Marley Spoon Review: A Thorough Assessment for 2025
As prepared meal delivery services continue rising in popularity, many consumers are looking to try options that offer convenience without sacrificing quality or nutrition. That‘s where Marley Spoon hopes to shine.
With recipes developed by lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, Marley Spoon provides pre-portioned ingredients and easy recipes to turn out gourmet homecooked meals. But does the reality live up to the hype?
This in-depth Marley Spoon review covers everything you need to know, from meal options and pricing to unboxing your first order. Read on for a complete assessment of Martha and Marley Spoon meal kits.
Overview of Marley Spoon Meal Delivery
Founded in 2014 in Berlin, Marley Spoon operates in several countries internationally. In the US, meal kits ship from distribution centers in California, Texas and New Jersey.
Here are some vital stats on the Marley Spoon meal kit service:
- 29 recipes across categories like meat, fish, vegetarian and carb-conscious
- 2-6 servings per recipe
- Options to select 2-6 meals per week
- Recipes rotated weekly, with some staples recurring
- Ready-to-heat meals available for quicker preparation
- Meal kit boxes and ice packs made from recycled materials
Marley Spoon ships pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards nationwide. Subscribers select meals from the weekly menu based on serving size, dietary needs and preferences.
Boxes arrive with fresh produce, proteins, grains and sauces packed in recyclable insulation. Aside from basic cooking tools, no extra ingredients are needed.
How Meal Delivery Kits Can Benefit You
Research shows meal kits offer significant advantages over both restaurant takeout and conventional home cooking.
Compared to delivery apps or frozen meals, meal kits contain more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Following a recipe also helps develop culinary skills.
Meanwhile, having ingredients pre-measured cuts grocery store trips and reduces food waste from spoiled produce or leftovers. On average, meal kits save subscribers 2 hours per week of shopping and meal planning.
For time-strapped households, meal kits strike an ideal balance of convenience, health and affordability. Let‘s examine how Marley Spoon stacks up to competitors.
Marley Spoon vs. Other Meal Kits
The meal kit industry has absolutely exploded recently, with dozens of brands vying for your subscription. Three major players have emerged:
Marley Spoon
- 29 weekly recipes
- Ready-to-heat and carb-conscious options
- Recipes from Martha Stewart
HelloFresh
- 25+ weekly recipes
- Large menu including quick, one-pan and low calorie meals
- Most recipe customization
Blue Apron
- 8 new recipes per week
- Occasional premium meals from guest chefs
- Best for cooking enthusiasts
While offerings vary slightly, these services share more commonalities like eco-friendly packaging, seasonal ingredients and simple recipes designed for weeknight cooking.
Where Marley Spoon distinguishes itself is through its connection to culinary expert Martha Stewart. Her influence means recipes tend to be more gourmet than competitors. We‘ll examine the meal options next.
Overview of Marley Spoon Meal Options
As a Marley Spoon subscriber, you select recipes from a weekly menu in categories like meat, fish, vegetarian, carb-conscious, ready-to-heat and smoothies. Portion sizes scale from 2-6 servings.
Recipes cover a diverse range of world cuisines, from Italian pastas to Indian curries and Mexican tacos. Flavors change seasonally to highlight fresh produce. Expect interesting global ingredients like ras el hanout, ghee, harissa paste, chimichurri and lemongrass.
While recipes rotate frequently, popular staples make return appearances. You also have some flexibility to swap in ready-to-heat meals if desired.
Veggie-centric dishes encompass bowls, flatbreads, frittatas and more made with seasonal vegetables, beans, lentils, tofu and halloumi. For non-vegetarians, seafood offerings tend to be especially strong.
Let’s look at a recent sample menu:
With so many tempting options, the hardest part is narrowing down your weekly choices!
Standout Marley Spoon Meals
During recipe testing for this review, some Marley Spoon meals emerged as favorites:
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Shrimp Quesadillas with Pineapple Salsa: Bursting with sweet, savory and spicy flavors in an easy 30-minute skillet meal
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Mushroom & Roasted Garlic Pizza: Perfectly charred crust with earthy mushrooms and melty fontina cheese
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Chicken Tikka Masala: An aromatic, gently spiced tomato curry infused with warm spices like coriander, cumin and garam masala
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Crispy Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry: Wok-seared strips of flank steak meet napa cabbage and tender broccoli
From Thai noodle bowls to chicken enchiladas, Marley Spoon‘s global flavors impressed in terms of taste, ease of preparation and presentation. Let’s break down the meal specifics.
Marley Spoon Portion Sizes
Marley Spoon meal kit recipes feed anywhere from 2-6 people depending on plan size:
- 2 person plan: Each meal makes 2 servings
- 4 person plan: Each meal makes 4 servings
- 6 person plan: Each meal makes 6 servings
Based on the recipes tested, the portion sizes felt satisfying for the designated number of servings. However, teenagers or big eaters may desire larger amounts.
You can supplement sides or double meal quantities for bigger appetites (keeping in mind it increases cost and leftovers). The flexibility to add extra servings and swap meals helps accommodate varying schedules and tastes within a household.
Nutrition & Ingredients
Marley Spoon emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients for nutrition and sustainability. Expect a good balance of produce, lean proteins and whole grains.
The average 2-serving Marley Spoon meal contains 500-800 calories. Meals hover around 40g carbs, 25g protein and 25g fat depending on recipes.
While not specifically low-carb or keto, the menu includes lighter meals with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles and other veggie swaps. Many meat and fish dishes pair with modest high-fiber sides.
Marley Spoon doesn‘t offer much in the way of calorie labeling or allergy filters. People with specialized diets may prefer competitors with more nutritional customization.
As for sourcing, Marley Spoon tries to partner with ethical suppliers and highlights this via occasional producer spotlights online.
Taste Tests: How Do Marley Spoon Meals Rate?
Marley Spoon meal kits aim to produce restaurant-quality dishes at home. To judge for ourselves, we tested five meals spanning different cuisines.
Factoring in taste, ease of preparation and presentation, results were unanimously positive. Flavors were complex yet approachable, with helpful recipe tips teaching technique along the way.
We did find meals took a full 30-60 minutes of active chopping and cooking. Folks hoping for quick one-pan dinners may prefer picking ready-to-heat options or competitors with speedier recipes.
Beyond that, reactions among testers were glowing. The flavors and plating made us feel like we’d ordered takeout from a gourmet bistro rather than simply throwing ingredients in a pan.
Marley Spoon Packaging
Marley Spoon strives for eco-friendly practices when sourcing packaging materials. Here is a breakdown:
Meal Kit Boxes: Sturdy cardboard made from recycled paper printed with vegetable-based inks
Produce Bags: Reusable handles; made from plant-based materials
Protein Packs: Sourced from renewable sugarcane
Gel Ice Packs: Reusable after a quick rinse; made from recycled plastic bags
Insulated Liners: Repurposed materials like recycled cotton, wool and denim
The layered packing system with chilled and room-temp items works well. Ingredients arrived fresh even with cross-country shipping.
As a nice touch, Marley Spoon suggests repurposing items like sauce bottles or protein bags to cut waste. They also link an article for proper recycling procedures.
Marley Spoon Pricing and Plan Options
Marley Spoon costs between $8-11 per serving, with discounts for larger order sizes:
| Plan Size | Price Per Serving |
|---|---|
| 2 Person Plan | $11 |
| 4 Person Plan | $7-$9 |
| 6 Person Plan | $8-$9 |
Pricing accounts for any promotional offers at time of review.
You select a plan based on servings needed, then choose 2-6 recipes (4-24 individual servings) to receive weekly. Skipping weeks or cancelling is easy online.
Compared to competitors, Marley Spoon falls around average for pricing. Budget-focused brands like EveryPlate offer lower per-meal costs, while services like Home Chef and Gobble skew premium.
Based on taste and quality seen in testing, Marley Spoon provides solid value at its price point. Sales open to new users can also net over $100 in savings.
Placing Your First Marley Spoon Order
Ordering Marley Spoon meals takes just a few minutes online:
- Select plan size based on number of people eating meals
- Pick delivery date
- Provide contact info and address
- Enter payment method
- Choose 2-6 recipes from the weekly menu
Orders must be placed by the Wednesday prior to your desired delivery date. Editing recipes can be done until the Sunday beforehand.
The site makes meal selection and date changes easy. You simply log in and toggle recipes or weeks on and off as needed.
Now let’s walk through what happens when your first order arrives.
Receiving and Unboxing Your Marley Spoon Delivery
Marley Spoon shipments come packed with ice packs in a sturdy cardboard box. Inside you‘ll find:
- Chilled produce like greens and proteins
- Shelf-stable items like grains, canned goods and spices
- Recipe cards detailing ingredients and step-by-step instructions for each meal
- A handy sheet with photos of any unusual ingredients
Individual ingredients are bagged or portioned based on recipe requirements to reduce waste. Proteins come vacuum-sealed with ice packs nearby to keep chilled.
You provide any general pantry items like oil, eggs, butter and basic equipment. With all ingredients prepped and recipes handy, Marley Spoon kits make assembling meals almost foolproof.
Marley Spoon Recipe Difficulty and Cook Times
Marley Spoon categorizes recipes as easy, medium or difficult based on the skills and time involved. This review found ratings accurate compared to Blue Apron and HelloFresh.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Easy recipes: Prep in under 15 minutes + cook within 30 minutes
- Medium recipes: Prep under 30 minutes + cook within 45 minutes
- Difficult recipes: Prep exceeding 30 minutes + cook times up to 60 minutes
Even involved meals relied more on technique like searing, simmering or baking rather than complicated components. We appreciated tips teaching skills along the way.
Marley Spoon Customer Reviews
Marley Spoon customer feedback averages around 4 out of 5 stars across independent review sites. Positive reviews praise fresh, restaurant-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and good portion sizes.
The main complaints reference shipping problems, damaged/missing items, and wishes for more low-carb or one-pan meals on the menu.
Here is a sample of first-hand user reviews:
"I‘m blown away by the quality of ingredients and how everything is packaged. The recipes are restaurant worthy but easy to follow." —> Sam D. on TrustPilot (5/5)
"My first order was awesome. The shrimp tacos were a big hit and made me seem like a master chef! Eager to try more meals." —> Alicia J. on SiteJabber (5/5)
"While tasty, meals are consistently more time-consuming to make than advertised. I wish there were more ready-to-heat and 30-minute options." —> Jacob L. on MarleySpoon.com (3/5)
The majority show Marley Spoon merits its reputation for delivering better-than-average meal kits recipes in terms of flavor, ease and nutrition compared to competitors. Read more Marley Spoon reviews here.
Marley Spoon vs. Grocery Shopping
Meal kits provide convenience by eliminating grocery trips and meal planning while cutting down on food waste. But how much money can you save by ordering Marley Spoon meals rather than shopping yourself?
An average Marley Spoon meal costs $9-12 per serving including shipping. If replicating one of the recipes yourself, buying fresh ingredients would likely run $8-15 per serving depending on proteins chosen.
Factoring in gas, time savings, and reduced waste, meal kits come out cost-competitive or cheaper than grocery shopping yourself. Savings multiply for households ordering larger plans.
While more affordable services exist, Marley Spoon delivers better quality and nutrition than budget picks. For those short on time more than money, it ranks as a worthwhile investment.
Marley Spoon Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are the main advantages of trying Marley Spoon meal delivery:
- Huge time savings from grocery shopping and meal planning
- Convenient pre-portioned ingredients minimize waste
- High-quality ingredients not found in typical supermarkets
- Globally inspired recipes from a recognizable chef
- Develop new cooking skills and cuisine preferences
- Priced competitively compared to restaurant delivery
Potential downsides to consider:
- Must cook majority of meals vs. ready-to-heat options
- Can‘t customize recipes or calories like some competitors
- Hit or miss meals depending on personal tastes
- Must order week of meals at a time
For busy professionals, families trying to eat healthier or aspiring home cooks, the pros seem to outweigh any cons if you match meal kit expectations.
Is Marley Spoon Worth It?
Marley Spoon ranks as one of the top meal kit companies for good reason. Testing showed inventive recipes with restaurant potential you’d be hard-pressed to create on your own.
While not inexpensive, Marley Spoon meal kits affordably replicate a gourmet takeout experience. Even novice cooks can successfully plate up globally inspired cuisine thanks to straightforward recipes.
For food lovers short on time, Marley Spoon removes the stress of deciding weekly meals while serving up delicious variety. With Martha Stewart’s seal of approval on top tested recipes, it earns high marks as a meal kit worth tasting.
Signing Up for Marley Spoon
Ready to dig into Marley Spoon meal kits? Visit their website to get started with special offers.
New customers can unlock deals like $140 off their first five boxes, making it easy to test the service risk-free.
Visit MarleySpoon.com and enter your zip code and email to view starter discounts for your area.
