The Best High Protein Meal Delivery Services to Help Build Muscle and Stay Lean

Also our favorite healthy meal delivery service, Trifecta is a service I initially heard about through my CrossFit gym. You may have recently seen it featured on Netflix's You Are What You Eat. I can count on Trifecta for nutritious, high-protein meals every time. They cater to athletes, and every dish is developed by a team of dietitians, chefs and doctors.

Trifecta has a few different meal plans to choose from, all of which are centered around protein-rich offerings. The Clean Meals plan averages about 29 grams of protein per serving, the Paleo, Whole30Friendly and Classic Meals each have 30 grams of protein per meal, and the Keto plan has about 32 grams of protein per serving. They also now offer a GLP-1 friendly program. Everything comes in vacuum-sealed containers and lasts up to seven days in the fridge (or three months in the freezer).

One standout here is their companion app, which is helpful if you're looking to gain muscle or lose body fat, and testers really liked that the meals were not only healthy and fresh but also convenient. "The protein and vegetables were great. There was a well-planned balance of meats and other ingredients and everything was fresh, easy and satisfying," one person said. Although the nutrition profiles are on point, keep in mind that some of the meals aren't as flavorful as other services on the list.

Green Chef is by far one of my favorite traditional meal kits – the dishes are always flavorful, made with high-quality ingredients and I appreciate just how well-organized each recipe comes in the box. Plus, the service is a USDA-certified organic company and has a Protein Packed plan that you can select when you sign-up, which features dishes with at least 30 grams of protein per serving. I also appreciate that the service allows you to select multiple dietary preferences, so if I want Protein Packed meals that are also keto-friendly, Green Chef has options for mealtime.

I enjoy the large portion sizes with Green Chef, and testers agreed, sharing that the meals filled them up and had great flavor. "I was so impressed with the portions and freshness of the products," one tester said. Although the instructions can be a bit complex for certain recipes and can require many pans and bowls, the vibrant recipe cards with vivid pictures were extremely helpful.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Is Green Chef Worth It?

I appreciate that Territory Foods' meals are designed by dietitians and delivered fresh and prepared. Each meal comes with easy-to-follow macronutrient ratios, portion sizing and exact ingredients. All options are free from gluten, dairy and refined sugars, and they cater to a wide variety of different dietary restrictions and preferences.

Their Performance Nutrition plan is geared towards athletes and post-workout meals, with each dish containing at least 25 grams of lean protein, complimented by 40 grams of complex carbs or more per serving to repair muscle, build strength and replace glycogen stores after a high-intensity workout. The meals are extremely convenient, with some inventive options too so you don't get bored. “Very satisfying and wholesome meals that are extremely healthy,” one tester said. Satiety of meals was rated well, but since the meals are healthier fare they weren't the tastiest we have tested.

Factor is a service I continually return to because I know the meals are not only convenient but also substantial, hearty and super flavorful. I like that the dishes are designed by dietitians and chefs, and the subscription includes a complimentary consultation with a dietitian (which I tried myself and found the practitioner to be very knowledgable).

Most of Factor's meals are on the high-protein side, but you can opt for their Protein Plus plan to ensure that each meal has 30 grams of protein or more. You can add additional dietary preferences on top of that too, including Keto, Calorie Smart, Flexitarian and more. "I really appreciate the quality of the meals and how well-balanced they are." Another tester commented, "There was a really good assortment of options and a lot of things I actually wanted to eat!" Just keep in mind that some meals, especially the keto meals, can be high in saturated fat specifically.

The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating HelloFresh and hiring agency Midway Staffing over claims that migrant children were working at a Factor facility in Illinois. "We were deeply troubled to learn of the allegations made against a former temporary staffing agency, Midway Staffing,” a HelloFresh spokesperson told Good Housekeeping. “As soon as we learned of these allegations, we immediately terminated the relationship. We have strict protocols in place to ensure all vendors follow our robust global ethics and compliance policies. We have zero tolerance for any form of child labor, and we have taken action to ensure no minors perform work in or have access to our facilities.” RJ Parrilli, CEO of Midway Staffing, also told Good Housekeeping, “Midway Staffing continues to cooperate with the Department in its ongoing investigation. Midway Staffing denies that its actions or practices contributed to or caused any alleged child labor violations. Midway Staffing’s business and legal compliance practices strive to follow all applicable laws and industry standards. "

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: My Honest Review of Factor Meals

Getting enough protein, especially complete protein, on a vegan diet can be a challenge. But Purple Carrot always impresses me with their innovative, globally-inspired recipes that are seriously delicious and completely plant-based. The meals are anything but boring, and their high-protein selection offers great meal variety.

The service is definitely on the pricier end, especially given that it doesn't contain meat, but the quality of ingredients and flavor profiles are incredible. The handy booklet that comes in your kit is also great to help you recreate the dishes again at home. The service really introduced me to flavors and food combinations that I had never tried before. Each meal contains between 500 and 800 calories per serving too. Testers described the dishes as "inventive" and "flavorful," with one person saying that the meals felt a bit more upscale than their usual fare. But if you'd rather skip the prep altogether, Purple Carrot offers a line of prepared meals as well.

Meat lovers will appreciate Fuel Meals offerings, which all cater to high-protein fare. The fully prepared meals are a great convenient alternative to traditional meal prep. Their Muscle Gain plan in particular boasts around 50 grams of protein per meal, making it great for bodybuilders and those with higher protein needs. The company does have plans catered to weight loss though too if putting on muscle isn't your goal right now.

I like that the service has a pretty large menu, generous portion sizes, and that Fuel Meals gives you the option to purchase extra proteins on the side whether you want more salmon or grilled chicken to power through the week. The meals are quite tasty, though not the most inventive. Keep in mind that this isn't the service for plant-based eaters, as everything has meat, chicken or seafood incorporated into the dish.

Home Chef, one of my favorite meal delivery services especially for families, launched a ready-to-heat meal brand called Tempo a little over a year ago. While many of the Home Chef meals themselves are high-protein, I like that Tempo is specifically dedicated to protein-packed prepared meals. When you sign-up, you can select a goal to increase your protein intake and specifically choose their Protein Packed plan for 30+ grams of protein per serving.

One thing that stood out to me about this service is the emphasis on nutritionally balanced meals. For example, not only are the meals high-protein but there are several dishes that hit 20% or more of the daily value for fiber – that combination of fiber and protein makes for a filling and satiating meal. That being said, I thought the meals could be a bit more inventive in terms of flavor profiles, but most dishes that I tried were tasty.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried Home Chef for Three Months

I love that the Eat Clean Bro prioritizes high-quality ingredients – everything is free from artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients and added sugars. The meals come fresh, never frozen, and delivered straight to your door. I found the dishes not only filling but also fresh and packaged well. Most entrees have well over 30 grams of protein per serving, and you can filter for high-protein meals when making your menu selection. There are limited vegetarian options, but some are present on the weekly menu if you are trying to emphasize plant-based proteins in your diet.

If you live in the Northeast, you may be able to take advantage of Eat Clean Bro's hand delivery like I did – my meals were brought to me in an insulated bag in one of the brand's personal delivery cars. And if you live near one of their locations in New Jersey, you can even go to the store to pick up your meals. "I liked the personalized service, someone brought it to my door and I got texts beforehand that my order was arriving," one tester said. "The meals were super filling and tasted great." But Eat Clean Bro also ships nationwide, so you can take advantage of their high-protein meals wherever you live. Just keep in mind that there is a $40 order minimum for local delivery or shipping, and meals are on the pricier side since they are fully prepared.

Curated specifically for competitors including bodybuilders, Icon meals ship nationwide (even to hotels, so you can stay properly nourished and fueled when you're traveling). They even offer local delivery or pickup if you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. I like that the menu features a nice selection of more than two dozen entrees every week, with the vast majority of their meals being high protein (you can also opt for this filter on their menu when you order). Though vegetarian options are slim to none, all meals do incorporate vegetables and there is a nice variety of different cuisines on the menu.

You don't have to subscribe to the service, but keep in mind that an eight meal order minimum is required. You can add some protein snacks to your box too, and meals come vacuum-sealed so you can easily freeze them if you don't plan to eat everything right away.