Marley Spoon Review

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Reviews: Is It Worth the Hype?

Meal kit delivery services have revolutionized how people cook at home, and Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is one of the standout names in this competitive market. Promising recipes curated by the legendary Martha Stewart herself, this service offers pre-portioned ingredients and straightforward instructions to make gourmet cooking accessible to everyone. But does it live up to its promise? In this review, we’ll break down the pros, cons, and who this service is best suited for.

Overview of Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon aims to deliver the quality and sophistication Martha Stewart is known for, right to your kitchen. They offer over 45 recipes weekly, with options that cater to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, low-carb, and family-friendly meals. Marley Spoon sources fresh, seasonal ingredients and pre-portions them to reduce food waste.

The brand emphasizes simplicity and quality, making it easier for both novice and experienced cooks to enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home.

Marley Spoon Meal Kit Service Customer Reviews

Overall, customers have shared a wide range of experiences with the Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon meal kit service. Several key themes emerged from the reviews:

Packaging Issues: A significant number of users reported problems with the packaging. Common complaints included broken ice packs, leaking boxes, thawed or warm meat, and overall poor handling of ingredients during transit. Many noted that ingredients arrived in poor condition, making them inedible and leading to a frustrating experience.

Ingredient Quality and Missing Items: Several users mentioned that ingredients were either missing or in inadequate portions for the recipes provided. Others noted that the quality of the ingredients, especially produce, was often subpar, with items arriving spoiled or going bad within a few days.

Recipe Cards and Instructions: Some users found the recipe cards to be poorly designed, with unclear instructions and inaccurate prep times. Others complained about the inconsistent quality of the recipes, ranging from bland to overly complicated for the results they delivered.

Customer Service and Refunds: Experiences with customer service were mixed. While some users praised Marley Spoon’s quick response and willingness to issue refunds or credits, others were dissatisfied with the handling of their complaints, citing difficulties in reaching headquarters and getting their issues resolved.

Positive Feedback: Despite the negative reviews, a few users shared positive experiences, praising the freshness of the ingredients, the variety of recipes, and the overall taste of the meals. Some mentioned that Marley Spoon was better than other meal kit services they had tried in terms of recipe variety and ingredient separation.

Value for Money: There was a general consensus that Marley Spoon’s meals were overpriced for the quality and experience provided. Many users felt that other meal kit services offered better value for the same or lower cost.

Conclusion: The reviews suggest that while some users enjoy Marley Spoon for its recipe variety and fresh ingredients, there are notable issues with packaging, ingredient quality, and customer service. If you’re considering Marley Spoon, be aware of these potential drawbacks and weigh them against other meal kit options that might better suit your needs.

How it works

Sign up at MarleySpoon by clicking on “Choose your meal kit.” From there, you’ll select your box size, from 4 to 24 meals for families of 2 or 4 people. As you adjust the number of servings in your box, you can view your estimated cost and discount based on your promo code (see below).

During this step, you’ll also have the option to “make my box vegetarian,” a bonus you won’t find through other meal kit delivery services.

After choosing your box size, you’ll enter your zip code, email address, shipping information, and payment details. The simple form has your subscription up and running in minutes. You’ll then receive your shipping date and expected future schedule.

Depending on your location, your box may be shipped from New Jersey, Texas, or California, whichever fulfillment center is closest.

One downfall we found is that some customers are only given one option for the delivery day. Due to location, this may be the only available day, not leaving any room for adjustment.

Each week, you’ll use your Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon login to access over 100 Martha Stewart recipes on the menu.

You may pause or cancel your subscription at any time as long as you do so seven days before the delivery date of your next box.

Cost of Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Meal Kit Delivery Service

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon meals are more expensive than some competitors. 2-person boxes range from $10.49-$15.99 per serving. 4-person boxes are somewhat more affordable at $9.19-$11.99 per serving. Compared to other meal kit delivery services, this is high.

When researching Home Chef, HelloFresh, EveryPlate, and Blue Apron, we found no other portions priced at $15.99. 

Shipping is a flat rate of $11.99, so no variability will be noted in the cost. Also, if you have a promo code, you likely won’t have to pay on your first week.

Premium meals are offered weekly for an additional fee. These selections provide prime cuts of meat, special dessert bundles, or extra portion sizes. Once you sign up, each is listed with additional cost-per-serving for total transparency.

Figures are approximate; see MarleySpoon.com for more detailed information.

While the price point is higher than other meal kit delivery boxes, the scrumptious flavors, high-quality ingredients, huge menu, and convenience of shipping it to your door might be worth it.

If you’re still unsure, check out their weekly menu selection, where you can view up to 4 weeks of menus. You’ll find easy access to each recipe card with full-color images and step-by-step instructions.

Each card describes the meal’s preparation time, level of difficulty, and nutritional content. You’ll also see information on allergen presence, such as dairy, gluten, and soy. If you care to, you can do your own shopping and try the recipes before committing to the subscription.

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Discounts

There’s no shortage of Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon promo codes. A Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon promo code is offered to new customers for $177 off their first four boxes. When the coupon code is applied, the box price is reduced by up to 64%, and shipping becomes free. The remainder of the discount is then applied over the next several orders. Therefore, you must order several boxes to take full advantage of the promo code.

Military service members, veterans, first responders, teachers, government employees, and medical providers can enjoy 50% off of their first order and free shipping. They’ll need to verify their identity through ID.me, and they’re set to go.

Review Recipes and Options

With 100 recipes to choose from each week, there’s something for almost everyone.

Low-calorie, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and other options are all clearly listed on the menu. While Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon make no guarantees regarding allergens, they are as transparent as they can be regarding ingredients and packaging facilities. However, one challenge is that the recipes are not organized by allergen, diet type, or even protein, and there’s no search option. You’ll need to scan the menu to find what you want.

Something you won’t find on the menu is breakfast. While other meal kit delivery services, such as Home Chef, offer excellent breakfast meals and smoothies, these options don’t exist here. Lunch is an option, as many meals could work as lunch or dinner.

Some of our favorite recipes include:

• Coffee Rubbed Steak & Homemade Chimichurri with Zucchini Corn Agrodolce
• Smoked Salmon Poke Bowl with Cucumber & Edamame
• Ravioli & Vegetarian Boscaiola Sauce with Zucchini & Parmesan

Kid Friendly meals abound in the Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon recipe collection:

• Cheddar Cheeseburger & Crispy Potato Wedges with Special Sauce & Pickled Cucumbers
• Japanese Chicken Curry with Sushi Rice
• Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Caesar-ish Potatoes & Cucumber Salad

If you’re short on time, the “Under 30 Minutes” meals will be your lifesaver.

• Seared Herbs de Provence Salmon with Creamy Pesto White Beans
• Chicken Pad Thai with Peppers, Peanuts & Lime
• Fast! Cheesy Baked Gnocchi with Broccoli & Roasted Peppers

Diet Options

The Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon recipe cards are very specific about nutritional value, ingredients, allergens, and allergens present in the packaging facility.

However, the service does not offer a specific box plan that caters to allergens or specific diets. They also don’t make their menus searchable by those specific criteria.

Gluten-Free

If you’re looking for Gluten-Free menu options, you’ll find a plethora on the Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon menu.

Clearly labeled with “no added gluten,” some of the recipes include:

• Sirloin Steak & Eggs with Chimichurri & Roasted Potatoes
• Za-atar Roasted Salmon with Feta & Shepherd Salad
• Orange Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli & Jasmine Rice

Nut Free

There’s no way to limit your menu selections to those without nuts. However, under “Allergens” on each recipe card, you’ll find information on nut inclusion or if the ingredients have been packaged in a facility that also packages nuts. Note: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon does not guarantee nut-free meals.

Vegetarian

The Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon vegetarian menu is outstanding. If you are a vegetarian household, you can select “make my box vegetarian” when you first sign up, and your menu selections will be customized accordingly. While you can still choose from meat dishes, you’ll have the pick of a host of vegetarian meals.

This week’s vegetarian menu includes:

• Persian-Style Braised Eggplant over Turmeric Rice with Fresh Herbs
• Tortelloni Florentine with Marinated Tomatoes & Crispy Croutons
• Spinach & Ricotta Calzone with Green Salad

Soy Free

If you avoid soy products, you’ll find it challenging to do so with this service. The recipe cards indicate if soy is present in the meal or the packaging facility, but Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon do not specifically offer soy-free meals.

Milk Free/ Dairy Free

Each recipe in the Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon menu will indicate clearly if it is dairy-free.

There are plenty of options available, including:

• Aunt Voula’s Braised Tilapia with Fennel, Tomato & toasted Ciabatta
• Sausage & Greens Soup with Potatoes & Beans
• Crispy Sweet Chili Cod with Broccoli & Lime Rice

Calorie-Conscious

If you’re counting your calories, the abundant low-calorie recipes on the Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon menu are for you. The delicious and filling meals will make you forget you’re eating low-calorie food.

You can view the calorie count under each recipe card and track your macros (fat, protein, carbs) as well.

• Chicken & Mushroom Sauce with Roasted Broccoli & Garlic Bread
• Chicken Al Pastor Quesadilla with Pinapple Salsa & Crema
• Fast! Smoked Salmon Brown Rice Bowl with Creamy Lemon-Dill Dressing

Carb-Conscious

Whether you’re Diabetic or just trying to live a healthier lifestyle, monitoring your carbohydrate intake is simple with Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon’s low-carb menu options.

Meals are abundant and flavorful, so you’ll never miss the carbs!

• Herb Baked Shrimp Casino with Roasted Carrots & Green Beans
• Grilled Pollo Asado & Fresh Salsa with Grilled Peppers & Onions
• Chicken Parm Skillet Meatballs with Mozzarella & Parsley

Does Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon have Kosher meals?

No, there are no options for Kosher meals within their menu at this time.

Does Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon have Whole30 meals?

No, there are no specific Whole30 options within their menu. You may be able to find some meals that are close, but nothing is geared specifically towards the lifestyle.

Does Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon do Paleo meals?

No, there are no specific Paleo meals available. If you eat Paleo, you may be able to find some options and make some edits to make the meal plan work.

Does Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon have diabetic meals?

Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon offer a wide range of low-carb meals for patients on diabetic dietary plans. We’ve listed a few of the fantastic options above.

Does Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon do Fodmap?

No Fodmap option is available through Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon.

Is Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon vegan?

Yes! Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon is one of the few meal kit delivery services offering vegan options. As you scroll through their weekly menu, the Vegan meals will be clearly labeled for you. There are more than enough to make your entire box vegan each week if you’d like.

Some of the delicious options are–

• Falafel & Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl with Tahini-Turmeric Dressing
• Vegan Filipino Tofu Sisig with Jasmine Rice
• Cauliflower “Steak” with Almond-Olive Relish and Beans

Does Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon have Keto meals?

While there is no indication on the recipe cards that the meals are Keto, there are low-carb options that may fit within the parameters of Keto if you are careful in your selections. Macros are also labeled clearly on each card.

ETHICAL PRACTICES

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is deeply committed to ethical practices.

When you use the service, you’re participating in green practices that include:

• Decreasing Food Waste
• Decreasing Greenhouse Gasses
• Afforestation
• Financing Wind Turbines
• Financing the Transition to Clean Energy
• Financing Clean Cookstoves for Those in Need

According to their Sustainability Report, households throw away approximately 30% of the food they purchase from local markets. An independent study of their operations showed that Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon wasted only 1% of the food in their systems, a dramatic reduction. This, and many other of their practices, leads to a healthier and greener world.

MARTHA STEWART & MARLEY SPOON REVIEWS

We’ve scoured the internet for reviews of Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon meal kits. Below, we’ve compiled a list of their customers’ most common pros and cons.

Positive Customer Reviews on Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon

• Home Chefs raved about the generous portions
• Consumers loved the variety of menu options
• Busy customers loved how quick and easy meal preparation was

The Not-So-Good

• Some consumers found the recipe cards to be of poor quality and difficult to understand
• A few home chefs were surprised at the number of pantry staples required for some meals
• Customers stated that the phone system made contacting a person difficult

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

What We Loved

1. Diverse Recipe Selection

Martha Stewart’s influence is evident in the curated menu. From globally inspired dishes like Thai Green Curry to American classics like Beef Bourguignon, there’s something for everyone. Each week, you’ll find:

• Family-friendly options: Meals that are quick, simple, and pleasing to picky eaters.
• Gourmet choices: Elevated dishes for special occasions or adventurous palates.
• Diet-specific meals: Vegetarian, low-calorie, and low-carb options are clearly labeled.

2. Quality Ingredients

Marley Spoon prides itself on sourcing fresh, high-quality ingredients. Their produce is seasonal and often locally sourced, while proteins like chicken and beef are responsibly raised. The attention to ingredient quality sets it apart from some competitors.

3. Easy-to-Follow Instructions

Each meal kit comes with a detailed recipe card, complete with step-by-step instructions and images. Even those with minimal cooking experience can confidently prepare delicious meals.

4. Reduced Food Waste

Ingredients arrive pre-portioned, which not only saves prep time but also minimizes waste. This is particularly appealing to those who dislike buying a large bottle of a spice or condiment they’ll only use once.

5. Time-Saving Convenience

With meals taking about 30-40 minutes to prepare, Marley Spoon helps you reclaim time without sacrificing quality.

Room for Improvement

1. Pricing

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is not the cheapest meal kit service. Meals start at around $9 per serving, with shipping costs adding another $8.99 per box. For larger households or those on a tight budget, this could add up quickly.

2. Packaging Waste

While the company strives to use recyclable materials, the amount of packaging per box can feel excessive. For eco-conscious consumers, this might be a drawback.

3. Limited Customization

Although the weekly menu is diverse, customization options are limited. For example, you can’t swap ingredients within a recipe to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions.

4. Perishable Ingredients

Freshness is critical, and while Marley Spoon’s ingredients are high-quality, they’re also perishable. If you don’t cook the meals within a few days, some items may spoil, especially delicate produce.

Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Meal Delivery Service Rating Summary 

All images sourced from: www.marleyspoon.com

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Tammy McKinney