8 best recipe boxes to inspire you in the kitchen in 2026

There are over 50 recipes available at HelloFresh each week, which are rotated regularly. Categories include "Family Friendly", "Fit & Wholesome" and "Quick & Easy", among others.

Ingredient bags are numbered, making it easy to match with their recipe card after a busy day at work, and pre-measured ingredients, such as sauces, make it extra quick to put together.

We tucked into hoisin beef with pak choi, green beans and zesty rice, which is a simple, healthy switch for your regular takeaway.

Overall, it's an excellent choice for midweek dinners, whether feeding a family, dining as a duo, or making a solo supper (with enough for lunch the next day).

Green Chef bills itself as the recipe box for healthy eating. There are over 37 recipes to select from each week, across six dietary preferences — keto, flexitarian, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and lower-carb.

When we tried it, we rustled up the keto-friendly bun-less beef burger with avocado salad, which was ready in just six steps. And while there weren't any leftovers, the British mince was good quality, and overall the dish was filling (important when trying a diet option!).

Green Chef also offers a selection of "add-ons" including soup bundles, generously stuffed rolls and salads for stress-free lunches.

If you’re serious about sticking to a specific diet, Green Chef will keep you on the straight and narrow — making it well worth the investment.

The premise of Simply Cook is just that – simple. Rather than provide you with boxes of perishable ingredients, you receive four recipe pastes, rubs, marinades and spice blends, straight to your letterbox.

We like the ability to experiment with different cuisines and flavours, while also having the flexibility to choose our protein and veggies.

Simply Cook is also great for cutting down on food waste, giving customers the chance to try new recipes without forking out for an entire jar of tamarind paste, for example.

If you’re looking to expand your repertoire but don’t fancy the set menu format, this is the recipe box for you.

As the UK’s first 100% plant-based recipe kit, Grubby’s mission is simple: to make vegan cooking more convenient and accessible without costing the earth. The streamlined ordering process is a highlight — simply choose between a regular box (which feeds two people) or a family box suitable for four. We opted for the aubergine and green bean Thai curry, describing it as a lighter, fresher alternative to a takeaway.

We love Grubby’s overall ethos — not only is the produce sustainably sourced and delivered in 100% recyclable, compostable packaging, but for every box sold, the company will also donate a meal to a child living in poverty.

Cut down on food waste and feel inspired with Abel & Cole’s seasonal salad boxes. Each delivery includes farm fresh organic fruit and veg, alongside grains, pasta and more, and will feed two as a main meal, or four if eating as a side.

The contents change each week, but we tried the roast aubergine, tomato and mozzarella salad, which was a refreshing midweek meal with an interesting mix of premium ingredients.

We're also big fans of this Unprocessed Lunch Prep Kit which creates three UPF free meals for the working week, from one batch cook – genius.

Giggle Kitchen encourages children to get excited about cooking, with monthly boxes packed full of fresh ingredients, comic-book recipe cards, crafts and games. Designed for children aged five and over (although my four year old loved it!), each delivery includes everything they need to cook two family-friendly meals, developed by a chef and paediatric dietitian.

My little chef made Pizza Faces and Lemon & Courgette Muffins, while wearing her DIY chef's hat and dishing out stickers. We love that the recipes encourage children to take the lead in the kitchen, helping them build real confidence and practical cookery skills.

The recipes were fun and delicious, and that proud 'I made this!' moment, priceless.