Meal kits have made home cooking easier than ever, offering pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipes that save time and effort. But with so many options out there, finding the right one can be tricky—especially if you’re looking for a balance between quality and affordability.
That’s where Dinnerly and Marley Spoon come in. Although both services are run by the same parent company, they cater to very different audiences.
- Dinnerly is all about keeping things budget-friendly and simple. With no-frills recipes with fewer ingredients and digital-only recipe cards, it’s a great choice for busy households, beginners, and anyone looking to cut grocery costs.
- Marley Spoon, on the other hand, offers more refined, restaurant-style meals, with higher-end ingredients and Martha Stewart-inspired recipes. If you enjoy cooking but want the convenience of a meal kit, this service brings gourmet flavors to your kitchen.
So, which one is best for you? Let’s break it down.
Why Choose a Meal Kit Like Dinnerly or Marley Spoon?
Meal kits save time, reduce food waste, and make cooking stress-free—but they’re not all created equal. Some focus on gourmet experiences, while others prioritize cost and simplicity.
Dinnerly and Marley Spoon both offer:
- Pre-portioned ingredients to minimize prep time
- Flexible subscriptions that let you skip weeks when needed
- Diverse menus that include vegetarian, low-carb, and family-friendly meals
The key difference? Price and complexity.
- Dinnerly keeps things affordable and easy, making it perfect for those who want quick, straightforward meals at a lower cost.
- Marley Spoon offers a higher-end cooking experience, with elevated flavors, premium ingredients, and gourmet-inspired meals—at a slightly higher price
TL;DR: Dinnerly vs. Marley Spoon – Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Dinnerly | Marley Spoon |
Starting Price | $4.99 per serving | $8.99 per serving |
Shipping Costs | $11.99 per box | $11.99 per box |
Weekly Recipes | 45+ | 45+ |
Dietary Options | Vegetarian, low-calorie, dairy-free, gluten-friendly | Vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carb, gourmet |
Preparation Time | 20–40 minutes | 25–45 minutes |
Customization | Limited | Can swap proteins and customize some meals |
Best For | Budget-conscious cooks, quick and simple meals | Home cooks who want gourmet flavors at home |
About Dinnerly
Dinnerly is designed for those who want affordable, no-fuss meals without sacrificing flavor. It’s one of the cheapest meal kit options on the market, offering straightforward recipes with fewer ingredients and minimal prep time. The focus is on simplicity and cost savings, making it ideal for busy families, students, and anyone looking for an inexpensive way to cook at home.
Each week, Dinnerly offers a rotating menu of 45+ recipes, covering a mix of classic comfort foods, globally inspired dishes, and vegetarian-friendly meals. The recipes typically require five or six ingredients, cutting down on both cost and cooking time.
Key Features:
- Pricing: Meals start at $4.99 per serving, making it one of the most affordable meal kits available.
- Menu Variety: Over 45 recipes weekly, with a focus on easy, familiar meals.
- Convenience: Uses digital recipe cards instead of printed ones to reduce waste and lower costs.
- Dietary Options: Includes vegetarian, low-calorie, dairy-free, and gluten-friendly options.
Dinnerly is a great choice for those who want to save money without giving up the convenience of meal kits.
About Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon delivers restaurant-quality meals that highlight Martha Stewart’s signature cooking style. The service is ideal for those who enjoy higher-end ingredients and gourmet-inspired dishes but still want the ease of a meal kit.
With over 45 meal choices per week, the menu includes classic comfort foods, international flavors, and refined dishes with a creative twist. Meals tend to be more complex than Dinnerly’s, often incorporating unique ingredients and sauces for added depth of flavor.
Key Features:
- Pricing: Meals start at $8.99 per serving, reflecting the higher ingredient quality.
- Menu Variety: Offers 45+ recipes weekly, including premium, low-carb, and gourmet meals.
- Customization: Many meals allow for protein swaps or ingredient adjustments.
- Dietary Options: Includes vegetarian, low-calorie, and gourmet-inspired choices.
Marley Spoon is ideal for those who love to cook and want premium ingredients and sophisticated flavors at home.
Menu Variety and Dietary Options
Both Dinnerly and Marley Spoon offer a weekly menu of 45+ recipes, providing a wide range of meals to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. However, Marley Spoon stands out for its higher-end recipes, gourmet flavors, and meal customization options.
Dinnerly keeps its meals simple and budget-friendly, often using fewer ingredients per dish. The focus is on classic comfort foods and quick, no-fuss recipes. The limited ingredient lists make it easier for beginner cooks or those looking for minimal prep.
Marley Spoon’s menu, curated with Martha Stewart’s signature cooking style, includes refined dishes, unique ingredient combinations, and customizable protein options. The service also offers more plant-based meals, gluten-friendly dishes, and internationally inspired flavors.
Dietary Options:
- Dinnerly: Vegetarian, low-calorie, dairy-free, gluten-friendly options.
- Marley Spoon: Vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carb, premium gourmet meals.
While both services provide variety, Marley Spoon’s diverse selection and premium recipes give it the edge in this category.
Ingredients and Quality
Marley Spoon consistently sources high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients, ensuring that each dish delivers exceptional flavor. The company prioritizes grass-fed beef, antibiotic-free chicken, and sustainably sourced seafood, along with seasonal, organic produce when available.
Dinnerly also uses fresh ingredients, but its focus on affordability means that some ingredients may be more basic and conventional rather than organic or premium-sourced. The recipes use fewer components, sometimes resulting in less complex flavors than Marley Spoon’s dishes.
Key Differences in Ingredients:
- Marley Spoon: Premium proteins, organic produce, and a focus on high-quality, restaurant-style meals.
- Dinnerly: Good-quality ingredients but with a focus on keeping costs low, leading to simpler recipes.
Marley Spoon is the better choice for those who value ingredient quality and gourmet flavors. However, Dinnerly still provides fresh, balanced meals at a lower price point.
Cooking Experience and Recipe Complexity
The cooking experience varies significantly between these two meal kits. Dinnerly focuses on simplicity, offering straightforward recipes with fewer steps, making it a great option for busy individuals, families, or beginner cooks. Meals typically use 5-6 ingredients and take 20-40 minutes to prepare.
Marley Spoon, on the other hand, provides more elevated, restaurant-style dishes, often with additional steps and techniques. While the recipes remain easy to follow, they tend to require more prep time and involve more complex flavors and ingredients than Dinnerly’s meals. Expect cook times between 30-45 minutes, with some recipes requiring searing, marinating, or layering flavors.
Key Differences in Cooking Style:
- Dinnerly: Simplified meals with minimal ingredients and steps, making it easier for quick weeknight dinners.
- Marley Spoon: More involved recipes with refined flavors and gourmet ingredients, ideal for home cooks who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen.
If you want fast, fuss-free meals, Dinnerly is the better choice. Marley Spoon is worth the extra effort if you enjoy the cooking process and want more advanced flavors.
Portion Sizes and Serving Flexibility
Marley Spoon’s portion sizes tend to be larger and more generous than Dinnerly’s. The recipes often include hearty protein portions and a balanced ratio of vegetables, grains, and sauces. Many dishes can easily feed an extra person or provide leftovers.
Dinnerly’s portions are satisfying but smaller, especially for protein-heavy meals. Because Dinnerly focuses on cost-efficiency, servings can sometimes feel lighter compared to Marley Spoon’s meals.
Customization Options:
- Marley Spoon: Offers protein swaps (e.g., switching between chicken, beef, seafood) and more opportunities to customize meals.
- Dinnerly: Less flexibility in ingredient choices but consistent portion control for cost efficiency.
For bigger portions and meal customization, Marley Spoon wins this round. But Dinnerly remains a solid choice if you prioritize affordability over portion size.
Packaging & Sustainability
Both Dinnerly and Marley Spoon use eco-friendly packaging, but Marley Spoon takes the lead with more organized and minimal-waste packaging.
Marley Spoon’s ingredients arrive sorted by meal, packed in labeled paper bags for convenience. This makes meal prep easier, as you don’t need to dig through the box to find ingredients for each recipe. Marley Spoon’s packaging’s cooling materials and insulation are also fully recyclable or compostable.
Dinnerly, on the other hand, ships all ingredients loose in the box rather than sorting them by meal. While this helps keep costs down, it means you have to manually sort your ingredients before cooking, which can add extra time and effort.
Sustainability Practices:
- Marley Spoon: Uses recyclable paper bags, eco-friendly insulation, and locally sourced ingredients where possible.
- Dinnerly: Uses less packaging overall but lacks the same meal organization as Marley Spoon.
Marley Spoon is the better option if you prioritize organization and eco-friendly materials. If you don’t mind sorting your own ingredients to save money, Dinnerly works just fine.
Delivery & Subscription Flexibility
Both Dinnerly and Marley Spoon offer flexible subscription models with the ability to skip weeks, pause, or cancel anytime through their websites or apps.
Key Similarities:
- Deliver to most continental U.S. locations
- Allow week-to-week meal selection
- Offer two-person and four-person plans
- Can skip deliveries or change meal selections up to a week in advance
Key Differences:
- Marley Spoon offers more premium meal options, including protein upgrades.
- Dinnerly is more budget-friendly but has fewer customization options.
Both services provide convenient meal delivery, making it easy to manage your subscription and adjust to your schedule.
Final Verdict: Dinnerly vs. Marley Spoon
After comparing both meal kit services, Marley Spoon comes out on top for those who want premium ingredients and gourmet-style meals, while Dinnerly is the best option for budget-conscious households looking for simple, home-cooked meals.
Choose Dinnerly if:
- You’re on a tight budget and want affordable meal kits.
- You prefer easy, quick recipes with minimal prep.
- You don’t mind basic ingredients and simpler flavors.
Choose Marley Spoon if:
- You’re looking for restaurant-quality meals with fresh, high-end ingredients.
- You enjoy cooking and don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen.
- You prefer larger portion sizes and a more gourmet experience.
Overall, Marley Spoon delivers a more refined dining experience, but Dinnerly provides great value for money. Both services cater to different needs, so the best choice depends on your budget and how much effort you want to put into cooking.
