What to Buy Food Food & Meal Delivery Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Dinnerly is our top pick for the cheapest meal delivery service By Marisa Olsen Marisa Olsen Marisa is a food writer with a background in marketing and communications for the arts and restaurant industries. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 13, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: lisegagne / Getty Images We can all relate to the fact that life can be busy and expensive. Fortunately, the right meal delivery service can help alleviate the extra stress and time it takes to feed yourself and your family. While many meal delivery services can quickly become expensive, there are myriad services that are both wallet friendly and value driven. With your budget in mind, we’ve found a variety of economical meal delivery services that deliver on quality without breaking the bank. Read on to discover the top affordable meal delivery services so you can find the right match for your household. Our Top Picks Starts at $4.99 per Serving: Dinnerly Starts at $4.99 per Serving: EveryPlate Starts at $6.79 per Serving: Daily Harvest Starts at $6.99 per Serving: Revive Superfoods Starts at $7.99 per Serving: Blue Apron Starts at $7.99 per Serving: Mom's Meals Starts at $8.69 per Serving: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Starts at $8.99 per Serving: HelloFresh Starts at $4.99 per Serving: Dinnerly Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $4.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With a starting price point of just $4.99 per serving, Dinnerly is one of the leading affordable meal kit services, boasting hearty classics and comfort foods that can be ready in five steps or less. Pros and Cons Pros Affordable price point Helpful recipe tags Simple meal preparation Cons Meals are on heavier side Digital recipe cards only Overview Dinnerly is a traditional meal kit delivery service offering comfort classic meals that are ready in a few simple steps at an affordable price. Meals are designed for two or four people, with options for three to six meals per week. Select from a vegetarian option or peruse meals with helpful filters, such as healthy, one-pot meals, under 30 minutes, dairy- and gluten-free, kid-friendly, climate-hero meals, and ready-made heat-and-eat meals.To reduce waste, Dinnerly offers only digital recipe cards, so be prepared to refer to your smartphone or computer when cooking. Pricing and Plans 3 meals for 2 people: $7.04 per serving6 meals for 2 people: $6.29 per serving3 meals for 4 people: $6.14 per serving6 meals for 4 people: $4.99 per serving 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 Starts at $4.99 per Serving: EveryPlate EveryPlate Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $4.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With value in mind, enjoy hearty comfort food favorites at $4.99 a serving that are ready in just 30 minutes. Pros and Cons Pros Budget-friendly price point Preportioned ingredients for quick prep Rotating menu Protein customization options Cons Lots of packaging Overview EveryPlate is a flexible meal kit subscription that features value-driven, family-favorite comfort meals. Each week, customers can select meals from a rotating menu of 25 dinner options. Ingredients arrive preportioned and include a recipe card that outlines recipe preparation and execution in six steps or less. Select from two or four servings with three to six meals per week. Menu preferences include meat and veggie, vegetarian, family friendly, quick and easy, and nutritious and delicious; as a bonus, customers can now swap and customize certain proteins to suit their tastes and budget. Pricing and Plans 3 meals for 2 people: $6.49 per serving6 meals for 2 people: $5.49 per serving3 meals for 4 people: $5.49 per serving6 meals for 4 people: $4.99 per serving Meals We Tried Crispy Caesar chickenSteak fritesBlackened shrimp saladHotel butter barramundi Starts at $6.79 per Serving: Daily Harvest Daily Harvest Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $6.79 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It With a wide assortment of plant-based meals, snacks, and beverages, customers can fuel up with affordable and nourishing foods any time of day. Pros and Cons Pros Vast menu and assortment All items are plant based Build your own box Cons Some snacks and food items may not be very filling Items may take up precious freezer space Overview Daily Harvest creates plant-based and dairy-free snacks, meals, and beverages. Sourcing organic produce directly from farmers, fruits and vegetables are selected at peak ripeness and then flash frozen, and are then used to create an impressive variety of nutrient-dense foods. Build your own custom box featuring nine, 14, or 24 items from a diverse menu of frozen smoothies, bowls, flatbreads, snack bites, soups, dairy-free milk and ice cream, and new harvest bakes composed of vegetarian ready-to-heat meals. With a flexible subscription, Daily Harvest ships weekly or monthly, with an option to modify contents, shipping dates, and plan quantities. Pricing and Plans Lattes: $5.99 for 2 lattesForager bowls: $6.79Dairy-free milk: $7.99Smoothies: $8.49Soups: $8.49Flatbreads: $9.79Harvest bakes: $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 Starts at $6.99 per Serving: Revive Superfoods Revive Superfoods Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $6.99 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It For chef-crafted superfood smoothies, bowls, and snacks, look no further than Revive Superfoods; this service features convenient, preportioned, healthful meals that are ready in minutes. Pros and Cons Pros Plant-based menu Quick preparation Rewards program Informative blog Cons Smaller menu options Delivery fee is expensive Overview Revive Superfoods offers flash-frozen meals and snacks that are chock-full of fruits and vegetables. Items are single-portioned and ready to consume in minutes with minimal prep. The menu includes smoothies, açai bowls, oats, soups, entrées, and desserts. Order a one-time box, or subscribe and build a box à la carte with nine, 12, or 24 items per order. Pricing and Plans Oats: $6.99Smoothies: $7.99Meals: $8.99Shipping starts at $9.99 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 Starts at $7.99 per Serving: Blue Apron Blue Apron Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With over 50 meal options each week, foodies will have a ball selecting from worldly entrées that are available either as a traditional meal kit with measured ingredients or freshly prepared dinners that arrive ready to heat. Pros and Cons Pros Globally inspired meals Meal kits and prepared meals Family-friendly portion sizes Cons Shipping is not free Overview Blue Apron offers both traditional meal kits and freshly prepared meals that are ready to heat and eat. The meal kits showcase an assortment of globally inspired meals and are great for foodies looking to create gourmet meals at home. Select from two to four servings with two to four recipes per week from menu preferences featuring chef favorites, fast and easy, family-friendly, wellness, and plant-based meals. For those less interested in prepping and cooking, select from single-serving or family-sized ready-to-cook meals, as well as add-ons such as proteins, snacks, salads, and desserts, all of which rotate each week so you can design the perfect meal for your household. Pricing and Plans 2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $8.49 per serving4 meals with 4 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 Starts at $7.99 per Serving: Mom's Meals Mom's Meals Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With a multitude of health and nutrition diet options, including cancer support and diabetes-friendly meals, Mom’s Meals is designed to support customers and patients with nutritionally balanced foods. Pros and Cons Pros Nutritional and dietary meal plan options Ready to heat and eat Meals stay fresh up to 14 days in fridge Phone ordering available Cons Some ingredients may have preservatives to extend shelf life Overview Designed by dietitians and created by chefs, Mom’s Meals focuses on affordable comfort meals serving a variety of health concerns for individuals, caretakers, or those on government assistance. The service may be a convenient option for elderly customers looking for convenient easy-to-heat prepared meals or those recovering from illness. Select from a robust menu of breakfasts, soups, salads, and dinners featuring pureed foods, cancer support, and heart-, renal-, and diabetes-friendly meals. Food arrives vacuum-sealed in single-portion-sized trays that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or be ready to heat in the microwave in minutes. Meals can conveniently be ordered via the phone or on the website. Pricing and Plans Meals start at $7.99 Meals We Tried Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla puddingCheeseburger 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 cookieBBQ 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, gelatinMushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole-wheat roll, grape juiceKorean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookie Creamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce Starts at $8.69 per Serving: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $8.69 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It From Mexico to Morocco to Vietnam, explore enticing recipes from around the world without leaving your kitchen and without breaking the bank. Pros and Cons Pros Variety of flavor profiles Several dietary options Can order up to six meals per week Menu calendar is available up to a few weeks in advance Cons Some meals are time-consuming to prepare Shipping is expensive Overview Each week, choose from a rotating and robust menu of globally inspired meals. Customers can select a meal plan for two or four servings, with an option for two to six meals per week. Ingredients arrive fresh and premeasured, and are accompanied by an instructional photographic recipe card. Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon features plenty of nutrition and dietary awareness, such as dairy- and gluten-free, one-pot meals, kid-friendly entrées, optional spice, ready in under 30 minutes, and an option to upgrade to premium dishes for an extra cost. Pricing and Plans 2 servings with 2 meals: $12.99 per serving 2 servings with 6 meals: $9.49 per serving4 servings with 2 meals: $10.49 per serving4 servings with 6 meals: $9.69 per servingShipping is $11.99 Meals We Tried Greek chicken gyro with chopped salad and garlic sauce Broccoli Reuben, Russian dressing wedge salad Oven fried beef taquitos, tomatillo salsa, and jalapeños Gochujang turkey ragu with fresh udon, cilantro, and scallions Starts at $8.99 per Serving: HelloFresh Hello Fresh Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $8.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It With plenty of meal varieties and preferences, HelloFresh makes customers feel like gourmet chefs, creating delicious meals that require minimal prep and cleanup. Pros and Cons Pros Order up to six meals per week Several meal preference plans Strong sustainability initiatives Cons Some recipes are time-consuming Overview HelloFresh offers a rotating meal kit menu of over 30 entrées each week. Ingredients arrive preportioned alongside large, colorful recipe cards that clearly detail every step of the cooking process. Dietary plans include meat and veggies, vegetarian, pescatarian, family friendly, fit and wholesome, and quick and easy, all with an option for two or four servings and two to six meals per week. HelloFresh now offers protein customization and helpful recipe tags, such as seasonal, protein smart, low calorie, and hall of fame to help make the selection process even easier. Pricing and Plans 2 meals with 2 servings each: $12.49 per serving3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.79 per serving5 meals with 2 servings each: $9.79 per serving6 meals with 2 servings each: $9.79 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.79 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $9.29 per serving5 meals with 4 servings each: $9.29 per serving6 meals with 4 servings each: $8.99 per serving Meals We Tried Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken BBQ cheddar burgers Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa Pork sausage rigatoni rosa Final Verdict Dinnerly is our best overall pick for cheapest meal delivery services. We appreciate the dozens of recipe options each week, all at a wallet-friendly price. For families, Dinnerly now offers ready-made, family-friendly variety packs, which will help streamline feeding your whole household. And for the planner in your home, a full menu calendar is available so you can have fun perusing future meals for up to one month in advance. Compare the Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Company Starting Price Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping? Dinnerly Best Overall $4.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No EveryPlate Starts at $4.99 $4.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Daily Harvest Starts at $6.79 $6.79 per serving 48 states Frozen Yes No Revive Superfoods Starts at $6.99 $6.99 per serving 50 states Frozen Yes No Blue Apron Starts at $7.99 $7.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Mom’s Meals Starts at $7.99 $7.99 per serving 48 states Fresh No No Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon Starts at $8.69 $8.69 per serving 43 states Fresh Yes No HelloFresh Starts at $8.99 $8.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No How to Choose the Cheapest Meal Delivery Service Factors to Consider When Choosing the Cheapest Meal Delivery Services To help you select the best budget-friendly meal delivery service, we’ve outlined a few options to consider as you explore wallet-friendly meal companies: Price/Cost per Meal: Identifying a budget before you choose a meal delivery service may help you narrow down your options. For reference, budget-friendly meal delivery services tend to range from $4.99 to $8.99 a serving. Number of Meals per Delivery: Depending on the size of your household, you may prefer a cheap meal delivery service that best aligns with your desired portions and servings. Luckily, there are services that focus on single-serving portions as well as those that specialize in multi-serving or family-friendly portions. Flexibility: Depending on the meal delivery service, some offer one-time purchases, while other services offer subscriptions and even reward savings. Figuring out what your household needs will help guide you when choosing a meal delivery service. Menu Selection: Do you love the tried-and-true basics you can count on each week? Or do you delight in exploring new cuisines? Fortunately, there are a variety of menu selection options offered by each service to help you find the right match. Diet and Variety: Do you follow a specific diet such as gluten free, or do you love a rotating menu filled with worldly menu options? Identifying your household’s dietary and menu preferences will help you find the right meal service for your family. Who Should Consider the Cheapest Meal Delivery Services? For those considering exploring a cheap meal delivery service, a meal delivery service may offer simplicity and ease when it comes to meal planning and prepping. Another added benefit is that thanks to rotating menus, you may come across a new cuisine, ingredient, or style of food that you haven’t experienced before. Cheap meal services often provide premeasured and preportioned food, which helps to cut down on food waste. And lastly, for those looking to reduce costs, a cheap meal delivery service may help you save money, based on price per portion and volume. Frequently Asked Questions Are Meal Delivery Services Cost-Effective? Thanks to a bevy of budget-conscious meal delivery services, you can feed yourself or your whole family for just a few dollars per serving. Plus, by subscribing to a meal delivery service, you’re saving precious time that would otherwise be spent grocery shopping, and, in some cases, meal prep and extra kitchen cleanup. Do Meal Delivery Services Qualify for Financial Assistance Programs? For those looking for local or government food assistance such as SNAP, EBT, and Medicare, reaching out to customer service will help answer specific financial assistance inquiries. Some meal delivery services, such as Mom’s Meals, do provide meal assistance plans for some government agencies, individuals, case workers, and caregivers. How Do You Cancel a Meal Delivery Service Subscription? Most meal delivery services allow the customer to edit, pause, or cancel their subscription within their account profile on the website or via the app. For any specific cancellation questions, it’s best to reach out to customer service or peruse the FAQs for the fine print when it comes to each service’s individual cancellation policy. Are Cheap Meal Delivery Services Healthy? Cheap meal delivery services can offer nutritious meals to help support a healthy lifestyle. Most services provide nutritional facts or macros for each recipe, and most highlight specific allergens and dietary concerns. Some cheap meal delivery services even showcase dietitian-designed meals. For customers who desire further nutritional support, working together with a registered dietitian and/or physician can help you create a custom plan that aligns with your personal health needs and goals. For those looking for local or government food assistance such as SNAP, EBT, and Medicare, reaching out to customer service will help answer specific financial assistance inquiries. Some meal delivery services, such as Mom’s Meals, do provide meal assistance plans for some government agencies, individuals, case workers, and caregivers. Most meal delivery services allow the customer to edit, pause, or cancel their subscription within their account profile on the website or via the app. For any specific cancellation questions, it’s best to reach out to customer service or peruse the FAQs for the fine print when it comes to each service’s individual cancellation policy. Cheap meal delivery services can offer nutritious meals to help support a healthy lifestyle. Most services provide nutritional facts or macros for each recipe, and most highlight specific allergens and dietary concerns. Some cheap meal delivery services even showcase dietitian-designed meals. For customers who desire further nutritional support, working together with a registered dietitian and/or physician can help you create a custom plan that aligns with your personal health needs and goals. Methodology Our team of researchers independently reviewed over 40 meal delivery services. Researchers looked at myriad factors, including a variety of delivery offerings, product type, pricing, sustainability initiatives, shipping fees and timelines, delivery areas, and customer service. After careful review, researchers identified which cheapest meal delivery services earned a spot on our list. How We Test and Rank Meal Delivery Services Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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