Food Shopping and Storing Best Meal Delivery Services for Singles Dinner for one just got a whole lot simpler By Tori Martinet Tori Martinet Tori Martinet, MS, RD, is a licensed registered dietitian based in Indiana who works with corporate clients, individuals, and athletes. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 8, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Claudia Totir / Getty Images It may sound like a small task, but cooking for one can be even more cumbersome than cooking for a crowd. Not only are most recipes designed for larger quantities, meaning leftovers on repeat or wasted food, but the workload of planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning all falls solely on your shoulders. Luckily, the meal delivery industry has blossomed with a bounty of ways to support singles. There are plenty of options to accommodate numerous dietary restrictions, fresh and frozen meals for the shelf life of your choosing, and even price points for varied budgets. After testing out the top meal kits in the marketplace, we chose these as our picks for the best meal delivery services for singles. Best Meal Delivery Services for Singles of 2023 Best Variety: CookUnity Best for Keto: Factor Best Oven-Ready: Tovala Best Plant-Based: Mosaic Best Budget: Daily Harvest Best Gluten Free: Epicured Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen Best Organic: Sunbasket Best Variety: CookUnity Cook Unity Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.09 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Our testers loved stocking their fridge for the week with the flavors, variety, and quality of their favorite restaurants—but on a better budget. Pros and Cons Pros Meals are fresh and ready to be heated Chef-driven selections Large menu of options Cons No customization Overview CookUnity is truly the peak of the meal delivery options for singles, giving the best of both worlds where meal prep meets takeout from your favorite restaurants. With a chef collective designing the menus, emphasis on variety and global flavors, plus the attention to dietary accommodations, there’s a lot to love here. CookUnity’s individual portions of fresh food make it a perfect fit for singles who want to streamline mealtimes without sacrificing on the experience. Pricing and Plans 4 meals per week: $13.59 per meal6 meals per week: $12.29 per meal8 meals per week: $11.69 per meal12 meals per week: $11.19 per meal16 meals per week: $11.09 per meal Meals We Tried Coconut lime hanger steakCarnitas street tacosButternut squash ravioliChili roasted shrimp Best for Keto: Factor Factor Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Factor specializes in keto-friendly menus that are big on flavor and low on effort. Pros and Cons Pros Dietitian-approved menus Easy, ready-to-heat meals Designed to be keto friendly Cons Higher price point Few plant-based options Overview While not all meals from Factor will be appropriate for folks on the keto diet, much of its menu (including a meal plan) is dedicated to this diet. Meals are all single-serving, fresh, and ready to heat, making it a convenient option that also happens to be made with responsibly sourced ingredients. We also love that dietitians are not only involved in the meal creation process but are also available to meet with customers on request. Pricing and Plans 4 meals per week: $60 ($15 per meal)6 meals per week: $77 ($12.83 per meal)8 meals per week: $98 ($12.38 per meal)12 meals per week: $138 ($11.50 per meal)18 meals per week: $198 ($11 per meal) Meals We Tried Mango salsa salmon with coconut rice and black beansCreamy Parmesan chicken with broccoli and tomatoesVegetable ratatouille with mascarpone polentaSmoked tofu almond stir-fry with edamame succotash Best Oven-Ready: Tovala Tovala Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $9.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Our testers were pleasantly surprised at the big flavors that came out of this mini countertop oven. Pros and Cons Pros Minimal effort Hot and fresh meals Oven can be used for other purposes Cons Cost of oven Few diets accommodated Overview If you’re yearning for a home-cooked meal but don’t want to do the legwork, look no further than Tovala. Simply pluck your single-serving box of ingredients from the fridge, do about two minutes of easy prep, and scan your recipe barcode on your Tovala smart oven so this incredible piece of technology can do the rest. Within about 20 minutes, you’ll have a piping hot meal cooked to perfection and ready for you to enjoy. Pricing and Plans Meals from Tovala start at $9.99 per serving and can be purchased in increments of four to 16 servings per week. Pricing varies based on the meals selected, and, of course, the cost of the oven is not included. Tovala’s smart oven is priced at $299 but is typically reduced dramatically for first-time users. Meals We Tried BBQ pulled pork, jalapeño cheddar cornbread, and cabbage slaw Sausage supreme flatbread with crunchy veggie salad in balsamic vinaigrette Truffle duxelles filet mignon and “double baked” scallion mashed potatoes with bacon, cheddar, and sour cream Chashu-inspired pork chop and noodles with soy sesame dressing, scallions, and crunchy veggies Best Plant-Based: Mosaic Mosaic Foods Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: Major metro areas on East and West CoastsProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Mosaic gave our testers an exciting approach to plant-focused eating with none of the shelf life concerns. Pros and Cons Pros Vegan and vegetarian options Chef-inspired menus Ready in minutes Cons Somewhat limited delivery area Overview Mosaic is focused on delivering high-quality, meatless meals to tempt your taste buds. With seasonal ingredients, chef collabs, and a menu of meals that are ready in minutes, we think this service is nailing it. Options include veggie bowls, pizzas, smoothies, soups, oat bowls, and Mosaic+ chef collab dishes. Meals are mostly individual servings, but some fan favorites, like buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese, are available in a multi-serving family size, making this ideal for singles who want to entertain—or who just want the leftovers. Pricing and Plans Smoothies: $7.99Pizzas: $11.99Veggie bowls: $9.99Soups: $8.99Oat bowls: $5.99Mosaic+ chef-crafted meals: $11.99Family meals (4 servings): $19.95 Meals We Tried Spicy dan dan noodlesBuffalo cauliflower pasta bake (family size)Mac and greensPozole verdeVeggie kebab platterCoconut chickpea curry Best Budget: Daily Harvest Daily Harvest Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $6.79 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Daily Harvest makes it easy to stock up on health-focused meals while keeping total spending and food waste in check. Pros and Cons Pros High-quality ingredients Plant-based menu Fully frozen for extended shelf life Cons Can be small portions Meals cannot be customized Overview For the budget-conscious singles, we love that Daily Harvest gives you a freezer stocked with flavorful and produce-filled options, so you’ll never have to throw away that untouched bag of spinach again. Whether you want the brand’s signature smoothies or savory entrées like harvest bakes, bowls, soups, and flatbreads, Daily Harvest has you covered. Singles can take full advantage of the volume discounts by ordering more without worrying they’ll go bad. Pricing and Plans Per-Item Pricing Forager Bowls: $6.79Smoothies & Soups: $8.49Scoops: $8.99Harvest Bowls & Flatbreads: $9.79Harvest Bake: $11.99 Volume Discounts 9-11 items: $5 discount12-23 items: $10 discount24-26 items: $25 discount Meals We Tried Mint and cacao smoothieMango papaya smoothieHazelnut and chocolate bitesTomatillo and pepper flatbreadPortobello and pesto flatbreadSweet potato and wild rice hashBrussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowlSpinach and shiitake gritsTomato and zucchini minestrone soup Best Gluten Free: Epicured Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.29 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Epicured adheres to strict standards for gluten-free dining while enlisting chefs to craft menus full of mouthwatering dishes. Pros and Cons Pros Always gluten free and low-FODMAP Chef-driven menus Meals are fresh and ready to go Cons Price point varies widely Fixed menu Overview While Epicured’s meals are geared toward folks following specialty diets for gluten-free and low-FODMAP protocols, the food is no less delicious than what you’d expect from any meal delivery service. We love that the meals are all fresh and flavorful and that certain menu items can even be customized with the protein of your choice. While the menu is more on the static side, you’ll find a wide range of options there, from comfort favorites like macaroni and cheese and pad Thai to gorgeous seasonal salads and entrées. Pricing and Plans Pricing depends on whether you purchase à la carte meals or as a part of a bundle, which garners about a five percent discount. Favorite Bundle (11 items): $94.12Freezer Filler Bundle (14 items): $121.40Comfort Bundle (11 items): $132.28 Meals We Tried Vietnamese rice noodles Pad Thai with chickenSesame-crusted grilled salmonPulled BBQ chicken Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen Magic Kitchen Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Our tester team loved the convenience factor of premade meals combined with the senior-friendly diet accommodations. Pros and Cons Pros Plans for many dietary needs Meals come ready to heat Dedicated senior-friendly meals Cons Shipping can be costly Overview Magic Kitchen simplifies the weekly meal planning process beautifully for single seniors. This service makes life easy with plenty of medically necessary diet accommodations like low carb and renal and dialysis friendly, plus coverage for all meals including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and desserts. Meals arrive frozen and ready to be heated in just a few minutes so there’s no cooking, no cleanup, and no need to worry about spoilage. Pricing and Plans Meals come in around $10 to $14 each and vary based on the meal plan you select, or if you purchase à la carte. Meals We Tried Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinachBeef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blendBalsamic-glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beansChili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets Best Organic: Sunbasket Sunbasket Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $9.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh and Frozen Why You Should Try It In testing, we loved the ease of going organic with Sunbasket across all types of meals, whether we chose kits, prepared meals, or grocery items. Pros and Cons Pros Organic and sustainably sourced ingredients Extensive menu with global flavors Meal kits, prepared options, and grocery items available Cons Limited leftovers Can be pricey Overview Sunbasket is a no-brainer when it comes to organic and sustainably sourced meals, and this service has a surprising amount of variety to choose from. Whether you want to stock up on weekday staples for your fridge and pantry, single-serving prepared meals, or cook-it-yourself kits with prepped ingredients, Sunbasket has it all. The service is so customizable, with so many flavor profiles to choose from, you can truly use Sunbasket for the long haul without getting bored. Pricing and Plans Meal Kits: start at $11.49 per serving (price varies depending on selection)Fresh & Ready Meals: start at $9.99 per serving (price varies depending on selection) Meals We Tried Meal Kits Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinachSnapper with romesco, vegetables, and almondsBurmese chicken and sweet potato currySirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa Prepared Meals Broccoli mac and cheeseChicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlicBeef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetablesBurrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef Compare the Best Meal Delivery Services for Singles Company Starting Price Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping CookUnity Best Variety $11.09 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Factor Best for Keto $11 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Tovala Best Oven-Ready $9.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Mosaic Best Plant-Based $7.99 per serving Major Metro Areas East and West Coasts Frozen Yes No Daily Harvest Best Budget $6.79 per serving 48 states Frozen Yes No Epicured Best Gluten Free $10.29 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Magic Kitchen Best for Seniors $10 per serving 48 states Frozen Yes No Sunbasket Best Organic $9.99 per serving 48 states Fresh and Frozen Yes No How to Choose the Best Meal Delivery Service for Singles Factors to Consider When Choosing a Meal Delivery Service for Singles Price/Cost per Meal: Managing a food budget when cooking for one can be really tough, which is why meal delivery services can provide relief. Set pricing per meal is a known factor going in, as opposed to the varied cost of groceries, and with our favorite kits starting under seven dollars per serving, the cost of eating can be more manageable. Number of Meals per Delivery: Delivery minimums usually start around four meals per shipment. This often equates to two servings of two meals per week for meal kits or four single-serve dishes for prepared meals. Flexibility: Prepared meal options, while convenient, are less likely to be customizable. However, there is some ability to customize meals with services that offer kits, like Sunbasket, where proteins can be substituted. Menu Selection: Most meal delivery services have either a weekly rotating menu, which may be smaller but is still likely to have 20 or more options, or a more static menu that’s likely to have 100+ options. Either way, there’s a lot to choose from with most services. Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: Some meal delivery services are geared toward specific nutritional needs, such as a gluten-free or a diabetic diet, while others may accommodate certain allergens. Most services will capture some nutritional needs, but it’s best to review a service for your own requirements before committing. Who Should Consider a Meal Delivery Service for Singles? If you’ve ever felt burdened or inconvenienced by the task of cooking for one, meal delivery services are worth a shot. There are plenty of premade meal options to choose from, and even if you prefer to do some cooking of your own, there are meal kits with pre-prepped ingredients that can make life easier and give you a break from all the leftovers. Frequently Asked Questions Which Meal Delivery Service Is the Easiest to Prepare? When it comes to ease, meal delivery services with freshly prepared meals cannot be beat. While these may not have the shelf life of frozen options, they can often be eaten as is or after heating for a matter of minutes. Not far behind are the frozen counterparts, which also typically just require minutes in the microwave. You can’t beat either option for convenience or simplicity. Are Meal Delivery Services a Budget-Friendly Option for Singles? Meal delivery services are great for staying on budget, especially for singles who find themselves prone to eating out or ordering in. These services are, on the whole, less expensive per meal than restaurant food and often match the quality with more variation and the ability to accommodate special diets. Are Meal Delivery Services a Healthy Option for Singles? Meal delivery services are a great way for singles to prioritize health and wellness. Most meal delivery services that we recommend for singles have plenty of choices that include health-promoting ingredients like lean proteins and plant-filled sides, while never skimping on flavor. Do Meal Delivery Services Help With Meal Planning? Instead of spending hours tracking down recipes each week only to go to the grocery store and realize you forgot your list, meal delivery services present you with a robust weekly menu where you simply click a few buttons, and everything you need for your week’s meals is delivered right to you. Methodology In order to provide you with the best in the industry, we asked a team of experts to order, cook, and evaluate over 40 different meal delivery kits and services. Companies were evaluated on over 50 individual criteria based on ingredient quality, recipe viability, sustainability, pricing, customer experience, and nutrition components. After crunching the data, we were left with a data-driven rating for each company and an evidence-based foundation for which services we recommend as the best. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Related Articles Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Best Organic Meal Delivery Services Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Services Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services Best Kids Meal Delivery Services Best Fitness Meal Delivery Services Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Best Frozen Meal Delivery Services The Best Meal Delivery Services That Make Cooking at Home Easier Than Ever Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services Best Baby Food Delivery Services Best Meat Delivery Services Dinnerly vs. EveryPlate: Comparing Two Top Budget Meal Delivery Services Dinnerly Review Best Meat Subscription Boxes Hungryroot Review: Is This Popular Meal Kit Service Worth the Hype? 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