Cooking for one is a weird little sport. Recipes assume you’re feeding a small village. Grocery stores sell produce in “bundles” the size of your forearm.
And somehow you still end up eating cereal over the sink like a raccoon with a job.

That’s why meal delivery services can be a game-changer for single people: less food waste, fewer “what’s for dinner?” spirals, and a much lower chance
you’ll accidentally build a second refrigerator ecosystem out of forgotten spinach.

This guide rounds up eight of the best meal delivery services for singles in 2024based on expert testing and reviews from major U.S. food, lifestyle, and
wellness publications (plus plan details straight from the companies). You’ll get a mix of meal kits (you cook) and prepared meals
(you heat), because singles aren’t a monolith: some of us want “quick sauté,” and some of us want “quick microwave and emotionally recover.”

What singles should look for in a meal delivery service

• True flexibility: easy skipping, pausing, and changing meal counts week to week.
• Portion strategy: either single-serving meals or 2-serving kits that reheat well as tomorrow’s lunch.
• Low-waste wins: fewer leftover ingredients you’ll never use again (sorry, “half bunch of cilantro”).
• Menu variety: enough weekly choices that you don’t feel stuck in Chicken Bowl Purgatory.
• Budget clarity: realistic per-meal pricing, shipping fees, and “premium meal” upcharges.
• Diet alignment: filters for vegetarian, vegan, keto, high-protein, calorie-conscious, gluten-free, etc.

How these picks were chosen (the “tested by experts” part)

Multiple outlets have run hands-on tests where editors (and sometimes dietitians or trained reviewers) cooked through weeks of menus, judged taste,
recipe clarity, packaging, and value, and compared dozens of services side-by-side. For this article, I synthesized findings from reputable U.S. sources
that published meal delivery roundups and service reviews around 2024, then cross-checked plan formats (servings, meal counts, and how each service
works) using company documentation where appropriate.

Translation: you’re getting the services that performed well in real-world testingthen filtered through the very specific “single-person reality” lens:
leftovers, scheduling chaos, and the eternal question of whether you want to cook or simply be fed.

At-a-glance comparison for singles

8 best meal delivery services for singles in 2024

1) CookUnity Best overall prepared meals for singles

If your ideal cooking method is “open fridge, be impressed,” CookUnity is the move. It’s a prepared-meal service with chef-crafted dishes that lean
more “restaurant menu” than “microwave sadness,” and reviewers praise the variety and bold flavors.

• Type: Fully prepared, single-serving meals (heat and eat).
• Why singles love it: No ingredient leftovers, no prep mess, and you can order a manageable number of meals per week.
• Plan notes: Typically choose a weekly meal count (often 4–16) and select from a large rotating menu. Delivery fees may apply and can vary by location.
• Good fit if: You’re replacing takeout, you travel randomly, or you want “real dinner” without a sink full of pans.

2) Hungryroot Best for picky eaters and “grocery + meal plan” people

Hungryroot is the service for anyone who hates rigid meal kits but still wants structure. It’s part grocery delivery, part meal planner: you tell it your
preferences, then it recommends recipes and sends ingredients (often quick-cook proteins, sauces, grains, and produce) that assemble fast.

• Type: Hybrid (groceries + recipe-based meals).
• Why it works for singles: You can stock breakfast, snacks, and quick dinners in one shipmentgreat when you’re feeding exactly one person with unpredictable cravings.
• Time reality: Many meals are more “mix, heat, and toss together” than full-on cooking.
• Good fit if: You want flexibility, you snack like it’s a hobby, or you’d rather customize than follow strict recipe cards.

3) Factor Best for high-protein, low-effort eating

Factor is a prepared-meal service built for people who want nutrition-forward meals without lifting a knife. Meals arrive chilled and are designed to be
heated quickly, with menu categories that commonly include options like high-protein, calorie-conscious, and keto-style choices.

• Type: Prepared, single-serving meals.
• Why singles love it: It’s basically “lunch you don’t have to think about,” which is half the battle when you’re solo.
• Plan notes: You pick a weekly meal quantity (commonly a range like 6–18), then choose meals from the weekly menu.
• Heads-up: As with many prepared meals, texture can be hit-or-miss depending on the dishchoose roasted or saucy meals over anything that needs crispness.

4) HelloFresh Best for beginners (and anyone who needs dinner training wheels)

HelloFresh is the classic “meal kit that makes you feel like you have your life together.” It’s widely reviewed for being approachable: clear recipe cards,
pre-portioned ingredients, and lots of mainstream crowd-pleasers.

• Type: Meal kit (you cook).
• Why it works for singles: Order 2-serving meals, eat one portion for dinner, and pack the other for tomorrow’s lunch. Boom: you just meal-prepped without consenting.
• Plan notes: Options commonly allow choosing meals per week and serving size (often ranging up to larger household sizes).
• Good fit if: You want variety, you’re learning basic cooking skills, or you’re trying to cut takeout without becoming a full-time chef.

5) Home Chef Best for customization and low-prep formats

Home Chef often ranks highly for variety and flexibility, and it’s especially useful for singles because you can pick different prep styles in the same week:
classic kits, faster options, oven-ready trays, and other simplified formats depending on what your schedule looks like.

• Type: Meal kit (with multiple prep styles).
• Singles-friendly perk: You can stay consistent (meal kits) or “cheat” with low-prep meals when life gets messywithout switching services.
• Plan notes: Standard meals are often available in 2-serving increments, and some family-style options come in larger serving sizes (not always ideal for solo households unless you love leftovers).
• Good fit if: You want control, you like swapping proteins, or you get bored eating the same thing three days in a row.

6) Blue Apron Best for foodies who want to learn (without culinary school debt)

Blue Apron is a strong pick if you actually enjoy the cooking partor want to get better at it. Reviews often highlight flavorful recipes, interesting sauces,
and a slightly more “intentional” vibe than ultra-basic kits.

• Type: Meal kit (and the brand has offered some low-prep/ready options).
• Singles strategy: Choose 2-serving meals and plan your second portion as lunch, or freeze components when possible (soups and stews are your best friends).
• Cost reality: Per-portion pricing typically drops as you order more meals per week; shipping fees may apply.
• Good fit if: You want elevated recipes, you like cooking techniques, or you’re trying to break the “same three dinners forever” loop.

7) Sunbasket Best for health-focused singles (including true single-serve meals)

Sunbasket stands out because it has options for both cooks and non-cooks. In addition to traditional meal kits, it’s known for offering single-serving
prepared meals that are designed to heat quicklyhelpful when you want healthy food without turning your evening into a project.

• Type: Meal kits + prepared single-serving meals.
• Why singles love it: You can choose single-serve prepared meals when you’re busy, then switch to meal kits when you feel motivated.
• Diet filters: Often marketed around health-forward plans and ingredient standards, with menu filters for multiple dietary preferences.
• Good fit if: You want “healthier than takeout” with minimal decision-makingand you appreciate having a true one-person option.

8) Purple Carrot Best plant-based meal delivery for singles

Purple Carrot is a go-to for people who want plant-based meals that don’t feel like punishment. Reviews consistently call out creative, globally inspired
vegan recipes, and the service has offered both meal kits and ready-to-eat mealsso you can cook when you want and coast when you don’t.

• Type: Plant-based meal kits + prepared meals.
• Singles-friendly perk: 2-serving kits make great dinner + lunch combos, and ready-to-eat options can cover your “I cannot cook today” moments.
• Good fit if: You’re vegan, vegetarian-curious, or just trying to eat more plants without living on hummus.
• Heads-up: Like many meal services, packaging can be substantialworth considering if you’re trying to reduce waste.

How to pick the right service if you live alone

Start with your honest “energy level”

If you’re regularly exhausted after work, a prepared-meal service (CookUnity or Factor) will probably deliver more value than a meal kit you guilt-stare
at for five days. If you actually like cookingor you’re trying to build the habitHelloFresh, Home Chef, Blue Apron, and Purple Carrot are better fits.

Decide your leftovers philosophy

Some singles love leftovers because it’s basically free lunch. Others would rather eat a pinecone than the same meal twice. If you’re in the second group,
prioritize single-serving prepared meals, or choose services with lots of menu variety so your “leftover lunch” rotates enough to feel new.

Be realistic about fridge space

Prepared meals take up room. Meal kits take up room in a different, more chaotic way. Before you order 12 meals, make sure you’re not about to play
refrigerator Tetris on expert mode.

Money-saving tips singles actually use

• Use “2-serving meals” as intentional meal prep: pick dinners that reheat well (bowls, pastas, curries, chili).
• Rotate weeks: do meal delivery for busy weeks, then pause when your schedule calms down.
• Prioritize value meals: use premium upgrades sparingly; let your “normal” meals carry the week.
• Plan delivery timing: schedule boxes for when you’ll actually be home so ingredients don’t sit outside auditioning for a science experiment.
• Pick one “wild card” meal per week: keep things interesting without ordering an entire week of risky experiments.

FAQ: meal delivery for singles

Are meal delivery services worth it for one person?

They can beespecially if you’re spending a lot on takeout, wasting groceries, or losing time to meal planning. Prepared meals cost more than cooking from
scratch, but you’re often paying for convenience, portion control, and fewer wasted ingredients.

Is a meal kit or prepared meals better for singles?

Prepared meals win for speed and zero waste. Meal kits win for freshness, cooking skill-building, and that “I made this!” glow. Many singles do both:
prepared meals for hectic weeks, kits for calmer weeks.

How many meals per week should a single person order?

A common sweet spot is 3–5 dinners per week, especially if you’re using 2-serving kits as lunch the next day. If you’re starting out,
try fewer meals first so you can learn how quickly you actually eat them.

Singles’ field notes: a 500-word “what it’s like” experience section

Based on expert testing write-ups and how solo diners typically use these services, the experience usually goes something like this:

Week one starts with optimism. You choose a few meals that feel “responsible adult”maybe a chicken-and-grain bowl, a pasta situation,
and something with the word “chimichurri” because you deserve culture. Your box arrives and suddenly your kitchen feels like a tiny cooking show set.
Everything is labeled. Nothing is mysterious. You’re briefly convinced you’ve been underestimating yourself.

Then reality kicks in: cooking for one isn’t hard, but cooking for one consistently can be. That’s where singles tend to develop survival tactics.
With meal kits, the most popular tactic is the two-for-one move: eat one serving for dinner, pack the second as lunch, and enjoy the smug
satisfaction of “meal prepping” without spending Sunday portioning quinoa like you’re training for the Olympics.

By midweek, you learn what reheats well. Saucy meals, bowls, and stews are heroes. Anything meant to be crispy is a gamble. You also learn
that some recipes claim 25 minutes the way movies claim “based on a true story.” (Possible? Sure. Likely? Depends on whether you can chop an onion without
emotionally processing it.)

If you’re using prepared meals, the experience is less “chef” and more “strategist.” You start planning your week like a calm, well-fed chess player:
heavier meals for workout days, lighter meals for late nights, and one comfort meal reserved for the day your inbox tries to fight you. The best prepared
services feel like they were designed for solo life: single-serving trays, straightforward instructions, and the glorious absence of leftover ingredients.
No half-used sour cream packet staring into your soul.

By week two, most singles get picky in a good way. You stop ordering meals that sound aspirational and start ordering meals that match your
actual schedule. If you travel, you pause shipments. If you know you’ll be slammed, you choose faster options. If you’re bored, you pick one “wild card”
recipe and keep the rest comforting and familiar. And the biggest surprise? The service isn’t just about foodit’s about removing friction. Less planning,
fewer grocery trips, and fewer nights when dinner becomes an emergency decision.

Eventually, you land on your personal ideal setup: maybe prepared meals for three days, two meal kits for nights you want to cook, and one “free night”
for social plans or leftovers. Not perfect. Just workable. Which, for a single-person kitchen, is basically excellence.

Conclusion

The best meal delivery service for singles is the one that matches your real lifenot your “new year, new me” fantasy life. If you want maximum convenience,
go prepared (CookUnity or Factor). If you want structure plus flexibility, Hungryroot can feel like a personal grocery assistant. If you want to cook without
planning, meal kits like HelloFresh, Home Chef, and Blue Apron make it easy. And if you’re leaning plant-based, Purple Carrot and Sunbasket bring variety
without turning dinner into a lecture.

Start small, learn what you actually eat, and let the service flex around your schedule. Your future selfstanding in front of an open fridge at 9:11 p.m.will thank you.