Feeding a family nutritious meals every night while managing busy schedules is a challenge many Australian parents face daily. Meal delivery services offer a practical solution, but finding the right one for your family can be confusing.
After testing over 40 different meal delivery services over several years, I’ve cooked hundreds of recipes to identify which services truly work for families. I’ve evaluated meal kits, ready-made meals, and specialty food boxes based on what matters most: value for money, portion sizes, kid-friendly options, convenience, and reliability.
This guide covers everything from budget-friendly options like EveryPlate to premium services like ButcherCrowd, helping you choose the perfect meal solution for your family’s needs and budget. Whether you want to cook together or just need dinner on the table fast, there’s a service here that fits your family life.
- Type: Meal Kit
- Price: $5.99 – $9.99 / serving
- Delivers To: Australia-wide
- TopFeature: Budget-friendly, simple meals for up to 6 people
- Type: Prepared Meals
- Price: $6.00 - $11.00 / serving
- Delivers To: Australia-wide
- TopFeature: Home-made meals perfect for families
- Type: Discovery Box
- Price: $25 - $30 / Box
- Delivers To: Australia-wide
- TopFeature: Ethically-sourced food discovery.
Page Contents
My Selection Criteria
When evaluating family meal delivery services for this guide, I focused on five key factors that matter most to Australian families:
Value for money was my primary consideration, looking beyond just per-meal pricing to assess portion sizes, ingredient quality, and how much additional spending might be required. As someone who watches their budget closely, I know firsthand that the “$5 per portion” advertised often becomes $8 once you add all the extras. Services like EveryPlate and Dinnerly excel here by offering genuine affordability without major quality compromises.
Portion flexibility proved crucial for families of different sizes. Nothing’s more frustrating than running out of food with hungry faces still looking expectantly at you, or conversely, having so many leftovers they take over your fridge. I prioritized services that can accommodate growing appetites and offer options for larger families, with special attention to leftover potential for busy households.
Kid-friendly options were essential. Not just in taste but presentation. Having battled through countless mealtime standoffs with my own family, I know the best services offer familiar flavors alongside opportunities to gradually expand children’s palates without mealtime battles. HelloFresh and Marley Spoon particularly shine in this category.
Convenience factors heavily influenced rankings. When you’re juggling work, school runs, and extracurricular activities, the last thing you need is a complicated meal service. I considered delivery reliability, subscription flexibility, and preparation time. Services like Dinner Ladies stand out by offering no-subscription models and long freezer shelf life for maximum flexibility.
Quality and reliability rounded out my assessment, with consistent ingredient freshness and recipe success rates being non-negotiable. There’s nothing worse than planning your week around delivered meals only to open a box of wilted vegetables or missing ingredients. Premium services like ButcherCrowd scored highly here, delivering exceptional quality that justifies their higher price points.
These criteria ensured my recommendations address the real challenges Australian families face when trying to put nutritious, enjoyable meals on the table amidst busy schedules and varying preferences.
Best Overall Value for Families: Dinnerly
After testing dozens of Dinnerly boxes since 2020, I can confidently say it offers the best overall value for Australian families. At just $5.99 per portion when ordering for a family of four, it’s significantly cheaper than eating out and even rivals supermarket shopping for convenience and cost, as I detail in my comprehensive Dinnerly review.
What Makes Dinnerly Best for Families
Dinnerly stands out for three key family-friendly advantages:
First, the price point is unbeatable for budget-conscious families. When you’re feeding multiple mouths, every dollar counts, and Dinnerly’s meals start at just $5.99 per portion for a family box with 6 weekly meals. That’s less than half the cost of most competitors.
Second, their portion flexibility works brilliantly for families of different sizes. You can order for 2 or 4 people officially, but many meals stretch further for larger families or provide leftovers for lunch the next day. I’ve found their protein portions to be surprisingly generous given the price.
Finally, their kid-friendly recipe selection is extensive. With over 100 weekly recipes to choose from, including clearly marked family-friendly options, even the pickiest eaters will find something they enjoy. Think familiar favorites like tacos, pasta bakes, and chicken schnitzels that kids actually eat.
The Service Explained
Dinnerly operates on a weekly subscription model, delivering pre-portioned ingredients with digital recipes (no paper recipe cards, which helps keep costs down). You can choose between 2-6 meals per week, with each meal taking about 30 minutes to prepare.
The menu rotates weekly but consistently offers approximately 15-20 meals marked as “family-friendly.” These typically feature milder flavors, recognizable ingredients, and presentation styles that appeal to children. Their “saver meals” option (discounted by $1-$1.50 per portion) makes an already affordable service even more budget-friendly.
One thing worth noting is that Dinnerly expects you to have some pantry staples on hand (like vinegar, soy sauce, and olive oil), which helps them keep costs down but requires a bit of planning on your part.
The Dinnerly Family Experience
What I appreciate most about Dinnerly from a family perspective is how it simplifies the entire dinner process. The pre-portioned ingredients eliminate food waste (no more half-used vegetables rotting in the fridge), and the straightforward recipes are perfect for involving older children in meal preparation.
The digital recipes are displayed in just five steps, making them less intimidating than complex cookbook instructions. This simplicity makes cooking feel manageable even on hectic weeknights when you’re juggling homework, activities, and bedtime routines.
Some families I’ve spoken with use Dinnerly as an educational tool, getting children involved in age-appropriate cooking tasks while teaching them about ingredients and meal preparation. The simplified format makes this much more accessible than traditional recipes.
Need to Know
Dinnerly delivers to most metropolitan and many regional areas across Australia, with a flat delivery fee of $9.99 regardless of box size. Their flexible subscription allows you to skip weeks anytime (with 7 days’ notice), swap recipes, or pause your subscription when life gets busy.
Pros:
- Affordability: Exceptionally affordable at $5.99-$8.49 per portion depending on box size
- Simplicity: Simple recipes with 5-6 ingredients and clear instructions
- Family-Friendly Options: Large variety of kid-approved options each week
- Flexibility: Subscription is easy to manage with skip and pause features
Cons:
- Digital-Only Recipes: No physical recipe cards (digital only via app or website)
- Additional Ingredients: Requires some pantry staples not included in the box
- Inconsistent Portions: Portion sizes can vary between different recipes
- Limited Customization: Fewer modification options compared to premium services
For families looking to save time and money while still putting home-cooked meals on the table, Dinnerly consistently delivers the best overall value in Australia’s meal delivery landscape.
Best for Freezer-Friendly, Family-Style Meals: Dinner Ladies
After testing Dinner Ladies extensively over several months, I can confidently say they stand as the gold standard for freezer friendly family meals in Australia, as I explore in my detailed Dinner Ladies review. Unlike typical ready meals, Dinner Ladies delivers home style dishes that genuinely taste like they come from your mum’s kitchen. They’re perfect for stocking your freezer with quality family dinners that can be pulled out whenever needed.
What sets Dinner Ladies apart is their approach to family meals. They handle all the time consuming cooking while you simply reheat and add finishing touches. Their menu features over 60 main meals plus sides that are snap frozen immediately after cooking. This preserves that fresh made quality with a generous 3 to 6 month shelf life.
The variety is impressive, with everything from lasagne and butter chicken to loaded veggie rice and cottage pie. Meals come in portion sizes serving 1 to 4 people depending on the dish.
Most main meals cost between $12 to $22 for a two person serving ($6 to $11 per portion). This makes them reasonably priced for the quality, though you’ll need to factor in additional sides like pasta, rice, or salad that aren’t always included.
Dinner Ladies’ commitment to quality ingredients is immediately evident. They source from free range, sustainable Australian farms, and all seafood is Australian caught.
For families with dietary concerns, they offer clear allergen labeling with options free from common allergens. They don’t guarantee against cross contamination for severe allergies, however.
The Dinner Ladies Family Experience
The family experience using Dinner Ladies is refreshingly flexible. Unlike many services, there’s no subscription required. You simply order what you want, when you want it, with a minimum order of $75 to $100 depending on your area.
This works perfectly for families who want to stock up their freezer without committing to weekly deliveries.
In my experience, the dishes consistently delivered familiar, comforting flavors that appeal to picky eaters. Portion sizes tend to run modest rather than generous.
The main cooking requirement is planning ahead for defrosting and allowing 30 to 60 minutes for reheating. The improved texture compared to microwaved meals is absolutely worth the extra time.
Dinner Ladies delivers to most major population centers across Australia. This includes all of NSW, ACT, Victoria, and metro areas in QLD, SA, and WA.
Delivery costs $10 to $15 but is free for orders over $150 to $200 depending on your location. While not the cheapest option, their long shelf life means you can take advantage of sales to stock up efficiently.
Pros:
- No Subscription: Order only when needed without recurring commitments
- Extended Storage: Long freezer life (3 to 6 months) for maximum flexibility
- Home-Style Quality: Authentic home cooking that appeals to the whole family
- Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly packaging and ethically sourced ingredients
- Quality Ingredients: Free range meats and quality Australian produce
Cons:
- Modest Portions: Serving sizes run small for big eaters
- Additional Costs: Side dishes often needed to complete meals at extra cost
- Price Point: Higher price than some alternatives but reflects quality
- Advance Planning: Requires defrosting time for best results
Best for Healthy Snacking & Food Discovery: GoodnessMe Box
After testing multiple GoodnessMe boxes over several months, I’ve found them perfect for families trying to introduce healthier snacking habits, as I detail in my GoodnessMe Box review. Their monthly discovery boxes introduce you to natural, ethically-sourced products that might otherwise fly under your radar.
What makes GoodnessMe stand out for families is their dedicated kids options. Their standard box contains 8 different health-conscious products each month, but they’ve also created specialized Kids Boxes designed with younger snackers in mind. The Kids Party Gift Box ($15.95) contains allergen-friendly treats perfect for birthdays, while their Lunchbox-Friendly Snack Box for Kids ($99) provides a month worth of school-ready options. Each kids product is carefully selected to be both nutritious and appealing to children.
The standard GoodnessMe Box costs $30 monthly, but longer subscriptions offer better value. A 3-month subscription ($87) includes free delivery, saving you over $20. Each box contains approximately $40-50 worth of retail products, making it good value even without considering the discovery aspect. They also back their service with a 10-day satisfaction guarantee on your first box.
The GoodnessMe Family Experience
What families particularly appreciate about GoodnessMe is how it makes trying healthy alternatives fun rather than a chore. Kids get excited about unboxing their own special treats, while parents appreciate the careful curation that ensures everything meets high nutritional standards. You can customize your box preferences based on dietary requirements (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan), making it suitable for families with food sensitivities.
The GoodnessMe community adds extra value through their active Facebook group where members share ideas and experiences. Their blog provides practical usage tips for unfamiliar products, helping families integrate new healthy foods into their routines. I’ve found this educational component particularly valuable for helping children understand the “why” behind healthier eating choices.
GoodnessMe delivers nationwide across Australia, with boxes typically arriving by the 2nd of each month. The company partners with Disability Services Australia for packaging, adding a social responsibility element that resonates with many families. While the standard box isn’t small enough to fit through a letterbox, they’ll leave it in your specified safe place.
Pros:
- Health Discovery: Introduces families to new nutritious products
- Kid-Specific Options: Dedicated boxes designed for children’s tastes
- Dietary Accommodation: Customizable for various food restrictions
- Community Support: Active user community sharing tips and ideas
- Educational Value: Resources help explain unfamiliar health foods
- Satisfaction Guarantee: 10-day guarantee on your first box
Cons:
- Supplemental Only: Can’t replace regular grocery shopping
- Taste Variability: Some products may not appeal to all family members
- Upfront Cost: Better value requires longer subscription commitment
Check out the GoodnessMe box from just $25Discover new health foods every month
Featured Service
Best Budget Meal Kit Alternative: EveryPlate
After testing EveryPlate multiple times since their 2020 launch, I can confidently say they offer the most affordable meal kit option for Australian families, as I explore in my full EveryPlate review. As a budget offshoot of HelloFresh, EveryPlate delivers fresh ingredients at significantly lower prices than most competitors.
EveryPlate stands out for three key family friendly features:
- First, their pricing is unbeatable, with meals starting at just $5.25 per portion when ordering for a family of four.
- Second, they cater specifically to larger families with options for up to 6 people and 6 meals per week, something most competitors don’t offer.
- Third, their recipes focus on simple, crowd pleasing meals that even picky eaters will enjoy.
The menu includes over 30 weekly recipes with around 6 vegetarian options. While this selection is smaller than some premium services, it provides enough variety to keep families satisfied. Their customization system is particularly useful, allowing you to double proteins, add meat to vegetarian dishes, or include extra vegetables for a small additional cost. This flexibility lets you keep the base price low while adapting meals to your family’s preferences.
The EveryPlate Family Experience
EveryPlate’s approach to meal preparation works wonderfully for busy families. Recipes typically take 30 minutes or less to prepare, with clear instructions that even older children can follow. The simplified cooking process makes it perfect for teaching kids basic kitchen skills without overwhelming them.
The ingredients come loose in the box rather than sorted by recipe, which requires a bit more organization but helps keep costs down. All recipe cards are included in physical form, making it easy to cook without needing a device in the kitchen. Portion sizes tend to run slightly small for bigger appetites, so families with teenagers might want to order for more people than their actual household size.
EveryPlate delivers to most areas across Australia including NSW, Victoria, ACT, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Delivery costs a flat $9.99 regardless of box size, with flexible delivery windows including overnight options that work well for busy households.
Pros:
- Exceptional Value: Most affordable meal kit in Australia at $5.25 per portion
- Large Family Options: Caters for up to 6 people, ideal for bigger households
- Simple Cooking: Kid-friendly recipes with straightforward instructions
- Customization: Flexible options to modify meals for family preferences
- Physical Instructions: Recipe cards included in every delivery
Cons:
- Limited Selection: Smaller weekly menu than premium services
- Organization Required: Ingredients not sorted by recipe in the box
- Portion Considerations: Servings may be small for teenage appetites
- Few Vegetarian Choices: Limited options for meat-free households
- Pantry Essentials: Some basic ingredients required but not included
Best for Gourmet-Quality Frozen Family Meals: Gourmet Dinner Service
After testing Gourmet Dinner Service through multiple orders, I found they provide good quality frozen meals for families seeking convenient yet upscale dining options. While similar to Dinner Ladies in concept, GDS focuses more on chef-prepared meals that aim for restaurant-style presentation and flavor.
What distinguishes Gourmet Dinner Service is their menu organization by family size. They offer individual meals, couple options, and family servings for 4-6 people. This structure works well for households with varying numbers at dinner time or those who entertain occasionally.
The menu features around 70 total options across all serving sizes, including traditional roasts, pasta dishes, and international cuisine. Pricing runs higher than many competitors, with individual meals averaging $15.50, couple portions around $23, and family meals at $38 (about $9.50 per serving). Sides cost between $3-5 per portion and are often needed to complete meals. The portions are adequate but not overly generous, and quality is generally good but varies between dishes.
The Gourmet Dinner Service Family Experience
Gourmet Dinner Service provides a convenient option for busy families seeking better quality than typical frozen meals. Each container comes clearly labeled with reheating instructions specific to that dish. Most meals retain reasonable texture and flavor when following these instructions, though results vary depending on the ingredients.
The meals can be stored in your freezer for up to six months, making them practical for those evenings when cooking isn’t feasible. I found them useful for busier weeknights, though not all dishes impressed equally. Some proteins reheat better than others, with braised meats generally performing better than roasted options.
GDS operates without requiring a subscription, which I appreciate. You can order as needed with a minimum spend of $75. They deliver to Sydney Metro, Regional NSW, Brisbane Metro, Regional QLD, Melbourne Metro, Regional VIC, and ACT. Delivery costs are on the higher side at $16.50 for standard delivery and $37.50 for express options. There’s also an additional $3.50 charge for a thermal liner and ice packs, which I’d consider essential if your delivery might sit unattended for more than an hour or two. Sydney and Brisbane residents can pick up from their warehouses to avoid delivery fees.
Pros:
- Subscription-Free: Order only when needed without commitments
- Quality Level: Superior to typical frozen meals in taste and presentation
- Flexible Portions: Options for individuals, couples, and family-sized servings
- Long Shelf Life: Up to six months freezer storage
- Nutritional Transparency: Detailed ingredient and allergen information
Cons:
- Premium Pricing: Higher cost than many competing services
- Delivery Expenses: Significant shipping fees plus thermal packaging costs
- Minimum Order: $75 requirement for any delivery
- Menu Consistency: Quality varies between different meal options
- Additional Needs: Many meals require separate sides for a complete dinner
Best for Family Engagement & Cooking Together: HelloFresh
After testing HelloFresh extensively over several years, cooking more than 50 of their recipes, I’ve found they excel at creating genuine family cooking experiences, as detailed in my full HelloFresh review. While not the cheapest option, HelloFresh provides the most comprehensive package for families who want to cook together and introduce children to new flavors and cooking skills.
What makes HelloFresh particularly suitable for family engagement is their thoughtfully designed recipe cards and pre-sorted ingredient bags. Each recipe comes with clear, step-by-step instructions printed on large, durable cards that are perfect for getting children involved. The color-coded bags make it easy for kids to help gather ingredients for each meal, creating natural opportunities for kitchen learning without the frustration of searching through cupboards.
With around 38 weekly recipes including dedicated family-friendly options, HelloFresh offers impressive variety. Their family-friendly meals typically feature familiar flavors presented in interesting ways, making them ideal for expanding children’s palates without battles at the dinner table. Portion sizes are consistently generous, often leaving enough for lunch leftovers, which is particularly valuable for hungry families. Meals are priced between $7.75-$10.41 per serving depending on your plan, plus $9.99 delivery, positioning them in the mid-to-premium price range.
The HelloFresh Family Experience
What I particularly appreciate about HelloFresh for families is how they balance complexity and simplicity. Most meals take 30-45 minutes to prepare, with clear steps that can be delegated to different family members based on age and ability. The recipes introduce children to cooking techniques and ingredients they might not otherwise experience, but break them down into manageable tasks.
Many families I’ve spoken with use HelloFresh as an educational tool, teaching children about different cuisines and cooking methods in an engaging, hands-on way. The physical recipe cards become a family cookbook that children can flip through to pick favorites or learn new skills. This tangible aspect creates a different experience than digital-only recipe services.
HelloFresh delivers to most areas across Australia, including Perth and Darwin, which sets them apart from some competitors. Their flexible subscription allows you to skip weeks anytime with 5-7 days’ notice (depending on your delivery area). While not the cheapest service, their consistent quality and family-friendly approach make them worth considering for households focused on cooking together.
Pros:
- Educational Design: Excellent recipe cards perfect for teaching cooking skills
- Organization: Color-coded ingredient bags eliminate preparation frustration
- Generous Portions: Suitable for families with growing appetites
- Wide Coverage: Delivery to all Australian states including WA and NT
- Consistent Quality: Reliable ingredients and recipe success rate
Cons:
- Higher Price Point: More expensive than budget alternatives
- Delivery Fee: Fixed $9.99 shipping cost regardless of order size
- Pantry Requirements: Some basic ingredients not included in kits
- Advance Planning: Need to select meals 5-7 days ahead
- Premium Upcharges: Some special recipes cost extra
Best Menu Variety & Dietary Flexibility: Marley Spoon
After testing Marley Spoon multiple times over several years, I can confidently recommend them for families who need dietary flexibility and menu variety. With an impressive 70+ weekly recipes to choose from, they easily offer the largest selection of any meal kit service in Australia, as I discovered during my thorough Marley Spoon review.
What makes Marley Spoon stand out for families with diverse needs is their comprehensive filtering system. Each week features at least 8 vegetarian recipes and 10+ gluten-free options, while clear allergen labeling helps families with food sensitivities navigate the menu safely. Their customization feature allows you to modify about 20% of weekly recipes by swapping proteins, adjusting portion sizes, or choosing lower-calorie alternatives, making it perfect for households with varying dietary requirements.
The quality of ingredients is consistently high, with generous portions of premium vegetables and high-quality, unprocessed meats. Their individual paper bags for each recipe’s ingredients make storage simple, though environmentally conscious families should note the additional packaging this creates. Price-wise, Marley Spoon sits in the mid-premium range at $8.49-$13.49 per serving depending on your plan, plus $10.99 delivery, making them slightly more expensive than HelloFresh but less than premium prepared meal services.
The Marley Spoon Family Experience
What I really like about Marley Spoon for families is how their big menu helps kids try new foods without the mealtime battles. Their family-friendly recipes often include familiar dishes with small twists that help children get used to different tastes bit by bit. The nutrition profile is impressive too, with meals averaging 2.8 servings of vegetables per portion and lower saturated fat content than many competitors.
The recipe cards are large and professionally designed, though I’ve noticed some inconsistencies with cooking instructions. Most recipes take 30-45 minutes to prepare, with clear step-by-step guidance that makes it possible for older children to help with meal preparation. Their mobile app also makes it easy to manage your subscription and browse recipes, providing a convenient way to involve children in the meal selection process.
Marley Spoon delivers to most areas across Australia, including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, and Darwin, though rural coverage may be limited. Their flexible subscription allows you to skip weeks or cancel anytime with 7 days’ notice. While not the cheapest option, their extensive menu and quality ingredients make them worth considering for families dealing with dietary restrictions or food preferences.
Pros:
- Menu Variety: Largest weekly selection (70+ recipes) in Australia
- Dietary Flexibility: Excellent filtering for various nutritional needs
- Ingredient Quality: Premium, fresh produce and proteins
- Customization Options: Ability to modify many recipes for family preferences
- Nutritional Profile: Strong focus on vegetable content and balanced meals
Cons:
- Price Premium: Slightly more expensive than some competitors
- Higher Delivery Cost: $10.99 shipping fee
- Recipe Clarity: Instructions sometimes need adjustment
- Navigation Challenges: Large menu can be overwhelming to browse
- Additional Charges: Premium recipes incur extra fees be overwhelming to browse. Premium recipes incur additional charges.
Best for High-Quality, Ethically Sourced Meat: ButcherCrowd
After testing ButcherCrowd for several months, I found it ideal for families who care about meat quality and teaching kids about sustainable food, as I detail in my full ButcherCrowd review. Unlike supermarket options, ButcherCrowd offers premium cuts that are 100% grass fed, free range, and raised without hormones or antibiotics.
ButcherCrowd keeps things simple with two options: a Small Box (feeds 2 to 3 people with 8 products) or a Large Box (feeds 4 to 5 people with 16 products), delivered monthly. Though they offer pre curated boxes, building your own custom selection gives better value. Their range includes beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and seafood, with plenty of family friendly options like sausages, burger patties, and easy cook cuts.
The quality stands out immediately compared to supermarket meat. The colors look better, the texture feels different, and most importantly, the flavor is much richer. This means simpler family cooking with less need for heavy seasoning. Price wise, expect to pay roughly double what you would at Coles or Woolies. A Small Custom Box costs $169/month and a Large Custom Box is $279/month, working out to about $5 to $6 per portion across a month.
The ButcherCrowd Family Experience
ButcherCrowd helps create good conversations about food sources. The clear labeling makes it easy to talk with kids about why this meat looks and tastes different from supermarket options, teaching them about better food choices naturally.
The service works best for families already comfortable in the kitchen. ButcherCrowd doesn’t include recipes or cooking instructions with deliveries, which is their main weakness. When paying premium prices for great meat, some guidance would help busy parents make the most of it.
ButcherCrowd delivers nationwide with free shipping, a rare perk among meat services. The meat comes frozen in an insulated box with ice packs and stays cold for several hours. Though they don’t offer next day options, the quality justifies the wait. Their subscription lets you change your box contents each month or skip deliveries when needed.
Pros:
- Exceptional Quality: Premium meat far superior to supermarket options
- Free Shipping: Nationwide delivery at no additional cost
- Ethical Sourcing: Transparent farming practices and animal welfare standards
- Subscription Flexibility: Easy to modify or skip deliveries
- Family-Friendly Options: Good variety of kid-approved cuts and products
Cons:
- Premium Pricing: Approximately double supermarket meat costs
- No Cooking Guidance: Limited recipe support or preparation instructions
- Delivery Limitations: No next-day or specific time delivery options
- Storage Requirements: Needs significant freezer space
- Not Plant-Based Friendly: Not suitable for families reducing meat consumption.
My Hands-On Testing Process
For this family meal delivery comparison, I personally tested each service for at least 2-4 weeks, ordering multiple boxes to gauge consistency. With meal kits like HelloFresh, Dinnerly, EveryPlate, and Marley Spoon, I cooked at least 12 different recipes from each service, evaluating how well they worked for family mealtimes. For prepared meal services like Dinner Ladies and Gourmet Dinner Service, I tested a minimum of 8 different meals to assess variety and quality.
I paid particular attention to factors that matter most to families: portion sizes for growing appetites, kid-friendly flavor profiles, flexibility for picky eaters, and how well the services accommodated common allergens and dietary restrictions. I also considered the educational value of each service – whether they encouraged children to participate in meal preparation or taught them about nutrition and food sources.
Value assessment went beyond simple per-meal pricing. I factored in delivery costs, the need for additional ingredients, and how much time each service saved compared to traditional grocery shopping and meal preparation. Where possible, I also collected feedback from other families to supplement my personal experience.
All testing was conducted as a regular paying customer without the companies knowing they were being reviewed, ensuring the experience matches what you’ll receive. I did not accept any free products or compensation from these companies for inclusion in this guide, allowing me to provide truly unbiased recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which meal delivery service is most affordable for large families?
EveryPlate offers the most budget-friendly option for large families, with meals starting at just $5.25 per portion when ordering for 4-6 people. They’re the only service that caters specifically to families with up to 6 members, which can significantly reduce your per-meal cost. Dinnerly comes in as a close second at $5.99 per portion for family-sized boxes. Both services keep costs down by using simpler recipes, digital recipe cards, and minimal packaging compared to premium services.
Can I accommodate multiple dietary requirements with these services?
Marley Spoon offers the best flexibility for families with varied dietary needs, with clear filtering for allergens and over 70 weekly recipes. Their customization options allow you to modify many meals by swapping proteins or removing certain ingredients. For families with severe allergies, however, it’s important to note that most meal kit services prepare ingredients in facilities where allergens are present. GoodnessMe Box is the safest option for families with serious allergies, as they specifically curate boxes for different dietary requirements.
How do these services compare to regular grocery shopping for families?
When comparing costs to grocery shopping, meal kits typically cost about 30% more than buying the same ingredients yourself. However, the convenience factor is significant for busy families – no meal planning, no shopping trips, and precisely measured ingredients that eliminate food waste. Ready-made meals from services like Dinner Ladies and Gourmet Dinner Service cost more but save significant preparation time. Many families find the extra cost worthwhile for the time saved, reduced food waste, and elimination of “what’s for dinner” stress throughout the week.
Can children help prepare meals from these delivery services?
HelloFresh offers the most child-friendly cooking experience with clear, step-by-step recipe cards and color-coded ingredient bags that make it easy for kids to participate. Their recipes often include tasks appropriate for different age groups. EveryPlate also provides physical recipe cards with straightforward instructions suitable for older children to follow. Prepared meal services like Dinner Ladies require minimal preparation but offer fewer opportunities for kitchen learning. For very young children, the discovery experience of unboxing a GoodnessMe Box can be a fun way to introduce them to new healthy foods.
Making Your Choice
Choosing the right meal delivery service depends on your family’s specific needs. Here’s a quick guide to help you find your best match:
For Budget-Conscious Large Families
If you’re feeding 4-6 people on a budget, EveryPlate is your best option. Their large family boxes offer the lowest per-portion cost ($5.25) and simple, crowd-pleasing recipes. Dinnerly is a good alternative with more variety.
For Families with Dietary Restrictions
If you’re juggling multiple dietary needs, Marley Spoon offers the most flexibility with 70+ weekly options and customization features. For serious allergies, consider GoodnessMe Box as they specifically cater to dietary requirements with carefully curated products.
For Families Short on Time
When cooking from scratch isn’t feasible, Dinner Ladies provides excellent freezer-friendly meals that maintain quality and flavor. They’re perfect for stocking your freezer for hectic weeks, with no subscription required.
For Families Wanting to Cook Together
If teaching cooking skills is important, HelloFresh offers the most engaging experience with clear recipe cards and pre-sorted ingredients that make it easy for children to participate in meal preparation.
For Families Seeking Premium Quality
If you prioritize ethically sourced, high-quality ingredients, ButcherCrowd delivers exceptional meat products that elevate simple family meals, while Gourmet Dinner Service provides restaurant-quality prepared meals for special occasions.
Whatever your situation, starting with a shorter subscription gives you flexibility to try different services until you find your perfect match. Most services offer substantial first-time customer discounts, making it affordable to experiment until you find the right fit for your family.
