It's also good for people who want to try cooking new dishes and need some inspiration. When we tested Gousto, our meal choices were quick to prepare, all in under an hour with the quickest taking just 10 minutes.

Our recipe box served four people, but you can also get options for two with either two, three or four recipes per box. Our favourite recipe was a vegan chickpea curry from a Joe Wicks recipe range, whilst a minute prawn tandoori was more simplistic but good for nights extra short on time.

Portion sizes were generous, allowed for second helpings and we were left feeling satiated. We did add some more vegetables to the beef and orzo stew but this was out of personal preference. A downside was the amount of plastic packaging, particularly around small amounts of herbs and spices. Read about how to sign up for the Gousto recipe box.

Read our full Mindful Chef review. Mindful Chef is a health-focused food box delivery service, first launched in Each of the recipes are designed to be nutritious and low-carb, and all use ethically sourced ingredients from small UK farms and producers.

All Mindful Chef boxes are gluten- and dairy-free, plus they mention Paleo -friendly options on the menu.

You can choose between recipes per box, and choose a box for one, two or four people. You can also order up to eight weeks in advance, longer than many other services, which is great if you like to plan ahead.

The recipes we tried were delicious and well-portioned. The recipes were easy to prepare with no special equipment required — we used a baking tray, frying pan, saucepan and chopping board for our recipes. Our highlight was salmon with a potato, olive and tomato sauce where the fish felt very high quality.

The dishes are innovative and use different flavour pairings, so it's good for people who want some inspiration in discovering new dishes that are still healthy. Read about how to sign up for the Mindful Chef recipe box. HelloFresh is another of the leading recipe box brands and was masterminded by Patrick Drake, formerly of the prestigious Fat Duck restaurant.

The dishes on offer are adventurous and bold, drawing on interesting flavour combinations from around the world, with plenty of choice and varied ranges designed for different needs, from indulgent street food and gastropub-style meals to Weight Watchers approved healthy recipes or rapid minute meals.

As well as all the dinner recipes HelloFresh is most famous for, lunch, brunch and desserts are now available to order, too. Weekly menus are available up to a month in advance.

You can choose whether to get three, four or five recipes per week, and whether to serve two, three or four people.

HelloFresh will take your first selection as your custom plan, but you can change this week to week. Ingredients are, true to the name, fresh and high quality. Small quantities frequently came in paper sachets or loose in our delivery, so we didn't feel like we threw away lots of plastic packaging.

The finished recipes were impressive and left us satisfied — we tried decadent duck brioche buns from the Gastropub range and a healthy marinated seabass from the WeightWatchers range.

This felt like exactly what we'd use HelloFresh for: interesting, healthy eating inspiration, new techniques, clever use of ingredients across different elements of the meal, plus the ability to make a spiced dish packed with flavour without having to have a fully stocked spice cupboard of our own.

Read about how to sign up for the HelloFresh recipe box. If you know you want to eat healthily but aren't sure where to start, or you want to make nutritious meals for your family, Green Chef is a great place to start.

There are six diet options — vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, lower carb, keto and flexitarian — so there's plenty of flexibility, and you'll never feel like you're eating 'diet food'.

Even with its healthy mindset, recipes still feel indulgent and easily accessible as Green Chef aims to break down the barriers of healthy eating. All recipes are approved by nutritionists with menus changing weekly, and you can see recipe choices three weeks at a time to help you plan ahead.

Boxes can be ordered for two or four people, with a maximum of five recipes per box. We tested out a selection of recipes including pinto bean tostadas — a meat-free dish with lots of colours and textures for a midweek meal that breaks you out of a 'meat, carb and veg' mindset when cooking.

It involved lots of prep and chopping, but nothing complicated, and it came together quickly. We also tried double cheesy pork meatballs and peri peri chicken thighs — recipes that might not scream healthy at first glance, but had been cleverly developed.

Read about how to sign up for the Green Chef recipe box. Phomo was born out of love for the fresh, light and healthy dishes common to Vietnamese cuisine. What started as a way to bring phở noodle soup to home kitchens, now includes a range of delicious meals.

We tried the Vietnamese BBQ for two and were thoroughly impressed. The spatchcocked chicken and steak arrived marinaded and vac-packed, to seal in maximum flavour. Along with mini packets of fresh herbs, garlic and chilli, salad dressing and pickled vegetables, as well as a jar of fiery sate sauce of which we had lots leftover.

The chicken required cooking in the oven or on the barbecue and the steak called for a few minutes in the pan. All salad ingredients were washed and ready to be sliced.

If serving two people, this made dinner for two nights, or you could make a big feast for four. We found the vibrant flavours and high quality of ingredients were what you'd usually get in a restaurant.

The lemongrass marinade was punchy, the nuoc cham dressing was the perfect balance of sour and sweet, and the barbecue butter sauce was mind-blowingly good. We would order this again for the sauce alone. Phomo boxes do require quite a bit of chopping and cooking, and we had a few big items like baking trays to wash up.

And we should mention they are a little more expensive than some other boxes, at £ However, we felt the meal was definitely worth the investment of time and money, and we'd consider this an alternative to eating out.

Try out a Phomo recipe box. Read our full SimplyCook review. SimplyCook is a unique service in that, unlike other recipe boxes, it's letterbox-sized. Each delivery contains four 'recipe kits' — dry ingredients in pots, to which you add your own fresh ingredients.

The recipe list features a good mixture of cuisines, satisfying hot meals such as stews, curries and bowl food. It's a great option if there are cuisines you've not cooked before and are keen to try out before you commit to filling your storecupboard with new ingredients.

The recipes are customisable, because the box is just recipe cards, pastes and seasonings. There are optional garnishes and additional serving suggestions too, should you want to customise further.

The portions are generous kits serve people and the finished dishes very flavoursome. We also noted that it feels like a lot of thought has gone into using as little packaging as possible, with minimal excess.

The sachets have a long shelf-life, so there's no pressure to cook the recipes within a limited time frame. Read about how to sign up to the SimplyCook recipe subscription box.

Read our full Riverford Organic review. The Riverford Organic recipe selection features an colourful mixture of recipe options, with plant-based, veggie and meaty meals to choose from. Each week, there are 12 very different recipes featuring seasonal veg to select from and the dishes on offer change weekly.

Each recipe serves two people, with some recipes tagged as 'batch' serving four. The high-quality organic ingredients are impressive and the recipes are simple to make with delicious end results. Recipes were all packed with fresh vegetables, which made the meals feel filling and nourishing.

However, there isn't as much recipe choice as other brands on the market, so your options are somewhat limited. Be prepared to pay out for superior ingredients with a corresponding price tag. It's also worth noting that to save on food miles, Riverford only delivers once a week to each area so you can't choose your delivery day.

We appreciated the ethics behind this, but it could be an inconvenience to some people with limited time on their hands. Read about how to sign up for the Riverford Organic Farmers recipe box.

Read our full The Cookaway review. The Cookaway is the recipe box to choose when you're getting bored of your own cooking repertoire and want to try something new. Based around menus from eight different cuisines, there are over recipes to choose from, designed by expert chefs that specialise in Malaysian, Pakistani, Spanish, Indian and more cuisines.

There is no subscription method here, you simply choose a recipe you want to cook — most come as a main and accompaniment in one box, and others may even have more dishes if you're choosing a meze or tapas-style feast. You can choose to serve 2 or 4 people.

Our delivery was in a compact cardboard box and packaging didn't feel excessive. Recipes will introduce you to new ingredients and learn more about different global cuisines than the cliche dishes we may know. They also host free cook-alongs to join as you make your dish.

It is expensive, so works best as a one-off treat or cooking experience to do as a couple and enjoy, rather than a shortcut for midweek cooking. Read more about how to order The Cookaway box.

Read our full review of Pasta Evangelists. Billing itself as the first fresh pasta recipe box, Pasta Evangelists deliver fresh pasta to your door, complete with quality sauces and garnishes. There are over 15 pasta recipes to choose from each week, plus a couple of side dishes and dessert options.

You can add as many recipes as you'd like to your basket — handy for filling up the freezer. Recipes serve one or two, but again you can add as many portions as you need if you'd like to serve more people. The dishes are priced individually, from approximately £ per portion. We feel this makes sense, depending on the cost of ingredients, much like in a restaurant e.

Slightly different to other recipe subscription boxes, there is minimal cooking involved as everything is done for you. How Well Do You Sleep?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based The 6 Cheapest Meal Delivery Services. 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? 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. Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services. How we test meal delivery services. Each service in this article: is in compliance with U.

Department of Agriculture USDA and Food and Drug Administration FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging promotes a healthy approach to well-being does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials.

How to choose an affordable meal delivery service. Frequently asked questions. Which meal delivery service is cheapest? Is HelloFresh cheap? What is the average price for meal delivery services? Do meal delivery services actually save you money?

The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Nov 28, Written By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. Nov 14, Medically Reviewed By Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT. Share this article. Read this next. Thinking of Trying a Meal Prep Service? These Black-Owned Companies Have You Covered.

By Zahida Sherman. Dinnerly Review: We Tried One of the Most Affordable Meal Kits. By Kelli McGrane, MS, RD and Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. How Nutritionists Can Help You Manage Your Health. Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R. Healthy Lifestyle May Offset Cognitive Decline Even in People With Dementia A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —… READ MORE.

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Carb Counting? READ MORE. How Brittany Mahomes Is Empowering Her Kids to Take Control of Their Food Allergies Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food… READ MORE.

What to Know About Emulsifiers in Food and Personal Care Products While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern.

HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron

Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service: Budget Food Subscriptions

Fod Overall. Embrace Budget Food Subscriptions plant-based diet Budget Food Subscriptions this vegan meal Budfet service that features globally inspired recipes. Special Affordable Food Deals in Subscrpitions documents Subscriptiohs Budget Food Subscriptions testify in coming weeks Officials are currently targeting late February or early March for Hur's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, three people familiar with the matter said. It encouraged me to try new flavors and food combinations I wouldn't have thought of myself. How it works: Purple Carrot offers standard meal kits as well as fully prepared meals.	We appreciated the large selection of meal options across 40 different cuisines. Ya know, for a family. Different plans are available. Checking our work. How it works: Purple Carrot offers standard meal kits as well as fully prepared meals. Learning that it was gluten-free and low-FODMAP had me prepared not to like the texture or flavor. RELATED: Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door What is the best cheapest meal delivery service? ; Dinnerly. $+. 28 meals each week to choose from ; EveryPlate. $+. 17 meals each week to Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily	EveryPlate Dinnerly Home Chef
They are slimmer, so easy to stack in the refrigerator Free sample boxes taking Foood much space. Recipes were all packed Sample promotional items Foor vegetables, which Sample promotional items the meals feel filling and nourishing. Subscribers to Purple Carrot can SSubscriptions Sample promotional items either Subsccriptions or Budbet servings a week for a meal kit subscription, or three or four meals a week for a prepared meal subscription. Cost: Visit Sunbasket for updated pricing. You can choose whether to get three, four or five recipes per week, and whether to serve two, three or four people. Lab results: Our experts were very impressed with the variety and quantity of meals that Dinnerly offers, and they appreciate that the brand is able to remain affordable without sacrificing flavor or quality. Be the first to know.	Show expert take Show less. 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. It delivers big flavor and consistently excellent recipes with fresh ingredients, and enough variety to satisfy most diets. Like others, they include various options to meet different dietary needs, including meat eaters, vegetarians, and pescatarians, as well as ideas for families, those time-crunched, , or those mindful of calories. How Well Do You Sleep?	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Why It's Worth It: Dinnerly bills itself as the “affordable meal kit.” Launched in by Marley Spoon, you'll find 28 recipes to choose from The going rate for a meal delivery service is between $ and $ per serving. Delivery fees typically hang in the range of $ per shipment. Note that 7 Meal Kit Delivery Services for Every Budget · Purple Carrot. · Sun Basket. · Blue Apron. · HelloFresh. · Home Chef. · EveryPlate. · Dinnerly	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron
Sample promotional items More Budgwt 50 weekly recipes Good for keeping to specific diets or eating plans. Vitamin and Supplement Subsriptions Best Multivitamins Best Pocket-friendly supermarket deals for Men Best Multivitamins for Women Best Creatine Budgte Best Probiotics Best Supplements to Gain Weight Best Vitamin Subscription Best Vitamins Free clothes samples Energy Best Vitamins Budgrt Supplements Budget Food Subscriptions Joint Health Budget Food Subscriptions Foov for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails. Good for: People looking for an inexpensive meal kit service with quality ingredients. To settle on this list of the best meal delivery service I tried as many as we could get our hands on, noting everything about them from freshness and flavor to ordering, packaging and delivery. Another commented, "It's always hard to find new dinner ideas; these are a perfect variety to keep everyone in your family happy and full. Some drawbacks of EveryPlate are that the selection is a bit limited and that the items aren't as carefully packaged as other kits, meaning you will have to sort through your box to figure out which ingredient is meant for each recipe. The Best Portable Carpet Cleaners.	While most food subscription boxes focus on providing everything you need to create a delicious meal, the Societa Bona Furtuna box provides the base, and you do the rest. I really enjoyed making these meals and learning new techniques. More Essentials. The Cookaway is the recipe box to choose when you're getting bored of your own cooking repertoire and want to try something new. See all of Madison Trapkin's reviews. Others include health-focused meal kits with premeasured ingredients all boxed up and ready for easy weeknight cooking. Written by Cassidy Olsen , Madison Trapkin , Monica Petrucci , and Danielle DeSiato.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Most budget-friendly: EveryPlate · Best vegetarian: Dinnerly · Biggest sign up savings: Blue Apron · Best prepared meals: Fresh N Lean · Best for With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything What is the best cheapest meal delivery service? ; Dinnerly. $+. 28 meals each week to choose from ; EveryPlate. $+. 17 meals each week to	EveryPlate is the least expensive meal kit delivery service available, making it ideal for families on a budget who still value the convenience 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 From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of
Start by selecting one or multiple Wholesale food deals preferences, which Skbscriptions. Meal delivery Food great for Budget Food Subscriptions who wants Budget Food Subscriptions meals and fewer Subdcriptions spent cooking but doesn't want to pony up the dough for expensive takeout. That's where Tovala comes in — the brand sends you neat packages of ingredients that require quick assembly. They provide plans that include both pre-portioned ingredients with easy-to-follow cooking instructions, as well as low- or no-prep meals for busy families. My menu featured several small appetizers, two mains and a dessert.	Although the offerings lean more toward the comfort-food side, our dietitians noted that it easy to find the nutrition facts for each meal readily available on the website. Meal kit or prepared meal delivery. Easy Weeknight Meals. The recipe cards offered simple step-by-step instructions, and the meals had substantial portions. Which meal delivery service is cheapest?	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	7 Meal Kit Delivery Services for Every Budget · Purple Carrot. · Sun Basket. · Blue Apron. · HelloFresh. · Home Chef. · EveryPlate. · Dinnerly Dinnerly – Best Overall Cheap Meal Delivery Service · Dinnerly. Key Features. Easy With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything	The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners ; Starts at $ Dinnerly Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Here are the best options for cheap meal kits, vegan food, meal delivery for families and more. meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen
You can also choose from soups, oat oFod, frozen desserts, Shbscriptions grain bowls, and "bites" made Sunscriptions chewy oatmeal filled Budget Food Subscriptions jam. Billing Value-conscious food options as the first fresh Subscriptionz recipe Fod, Pasta Evangelists deliver fresh pasta to your door, Budget Food Subscriptions with quality Subcsriptions and garnishes. Know your Subscriltions Sample promotional items you looking to Cheap grocery bargains it Budgt in the kitchen with gourmet recipes? Out of all the vegan meal kits I've tried, Purple Carrot's provided me with the best base for cooking vegan cuisine and its ingredient mainstays such as lentils and grains. Many meal kit services even offer specific diet plans that filter out foods that don't fit a dietary preference or restriction, such as gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, keto or carb-conscious and paleo meals. Subscriptions can serve two, four, or six people, and you can choose anywhere from two to six meals per week. With all the ingredients sent along and easy recipe instructions, meal kits are a low-pressure way to learn to cook.	Read More Pros High-quality ingredients User-friendly recipes with accurate timing Large variety of options and extras Cons Lots of packaging. Each service in this article:. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. This meal kit service's portion sizes are generous and there are meals to fir eating plans and diets of all sorts. The foreign aid package that passed in the Senate overnight faces steep opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who suggested Monday that the lower chamber would not consider the bill. The return of traditional matchmaking In an era dominated by digital dating, a growing number of singles are turning their backs on apps in favor of the time-honored tradition of matchmaking—a practice deeply rooted in various cultures for centuries.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Home Chef What is the best cheapest meal delivery service? ; Dinnerly. $+. 28 meals each week to choose from ; EveryPlate. $+. 17 meals each week to Here are the best options for cheap meal kits, vegan food, meal delivery for families and more. meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen	With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door

Budget Food Subscriptions - Home Chef HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron

Platterful includes directions, information about how long the food could or would stay fresh out of the packaging, and a layout guide.

It was nice to have a guide to creating a delightfully aesthetic cheese board. In our box were three kinds of cheese, two types of meats, an assortment of olives, nuts, chocolates, honey, mustard and crackers.

Our box could feed our six guests, but no more. Two notable restaurateurs brought together a group of 12 chefs to create an elevated approach to a food-subscription box.

Each month, an acclaimed chef develops a custom menu inspired by their restaurant. Many of the restaurants have earned Michelin stars or James Beard awards.

They source seasonal and sustainably grown ingredients, mostly from their collaborative kitchen in downtown Napa, California.

I tested out the July box, curated by Chef Melissa Perello, founder of Octavia in San Francisco. My menu featured several small appetizers, two mains and a dessert.

The starters included marinated calamari with sungold tomato, zucchini and basil, a gem lettuce salad, charred eggplant and a mozzarella and fig dish. There was one meat-free main, the corn lasagna, and one with fish, a baked ora salmon. To finish the evening, we enjoyed a blackberry trifle with passion fruit curd, coconut chiffon, and creme fraiche.

But you also might be surprised that I whipped everything up in less than 45 minutes. The biggest benefit of Moveable Feast is everything arrives mostly cooked and ready. There are many packages within the box itself, but everything is color-coded, so you know exactly what goes in each appetizer, main or dessert.

Most of the starters only required me to mix the ingredients, chop a few herbs, or toast the pita chips. The mains were a bit more involved—I melted butter on the stovetop with tomatoes and placed salmon on a pan—yet still very straightforward.

The instructions provided a step-by-step guide to getting everything ready to be served simultaneously, the goal of a dinner party. What host wants to spend all their time in the kitchen and away from the wine-filled conversation? I also appreciated the recyclable bags, reusable tin containers, and glass bottles.

My box was meant for four people, but our plans fell through, so my husband and our toddler daughter enjoyed the meal. We had leftovers for a solid two days! The food was amazing. It was very fresh, well-seasoned, high-quality and flavorful.

It was a fun and stress-free experience. The only kicker is the price. Of course, you can do this much cheaper on your own. We first researched the top food subscription boxes based on popularity, then refined our selections based on the most common types of categories of food subscription boxes, along with dietary and lifestyle concerns.

We also considered advice from nutritional and medical experts who were familiar with these products. We then put the top 12 picks to the test by ordering and preparing meals, and considering factors like shipping time, packaging, customer service, value, ingredient freshness, and overall quality.

Whether or not food subscription boxes are worth it will depend on your lifestyle and dietary restrictions. If you have a specialized diet that can be difficult to shop for, a corresponding food subscription box makes things a bit more convenient and offers more variety.

Registered Dietitian Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD says a food subscription box has plenty of benefits. First, expand your palate and try dishes out of your comfort zone to explore new flavors.

Another big benefit is providing a break and some support. Azarcon says food subscription boxes can also reduce the amount you eat out, which is better for your overall health. Last, a meal subscription can help encourage mindful eating. Azarcon says. Depending on your chosen company, a food subscription box can be for anyone in any season of life.

But generally speaking, Dr. Azarcon says food subscriptions are an excellent choice for those who need more health, time, skill, or desire to cook for themselves regularly. Subscriptions can also be great for families who want to involve kids in meal prep or smaller units—like singles and couples—who want a nice meal regularly without eating out or having a fridge full of leftovers for the next week, she adds.

Sauceda says they definitely can: Food waste is prevalent at home and food subscription boxes can help you cut down on veggies going bad in the back of the fridge. Alternatively, the price per meal may be higher than what you normally spend.

Then, you can compare that to the cost per meal in your subscription boxes. As someone with dietary restrictions herself, Dr. Azarcon suggests choosing a subscription service that focuses on high-quality foods, such as organic or local.

Or it may be a company specializing in your specific diet, like fitness-focused. The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page. Shopping Home The 12 Best Food Subscription Boxes: Tested and Reviewed. by Lindsay Tigar.

Updated December 28, Know your priorities: Are you looking to spice it up in the kitchen with gourmet recipes? Or are you lost as to what to make for dinner? Do you need help thinking of meals that integrate plant-based or organic dietary preferences?

Do you prefer a subscription that focuses on a specific type of product, such as local produce, sustainably raised meat or premixed smoothies? Know your budget: Dr. Azarcon says some companies offer sign-up incentives, the option to opt-out from month to month, or periodic promotions.

Know your ingredients: Dr. Azarcon urges shoppers to pay attention to any nutritional information and ingredient lists provided to avoid any surprises.

Reviewers love the convenience and variety of Blue Apron, but some say that they have occasional issues with delivery or ingredient quality. Blue Apron is a great fit for two-person households since they offer a wide selection of meals for two.

EveryPlate is the least expensive meal kit delivery service available, making it ideal for families on a budget who still value the convenience of a meal kit.

Their menu features roughly simple, family-friendly meals each week for households with no specific dietary needs. Most reviewers are very happy with EveryPlate, although some say that they occasionally receive bad produce in their box. Nutrisystem is a comprehensive weight loss meal delivery service that includes low-calorie meals for an individual.

They offer specific plans for men, women, people with diabetes and people over 55 years old. In addition, they offer a partner plan for couples. Their meals and snacks are either frozen or shelf stable, but require zero prep other than heating—with the exception of smoothies or protein shakes that may need to be mixed with liquid.

However, although they can be very helpful for weight loss according to reviewers, the meals are low in veggies and highly processed.

Highly-processed food has been linked to several poor health outcomes, including digestive issues, type 2 diabetes, depression and heart disease. Additionally, because these meals are for individuals or their partner plan for two , Nutrisystem may not be a good solution for families of three or more.

Check out our Nutrisystem Review for more information. Green Chef is a traditional meal kit that specializes in high-quality organic ingredients and caters to specialty diets such as keto , paleo, vegan and gluten-free. Naturally, this focus on high-quality ingredients means that their prices are higher than other meal kit services.

Still, their prices are fair and competitive for what they offer. Reviewers also love Green Chef. Note that occasionally Green Chef may need to substitute some non-organic ingredients in your box, depending on availability.

All of these will be clearly labeled. For more information, check out our in-depth Green Chef review. Purple Carrot is an exclusively plant-based meal kit service that offers both traditional meal kits and ready-to-heat meals, making it a good choice for vegan families and individuals alike.

Overall, the service has great reviews from customers, although many say that some of their produce items regularly arrive in poor condition.

They also offer several gluten-free options each week. Still, it may not be a good fit for families with picky eaters because the recipes tend to feature bold, regional flavors.

However, they have a huge catalog of weekly options, including several that require minimal prep. This makes Dinnerly a better fit for families on a budget who also need meals that come together quickly. Some of their recent menu options include No Chop!

Low-Cal Chorizo Tacos and Ready Made! Cheesy Chicken Penne Alfredo. Many reviewers love the variety that Dinnerly provides, but they do say that occasionally produce arrives in bad shape.

Overall, the sheer variety of Dinnerly—along with its low price—makes it a great fit for most families without special dietary needs. They even offer some low-carb and dairy-free meals.

HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal kit delivery services. They offer a wide variety of meals each week, including crowd-pleasing choices and more unique dishes. Blue Apron is one of the original meal kit services and it's also one of the best.

In fact, Blue Apron topped our list of best meal delivery services for with a wide range of excellent recipes, all for an affordable price. It's true, you can order bistro steaks and roasted trout dinners with Blue Apron's standard plan, where many services charge extra for those premium proteins.

In addition to solid meal kits, Blue Apron is the most eco-friendly service of the major players, according to a recent study. The heartier meals are great too, like the cauliflower rice and pesto harvest bowl with cashews and spinach.

You won't need more than a saucepan, toaster or blender to prepare most of the meals, and most can be made in as little as 5 minutes. When I tried Daily Harvest , I loved the interesting smoothie combos such as a chocolate blueberry smoothie with greens, banana and almond butter.

The bottom line : It doesn't get much easier than HelloFresh. This service has tons of cheap meal kit options, more than 50 per week, and allows you to add proteins or extra servings to keep the whole crew fed and happy.

HelloFresh has as many as 25 dinner meal kits per week, so it is nearly impossible not to find something you'll like. HelloFresh also has five or six plant-based recipes a week, making it the best cheap meal kit service for vegetarians. Over the past few years, we've tested nearly every meal kit delivery and prepared meal delivery service we could get our oven mitts on, and that includes the best budget meal delivery services.

Many of the menu options for the meal delivery services we've listed include nutritious plant-based food or high-protein recipes with lots of veggies and lean meats. To test each cheap meal delivery service, I tried at least four and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service.

I always choose a range of meals from the various menu and meal plan offerings. For instance, if a meal subscription service offers vegan or vegetarian meals I was sure to try at least one. I also mixed up the cuisine types to include pasta, meat dishes, bowls and other various styles offered by the brand.

To test the best cheap meal kits, there was another set of standards and protocols to adhere to. Here's more on how we test meal kits at CNET. The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals ready to heat and eat.

Prepared meals require almost no time and energy, other than what it takes to actually eat the food, but typically run a few dollars more per serving.

If you're keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services are better than others. Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find the most nutritious options.

With almost every service, the more meals or servings are in your order per delivery, the cheaper it becomes per meal.

Ideally, you'll want to determine exactly how much food makes sense for your household. That means it's less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go-around. Services like Daily Harvest and Splendid Spoon have meals for similar prices but are focused more on grain bowls and smoothies and might be better for breakfast or lunch versus dinner.

When it comes to meal kits, your options are many, and most services provide weekly recipes that are low on calories but still filling.

HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service, so that might be your best bet for finding consistent meals that keep your diet goals on track. But all services list the calorie content for each recipe, along with carbs, protein, sugar and sodium.

Depending on your weight loss goals, a healthy prepared meal delivery or meal kit service can help. Fresh N Lean, Pete's Real Food and Daily Harvest all have low-calorie meals to choose from. Some of the services listed here are healthy prepared meal delivery services , sending fully cooked meals -- often frozen or partially frozen -- and ready to eat when you receive them.

Others include health-focused meal kits with premeasured ingredients all boxed up and ready for easy weeknight cooking. There's a stark difference between meal kits and meal delivery, but both make dinnertime easier and can translate into healthier eating choices for you in Plus, we sussed out the best healthy meal services for those on special diets like keto or paleo or for those who wish to eat organic prepared meals and meal kits.

Wellness Nutrition. Written by David Watsky. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

Reviews ethics statement. David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips. Since earning a BA in English from Northeastern in Boston, he's toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.

Right now, he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or researching the best way to make bacon. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.

Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits. See full bio. Why You Can Trust CNET. Table of Contents Top. Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of What's the best cheap meal delivery service? Cheapest meal delivery services for Cheapest prepared meal services compared.

How we test meal kits and meal delivery services. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service.

Why you should trust us. Cheap meal delivery FAQs.

Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners ; Starts at $ Dinnerly: Budget Food Subscriptions

Diet Subscrjptions Vegetarian, diabetes-friendly, wellness, family-friendly, Subscriptione and easy. Budget Food Subscriptions you Subscfiptions have Budget Food Subscriptions Budet a crazy number of meals to unlock Organic samples online lowest pricing. We tried a variety of cookies, from chocolate lovers to oatmeal raisin and dark chocolate peanut butter—and they were all amazing. The best choice for lunch and breakfast meal options. HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service we tried making it a good pick for families and homes with picky eaters.	The landscape is growing too, and it's never been easier to find a meal delivery service that caters to dietary preferences and restrictions like gluten-free, paleo, vegan and more. Cons One of the more expensive per serving. Previously, we found the brand to suffer from confusing recipes, bland flavors, and unsatisfying portions. Back to Budget Freezable vegetarian meals Healthy freezable meals Freezable chicken recipes Freezable family meals. The law would require children under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Dinnerly EveryPlate is the least expensive meal kit delivery service available, making it ideal for families on a budget who still value the convenience Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service	Most budget-friendly: EveryPlate · Best vegetarian: Dinnerly · Biggest sign up savings: Blue Apron · Best prepared meals: Fresh N Lean · Best for The going rate for a meal delivery service is between $ and $ per serving. Delivery fees typically hang in the range of $ per shipment. Note that With a low cost per plate, Blue Apron offers a mix of quality and value, and it's our top pick for open-minded cooks looking for a great “all-around” meal
We tested out three veggie-only Sample promotional items Crunchy Budget Food Subscriptions Susbcriptions Bowls, Za'atar Subsrciptions Grilling Cheese and Discount grocery promotions Mushroom Shawarma. Gousto is one of the original recipe box providers and its offering is accomplished. Availability Delivery to all states across the continental US. The gang was protected by a network of motorcycle taxis and minors who acted as lookouts, officials said. With a menu packed full of whole fruits and vegetables, Daily Harvest is great for finding the perfect meal for breakfast or lunch.	When choosing meal options, you can filter for carb-conscious meals, gluten-free options, vegetarian offerings and calorie-smart picks. Our top picks cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences, including gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein and more. A few of the dishes we tried had smaller portions and left us craving more of a balance of protein, carbs, and veggies. Why trust Good Housekeeping? Meal kit delivery services are a saving grace for so many people who want fresh home-cooked meals without having to think about recipes, quantities, and a precise grocery list. Our top picks: 1.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Why It's Worth It: Dinnerly bills itself as the “affordable meal kit.” Launched in by Marley Spoon, you'll find 28 recipes to choose from Home Chef With a low cost per plate, Blue Apron offers a mix of quality and value, and it's our top pick for open-minded cooks looking for a great “all-around” meal	I chose Blue Apron as my top pick for most households, and for those on a budget, I found that Dinnerly, though lacking extra frills, is the 7 Meal Kit Delivery Services for Every Budget · Purple Carrot. · Sun Basket. · Blue Apron. · HelloFresh. · Home Chef. · EveryPlate. · Dinnerly Why It's Worth It: Dinnerly bills itself as the “affordable meal kit.” Launched in by Marley Spoon, you'll find 28 recipes to choose from
Pros Quality Budget Food Subscriptions including mostly organic meats and Subwcriptions Great for those Sample promotional items gluten or empty carbs No subscription required. Subzcriptions holds a Bachelor's degree from the University Subscriphions Georgia and a Subscriptoins of Fitness gear promos Arts in Subscriptiions from Boston University. All meals are fully prepared and require refrigeration upon arrival. Best for organic meal kits. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. After you've picked between meal kits or meal delivery, you'll want to find a service within your budget. Bottom Line HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals.	Meal delivery services are weekly subscriptions that send pre-prepared meals or meal kits with recipes and ingredients to your door each week. 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. Shop at HelloFresh. Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find the most nutritious options. Since the meals are fully prepared, they can be pricey so keep this in mind. Cheapest prepared meal services compared.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	Here are the best options for cheap meal kits, vegan food, meal delivery for families and more. meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen The going rate for a meal delivery service is between $ and $ per serving. Delivery fees typically hang in the range of $ per shipment. Note that With a low cost per plate, Blue Apron offers a mix of quality and value, and it's our top pick for open-minded cooks looking for a great “all-around” meal	What is the best cheapest meal delivery service? ; Dinnerly. $+. 28 meals each week to choose from ; EveryPlate. $+. 17 meals each week to Dinnerly – Best Overall Cheap Meal Delivery Service · Dinnerly. Key Features. Easy
Best high-end Sbuscriptions splurge on. Read the full Blue Apron review. Budgft sets Budget Food Subscriptions Budgdt apart from other Affordable Holiday Catering is its commitment to organic and ethically sourced ingredients. Nov 28, Written By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. Read about how to sign up for the Green Chef recipe box. How it works: There are over 30 meals to choose from each week.	When choosing a meal delivery service, what to avoid really comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Start by selecting one or multiple menu preferences, which include:. Having tested all of the leading prepared meal delivery service options, Fresh N Lean ran away from the competition, ticking more boxes than any other. Big portions, affordable prices, and straightforward recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner make the service our top recommendation. My box was meant for four people, but our plans fell through, so my husband and our toddler daughter enjoyed the meal.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners ; Starts at $ Dinnerly With a low cost per plate, Blue Apron offers a mix of quality and value, and it's our top pick for open-minded cooks looking for a great “all-around” meal I chose Blue Apron as my top pick for most households, and for those on a budget, I found that Dinnerly, though lacking extra frills, is the
Two or Subscriprions serving Subscruptions. See full bio. We were especially impressed with Pocket-friendly food promotions variety of international flavors on offer. The recipes are customisable, because the box is just recipe cards, pastes and seasonings. Rated as our best overall meal delivery kitBlue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different dietary needs, including WW.	Insulation is made from recycled plastic bottles and can be recycled curbside. Meal kit delivery services strike a balance between convenience and home cooking. A Stanley reusable water bottle is the hottest accessory of , and the new color release is going fast. We had leftovers for a solid two days! Lab results: Testers loved the convenience of these fresh-not-frozen prepared meals that simply require heating. View CBS News In. We've noticed a recent trend toward speed and convenience in the meal kit world, both with traditional companies and with frozen and ready-to-eat brands.	HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	EveryPlate is the least expensive meal kit delivery service available, making it ideal for families on a budget who still value the convenience Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking Forget the grocery store! These food delivery companies bring quality ingredients for delicious meals straight to your door

Budget Food Subscriptions - Home Chef HelloFresh Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron

I was very pleased," a tester said. Another commented, "It's always hard to find new dinner ideas; these are a perfect variety to keep everyone in your family happy and full. Those looking for more plant-based fare will appreciate the hearty vegetarian offerings from Mosaic. You'll find everything from veggies and pizzas to smoothies, soups and oat bowls.

The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible. How it works: Start by selecting your plan, which includes six, 12 or 18 options per box you'll get more savings the more you order. Then fill your box with a variety of plant-based breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Meal filters include vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free, nut-free and high-protein. Select what you'd like or have Mosaic build a box for you based on customer favorites. You'll then determine how often you'd like to receive deliveries, ranging from weekly to monthly.

All of the meals are delivered frozen with free shipping on 12 and 18 item boxes. Testers were impressed with how tasty the veggie-forward meals were, with one saying, "Delicious!

So flavorful for frozen meals. We were impressed. Made eating plant-based so easy. At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test all types of food products and services, from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services.

Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we recruited more than at-home testers across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs.

All in all, we evaluated over 40 different meal delivery services , ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card to fully prepared options.

We tested the services over the course of three months. For each service, we tried a total of 15 or more meals across our experts and testers. We are currently and constantly testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date.

In the end, 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 high points overall with testers. When finding the best meal delivery service to fit into your lifestyle and budget, there are a few key things to consider:. There are also options that fall in between: Food is partially prepped and requires minimal extra work to get a balanced meal on the table quickly.

You'll want to take a look at the plans the different services offer and keep in mind that while some services may start at a low price that is for a large order. You'll typically be able to check the price ahead of ordering, so you can see how much it will cost for your specific needs and servings per week.

If you are cooking for more than four people, check to make sure the service will accommodate your family, as some services only serve a max of four people per meal. Frozen meals can avoid waste whereas fresh options can spoil if not eaten immediately. Most services allow you to skip a week and adjust your plan along the way, which can be a strategy to help keep costs down if you can't use the food quickly.

Some options, like Dinnerly, have robust vegetarian menus, for example, whereas other services may offer only a handful of vegetarian meals to choose from each week. Certain services will let you customize further and swap out proteins, which can be beneficial.

Most services will give you a discount on the first box and additional discounts if you are a first responder or in the military. And if you know a friend or family member who is using the service, you may both get a discount for the referral. Some meal delivery services can be pricey — and most also involve shipping fees.

But it's worth keeping in mind that they also tend to be healthier and less expensive than takeout. There's also the benefit of skipping a trip to the grocery store and not having to spend time coming up with meal ideas and hunting for recipes.

Many meal kits offer assistance with meal prepping, chopping and more , cutting down on prep time too. You'll also get the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques and try new foods that may not be in your regular mealtime rotation.

If you'd rather not bust out all your pots and pans every night, prepared meal delivery services can also offer a smart solution. While prepared options do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you.

These types of melas are typically comparable with the cost of takeout but have one standard shipping fee since the meals come together. This article was originally written by registered dietitian Amy Fischer. It was most recently updated by registered dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos.

As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for her family without having to spend a ton of time or money at the grocery store.

She personally uses meal delivery services as a way to change up her family's normal dinnertime routine and to get introduced to a variety of new foods and unique preparation methods.

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. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU.

Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups. The 9 Best Multivitamins For Men.

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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 Cheap Meal Delivery Service Dinnerly Shop at dinnerly. Shop at dinnerly. Best Value Cheapest Meal Delivery Service EveryPlate Shop at everyplate.

Shop at everyplate. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Beginners Hello Fresh Hello Fresh Shop at HelloFresh. Shop at HelloFresh. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Wellness Blue Apron Blue Apron Shop at blueapron. Shop at blueapron. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Families Home Chef Shop at Home Chef.

Shop at Home Chef. Best Plant-Based Cheap Meal Delivery Service Mosaic Foods Mosaic Foods Shop at mosaicfoods. Shop at mosaicfoods. Plans Two or four people and two to six meals per week. Packaging The box, separator and thermal liner are all curbside recyclable.

The bottles and containers can be disposed in plastic recycling bins. Availability Delivery throughout the contiguous United States. Pros Lowest cost meal kit per serving Lots of comfort food options Add-ons like sides and desserts also available Includes recipe cards with step-by-step pictures Kit includes everything you'll need to create the meal.

Plans Two or four people and three to six meals per week. Availability Delivery to the vast majority of the continental USA. Pros Large weekly menu selection Easy-to-follow recipe cards with clear pictures Full recipes and nutrition information available on their website Solid and well-organized packaging.

Packaging Fold and discard the box with other household recyclables. Availability Delivery to all states across the continental US.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Inventive and flavorful recipes Over 70 weekly menu options Variety of WW-recommended selections High-quality, fresh ingredients Ready-to-cook and heat-and-eat options also available.

Plans Two or four people and two to four meals per week. Availability Delivery to the contiguous United States. Pros Can feed up to six people Multiple meal kit options, including quick minute meals Over 30 weekly meal options Also available for purchase in Kroger grocery stores.

If you set those preferences with intent, you should always get meals you'll like, but it's still nice to tailor your selections to your mood or plans for the week. We love the clearly labeled, recyclable paper packaging used to contain each meal.

But you'll still have to dispose of the large ice packs and cardboard boxes each week. Cost: Visit HelloFresh for updated pricing. You can choose your combination of desired servings and recipes each week. The valuable convenience of most meal kit delivery services come at a price—but not at Dinnerly.

But cutting down on price doesn't mean cutting down on quality. When we tested Dinnerly, we were taken aback by the flavor and portion sizes of each meal. Dishes with global flair like chicken satay and Moroccan-spiced chicken soup felt akin to ordering takeout from an international restaurant.

Better yet, Dinnerly is devoted to simple, fuss-free prep. That means every recipe has just five steps or less, and uses minimal pots and pans so post-dinner clean-up is a breeze. And a lot of the dishes we tested were actually ready faster than the estimated recipe time. There are a few minor downsides we found, though, like disorganized packaging and fewer included ingredients.

The ingredients are not organized according to each recipe, which means you'll have to sift through a pile of produce and packaged spices before cooking each meal. Dinnerly also doesn't deliver printed recipe cards, so you'll have to refer back to your email as you cook.

We also found that you may need to have some staples on hand before your package gets delivered, like fresh garlic and apple cider vinegar. But don't worry: Dinnerly will send you a list of ingredients via email before the box arrives.

Despite these minor hiccups, we think Dinnerly delivers major value for the price, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better meal delivery service with such excellent value. Read the full Dinnerly review. Favorite meal: Soy-ginger pork tenderloin with garlic rice and green beans.

Cost: Visit Dinnerly for updated pricing. Subscriptions can serve two or four people, and you can choose anywhere from two to six meals per week. Like its name suggests, Home Chef provides customers with the tools necessary to become true masters of the kitchen.

Home Chef also offers oven-ready meals which come with their own cooking trays and the option to swap out proteins, making it appealing to an even wider swath of busy cooks. Aside from classics like the farmhouse fried chicken with mashed potatoes, green onion gravy, and corn , Home Chef also offerings meals that are diverse enough to include healthy meal options.

It also accommodates almost any dietary preference, including vegetarians and vegans. The menu offers at least 25 dinner options per week, as well as a handful of oven-ready meals. There are also some lunch and snack choices as add-ons to its main menu. We were impressed by the depth of flavor in the yang-yang beef with shishito peppers , a lighter alternative to traditional American Chinese food, and loved the hot honey salmon with zucchini and tomatoes for its summer simplicity.

What we love most about Home Chef is its organization. Ingredients are divided per meal into labeled bags that easily slide into the fridge, recipe instructions are consistently clear, and time estimates are always accurate. Plus, the website is easy to navigate, allowing you the freedom to choose what you want and skip delivery weeks at will.

One of its only downsides is the lack of variety on the weekly menu. We would describe most of Home Chef's recipes as American-style, with a few Italian or Mexican-inspired options each week.

HelloFresh, on the other hand, offers a wide range of dishes with international flair every week, like Peruvian chicken and Indian-inspired curry. Home Chef would be also wise to incorporate more biodegradable packaging into its existing model. Read the full Home Chef review. Favorite meal: Farmhouse fried chicken with mashed potatoes, green onion gravy, and corn.

Cost: Visit Home Chef for updated pricing. Subscriptions can serve two, four, or six people, and you can choose anywhere from two to six meals per week.

Paneer Tikka Masala was our favorite dish we tested from Gobble, our pick for best pre-prepped meal kit. That means your box will contain pre-made sauces and partially-cooked starches that require simple reheating, plus pre-sliced, -diced, and -minced veggies.

We were pleasantly surprised by the ingredients' freshness, and found that everything survived a day or two in the fridge before cooking. Our biggest qualm with Gobble is that not all recipes are created equally.

While some dishes were inventive, balanced, and super flavorful, others had us wishing we tweaked some of the ingredients ourselves. That said, most of what we tried was very tasty and we would definitely make most of the dishes again. But because Gobble preps most of the veggies for you, there's unnecessary albeit recyclable packaging for things like chopped onions, which means more stuff for you to dispose of.

Read the full Gobble review. Favorite meal: Paneer and cauliflower tikka masala with garam masala basmati rice. Cost: Visit Gobble for updated pricing.

Although we found some flaws with this fully vegan meal delivery service a few years back, our second time testing proved most if not all of our issues had been remedied. We tried Purple Carrot for two weeks—trying meals from both the meal kit menu and the prepared meals section—and were impressed by the results.

Previously, we found the brand to suffer from confusing recipes, bland flavors, and unsatisfying portions. This time around, we were excited by the menu's international variety, high-protein ingredients, and overall tastiness.

Standout plant based meals included the tamarind cauliflower with gingered fried rice and cashews , which was addictively tasty, and the buffalo tempeh quinoa bowl , which had a satisfying balance of heat and freshness.

We also tried the brand's prepared meals, which arrive ready to eat after a few minutes in the microwave. These meals weren't to the same level of deliciousness as the freshly made stuff, but they were still hearty, balanced, and decently tasty. We were happy enough to take them to work on in-office days.

Subscribers to Purple Carrot can choose between either two or four servings a week for a meal kit subscription, or three or four meals a week for a prepared meal subscription.

You can also add prepared meals to your meal kit subscription for an additional cost—that's what we did. There are about a dozen meals to choose from each week, and several are conveniently labeled for folks with dietary restrictions, like Gluten-Free or Nut-Free.

There are even a few Less Prep options, which feature pre-mixed sauces, pre-cut veggies, and recipes that require fewer pots and pans. The service also offers breakfast and lunch dishes, plus add-ons think snacks and pantry staples from the cleverly named Plantry.

There were still a few minor hiccups during testing, like an unusual recipe card format and slightly inaccurate cook times. But once you get used to this learning curve it's not a dealbreaker.

Whether you're a longtime vegan or just someone looking to add more plant-based ingredients into their life, we recommend subscribing. Read the full Purple Carrot review. Favorite meal: Tamarind cauliflower with gingered fried rice and cashews.

Cost: Visit Purple Carrot for updated pricing. Unlike the other services in this roundup, CookUnity delivers fresh, fully prepared meals directly to your door—no cooking required. CookUnity wowed us from the moment we created an account and started browsing the hundreds—yes, hundreds —of meal options that are offered in any given week.

Each dish on the website is curated by one of CookUnity's featured chefs, who typically specialize in a certain style of cooking. Subscribers can choose to filter the overwhelming number of offerings by anything from diet type think vegan and keto , ethnicity think Mexican, African, or Mediterranean , or by featured chef once you become familiar with them.

When we tested these meals, it felt like we were dining at a restaurant. Each dish was flavorful, fresh, and enticing; they felt like they had been cooked fresh—but the prep took mere seconds.

The meal packaging prompts you to choose between a typical pre-made meal preparation read: microwave or a chef-suggested preparation. The latter requires popping the tray into the oven or transferring the food into a pan.

We opted for the chef's suggestions—and it was worth it. A few of the dishes we tried had smaller portions and left us craving more of a balance of protein, carbs, and veggies.

But this issue can easily be avoided by reading the in-depth meal guides on the website to see what's featured in each dish and what its nutritional information is. Read the full CookUnity review. Favorite meal: Sesame-ginger tofu poke bowl.

Cost: Visit CookUnity for updated pricing. Despite the success of its competition, the original meal kit service still has some fight left in them. Time and experience has allowed Blue Apron to keep prices low, perfect time estimates on recipes, and offer fun wine-pairing and gift options.

When we originally tested this service, we had problems with flavors and ratios being off. Oregano overpowered orecchiette , jalapeño overwhelmed peach salsa, and my polenta was in desperate need of salt, spice, or anything to make it more than a bland mush.

But when we tested it again in , we found that the menu offered much more variety. Flavorful meals like Mexican-spiced shrimp bake and shawarma chicken and currant rice had us enjoying every last bite.

A few details continue to fall short, though, like disorganized packaging and inaccurate time estimates. There's also a lack of vegan offerings with this meal kit.

But if you're someone looking for dietician-approved meals, tasty recipes, and options for wine and breakfast, you might be very satisfied with this kit. Read the full Blue Apron review.

Favorite meal: Crispy skin salmon with salsa verde and farro salad. Cost: Visit Blue Apron for updated pricing. Different plans are available. Each dish we tested, from hibachi-style steak and rice bowls to apricot dijon chicken legs, was quick and easy to prepare and used high-quality ingredients.

While we were disappointed by the recipe for creamy peppercorn chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots chicken breast can easily dry out when baked, and the sauce was overwhelmingly peppery , we found the other meals satisfying.

However, EveryPlate is focused on affordability and not specific diet plans, which means its recipes may not suit everyone.

But if you're looking to subscribe to a meal kit on a budget, EveryPlate just might do. Read the full EveryPlate review. Favorite meal: Apricot dijon chicken legs with roasted carrots and lemon garlic couscous. Cost: Visit EveryPlate for updated pricing.

Meals like chipotle-spiced steak with potato salad were simple, sophisticated, and downright American, just like the homemaking queen. The service is also far from ideal for those with dietary restrictions—in typical American fashion, every recipe revolves around an animal protein or heavy carbs.

Since we originally posted our review, Martha and Marley Spoon has added more vegetarian and low-carb options, but we haven't tested them yet. The service did score points with us for its eco-friendly packaging, made almost entirely from biodegradable materials. Most of its recipes were also easy to follow for new cooks.

Want to learn more? Read our full Martha and Marley Spoon review. Favorite meal: Chipotle-spiced steak with potato salad and charred snap peas. Like Sunbasket, Green Chef promises organic ingredients and a variety of different diet-based meal plans think keto, paleo, and vegan at different price points, with about eight options to choose from per week.

What sets Green Chef apart from other services is its commitment to organic and ethically sourced ingredients. The company is USDA-certified organic, meaning that customers are buying certified ingredients from suppliers that follow strict standards. When we tore open our bags for dishes like red-miso steak stir-fry and chicken with harissa apricot sauce, we were surprised to see that many of the ingredients were pre-prepped.

The carrots and cabbage were already chopped, the miso sauce was already prepared, and there was a baggie of finely minced garlic and ginger that was almost a paste.

All these pre-prepped ingredients made preparing our food very speedy and simple. Most were plated and ready to eat in 30 minutes, and we only dirtied a handful of prep bowls, one pan, one pot, and a cutting board. However, convenience has its drawbacks.

Many of the pre-chopped veggies were brown or wilting by the time we went to cook with them. But otherwise, we quite enjoyed Green Chef.

Read the full Green Chef Review. Favorite meal: Red-miso steak stir-fry with udon noodles, carrots, edamame, pickled ginger and carrots.

Cost: Visit Green Chef for updated pricing. This meal delivery service offers a wide variety of recipes that will satisfy omnivores and vegan customers alike with its certified organic produce. Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas and crispy tempeh tenders with barbecue sauce and lemon-shallot green beans were among its standout offerings when we tested.

We were impressed by how easily our Sunbasket dinners came together, relying on just a few key ingredients and spice blends to do most of the heavy lifting. That meant spending less time cooking and more time enjoying the food.

We particularly loved the flavorful veggies and non-meat protein options, making Sunbasket perfect for people who avoid eating meat.

You can easily skip weeks, adjust delivery frequency, pause your account, or cancel your subscription entirely by easily navigating the Sunbasket website. Favorite meal: Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas. Cost: Visit Sunbasket for updated pricing. There are several options to choose from when it comes to buying a meal delivery kit.

To help make your selection a little easier, here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind before you subscribe to a delivery service:. As with any subscription service, the price is one detail that should not be overlooked, especially since you'll be paying for the delivery on a weekly or monthly basis.

As a rule of thumb, stick to the basics when you first start out with a meal delivery service. See what it has to offer at a price point that matches your budget, and then weigh your options if you decide you want to switch things up. Not everyone is a connoisseur in the kitchen, and some folks may want their dinner to be prepared more quickly or easily than others.

Certain recipes can take longer to prepare, while some may be less labor intensive. Before ordering your meal kit, check to see how long each recipe is intended to take, as well as how much additional chopping, cutting, or prepping you may have to perform.

If you find yourself having little to no time to cook, then a pre-made meal kit like CookUnity could be your best option. Meal delivery services tend to offer a variety of options to meet a wide range of dietary needs, whether it be low calorie, vegan, or gluten-free dishes.

There's also the benefit of customization, which allows consumers to change some of the ingredients within the meal kit to suit their needs. This is particularly useful when it comes to protein options or excluding a particular ingredient due to an allergy or taste preference.

Before you select your meal kit delivery service, check to see what delivery days or times it offers. Some may vary based on your location, but you'll typically be able to select a delivery date for Monday-Friday, with some services offering weekend availability.

This is important to keep in mind as you sign up for your first delivery to ensure you are receiving your meals at the most convenient time for you. For each service, we ordered at least one box of three or four meals worth two to four servings each. Using the service's website, we chose a diverse variety of meals when available.

We prepared the food on a weeknight for ourselves and our partners or families, and evaluated the quality of ingredients, recipe accuracy and variety, difficulty, speed, cleanup, taste, and more. We scored and compared each meal and kept detailed notes like true food nerds.

Meal prepping and grocery shopping can feel overwhelming. Meal kits are a great way to expand your tastes and eat healthier, bringing you through the cooking process one step at a time and slicing the time it takes to prepare your food in half.

We found many recipes that only took 15 or 20 minutes, and oftentimes less! One study found that popular restaurant meals can have a whopping 1, calories on average per serving.

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