6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services of 2022

2022-05-21 21:47:37 By : Ms. Sandy Luo

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Our top picks for budget-friendly meals delivered straight to your door!

At the end of the day, the last thing many of us want to do is think about meal planning and preparation; and skyrocketing food costs are making these decisions even more stressful. But thanks to the increasing variety and affordability of many prepared meals and meal kit delivery services, an easy solution might be within reach.

Prepared meals and meal kits not only do the hard work for you, but they can also save you money. “If you’re someone who overbuys at the grocery store and is regularly throwing out spoiled food at the end of the week, they can even cut down on food waste, since you get everything you need pre-portioned. And they tend to be a more affordable and a healthier alternative to traditional takeout,” according to registered dietitian Stefani Sassos, Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.

The food and nutrition experts at Good Housekeeping Institute conducted a three-month-long meal delivery services study. We surveyed over 800 individuals to find out which meal delivery brands they loved. Then, we recruited over 150 consumer testers, as well as our in-house experts, to test the services and make sure they lived up to the hype. We evaluated each on taste, pricing, variety, serving size, ingredients and availability. We have tested over 40 meal delivery services and among the offerings, there are a few that stand out because they have been able to maintain a certain level of quality while keeping costs down. These are the six best cheap meal delivery services we've tested.

Dinnerly is one of the most affordable meal kit delivery systems on the market. According to the company, they are able to charge less by taking a simpler approach to reduce upfront costs: Recipe cards are digital instead of paper and don’t expect fancy packaging or marketing. All meals can be prepared in 30 minutes or less with minimal ingredients. But even with all this cost cutting, there is no skimping on flavor, and even the pickiest eaters will likely be satisfied.

How it works: Choose from either a two-person or four-person family plan box. The menu changes weekly and customers can choose from over 28 meal options per week.

Lab lowdown: Our testers gave Dinnerly one of the highest satisfaction ratings of the meals kits we tested. They commented that the recipes are, “quick and easy, even for beginner cooks.” The recipes were “easy to follow and delicious” and allowed for some to get out of their comfort zone and experiment with dishes they would normally not prepare themselves.

Pricing: Meals start at $4.99 per serving. Shipping is $9.99.

Serving size: Choose to feed two or four people with three to six meals per week.

Packaging: Packaging including the box and separator can be recycled in any curbside paper recycling bin. The thermal liner is curbside recyclable. Bottles and containers can be disposed in plastic recycling bins.

Availability: Delivery is available to most of the contiguous United States.

EveryPlate aims to deliver affordable restaurant quality meals. One of the ways they are able to keep costs low is by using less packaging and simple, accessible ingredients. They provide one of the most budget friendly options at $4.99 per serving. Menu items tend to lean toward comfort foods.

How it works: Choose from either a two-person or four-person family plan box with three, four or five meals per week. A menu of 17 recipes rotates weekly and users begin by choosing their meal preference of ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, FamilyPlate or EasyPlate.

Lab lowdown: Our testers loved that the meals were simple and easy to prepare. They appreciated that the “recipes took the guesswork out of ingredients and portion sizes.”

Pricing: Meals start at $4.99 per serving. Shipping is $9.99. Student discounts are available.

Serving size: Choose to feed two or four people with three to six meals per week.

Packaging: Boxes and separators are 100% curbside recyclable.

Availability: Available in the majority of the continental United States.

One of the leading meal kit companies, Home Chef was founded in 2013 and offers numerous meal kit delivery options. They provide plans that include both pre-portioned ingredients with easy to follow cooking instructions, as well as low or no-prep meals for individuals with a busier lifestyle.

How it works: Users begin the process by taking an online quiz to determine which meal plan is the best for them. Recipes are inspired by customer reviews and comments, and all are designed to be flexible and easy to prepare. With 17 weekly options to choose from, users can subscribe for deliveries online or purchase kits at Kroger grocery stores nationwide.

Lab lowdown: 100% of testers said this service encouraged them to try dishes they would normally not prepare themselves or have in their regular rotation. Testers were impressed with the quality and freshness of ingredients. One tester commented that “instructions were easy to follow and it was a time saver and lifesaver.” Another tester commented that it was “great for families because there was enough variety to make everyone happy.”

Pricing: Meals cost $9.95 per serving and add-ons cost $4.95. Shipping is $13.99.

Serving size: Choose to feed two, four or six people, and pick three or four meals per week.

Packaging: Cardboard boxes, bottles and jars are fully recyclable curbside.

Availability: Delivery is available nationwide.

Daily Harvest is a fully plant-based prepared meal delivery service. The service began with mail-order smoothie kits and has now expanded to offer over 100 chef-crafted meal and snack options with new items added regularly.

How it works: Choose how many items you want to receive and how often. Menu items include harvest bowls and bakes, flatbreads, soups, oat and chia bowls, plant-based ice creams, super food bites and lattes. Everything arrives frozen and ready to pop in the microwave, oven and/or prepared stovetop with minimal prep time. All meals are gluten and dairy-free and free of gums, fillers, refined sugars and GMOs.

Lab lowdown: Our testers raved about the freshness, taste and creativity of the dishes and the minimal prep time. They also commented that the smoothies provided a "great meal on-the-go," and that this service provided an easy way to increase intake of fruits and vegetables.

Pricing: In April, pricing increased on certain items and now ranges from $5.99 for lattes; $6.79 for Oat, Chia and Forager Bowls; $7.99 for Mylk and Bites; $8.49 for Smoothies and Soups; $9.79 for Harvest Bowls, Flatbreads and Crumbles; $8.99 for Scoops and $11.99 for Harvest Bakes. You will receive $5 off 9-11 item boxes, $10 off 12-23 items and $25 off 24-26 items. Shipping is free.

Serving size: Most options, like the smoothies and Harvest Bowls, are portioned for one person. Items like Scoops, Bites, Mylk, Harvest Bakes and Crumbles are great for sharing.

Packaging: Cardboard boxes, item cups and insulation surrounding dry ice are all recyclable per the company’s website. The liner that holds the dry ice is recyclable curbside. Bowls are made of molded pulp can be recycled curbside or industrially composted.

Availability: 95% of the continental United States.

Blue Apron is one of the most well-known meal delivery kits and offers something for everyone. No matter what your dietary needs are, they can be met through this service.

How it works: Choose from their Signature menu which includes meat, fish, Beyond Meat and WW-recommended offerings. You can also select from the vegetarian menu which features meat-free dishes that rotate seasonally or the nutritionist approved wellness menu which includes carb conscious and WW selections. They also offer meals that are 600 calories or less.

Lab lowdown: Our testers loved the fresh and inventive ingredients and unique flavors. They found the recipes easy to follow with generous portions.

Pricing: Price per serving ranges from $7.99 to $11.99 depending upon the number of meals you order per week. Shipping is $9.99 or free with promotions. Discounts are available to first responders, teachers, students, military and medical staff.

Serving size: Choose to feed two to four people with two, three or four meals per week.

Packaging: 85% of packaging is recyclable by weight.

Availability: Delivery is available to the contiguous United States.

With over 1 billion meal kits delivered in 2021, Hello Fresh considers itself the most popular meal kit delivery service in the world. All meals are chef created and users can choose from over 25 recipes per week. They also support many different dietary needs.

How it works: Users can choose their meal plan preference from one of six options including Meat & Veggies (the most popular), Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Quick & Easy and Pescatarian. Upgrades and add-ons are available.

Lab lowdown: Our testers loved the easy and simple recipes. Multiple testers commented they loved the taste, flavor and freshness of the food with one user commenting it was "a great way to experience fancy recipes without needing to know new techniques."

Pricing: Meals start at $7.99 per serving. Shipping is $9.99 or free with promotions.

Serving size: Choose to feed two or four people with two, four, five or six meals per week.

Packaging: Cardboard boxes, bottles and jars are fully recyclable curbside.

Availability: Delivery is available to all states across the continental U.S. except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Amy Fischer, MS, RD, CDN, has a B.A. in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and an M.S. in clinical nutrition from New York University. Prior to working at 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. She has worked as a recipe developer for several food companies, and she also has extensive experience in the commercial side of the food business.

As Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN, NASM-CPT, handles all nutrition content, product testing and evaluation. She stays up-to-date on the latest research to provide evidence-based reporting on all things diet and nutrition, and she also runs large-scale tests and analyses for products ranging from protein bars and sweet snacks to supplements and meal delivery kits. She has a master's degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and has been a registered dietitian for six years, working in the clinical setting prior to joining Good Housekeeping and obtaining advanced credentials and board certifications in the nutrition field.