door whenever you want them to? Then look no further than this healthy bunch (bonus: they deliver nationally, too). There are no (as in zero, zilch) animal products of any kind, here, ever! Chick'n Nuggets with chipotle dipping sauce complete with veganaise will do the trick every time for your kiddos, and no one will miss the meat. Veestro food is available a la carte, in full-on Meal Packs, and they also carry a surprisingly delicious weight loss menu plan.
As with most vegetarian cuisine: most meals have nuts in them so be careful with a nut allergy, but all meals are completely dairy-free and don't contain other allergens.
Cost: Starting at $11/meal
Online: veestro.com
Yumble
What's not to love about a meal delivery service that's focused on kids? Carefully sourced fruits and veggies, and perfectly balanced, lunches, dinners and snacks from Yumble are nutritionist-approved and kid-approved, too! Choose your kid's meals for the week and they'll be delivered free to your doorstep. The Bowl of Yays Pasta with veggie marinara and the Mighty Meatballs and Veggie Chili are crowd pleasers for sure. Each box comes with new activities for kids, making mealtime a breeze for you and a joy for them.
Cost: $6-$10/meal
Online: yumblekids.com
Sunbasket
Families can enjoy Sunbasket two different ways, depending on your busy schedule. If you've got time to cook, Meal Kits are the way to go. Each scrumptious meal comes pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes; all you supply is the people power to cook it. But if you're extra short on time, you can order one of Sunbasket's Fresh & Ready meals that go from container to table in just three minutes. Hello, making it to soccer practice on time! The Meal Kits come with easy to filter options like Paleo, gluten free and vegetarian, and you can order breakfast, lunch and snacks to help with the other aspects of your busy family life too. Basically, you can go quite a long time without having to set foot in a grocery store with this to-your-door service.
Cost: Starting at $9/serving
Online: sunbasket.com
Farmbox Direct
Farmbox Direct offers various size boxes packed with seasonal, farm-fresh fresh fruits and vegetables delivered straight to your door. You select the shipment size, customize your box from there, then check your doorstep for easy monthly deliveries. Menus changed based on the season and you can stick with an all-organic box or go with a natural one. Add in a juicing box (red, orange or green) for a tasty boot, too.
Cost: Starting at $33/box
Online: farmboxdirect.com
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.
—Allison Sutcliffe & Kate Loweth with Melissa Heckscher
