Discounted meal delivery services
But these services can range quite a bit in price, with some costing even two or three times as much as others. This can make it particularly challenging for anyone on a tight budget to find an option that works for them.
We included an assortment of both prepared meals — which can typically be heated in the microwave or oven with no meal prep required — and meal kits, which include preportioned ingredients and recipe cards so you can make your own meals at home.
Keep reading for 5 of the best affordable delivery services in , along with our feedback on each service and a closer look at how they compare. As part of our testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the signup and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, ease of cooking, and, of course, the taste.
We score them accordingly. Learn more about how we test meal kits. Each service in this article:. There are a few factors you may want to consider when selecting a meal delivery service to ensure that the company fits your lifestyle and budget:. Meal delivery prices can range quite a bit.
If you regularly dine out or order takeout, a meal delivery service could save you money, depending on the service you choose.
But compared with buying groceries and cooking meals at home, meal delivery services tend to be more expensive. Meal delivery services can range quite a bit in price, making it challenging for people on a budget to find suitable options.
But several cost-effective services are available, many of which offer options to fit some dietary restrictions and food preferences. When deciding which meal delivery service is right for you, consider factors such as variety, quality, cost, availability, and ingredients.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. These Black-owned companies check all the marks for freshness, flavor, and elevating Blackness in the food industry.
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Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on November 28, On this page Our picks Comparison table How we tested How to choose FAQ Bottom line. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? While not the most adventurous or customizable meal box out there, Home Chef delivery fresh, quality ingredients and tasty recipes consistently.
Home Chef arranges many of their dishes by the time it takes to make them, from minute meals like their prosciutto and fig mini flatbreads to elaborate dinners in their Culinary Collection like the bacon jalapeno popper steak sandwich.
Home Chef can also accommodate many common allergies and dietary preferences, including calorie- and carb-conscious meals, vegetarian dishes, soy- and gluten-free foods, and more.
You can customize your protein too, such as swapping a dish with ground pork for ground turkey, and add a la carte items, including breakfasts and desserts. If the cost of meal delivery kits gives you sticker shock, look at EveryPlate.
This meal delivery service is a much cheaper alternative to most others, including its parent company HelloFresh. EveryPlate is an affordable meal kit company focusing on simple comfort food recipes that are easy to make and tasty.
These meal kits are cheaper than takeout and often groceries, and half the price or less of other meal kit delivery services. To keep costs low, EveryPlate uses simpler ingredients, recipes, and packaging. You can order three, four, or five meals per week for two or four people. Each week, you choose from a menu of different dishes, which includes vegetarian meal options.
You can customize many meals for free or a modest fee by swapping the protein or side. EveryPlate meals are fuss-free and familiar, not fancy. If you want to kick your dinners up a notch, you can pay extra for premium meals.
This costs extra per serving for ingredients like seafood and steak and slightly more sophisticated dishes. I tried EveryPlate for myself and found the meal kits to be practical and delicious.
The recipes were easy to follow and most of the ingredients looked and tasted good. And while the meal options are more limited than other services, there are still plenty of tasty dishes on the menu, especially if you love comfort food and classic flavors. If you love cooking as much as you love eating and you have an adventurous palette, Blue Apron is the meal delivery service for you.
Blue Apron offers both meal kits you prepare yourself and heat-and-eat meals that are already fully cooked. Ingredients are sourced directly from family-run farms to ensure freshness and quality and recipes are curated by a team of professional chefs.
Blue Apron offers about 19 different meals per week including usually 14 meal kits, three prepared meals, and two ready-to-cook meals that you just put in the oven. Compared to the price of other meal kit services, Blue Apron is on the higher end of average. When setting up your account, you choose two to five meals per week at two or four servings each.
When I tried Blue Apron, I was impressed by the variety. There were so many different globally inspired, gourmet, and nutritious meals to choose from. The quality of ingredients was excellent and the food was restaurant-quality fantastic. Overall, this meal kit service made me feel like a pro and saved me a lot of time.
Blue Apron would be one of my first choices for people watching their weight too since so many meals are WeightWatchers approved and under calories. This meal kit delivery service is also great for people who want quick prep or prepared meals. Also, it helps if you have more experience in the kitchen because the recipes can be a little vague, which beginners might find frustrating.
One of the first meal kit delivery services ever and the most popular still today, HelloFresh has meal kits figured out.
Fun recipes that are easy and educational make this the best meal delivery service for beginners. The recipes are easy to prepare with simple step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow, and the pre-portioned ingredients provided are always fresh.
HelloFresh offers six different meal plans to choose from, including a vegetarian option, a family-friendly option, and a pescatarian option. Each recipe includes a difficulty rating and nutrition facts. HelloFresh is better than many meal services at catering to different dietary needs.
You can order anywhere from two to six recipes per week — way more options than other meal delivery services — for two or four people each. I tried three meals from HelloFresh and I loved the whole experience.
My favorite things about this company were the packaging and the recipe cards. HelloFresh boxes contain surprisingly little plastic and the meals are separated into individual paper bags, which was way more convenient than sorting through a box full of ingredients. The recipes, another huge strength, included large pictures of each step and helpful tips.
The recipes are easy to follow and there are several kid-friendly dishes on the menu. Plus, HelloFresh lets you customize to your liking. HelloFresh has some balanced meals, but a lot of recipes can be high in fat and calories.
outside their health-forward options. HelloFresh will save you time grocery shopping but might not save you money or might cost more than you spend on dinner now. Sunbasket is a meal delivery service that caters to people valuing sustainable business practices and healthy, organic ingredients.
Sunbasket is the meal kit to choose if you're looking for the freshest ingredients and the healthiest recipes. Although more expensive than competitors, Sunbasket has menus for every diet and lifestyle, whether vegan, paleo, gluten-free, keto-friendly and more. This service prioritizes quality, first and foremost.
Sunbasket has a variety of meals for those who are paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more. In addition to their many creative dishes — like the Moroccan-spiced salmon with jeweled couscous and lemon yogurt or the triple-mushroom quinoa with watercress, scallions, and peas — Sunbasket has an online market, similar to Blue Apron, where you can purchase everything from breakfasts to snacks, to quick lunches and even specialty meats.
The catch with Sunbasket is the price tag. The meal kit portion includes ingredients you follow recipes and cook yourself or options for ready-to-eat meals.
The actual price is personalized to how much food you order. Most meals with Hungryroot you prepare yourself are ready in about ten minutes. Hungryroot mixes in some Walmart and Instacart by also offering a grocery delivery service to its meals. Options include healthy snacks, sweets, fresh fruit, breakfast items and more.
Hungryroot uses a credit-based system that assigns grocery items and recipes a credit value when ordering your plan that corresponds to the number of servings selected. Exclusive to Northeastern U. Outside normal grocery and prepared meal delivery, those in Brooklyn, Manhattan or other delivery zones in New York can also have alcohol delivered with FreshDirect.
Deliveries with FreshDirect can be made up to a week in advance or if you want your groceries quick they can be scheduled for same-day or next-day delivery in selected two-hour windows subject to availability. Alright, food lovers! Enter the modern marvel: Home Meal Delivery Kits!
Most services offer flexible subscription models. You can usually choose how many meals you want to be delivered each week and for how many people.
One of the coolest things about these kits is the variety. Many companies rotate their menus regularly, offering a mix of classic favorites and global dishes that might be new to you.
Some companies even offer breakfast, dessert, and snack options. The cost per meal can be higher than if you sourced the ingredients yourself. Also, while companies are making efforts to reduce packaging, there can still be a fair amount in each box, which could be a concern for the eco-conscious among us.
Before we even thought of tasting anything the fun part! From popular blogs to user reviews on various platforms—think Trustpilot, Yelp, and even Reddit—we dug deep to understand what customers truly want.
We prioritized services that offered a range of options. Once we had our list, it was time for our favorite part: taste-testing! We sampled dishes from numerous services, rating them on flavor, freshness, portion sizes, and overall satisfaction. Yes, it was as delicious as it sounds!
We analyzed the cost per meal, looking for services that provided value for money without compromising on taste. An overlooked but super crucial aspect! And of course, we made some cheeky calls to their customer service to see how responsive and helpful they were.
We favored services that used eco-friendly packaging, had recycling options, or showcased any efforts towards sustainability.
Armed with all this data, our team sat down for some serious discussions and maybe a food coma or two! We debated, discussed, and sometimes even passionately argued to whittle down our choices to the final list. Gone are the days when ordering food was a rare treat.
With the advent of meal delivery services, a plethora of culinary delights are just a click away. Imagine getting gourmet dishes or even simple home-cooked style meals delivered right at your door, without the hassle of grocery shopping or meal prepping.
But with the vast sea of options available, how does one pick the right service? Enter meal delivery services! They cater to a range of preferences, from health-focused meals to indulgent treats. Before you get overwhelmed with options, take a moment.
Think about what you really need. Are you aiming to lose weight? Maybe you need high-protein meals. Or are you a gourmet at heart, seeking new and exotic flavors?
Pinning down your priorities can narrow the field significantly. From those avoiding gluten to vegans, and from keto enthusiasts to pescatarians, the spectrum is vast.
Check if your prospective vegan meal delivery service can cater to your specific dietary needs. We all dream of eating like royalty, but the wallet does have its limits. While exploring, keep an eye on the price tag.
Some services might seem affordable at first but can rack up costs with add-ons. Find one that offers the best bang for your buck. Look into how your chosen service packages its food. Do they use excessive plastic?
Or have they adopted eco-friendly alternatives? Your choices can make a difference.
Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Meal Kits Coupons and Deals ; Martha · $ to $ per person · $ ; HelloFresh · $$ · $ First shipping is FREE ; green chef logo · $ -