Meal delivery services may choose to cut costs by reducing their packaging, the number of ingredients, or even their marketing budgets in order to pass those savings on to you. And, while they still may not be as cost-effective as grocery shopping yourself, they’re certainly less expensive—and typically healthier—than ordering takeout. Read on for the cheapest meal delivery services.
Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of 2022
Starts at $4.99: Dinnerly Starts at $4.99: EveryPlate Starts at $6.79: Daily Harvest Starts at $7.99: Home Chef Starts at $6.99: Revive Superfoods Starts at $7.49: HelloFresh Starts at $7.99: Blue Apron Starts at $7.99: Mom’s Meals
Key SpecsStarting Price: $4.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try ItDinnerly is the most affordable meal kit service on the market with unfussy recipes that make dinner a snap. ProsWide variety of new meals weeklyPrep is easy and approachableBrunch and dessert items available for holidays ConsFew options for allergy-free and special dietsNo recipe cards includedOverviewWith meals starting at $4.99 per person, Dinnerly takes the stress out of both cooking and budgeting. Dinnerly uses the same quality ingredients as other meal kits but is able to charge less for a few reasons—digital recipes instead of printed ones, fewer ingredients per dish, simple packaging, and no fancy marketing campaigns. Although Dinnerly doesn’t have personalized meal plans, the recipes are tagged to show you quick info at a glance, such as Low Carb, Low Calorie, Vegetarian, No Added Gluten, and Dairy Free. Pricing and Plans3 meals with 2 servings each: $6.39 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $5.99 per serving5 meals with 2 servings each: $5.89 per serving6 meals with 2 servings each: $5.79 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $5.69 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving5 meals with 4 servings each: $5.29 per serving6 meals with 4 servings each: $4.99 per serving Meals We TriedBBQ cheeseburger with sautéed onions and smashed potatoesLow-cal veggie drunken noodles with broccoli, peppers, and cilantroGrass-fed ground beef and cheddar quesadillas with cornCaramel chicken stir-fry with snow peas and jasmine rice Key SpecsStarting Price: $4.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try ItEveryPlate offers satisfying comfort foods at about half the price of other meal delivery services.ProsFamily-friendly recipesSatisfying meals with reasonable prep timesAdd-on protein packsConsNo options for restricted dietsFewer healthy optionsOverviewStarting at $4.99 per serving, EveryPlate is self-described as America’s Best Value Meal Kit. It is owned by HelloFresh, so it’s no wonder taste is prioritized even at this lower price point. These crowd-pleasing meals usually take 35 or 40 minutes to prepare with some taking less and some taking a bit more. In order to keep prices low, EveryPlate does not cater to special diets and there are no personalized meal plans. Weekly menus lean into crowd-pleasing comfort food classics like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, burgers, pastas, and tacos. Pricing and Plans3 meals with 2 servings each: $6.49 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $5.99 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $5.29 per serving5 meals with 2 servings each: $5.79 per serving5 meals with 4 servings each: $4.99 per serving Meals We TriedCrispy Caesar chickenSteak fritesBlackened shrimp saladHotel butter baramundi Key SpecsStarting Price: $6.79 per servingDelivery Area: 95% of continental U.S.Products Arrive: FrozenWhy You Should Try ItDaily Harvest boasts a wide selection of plant-based, gluten-free offerings with volume-based discounts for large orders. ProsEntire menu is plant-based and gluten-freeFocus on organic ingredientsVolume-based discounts ConsSingle servings onlyMust order a minimum of nine items OverviewDaily Harvest specializes in plant-based heat-and-eat meals, smoothies, soups, and snacks made with sustainably-sourced ingredients and no fillers, gluten, GMOs, or artificial additives. To order, you’ll build a box of either nine, 14, or 24 items, with volume-based discounts that increase the more items you purchase. While all items arrive frozen instead of fresh, that just means they’ll last a while in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy them.Pricing and PlansPer-Item Pricing:Lattes: $5.99Forager Bowls: $6.79Mylk & Bites: $7.99Smoothies & Soups: $8.49Scoops: $8.99Harvest Bowls & Flatbreads: $9.79Harvest Bakes: $11.99Volume Discounts:9-11 items: $5 discount12-23 items: $10 discount24-26 items: $25 discountMeals We TriedMint and cacao smoothieMango papaya smoothieHazelnut and chocolate bitesTomatillo and pepper flatbreadPortobello and pesto flatbreadSweet potato and wild rice hashBrussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowlSpinach and shiitake gritsTomato and zucchini minestrone soup Key SpecsStarting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: 98% of the United StatesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try ItHome Chef offers delicious, family-friendly meals, including minimal prep options, at a competitive price. ProsEasily customizable mealsEasy prep optionsServes up to six people ConsNot focused on organic foodCannot accommodate strict dietary restrictions like vegan and keto OverviewHomeChef is known for its easily customizable, great-tasting meal kits. Of the two plans—Home Chef and Fresh and Easy—the Fresh and Easy option provides the most convenience. This plan includes 15 Minute Meal Kits with pre-portioned ingredients that cook in under 15 minutes; Oven-Ready and Grill-Ready Meals that are fully prepped and ready to cook; and Fast and Fresh Meals that arrive cooked and only need reheating. Pricing and PlansAccording to Home Chef’s website, the weekly cost will depend on the size of your order and the meal options you select. Prices start at $7.99 per serving. Meals We TriedCrispy sweet chili shrimp rice bowl Creamy tomato and steak penne Gnocchi and red pepper cream Moo shu pork lettuce cups Key SpecsStarting Price: $6.99 per servingDelivery Area: U.S. and CanadaProducts Arrive: FrozenWhy You Should Try ItRevive Superfoods specializes in pre-portioned plant-based smoothies, soups, snacks, and supermeals that can be ready to enjoy in minutes.ProsNutritious foods with minimal prepZero-waste philosophyCan order up to 24 items at a timeConsLimited variety of non-smoothie itemsShipping costs extraOverviewIf you’re looking to incorporate more superfoods into your meal rotation, Revive Superfoods is a great option. The company specializes in pre-portioned smoothie kits, featuring 20 different flavors including Cherry & Açai, Dragonfruit & Strawberry, and Mango & Papaya. Simply add your choice of liquid and blend the ingredients until smooth. You can also choose from soups, oat bowls, frozen desserts, “supermeal” grain bowls, and “bites” made of chewy oatmeal filled with jam.Pricing and PlansPricing depends on what you order. Begin by selecting a box size of either nine, 12, or 24 items, then simply fill it with your choice of menu selections. Per-item pricing is as follows:Oats: $6.99Smoothies: $6.99Bites: $6.99Soups: $6.99Frozen Desserts: $7.99Supermeals: $8.49Meals We TriedHazy Cocoa smoothie Pink Dragon smoothie Acai Twist smoothie Chipotle and black bean supermeal Lentil and sundried tomato supermeal Avocado and quinoa supermeal Chickpea and pomegranate supermeal Guajillo tortilla soup Artisan bean and tomato soup Key SpecsStarting Price: $7.49 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Despite its low cost, HelloFresh offers a huge selection of delicious meals that are easy to prepare. ProsDozens of weekly menu and market itemsGreat-tasting creative and classic recipesResponsible ingredient sourcing and packaging ConsNot many options for restricted dietsShipping isn’t free OverviewHelloFresh’s chef-created meals start at just $7.49 and, despite being one of the most cost-effective meal delivery services on the market, its selection rivals them all. Recipes are made of high-quality ingredients shipped in sustainable packaging, and they’re each tested 45 times to ensure deliciousness and simplicity. On the menu, you’ll find familiar favorites like spaghetti, pork chops, and burgers, plus globally-inspired offerings such as bulgogi wraps and curry chickpea bowls. Pricing and Plans6 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving6 meals with 2 servings each: $8.49 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per servingMeals We TriedCrispy buffalo-spiced chicken BBQ cheddar burgers Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa Pork sausage rigatoni rosa Key SpecsStarting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh (meal kits) and frozen (prepared meals)Why You Should Try ItOffering both meal kits and pre-made Heat & Eat meals, Blue Apron offers a gourmet culinary experience for every type of home cook. ProsWeekly rotating meal choicesEasy to skip ordersHelpful customer support options ConsNot the cheapest choiceFew customization optionsOverviewWith dozens of flavorful menu choices each week, Blue Apron is the ultimate service for gourmet food lovers. Customers can choose from multiple meal preferences, including chef favorites, family-friendly, and vegetarian. Blue Apron’s meals come in the form of either meal kits or fully-prepared Heat & Eat entrees, with options for two or four servings and two to four meals per week. And, in select areas, customers can add on marketplace items, such as pantry essentials, kitchen tools, and even wine. Pricing and Plans2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $8.49 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving Meals We TriedMeal KitsTogarashi shrimp and vegetable fried rice Space Ranger chicken enchiladas One-pan white bean and poblano shakshuka Baked meatballs and romesco mayo Prepared MealsSweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame Chicken alfredo pasta with peas Key SpecsStarting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try ItMom’s Meals’ main mission is to provide affordable, convenient, and nutritious meals to senior citizens. ProsMenus designed by dietitiansSenior-friendly meal optionsMultiple dietary needs accommodated ConsShipping costs extraOrdering process can be confusing for some OverviewMom’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. Pricing and PlansAccording to Mom’s Meals’ website, meals cost an affordable $7.99 each, with renal-friendly, pureed, and gluten-free meals slightly higher at $8.99. Customers may also be eligible to receive subsidized meals through health plans and agencies like Medicaid and Medicare.Meals We TriedCurry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla puddingCheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole wheat bun, orangeChicken and stir fry vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauceSweet and sour chicken with stir fry vegetables, white rice, grape juice, ginger spice cookieBBQ 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, gelatinMushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole wheat roll, grape juiceKorean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookieCreamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce
What Is a Meal Delivery Service?
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.
How Much Does a Meal Delivery Service Cost?
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. The cheapest meal delivery service we found was Dinnerly, which starts at $4.99 per serving.
Do Meal Delivery Services Require a Commitment?
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.
Methodology
We researched 40 different meal delivery services and narrowed them down by price. We also considered menu options, plans, and other factors. The companies that made our list were selected because they are the least expensive, with meals priced under $8 each.
