Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Whether by choice or by necessity, living a dairy-free life can add some complexity to the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options available to make dining easier. Enter dairy-free meal delivery services, which send you everything you need to enjoy dairy-free meals from the comfort of your home.
Some dairy-free meal services send meals that are fully prepared and ready to reheat, while others stick to standard meal kits that you cook yourself. But whichever you choose, you’re sure to find tasty meals that don’t skimp on flavor or quality. Read on to find our list of the best dairy-free meal delivery services that won’t kill your budget.
Best Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Services of 2023
- Best Overall: Sunbasket
- Best for Budget: Dinnerly
- Best Variety: Hungryroot
- Best Vegan: Mosaic Foods
- Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity
- Best Meal Kits: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
- Best Organic: Daily Harvest
- Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen
Best Overall : Sunbasket
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sunbasket-logo-7a80a6aeaff84e91956a8586266e8f55.jpg)
- Starting Price: $9.99 per serving
- Delivery Area: 48 states
- Products Arrive: Both fresh and frozen
With an easy drop-down menu filter for dairy-free options, Sunbasket makes it simple to find any type of meal for any time of day.
20+ weekly dairy-free options available
Incredibly detailed recycling guide for packaging
Some dietary options lack thorough definitions
As a meal delivery service, Sunbasket has tried to position itself as a solution to any meal problem. Dinners are ready to heat and eat or consist of an all-inclusive meal kit. The huge pantry selection covers breakfasts, lunches, and everything in between. Entrées could include a Japanese hot pot with pollock or Greek beef skewers with arugula-pear salad.
- Fresh & Ready meals: Start at $9.99 per serving
- Meal kits: Start at $11.99 per serving
- Order minimum of $45
Meal Kits
- Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
- Snapper with romesco, vegetables, and almonds
- Burmese chicken and sweet potato curry
- Sirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa
Prepared Meals
- Broccoli mac and cheese
- Chicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlic
- Beef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetables
- Burrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef
Best for Budget : Dinnerly
- Starting Price: $4.99 per serving
- Delivery Area: 48 states
- Products Arrive: Fresh
With its straightforward approach to meals, Dinnerly is here to offer customers a meal kit service that doesn’t overcomplicate things when it comes to dairy-free dinners.
Lots of kid-friendly choices available
“Easy Clean Up” and “No Chop” recipes available
Somewhat limited dietary preferences
Trying to meal plan on a budget is tough, and incorporating dairy-free ingredients and recipes can add an extra layer of difficulty and increased cost. Dinnerly’s focus is providing its customers with a delicious and rotating menu of selections at a wallet-friendly cost. With dairy-free entrées such as beef and udon noodle stir-fry and one-pot chicken and tomato rice, you’re sure to find delicious and affordable meals—lactose not included.
- 3 meals with 2 servings each: $6.39 per serving
- 4 meals with 2 servings each: $5.99 per serving
- 5 meals with 2 servings each: $5.89 per serving
- 6 meals with 2 servings each: $5.79 per serving
- 3 meals with 4 servings each: $5.69 per serving
- 4 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving
- 5 meals with 4 servings each: $5.29 per serving
- 6 meals with 4 servings each: $4.99 per serving
- Shipping is $9.99
- BBQ cheeseburger with sautéed onions and smashed potatoes
- Low-cal veggie drunken noodles with broccoli, peppers, and cilantro
- Grass-fed ground beef and cheddar quesadillas with corn
- Caramel chicken stir-fry with snow peas and jasmine rice
Best Variety : Hungryroot
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hungryroot-logo-e8de9239de5c4a6298c3f1aa55848fef.jpg)
- Starting Price: $9.69 per serving
- Delivery Area: 50 states
- Products Arrive: Fresh
Hungryroot accomplishes its goal of helping customers spend less time in the kitchen and grocery store when planning nutritious healthy dairy-free meals.
Easy to customize and specify dietary restrictions
Tips included on how to mix and match ingredients
Tasters felt some dishes were a bit bland
Hungryroot believes that healthy eating doesn’t have to be hard, and that goal is translated into the company’s simple-to-prepare meal kits. Hungryroot’s online grocery store is a great match to its large catalog of recipes, knocking out meal planning and grocery shopping in one. Look for dairy-free recipes like a carnitas “wraparito” with guac or yuzu baked salmon and veggies.
- 3 recipes with 2 servings: $11.39 per serving
- 4 recipes with 2 servings: $11.39 per serving
- 5 recipes with 2 servings: $10.89 per serving
- 6 recipes with 2 servings: $10.29 per serving
- 7 recipes with 2 servings: $9.69 per serving
- 8 recipes with 2 servings: $9.69 per serving
- 2 recipes with 4 servings: $10.29 per serving
- 3 recipes with 4 servings: $9.69 per serving
- 4 recipes with 4 servings: $9.69 per serving
- Shipping is $6.99 for orders less than $70
- Spinach artichoke and mushroom tortelloni
- Roasted salmon and sweet potato on Brussels sprouts
- Southwest chicken and rainbow veggie tacos
- Thai peanut beef and broccoli stir-fry
Best Vegan : Mosaic Foods
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Mosaic-Foods-logo-e131617538df45e88c71d20e4c8b19b8.jpg)
- Starting Price: $9.43 per serving
- Delivery Area: Depends on ZIP code
- Products Arrive: Frozen
Mosaic Foods is a great option for those following not only a dairy-free diet but a vegan friendly one as well, without having to filter through a lot of menu options.
Entire menu is vegetarian or vegan
Protein-heavy meals available
Free shipping for 18-meal orders
Mainly one-serving meals
Mosaic Foods provides a menu selection to cover meals from morning to night, with smoothies and oats for breakfast and soups, veggie bowls, and pizzas for the rest of the day. The company has even partnered with top chefs for its Mosaic+ line, which features elevated, gourmet plant-based meals for the freezer. While not all meals are dairy free, Mosaic’s menu includes plenty of vegan options, like a black-eyed pea and sweet potato ndambe or curried lentil soup.
- Single meals: $5.99 to $11.99 each
- Family meals (2-4 people): $19.99 each
- Minimum 6 meals per order
- Spicy dan dan noodles
- Buffalo cauliflower pasta bake (family size)
- Mac and greens
- Pozole verde
- Veggie kebab platter
- Coconut chickpea curry
Best Prepared Meals : CookUnity
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cook-Unity-logo-0218fad951034c2a9083e5db6bbb93e4.jpg)
- Starting Price: $11.09 per serving
- Delivery Area: 35 states
- Products Arrive: Fresh
If you want to step your meal delivery service game up a notch, try CookUnity’s impressive selection of chef-crafted meals that are ready to eat in minutes.
Wide variety of cuisines to choose from
Easy to filter menu for dairy-free entrées
Meal selections are based on delivery region
CookUnity has one of the largest selections of meals available for a meal delivery service, which means finding dairy-free entrées is a cinch. Meals are all single-serving and can be cooked either in the microwave or the “Chef’s Way” in the oven. Pick from a rotating menu that includes entrées like braised chicken caldereta or a grilled pasture-raised rack of lamb with a red wine reduction.
- 4 meals per week: $13.59 per meal
- 6 meals per week: $12.29 per meal
- 8 meals per week: $11.69 per meal
- 12 meals per week: $11.19 per meal
- 16 meals per week: $11.09 per meal
- Coconut lime hanger steak
- Carnitas street tacos
- Butternut squash ravioli
- Chili-roasted shrimp
Best Meal Kits : Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/marleyspoon-1aa9a4b49200423d9ab63580b469ae96.jpg)
Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon
- Starting Price: $8.69 per serving
- Delivery Area: 48 states
- Products Arrive: Fresh
With over 100 recipes each week to choose from, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon ensures that its customers are constantly given variety in their meal planning.
Great option for families
Sustainability report available on website
Some limitations on nutritional information for meals
Martha Stewart has translated her skills in the kitchen into an excellent meal kit delivery service with Marley Spoon. The weekly menu selection makes it simple to choose an array of meals to fit your needs and your family’s. Options include low-carb, kid-friendly, and Easy Prep meals, with dairy-free entrées like Cajun dirty rice or chicken yakitori. Plus, there’s a Market section to add in some pantry staples.
- 2 meals with 2 servings each: $12.99 per serving
- 3 meals with 2 servings each: $10.99 per serving
- 4 meals with 2 servings each: $10.49 per serving
- 5 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving
- 6 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving
- 2 meals with 4 servings each: $10.49 per serving
- 3 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving
- 4 meals with 4 servings each: $8.99 per serving
- 5 meals with 4 servings each: $8.99 per serving
- 6 meals with 4 servings each: $8.69 per serving
- Greek chicken gyro with chopped salad and garlic sauce
- Broccoli Reuben, Russian dressing wedge salad
- Oven-fried beef taquitos, tomatillo salsa, and jalapeños
- Gochujang turkey ragu with fresh udon, cilantro, and scallions
Best Organic : Daily Harvest
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Daily-Harvest-logo-8d185f4a2254413e918e814610ef4265.jpg)
- Starting Price: $6.79 per serving
- Delivery Area: 50 states
- Products Arrive: Frozen
With every single item on the menu dairy-free, Daily Harvest is one of the easiest meal delivery services for those wanting to support a dairy-free diet.
Fully plant-based menu
Exceptional recycling instructions
Supports an on-the-go lifestyle
Not a great option for family meals
Using primarily organic ingredients, Daily Harvest has made healthy, dairy-free meals simple for those who are looking for a quick bite to eat. All items on the menu are plant based, and they come frozen for longer shelf life. Daily Harvest even has options for “mylk,” a frozen wedge of dairy-free milk that can be transformed into liquid in seconds. Try a gluten-free flatbread with pineapple and smoked paprika or one of Daily Harvest’s famous smoothies like blueberry and hemp or cold brew and almond.
- Weekly and monthly plans of nine to 26 items per order
- Items are individually priced from $5.99 to $11.99
- Mint and cacao smoothie
- Mango papaya smoothie
- Hazelnut and chocolate bites
- Tomatillo and pepper flatbread
- Portobello and pesto flatbread
- Sweet potato and wild rice hash
- Brussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowl
- Spinach and shiitake grits
- Tomato and zucchini minestrone soup
Best for Seniors : Magic Kitchen
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Magic-Kitchen-logo-339b86a303164612a310383fdebedab1.jpg)
Magic Kitchen
- Starting Price: $10 per serving
- Delivery Area: 48 states
- Products Arrive: Frozen
Magic Kitchen’s focus on quick and easy senior-friendly meals provides an excellent option when trying to balance a dairy-free diet.
Menu is easy to filter for dietary restrictions
15-day trial packs available
Packaging is not all recyclable
Magic Kitchen is an excellent resource for seniors who are looking for assistance with meals, sides, snacks, and grocery items while keeping dietary needs in mind. With the ability to work with insurance companies and offer post-discharge meals, Magic Kitchen is a great tool for those on medically restrictive diets, as well. Dairy-free options include balsamic glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans or crab cakes with brown rice and mixed vegetables.
- Meal programs provide one to three meals a day
- Auto-ship with weekly, biweekly, or monthly options
- À la carte items can be ordered as a “bundle”
- Price varies; average cost of Complete Meals is $10 to $14
- À la carte items and Complete Meals can be ordered individually
- Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinach
- Beef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blend
- Balsamic glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans
- Chili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets
Final Verdict
While there are plenty of services that can provide dairy-free options for meal delivery, Sunbasket stood out as the overall best choice. With its selection of both prepared dishes and meal kits, Sunbasket’s flexibility makes it easy to shake things up during the week. The large variety on the menu also ensures your taste buds will never get bored.
Compare the Best Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Services
Company | Starting Price | Delivery Area | Products Arrive | Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? | Free Shipping |
Sunbasket Best Overall | $9.99 per serving | 48 states | Both fresh and frozen | Yes | No |
Dinnerly
Best for Budget |
$4.99 per serving | 48 states | Fresh | Yes | No |
Hungryroot Best Variety | $9.69 per serving | 50 states | Fresh | Yes | Yes, for orders over $70 |
Mosaic Foods Best Vegan | $9.43 per serving | Depends on ZIP code | Frozen | No | Yes, after a minimum amount |
CookUnity Best Prepared Meals | $11.09 per serving | 35 states | Fresh | Yes | No |
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Best Meal Kits | $8.69 per serving | 48 states | Fresh | Yes | No |
Daily Harvest Best Organic | $6.79 per serving | 50 states | Frozen | Yes | Yes |
Magic Kitchen Best for Seniors | $10 per serving | 48 states | Frozen | Yes | No |
Guide to Choosing a Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Service
Factors to Consider
- Price/Cost per Meal: Will the service help reduce grocery and restaurant costs? Is the per-serving cost of each meal budget friendly?
- Number of Meals Per Delivery: Do you want the service to provide options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Should it cover every meal during the week or just a few to give some options?
- Flexibility: How easy is it to pause subscription boxes? Do you need a specific delivery date, and does the service support that?
- Menu Selection: Do you need prepared meals that are ready to go, or do you prefer meal kits to cook yourself? Are pantry items and add-ons needed?
- Diet and Variety: Are there other dietary restrictions/preferences in place that the delivery service also needs to support? Is there enough flavor and selection variety to keep you interested in using the service on a regular basis?
Who Should Consider a Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Service?
If you or someone in your household is following a dairy-free diet or trying to reduce dairy in their everyday meals, subscribing to a meal delivery service may be a great option. It can make it easier to plan meals knowing that the dishes and ingredients have dairy eliminated. Many services can also accommodate other dietary preferences, like keto or gluten free, if you’re looking to cover multiple needs at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What Does Dairy-Free Mean?
Quite simply, it means that the food, ingredient, or meal does not contain any animal-based dairy products. This includes not just cow’s milk but sheep’s and goat’s as well. Additionally, non-dairy is not interchangeable with dairy free. If something is dairy free, any type of milk product it does contain will be plant based, and the options are endless—oat, soy, almond, or even pecan milk can replace animal milk in products.
-
Are Dairy-Free Meals Also Vegan?
While dairy-free lifestyles mean removing animal-based milk and milk products from your diet, the meals do not necessarily have to be vegan. Dairy-free meals can still contain animal-based ingredients and proteins, which does not fit the guidelines of a vegan diet. So, you cannot purchase dairy-free meals and assume that they are also naturally vegan. It’s important to research any meal delivery companies that offer dairy-free foods to see if they are also following vegan restrictions.
-
What Is Dairy-Free Cheese Made Of?
Often referred to as “vegan cheese,” dairy-free cheese can be composed of various ingredients to replace the animal-based milk. These ingredients can range from cashews to tofu to coconut oil. While the selection was limited several years ago, the category of dairy-free cheese has grown significantly. Now, there are lots of options that replicate cheese and can also support other dietary restrictions (like soy free, nut free, etc.).
-
Do Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Services Offer Gluten-Free Options?
One of the great things about meal delivery services is that many of them can accommodate multiple dietary preferences. Often, you can view a company’s menu online and filter out certain ingredients or dietary preferences. Before starting any subscription, you’ll want to review what the service offers to see if it can provide meals that can fit your specific needs.
-
Are Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Services Keto Friendly?
Keto-friendly foods have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify for the ketogenic diet. While some of those items may contain dairy, others may not, so it is possible that you can find options that are both dairy free and keto friendly. However, dairy-free meal services are not automatically keto friendly, and they may not have enough options to support both dietary preferences. It’s always important to review a company’s menus and offerings to make sure they can accommodate what is best for you.
Methodology
Our panel of testers reviewed 40 different companies to assess the best meal delivery services. The review criteria for services consisted of sustainability practices, customer service, flavor, dietary selection and information, ingredient freshness, as well as the process of meal preparation. Our testing team contains a variety of people, including food writers and kids, to capture as many voices as possible.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Primary-Image-best-dairy-free-meal-delivery-services-of-2023-7101107-fd8c53585d1144518aa6e95c1f993ecf.jpg)
Enrique DÃaz / 7cero / Getty Images