“The best meal delivery services can be helpful nutrition tools for those wanting to support a well-rounded diet with portion-controlled, nutrient-dense dishes that take the strain of grocery shopping out of the equation,” notes Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. While these services can be helpful and convenient, some of the platforms feature menus that aren’t as forgiving for those with specific diet types or sensitivities to common allergen like nuts, dairy, or soy. Hungryroot can be a beacon of hope for such needs thanks to a robust menu with filters for a range of different diets as well as a unique credit-based system that allows you to order as much as you’d like each week (and nothing more).
In our opinion, Hungryroot can be a worthwhile meal kit service for those following strict diets or looking to avoid certain allergens. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, commends the platform for its array of allergy- and diet-friendly dishes, and states the recipes are simple and easy even for the most novice of cooks. That said, though, the credit-based system is more unique than other meal delivery services, and costs can place this subscription outside of certain budgets. In this Hungryroot review, our team of experts took inspiration from our supplement testing methodology to examine and grade this meal kit service in multiple categories (similar to our experiences with over 40 other meal subscriptions) including taste, menu options, ingredient quality, and more. Hungry for a fresh take on weekly meal planning? Let’s get into our findings.
Hungryroot is a convenient blend of grocery service and meal delivery that’s ideal for busy, health-focused individuals. Rather than selecting from a menu of available meal kits each week, you choose recipes that appeal to your palate and Hungryroot provides all ingredients with payments made through a unique credit-based system.
Medical disclaimer: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Main Takeaways
- Hungryroot offers over 15,000 recipes across pre-portioned kits dishes for a wide variety of available meals each week.
- There is no order maximum with this meal kit service, although you do need to order at least six servings to generate a shipment.
- While the service does not have a specific “organic” moniker, Hungryroot does state that all goods are free from partially hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.
Hungryroot Specs
| Price Per Serving | Starting at $3.99 |
| Meal Kit Type | Grocery delivery, Partially-prepped meal kit |
| Meal Options Per Week | 15,000 chef-crafted recipes alongside roughly 1,000 market items |
| Servings Per Week | Minimum of 6 |
| Available Meal Preferences | Omnivore, Flexitarian, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Soy-free, Tree nut-free, Peanut-free, Egg-free, Shellfish-free, Sesame-free, Grain-free, Garlic-free, Onion-free, Caffeine-free |
| Delivery Range | Contiguous United States |
| Some Meals We’ve Tried | Chicken Burrito Bowl, Lemongrass Tofu & Asparagus Rice Bowl, Creamy Wild Shrimp Salad |
As with other examples of the best healthy meal delivery services, Hungryroot can be a convenient, effective method to elevate your household’s nutrient intake through wholesome, pre-portioned dishes. (1) From our research, we’ve counted over 15,000 chef-crafted offerings in addition to over 1,000 market add-ons such as snack, side dishes, and desserts. What separates a Hungryroot meal apart from other subscriptions, though, is the level of specification that caters to specific dietary restrictions.
Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT, tested Hungryroot for multiple weeks and notes, “There are A TON of options available for certain dietary restrictions. For example, I try to stick to a pescatarian/vegan/vegetarian diet throughout the week and I’ve yet to feel limited in my cuisines.” Additionally, while Hungryroot has certain filters for specific allergens, the brand does note that meals may be processed in facilities that may be exposed to nuts, dairy, eggs, and more. If you’re wanting to fully ensure that your selected dish is allergen-free, be sure to read the full meal description before adding it to your cart.
Speaking of orders, Hungryroot also stands out, thanks to its unique credit-based ordering system. According to Geil, “You purchase a set amount of credits that give you the power to order whatever you’d like.” Order quantities must meet a six-serving minimum, though, so be sure to fill your Hungryroot box with appropriate quantities prior to check-out.
As far as the recipes are concerned, the brand does a good job of providing detailed, easy-to-read instructions. Even those more comfortable with their best shaker bottle can master the included recipes, according to Geil. “It’s a running joke in my family that I’m not the most experienced cook in the kitchen,” she notes, “But I’ve yet to order a meal that I wasn’t comfortable with.”
Hungryroot recipes are all pre-portioned meal kits, meaning there are no options for pre-made dishes that require a simple re-heating. This could be a detriment to busy athletes unable to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals on a regular basis. That said, Geil states the packaging does a good job of keeping ingredients fresh. “The brand almost goes overboard when it comes to vacuum sealing produce, but it does lend itself to fresh ingredients time and again,” she adds.
Finally, Hungryroot servings can start as low as $3.99, which places it amongst some of the best budget meal delivery services. However, we do point out that managing order totals is different from what you’d experience with other grocery delivery services. Rather than selecting a set amount of servings per week, your Hungryroot meal order is determined by your available credits. Geil notes that her initial orders varied in terms of cost per serving, but most factored out to roughly $12 per dish. This may be too high of a cost for some individuals, especially when you account for the fact that the average home-cooked meal costs roughly $4.23. (2)
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Hungryroot
Like other subscription services such as the best workout apps, protein subscriptions, streaming services, and more, Hungryroot’s meal delivery won’t work for all parties. As Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, registered dietitian nutritionist and BarBend expert contributor, puts it, “Not all meal delivery services are worth it once you get into the finer details.” Below, we’ve outlined a few camps that may benefit from a Hungryroot subscription along with some groups that may fare better with a different platform.
Recommended for:
- Individuals looking for high-quality food sources to appease their dietary preferences.
- Those that prefer a subscription based on credits with no limit to order quantities.
- Athletes wanting a pre-portioned meal kit that requires at-home cooking as opposed to heat-and-eat cuisines.
Not Recommended for:
- Budget-minded athletes that prefer a set number for each ordered serving.
- Those wanting pre-made meals for fast, convenient sustenance.
- Individuals already supporting their meal preferences through grocery store trips.
Our Experience Using Hungryroot
The BarBend team is composed of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To craft this honest Hungryroot review, we utilized our supplement testing methodology, as well as our experience with over 45 other meal delivery subscription services over the years, to examine and rate the platform in multiple categories. Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT used Hungryroot for multiple weeks, rating the service on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in categories including taste, ingredient quality, menu options, ease of preparation, and more. Here are some of our top findings.
Available Menu
Variety is the spice of life, right? According to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, “Regardless of your fitness goals (weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain) it’s advised to eat a balanced diet of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.” Thankfully, there is no shortage of options with Hungryroot’s available menu of over 15,000 chef-crafted recipes and roughly 1,000 market items.
Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT, rates the service at 5 out of 5 for the available options, noting, “I never had any qualms about the available variety. While I tended to favor plant-based dishes with some of the top plant sources of protein, I was easily able to find meat-based dishes for others in my household, too.” Additionally, Hungryroot’s menu does rotate on occasion, meaning there’s a new crop of cuisines to choose from when curating your weekly orders.
Taste
You’re less likely to sign up for a meal kit service if the taste isn’t worth it, right? Well, Geil notes the flavors available through Hungryroot’s menu are worth the investment. “Nothing has been bland or cookie-cutter,” she states in reference to her 5-out-of-5 flavor rating. “I also appreciate that Hungryroot includes various sauce packets for those that prefer to season their dishes more than others.”
Of course, though, your exhibited tastes can depend on your cooking skills — a plate of tacos may seem delicious until you brown the meat beyond recognition. As such, we understand that taste can be subjective, so take our feedback with a grain of salt (or justify the findings in comparison to your cooking skill set).
Prep Needs
The whole point of a meal delivery service is to add convenience to your daily routine. However, if a subscription calls for multiple hours behind the stove, can it really be seen as an upgrade. According to Geil, Hungryroot’s assortment of pre-portioned meals are easy to prepare and should fit a range of different skill sets.
“I’m far from a master chef, yet I still feel comfortable with any recipe card,” she states in reference to her 4.5-out-of-5 preparation rating. “Naturally, simple dishes like smoothies and grain bowls are (essentially) pour-and-play, but the more involved dishes are well-detailed and require just a few steps for completion.”
We also appreciate the fact that Hungryroot offers menu filters aligned to common kitchenware, meaning you can choose dishes that won’t call for a trip to the mall prior to dinner time. Plus, Geil notes that all nutritional information is readily available across the supplied cards and online meal pages — a definite benefit for those just getting a handle on how to count your macros.
Ingredient Quality
Any meal prep won’t go as planned if you don’t have fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients. According to Geil, though, Hungryroot does a fine job of packaging and preserving all delivered goods to ensure you receive the best produce, proteins, and market items possible. We score the ingredient quality at 5 out of 5 thanks to the apparent freshness and impressive packaging on display in each order.
“Every piece of produce was individually vacuum sealed for added preservation, and I’ve routinely seen greens and other goods at the peak of their harvest season,” Geil adds. Plus, each Hungryroot delivery is packed effectively with ice packs to ensure food safety during transport. Naturally, we’d suggest moving your orders from the doorstep to your fridge or freezer sooner rather than later, but it is nice to know that your subscription cares about ingredient quality from the start — especially when instances arise that you cannot get home to immediately handle your deliveries.
Value
Studies report that your average home-cooked meal costs roughly $4.23. (2) Naturally, you can expect most meal kit delivery services to come in at a higher price tag given the added convenience of to-your-doorstep groceries, but there are some wallet-friendly options on the market offering high-quality services akin to the best cheap pre-workouts, protein powders, and more. However, it can be difficult to judge Hungryroot’s cost-to-value ratio given the nature of the service.
Since the platform operates on a credit-based system rather than a pay-per-serving equation, your order’s value is dependent on your selections. For example, Geil notes, “My initial orders equated to roughly $12 per serving, although I’m sure this metric would change if I had swapped different recipes.” Accordingly, we rate the cost per serving at a conservative 3 out of 5 and caution athletes to use their credits wisely — think of your Hungryroot allowance as a gift card and use the allotted credits on the most valuable options on the menu (that fit your preferences, of course).
What to Consider Before Buying Hungryroot
“Meal kits can be game-changing services for those with specific food preferences or those in need of nutrient-dense, convenient meal options night in and night out,” notes Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. Accordingly, there are a few factors worth considering before signing up for a high-quality meal delivery service — whether through Hungryroot or another platform.
- Menu Options: In order to prevent flavor fatigue, you should seek out a meal delivery service offering a range of food options to suit your palate across multiple weeks. Be sure to look at the available menu and see if the options align with your taste buds prior to sign-up. We also recommend choosing a meal kit service offering a rotating menu to help prevent repeat orders.
- Dietary Needs: Perhaps you’re following one of the many types of diets out there or need to plan your meals around known allergens or sensitivities. Accordingly it can be helpful to look and ensure your meal delivery service can accommodate such needs prior to handing over your payment and contact information. Play around with the menu and see if the brand offers listed details on included ingredients or offers filters catering to specific needs such as dairy-free, plant-based, gluten-free, or soy-free, among others.
- Ingredient Quality: OK, so it can be tough to interpret the quality of ingredients when signing up for a meal subscription for the first time. As such, we recommend opting for platforms utilizing locally- or responsibly-sourced goods, as well as those with definitive packaging protocols to ensure the produce and other items reach your doorstep in as fresh of a profile as possible.
- Preparation: Everyone’s comfort levels in the kitchen are different — while some may be fine with slicing and dicing through a recipe, others may prefer a pre-made dish that takes just a few minutes in the microwave prior to consumption. When choosing a meal plan, think about your personal cooking skills and schedule to determine which food option suits your needs best.
Hungryroot Vs. Competitors
As unique as Hungryroot’s credit-based system is when compared to other meal delivery services, it is not without competition — similar to the best protein powders, probiotics, and more. Below, we’ve charted two popular meal subscription platforms we feel stack up well to Hungryroot’s offerings — Home Chef and HelloFresh.
| Hungryroot | Home Chef | HelloFresh | |
| Price Per Serving | Starting at $3.99 | Starting at $9.99 | Starting at $9.99 |
| Meal Kit Type | Grocery delivery, Partially-prepped meal kit | Meal kit, Prepared meals | Meal kit |
| Meal Options Per Week | 15,000 chef-crafted recipes alongside roughly 1,000 market items | Rotating menu of over 100 menu and market items | Rotating menu of over 100 menu and market items |
| Servings Per Week | Minimum of 6 | Up to 36 | Up to 36 |
| Available Meal Preferences | Omnivore, Flexitarian, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Soy-free, Tree nut-free, Peanut-free, Egg-free, Shellfish-free, Sesame-free, Grain-free, Garlic-free, Onion-free, Caffeine-free | Protein-Packed, Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Smart, Pescatarian, Vegetarian | Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Under 20 Minutes, Pescatarian |
| Delivery Range | Contiguous United States | Contiguous United States | Contiguous United States |
| Some Meals We’ve Tried | Chicken Burrito Bowl, Lemongrass Tofu & Asparagus Rice Bowl, Creamy Wild Shrimp Salad | Acapulco-style Steak Quesadillas with Cheddar-Jack Cheese, Lemon & Herb Chicken with Pesto Butter & Ratatouille, Korean-style Fried Chicken with Cheesy Corn | Sweet ‘N’ Smoky Chicken Cutlets with Cherry Ancho BBQ Sauce, Green Beans & Pineapple Rice, Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Lemony Potato & Zucchini Hash, Sun-dried Tomato Spaghetti |
Home Chef has been one of our favorite meal delivery services for quite some time thanks to its robust menu offering both pre-portioned meal kits and pre-made dishes. Additionally, we appreciate the level of detail in each recipe card that can be ideal for those less experienced with cooking. However, each weekly order is capped at 36 servings, which may be less ideal for those with larger families or hungrier appetites.
Like Hungryroot, HelloFresh offers pre-portioned meal kits in-line with a range of different weekly offerings. In terms of order totals, you can select up to 36 servings weekly. However, we still prefer Hungryroot for diet-specific needs as our tester notes that filters can be few and far between. “You need to dive into each recipe’s nutritional information if you truly want to know of any allergens or diet-friendly ingredients,” they add.
Places to Buy Hungryroot
You can subscribe to Hungryroot via the brand’s online retail site. The brand also uses a compatible app for account management and meal selection. Prices can start at roughly $3.99 per serving, although we highly recommend taking advantage of first-order promotions which can include discounted rates and free gifts.
Customer Experience and Brand Reputation
According to Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT, “I’ve had a very positive experience with my Hungryroot subscription and can easily manage my account via online or through the app. I also appreciate the email notifications that give me ample notice to place my weekly orders or adjust selected goods to align with in-stock items.” Accordingly, we rate the customer experience at 4.5 out of 5.
As far as customer reviews go, the brand currently boasts a 4.50out-of-5 rating based on over 2,600 notes. “Hungryroot makes my weekly meal prep 10 times easier. So many healthy options and beautiful produce,” notes one positive customer response. To reach the brand with any inquiries, text 855-222-5704 or utilize the brand’s ‘Live Chat’ feature located at the bottom right of the retail page.
Our Final Verdict on Hungryroot
So, can Hungryroot be a suitable option for healthy eating? In our opinion, yes. The online grocery market has an abundance of pre-portioned meals to support different dietary needs, and the included recipes are simple enough to follow for most individuals — with added filters for those less comfortable in a kitchen setting. Of course, the credit-based system can take some getting used to, and there are no pre-made dishes available for on-the-go athletes, but for individuals wanting high-quality goods delivered straight to their doorstep, this meal delivery subscription can be hard to beat.
When choosing a meal subscription, we always recommend to consider your taste buds and budget prior to sign-up. After all, there’s no sense in subscribing to a platform that offers a limited menu for a premium price, especially when trying to curate a weekly order around specific allergens or sensitivities. Use these tips, stick to your budget, and convenient meal prep could soon be on your horizon with tantalizing meals aplenty.
Hungryroot Review FAQs
How much does Hungryroot cost per month?
Hungryroot meal servings begin at roughly $3.99 and the platform operates on a credit-based system — you purchase as many credits as you need and use them on however many dishes you desire. As such, it can be difficult to narrow down monthly costs.
Is Hungryroot worth the money?
Determining whether Hungryroot is worth it or not can be subjective. That said, we appreciate the range of available meals catering to different dietary needs, as well as the detailed recipe cards making food preparation a simple, enjoyable experience.
Is it easy to cancel Hungryroot?
According to our tester, a certified personal trainer, managing your Hungryroot account is simple and easy thanks to the online user interface and responsive customer service team. The brand also offers an accompanying mobile app for managing, pausing, and cancelling your subscription on the go.
References
- Dobiecka, D. P., Markiewicz-Żukowska, R., Socha, K., & Naliwajko, S. K. (2025). New dietary trends—meal kit delivery services as a source of nutrients: A scoping review. Nutrients, 17(7), 1154. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11990246/
- Maggiolo, N. S. (2024, October 31). The cost of eating out vs eating in by State. The Cost of Eating Out vs Eating In by State. https://www.topnutritioncoaching.com/blog/cost-of-eating-out-vs-eating-in
