Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. The products featured here have been independently reviewed. This article has been edited and published by Men's Journal. Learn more here . If you’re intrigued by meal kit delivery, but don’t have the time to cook, a
prepared meal delivery service might be the best option for you. CookUnity delivers fresh, single-serve, prepared meals right to your door; all you have to do is heat them up. We tried CookUnity for a week; read on to learn what makes this meal delivery service stand out and whether it could be a good option for you.
This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen. CookUnity At a Glance
What Is CookUnity?
CookUnity meals come in ready-to-heat containers, with sauces and toppings in ramekins. CookUnity is a
healthy meal delivery service that ships fresh (not frozen) prepared meals to your home in single-serving portions. It offers meals from many different cuisines such as Korean, Creole, Mediterranean, and more. You can browse meal options by dietary preference or restriction on the website (for example, if you follow a vegan diet you can choose vegan meals), though you can’t see the full menu until you make an account. CookUnity meals are delivered fully prepared, meaning you only need to reheat them to eat. Each meal comes with two sets of heating instructions, a fast method (with microwave instructions) and a chef’s method (which often involves heating different meal components with different methods, i.e., the stove or oven). Using the chef’s method to reheat your food takes a bit longer and involves more kitchen equipment, but the food will taste better. Both heating instructions are written on the packaging or found via web link through the QR code on the packaging. Rachael Gonzalez tested CookUnity for a week and had a positive experience with the meals she tried. She used the microwave to heat up all her meals, saying, “The reheat time was just right. A lot of them came with a sauce or were marinated so I think that helped as well.” Gonzalez also liked how CookUnity included toppings, such as pickles, in plastic ramekins, “I thought this was a nice touch,” she says. CookUnity offers add-on options like desserts, snacks, and breakfast meals. “The portion sizes were more than enough for me. My husband had some too (he eats more than I do) and said some meals are a good portion for him while others were more of an in-between snack size so it varied for him,” Gonzalez says.
How Does CookUnity Work?
CookUnity is a
meal subscription service . You commit to receiving a certain number of pre-made meals (four, six, eight, 12, 16) per week. When you order a larger number of meals, the cost per meal goes down. You can change your subscription, skip a week, or cancel at any time. You are also able to choose your preferred delivery day to receive your meals on the day most convenient for you.
Pros
Cons
CookUnity Meals
Meals are developed by chefs and contain fresh, healthy ingredients. “These meals were by far the best prepared meals I’ve had. The chefs use whole foods and ingredients to make marinades and sauces that are delicious and flavorful,” Gonzalez says. She also enjoyed the different dimensions of flavor in each dish, noting that the complexity and flavor profiles were “next level.” Despite the fact that she used a microwave to heat up the dishes, she found everything retained its texture well, and seemed really fresh.
CookUnity Pricing
Since CookUnity is a subscription, you’ll get a better price the more meals you buy at once. While it’s tough to put a price on the convenience of having fresh, delicious meals delivered to your home, CookUnity is a more expensive option, especially if you only want to receive a few meals each week. Depending on where you live, these prices are similar to what you might pay in a restaurant for a cooked-to-order meal.
Who Should Use CookUnity
CookUnity meals are single-serve, making them a great option for a work-day lunch. CookUnity is great for working professionals who are looking for healthy, delicious meals that require no preparation. These are a good option for a workday lunch or a quick, convenient meal after a trip to the gym. Cooking for one can be expensive and difficult, so CookUnity would also be a good option for anyone who lives alone. It may be best suited for people who don’t like cooking lunch in the middle of the work day, since the smaller portion sizes are a bit more suited to lunch than dinner.
Who Should Not Use CookUnity
CookUnity isn’t the best budget option because of its relatively high cost per meal. If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to look into a more affordable prepared meal delivery service, or take the time to prepare your own food. It also won’t work well for families or couples, because the meals come in single servings only. If you live with a partner or spouse, you could order one of the subscriptions with 12 or 16 meals per week and split the meals between you.
What Customers Are Saying About CookUnity
Customers love how convenient, delicious, and sustainable CookUnity’s meals are, and that CookUnity works with so many dietary restrictions and preferences, including vegan, paleo, low-sodium, high-protein, gluten-free, and other options. CookUnity delivers to most of the United States, excluding North and South Dakota and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, and West Virginia. Gonzalez says the food arrived cold and the ice pack was only slightly thawed. Some customers complain about radically different portion sizes, which can be frustrating at this price point.
About CookUnity
CookUnity meals include nutrition information on the boxes so you know the macros and calorie content of each meal. CookUnity describes itself as the sustainable, restaurant-quality alternative to frozen meals and meal kit delivery services. It prioritizes sustainable, reusable, and recyclable packaging. Each meal is created by a chef and contains diverse flavors, cuisines, and styles. CookUnity’s most famous chefs include Esther Choi, Einat Admony, and Dan Kluger.
CookUnity FAQs
How Long Do CookUnity Meals Last?
According to the website, CookUnity meals last four to seven days in the refrigerator. Though the meals arrive fresh, you can always freeze the meal yourself when you receive it to prolong freshness.
Do You Freeze or Refrigerate CookUnity Meals?
CookUnity meals arrive fresh and are intended to be refrigerated. If you know you won’t get to one of your meals within the suggested eat-by window, you can freeze it yourself.
Is The CookUnity Container Oven Safe?
CookUnity meals come in sustainable, oven- and microwave-safe packaging. The meals come with instructions for reheating the meals in the microwave and in the oven.
Is CookUnity a Subscription?
Yes, CookUnity is a meal delivery subscription service. You can choose your own meals and change, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time.
Are CookUnity Meals Pre-Cooked?
Yes, CookUnity meals are pre-cooked and fresh (not frozen). They include two sets of heating instructions: one for the microwave (faster and more convenient) and a set of chef’s instructions that involve a bit more time, but result in a better-tasting result.
Is CookUnity Worth It?
CookUnity is a prepared meal delivery service well suited for anyone living alone, or looking for an easy option for quick meals. Its single-serving portion sizes are useful for portion control; anyone who cooks for their family may prefer a different meal service. In our experience, the meals were tasty, fresh, and healthy.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.