Meal kits are popular because they offer a fantastic way to save time on meal planning and meal prep while helping you find new, healthy foods to enjoy with fresh recipe selections each week. Yet many assume meal kits are a luxury service, too expensive to fit their budget. If you are one of those people – this article is for you!
It may be surprising, but using some of the meal kit services on our list below can actually end up being cheaper than shopping at the grocery store! Plus, many meal kits offer beginner promotional discounts, so you can save even more if you change up your meal kit service often.
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At the Meal Kit Review, we have a team of passionate meal delivery experts who know the industry’s ins and outs. To update our review for 2024, our team researched all the relevant companies in the lower price range and tested each one’s current offerings. That way, we make sure we’re bringing you the best info on the cheapest meal kit delivery services that will fit your budget!
Short on Time? Here Are the Top Affordable Meal Delivery Services For 2024:
- #1 Best Cheap Meal Kit Service – EveryPlate
- Best for a Large Variety Of Affordable Meal Kits: Dinnerly
- Best For Crowd Pleasing Affordable Meal Kits: HelloFresh
- Best For Easy-Prep Meal Kits, Affordably Priced: Home Chef
- Best For Classic Meals From Martha Stewart: Martha & Marley Spoon
- Best For Upscaled Yet Reasonably Priced Meal Kits: Blue Apron
In-Depth Review of the Best Cheapest Meal Delivery Services 2024
1. EveryPlate - #1 Best Cheap Meal Kit Service
Pros and Cons
EveryPlate Pros
- Simple & affordable meal kit service on a budget
- Scaled-back recipes are quick and easy to cook
- Offers add-ons for extra protein, sides, and more
- Many recipes are crowd-pleasing favorites, great for picky eaters
EveryPlate Cons
- There are fewer weekly recipe options than other meal kits
- Ingredients don’t come pre-sorted per recipe
About the Service
EveryPlate is a budget meal kit service that provides delicious, home-cooked meals at a great price. It keeps costs low by using scaled-back packaging and crafting simple meals with fewer ingredients but plenty of taste.
Our 2024 meal kit testers found EveryPlate’s meals easy to cook yet comforting, generously portioned, and satisfying.
What Do You Get?
With EveryPlate, you will get pre-measured ingredients for between 3-5 meals in your weekly box. You can choose a plan with 2, 4, or 6 servings per recipe.
During sign-up, you’ll pick preferences to get recommended meals, but you’ll also have the opportunity to choose from the full menu of 25+ options.
Meals To Try From EveryPlate
- Crispy Buffalo Ranch Chicken with Honey Roasted Carrots & Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Umami Beef Bowls with Pickled Cucumber & Sriracha Aioli
- Creamy Mushroom & Pea Cavatappi with Lemon
- Pork Chops over Cabbage Stir Fry with Rice & Tangy Chili Sauce
What Do Customers Think Of It?
EveryPlate customers appreciate the simple recipes and generous portion sizes while still being the cheapest meal kit service around.
New EveryPlate customer @meligeez on Reddit says, “This is my first EveryPlate recipe! It is very tasty and well-balanced as a meal.”
Another Reddit user, @agedlikesage, says, “I will say- I save mad money with Everyplate!”
2. Dinnerly - Best for a Large Variety of Affordable Meal Kits
Pros and Cons
Dinnerly Pros
- 100+ options for weekly affordable recipes
- Great support for specialty diets like low-carb, low-calorie, vegetarian and more
- Simple recipes that are quick and easy to make
- Dinnerly Market with add-ons for simple desserts, breakfasts, and more
Dinnerly Cons
- Recipes aren’t as adventurous as some meal kits
- Ingredients don’t come pre-sorted per recipe
About the Service
Dinnerly is here to supply you with simple and delicious recipes for affordable evening meals as low as $7.99 per serving! Their low-budget meal kits provide the same high-quality ingredients as other services but keep costs low with simpler recipes and packaging.
Our meal kit testers were impressed with the variety of tasty recipes on the Dinnerly menu and the generous portions at such an affordable price.
What Do You Get?
As a Dinnerly customer, you can order between 2 and 6 meals in your weekly box, servings for 2—or 4-person households.
Dinnerly caters to an impressive amount of special diets and lifestyles you specify when signing up. Options include low-calorie meals, meals for picky eaters and kids, quick meals, low-carb, vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly meals. No matter which preference you pick, you can shop the full 100+ recipes per week.
Meals To Try From Dinnerly
- Cottage Pie Baked Sweet Potato with Cheddar & Peas
- Hoisin-Glazed Chicken & Tamari Broccoli with Jasmine Rice
- Low-Cal Shrimp Korma Curry over Jasmine Rice
- BBQ Baked Tofu with Mac & Cheese & Smoky Sauteed Kale
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Dinnerly customers appreciate this meal kit’s savings and the simple but tasty recipes.
In their recent review of the Spicy Pork Noodles with Cucumber and peanut Sauce from Dinnerly, Redditor @RepulsiveText8180 says they were “super good.”
Another Dinnerly customer on Reddit, @mtoomtoo, reviewed their Baked Butternut Squash & Kale Risotto dish, saying it was “Really tasty for little work.”
3. HelloFresh - Best for Crowd Pleasing Affordable Meal Kits
Pros and Cons
HelloFresh Pros
- 100+ weekly recipes to suit a variety of tastes
- Great options for calorie-smart, vegetarian, and carb-smart diets
- Many meals are quick and come together in just 20-30 minutes
- High-quality pre-portioned ingredients offer great value
HelloFresh Cons
- Some meals each week are Premium and cost extra
- Not suited to more specialty dietary needs or food allergies
About the Service
HelloFresh is a top-rated meal kit service that can help you make tasty, easy weeknight dinners at an affordable price. HelloFresh sources excellent ingredients that come pre-measured and sorted per meal, making their service a great value.
In 2024, our testers continue to be impressed with the high-quality ingredients and the easy-to-follow yet delicious recipes we receive from HelloFresh.
What Do You Get?
HelloFresh plans serve 2, 4, or 6 people with ingredients for between 2-6 meals in your weekly box.
When signing up, you’ll take a quick quiz to provide your dietary needs and preferences and get recommendations for your box. Each week, you can pick from the full menu of 100+ recipes, regardless of your plan.
Meals To Try From HelloFresh
- Gingery Coconut Chicken Soup with Farro, Carrots & Lime
- One-Pan Banh-Mi-Style Beef Tacos with Pickled Cucumber and Sriracha Mayo
- Triple Mushroom Truffle Penne with Garlicky Panko & Parmesan
- Smoky Barramundi with Brown Butter plus Mashed Potatoes & Roasted Garlic
What Do Customers Think Of It?
HelloFresh customers love the variety of delicious meals on the weekly menu and how the pre-portioned ingredients help them waste less food and save money.
HelloFresh customer and Reddit user @aGirlySloth says the Crispy Maple Mustard Chicken is excellent, adding that “I love the mix of maple and Dijon with the panko.”
Reddit user @fuzzylove420 says using HelloFresh is “cheaper for me because I am not buying bags of produce I will use some of and let the rest rot.”
4. Home Chef - Best For Easy-Prep Meal Kits, Affordably Priced
Pros and Cons
Home Chef Pros
- There is a good variety of options for meal kit types and prep times
- Support for many dietary needs, including vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carb, and more
- Customize It option lets you adjust meals to suit your tastes
- Offers bundles to help you save on add-ons, sides, and meals
Home Chef Cons
- Pricier than some of the more budget-aligned meal kits
- Premium options on the weekly menu cost extra
About the Service
The Home Chef meal delivery service is about making home cooking simple and fun at affordable prices. Their weekly menu has a diverse range of options for busy people on a budget, with traditional meal kits, express meals, and oven-ready and microwavable meal options.
In 2024, our reviewers appreciated the different options to fit our schedules, the consistently high-quality ingredients, and the delicious recipes.
What Do You Get?
Home Chef plans serve 2, 4, or 6 people per meal, with between 2 and 6 recipes in your weekly delivery. When you sign up, you’ll take a quiz to help them recommend your weekly meals, but you’ll also have the option to choose from the full menu.
What makes Home Chef unique is the variety of preparation options in the weekly menu, with traditional meal kits right alongside oven-ready, microwavable meals and express options. If you like cooking but often find yourself reaching for takeout on a busy day, Home Chef’s quicker meals will deliver on the savings!
Meals To Try From Home Chef
- One-Sheet Pesto Chicken and Roasted Potatoes
- Ginger-Soy Shrimp Rice Bowl with Green Beans & Peanuts
- Fire-Roasted Tomato and Turkey Stuffed Peppers with Mozzarella
- Vegetable Rigatoni Alfredo with Broccoli & Roasted Peppers
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Home Chef customers appreciate how the service makes cooking easy at home and saves money by allowing them to order less takeout when they need something fast and tasty.
Longtime Home Chef customer @OxytocinDog1 on Reddit says using the service helped them learn to eat healthier and save money. They say, “We ate lots of frozen food and expensive take out. It’s really changed our lives!”
Reddit user @Zealousideal_Kiwi306 says the One Pot Fettucine Alfredo they made from their Home Chef meal kit was “very tasty and easy.”
5. Martha & Marley Spoon- Best For Classic Meals From Martha Stewart
Pros and Cons
Marley Spoon Pros
- Enjoy Martha’s Best meals designed by home cooking queen Martha Stewart
- 100+ chef-designed recipes to pick from each week
- There is a huge variety of recipes that cater to dietary needs and preferences
- The menu includes traditional meal kits plus one-pot meals that are quick and easy to make
Marley Spoon Cons
- Pricier than some other meal kits on the market
- Some meals require advanced cooking techniques and tools
About the Service
Martha Stewart’s name immediately brings up the joy of home cooking, which makes it very exciting that she has her own meal kit company, Martha & Marley Spoon! Marley Spoon specializes in chef-designed recipes that are upscale yet easy to make, using high-quality seasonal ingredients.
When trying out Marley Spoon in 2024, our testers were amazed at how easily they could create delicious, restaurant-quality meals at home by following the chef-designed recipes and using high-quality pre-measured ingredients.
What Do You Get?
Marley Spoon delivers pre-measured ingredients to serve 2 or 4 people, with the option of getting between 2 and 6 meals each week.
Their weekly menu has 100+ options, supporting many specialty diets and lifestyles, such as dairy-free, low-calorie, no-added gluten-free, kid-friendly recipes, and more.
Meals To Try From Marley Spoon
- Buffalo Shrimp Bowl with Crunchy Salad & Creamy Ranch
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake & Spinach Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
- Martha’s Best Korean Beef Quesadillas with Sesame-Cucumber Salad & Gochujang Mayo
- Freestyle Chicken Melt with Roasted Tomatoes Broccoli & Garlic Toast
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Marley Spoon customers are impressed with the serving sizes from Marley Spoon and the high-quality ingredients that come in each box.
Reddit user @Exciting_Buffalo3738 says Marley Spoon has “great portions!” and that their recent Turkey Moussaka meal was “very yummy!”
@Generally-Bored on Reddit actually likes that Marley Spoon doesn’t pre-sort ingredients, saying, “I love the box—it fits nicely in my crisper drawer, keeps everything in one place.”
6. Blue Apron- Best For Upscaled Yet Reasonably Priced Meal Kits
Pros and Cons
Blue Apron Pros
- Affordable cost per serving for a high-quality upscale meal
- A great mix of fancier recipes and quick 15-minute meals
- Support for many diets, such as high-protein, vegetarian, carb-conscious, and more
- Option to include fully prepared meals in your weekly box
Blue Apron Cons
- Some recipes are more complex and take up to 45 minutes to prepare
- There are fewer weekly menu options than some similar meal kits
About the Service
If you worry you’ll miss eating in restaurants while on a budget, Blue Apron is the meal kit service for you! Their meals are designed by real chefs and make you feel like you’re eating a restaurant meal at home for a fraction of the price.
Our testers enjoyed the upscale flavors in the chef-designed Blue Apron meals and the high-quality ingredients we received.
What Do You Get?
Blue Apron plans feed 2 or 4 people, with 2 to 5 meals per week. Busy customers who want to skip the cooking can opt for the Prepared & Ready plan, which is single-serving and less cost-effective.
You’ll browse the full menu of 80+ weekly meals each week, with some oven-ready and quick options mixed in with more date-night style fancy recipes.
Meals To Try From Blue Apron
- Chipotle Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese with Spinach & Pickled Peppers
- Shawarma Chicken & Cilantro Rice with Zucchini, Raisins, & Tzatziki
- Glazed Beef Stir-Fry with Snow Peas & White Rice
- Cilantro Paneer & Spinach Curry with White Rice & Cashews
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Blue Apron customers love the restaurant-quality chef-designed recipes and the options for lower-prep meals for weeks with busy schedules.
On Reddit, @house_inthetrees recently enjoyed Blue Apron’s Spinach & Artichoke Pizza. They said it “was absolutely delicious! The chopped garlic really gave it something extra in terms of flavor. 10/10 would make again.”
Redditor @Bills_Mafia_ArmyChic says the oven-ready meals from Blue Apron offer “low effort. Big flavor,” adding, “I like to add in these oven meals for nights when I’m just not feeling it and need something minimal effort.”
Other Benefits of Using Affordable Meal Delivery Services
A meal kit delivery service can help you save money on takeout and food waste. There are also many other exciting reasons to try meal kits!
Best Diet Support
Many meal kit companies, including the budget ones outlined above, offer excellent support for dietary needs. If you follow a particular diet, meal kits are a great way to get new recipe ideas and enjoy delicious food while following your diet lifestyle.
Ease of Use
Who couldn’t use a little less stress when getting food on the table? Meal kits make it easy to plan your weekly dinners. Plus, with ingredients delivered right to you, there’s no need to fuss with grocery lists!
Time-Saving
Meal kits don’t just save you money – they also help save time by cutting out the effort of weekly meal planning. Gone are the days of searching for recipes online or in cookbooks. Choose from a weekly selection of meals and get the ingredients delivered right to you, saving time on the grocery trip.
Spice Up Your Culinary Life
You may think eating at home to save money will get boring fast. But with meal kit companies, there’s always a new exciting recipe on the weekly menu to enjoy. You’ll learn new recipes and flavor combinations that keep mealtimes interesting.
Perfect Portions With Less Food Waste
When you’re on a budget, you don’t want to find out you forgot to use that whole bag of spinach and have to throw it out. Meal kits have been shown to cut back on food waste thanks to sending just the right amount of each ingredient, perfectly portioned for each recipe.
Quality Ingredients
Finding great ingredients at affordable prices can be challenging, especially depending on where you live. Meal kit companies always source high-quality meats, proteins, and veggies so that you can enjoy great nutritious food in every meal.
Our Methodology – Why Trust Us?
Our hands-on review process at The Meal Kit Review follows every step. We subscribe to each service, update account details, ask customer service for help, choose meals for weeks ahead online, unpack our deliveries, cook the meals, and, of course, taste them!
Our team has years of experience with the services we review and recommend and pass that knowledge on to you to help you pick the right affordable meal kit for your needs.
Bottom Line
Meal kits don’t have to be a luxury item! In fact, using a meal kit service will save you time and money, regardless of which company you choose.
In our opinion, it is always best to initially experiment with a few different low-cost meal kits. That way, you can compare and decide which works best for you.
All meal kit services on our list are flexible, with options to skip weeks or pause your subscription. That makes it easy to test out a few services at once and enjoy great beginner promotions from each company!