Updated on Dec. 19, 2024
It's the meal kit that claims to have dinner on the table in just 15 minutes. We tested Gobble meals several times over the course of two years to see if they follow through—or if it's too good to be true.
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Whether you’re cooking a meal kit for the whole family or just for yourself, these convenient boxes make it incredibly simple to put dinner on the table. And when it comes to Gobble meals, it’s all about quick-to-prep meals.
With a range of services offering home delivered meals out there for sustainable and organic food, gluten-free fare and keto-friendly bites alike, what sets Gobble apart are its claims that customers can throw together dinner in just 15 minutes. We decided to put it to the test by cooking three different recipes, to see just how quick and easy the meal kit actually makes dinner prep.
Unlike fruit or produce delivery services, which focus on a specific food group, Gobble is an online delivery service that ships all the makings for multiple meals. Subscribers navigate to the website each week to choose from more than 10 different dinner options, including Gobble’s “Lean and Clean” dinners. There are also add-ons such as salads, sides, soups, desserts and even breakfasts. The variety in terms of flavors and cuisines is awesome, but there’s a through-line with all recipes: Each can be table-ready in just 15 minutes.
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Users can't help but gobble up Gobble's delicious meals and even more appetizing prices and variety.
Overall, the dishes on Gobble’s site are incredibly approachable, with helpful recipe cards to walk through each step. Although there was some chopping and slicing required, the prep tasks were simple and similar to Green Chef. I found that each of the dishes took between 15 and 20 minutes to make. That is slightly over Gobble’s claim, but it still makes dinner prep very quick.
The Gobble meal plan allows you to add preferences to your account, which then automatically selects dishes for you. You can also manually select dishes you would prefer to try. Meals are sent on a weekly basis, but you can skip or cancel at any point.
Once you select your menu for the week, a box of prepackaged ingredients arrives at your door. My box arrived packed with freshness in mind. Each meal was in its own individual zip-top plastic bag. All of the meals were then placed in an insulated bag with ice packs at the base to keep everything cool. I loved how simple it was to unbox and toss the bags in the fridge for later.
I cooked three dinners from Gobble to assess speed, flavor and freshness. Each meal included a large recipe card that outlined the ingredients along with what supplies to gather. Detailed instructions with step-by-step photos were on the back of each card.
Although many meal prep kits include whole veggies or other ingredients that need to be chopped and diced, Gobble does some of that work for you to cut down on time. However, there were still a few ingredients that needed to be sliced up for prep.
We originally wrote and published this piece in 2022. Since then, we’ve tested this service again to ensure our opinion remains current. Gobble meals remain easy to prepare, with step-by-step instructions and weekday-friendly cook times.
Although there aren’t that many meals to choose from, the ones that are there offer good variety. There are also plenty of global flavors and veggie options, as well as the standard meat-and-potato offerings. Every option seems like a good, solid-sized full meal—perfect for families or professionals. Each week, we were offered around 14 dinners, along with two premium dinners, two specialty kits for four and six prepared options.
Not every recipe in the catalog allows customization, but about 70 percent have the option. Customization is limited to the type of protein included. Most changes are free unless it’s a premium option. There are also additional add-ons available, including salads, sides, soups, breakfasts, desserts and grains. Each meal offers two to four servings, and customers can choose up to five meals per weekly box.
I was excited to cook the Thai Chicken Satay Bowl first. The dish called for very little prep work, only requiring I slice green onions, pepper and lime. Everything was then added, in batches, to a saute pan. I found that it took about 20 minutes to cook this dish, mainly because the ground chicken needed more time. Otherwise, it was quick and simple. The dish was colorful, and the yield was plentiful. It had a decent taste, but I was wishing for something with a bit more punch.
Next up, I made the Herbed Chicken with Nectarine Summer Salad and Pesto Bread. The prep time on this dish was a bit lengthier; I needed to chop a tomato, nectarine, red onion and fresh dill. I baked the chicken breasts in the oven at high heat, which was ultra-efficient, but they still took a few minutes longer to cook through than the recipe stated. However, the wait was worth it. This dish was absolutely delicious, with nice, light flavors that paired perfectly with the baguette.
The third dish I cooked was the Bistro Cheeseburger, which produced a fun, unexpected combination of flavors. The only prep work on this dish was slicing a red onion and forming the burger patties, which went fast. The meal cooked quickly and ended up delicious. The buns that came with the kit were soft and flavorful. The burger was juicy and dressed up with Swiss cheese, balsamic red onions and arugula for plenty of flavor. The side for the burger was carrot sticks and ranch dressing, which was fine, but I did wish for something a bit more interesting.
Molly Allen has over 10 years of experience as a freelance writer and photographer specializing in recipes, stories about food and shopping guides. She is also a pizza oven expert, having tested nine different models. Molly is also a former bakery owner and event planner who can accurately explain the difference between cake and yeast doughnuts, how to make blue velvet cake and the best cheese board pairings for a delicious spread.
Nancy Snyder is a registered dietitian and seasoned professional in nutrition and culinary expertise. She reviewed and fact-checked this piece. With nearly a decade of experience collaborating with restaurant chefs and food manufacturers, Nancy has forged a path at the intersection of nutrition consulting and culinary innovation. She is also a senior shopping editor for Taste of Home, working alongside the Test Kitchen to identify and test products that help each individual reader elevate their personal kitchen experience.
Gobble has plans for two or four people, with the option to choose between two and five meals per week. Dinners for two range from $11.99 to $16.99 per serving, whereas dinners for four range from $11.99 to $12.99 per serving.
Gobble isn’t explicitly geared toward those with specific dietary needs, but it does offer a vegetarian plan with plant-based recipes. Plus, it is possible to customize meals in a number of ways. Many meals can accommodate specific needs by leaving out certain ingredients such as dairy or nuts. However, Gobble is not the best choice for someone with serious food allergies or intolerances or who needs diabetic-friendly meals or gluten-free meals.
I have cooked with HelloFresh and Marley Spoon in the past. I found the quality of ingredients and flavor of the recipes to be on par with HelloFresh. Each Gobble meal required far less prep work than other meal kits, especially those from Marley Spoon.
Even then, the prep work required was minimal and simple, creating fewer dishes to clean up later. Gobble is priced comparably to Marley Spoon, but it’s more expensive than Dinnerly and HelloFresh.
Gobble is the ideal meal kit for someone who truly wants fast, tasty meals on hand. You can easily store the bag of ingredients in the fridge to grab whenever you need them. The prep work is very light, and the actual cooking is quick. It might not be the best meal kit for dietary restrictions, but it truly helps you put dinner on the table in 15-20 minutes.
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
When they gather round the table, they'll be delighted to find a Gobble dinner on their plates. Your first six meals cost just $36!
Gobble meal kits can be purchased on the service’s website. For meals for two people, prices are between $67.96 and $119.90 per week. For meals for four people, prices are between $103.92 and $239.80 per week. Note: Only the first week includes free shipping. Not only will you gobble up these delicious meals but the company’s mission, too! Quick dinners for the win.;’
