As someone who loves to cook but often struggles to find the time and energy to plan meals, I decided to try Marley Spoon. I’ve been using their meal kit service for the past three months, and I have to say, it has been a game changer for my kitchen routine.
- Cost: 7/10 - $8.49 per serving based on 4 people and 5 recipes per week
- Choice: 10/10 - 50+ recipes to pick from each week.
- Quality: 8/10 - The ingredient quality is on par with Hello Fresh
- Taste: 8/10 - I found the taste of the Marley Spoon recipes to be great along with the serving size
- Flexibility: Skip, pause, or cancel any time.
- Organic: No
- Allergy Safe: Only some meals
Summary
Marley Spoon is a meal kit service that offers diverse cuisine options and caters to various dietary preferences. They provide high-quality, fresh ingredients that are carefully portioned to minimize waste. Their easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipe cards ensure a smooth cooking experience, while their exceptional customer service handles any issues promptly.
Although the service can be pricier than traditional grocery shopping, the convenience and time savings make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a hassle-free and enjoyable meal planning solution.
Pros
- Wide variety of cuisines and recipes catering to different dietary preferences.
- Fresh, high-quality ingredients that are portioned to minimize waste.
- Easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipe cards with accurate estimated cooking times.
- Exceptional customer service to address any issues.
Cons
- It can be pricier compared to traditional grocery shopping and meal planning.
- It may not be suitable for those with very specific dietary needs or preferences.
- Limited control over ingredient sourcing for those focused on local or organic options.
- Packaging waste may be a concern for eco-conscious consumers.
Getting Started
I first visited their website and signed up for an account to get started with Marley Spoon. The sign-up process was quick and straightforward. I provided basic information, including my name, email address, and delivery details.
Next, I chose my preferred meal plan, including options for serving sizes (2, 3, or 4 people) and the number of meals per week (2, 3, or 4). Marley Spoon offers a variety of plans to accommodate different household sizes and schedules.
Once I selected my meal plan, I was prompted to input my dietary preferences and food restrictions. This helped to personalize the menu options that were presented to me. Each week, I could choose from various recipes that catered to my specific preferences.
After selecting my weekly meals, I entered my payment information and confirmed my subscription. Marley Spoon then sent me a confirmation email with the details of my upcoming delivery.
On the scheduled delivery day, I received a well-insulated box containing all the ingredients needed for my chosen recipes and clear, step-by-step recipe cards.
Recipe Choice
First, the variety of recipes Marley Spoon offers is astounding. I love that I can choose from various cuisines and dietary preferences, which keeps things interesting week after week. I’ve dabbled in Thai, Indian, Italian, and even some Middle Eastern dishes, all of which have been truly delicious.
Meal Customisation
Marley Spoon does offer some interesting customisation. When selecting your meals in the menu for your next box, just click on the ‘customisable’ button. You can normally change the protein type.
For example, if there is a chicken dish you might be able to swap it out for fish or pork. I have also seen the ability to change rice between brown rice and jasmine rice. This is a nice option to get meals you are interested in and enjoy more.
Cost
If I had to choose one, the only downside to Marley Spoon is the price. While I understand I’m paying for convenience and quality ingredients, it can be a bit pricey compared to grocery shopping and planning meals. However, the time and stress it saves me make it a worthwhile investment.
| Servings | Cost | Cost per Serve |
| 4 | $64.45 | $16.11 |
| 8 | $102.41 | $12.80 |
| 12 | $142.37 | $11.86 |
| 16 | $170.33 | $10.64 |
| 20 | $180.29 | $9.00 |
Delivery
Marley Spoon delivers their food boxes via courier services, ensuring the meal kits arrive promptly at your doorstep. The boxes are well-insulated and often include ice packs to maintain the freshness and quality of perishable ingredients during transit.
Inside the box, you’ll find pre-portioned ingredients for each recipe, separated into individual bags or containers. This makes it easy to identify which ingredients belong to each meal. Along with the ingredients, the box includes step-by-step recipe cards that guide you through the cooking process.
Delivery times may vary depending on your location and Marley Spoon’s courier service. Typically, deliveries are made during the day, but receiving your box in the evening is possible. It’s a good idea to check with Marley Spoon for specific delivery windows in your area.
Marley Spoon communicates their delivery plans through various channels. When you sign up, they will send a confirmation email detailing your subscription, including the delivery day and address. You can also log in to your Marley Spoon account to view and modify your upcoming deliveries. They also send reminder emails or texts before each delivery, so you know when to expect your meal kit.
In case of any changes to your delivery plans, such as rescheduling or skipping a week, you can easily manage your preferences through your online account.
Meal Quality
The quality of the ingredients in Marley Spoon meal kits is impressive. They prioritize freshness and carefully select high-quality ingredients for their recipes. The produce is often crisp and vibrant, while the meats and seafood are of premium quality, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal.
Marley Spoon takes great care in portioning the ingredients to minimize waste and ensure you have the right amount for each recipe. This attention to detail makes the cooking process more efficient and enhances the overall experience by providing top-notch ingredients for you to work with.
While using Marley Spoon, you can expect to enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home, thanks to the combination of fresh, quality ingredients and their well-curated recipes.
Cooking Requirements
The step-by-step recipe cards provided are clear and easy to follow. Even when I ventured into unfamiliar culinary territory, I felt confident executing the dishes. I also appreciate that the cards provide an estimated time for each recipe, which has been pretty accurate in my experience. This helps me plan my evenings more effectively, especially on busy weeknights.
Generally, it only took around 30 minutes to prepare and cook meals. Some more complicated meals involve a lot more peeling and chopping before an extended bake that did take up to 1 hour.
Taste
The taste of the meals in Marley Spoon meal kits is consistently delicious. The recipes are well-balanced, and the flavors are carefully crafted to create a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.
Marley Spoon offers a diverse range of cuisines, from comfort food classics to more exotic dishes worldwide. Each recipe is thoughtfully designed to highlight the unique flavors and ingredients of the cuisine, and the end result is a restaurant-quality meal that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home.
The recipe cards are easy to follow and include detailed instructions, allowing even novice cooks to create impressive dishes. The quality of the ingredients also contributes to the overall taste, as they are fresh and flavorful.
Subscription Flexibility
In terms of customer service, Marley Spoon has been top-notch. On the rare occasion that I’ve had an issue with a missing or damaged ingredient, their support team has quickly responded and resolved the problem.
Their flexibility is ideal – cancel, pause, or change subscriptions anytime. You must pause 4-5 days before your next box is due. This is great if you are going away or want a break from this cooking. It is also good to try it out for a week or two without a long-term commitment.
Alternative Comparison
Who Is Marley Spoon Suited For?
Overall, my experience with Marley Spoon has been a delightful culinary adventure that has broadened my horizons and made meal planning a breeze. I look forward to continuing my subscription and exploring even more delicious recipes in the future. If you’re considering trying a meal kit service, I highly recommend trying Marley Spoon! I rate it as a close 2nd place to Hello Fresh.