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How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Home Chef, HelloFresh, and Blue Apron top our list of the cheapest meal delivery services, which we chose based on factors such as price, ingredient quality, and nutritional value. Read on for more of our top choices.
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 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 two or three times as much as others.
This can make it particularly challenging for those on a tight budget to find an option that works for them.
Our writers and editors personally tested some of the top meal delivery services on the market and compiled a list of the best budget-friendly options available.
Keep reading for 9 of the most affordable meal delivery services in 2023, along with our team’s feedback on each service and a closer look at how they compare.
Menus : Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Vegetarian, Family Diet friendliness : vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious Ingredients : some organic ingredients Price per serving : $9.99–$11.99 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review 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 2–6 meals per week. These options make Home Chef an excellent choice for families and large households. It offers more than 30 recipes to choose from weekly.
Calorie-conscious, carb-conscious, and vegetarian recipes are available on the weekly menu. Many recipes also allow you to choose from several protein sources to customize your meal.
Plus, Home Chef offers meal kits that are ready in 15 minutes or less and fully prepared oven-ready options.
Here are a few examples of meals on the menu:
Chicken Breast and Creamy Jalapeño Sauce Spaghetti with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Hawaiian-Style Sloppy Joes Home Chef starts at $9.99 per serving, and additional shipping fees are calculated when you sign up.
The service delivers to most areas within the United States, and you can enter your ZIP code on the website to check availability.
What our tester says “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
Pros & cons offers multiple subscription options and portion sizes provides both meal kits and oven-ready meals includes customization options for many recipes limited selection for some dietary restrictions doesn't provide much information on ingredient sourcing potentially high shipping cost, depending on plan Product details Meal type: meal kit Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4, 6 Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences, mix-and-match weekly meal plan Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: $10.99–$13.99
Menus : Veggie, Quick and Easy, Pescatarian, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Meat & Veggies Diet friendliness : vegetarian, pescatarian, low calorie, low carb Ingredients : some organic ingredients Price per serving : $8.99–$12.49 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review 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 quick and easy meal options:
family-friendly low calorie low carb vegetarian vegan pescatarian Mediterranean You can order 2–6 recipes per week, with either 2 or 4 servings each.
Some recipes the service offers are:
Chicken Ramen in a Shoyu-Style Broth One-Pot Vegan Cauliflower & Bean Soup Spicy Harissa Barley Bowls 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 $9 per serving, and a flat fee of $11 for shipping is applied at checkout. Delivery is available throughout the contiguous United States
What our tester says “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
Pros & cons offers customization options for some sides and proteins features a large menu with a variety of recipes limited information available on ingredient quality and sourcing may not be suitable for those with certain dietary restrictions doesn't offer any oven-ready or prepared meals Product details Meal type: meal kit Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: refunds within 5 days Shipping: $9.99
Menus : Chef Favorites, Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy, Veggies Diet friendliness : vegetarian options, WW-approved meals, and at least one carb-conscious recipe per week Ingredients : sustainably sourced fish and seafood Price per serving : $7.99–$11.99 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review Blue Apron is a meal kit service that delivers fresh, preportioned ingredients directly to your door.
The signature plan offers 2–4 recipes per week, with either 2 or 4 servings each. There are more than 70 recipes to choose from weekly. Blue Apron also offers 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.
Because Blue Apron also offers many meals that are approved by Weight Watchers (WW) , it has earned our pick as the cheapest meal delivery service for weight loss.
Some of the available entrees are:
Spicy Vegetable Tostadas Indian Shrimp & Mustard Seed Rice Oven-Baked Hot Italian Sausage & Gnocchi Blue Apron starts at $8 per serving, along with a flat delivery fee of $10.
Delivery is currently available throughout the contiguous United States.
What our tester says “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.
“[For the Spanish-Spiced Salmon & Vegetable Quinoa], 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
Pros & cons offers both oven-ready meals and meal kits provides a selection of WW-approved meals cost effective limited options for specialty diets uses mostly conventional produce offers fewer customization options than competitors Product details Meal type: meal kit Meals per week: 2–4 Servings available: 2, 4 Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: $9.99
Price per serving : $6.79–$11.99 Menus : all items vegan and gluten-free Diet friendliness : vegan, gluten-free, low calorie Ingredients : some organic ingredients *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review Daily Harvest specializes in providing fully prepared meal and snack options that are plant-based, gluten-free, and mostly organic.
The service offers more than 80 items to choose from, including a variety of smoothies, flatbreads, harvest bowls, and desserts.
Here are some examples of items currently on the menu:
Butternut Squash + Chimichurri Harvest Bowl Artichoke + Spinach Flatbread Carrot + Coconut Curry Soup Each week, you can mix and match your favorite meals from the full menu to create your own box with 9, 14, or 24 items.
Most items on the menu contain one serving, but certain items — including the lattes and bites — include multiple servings.
According to Daily Harvest’s website, all dishes are free of artificial ingredients and most items are organic.
Items cost $7–$12 each, and shipping is available throughout the contiguous United States for a flat fee of $9.99.
What our tester says “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 Ajmera , MS, RD
Pros & cons 80+ plant-based and gluten-free items to choose from uses mostly organic ingredients affordable, with free shipping for your first order offers portion sizes that may be too small for some people limited choices for certain dietary restrictions may not be suitable for families or larger households Product details Meals per week: 9, 14, or 24 Meal type: prepared meals Servings available: 1 Personalization: specialty diet filters and option to set ingredient preferences, mix-and-match weekly meal plan Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Shipping: $9.99
Diet friendliness : vegetarian, vegan, low calorie, low carb, dairy-free, no added gluten Ingredients : some organic ingredients Price per serving : starts at $5 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review Dinnerly is a subscription-based service that provides meal delivery kits that are delicious, easy to make, and affordable, making it one of the best cheap options for beginners.
It offers a rotating menu of simple recipes and allows you to select 2–6 meals per week, with either 2 or 4 servings each.
A few examples of items on the menu are:
Low-Cal No-Skewer Chicken Kebabs French Onion Mac & Cheese Vietnamese-Inspired Steak Banh Mi Bowl Low calorie, low carb, kid-friendly, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan meal options are available and labeled on the menu to help you find options that fit your needs.
For certain special occasions, you can also order:
breakfasts brunches proteins desserts Dinnerly is currently available in most of the contiguous United States and starts at $5 per serving, along with a flat shipping fee of $12 per order.
What our tester says “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
Pros & cons large menu with a variety of options low cost per meal simple, easy-to-prepare recipes limited options available for certain dietary patterns uses mostly conventional ingredients no prepared meal options available Product details Meal type: meal kit Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: $11.99 for shipping
Price per serving : $8.69–$12.99 Menus : one weekly menu Diet friendliness : vegetarian, vegan, low carb, low calorie, dairy-free, gluten-free Ingredients : some organic ingredients *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review 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 2–6 meals per week, with 2 or 4 servings each.
Some of the available entrees are:
Roasted Tilapia with Herbed Panko Ravioli & Vegetarian Boscaiola Sauce Japanese Chicken Udon Stir-Fry The company also offers add-ons for an additional cost, such as:
a la carte proteins coffee kitsdesserts Martha and Marley Spoon starts at around $9 per serving, along with a shipping fee of $12 per order. The service is available throughout most of the contiguous United States.
What our tester says “Martha & Marley Spoon is a highly underrated meal kit delivery service. The recipe cards were easy to follow, and I found that the timing and order of each step made sense and helped each component of the meal come together at the right time.
“All three meals that I tried were flavorful, had a great variety of textures, and were enjoyed by my whole family.
“While the process of selecting meals could be more streamlined (I’d love a filtering option), there’s a good variety of meals to choose from, and the prices are competitive with similar services.”
— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
Pros & cons extensive menu with 100+ recipes to choose from each week suitable for several dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, low carb, and low calorie diets offers optional add-ons for additional fee no prepared meals limited selection for certain dietary restrictions, such as paleo may not be suitable for those who prefer eating organic Product details Meals per week: 2–6 Meal type: meal kit Servings available: 2 or 4 Personalization: specialty diet filters Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Shipping: $11.99 for shipping
Menus : Veggie Bowls, Family Meals, Pizzas, Smoothies, Mosaic+, Soups, Oat Bowls Diet friendliness : vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein Ingredients : some organic ingredients Price per serving : $4.99–$11.99 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review 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 6, 12, or 18 items. Most Mosaic meals contain one serving, but larger serving sizes are available for select items, including pizzas and family meals.
All menu items are free of artificial ingredients, which is why Mosaic is our choice for the best premade meal delivery service. Some meals also feature organic produce, depending on availability.
Items in the following categories are labeled on the menu:
vegan wheat-free nut-free high in protein Here are a few of the items the service offers:
Jerk Lentil & Plantain Bowl Roasted Grape & Butternut Squash Pizza Curried Lentil Soup Items cost $6–$12 per serving, depending on the specific items you select. Shipping costs $10 for a box with 6 items, but shipping is free for larger orders with 12 or 18 items.
Mosaic meals are available in most areas throughout the eastern and western United States. You can enter your zip code on the website to find out whether delivery is available in your area.
What our tester says “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
Pros & cons 50+ menu items available all items plant-based several vegan, high protein, and wheat-free or nut-free options provides fully prepared items that are ready to enjoy limited meal options for certain dietary restrictions, such as paleo and keto might not be ideal for people who prefer eating only organic foods not yet available in all areas Product details Meal type: prepared meals Servings available: 1, 4 Personalization: specialty diet filters, mix-and-match weekly meal plan Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States Meals per week: 6, 12, or 18 Returns: full refund Shipping: free for boxes with 12 or 18 items; otherwise $9.99
Meal type : prepared meals Diet friendliness : vegan, vegetarian, low carb, low calorie Price per serving : starts at $4 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review Though it’s not a meal delivery service, Farmer’s Fridge offers a convenient and affordable way to enjoy fresh and nutritious meals, all of which are individually portioned and fully prepared.
The company’s smart fridges are available in various locations, including:
hospitals office buildings universities airports You can enter your zip code on the website or in the app to find a fridge near you.
Farmer’s Fridge provides an assortment of:
breakfast dishes salads sandwiches bowls snacks Many of the meals can fit into a vegan, vegetarian, low carb, or low calorie diet.
Certain meals also feature organic produce. According to the company, all animal protein is certified at level 1 or 2 by the Good Animal Partnership, which ensures that animals are raised humanely.
Though specific product availability varies by location, some examples of items are:
Chocolate Chia Pudding Thai Noodle Bowl Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad With prices starting at $4 per item, Farmer’s Fridge is one of the cheapest meal kit services for singles.
However, note that Farmer’s Fridge does not offer delivery but instead provides free 24/7 pickup at a smart fridge near you.
What our tester says “I’ve tried Farmer’s Fridge on numerous occasions, and I liked them! Their headquarters is in Chicago, and I ate their meals somewhat frequently when I was working in downtown Chicago.
“They have an app you can use to find out where the nearest fridge is (and what’s available), which I found super helpful (I’m vegetarian, so I didn’t want to trek to a fridge to find out there were only meat options).
“Everything always tasted fresh (I always got salads). And if I recall correctly, they deliver meals to their fridges every day, so I didn’t have to worry about soggy lettuce.”
— Healthline Copy Editor Anne Arntson
Pros & cons no subscription required items available 24/7 provides fully prepared meals doesn't offer delivery limited meal options for certain diets, including keto and paleo not available in all locations Product details Ingredients: some organic produce, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Menus : Meat & Veggie, Veggie, Quick & Easy, Nutrish & Delish, Family Friendly Diet friendliness : vegetarian Ingredients : no organic ingredients Price per serving : $4.99–$7.49 *Price is accurate as of the date of publication.
Healthline's review Each week, EveryPlate offers more than 25 different meal kits, including some vegetarian meal options.
Here are some examples of meal kits on the menu:
Rainbow Greens & Grains Bowl Homestyle Panko-Crusted Chicken Loaded Pork Potato Wedges You can select 3–6 meals per week, with 2 or 4 servings each. This makes it a great choice for couples and small families.
The company also offers several optional add-ons, including ready-made breakfasts, proteins, side dishes, and desserts.
EveryPlate is available throughout most of the continental United States, and prices start at $5 per serving, with a flat shipping fee of $10.
What our tester says “While I only sampled one week, EveryPlate’s ingredients and flavor combinations aren’t as exciting or varied as those offered by Green Chef, Sunbasket, and Purple Carrot.
“Furthermore, I personally prefer to pay extra for services offering organic produce and sustainably sourced fish.
“However, considering that EveryPlate is almost half the price of similar meal kits and the ingredients arrived fresh and in good condition, I think it’s worth considering if your top priorities are price and convenience.
“For more details on my experience trying EveryPlate, check out our full review .”
— Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
Pros & cons affordable optional add-ons available for an extra fee uses mostly conventional ingredients limited menu options compared to similar services may not be suitable for those with certain dietary restrictions Product details Meal type: meal kit Meals per week: 3–6 Servings available: 2, 4 Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: $9.99 We considered several factors when determining which meal delivery services to include in this article:
Price: We chose meal services that are low cost and provide good value, with prices starting at $5 per serving.Other fees: In addition to the prices of meals, we considered other fees for each service and included some that offer free or low cost shipping.Availability: We selected meal services that are available throughout most of the contiguous United States. Variety: Each meal service features a wide range of recipes and ingredients on weekly menus. We also picked services that cater to different eating patterns. Some offer both meal kits and prepared meals.Quality of ingredients: Meals are made using fresh, high quality ingredients and free of artificial sweeteners, additives, and preservatives.Nutrition: We picked meal kit services that offer nutritionally balanced meals with ingredients such as fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.Firsthand experience: We chose meal delivery services that Healthline writers and editors have personally tested and evaluated based on factors such as ease of preparation, taste, variety, and packaging. Read more about how we test meal kits .There are a few factors you may want to 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.
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 be limited in certain locations, so check whether shipping is available in your area.
Which prepared meal delivery service is cheapest? Dinnerly and EveryPlate are the two cheapest meal delivery service on our list, with prices starting at just $5 per serving. HelloFresh and Blue Apron are also on the more affordable end, starting at $8–$9 per serving.
Is HelloFresh budget-friendly? HelloFresh is one of the most budget-friendly meal delivery services available, with prices of $9–$12 per serving and an $11 flat fee for shipping.
Is Blue Apron or HelloFresh cheaper? Blue Apron is a little cheaper than HelloFresh. HelloFresh costs $9–$12 per serving plus a flat delivery fee of $11 per order. Blue Apron costs $8–$12 per serving plus $10 for shipping.
What is the average price for meal delivery services? Meal delivery prices can range quite a bit in price. While some more affordable services may cost $5–$13 per serving, other options provide more expensive meals and often charge double or even triple this amount.
Are meal delivery services healthy? 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.
How do you use meal delivery services with allergies? If you have any allergies, it’s important to check ingredient 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 deciding which meal delivery service is right for you, consider factors such as the variety, quality, cost, availability, and ingredients.
