CookUnity Evaluate (2025) | BarBend

Juggling life as a full-time author and a aggressive Olympic weightlifter (I’m certain I’ll retire in the future…simply not right now), I can perceive the attract behind the best meal delivery services. Companies like CookUnity are handy and save tons of time on meal prep with pre-made meals which are able to eat. “Meal supply providers could be a game-changer for these of us who’re brief on time or are in search of some inspiration for brand spanking new meal concepts,” agrees registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. 

Nevertheless, Chelsea additionally warns, “Comfort isn’t every part. It’s vital to prioritize the dietary high quality of your meals when selecting a meal equipment or ready meal supply service.” With versatile choices for dietary preferences and tons of selection, CookUnity meals are actually a pleasant decide, however does it sack as much as different nutrient-dense meal plans? On this CookUnity overview, we had Barbend’s Managing Editor and licensed private coach Kristen Geil take a look at out the meal service, noting its ease of ordering and supply, style, high quality of components, and extra. Let’s get into her findings to see if this meal supply is price a gander.

CookUnity

CookUnity is a ready meals service that makes use of small-batch kitchens with skilled cooks to supply a various vary of meals and menus to buyers across the nation. Whereas a pricier choice, components are high-quality, and meals might be picked to accommodate a wide range of dietary wants and preferences.

Medical disclaimer: The content material on BarBend is supposed to be informative in nature, nevertheless it shouldn’t be taken as medical recommendation. The opinions and articles on this website usually are not meant to be used as analysis, prevention, and/or therapy of well being issues. It’s all the time a good suggestion to speak to your physician earlier than starting a brand new health, dietary, and/or complement routine. Particular person wants for nutritional vitamins and minerals will differ.

Predominant Takeaways

• There are many methods to filter by way of CookUnity’s giant menu, with choices in your selection of protein, international cuisines, and sure dietary wants: vegetarian, vegan, low-calorie, keto, paleo, and extra.
• Some ready meals can rely closely on sodium for taste and preservation, and CookUnity does the identical, with some meals having 2,000 milligrams of sodium in a single serving. Happily, you may filter by way of low-sodium choices to keep away from these meals.
• Though there’s tons of selection in CookUnity’s menu, the accessible menu will change relying in your location in the US.

CookUnity Specs

CookUnity is exclusive of their preparation, as they make small-batch meals supplied by award-winning cooks throughout the nation. Due to this, meals are on a rotating menu, that means there’s likelihood you’ll have loads of completely different choices to strive week to week. You may select meals particularly ready by knowledgeable, with well-known cooks like Esther Choi or John Delucie on CookUnity’s roster.

Nevertheless, this deal with small-batch chef-prepared meals additionally limits meals supply. Because of this, choose menu gadgets will solely seem at sure places within the contiguous United States; some states, like North and South Dakota or the majority of West Virginia, don’t have supply choices in any respect. CookUnity claims to be increasing their attain rapidly, however.

If CookUnity delivers to your location, you may choose between six and 16 meals per week, and filter by way of the intensive menu based mostly on completely different dietary restrictions or preferences — resembling plant-based choices, pescatarian dishes, low-carb meals, GLP-1 balanced meals, and excessive protein meals. “There’s tons of choices and it’s simply filtered while you order,” says Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT. “You may filter by allergens, too, however main allergens are saved, portioned, and packaged in the identical facility, so individuals with severe allergic reactions could must keep away from this meal supply completely.”

That mentioned, Kristen feels the range and choices are certainly one of CookUnity’s main strengths. “Whilst a (principally) vegetarian, I feel there’s a lot selection within the menu,” she says. “The worldwide side of the delicacies is essentially the most spectacular, as I can select completely different Peruvian, Greek, Thai, or Ghanaian meals and so they all really feel and style fairly genuine.”

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois has combined emotions concerning the meal service, as not each meal is as nutrient-dense as others. “As a dietitian who’s all about sustainable vitamin and supporting native delicacies, I can actually get on board with CookUnity,” she says. Nonetheless, she additionally advises, “Most of the meals lean towards restaurant-style eating, which isn’t essentially a foul factor, however some meals aren’t preferrred for on a regular basis consuming — with some meals having sodium that’s practically the advisable day by day consumption of two,300 milligrams.” (1) 

Who Ought to Use / Who Shouldn’t Use CookUnity

CookUnity clearly appeals to individuals who could not have sufficient time to arrange a whole meal from scratch within the kitchen, making it a greater choice for some than meal equipment providers like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, or Residence Chef. Nevertheless, with its giant selection, individuals ought to take heed to the macros and dietary content material within the meals they choose. Right here’s a couple of concepts on who this meal supply service will finest go well with, together with who could must steer clear.

Advisable for:

• People who find themselves strapped for time
• These wanting restaurant-quality meals
• People who wish to have selection of their meals

Not Advisable for:

• Individuals who’d choose cooking with a meal equipment
• Athletes preferring bigger portion sizes
• Anybody with main allergic reactions

Our Expertise Utilizing CookUnity

Our Barbend skilled Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT, tried out every week’s price of meals from CookUnity, and — much like how we take a look at the best protein powders and dietary supplements — she scored the meal service 1 to five on a number of components, together with style, portion measurement, and ingredient high quality. As a result of the small-batch meals and cooks can differ relying in your location, that is particular to Kristen’s meals expertise, and others’ experiences might differ. 

Seize a fork and let’s dig in.

Value Per Meal

CookUnity meal costs can differ, relying on what number of meals you order every week. Ordering six meals every week comes out to about $12.29 per meal, whereas ordering the utmost of 16 meals drops the value to $11.09. Some meals, referred to as “Chef Specials,” are additionally priced greater, so including these to your order will enhance the fee.

As well as, CookUnity offers 50% off new clients’ first-time orders. For Kristen, she obtained six meals for about $51 in whole (together with taxes and delivery prices), popping out to about $8.50 per meal. Nonetheless, she charges the traditional worth a middle-of-the street 3 out of 5, since a bit over $10 a meal is fairly normal.

Dietary Data

The dietary information of meals are simply discovered on CookUnity’s web site or app. Should you’re merely searching the menu, not selecting your meals for the week, macronutrients and calorie content material are displayed. Nevertheless, as soon as you start deciding on your order, full dietary content material is displayed on the web site — together with sugars, fiber, saturated fat, and sodium — in addition to an components record. Packaged meals even have dietary data and components listed.

This breakdown is important with CookUnity since meals on this service can differ a lot. “It’s vital to be diligent about studying the vitamin information to think about how every meal matches into the larger image of your food plan,” provides Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD. Though Chelsea want to see extra data on micronutrients (past sodium), we nonetheless award CookUnity a 5 out of 5 for its dietary data and transparency.

Portion Measurement

Portion sizes can differ, with meals various from below 500 energy to almost 1,000, however Kristen charges the portion measurement a 3.5 out of 5. She explains, “The parts look just a little small however all of them appear to have first rate protein content material — even with my principally vegetarian meals.” At 5 toes and three inches tall, Kristen felt happy with every meal, however she provides, “I don’t assume my 6-foot-3-inch and 220-pound boyfriend would’ve gotten full from the meals I’d chosen.” That mentioned, there’s sufficient selection on the menu that bigger athletes can decide bigger parts and meals.

Meal Preparation

Preparation for CookUnity is so simple as it will get. Meals arrive chilled with ice packs, however not frozen, so there’s no thaw time (and components are brisker, however extra on that later). When reheating a meal, you may put it in a microwave for 2 or three minutes, or reheat it within the oven for 15 to twenty minutes. “Some meals are even made to be eaten chilly,” Kristen provides, making the prep time just about nothing. When you’re finished with the meal, you may toss the meal tray sleeves within the recycling bin, so it will get a 5 out of 5 for its prep and clear up.

Style and Ingredient High quality

“CookUnity is fairly, fairly good for microwaveable meals,” says Kristen, who admits she doesn’t have the persistence to make use of the oven. She continues, “The flavour profiles and cuisines are international and complex, and so they additionally do an excellent job together with sauces and condiments to liven flavors up.” 

Her favourite meal was the Chickpea and Corn Bowl, which she says had nice seasoning and a flavorful sauce. “I eat about 90% vegetarian, so I like this type of grain bowl.” She does admit that some meals might stand to have just a little extra seasoning — significantly salt and pepper — however she charges the style a 4 out of 5.

As for ingredient high quality, CookUnity, properly, cooks. Kristen charges the standard a 5 out of 5, since meals are by no means frozen and tasted recent. “I used to be severely impressed with the standard of veggies and proteins in my meals,” she provides.

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois charges the dietary high quality a 4 out of 5, as “not all of CookUnity’s meals are a house run.” Many meals will style nice, however anybody attempting to depend energy or monitor macros or different vitamins must be choosy selecting their meals. Happily, CookUnity has sufficient selection to tailor to most individuals’s particular wants.

Selection and Customizations

If there’s a facet that CookUnity delivers on, it’s selection. There are over 100 meals accessible week to week, assembly a wide range of wants and preferences for people. “Even with a barely restrictive food plan, I felt like there was a lot selection and meals to select from,” says Kristen, who charges the range a 5 out of 5.

With so many meals to select from, it could be a frightening job to decide on your individual meals, so you may go for a chef to decide on your meals for you, after giving some primary tips on the forms of meals you like. Moreover, you may filter the meals by protein preferences or dietary wants, making it simple to navigate by way of meal choices. You’re absolutely in management on how to decide on your meals, incomes CookUnity a 5 out of 5 for meal plans and customizations. It’s vital to notice, although, that many meals are made in amenities the place main allergens are saved and packaged, so individuals with severe allergic reactions could need to keep away from this service. 

Sustainability

CookUnity works to provide cooks a platform to showcase their meals, and in addition sources their components from accountable, fair-trade suppliers to maintain high quality excessive and environmental affect low. Additionally they use sustainable practices of their packaging and delivery, with reusable totes and ice packs, in addition to recyclable tray sleeves. CookUnity earns one other 5 out of 5 for his or her sustainability and sourcing practices.

What to Think about Earlier than Shopping for CookUnity

The crew at Barbend, stuffed with licensed private trainers, vitamin coaches, and lifelong athletes, have examined over 50 meal supply providers, with extra being tried and examined every year. With that degree of testing, we all know what issues to think about when buying a meal supply service. Should you’re evaluating CookUnity with different ready meal deliveries, right here are some things to think about.

• Ingredient High quality: Components will differ from service to service, from regionally sourced and natural components, to not even releasing sourcing data. Check out buyer opinions and the web site to search out components and high quality that you simply’re comfy with.
• Selection and Meal Choices: Restricted choices can get boring after some time, so it’s vital for a meal supply service to supply selection, in addition to completely different meal choices for individuals with sure dietary wants or restrictions.
• Customization: From selecting your individual meals to customizing meals together with your selection of protein, meal deliveries can permit for loads of customization choices. Nonetheless, in case you endure from paralysis by evaluation, some providers will select your meals for you based mostly in your wants or preferences.
• Prep Time: Meal deliveries can come as ready meals or meal kits, which might alter the period of time wanted for making ready meals. Whereas meal kits can present a neat expertise of cooking your individual meals and attempting new recipes, ready meals are fast and easy to have because you’re simply reheating the meal.
• Price Per Meal: Meal supply providers can price wherever from $5 to $15 or extra per meal. Ideally, you’ll need to discover a meal supply service that matches your funds.

CookUnity Vs. Rivals

Whereas “delivering” a singular meal expertise (pun meant), CookUnity isn’t the one ready meal supply service out in the marketplace. Right here, we’ll evaluate CookUnity to 2 different common ready meal deliveries: Issue and Residence Chef.

Most likely probably the most common meal deliveries — I see loads of commercials for it a minimum of — is Factor Meals, which has a versatile menu with numerous meal choices for various dietary wants. You may choose low-calorie meals, in addition to high-protein snacks or keto-friendly meals. Whereas it’s a barely greater beginning price per meal than CookUnity, you’re in a position to order a pair extra meals every week with Issue, which could be useful for some hectic schedules. Nonetheless, Issue has much less data accessible about how their meals and components are sourced.

Home Chef, however, is a singular meal supply service in that you’ll be able to order each ready meals and meal kits, which could be match for somebody who’d wish to prepare dinner on much less busy days. That is additionally a budget-friendly choice in comparison with CookUnity, with meals costing $9.99 per serving, however solely a greenback extra in case you order much less. That mentioned, navigating by way of meals is a little more of a trouble than on CookUnity; you may filter to meals ready in below half-hour, however you’ll need to scroll by way of to search out ready meals particularly.

Locations to Purchase CookUnity

Should you’re within the contiguous United States (avoid wasting states and areas within the Midwest and West Virginia), you may join a subscription by way of CookUnity immediately by way of their web site.

Buyer Expertise and Model Status

The ordering and supply course of by way of CookUnity is straightforward sufficient, as you may browse and order immediately from the web site. You may as well select your supply date, and pause or cancel your subscription as wanted, though Kristen notes that she wasn’t in a position to cancel her subscription till her first order was delivered. For most individuals, that’ll be a non-issue, however we’d wish to level it out however.

For customer support, there’s a fairly sturdy FAQ part on the web site, together with the right way to cancel or pause your subscription. I like that, since I’ve seen some meal deliveries kind of disguise their directions for cancellation on the web site. CookUnity additionally has a help e-mail listed on the web site that you simply’re in a position to contact in case your questions aren’t answered of their FAQs. Kristen provides, “They’re very simple to contact and have versatile choices of their subscriptions,” so she charges the client expertise a 5 out of 5.

CookUnity has 4 out of 5 stars in buyer opinions, each on Google Evaluations and Trustpilot. Mixed, that’s from over 22,000 opinions and rankings. Most opinions are optimistic, appreciating the standard of meals and appreciating the person ready servings. “It’s pricier than the opposite meal prep providers however as a result of each is in its personal particular person container it’s fully price it,” states one 5-star overview. “That manner I can order 16 completely different meals to go well with everybody’s style buds in my household and everybody can have recent, wholesome meals after they’re hungry.”

Our Last Verdict on CookUnity

With high-quality components and craftfully finished meals ready by a group {of professional} cooks, CookUnity actually offers a singular expertise within the ready meals service. The number of meals is plentiful, and you’ll filter by way of the meals based mostly by yourself preferences and dietary wants. 

Whereas not each meal is nutritionally full as others, there’s a lot sufficient selection within the weekly menu which you could customise meals to suit your particular wants. Should you’re in an space that delivers CookUnity, and the meals can suit your funds properly sufficient, then CookUnity is actually a meal service to look into.

CookUnity Evaluate FAQs

References

1. Mente, A., O’Donnell, M., & Yusuf, S. (2021). Sodium Consumption and Well being: What Ought to We Advocate Based mostly on the Present Proof?. Vitamins, 13(9), 3232. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093232