I’ve been testing various meal delivery services for a while and recently spent several weeks putting Marley Spoon through its paces. As someone who’s constantly juggling training sessions, work deadlines, and family responsibilities, I’m always looking for convenient ways to get quality meals on the table without sacrificing nutrition or taste.
Marley Spoon markets itself as a premium meal kit service that focuses on fresh ingredients and chef-designed recipes. But does it live up to the hype?
After ordering multiple boxes and trying their meals, I’m ready to share my honest thoughts on whether this service is worth your hard-earned money.
Quick Verdict
Marley Spoon is a top-tier meal kit for home cooks who love variety and quality. Its 100+ weekly recipes, fresh ingredients, and customizable options make it great for families, health-conscious eaters, and active folks like me who need protein-heavy meals.
However, the hands-on cooking and occasional delivery hiccups might frustrate those seeking convenience or budget options.
For me, though, Trifecta Nutrition keeps the crown as the best meal delivery service for athletes and active individuals. The high-protein ready-to-heat meals are precisely macro-tuned as performance fuel and take no time to prepare. For me, these pros are well worth the few extra bucks it costs. Use code “liftbig40” for 40% OFF.
Pros
- Massive menu with 100+ weekly recipes
- High-quality, fresh ingredients, especially proteins
- Clear, photo-heavy recipe cards for easy cooking
- Carbon-neutral with mostly recyclable packaging
Cons
- Recipes require more prep than some competitors
- Pantry staples (e.g., flour, vinegar) are not always included
- Delivery issues reported by some users
- Pricier than budget meal kits like EveryPlate
What Is Marley Spoon?
Marley Spoon is a meal kit delivery service that provides pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for home-cooked meals. Founded in 2014 and partnered with Martha Stewart, the company operates in multiple countries, including the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe.
It aims to simplify meal planning by delivering fresh, high-quality ingredients directly to customers’ doors, along with detailed recipe cards to guide the cooking process.
The service is subscription-based, allowing users to select meals weekly from a menu of over 100 recipes that cater to various dietary preferences, including high-protein, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb options.
Customers can choose plans for two or four people, with two to six meals per week, and have the flexibility to skip deliveries or cancel their subscription as needed. Marley Spoon sources its ingredients from trusted suppliers, emphasizing antibiotic-free meats and organic produce when possible.
The service also offers a Marley Spoon Market for add-ons like breakfast items or extra proteins. Packaging is designed to be mostly recyclable, with a focus on sustainability through carbon-neutral delivery practices.
While the service requires some cooking effort, typically 20-40 minutes per meal, it appeals to those who enjoy preparing fresh dishes without the hassle of grocery shopping or meal planning.
Marley Spoon shines with its extensive menu variety and customization options, making it suitable for families, health-conscious individuals, and home cooks seeking diverse, restaurant-quality recipes.
My Marley Spoon Review & Experience
Customization
Marley Spoon’s customization options are a standout feature. When I signed up, I could tailor my plan to fit my family’s needs, choosing between two or four servings per meal and two to six meals per week.
As someone who lifts and grapples, I leaned toward their high-protein options, but I appreciated the flexibility to mix in other dietary preferences.
The website lets you filter meals by tags, including High Protein, Low Carb, Low Calorie, Gluten-Free Friendly, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Picky Eater Approved.
About 20% of their recipes allow further tweaks, like swapping proteins (e.g., adding chicken thigh for $1.99 per portion) or sides (e.g., switching flour tortillas for lettuce cups at no extra cost).
This was great for me when I wanted to boost the protein or swap carbs for greens.
The Marley Spoon Market also lets you add extras like breakfast burritos, smoothies, or additional proteins, which was handy for rounding out my weekly meal plan.
However, not all recipes are customizable, and some require pantry staples like sherry vinegar or finishing salt, which caught me, so keep this in mind. If you’re new to cooking or don’t have a well-stocked pantry, this could be a minor hassle.
Still, the ability to tweak meals to fit my high-protein needs while accommodating my kids’ pickier tastes made Marley Spoon feel flexible and practical.
Meal Variety, Kits and Recipes
Marley Spoon boasts one of the largest weekly menus I’ve seen, with over 100 recipes to choose from each week. This dwarfs competitors like HelloFresh or Blue Apron, which typically offer 20-50 options.
The variety spans cuisines like Korean, Thai, Middle Eastern, and classic American comfort foods, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
I focused on protein-heavy meals like the Seared Steak & Garlic Butter with Oven-Fried Brussels Sprouts and Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Roasted Corn, but I also tried dishes like the Vegetarian Pad Thai with Carrots & Peanuts to test their range.
The recipes are designed for home cooks who enjoy getting hands-on in the kitchen. Unlike some meal kits that feel like assembling pre-made components, Marley Spoon’s recipes involve real cooking techniques—pan-searing, deglazing, or chopping fresh produce.
If you’re a beginner, the step-by-step recipe cards with full-color photos are a lifesaver, though some techniques might feel advanced. The menu also includes tags like Quick & Easy or Under 30 Minutes for those short on time.
Overall, the variety and quality of the recipes kept things exciting, especially for someone like me who wants hearty, protein-rich meals.
Taste & Quality
The taste and ingredient quality of Marley Spoon’s meals were a highlight. The proteins, especially the chicken and steak, were fresh and comparable to what I’d pick up at a good grocery store.
Marley Spoon states their chicken is No Antibiotics Ever (NAE), and other meats are antibiotic-free at harvest, which gave me confidence in their sourcing.
The Honey-Glazed Chicken with Roasted Broccoli was a hit with my family, balancing sweet and savory flavors with a tender, juicy texture. The Seared Steak & Garlic Butter was another winner, with the steak cooked to medium-rare perfection and the Brussels sprouts adding a crispy, flavorful side.
Vegetables arrived fresh, with minimal bruising, and the pre-mixed spice blends and sauces added depth without requiring me to buy exotic ingredients.
That said, some dishes, like the Vegetarian Pad Thai, felt a bit heavy on carbs and could’ve used more protein.
Overall, the meals were flavorful and felt gourmet, living up to the Martha Stewart branding. They weren’t just fuel for my training; they were legitimately delicious.
Packaging
Marley Spoon uses insulated boxes with recyclable ice packs and packaging materials. The ingredients arrive well-organized in clearly labeled bags for each recipe, which makes meal prep more efficient.
Proteins are vacuum-sealed and properly chilled, while produce is packed to minimize damage during shipping.
The company has made efforts toward sustainability, using recyclable and compostable packaging materials where possible. The ice packs can be drained and recycled, and the insulation is made from recycled materials.
One minor complaint: some of the smaller ingredient packets (like spice blends or sauces) occasionally get lost in the larger ingredient bags. This isn’t a major issue, but it did lead to a few moments of digging around to find everything.
The boxes are appropriately sized for the contents, minimizing waste while ensuring adequate protection during shipping. Overall, the packaging experience feels professional and well-thought-out.
Price
Here’s where things get a bit more complicated. Marley Spoon positions itself as a premium service, and the pricing reflects that positioning. Here’s the current pricing structure:
| Plan (Servings x Meals/Week) | Price per Serving | Total Cost (Including $11.99 Shipping) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 servings x 2 meals | $12.49 | $36.97 |
| 2 servings x 3 meals | $10.99 | $44.96 |
| 2 servings x 4 meals | $10.49 | $53.95 |
| 2 servings x 5 meals | $9.99 | $61.94 |
| 4 servings x 2 meals | $10.49 | $53.95 |
| 4 servings x 3 meals | $9.49 | $68.94 |
| 4 servings x 4 meals | $8.99 | $83.93 |
| 4 servings x 5 meals | $8.49 | $98.92 |
The per-serving cost ranges from $10.99 to $11.99 depending on your plan, plus shipping costs. When compared to dining out, this is competitive, but it’s definitely more expensive than cooking from scratch with grocery store ingredients.
Cancellation Process
I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the cancellation process is with Marley Spoon. You can pause or cancel your subscription entirely through your online account without needing to call customer service or jump through hoops.
The process is really straightforward, and there’s no retention team that tries to convince you to stay and no hidden fees or penalties. If you want to pause rather than cancel, you can do so for up to 12 weeks, which is useful for vacations or busy periods.
The only requirement is that you need to make changes at least 5 days before your next scheduled delivery. This gives you plenty of flexibility while allowing the company adequate time to adjust their ordering and logistics.
Who is Marley Spoon For?
Busy Professionals and Families
Marley Spoon works exceptionally well for busy professionals and families who want to maintain quality home-cooked meals without the time investment of meal planning and grocery shopping.
The 30-45 minute cook times make it feasible to prepare dinner on weeknights, even with packed schedules.
For families with older children who can help with meal prep, the detailed recipe cards become learning opportunities.
The ingredient portions are precise, so there’s minimal waste, and the variety keeps family meals interesting throughout the week.
Food Enthusiasts Who Want Convenience
If you enjoy cooking but struggle with meal planning and grocery shopping, Marley Spoon offers an excellent middle ground. The recipes introduce you to new flavor combinations and cooking techniques without requiring you to source specialty ingredients from multiple stores.
The service works particularly well for people who like to cook but find themselves falling into repetitive meal routines. The rotating menu ensures you’re constantly trying new dishes and expanding your culinary horizons.
Couples Looking for Date Night Meals at Home
Many of Marley Spoon’s recipes feel restaurant-quality and are perfect for couples who want to create special meals at home. The presentation and flavor profiles of dishes like the Seared Steak with Chimichurri or Honey Soy Glazed Salmon rival what you’d get at a good restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost.
The portion sizes for 2-person meals are generous enough to feel indulgent, and the cooking process becomes an activity you can enjoy together.
Who Marley Spoon Is NOT For
If you’re primarily concerned about stretching your food budget, Marley Spoon may not be the right fit. At $10.99-11.99 per serving, the cost adds up quickly, especially for larger families. You can definitely eat well for less money by planning meals and shopping for ingredients yourself.
Marley Spoon also isn’t ideal for those seeking fully prepared meals. If you’re too busy to cook or prefer minimal prep, the hands-on nature of their recipes. Services that offer ready-to-eat meals would be a better fit.
Customer Marley Spoon Reviews
User feedback on Marley Spoon is largely positive, with some caveats. Many customers praise the variety and quality, with one saying, “I love waking up not knowing what’s for dinner, and then it arrives like magic.” The gourmet feel of the recipes and fresh ingredients are common highlights, especially for those who enjoy cooking. However, some users report issues with delivery reliability, like delayed or missing boxes.
A Reddit thread detailed a “saga of chaos” with late deliveries and one spoiled ingredient, though others noted consistent service depending on their location.
For active folks like me, the high-protein options and nutritional transparency were a big draw, but some felt the recipes required too much prep time or pantry staples. Overall, Marley Spoon scores high for taste and variety but can falter on logistics for some.
Marley Spoon Alternatives
Thistle
Thistle delivers fresh, ready-to-eat meals, emphasizing a plant-forward approach with the option to add meat for extra protein. Unlike Marley Spoon, which requires you to cook from scratch with its meal kits.
Thistle delivers fully prepared dishes. The meals are gluten- and dairy-free, using organic, locally sourced ingredients, which aligns with Marley Spoon’s quality focus but skips the prep time.
Thistle’s customization is decent, allowing you to choose between plant-based, meat-inclusive, or mixed plans and adjust for allergies or aversions. However, it’s less flexible than Marley Spoon’s ability to swap proteins or sides in 20% of recipes.
For local delivery (limited to cities like San Francisco, LA, and NYC), you can pick specific meals, but shipped boxes (available in parts of California, Nevada, and a few other Western states) come pre-selected, which felt restrictive compared to Marley Spoon’s 100+ weekly choices.
Pricing is a drawback. Vegan meals range from $11.50-$16.32, and adding meat bumps it to $14.49-$18.77 per meal, plus a $4.95 delivery fee. This is steeper than Marley Spoon’s price, especially for larger plans.
For athletes like me, Thistle’s protein levels were underwhelming compared to Marley Spoon’s high-protein options.
Thistle is ideal for health-conscious eaters or busy professionals who want fresh, no-prep meals, but the limited protein and regional availability make it less versatile than Marley Spoon for families or meat lovers.
You can read my in-depth Thistle review showcasing my experience.
Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest offers a fully plant-based, frozen meal delivery service, contrasting with Marley Spoon’s fresh ingredient kits that require cooking. With over 100 items, including smoothies, harvest bowls, flatbreads, soups, pastas, and snacks, Daily Harvest leans into convenience
Meals are ready in minutes (blend smoothies, heat bowls for 5 minutes), which is faster than Marley Spoon’s 20-40 minute recipes. I tested a medium box (14 items) and appreciated the quick prep, especially after wrestling sessions when I’m too wiped to cook something like Marley Spoon’s Creamy Mushroom Ragu.
Customization is solid. You pick from small (9 items), medium (14), or large (24) boxes and filter by preferences like “high protein” or “low carb.” However, as a meat lover, I was stuck with vegan options, which didn’t cut it for my recovery needs.
The frozen format means you need freezer space, unlike Marley Spoon’s fridge-friendly ingredients. Pricing is more budget-friendly—$6.79-$10.49 per item, averaging $6.88-$8.93 with larger boxes, and free shipping, making it cheaper than Marley Spoon.
However, portions felt small for my 200-pound frame, often leaving me hungry unless I added meat.
Daily Harvest is great for vegans, busy folks, or light eaters who want clean, organic meals without cooking, but for athletes or families needing hearty, meat-based options, Marley Spoon’s flexibility and higher protein content are a better fit.
You can read my in-depth Daily Harvest review showcasing my experience.
Splendid Spoon
Splendid Spoon delivers pre-made, vegan meals designed for quick, healthy eating. Unlike Marley Spoon’s hands-on cooking, Splendid Spoon’s meals are ready to heat or sip in minutes.
The menu offers over 60 rotating options, less than Marley Spoon’s 100+ but still diverse for a plant-based service. I tested a mix of smoothies (Blueberry Coconut), soups (Pumpkin Pear Bisque), and bowls(Tuscan White Bean with Sorghum), and the flavors were surprisingly robust for frozen meals.
Customization is straightforward. You select from plans like 5 smoothies to 20 meals, averaging $9.25-$14 per meal with free shipping. You can tweak weekly picks via a user-friendly dashboard, but there’s no ingredient-level control like Marley Spoon’s protein swaps.
As a lifter, the 10-15g protein per meal was a big letdown compared to Marley Spoon’s 40g options, leaving me hungry post-workout. The meals are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO, using 95% organic ingredients, which matches Marley Spoon’s quality but lacks meat options for omnivores like me.
Packaging is eco-conscious with 100% recyclable BPA-free plastics and dry ice, similar to Marley Spoon’s recyclable boxes but with a cleaner footprint.
Splendid Spoon delivers nationwide, unlike Thistle’s regional limits, but it’s pricier than Marley Spoon’s larger plans.
It’s perfect for vegans, busy professionals, or light eaters who want nutrient-dense meals without prep, but for athletes or families needing substantial protein or meat, Marley Spoon’s customizable, hearty recipes are a stronger choice.
You can read my in-depth Splendid Spoon review showcasing my experience.
Frequently Asked Marley Spoon Questions
How long do Marley Spoon ingredients stay fresh?
Modon’tgredients will stay fresh for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Proteins should be used within 2-3 days for best quality, while heartier vegetables can last up to a week. The recipe cards include storage recommendations for each ingredient.
Can I customize recipes or substitute ingredients?
While Marley Spoon doesn’t offer formal customization options, many recipes are flexible enough to accommodate simple substitutions. You can often swap proteins or vegetables based on your preferences, though this may affect nutritional information and cooking times.
What if I’m missing ingredients or receive damaged items?
Marley Spoon’s customer service team typically resolves these issues quickly. You can report problems through Marley Spoon’s website or app, and they usually offer credits or replacement ingredients for future orders.
How far in advance can I see upcoming menus?
You can typically see the next 2-3 weeks of menu options, which helps with planning and ensures you can select meals that fit your schedule and preferences.
Do they offer any single-serving options?
Currently, all Marley Spoon meals are designed for either 2 or 4 servings. Single-person households would need to plan for leftovers or consider freezing portions.
Summary
Marley Spoon delivers on variety and flavor, making it a fantastic choice for home cooks and active individuals who want protein-heavy, nutritious meals.
The ability to customize dishes and the gourmet feel of the recipes kept my family’s dinners exciting, and the high-protein options fueled my weightlifting and grappling sessions.
With that said, the hands-on cooking and occasional need for pantry staples might not suit everyone, especially those short on time or on a tight budget.
For me, Marley Spoon was a pleasant experience, but I ultimately recommend Trifecta Nutrition for athletes and busy folks. Trifecta’s ready-to-eat, high-protein meals, often hitting 40-50g per serving, align better with my training and hectic schedule, requiring zero prep while still tasting great.
If you’re after convenience and muscle-building fuel, Trifecta is a better bet, but Marley Spoon is a solution for those who love to cook.
Trifecta
Trifecta Nutrition
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