Meal kits and delivery services have revolutionized the way humans buy food. Everything started when Kicki Theander launched the first meal kit service called Middagsfrid back in 2007. From there, things just straight-up snowballed into a multibillion-dollar industry as other companies adapted the business model.
For many people, meal kits are worth every penny. Although they cost a little bit more than shopping for the ingredients yourself, they provide convenience and are cheaper and healthier than fast food in exchange. While the now-defunct Peach Dish used to be our favorite service, we have scoured the services to come up with others that we think any Southerner will love. That said, here are the six best meal delivery services for anyone in the South.
1. SunBasket
If there’s anything hotter than the Southern weather, it has to be SunBasket’s tasty menus. Subscribe to the company’s meal kit delivery services to access dozens of recipes made from fresh, organic, and sustainable ingredients. On a diet? No worries. Order a custom meal plan that accommodates any dietary preferences – from paleo to vegetarian, to gluten-free, or any other diet known to man. You can even add a variety of healthy snacks to your plan so you can survive the challenge of cravings without compromising your diet. Meals start at $10.99 per serving with at least three recipes for 2 – 4 people every week. Plus, delivery is free on your first order.
Meals start at $10.99 per serving with at least three recipes for 2 – 4 people every week. Photo courtesy of Food Navigator-USA.
2. Splendid Spoon
Looking for healthy, fresh, and green yet affordable ready-to-eat meals? Then you should consider checking out Splendid Spoon. Pick a plan offering various food options like smoothies, soup bowls, grain dishes, and veggie-topped noodles. You can follow the balanced menus that select from among 50 ready-made dishes or create one of your own. Oh, almost forgot to tell you – everything is plant-based. Additionally, the ingredients come from the most honest farms in the country that grow products without artificial modification. The price per serving starts at $9.50 – $13.00, depending on your plan. Meals will be delivered in chilled boxes once a week or every two weeks, depending on your preference.
The price per serving starts at $9.50 – $13.00, depending on your plan. Photo courtesy of The Happy Arkansan.
3. ButcherBox
Alright. Not everyone can live the vegan life. Many people love digging into a hot-off-the-grill steak or savoring a succulent oven-roasted chicken. If you’re one of those people, ButcherBox exists to serve you. It’s also great for someone on a keto diet. Visit their site and shop for various meat of different cuts, which will be delivered to your door inside a large eco-friendly box. The company takes pride in supplying 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, heritage pork, and wild-caught seafood. Price per box can go as low as $129 for a classic one (ButcherBox picks the meat pieces for you) to as high as $270 for a custom box containing 18 – 26 lbs. of meat of your choosing.
Price per box can go as low as $129 for a classic one (ButcherBox picks the meat pieces for you) to as high as $270 for a custom box containing 18 – 26 lbs. of meat of your choosing. Photo courtesy of Premade Chef.
4. Freshly
Whether you can’t cook or simply don’t have the time, Freshly’s here to save the day. Just heat a ready-made meal for 3 – 5 minutes, and it’s ready for you to enjoy. Entering the industry in 2012, Freshly offers fresh, never frozen meals that don’t compromise on taste! Ingredients are locally-sourced, and in-house chefs use them to create amazing recipes. Popular dishes include steak peppercorn, spiced Dukkah chicken, and tangy turmeric Turkey bowl. The prices start at $8.99 per serving. Additionally, you can choose a plan for 4, 6, 10, or 12 meals per week – perfect for busy singles and professionals.
The prices start at $8.99 per serving. Photo courtesy of Delish.
5. Gobble
If heating up ready-made food doesn’t tickle your fancy, Gobble’s versatile meal kits come with easy-to-follow recipes. However, unlike other services, the dishes can be prepared within 10 – 15 minutes. What sorcery is this? Well, the reason behind it is quite simple. The ingredients are already prepared, from sliced meat cuts to diced veggies. All you need to do is cook! How convenient! Gobble offers plenty of options like dishes that cater to the vegan, paleo, lean, and keto diets. It even has dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, or nut-free options for those with allergies. Prices start at $11.99 per serving plus shipping. The menus rotate weekly and are delivered to your home every week.
Prices start at $11.99 per serving plus shipping. Photo courtesy of Food Navigator-USA.
6. Snap Kitchen
While other services have complicated subscription models, Snap Kitchen keeps things simple. You’ll choose from one of two basic meal plans. The 6-meal plan costs $69.99 per box or $11.67 per meal, while the 12-meal plan costs $114.99 per box or $9.58 per meal. Snap Kitchen provides healthy food choices that follow basic diet plans, such as low-carb, high-protein, vegetarian, and customized paleo. Order different meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner made from organic, hormone-free, and pasture-raised ingredients. All of Snap Kitchen’s meals are ready to eat. Just don’t forget to heat them up. What’s more amazing? The delivery is free to any state in the South!
The 6-meal plan costs $69.99 per box or $11.67 per meal, while the 12-meal plan costs $114.99 per box or $9.58 per meal. Photo courtesy of Insider.
