Marley Spoon (officially Martha & Marley Spoon) is a meal kit delivery service co-founded by Martha Stewart. It sits at the premium end of the meal kit market, focusing on delivering inventive, globally inspired recipes with fresh, high-quality ingredients, often resulting in meals that feel more gourmet than standard options.
The service is ideal for home cooks who enjoy the process of cooking and want to expand their culinary repertoire with recipes that are generally more complex and feature bolder flavors than its sister service, Dinnerly.
Who is Marley Spoon For? Focus on Quality and Culinary Exploration
Marley Spoon targets customers who want to cook delicious, high-quality meals at home without the planning or grocery shopping.
Marley Spoon is ideal for:
- Experienced Home Cooks: Recipes are broken down into easy-to-follow steps but often involve more chopping, sauce-making, and techniques than competitor kits.
- Foodies: Customers seeking unique and sophisticated meal ideas, including “Martha’s Best” featured recipes.
- Couples/Small Families: Plans serve two or four people, and portions are generally considered generous.
- Health-Conscious Eaters: The menu offers clear tags for Low-Calorie (650 calories or less), Low-Carb (40g or less), and Vegetarian options.
Menu and Variety: 100+ Options Weekly
Marley Spoon stands out with one of the largest weekly menus in the industry, offering over 100 choices that span meal kits, prepared meals, and market add-ons.
| Menu Category | Description | Preparation Time |
|---|---|---|
| Meal Kits | Recipes designed to be cooked in six steps using high-quality, pre-portioned ingredients. | Typically 30–45 minutes |
| Express Recipes | Faster versions of meal kits with minimal prep. | Ready in 15–20 minutes |
| Ready-to-Heat Meals | Single-serving, prepared meals for maximum convenience (similar to Daily Harvest’s Prepared Meals but less focused on whole plants). | 2–5 minutes (Microwave/Oven) |
| Market Add-ons | Includes extra proteins, side dishes, breakfast items, and occasional baked goods. | Varies |
Dietary Focus: The menu is highly diverse, including options for:
- Everyday Variety
- Low Calorie
- Low Carb
- Vegetarian/Pescatarian
- Quick & Easy
Marley Spoon Pricing and Plans
Marley Spoon’s pricing structure is competitive for a premium kit, with the price per serving decreasing significantly as you order more meals. All plans require a flat shipping fee.
Pricing Structure (Estimated, varies by plan size):
- Lowest Price Point (6 meals for 4 people): Starts around $\$8.69$ per serving.
- Highest Price Point (2 meals for 2 people): Up to $\$12.99$ per serving.
| Box Size | Meals Per Week | Servings Per Week | Estimated Price Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallest | 2 meals for 2 people | 4 | $\sim\$12.99$ |
| Mid-Range | 3 meals for 4 people | 12 | $\sim\$9.99$ |
| Largest | 6 meals for 4 people | 24 | $\sim\$8.69$ |
Note: A flat shipping fee of approximately $11.99 is added to every box. Premium recipes and Ready-to-Heat meals may incur an additional upcharge.
Final Verdict on Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon successfully bridges the gap between basic weeknight dinners and restaurant-quality cooking. The service provides generous portions and consistently fresh ingredients necessary to execute Martha Stewart’s unique and flavorful recipes. While the meals may require slightly more cooking time and dishes than budget alternatives like Dinnerly, the resulting flavor and presentation are typically worth the extra effort.
It is an excellent choice for those who view cooking as a fun, educational activity rather than a chore, and are willing to pay a slight premium for elevated cuisine and variety.