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Meal delivery services can help you save time, improve your eating habits, or meet specific dietary needs. There are a variety of options, including kits that have ingredients and others that have prepared meals.
Meal delivery services can be a quick and convenient way to enjoy more healthy, home-cooked meals.
However, these services can range quite a bit in price, with some costing even double or triple as much as others.
This can make it particularly challenging for those on a tight budget to find an option that works for them.
We considered several factors when determining which meal delivery services to include in this article.
Every meal delivery service on our list has been reviewed by registered dietitians and vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each service in this article:
Here are eight of the most affordable meal delivery services in 2022.
Dinnerly is a subscription-based service that provides meal kits that are delicious, easy to make, and affordable, making it one of the best options for beginners.
It offers a rotating menu of simple recipes and allows you to select 3–6 meals per week, with either 2 or 4 servings each.
A few examples of items on their menu include:
Low calorie, low carb, kid-friendly, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are available and labeled on the menu to help you find options that fit your needs.
Breakfasts, brunches, proteins, and desserts can also be ordered for certain special occasions.
Dinnerly is currently available in most of the contiguous United States and starts at $4.99 per serving, along with a flat shipping fee of $9.99 per order.
“All of the recipes I tried from Dinnerly were very easy to make and took less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
“For example, I only needed one bowl to prepare the Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini with Peas, which made cleanup a breeze. While I did add a few more vegetables to the dish to make it more balanced, the flavors were spot-on, and even my toddler enjoyed it.
“You can read more about my experience trying Dinnerly in our full review.”
— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
Martha and Marley Spoon is a meal kit company that provides high quality, chef-designed meals that can be prepared in a pinch.
Recipes feature seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers to maximize the quality of your meals.
You can customize your menu and choose between 2–6 meals per week, each containing 2 or 4 servings.
Some of the available entrees include:
The company also provides add-ons, including a la carte proteins, coffee kits, and desserts, for an additional cost.
Martha and Marley Spoon costs $8.69–$12.99 per serving, along with a shipping fee of $9.99 per order. The service is available throughout most of the contiguous United States.
Mosaic Foods offers a wide range of veggie bowls, pizzas, soups, smoothies, and oat bowls, all of which are plant-based and fully prepared.
Each week, you can build your own box with either 6, 12, or 18 items. Most items contain one serving, but larger serving sizes are available for select items, including pizzas and family meals.
All menu items are free of artificial ingredient. Some also feature organic produce, depending on availability.
Items that are vegan, wheat-free, nut-free, or high in protein are labeled on the menu.
Here are a few of the items they offer:
Prices range from $4.99–$11.99 per serving, depending on the specific items you select. Shipping costs $9.99 for a box with six items, but shipping is free for larger orders with 12 or 18 items.
Mosaic is available in most areas throughout the Eastern and Western United States. You can enter your ZIP code on their website to check whether delivery is available in your area.
“I tried several of the family meals and appreciated that all I needed to do was bake them. Plus, they could be served in the same dish, so cleaning up after dinner was super easy. Every family meal includes at least four different vegetables, and I really enjoyed most of the flavors.
“However, some of the meals needed more time in the oven than the instructions called for.
“If you’re looking for a range of prepared food options to have on hand, Mosaic Foods also offers single-serve items like smoothies, oat bowls, and soups that only need a few minutes in the microwave.”
— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
Home Chef is a budget-friendly meal kit service that makes it easy to enjoy more healthy meals at home.
Each week, you can order boxes with 2, 4, or 6 servings each and select between 2–6 meals per week, making it an excellent choice for families and large households.
Calorie-conscious, carb-conscious, and vegetarian recipes are available on their weekly menu. Many recipes also allow you to choose from several protein sources to customize your meal.
Plus, they offer meal kits that are ready in 15 minutes or fewer and fully prepared oven-ready options.
Here are a few examples of meals on their menu:
Home Chef costs $9.99 per serving, and additional shipping fees are calculated when signing up.
Home Chef can be delivered to most areas within the United States, and you can enter your ZIP code on their website to determine availability.
“I really enjoyed the meals I tried from Home Chef. The recipes were pretty straightforward, and all of the ingredients were packaged by recipe, making it easy for me to get dinner ready in about 30 minutes. My family especially liked the Chicken Lorraine, and I thought the sauce, fresh lemon, and almonds added a nice boost of flavor.
“Read more about my experience with Home Chef in this comparison of HelloFresh and Home Chef.”
— Healthline writer SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD
HelloFresh is not only one of the most popular and affordable meal delivery services available but also one of the most versatile.
The company offers an extensive menu with a variety of family-friendly, low calorie, low carb, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, Mediterranean, and quick and easy options.
You can order 2–6 recipes per week, with either 2 or 4 servings each.
Some of the recipes that they offer include:
Each box includes preportioned ingredients and a recipe card with step-by-step instructions.
Some dishes also include customization options, allowing you to upgrade or swap certain sides or proteins.
HelloFresh starts at $7.99 per serving, and a flat fee of $10.99 for shipping is applied at checkout. Delivery is available throughout the contiguous United States.
“HelloFresh’s huge selection of recipes made it easy for me to find dishes that would appeal to my family. Like Home Chef, all of the ingredients were grouped by recipe, so each meal only took me 30 or 40 minutes to prepare. The Cheesy Smothered Mushroom Chicken was a family favorite, and I’ve recreated the dish multiple times.
“While HelloFresh doesn’t have as many options for certain diets like keto or paleo, it has a larger weekly menu than many other services and offers a good range of cuisines and ingredients.
“You can read more about the meals I made from HelloFresh in this comprehensive review.”
— Healthline writer SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD
Blue Apron is a meal kit service that delivers fresh, preportioned ingredients directly to your door.
Their signature plan offers 2 to 4 recipes per week, with either 2 or 4 servings each. They also have a vegetarian plan and wellness plan, both of which provide 2–4 recipes per week with 2 servings each.
When creating your menu, you can select from several meal kits and heat-and-eat options, including low calorie, carb-conscious, and diabetes-friendly recipes.
They also offer many meals that are approved by Weight Watchers (WW), making it a good choice for those who are looking to lose weight.
Some of the available entrees include:
Blue Apron starts at $7.99 per serving, along with a flat delivery fee of $9.99.
Delivery is currently available throughout the contiguous United States.
“While some of Blue Apron’s recipes required a bit of multitasking, the ingredients arrived in good condition and were packaged by recipe, so each dish came together quickly. I also appreciated that the salmon was vacuum-sealed for optimal freshness, and it paired really nicely with the almond-date topping included in the recipe.
“Blue Apron’s menu doesn’t accommodate very many specialty diets, but it does have some unique offerings, like WW-approved meals and a wide range of pantry items like spices, meal kit bundles, and cooking tools.
“To learn more about my experience trying Blue Apron, check out our full review.”
— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
Daily Harvest specializes in providing fully prepared meals and snacks that are plant-based, gluten-free, and mostly organic.
They offer over 100 items to choose from, including a variety of smoothies, flatbreads, harvest bowls, and desserts.
Here are some examples of items currently on their menu:
Each week, you can mix and match your favorite meals from their full menu to create your own box with 9, 14, or 24 items.
Most items on their menu contain one serving, but certain items — including their lattes, scoops, and bites — include multiple servings.
According to their website, all dishes are free of artificial ingredients and most items are also organic.
Prices range from $5.99–$11.99 per item, and free shipping is available throughout the contiguous United States.
“I liked most of the items I tried from Daily Harvest, and they were generally pretty easy to prepare. The snack bites, oat bowls, and chia bowls were my favorites, plus they were super convenient for breakfasts and snacks.
“I also appreciated that the menu includes a wide range of plant-based ingredients, which can help keep things from feeling repetitive over time.
“That said, I found that most of the entrees weren’t filling enough for a full meal, and a few items didn’t keep their texture well after reheating.
“You can read more about the pros and cons of Daily Harvest in this hands-on review.”
— Healthline writer Rachael Link, MS, RD
There are a few factors you should consider when selecting a meal delivery service.
First, look for a service with a rotating menu that includes a variety of meals to help add some diversity to your diet.
If you have any dietary restrictions, food allergies, or specific preferences, it’s especially important to find a meal kit service that caters to your needs.
The price is another key consideration. In addition to the cost of the meal kit itself, be sure to consider any other fees, such as shipping or add-ons.
Delivery may also be limited in certain locations, so check whether shipping is available in your area.
Dinnerly is the cheapest meal delivery service on our list, with prices starting at just $4.99 per serving. HelloFresh and Blue Apron are also on the more affordable end, with each starting at $7.99 per serving.
HelloFresh is one of the most budget-friendly meal delivery services available. Prices range from $7.99–$9.99 per serving, along with a $10.99 flat fee for shipping.
HelloFresh is a little cheaper than Blue Apron. HelloFresh prices range from $7.99–$9.99 per serving with a flat delivery fee of $10.99 per order. Blue Apron prices range from $7.99–$11.99 per serving plus $9.99 for shipping.
Meal delivery prices can range quite a bit in price. While some more affordable services may cost $4.99–$12.99 per serving, other options often charge double or even triple this amount.
Meal delivery services can fit into a healthy diet and many offer plan options, such as plant-based, low calorie, or carb-conscious. However, this also depends on what you order, as some meal delivery services also offer dishes that are high in calories, sodium, or added sugar.
If you have any allergies, it’s important to check ingredients lists carefully to ensure that meals are free of any potential allergens. However, because cross-contamination is still possible, you may need to look for a service that prepares meals in an allergen-free facility, especially if you have severe food allergies.
Meal delivery services can range quite a bit in price, making it challenging for those on a budget to find suitable options.
However, several cost-effective services are available, many of which offer options to fit some dietary restrictions and food preferences.
When selecting the meal delivery service that’s right for you, consider factors like the variety, quality, cost, availability, and ingredients.
Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2022
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Oct 31, 2022
Written By
Rachael Link
Edited By
Cat Staskawicz
Medically Reviewed By
Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN
Copy Edited By
Sara Giusti
Aug 4, 2022
Written By
Rachael Link
Edited By
Chelsea Logan
Medically Reviewed By
Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT
Copy Edited By
Siobhan DeRemer
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