7 best meal kits to inspire you in the kitchen, according to our experts

Score: 93/100

We’re big fans of Gousto here at the Good Housekeeping Institute; reliable delivery, slick app ordering and straightforward, seasonal recipes — what’s not to like?

Each recipe is broken down into simple steps, with hearty portions (often leaving enough for leftover lunches!). Our panel recently tried a selection of new dishes, including the salmon with spicy stir-fried greens, and the flavour bomb Indonesian-style chicken with mushroom rice – all of which provided a vibrant variety of fresh veggies, healthy carbs and large portions of protein.

The smoky basa traybake in rojo mojo (a spicy, garlicky, red sauce that originated in the Canary Islands) proved to be a particular highlight. And as it wasn’t something we’d ordinarily knock up on a weeknight, it successfully re-energised our cooking mojo!

For 2025, Gousto is aiming to help people eat healthily with their "Thrive ‘25" range. Think veg-packed, high-protein dishes that can be ready in as little as 10 minutes.

What’s more, the added convenience of being able to rate and repeat favourite recipes and skip a box when you’re on holiday is a real plus.

Score: 84/100

The premise of Simply Cook is just that – simple. Rather than provide you with boxes of perishable ingredients, you receive four recipe pastes, rubs, marinades and spice blends, straight to your letterbox.

Overall, our panel loved the ability to experiment with different cuisines and flavours, while also having the flexibility to choose their protein and veggies.

Simply Cook is also great for cutting down on food waste, giving customers the chance to try new recipes without forking out for an entire jar of tamarind paste, for example.

If you’re looking to expand your repertoire but don’t fancy the set menu format, this is the recipe box for you.

Score: 83/100

Green Chef bills itself as the recipe box for healthy eating. There are 37 recipes to select from each week, across seven dietary preferences — flexitarian, high-protein, pescatarian, vegetarian, keto, low-carb and vegan.

Our testers rustled up the keto-friendly bun-less beef burger with avocado salad, which was ready in just six steps. And while there weren't any leftovers, the British mince was good quality, and overall the dish was filling (important when trying a diet option!).

Green Chef also offers a selection of "add-ons" including soup bundles, generously stuffed rolls and salads for stress-free lunches.

If you’re serious about sticking to a specific diet, Green Chef will keep you on the straight and narrow — making it well worth the investment.

Score: 82/100

As the UK’s first 100% plant-based recipe kit, Grubby’s mission is simple: to make vegan cooking more convenient and accessible without costing the earth. The streamlined ordering process proved popular with our testers — simply choose between a regular box (which feeds two people) or a family box suitable for four. Our panel opted for the aubergine and green bean Thai curry, describing it as a lighter, fresher alternative to a takeaway.

We love Grubby’s overall ethos — not only is the produce sustainably sourced and delivered in 100% recyclable, compostable packaging, but for every box sold, the company will also donate a meal to a child living in poverty.

Score: 78/100

There are 44 recipes available at HelloFresh each week, which are rotated regularly. Categories include "Family Friendly", "Calorie Smart" and "Protein Rich", among others.

Ingredient bags are numbered, making it easy to match with their recipe card after a busy day at work, and pre-measured ingredients, such as sauces, make it extra quick to put together.

Our panel tucked into hoisin beef with pak choi, green beans and zesty rice, describing it as a simple, healthy switch for your regular takeaway.

Overall, it's an excellent choice for midweek dinners, whether feeding a family, dining as a duo, or making a solo supper (with enough for lunch the next day).

Score: 75/100

Cut down on food waste and feel inspired with Abel & Cole’s seasonal salad boxes. Each delivery includes farm fresh organic fruit and veg, alongside grains, pasta and more, and will feed two as a main meal, or four if eating as a side.

The contents change each week, but we tried the roast aubergine, tomato and mozzarella salad, which testers described as a “refreshing weeknight meal”, with an interesting mix of premium ingredients.

Score: 72/100

Not only are all Mindful Chef recipes free from gluten, dairy and refined sugar, but there's also a whole host of vegetarian and vegan options, too.

The website is a dream to navigate — we found it easy to filter and prioritise recipes by our requirements — making ordering for the week ahead super efficient.

The quality of the ingredients is clear from the get-go, with well-packaged fresh produce and protein — no refined filler carbs, here. Of the 24 dishes available, our panel chose the crispy hake with crushed potatoes and sauce vierge (a French sauce made from olive oil, lemon juice, chopped tomato, parsley and capers). The recipe only required one pan, cutting down on washing up, and testers found it easy to follow.

Most recently, the brand has partnered with healthy fast food chain Leon, so you can recreate your favourite recipes featuring the its vibrant sauce range.

We loved how easy it was to recycle the packaging, and the fact that Mindful Chef uses 100% British beef and sustainably caught fish. Plus, for every meal ordered, the brand will give a school meal to a child living in poverty (so far, it has donated 19 million meals). Sounds like a win-win, to us.

7 May 2025: This article was updated to reflect the most up to date prices and stock levels. We also updated the intro with a seasonal reference.