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Meal delivery services can be convenient, but it can be difficult to find the cheapest meal delivery service for those on a tight budget.

This article will describe how meal delivery works and outline some of the most affordable options to try, listing the lowest-priced options first. It will also examine the benefits and potential drawbacks of signing up for a meal delivery service.

The sections below explore some of the most affordable meal delivery services, beginning with the lowest-priced option. This article bases all prices on a plan offering three recipes per week with two servings each.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. Dinnerly claims that it uses fewer ingredients per recipe than other meal delivery companies, which helps cut costs. The company also has a marketplace where customers can order groceries.

According to Dinnerly, the recipes are quick and easy to cook. It also offers child-friendly options. Dinnerly does not provide physical copies of its recipes. Digital-only recipe cards may be unsuitable for those without a reliable internet connection or those who do not have a laptop or smartphone.

The table below breaks down the cost of each plan size without special discounts applied. EveryPlate offers ongoing discounts for students, a feature that is not widespread among other brands. This means students can get discounts for 52 weeks. This offer is available through UNiDAYS.

EveryPlate claims that its insulated boxes can keep meals at the correct temperature for 48 hours after delivery. All Daily Harvest meals are dairy- and gluten-free. People can also buy snacks, lattes, and smoothies. Daily Harvest meals include :.

The table below shows the cost of a typical box, taking items from each meal category. All first boxes come with free shipping. Mosaic Foods provides plant-based, whole-food frozen meals. The company says it freezes its meals to:. It claims that its meals contain 10—20 grams of protein and are ready in 5 minutes.

The brand sells meals a la carte and prices them individually. Mosaic meals include :. The table below breaks down the cost of the Mosaic service, including shipping costs. The estimated cost is based on boxes that include at least one item from each section of the menu. Clean Eatz sells weekly meals, grab-and-go meals, snacks, and smoothies.

It also has a dine-in cafe, and the services are suitable for people who want to engage in a weight loss program.

People must order their food online Sunday through Tuesday and pick up their meals at a Clean Eatz location. This service offers menus and recipes that are not typically available from other companies, including diabetes-friendly recipes and a dedicated WW menu.

This could be a good choice for people already following a WW diet. In addition to meal delivery kits, Blue Apron offers wine and cooking tools through its online marketplace.

The company claims that all its ingredients are free of genetically modified organisms and that its packaging is recyclable.

Blue Apron meals come with easy-to-follow instructions, resulting in minimal prep time for the consumer. Meals include :. This service offers menus suitable for people with common health conditions such as kidney disease , diabetes, and cancer. This is a unique feature that most services do not offer.

The cancer support menu offers meals high in protein and calories that may help people limit weight loss. The menu for people with kidney disease offers nutritional support, and the diabetes menu includes lower carb options. A person should check their eligibility, as it can vary by state and program.

The company states that its food will keep for up to 14 days. Prices per serving can vary depending on the menu a person chooses. We break down the cost of each box below. Marley Spoon offers meal kits that include curated spice blends.

A person can choose from more than weekly recipes. Some meals require a small amount of preparation, while others come ready to heat. HelloFresh is one of the most popular, longest-running meal delivery services in the United States. Every box includes a recipe card with detailed cooking instructions.

A person picks a plan and decides whether they want to receive food for two or four people. The service then delivers fresh ingredients to their door, with all meals portioned in exact amounts.

HelloFresh is a good option for people new to meal delivery, as it is widely known and customer reviews are easy to find. It may also help people who are not confident cooks learn new skills. Meal options include :. People can get a discounted price if they opt for more than 2 meals and 2 servings.

Students may also benefit from discounts through UNiDAYS. HelloFresh has a page where a person can check whether they are eligible for this. Home Chef offers meal kits and oven-ready meals with more customization options than other brands.

Customers can edit or change meals before 12 p. Central Time on Fridays, including upgrading, swapping, or doubling up on certain ingredients. The meal kits come with step-by-step recipe cards, and some of the ready-made meals are very quick to prepare.

The company does not offer many diet-specific boxes, such as allergen-friendly, vegan, or keto boxes. The table below breaks down the cost of a main menu plan.

In choosing brands to include in this article, Medical News Today assessed the following criteria:. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Affordable meal delivery services can benefit various groups, such as disabled people, older people, and those with medical conditions that may limit their ability to shop for or cook meals.

Areas in which people do not have easy access to food due to financial or geographical reasons are called food deserts , although this term faces criticism from some. population lives in low income, low access LILA areas, meaning that money and access to supermarkets are barriers to getting nutritious food.

There are LILA areas in every U. Featuring an extensive menu of dietitian-designed meals, the company delivers nutritionally balanced, fully-prepared foods that only require a few minutes of heating to enjoy.

Meals cater to various dietary needs, including low sodium, gluten-free, and heart-, renal-, and diabetes-friendly. The company also works with agencies like Medicaid and Medicare to allow customers to receive their meals at affordable prices. Customers may also be eligible to receive subsidized meals through health plans and agencies like Medicaid and Medicare.

Meals We Tried Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla pudding Cheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole wheat bun, orange Chicken and stir fry vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauce Sweet and sour chicken with stir fry vegetables, white rice, grape juice, ginger spice cookie BBQ chicken with potato medley, seasoned green beans, applesauce Beef goulash over whole wheat pasta, seasoned carrots, orange Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, potatoes, seasoned vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, gelatin Mushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole wheat roll, grape juice Korean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookie Creamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce.

A meal delivery service is a subscription plan that delivers meal kits or fully prepared meals to your home based on your preferences. Meal kits include portioned ingredients and instructions for you to prepare the recipes, while fully prepared meals just need to be heated before serving.

Prices depend on a number of factors, including the company, type of meal, and quantity. Often, the more meals you include in your plan, the cheaper your plan typically becomes.

There are also usually sign-up promotions that offer a significant discount off the standard price. Most meal delivery services are commitment-free. All of the options in our list allow you to skip a week, pause your subscription, or cancel any time before a weekly deadline.

We researched 40 different meal delivery services and narrowed them down by price. We also considered menu options, plans, and other factors.

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Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Buying Guides. The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners Dinnerly and EveryPlate offer the least expensive meals for home delivery.

By Kalisa Marie Martin Kalisa Marie Martin. Kalisa Marie Martin a is classically trained chef, content creator, and travel entrepreneur of Jamaican heritage. Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process. Lab results: Testers were pleasantly surprised by the flavorful meals, even though they were gut-friendly.

Learning that it was gluten-free and low-FODMAP had me prepared not to like the texture or flavor. But surprisingly, it was all very good. RELATED: Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services. At the Good Housekeeping Institute , our food and nutrition experts test and review all different types of food products and services.

From healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services, we are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. Our experts have evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services.

First, we assess how easy it is to navigate and utilize the service's website. We look for robust menu variety, ample dietary preferences to accommodate different needs, simple instruction cards, accurate cooking times and delicious and inventive recipes.

We also evaluate the quality of ingredients upon arrival and whether or not the kit includes everything you'll need to re-create the provided recipes. We also look for packaging that keeps the food safe and incorporates sustainable features.

Other major factors are cost and delivery ranges which we strongly consider in our tests. We've looked at everything from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients to fully prepared heat-and-eat options. What we've found is that there is really a service for every level of home cook and practically any dietary need or preference.

Whether you love to cook or prefer to stay away from the kitchen, there is a meal delivery option for all different walks of life.

Real-life feedback from home cooks of all levels is an incredibly value component of our evaluation process. Testers comment on how easy the kits were to follow, their thoughts on the variety and quality of recipes, the condition of the food upon arrival, packaging and more.

We made our selections based on expert evaluations and tester feedback in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability. Our top picks cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences including gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein and more.

Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored well overall with testers. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

How to Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker. Dinner Ideas Your Kids Will Love. Skip to Content Product Reviews Life Health Food Beauty. sign in. Best Flower Delivery V-Day Gifts For Kids V-Day Gifts For Women V-Day Gifts For Men Amazon Valentine's Gifts. Our top picks: 1.

Best Overall Meal Delivery Service Blue Apron ORDER AT BLUEAPRON. ORDER AT BLUEAPRON. Best Organic Meal Delivery Service Green Chef ORDER AT GREENCHEF. ORDER AT GREENCHEF. Best Meal Delivery Service for Beginners Dinnerly ORDER AT DINNERLY.

ORDER AT DINNERLY. Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service Fresh N Lean ORDER AT FRESH N LEAN. ORDER AT FRESH N LEAN. Best Semi-Prepared Meal Delivery Service Sunbasket ORDER AT SUNBASKET.

ORDER AT SUNBASKET. Best Meal Delivery Service for Families Home Chef ORDER AT HOMECHEF. ORDER AT HOMECHEF. Best Chef Crafted Meal Delivery Service CookUnity ORDER AT COOKUNITY. ORDER AT COOKUNITY. Best Meal Delivery Service for One Tovala ORDER AT TOVALA.

ORDER AT TOVALA. Pros Great for all cooking levels Wide variety of plans, including pre-prepped options Fresh ingredients and inventive recipes Seasonal boxes available for special occasions. Cons Premium options come at an added cost. Plans Two or four servings per meal.

Two to five meals per week. Availability Delivery in the contiguous United States. Pros Affordable and delicious meals Most meals can be made in under 30 minutes Good variety of ingredients and recipes.

Cons Items don't come as organized as other services. Plans Two, four or six people. Three to six meals per week. Availability Delivery to the majority of the continental United States. Pros Pre-measured and prepped ingredients save effort and time USDA-certified organic ingredients All meals can be made in 45 minutes or less.

Cons Expensive Instructions can sometimes be complex, with many pots and pans. Three or four meals per week. Packaging Most packaging is recyclable, except when it cannot be for food safety and quality reasons.

Green Chef uses ClimaCell, a curbside recyclable insulation. Availability Delivery to the majority of the continental United States with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Affordable and easy recipes Over weekly dishes to choose from Meals can be made in 30 minutes or less Large selection of vegetarian offerings. Cons Recipe cards are digital instead of printed.

Plans Two or four people. Two to six meals per week. Packaging The box and separator inside are SFI certified and can be recycled in any curbside paper recycling bin. Pros Special plans cater to specific dietary preferences Fully prepared meals require no prep or cleanup High sourcing standards Meals are fresh, never frozen.

Cons Expensive. Plans Choose if you want meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and opt for either five or seven days' worth of food.

Packaging The cardboard box, plastic trays and seal can all be recycled. Availability Available nationwide, additional fees for Alaska and Hawaii. Pros Choose from traditional meal kits or quick meals Options for different dietary needs Impressive sustainable packaging. Cons Not as robust a selection as other services.

Packaging All packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable. Availability Ships to most zip codes in the United States, with the exception of AK, HI, MT, ND and parts of NM.

Pros Over 30 menu options to choose from weekly Easy to follow instruction cards with clear pictures Items are well-packaged and organized. Cons Not ideal for larger families. Family Friendly: Quick, easy-to-cook, kid-friendly meals.

Quick and Easy: Simple recipes that are ready in a snap. Veggie: Vegetarian meals with meatless proteins.

Fit and Wholesome: Dietitian-approved meals that are around calories each. Pescatarian: Fresh seafood paired with seasonal veggies. Pros Many plan options, including family-friendly kits Filter by calorie-conscious, carb-conscious or vegetarian options Kits also available at Kroger grocery stores.

Cons Some recipes can take a while to prepare. Prep and cooking times range from 30—50 minutes. Protein Packs: À la carte proteins boneless chicken breasts, New York strip steak, ground beef, shrimp and salmon filets You'll also find six weekly recipes in Kroger grocery stores from Home Chef if you'd rather pick up the items yourself.

Plans Plans for two, four or six people. Packaging Packaging is recyclable or reusable and also keeps the food at a safe temperature during its journey in transit. Availability Available nationwide; can also be found at more than 2, Kroger grocery stores.

Pros Gourmet prepared meals with exceptional flavor Great selection and variety Filters available for dietary preferences Meals are fresh, never frozen. Cons Availability limited in certain areas of the country. Plans Choose from four, six, eight, 12 or 16 meals per week. Packaging Fully prepared meals are packaged in industrially compostable trays with recyclable components and delivered in reusable insulated bags or recyclable boxes.

Pros Minimal prep required Meals come out perfectly cooked every time Options for different dietary needs. Cons Purchasing Tovala's smart oven means high start-up cost Can only cook one meal at a time in the oven.

Plans Receive anywhere from four to 16 meals a week. Packaging Insulation is made from recycled plastic bottles and can be recycled curbside. Pros Six steps per recipe Wide variety of meal options Everything comes neatly pre-measured.

Cons Some recipes can be more complicated. Packaging The box and the vertical and horizontal dividers inside are SFI certified, which means they're made of paper sourced from sustainably managed forests.

The box can be recycled in any curbside paper recycling bin. ORDER AT FACTOR Pros Innovative and flavorful keto-friendly options Variety of prepared meals to choose from Add-ons include shakes, smoothies, snacks and desserts.

Cons Some meals are very high in fat. Plan preferences include: Chef's Choice: Variety of healthy chef-crafted meals. Keto : Low-carb, high-fat meals.

Flexitarian : Balanced, veggie-forward meals with purposeful proteins.

With serving prices starting at $, this meal kit is a great pick if you want to save on your food budget while enjoying delicious and Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Don't foolishly pay full price for meal kits. We found meal subscription deals in February good for up to 80% off normal prices

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Reduced-cost dinner packages - Price per serving: $$ Nutrisystem is a comprehensive weight loss meal delivery service that includes low-calorie meals for an With serving prices starting at $, this meal kit is a great pick if you want to save on your food budget while enjoying delicious and Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Don't foolishly pay full price for meal kits. We found meal subscription deals in February good for up to 80% off normal prices

All in all, I think Factor is a great meal delivery service for anyone with a busy schedule and a penchant for flavorful food. Also, spoiler alert: I liked this service so much that I ended up keeping my subscription indefinitely. And it may or may not be because of that salmon.

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By Kayleigh Drake. Kayleigh Drake. Kayleigh is an associate food editor for the Performance Marketing team at Dotdash Meredith. She has nearly a decade of combined experience in both the media and culinary industries. In This Article View All. In This Article. Pros and Cons.

What Is Factor? This kind of flexibility is key when it comes to long-term savings on your food budget. Why we highlighted Blue Apron: Blue Apron is a popular meal kit known for fun and unique recipes with affordable prices that really sealed the deal for this delivery service in our books.

If you want prepackaged meals that cut out prep entirely, Fresh N Lean would make for the perfect addition to your weekly routine. This meal delivery service hooks subscribers up with ready-made meals that are fresh, never frozen, and made from quality ingredients.

With over menu items to choose from each week, Fresh N Lean wins points for variety. This includes a number of low carb, vegan, and gluten-free meals to consider on a weekly basis. While not USDA-certified, this company does aim to ship organic ingredients whenever possible.

In the event that an ingredient doesn't meet the brand's quality standards, it may be replaced with conventional ingredients. Why we chose Fresh N Lean: Fresh N Lean is a great meal delivery service to turn to for budget-friendly, fully prepared meals -- especially if you order enough meals to earn free shipping each week.

Do you like healthy fruit smoothies for breakfast? What about harvest grain bowls or soups for lunch? If you started salivating at the mention of even one of those options, then Daily Harvest is the meal delivery service for you.

With a menu packed full of whole fruits and vegetables, Daily Harvest is great for finding the perfect meal for breakfast or lunch. There are more than 20 unique, flavorful, and nutritionally-packed smoothies to choose from including the dragon fruit and lychee smoothie, pineapple and Matcha, and our personal favorite : the strawberry and peach smoothie.

Don't worry, there are plenty of dinner options to consider here as well. Daily Harvest's menu includes hearty soups, forager bowls, flatbreads, and pasta recipes -- so there's truly something for everyone here.

Deliveries are put together one item at a time, so you have the freedom to build your own meal plan each week. Pick anywhere from nine to 24 items each week.

Why we highlighted Daily Harvest: Despite smoothie prices that are higher than you expect, Daily Harvest is still a top contender for healthy meals and treats on a budget, especially if you're interested in the variety of breakfast and lunch options here. Admit it: It's a bit of a flex to have a delicious, homemade meal ready and waiting multiple nights throughout the week.

It takes time and a bit of planning to pull this off, especially if you're cooking for a busy family. And that's not even factoring in high prices that come with eating out. If you live in New York City, for example, your food budget would likely benefit from a change to meal kit delivery.

But wait -- we already know your next question: "With so many meal kits out there, how do I pick the best one? Choosing the right meal kit for you comes down to a few things.

In addition to hunting down the lowest prices per serving, you should always keep an eye out for added discounts. First-time customers can typically find some level of savings right from the plan selection page.

Instead of signing up for the first appealing price you see, shop around a bit to make sure there aren't other better deals waiting for you elsewhere.

Take into account factors such as portion sizes, number of meals per week, and any additional fees for shipping or customization. That note about shipping fees is worth mentioning again. It's not always easy to see how much a meal kit service charges for shipping until you get into the plan selection process.

In order to make the best selections possible, it's important to pull out all the stops when reviewing meal kit delivery services. We considered a number of factors when choosing the best meal kits for affordability and the biggest ones were:. Tom Horton is a resident health expert for CBS Essentials, with deep experience in topics ranging from chronic conditions to health-care devices to diet options.

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The warmest January on record was confirmed right after the world experienced its hottest year ever observed. We have tested the most popular meal delivery services on the market to help you decide which ones are worth your money. Learn how we test each….

Part grocery delivery service and part meal kit, Hungryroot offers a convenient way to meal plan during the week. We tried Hungryroot for 1 week to…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Dinnerly Review: We Tried One of the Most Affordable Meal Kits.

Medically reviewed by Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN , Nutrition — By Kelli McGrane, MS, RD and Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on January 23, On this page Basics Pros and cons My experience Final verdict Cost Brand reputation Comparison 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?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest Design by: Alexis Lira. Healthline meal delivery service score: 3. What is Dinnerly?

GET STARTED WITH Dinnerly. Pros and cons at a glance. Who tried it. My experience trying Dinnerly. Share on Pinterest Screenshot provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD. A note on allergens Dinnerly labels foods without added gluten. Share on Pinterest Photography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD.

Share on Pinterest Ingredients for the Creamy Tomato Basil Tortelloni. Photography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD. Share on Pinterest Virtual recipe card for the Low Cal Ginger Rice Noodles. Screenshot provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD. Share on Pinterest Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles and Peas.

Share on Pinterest Creamy Tomato Basil Tortelloni with Peas. Would I order it again? How much does Dinnerly cost? GO TO Dinnerly. Brand reputation and customer reviews. Alternatives to consider. Basics Healthline score out of 5 Price per serving Shipping Dinnerly affordable, easy-to-prepare meal kits with 5 steps or fewer 3.

Frequently asked questions. How long can a Dinnerly box stay outside? Are Dinnerly portions big? Can you lose weight on Dinnerly? The bottom line.

Get started with Dinnerly Interested in trying Dinnerly? We can help! Sign up now. How we reviewed this article: History. Jan 23, Written By Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD.

Reduced-cost dinner packages - Price per serving: $$ Nutrisystem is a comprehensive weight loss meal delivery service that includes low-calorie meals for an With serving prices starting at $, this meal kit is a great pick if you want to save on your food budget while enjoying delicious and Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Don't foolishly pay full price for meal kits. We found meal subscription deals in February good for up to 80% off normal prices

Lab results: Testers loved the convenience of these fresh-not-frozen prepared meals that simply require heating. Our experts like that the company caters to various dietary needs and preferences, like high-protein meals, keto offerings, Whole 30 meals and more.

And our dietitians point out that the service only uses humanely raised, grass-fed beef, cage-free poultry, free-range eggs and sustainably sourced seafood. Among our testers, the service received top scores for portion sizes and satiety of meals. Since the meals are fully prepared, they can be pricey so keep this in mind.

Sunbasket offers ready-to-heat meals as well as traditional meal kits. All offerings are made from high-quality ingredients and organic produce , with every recipe crafted by chefs and registered dietitians.

How it works : Sunbasket offers traditional meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and recipes that can be made in 40 minutes or less. You can filter both options for specific dietary preferences including paleo, carb-conscious, gluten-free-friendly, keto-friendly, diabetes-friendly, Mediterranean, vegetarian and pescatarian.

Lab results: Our experts love that Sunbasket has a plan option for pretty much any preference you might have. We also liked that Sunbasket selects organic produce and responsibly sourced meats and seafood.

The brand's dietitians ensure that all meals are typically under calories and mg of sodium but high in protein and fiber. Favorite meals included the penne rigate with yellow squash, the sheet pan pork sausages with roasted apple and delicata squash and the different taco offerings.

The breakfast options were also a big hit. The actual meal selection isn't super robust, but the service does give you the option to add standalone proteins to your box which can save you a trip to the butcher or fishmonger.

RELATED: Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services. Founded in , HelloFresh was one of the first meal kit delivery services, and it offers a wide variety of curated meal plans, making it a popular pick in our tests.

All ingredients are pre-portioned for each recipe. How it works: There are over 30 meals to choose from each week. Start by selecting one or more preferences which include:. The menu rotates with new recipes added weekly. Lab results: We could tell HelloFresh has been at this for a while — our experts found the instruction cards easy to follow and the packaging proved superior to other services we tested, in terms of both performance and sustainability.

Testers gave this service top overall scores for quality, saying that the food tasted great. Popular dishes included Middle Eastern chickpea bowls, pan-seared sweet soy glazed chicken and vegan coconut curry tofu lettuce wraps.

I thought the food tasted better than what we would get from takeout at a restaurant! Larger households will appreciate the offerings from Home Chef that include different plans for up to six people per meal. You'll find a ton of options from five-minute meals to more elaborate entrée masterpieces.

How it works : Start by taking a quiz that assesses your dietary preferences, allergies, level of interest in cooking and delivery preferences to determine which meal plan is best for you and your family.

Choose from 30 different recipes each week. Meal kit options include:. You'll also find six weekly recipes in Kroger grocery stores from Home Chef if you'd rather pick up the items yourself.

Lab results: Our registered dietitians appreciate that Home Chef offers a wide variety of meal kits and that you can filter for calorie-conscious, carb-conscious and vegetarian options. You can also now customize the proteins in your meal which is a major plus. Our testers gave the service rave reviews, with top scores for portion sizes and satiety of meals, easy-to-follow recipes and freshness of ingredients.

Favorites included hot honey crispy chicken, beef and poblano tamale pie, BBQ mushroom flatbread and shrimp campanelle primavera.

Testers agreed that the quality of ingredients was better than other services they had tried in the past. They thought this service was especially great for families, since the recipes were especially simple to follow and yielded delicious results.

The fact that they have a section curated specifically for families is a real plus. READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried the Home Chef for Three Months. Let award-winning chefs craft up restaurant-quality meals for you with CookUnity.

The fresh, never frozen, meals come fully prepared and delivered straight to your door. You'll find a changing menu of dozens of options from some of the most talented chefs in the country.

How it works: Start by setting any dietary preferences and then selecting four, six, eight, 12 or 16 meals per week. Menus are posted two weeks in advance, and you can choose your weekly meals or let CookUnity select for you based on your preferences. You can also filter by dietary preferences like gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo, vegan, and beyond.

The meals arrive fresh and come with expiration dates as well as instructions on how to heat them. Lab results: The service received top scores from our testers and Nutrition Lab experts for flavor, portion sizes and overall food quality.

Favorite meals included the beef bourguignon with buttered egg noodles by Chris Ratel, chicken tikka masala by Andres Mendez, lamb kebab with turmeric hummus by Akhtar Narwab and marinated chicken shawarma over Israeli couscous by Einat Admony.

Our nutritionists also appreciated that the brand provides a full nutrition facts panel on each meal, too. Although the brand does offer filters for dietary preferences, the selections can be quite limited.

We found the service best for gourmet comfort food, but the brand also offers some health-conscious fare. Even though many meal delivery services provide all of the ingredients and instructions, it can be hard to find the perfect cooking method every time.

That's where Tovala comes in — the brand sends you neat packages of ingredients that require quick assembly. You'll then use the brand's signature smart oven to cook your food perfectly when you scan the corresponding QR code. How it works: Start by purchasing one of the brand's smart ovens that can bake, broil, toast, reheat and even air fry.

Then, select from over 30 new, chef-crafted meals each week. The meals are portioned for one and arrive fresh. Mostly pre-prepared, they require one minute or less of prep for example, adding a prepared sauce to a salmon filet.

After scanning a QR code, the oven works its magic, cooking your meal in around 20 minutes or less. When choosing meal options, you can filter for carb-conscious meals, gluten-free options, vegetarian offerings and calorie-smart picks.

Lab results: While purchasing the Tovala oven means this meal delivery service has a steep start-up cost, we love that it not only prepares Tovala meals but can also scan and cook over 1, different foods.

Plus, you can use the Tovala recipe library to make your own meals from scratch in the Wi-Fi-connected oven too. While testing this service in the Lab, we were amazed by how consistently and perfectly cooked each meal came out.

At-home testers were impressed with the high-quality ingredients and loved that cleanup was a breeze. Favorite dishes included miso-glazed salmon with broccoli, chicken Parmesan with stuffed shells, crispy chicken potstickers with sweet soy noodles and Salisbury steak meatballs and mashed potatoes.

Martha Stewart's meal delivery service serves up minute recipes with fresh ingredients. The kit aims to introduce home cooks to new flavors and ingredients while also teaching new cooking techniques, and each meal only requires six steps per recipe. Options also cater to various dietary preferences including vegan, vegetarian, fast, healthy, family-friendly, low carb and no added gluten.

The service provides you with almost everything, but you'll need to have a few basics like oil, salt and pepper. Lab results: Our testers liked that Marley Spoon's instructions were well-written and easy to follow, even for new cooking techniques they had not tried before.

Picky eaters enjoyed the family-friendly meals too. Overall, our experts and testers appreciated how thorough the kits were. One tester said, "I found this to be a high-quality kit, from the packaging of each individual ingredient to the recipe details to the final product.

Nutritious, fully prepared meals are delivered fresh to your door and never frozen with Factor. The options cater to a variety of diets, and the meals can be conveniently heated in the oven or microwave. All subscriptions include one complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian, which is a great perk.

Plan preferences include:. Lab results: Testers and experts both loved the variety of meals offered by Factor, as well as the portion sizes and the simplicity of heating. Meals were delivered in great condition and ingredients tasted fresh. For those on low-carb and keto diets, the amount of compliant options on the menu was a welcome change from other services that have limited offerings.

Plus, the meals were tasty, satisfying and creative, but take note that many of the keto meals are very high in fat.

Favorites included the pork tenderloin with cheesy cabbage, vegan mushroom marsala and herb cream cheese salmon. RELATED: Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services. Embrace a plant-based diet with this vegan meal delivery service that features globally inspired recipes.

All of the meals are completely plant-forward and kits come with a weekly recipe booklet that you can keep to re-create your favorites. How it works: Purple Carrot offers standard meal kits as well as fully prepared meals. For the meal kits, everything is already plant-based, but you can also filter recipes to choose high-protein options, meals under calories, nut-free, gluten-free and soy-free offerings.

You'll also have the option to add on additional plant-based grocery items, like vegan cream cheese and crackers with the brand's Plantry offerings. Lab results : Although many meal delivery services offer vegetarian plans, our nutritionists love that Purple Carrot showcases an array of tasty and nutritious vegan options for those following a plant-based lifestyle.

Plus, the service has been clinically proven to help people lose weight and lower LDL cholesterol. But for a kit that doesn't include meat, it is on the pricey side per serving. It encouraged me to try new flavors and food combinations I wouldn't have thought of myself.

RELATED: Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services. Think of Hungryroot as a master meal planner — the service will generate a list of groceries for you paired with recipes for the week and ship everything straight to your door. It takes the hassle out of having to meal plan or keep your fridge restocked, and it saves you a trip to the grocery store.

How it works: Begin by taking a quiz to tell the service about your dietary needs, who you're feeding and more. Multiple dietary preferences can be met, including dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, omnivore, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free and more.

The service then creates a grocery plan and fills your cart with suggested groceries and recipes to meet your needs, but you can always edit the delivery to get exactly what you'd like.

Add on individual grocery items like snacks, breakfast foods, fruit and more if desired. You can give feedback on your groceries and recipes so the service can improve deliveries each week.

Lab results: Testers rated Hungryroot as one of the best services in our evaluation, saying that the meals were so easy to prepare and that the portion sizes were generous. Busy families appreciated that the cart would auto-fill and generate not just groceries but also corresponding recipes, but of course, you can customize it if desired.

Our registered dietitians note that all of the items are free from partially hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and artificial preservatives.

One tester said, "It was so fresh, the variety was amazing and everything was so quick to put together. Loved that everything came precut and prepackaged. Specifically, I really enjoyed the delicious sauces! Its Michelin-star chefs team up with physicians and dietitians to create delicious meals that accommodate complex dietary restrictions.

Each meal comes pre-made, can be refrigerated for up to 14 days, and is easy to heat in the microwave. Meals can also be frozen, though be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before heating.

I chose Dinnerly as the best cheap meal delivery service because it offers the cheapest per-serving price and uses only six ingredients in a five-step process. All you have to do is check out the meal tags to make choosing your weekly plan faster and easier.

Then sit back and wait for your pre-portioned ingredients to arrive at your door. I've broken down my favorite cheap meal delivery services below based on price, meal choices, and dietary preferences.

Choosing the right best cheap meal delivery service for you comes down to dietary preferences, budget, and time. If your diet is vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based, it makes sense to find a meal delivery service that caters to your specific diet.

If you're feeding a family and need kid-friendly meals, a meal delivery service focusing on family meals may work best. If prep and cook time are your biggest factor, Dinnerly may be an ideal option for fast meals, especially compared to Home Chef meals, which usually take longer to assemble.

An older adult, a caregiver, or an individual with dietary needs specific to a health condition. Plus, no cooking is required. Since everyone has different needs, I chose meal delivery services that meet a variety of dietary preferences. I also analyzed kid-friendly options with family portion sizes, as well as options for single people who may not want leftovers or extra food going to waste.

The number of meal options on each weekly menu also impacted this rating. The environmental impact of using a meal delivery service also serves as an important factor in the decision-making process. Pre-portioned and packaged ingredients can increase the amount of plastic waste in the environment.

All companies featured except for Mom's Meals demonstrate a commitment to limiting package waste by providing recyclable packaging materials and reusable ice packs.

Budget and shipping costs were also considered, with the lowest budgets per serving a major factor. Though Mom's Meals has higher shipping fees and may not focus on plastic waste reduction like other meal delivery services, it serves a niche audience that other services do not, making it a valuable option for those living with health conditions that need specifics diet to thrive.

A meal delivery service is a subscription-based service that delivers a box of fresh ingredients with pre-portioned amounts for your preselected recipes. Cook-from-a-kit boxes, or meal-kit delivery services, are substitutes for grocery shopping, meal planning, and searching for recipes.

Also: The best meal kit delivery services. Some meal delivery services provide ready-to-eat meals that can be heated in the microwave or oven or thawed and enjoyed, like smoothies and bowls.

You can also find Home Chef meals at your local Kroger grocery. When you use a meal delivery service, the service sources ingredients and sends them to you prepackaged and ready to cook. You can use the provider's website to select the meals you want.

Many places rotate menus, allowing you to try new dishes every week while enjoying your favorites. Alternatively, you can use a meal delivery service that prepares meals, so all you have to do at home is heat them up. Once you select your meal choices, the delivery service packages ingredients and ships them to your door.

You can refrigerate or freeze the ingredients until you're ready to prepare the meal. Or, in the case of Home Chef, you can stop by your local Kroger for a quick dinner.

Right now, Dinnerly is the cheapest meal delivery service. However, keep in mind each service offers different dietary menus. Therefore, you want to prioritize your needs first, as it can often be worth the extra dollar or two per serving if you have specific dietary requirements.

Many meal delivery services are available, and it may be worth considering alternatives, depending on your budget and dietary preferences. Here are a few more choices:. Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice.

When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process. Home Health Nutrition. The best meal delivery services offer healthy, pre-portioned meals and ingredients to make cooking your next meal hassle-free.

meal kit for every kind of cook and non-cook. Written by Mandy Sleight, Contributor April 20, at a. PT Reviewed by Elyse Betters Picaro ; Emery Wright ; Sean Jackson and Taylor Clemons. Dinnerly Best cheap meal delivery service overall. View now View at Dinnerly. EveryPlate Best value meal delivery service.

View now View at EveryPlate. Daily Harvest Best cheap meal delivery service for organic and plant-based diets. Daily Harvest. View now View at Daily Harvest. Pros Menus designed by dietitians Senior-friendly meal options Multiple dietary needs accommodated.

Cons Shipping costs extra Ordering process can be confusing for some. Overview Mom's Meals provides an easy and cost-effective way for seniors to get nutritious dinners on the table. Featuring an extensive menu of dietitian-designed meals, the company delivers nutritionally balanced, fully-prepared foods that only require a few minutes of heating to enjoy.

Meals cater to various dietary needs, including low sodium, gluten-free, and heart-, renal-, and diabetes-friendly. The company also works with agencies like Medicaid and Medicare to allow customers to receive their meals at affordable prices.

Customers may also be eligible to receive subsidized meals through health plans and agencies like Medicaid and Medicare. Meals We Tried Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla pudding Cheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole wheat bun, orange Chicken and stir fry vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauce Sweet and sour chicken with stir fry vegetables, white rice, grape juice, ginger spice cookie BBQ chicken with potato medley, seasoned green beans, applesauce Beef goulash over whole wheat pasta, seasoned carrots, orange Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, potatoes, seasoned vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, gelatin Mushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole wheat roll, grape juice Korean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookie Creamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce.

A meal delivery service is a subscription plan that delivers meal kits or fully prepared meals to your home based on your preferences. Meal kits include portioned ingredients and instructions for you to prepare the recipes, while fully prepared meals just need to be heated before serving.

Prices depend on a number of factors, including the company, type of meal, and quantity. Often, the more meals you include in your plan, the cheaper your plan typically becomes. There are also usually sign-up promotions that offer a significant discount off the standard price.

Most meal delivery services are commitment-free. All of the options in our list allow you to skip a week, pause your subscription, or cancel any time before a weekly deadline.

We researched 40 different meal delivery services and narrowed them down by price. We also considered menu options, plans, and other factors. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content.

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List of Partners vendors. Buying Guides. The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners Dinnerly and EveryPlate offer the least expensive meals for home delivery.