You may even be wondering which one is the cheapest meal delivery service.
Youve seen the commercials and likely received the direct mailers to your door.
The pandemic helped exacerbate the trend when people grew weary of heading out to the supermarket.
Photo courtesy of Blue Apron
What Is a Meal Kit?
A meal kit is a box or other container that holds items you gotta create meals.
(The effect of thiswrapping and packaging on the environmenthas been an increasing topic of conversation.)
For a regular, set price, you’re free to have ready-to-make meals delivered to your doorstep.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Meal Kits vs.
Most companies tend to specialize in one throw in or the other.
Note: The prices in the chart below are based on two to four meals or recipes per delivery.
The price of each meal or recipe typically decreases if you order more at one time.
8 of the Cheapest Meal Delivery Service at a Glance
1.
The company went public in 2017 and, as of 2020, has more than 350,000 customers.
Users can choose between two and four recipes per week (each serves two).
There are lots of food options, ranging from health-conscious to diabetes-friendly recipes.
Users can choose between two and six recipes per week and choose two or four people to serve.
Unlike Blue Apron, HelloFresh has doubled down on food only.
The service offers options ranging from meat and pescatarian to calorie-smart and quick-and-easy meals.
Health care workers, military members and veterans are also eligible for aspecial promotion.
Users can choose between a two-person or family box, and between three and six meals.
Dinnerly offers 16 different meals a week and has options from dairy-free to low carb.
This meal service promotes chef-prepared, healthy meals you might heat and eat in only two minutes.
That means no frying pan needed for this service these are fully prepared, fresh meals.
But dont let that fool you when it comes to variety.
Recipes range from Monterey spinach chicken to a green chile turkey enchilada bowl.
And unlike others on the market, you order one meal per person.
Users can choose between six and 18 meals each week.
There are also vegetarian, keto and protein-plus meals on the menu.
Best-by dates also are printed on the meals so it’s possible for you to plan them accordingly.
Users can choose a ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate or FamilyPlate meal.
Home Chef offers oven- and grill-ready quick dishes, as well as dessert options.
(Lemon cake slice?
Yes, like.)
This service also boasts an extremely wide array of recipes, especially if you have particular dietary needs.
Meals serve from two to six people, and users can choose between two and six recipes a week.
The company offers a range of food options, from keto and paleo to gluten-free boxes.
Customers can choose plans for between two and six people, and three or four meals per week.
PC calls itself pro-plant, offering veggie-laden, plant-based meals.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you gotta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
How Do You Order and Choose Meals?
Bonus: Some of their offerings taste better than takeout or a dish at your favorite restaurant.
Why Choose a Meal Kit?
Its fun to play chef and make meals you wouldnt normally make yourself.
Making Your Own Meals vs.
Ordering a Meal Kit
Meal kits can be an affordable, alternative option.
But if youre faced with sticker shock, remember that youre paying for theconveniencefactor.
Know which items (think: non-perishables) arebest to buy in bulk.
Right now, EveryPlate and Dinnerly are two of the cheapest meal delivery services.
HelloFresh offers many promotions and new-customer deals.
If youre looking for a slightly cheaper option, check out Dinnerly or Home Chef.
Both offer healthy ingredients and vast menu preferences.
Home Chef offers specialty meals at good prices.
However, most meal delivery services offer a range of food options.
Whether youre looking for fresh produce or low-calorie eats, there are many options for nutritious meals.
She owns a content-writing business and her work has appeared in U.S. News, Clark.com and Well Kept Wallet.
