CookUnity Assessment (2025) | BarBend

Juggling life as a full-time author and a aggressive Olympic weightlifter (I’m certain I’ll retire sooner or later…simply not at the moment), I can perceive the attract behind the finest meal supply providers. 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 quick 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 thing. It’s vital to prioritize the dietary high quality of your meals when selecting a meal package or ready meal supply service.” With versatile choices for dietary preferences and tons of selection, CookUnity meals are definitely a pleasant choose, however does it sack as much as different nutrient-dense meal plans? On this CookUnity evaluate, we had Barbend’s Managing Editor and authorized private coach Kristen Geil take a look at out the meal service, noting its ease of ordering and supply, style, high quality of elements, 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 offer a various vary of meals and menus to consumers across the nation. Whereas a pricier possibility, elements are high-quality, and meals might be picked to accommodate quite a lot 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 web site are usually not meant to be used as analysis, prevention, and/or therapy of well being issues. It’s at all times 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 fluctuate.

Essential Takeaways

• There are many methods to filter via 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. Fortuitously, you may filter via low-sodium choices to keep away from these meals.
• Though there’s tons of selection in CookUnity’s menu, the obtainable menu will change relying in your location in america.

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 attempt week to week. You’ll be able to select meals particularly ready by an expert, 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 objects will solely seem at sure areas 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, nonetheless.

If CookUnity delivers to your location, you may choose between six and 16 meals per week, and filter via the intensive menu based mostly on completely different dietary restrictions or preferences — reminiscent of 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 whenever you order,” says Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT. “You’ll be able to filter by allergens, too, however main allergens are saved, portioned, and packaged in the identical facility, so individuals with critical allergic reactions could must keep away from this meal supply completely.”

That stated, Kristen feels the variability and choices are one among CookUnity’s main strengths. “At the same time as a (principally) vegetarian, I believe there’s a lot selection within the menu,” she says. “The worldwide facet of the delicacies is essentially the most spectacular, as I can select completely different Peruvian, Greek, Thai, or Ghanaian meals they usually 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 diet 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 superb for on a regular basis consuming — with some meals having sodium that’s practically the really helpful every 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 complete meal from scratch within the kitchen, making it a greater possibility for some than meal package 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 just a few concepts on who this meal supply service will finest swimsuit, together with who could must steer clear.

Beneficial for:

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

Not Beneficial for:

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

Our Expertise Utilizing CookUnity

Our Barbend professional Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT, tried out per week’s price of meals from CookUnity, and — much like how we take a look at the finest 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 fluctuate relying in your location, that is particular to Kristen’s meals expertise, and others’ experiences may fluctuate. 

Seize a fork and let’s dig in.

Worth Per Meal

CookUnity meal costs can fluctuate, 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 worth to $11.09. Some meals, known as “Chef Specials,” are additionally priced larger, so including these to your order will improve the associated fee.

As well as, CookUnity provides 50% off new prospects’ first-time orders. For Kristen, she obtained six meals for about $51 in whole (together with taxes and transport 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 customary.

Dietary Data

The dietary information of meals are simply discovered on CookUnity’s web site or app. If you happen to’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 choosing your order, full dietary content material is displayed on the web site — together with sugars, fiber, saturated fat, and sodium — in addition to an elements checklist. Packaged meals even have dietary info and elements listed.

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

Portion Measurement

Portion sizes can fluctuate, with meals various from below 500 energy to just about 1,000, however Kristen charges the portion measurement a 3.5 out of 5. She explains, “The parts look a bit of 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 suppose my 6-foot-3-inch and 220-pound boyfriend would’ve gotten full from the meals I’d chosen.” That stated, there’s sufficient selection on the menu that bigger athletes can choose 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 elements are more energizing, 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 executed 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 endurance to make use of the oven. She continues, “The flavour profiles and cuisines are international and complicated, they usually additionally do a fantastic 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 really like this type of grain bowl.” She does admit that some meals may stand to have a bit of extra seasoning — significantly salt and pepper — however she charges the style a 4 out of 5.

As for ingredient high quality, CookUnity, nicely, cooks. Kristen charges the standard a 5 out of 5, since meals are by no means frozen and tasted recent. “I used to be significantly 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 rely energy or observe macros or different vitamins should be choosy selecting their meals. Fortuitously, CookUnity has sufficient selection to tailor to most individuals’s particular wants.

Selection and Customizations

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

With so many meals to select from, it may be a frightening process to decide on your personal meals, so you may go for a chef to decide on your meals for you, after giving some primary pointers on the varieties of meals you favor. Moreover, you may filter the meals by protein preferences or dietary wants, making it simple to navigate via 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 services the place main allergens are saved and packaged, so individuals with critical allergic reactions could wish to keep away from this service. 

Sustainability

CookUnity works to offer cooks a platform to showcase their meals, and likewise sources their elements from accountable, fair-trade suppliers to maintain high quality excessive and environmental influence low. Additionally they use sustainable practices of their packaging and transport, 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 workforce at Barbend, stuffed with licensed private trainers, diet 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 contemplate when buying a meal supply service. If you happen to’re evaluating CookUnity with different ready meal deliveries, right here are some things to contemplate.

• Ingredient High quality: Substances will fluctuate from service to service, from regionally sourced and natural elements, to not even releasing sourcing info. Check out buyer evaluations and the web site to search out elements and high quality that you simply’re snug with.
• Selection and Meal Choices: Restricted choices can get boring after some time, so it’s vital for a meal supply service to offer selection, in addition to completely different meal choices for individuals with sure dietary wants or restrictions.
• Customization: From selecting your personal meals to customizing meals together with your selection of protein, meal deliveries can enable for loads of customization choices. Nonetheless, in the event you undergo 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 may alter the period of time wanted for making ready meals. Whereas meal kits can present a neat expertise of cooking your personal 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 anyplace from $5 to $15 or extra per meal. Ideally, you’ll wish to discover a meal supply service that matches your price range.

CookUnity Vs. Rivals

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

Most likely one of the vital common meal deliveries — I see loads of commercials for it no less than — is Issue Meals, which has a versatile menu with varied meal choices for various dietary wants. You’ll be able to choose low-calorie meals, in addition to high-protein snacks or keto-friendly meals. Whereas it’s a barely larger beginning price per meal than CookUnity, you’re capable of order a pair extra meals every week with Issue, which may be useful for some hectic schedules. Nonetheless, Issue has much less info obtainable about how their meals and elements are sourced.

Residence Chef, then again, is a novel meal supply service in that you’ll be able to order each ready meals and meal kits, which may be match for somebody who’d wish to cook dinner on much less busy days. That is additionally a budget-friendly possibility in comparison with CookUnity, with meals costing $9.99 per serving, however solely a greenback extra in the event you order much less. That stated, navigating via meals is a little more of a trouble than on CookUnity; you may filter to meals ready in below half-hour, however you’ll must scroll via to search out ready meals particularly.

Locations to Purchase CookUnity

If you happen to’re within the contiguous United States (avoid wasting states and areas within the Midwest and West Virginia), you may join a subscription via CookUnity straight via their web site.

Buyer Expertise and Model Status

The ordering and supply course of via CookUnity is easy sufficient, as you may browse and order straight from the web site. You can too select your supply date, and pause or cancel your subscription as wanted, though Kristen notes that she wasn’t capable of 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 nonetheless.

For customer support, there’s a fairly strong 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 type 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 capable of 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 evaluations, each on Google Critiques and Trustpilot. Mixed, that’s from over 22,000 evaluations and rankings. Most evaluations are constructive, 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 every one is in its personal particular person container it’s utterly price it,” states one 5-star evaluate. “That manner I can order 16 completely different meals to swimsuit everybody’s style buds in my household and everybody can have recent, wholesome meals once they’re hungry.”

Our Closing Verdict on CookUnity

With high-quality elements and craftfully executed meals ready by a neighborhood {of professional} cooks, CookUnity definitely gives a novel expertise within the ready meals service. The number of meals is plentiful, and you’ll filter via the meals based mostly by yourself preferences and dietary wants. 

Whereas not each meal is nutritionally full as others, there’s loads sufficient selection within the weekly menu that you could customise meals to suit your particular wants. If you happen to’re in an space that delivers CookUnity, and the meals can suit your price range nicely sufficient, then CookUnity is definitely a meal service to look into.

CookUnity Assessment FAQs

References

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