If you’re looking for a cheap meal kit service, you have a few options. EveryPlate and Dinnerly both offer plans for under $6 per serving, with meals enough to serve two or four people.
Other cheaper prepared meal services include Mosaic Foods and Fresh N Lean. The former is a meal-kit company focused on grain bowls and smoothies; the latter has ready-to-eat meals for around $9 or $10 each, depending on how many you order.
Cost per serving
The price of a meal kit is one of the most important considerations for many a food lover. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, the cost of a meal delivery service depends on your family size and budget for groceries and dining out. In the end, you’ll have to decide whether or not it’s worth the money.
The cost per serving of a meal kit is also dependent on the recipe you choose, and which ingredients you’re willing to forgo in favor of cheaper cuts. For example, the price of beef can add up quickly, so you may want to go with a more frugal protein source like chicken or fish if your budget allows.
The best way to determine the cost of a meal kit is to factor in all your options. For example, you’ll want to consider your budget for meals and groceries as well as your preferences in terms of cooking style and frequency of delivery. This will give you an idea of which meal kits are a good fit for your family and which ones may be a waste of your hard-earned cash.
Cost per meal
Whether you’re a busy parent, student, or just need to save time cooking, meal kit services make it easy. They’re a great way to try new cuisines, cut down on dining out, and get healthier meals on the table.
Meal kit prices vary a lot, but they can be significantly less expensive than grocery shopping for yourself. In fact, many of them offer sign-up discounts that can cut the cost per meal by as much as 15 percent.
The price of a meal kit can also be reduced by purchasing food at grocery stores that offer a loyalty card program, such as Walmart and Target. Most of the major grocery stores offer these cards, and they can save you a lot of money over time.
Some meal kits even offer a discounted rate for students. For example, EveryPlate offers a $15 discount on its first three boxes to college students.
Another way to reduce the cost of a meal kit is to cook your own meals. Some recipes, such as homemade vegetable soups and curries with rice, are very inexpensive to make at home.
This is especially true if you’re a vegetarian or if you eat a low-calorie diet. You can find vegetarian curries that are only a few dollars, and there are tons of dishes that use inexpensive vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and onions.
There are also plenty of homemade vegetarian stews and casseroles that can be made with little effort. These meals often cost far less than other restaurant dishes, and they’re also much more nutritious.
A final way to save on a meal kit is to avoid shipping fees. For instance, Blue Apron ships for free to most states, and if you live in California, it’s also eligible for free delivery through the state’s meal plan program.
Meal kit services are subscription-based and all offer flexible memberships that let you pause, skip weeks, or plan ahead. Moreover, many of them are becoming more conscious about their packaging, so most of the food they send comes in recyclable containers. This is a great way to cut down on the cost of your meal delivery and keep the environment happy at the same time.
Cost per week
The price of a meal kit varies from service to service, and it depends on a variety of factors. These include the ingredients in the recipes, the shipping costs, and how many meals you plan to prepare. For instance, a two-serving meal from Blue Apron can cost $7.99 – $9.99 on average.
If you want to save money, try signing up for a plan with one of the companies that offer free shipping. Some also give discounts to new members, and some credit cards have rewards programs that can help reduce the total cost of a meal kit subscription.
Another way to cut down on the cost of your meal kit is to shop for ingredients at a supermarket instead of relying on your meal delivery service. Several grocery stores will sell precut fruits, vegetables, and other essentials for much lower prices than meal kits would.
Using a meal kit for dinner can save you a ton of time and money, but you should make sure to keep the cost per week low enough to ensure that you’re still getting your money’s worth. Some services, like Gobble, offer meals that are already-prepped and ready to eat.
Aside from the convenience factor, this is a great option for anyone with children. The company’s entire menu is made with ingredients that are organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO. The recipes are created by a chef and a team of neonatal nutritionists and pediatric experts, making them perfect for babies and toddlers.
HomeChef offers a wide range of options that are easy to customize and delicious to eat. Its Fresh and Easy plan includes 15 Minute Meal Kits that come with pre-portioned ingredients that cook in under 15 minutes; Oven-Ready and Grill-Ready Meals that are fully prepared and ready to eat; and Fast and Fresh Meals that arrive ready to cook and only require reheating.
EveryPlate, a subsidiary of HelloFresh, is another inexpensive meal-kit option with unfussy, crowd-pleasing recipes that are simple to whip up. Its basic plans net out to $5 a serving and come with recipes that can serve two or four people.
Cost per person
Meal kits are a big hit with people who want to cook, but don’t have time or inclination to do so. Many of these services deliver a variety of dishes for two, three or four people each week with the option to switch up recipes at any time.
Cost is a factor for any food delivery service, but meal kit prices are typically much more affordable than you might think. Some companies offer free shipping on your first box, which can save you a bundle over time.
For example, one of the cheapest meal kits on the market is EveryPlate, which has an impressive range of meals and delivery area (as well as a cleverly named loyalty program). The company’s introductory plan comes in at about $11 per person per week.
Another budget-friendly meal kit is Dinnerly. This company uses a combination of digital recipe technology and less ingredients to deliver delicious meals at a surprisingly low price.
Despite its low-price tag, Dinnerly offers an impressive assortment of meals and meal options for families and couples alike. The company also has a generous referral scheme, which can save you money on your next box.
Depending on your needs and budget, there are plenty of other ways to save on your monthly meal kits. The key is to be patient and take your time finding the right service for you and your family. It’s not uncommon for customers to try several different services before they find the perfect match. It may take some trial and error, but you’ll be rewarded in the long run with tasty, satisfying meals that your whole family will enjoy. You’ll also be surprised by how much fun you’ll have cooking.