Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of 2022
Starts at $4.99: EveryPlate Starts at $4.99: Dinnerly Starts at $6.79: Daily Harvest Starts at $6.99: Revive Superfoods Starts at $7.99: HelloFresh Starts at $7.99: Blue Apron Starts at $7.99: Mom’s Meals
Pros and Cons
Overview
EveryPlate aims for comforting, simple meals; testers often noted that the selection wasn’t overly adventurous in terms of flavors or unique dishes. The company instead focuses on offering a weekly, rotating menu of entrées to choose from, with items like turkey shepherd’s pie and potato and black bean enchiladas. Preparation is simple, and the service is designed to give those with little interest in the intricacies of cooking a budget-friendly way to serve freshly made meals.
Pricing and Plans
For two or four peopleThree to six meals per weekPricing ranges from $4.99 to $6.49 per serving
Meals we tried
Crispy Caesar chickenSteak fritesBlackened shrimp saladHotel butter barramundi
Pros and Cons
Overview
Dinnerly’s entrées are reminiscent of comfort food classics but often with a little twist. Meals are designed with busy families in mind and include recipes that are labeled as “kid-friendly,” making selections for picky eaters easier to spot. Past menu offerings have included a pesto chicken meatloaf and a 20-minute BBQ pulled pork pot pie.
Pricing and Plans
Couples Plan (two people): Three meals for $38.34; up to six meals for $69.48Family Plan (four people): Three meals for $63.28; up to six meals for $119.76
Meals We Tried
BBQ 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
Pros and Cons
Overview
Not all meal delivery services are built the same and Daily Harvest’s menu is definitely an outlier, offering hundreds of organic, plant-based meals. Keeping price at the forefront alongside nutrient-rich dishes makes this a winner when trying to balance your money and your dietary goals. Try one of its popular smoothies, like Avocado + Greens, or Forager Bowls for breakfast. There are flatbreads and soups that make quick, healthy lunch or dinner options, and Scoops (frozen, plant-based desserts) to finish off the day.
Pricing and Plans
Weekly and monthly plans of nine to 26 items per orderItems are individually priced from $5.99 to $11.99
Meals We Tried
Mint 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
Pros and Cons
Overview
Smoothies are Revive Superfoods’ primary focus, and there is a large variety to choose from, with classics like Strawberry and Banana to more unique flavor combos like Green Apple and Moringa. However, some testers felt some items on the menu (like the supermeal bowls) fell short on flavor. Although the menu is slightly limited, it still provides enough options to cover three square meals a day, all for a reasonable price.
Pricing and Plans
Weekly subscriptions include nine, 12, or 24 itemsMonthly subscriptions are 12 or 24 itemsItems are priced individually from $6.99 to $8.49 each
Meals We Tried
Hazy Cocoa smoothie Pink Dragon smoothie Acai Twist smoothie Chipotle and black bean supermeal Lentil and sun-dried tomato supermeal Avocado and quinoa supermeal Chickpea and pomegranate supermeal Guajillo tortilla soup Artisan bean and tomato soup
Pros and Cons
Overview
A large weekly menu ensures plenty of selections to accommodate everyone’s tastes, all for a good price. Choices can range from a beef with cheddar-gouda fondue board to sweet corn & green pepper chowder to shrimp pomodoro penne bake. There are even quick 10-minute lunch options to help make the whole week go smoothly and inject a bit of variety into those in-office lunches.
Pricing and Plans
Plans are for two or four peopleTwo to six meals per week, starting at $7.99Shipping is $8.99
Meals We Tried
Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken BBQ cheddar burgers Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa Pork sausage rigatoni rosa
Pros and Cons
Overview
Although some recipes can take upward of 45 minutes or so to cook, Blue Apron’s meals are worth the wait. The menu items are involved and include a significant hands-on approach for the customer, which is perfect if you love to cook but aren’t always sure what to buy at the store. Previous selections have included a rosemary-walnut-crusted cod and harissa-fig chicken thighs and orzo salad.
Pricing and Plans
Two meals with two servings each: $11.99 per servingFour meals with two servings each: $9.49 per servingTwo meals with four servings each: $9.49 per servingFour meals with four servings each: $7.99 per servingShipping is $9.99
Meals We Tried
Meal Kits
Togarashi shrimp and vegetable fried rice Space Ranger chicken enchiladas One-pan white bean and poblano shakshuka Baked meatballs and romesco mayo
Heat and Eat
Sweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame Chicken alfredo pasta with peas
Pros and Cons
Overview
The single-serving meals provided by Mom’s Meals are a way to help ease the burden of grocery shopping and meal preparation for the elderly without compromising on cost. The company works with case managers, caregivers, and state governments to set up plans for seniors that fit their dietary needs. Sample menus include beef goulash with whole-wheat pasta or chicken with southwestern vegetable hash.
Pricing and Plans
Self-Pay program $7.99 to $8.99 per meal Other plans available for those with governmental assistance or health plan; prices vary based on location and situation
Meals We Tried
Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla pudding Cheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole-wheat bun, orange Chicken and stir-fried vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauce Sweet and sour chicken with stir-fried vegetables, white rice, grape juice, ginger spice cookie BBQ 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, gelatin Mushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole-wheat roll, grape juice Korean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookie Creamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce
Compare the Best Cheapest Meal Delivery Services
Are Meal Delivery Services Cheaper Than Going to the Grocery Store?
Meal delivery services can be much easier than dealing with the grocery store. Orders are sent conveniently to your door and the items in those orders can be as hands-off or hands-on as you want them to be. But you’ll want to look at the meal options of your chosen delivery service; does it include add-ons or pantry items to choose from? Do the meal options available cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Are there enough choices for everyone in your household? Meal delivery services can be a great way to supplement or cut down on your grocery shopping, possibly at a lower cost, but it is only worth it if it fills the needs of your daily life.
Do Meal Delivery Services Help Me Lose Weight?
A meal delivery service is a great tool to help all of their customers through various life needs. One of the great things that a service can offer is a way to portion-control meals automatically, especially with single-serve entrées. There’s a great range of options from services that cover many types of specialty diets that may help you achieve your weight loss goals. Ultimately, meal delivery services are there to make your life easier and that can also include losing weight if you find one that can help support the type of diet you and your doctor believe is best.
Is Meal Prep Worth Buying?
Sometimes, one of the hardest things about crafting meals at home is the amount of time it takes to plan and prepare them. A benefit of meal delivery services is that a lot of them do the prep for you; ingredients are portioned out, sometimes requiring little to no chopping or effort on your part! Companies offer smoothies and bowls for quick morning breakfasts so you don’t need to plan before you dash out the door or for a dinner that just needs a quick reheat in the microwave. If the cost of the service outweighs the time saved on meal prep and provides foods you enjoy eating, then it’s worth considering when looking at potential meal delivery services.
Methodology
Our panel of testers reviewed 40 different companies to assess the best meal delivery services. The review criteria for services consisted of sustainability practices, customer service, flavor, dietary selection and information, ingredient freshness, as well as the process of meal preparation. Our testing team consisted of a variety of people, including food writers and kids, to capture as many voices as possible.
