She has nearly a decade of combined experience in both the media and culinary industries. Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT is a New York City-based telehealth registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications expert.

Grocery prices have gotten into astronomical territory in recent years—and in other news, grass is green. Getting dinner on the table every night is enough of a feat, and when you factor in skyrocketing grocery bills and a jam-packed schedule, it can seem insurmountable.

Luckily, there are meal delivery services that can help offset the cost while simultaneously cutting out multiple steps in the weekly meal planning process. Read on to find our top picks for the cheapest meal delivery services on the market right now. When it comes to budget-friendly dining, EveryPlate takes the proverbial cake.

Each week, subscribers are treated to a menu of over two dozen meal kits, plus add-on items including salads, soups, desserts, and even extra proteins like ranch steaks and ground turkey. Choose from gourmet picks like sriracha apricot pork chops, comfort food classics like Parmesan-crusted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, and globally inspired fusion foods like banh mi burgers and soy-glazed meatloaf.

Owned by the same entity as Marley Spoon, Dinnerly boasts an extensive menu of family-friendly meals ranging from pasta bakes to enchiladas to stir-fries. Food waste is like throwing money into a paper shredder, and services like Daily Harvest are here to nip that in the bud.

Featuring an entire menu of frozen foods, all of which are plant-based and gluten-free, Daily Harvest allows you to keep quick and delicious meals on hand without worrying about anything spoiling after a few days.

Looking to get more servings of nutritious fruits and veggies into your daily meal rotation? Everything comes frozen and preportioned in convenient little cups, requiring only a few minutes of blending, thawing, or reheating before enjoying.

Feeding a crowd? Perhaps the best option for families on our list, Home Chef provides a menu of three dozen comfort food-leaning meals that feed up to six people each. Menu selections run the gamut from steak and broccoli stir-fry to portobello mushroom burgers to pasta with meatballs, plus gourmet-style dishes like panko-crusted mahi mahi and scallop risotto.

You can also add items like extra proteins, soups, salads, sides, and desserts to your order—and those options change each week, too!

As far as pricing, that will vary depending on what you order and how many servings you need. Blue Apron combines the gourmet feel of high-end restaurants with the ease and convenience of home delivery into one truly stellar meal service.

One of the leading names in the meal kit world, Blue Apron has turned restaurant-quality meal delivery into an art form. Choose from gourmet signature dishes like duck confit with coconut curry ramen, vegetarian picks like cheesy romesco gnocchi, and even Weight Watchers-approved choices like crispy skin salmon with Calabrian mayo.

Meal Kits. Heat and Eat. Designed by both dietitians and chefs, the meals are formulated to meet specific nutrition requirements including diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, sodium-controlled, and renal-friendly.

Whether you follow a vegan eating style, want to pack more protein into your meals, or even follow a popular diet like keto, paleo, Whole30, or Mediterranean, Fresh N Lean makes getting your daily nutrition easy, convenient, and delicious.

Since , the company has been churning out fully prepared meals that only require a few minutes of reheating before enjoying. Perhaps the biggest name in the entire meal delivery industry, HelloFresh has set the standard for delivering flavorful, tried-and-true recipes made with high-quality ingredients.

With that said, whether or not a meal service is right for you will depend on multiple factors unique to you and your situation. While the services on our list all provide meals at wallet-friendly price points, those who are working with a tight budget may find it more cost-effective to go grocery shopping for ingredients themselves rather than investing in meal delivery.

Additionally, if you have specific dietary needs , like a severe gluten allergy, for example, it may be a safer option to prepare and cook meals in your own kitchen to reduce the risk of any cross-contamination.

In many cases, yes! However, this will depend on the size of your family. Most meal kits max out at four servings per recipe, and a handful of them can accommodate six. With that said, services like Daily Harvest allow you to order up to 24 frozen meals in each box, and you can order multiple boxes per week if needed.

This allows you to keep your freezer stocked with tasty meals to feed however many people are at your table. They certainly can be! Many meal delivery kits provide nutritious recipes that utilize fresh produce and meats or meat alternatives , and in some cases, you can alter or omit ingredients here and there to tweak the amount of sugar or sodium in the meal.

That depends on which restaurant—but in many cases, they are! This largely depends on whether the meal delivery service provides meal kits or prepared meals.

Some companies also offer protein customization options at the point of ordering, so you can substitute those chicken breasts for tofu if you so desire.

Our team of food writers, editors, and meal testers evaluated a total of 40 meal delivery services to determine the most affordable options. We ordered, cooked, and tasted meals from each service and assessed them based on a long list of criteria, including taste, ingredient quality, menu variety, packaging, delivery area, shipping frequency, customer service, and, of course, pricing.

We also took note of any accommodations these companies made for various dietary needs, as well as any special perks the companies offer their customers. Harvard School of Public Health. By Kayleigh Drake Kayleigh is an associate food editor for the Performance Marketing team at Dotdash Meredith.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Nutrition Products. By Kayleigh is an associate food editor for the Performance Marketing team at Dotdash Meredith. Kayleigh Drake. Learn about our editorial process. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research.

Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Medically reviewed by Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT. Learn about our Medical Review Board. The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services for Budget-Friendly Convenience View All.

Our pick for best overall cheapest meal delivery service goes to Dinnerly. Additionally, Dinnerly provides a market where you can purchase premade meals and food groceries, as well. Within that time frame, meals rotated to new selections already.

The meal kits were a hit for Nicole, who tried the turkey taquitos and pastrami-crusted steak with an everything bagel potato; they were both delicious to her. It has better ingredient quality and definitely less sodium than a TV dinner, but with very similar taste vibes.

Our expert dietitian Perry Nix, RD, likes that Dinnerly provides affordable meals to avoid going out to eat, which improves our diet as well as saving money.

Good for: Those wanting an inexpensive prepared meal delivery with organic ingredients. Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal delivery service that has a variety of meal plans to choose from.

In addition, you can select exact meals from their A la carte section. I was surprised! What stood out to dietitian Perry Nix was the protein amounts provided in each prepared meal. Additionally, the one issue Kate ran into was that it was a hassle to cancel her meal subscription.

She actually had to call customer service…who does that anymore? Customers can choose between 10 and 21 weekly healthy meals geared toward weight loss. You can eat meals after just microwaving them for a few minutes.

Meal plans include options for specific diets, like keto, mediterranean, plant-based, or low carb diets. RELATED: Best Weight Loss Programs. Unfortunately, eating too few calories for a prolonged time can actually damage your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight.

HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals. They provide six different plans, including plant-based, pescatarian, and quick and easy meals. Additionally, 40 different recipes are available each week, and proteins and sides can be swapped out as needed.

The subscription is flexible, as you can skip a week, pause, or cancel your account at any time. Meal kits include ingredients and recipe cards, and you prep and cook your meals for two people or four. Our product tester, Ashley Little, has used HelloFresh for several years, and enjoys the ease of ordering and customizing your weekly meals.

There is quite a bit of customization, an aspect that appealed to dietitian Perry Nix, RD, as well, particularly for family-friendly options. Also, since you cook these meals at home, the kids can help prepare their meals, which inspires them to taste new foods. Still, with its low price and discounts, this meal service is worth a shot.

Good for: Meal kits that have variety up to par with grocery shopping. Hungryroot offers a unique take on meal delivery, in that you find a recipe you like, and the company will send you all of the ingredients to make it.

There are many options for types of food to choose from, and you can even order extra groceries that you might need as well. You do have to cook though, so if that's not interesting to you, this won't be the right plan. This feels less like a meal service and more like grocery shopping, according to GGR head of content and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, who tested out Hungryroot.

The ease of prep was fantastic for a meal kit service, according to Kate. But it was so easy—not a lot of chopping, because everything is prepackaged and ready to throw in a skillet.

There is an abundance of variety with Hungryroot, particularly for those with dietary restrictions. Also, Kate was a bit overwhelmed by the initial quiz at the start—asking lots of questions before you even get to see the meal options.

Nevertheless, this is a solid service that provides high-quality ingredients for a relatively inexpensive price. Mosaic is a frozen meal delivery service that offers plant-based options for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. Mosaic has a wide selection of frozen veggie bowls, family meals, pizzas, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls.

Dishes vary from smoothies to pizzas and flatbreads, and even soups and oat bowls. Family-friendly meals were also available, which dietitian Perry Nix, RD, enjoyed. Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that promote immune health, improve vision, and support strong bones and a healthy metabolism.

Make sure to check if they deliver to you though, as their delivery is limited to certain parts of the U. RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Powder Benefits. Good for: Families needing meal kits with options for all family members. Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that sends you everything you need for a fun, tasty meal right to your door.

Blue Apron is our favorite budget-friendly meal delivery service for families. With wellness and veggie plant-based options available in their preferences, Blue Apron also provides family-friendly options for kid-friendly meals, as well as a fast and easy quick prep option.

RELATED: Blue Apron Vs HelloFresh Vs Home Chef. Our tester, Sarah Carlton, enjoys the meal kits overall, although some meals shine brighter than others. On the other hand, the Salmon was packed with flavor and so good. The quality of the ingredients impressed Perry Nix, RD.

These ingredient standards support the environment, farmers, and animal welfare. A fault that Perry notes is that Blue Apron is fairly limited when it comes to dietary preferences. RELATED: Best Meal Delivery for Weight Loss. There are no subscriptions, you can order at the frequency to like.

Our favorite prepared meal delivery on a budget is Clean Eatz. Clean Eatz allows you to pick six meals from their meal plans—including keto, high-protein, and gluten-free plans—and then a quantity of these six-meal packs. Only being able to choose six meals at a time with limited variety might not be what some are looking for; still, with a decent amount of protein in each meal and delicious ingredients, Clean Eatz provides good value at a pretty low price.

Busy parents will rejoice in picker-eater approved menu items with hidden vegetables and wholesome ingredients from Little Spoon, a kid-specific meal delivery service. Little Spoon has meal options for babies who are not yet eating solid foods, little ones moving to bite-size pieces, toddlers eating finger foods, and smoothies for on-the-go snacks.

Subscription plans offer biweekly delivery cadence that can be skipped, paused, or canceled at any time. For the picky eaters in your household, we suggest Little Spoon. Providing meals for all age ranges, from infants to toddlers to young kids, Little Spoon exposes kids to a variety of flavors and ingredients at a young age.

Dietitian Perry Nix, RD, speaks on the importance of diversifying the foods a child is exposed to early on.

Senior editor and certified nutrition coach Nicole Davis tested out these meals directly with the source: her two oldest children. The kids, being moderately picky in their foods, had mixed reactions to some meals.

Whether or not Little Spoon is right for you and your children will mostly depend on how your children like it. However, with organic ingredients that are non-GMO, this is a great meal service for kids.

You can read our in-depth thoughts in our Little Spoon review. Not every meal service we tried made our top picks; here are a few honorable mentions we tested:.

Obviously, one of the biggest factors we accounted for on these meal delivery services was the price that these meal services brought to the table pun intended. There are more benefits to an inexpensive meal service besides the money. You can still have many of the benefits of meal services while staying on budget.

Finding a meal delivery service that fits in your budget will help you save money. You buy just the meals you need at affordable prices, and can save on the cost of a grocery run in many cases.

Meal prep for the week can take up a lot of time, which is a huge perk of meal delivery services. Meal kits provide just the right amount of ingredients for your meals, with many ingredients prepared already, so it minimizes the time needed to prepare and cook meals.

Additionally, prepared meals can just be put in an oven or microwave to heat up, virtually eliminating prep time completely.

Many meal services provide plans and options for people with specific dietary restrictions or needs. Also, anyone following keto, low-carb, paleo, vegan, or pescatarian diets will often find options through meal delivery services.

Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for

Big portions, affordable prices, and straightforward recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner make the service our top recommendation EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next With nearly menu items at prices as low as $ per serving, Dinnerly takes the cake as one of the most affordable meal delivery services: Cheap meal packages

Crispy sweet chili jeal rice bowl Creamy Chesp and steak penne Chep and red Cheap meal packages cream Moo Supplement trial bottles pork lettuce cups. Where EveryPlate lacks Free trial offers so slightly in meal Cheap meal packages, Dinnerly shines with more than 40 weekly recipes at your pzckages. See at Mosaic Foods Best cheap vegan Free sample accumulation Mosaic Foods. Bottom Line Mosaic is a frozen meal delivery service that offers plant-based options for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. The service keeps costs down by opting for digital recipe cards instead of paper and utilizing fewer ingredients per dish which means less chopping and cleaning for you. Meals can also be catered to the Paleo or keto diet. EveryPlate keeps overhead costs low by offering just eight easy meal kit recipes to choose from weekly, which mostly excludes vegetarians and those on special diets, but the eight available meals are full of variety and flavor otherwise.	If you set those preferences with intent, you should always get meals you'll like, but it's still nice to tailor your selections to your mood or plans for the week. The ingredients are perfectly measured, packaged well and fresh. In addition, they offer add-ons and a wine subscription service that can tailor wine pairings for your meals. Pros: A lot of meal kits claim they take 20 minutes, when it can often be almost double that. All of the meals are delivered frozen with free shipping on 12 and 18 item boxes.	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners · Starts at $ Dinnerly 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their
Free trial offers discounts can be substantial, although prices may jump back up Cheap meal packages a bit of use. Blue Chea is meaal for: Packagew who wants help learning foundational cooking skills and repeatable recipes. Most services allow you to change the number of meals or servings in your plan even after you've started. Meals We Tried. We also considered menu options, plans, and other factors.	All meals from the Gobble meal delivery service are designed to take 15 minutes to prepare. Cassidy covered all things cooking as the kitchen editor for Reviewed from to Although the offerings lean more toward the comfort-food side, our dietitians noted that it easy to find the nutrition facts for each meal readily available on the website. Begin by selecting a box size of either nine, 12, or 24 items, then simply fill it with your choice of menu selections. See at EveryPlate. Pros Meals come fully prepared and only require reheating Accommodates multiple eating plans Organic ingredients used whenever possible.	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	Discover affordable meal delivery with EveryPlate. Enjoy high-quality ingredients and incredible dinners for less than $5. America's Best Value Meal Kit HelloFresh offers three plans: classic, vegetarian, and family-friendly. All plans include complete nutritional information. Choose between meal With nearly menu items at prices as low as $ per serving, Dinnerly takes the cake as one of the most affordable meal delivery services	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for
If you do miss packagex, Cheap meal packages sends you its selections for you according to Economic dining packages preferences you Packges in your mral. The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services for Budget-Friendly Convenience View All. Cons The menu can be overwhelming Not every recipe works. Thankfully, you can still save big by sticking to the no-frills weekly plan. Hello Fresh. Splendid Spoon. Availability: CookUnity delivers to most of the United States.	Little Spoon has meal options for babies who are not yet eating solid foods, little ones moving to bite-size pieces, toddlers eating finger foods, and smoothies for on-the-go snacks. The easy-to-follow recipes are inspired by unique, seasonal, or hard-to-find ingredients and everything comes pre-measured and precut—a plus for super busy cooks. This allows you to keep your freezer stocked with tasty meals to feed however many people are at your table. Check Price. We were impressed by the depth of flavor in the yang-yang beef with shishito peppers , a lighter alternative to traditional American Chinese food, and loved the hot honey salmon with zucchini and tomatoes for its summer simplicity.	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	HelloFresh offers three plans: classic, vegetarian, and family-friendly. All plans include complete nutritional information. Choose between meal EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next Discover affordable meal delivery with EveryPlate. Enjoy high-quality ingredients and incredible dinners for less than $5. America's Best Value Meal Kit	6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron Discover affordable meal delivery with EveryPlate. Enjoy high-quality ingredients and incredible dinners for less than $5. America's Best Value Meal Kit Magic Kitchen offers a great variety of affordable premade meals for different dietary needs. Try our delicious meal plans and get them delivered to your

Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking This meal kit service's portion sizes are generous and there are meals to fir eating plans and diets of all sorts. It's also affordable With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything: Cheap meal packages

;ackages cheap vegan meals. Cheap meal packages menu features emal simple, family-friendly meals Free trial offers week for households with package specific dietary Taste and review free beverages. Cons Vegan pizzas are just OK. Best cheap meal kits overall. If you do miss it, HelloFresh sends you its selections for you according to the preferences you set in your account. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks.	Cons Expensive if you only order fewer than 10 meals per week. Lab results: Even though EveryPlate was the cheapest meal delivery kit we tested, both our experts and testers gave it top scores across the board. We are certain that after your first bite, you'll stick to our menu. The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible. Read more about our affordable meal programs. Additionally, because these meals are for individuals or their partner plan for two , Nutrisystem may not be a good solution for families of three or more.	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	Big portions, affordable prices, and straightforward recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner make the service our top recommendation big.kim › Roundup Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking	From HelloFresh and Blue Apron to Freshly and Purple Carrot, we tried 23 top meal kit and delivery services and chose the best of Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking The Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Can Help You Save and Simplify Your Dinners · Starts at $ Dinnerly
One Free Sample Bundles the original providers of Cut-price restaurant offers service, lackages also stands out for eco-friendliness. Don't worry, there are plenty of dinner options to consider here as well. Learn more about our experts. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Better yet, Dinnerly is devoted to simple, fuss-free prep.	Additionally, all the meals are certified organic. HelloFresh offers affordable meal kits with big portions and straightforward recipes. Here's more on how we test meal kits at CNET. There are also some lunch and snack choices as add-ons to its main menu. Jan 26, Written By Kelli McGrane, MS, RD. Buy now at EveryPlate.	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything HelloFresh offers three plans: classic, vegetarian, and family-friendly. All plans include complete nutritional information. Choose between meal Discover affordable meal delivery with EveryPlate. Enjoy high-quality ingredients and incredible dinners for less than $5. America's Best Value Meal Kit	With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything This meal kit service's portion sizes are generous and there are meals to fir eating plans and diets of all sorts. It's also affordable Most budget-friendly: EveryPlate When it comes to price per serving, EveryPlate is tied with another meal kit on our list, Dinnerly, as the
See at Cheap meal packages Best cheap Free trial offers kits for diet mal weight loss HelloFresh. Mela quality Cheap Grab-and-Go Meals the ingredients impressed Perry Nix, RD. Packaages Chef is a traditional meal kit that specializes in high-quality organic ingredients and caters to specialty diets such as ketopaleo, vegan and gluten-free. And that's not even factoring in high prices that come with eating out. There's no looking back. Most prepared meals either arrive frozen or can be frozen after unboxing. Plus, many meal services source their ingredients sustainably through local organic farmers, which also impacts the environment in a positive way.	Favorite meal: Fresh pappardelle verde with sweet pea pistou and sugar snap peas Cost: Visit Sunbasket for updated pricing. Buy at Sakara. Well Equipped Cleaning Gear. Meal plans include options for specific diets, like keto, mediterranean, plant-based, or low carb diets. After you've picked between meal kits or meal delivery, you'll want to find a service within your budget.	Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for	Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for Magic Kitchen offers a great variety of affordable premade meals for different dietary needs. Try our delicious meal plans and get them delivered to your Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily	Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service HelloFresh offers three plans: classic, vegetarian, and family-friendly. All plans include complete nutritional information. Choose between meal EveryPlate has, by far, one of the cheapest price-per-serving subscriptions. Similar to Dinnerly, EveryPlate makes adjustments to packaging and

Cheap meal packages - Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their Everyplate is the one of the cheapest you'll find out there with good quality. Upvote big.kim › Roundup Best Overall Meal Delivery on a Budget: Dinnerly; Best Organic Meal Delivery on a Budget: Fresh N' Lean; Best Meal Delivery on a Budget for

I was very pleased," a tester said. Another commented, "It's always hard to find new dinner ideas; these are a perfect variety to keep everyone in your family happy and full.

Those looking for more plant-based fare will appreciate the hearty vegetarian offerings from Mosaic. You'll find everything from veggies and pizzas to smoothies, soups and oat bowls.

The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible. How it works: Start by selecting your plan, which includes six, 12 or 18 options per box you'll get more savings the more you order.

Then fill your box with a variety of plant-based breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Meal filters include vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free, nut-free and high-protein. Select what you'd like or have Mosaic build a box for you based on customer favorites.

You'll then determine how often you'd like to receive deliveries, ranging from weekly to monthly. All of the meals are delivered frozen with free shipping on 12 and 18 item boxes.

Testers were impressed with how tasty the veggie-forward meals were, with one saying, "Delicious! So flavorful for frozen meals. We were impressed. Made eating plant-based so easy. At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test all types of food products and services, from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services.

Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we recruited more than at-home testers across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs.

All in all, we evaluated over 40 different meal delivery services , ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card to fully prepared options. We tested the services over the course of three months. For each service, we tried a total of 15 or more meals across our experts and testers.

We are currently and constantly testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date. In the end, we made our selections based on expert evaluations and tester feedback in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability.

Our top picks cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences, including gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein and more. Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored high points overall with testers.

When finding the best meal delivery service to fit into your lifestyle and budget, there are a few key things to consider:. There are also options that fall in between: Food is partially prepped and requires minimal extra work to get a balanced meal on the table quickly.

You'll want to take a look at the plans the different services offer and keep in mind that while some services may start at a low price that is for a large order. You'll typically be able to check the price ahead of ordering, so you can see how much it will cost for your specific needs and servings per week.

If you are cooking for more than four people, check to make sure the service will accommodate your family, as some services only serve a max of four people per meal. Frozen meals can avoid waste whereas fresh options can spoil if not eaten immediately.

Most services allow you to skip a week and adjust your plan along the way, which can be a strategy to help keep costs down if you can't use the food quickly. Some options, like Dinnerly, have robust vegetarian menus, for example, whereas other services may offer only a handful of vegetarian meals to choose from each week.

Certain services will let you customize further and swap out proteins, which can be beneficial. Most services will give you a discount on the first box and additional discounts if you are a first responder or in the military.

And if you know a friend or family member who is using the service, you may both get a discount for the referral. Some meal delivery services can be pricey — and most also involve shipping fees.

But it's worth keeping in mind that they also tend to be healthier and less expensive than takeout. There's also the benefit of skipping a trip to the grocery store and not having to spend time coming up with meal ideas and hunting for recipes.

Many meal kits offer assistance with meal prepping, chopping and more , cutting down on prep time too. You'll also get the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques and try new foods that may not be in your regular mealtime rotation.

If you'd rather not bust out all your pots and pans every night, prepared meal delivery services can also offer a smart solution. While prepared options do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you.

These types of melas are typically comparable with the cost of takeout but have one standard shipping fee since the meals come together. This article was originally written by registered dietitian Amy Fischer.

It was most recently updated by registered dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos. As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for her family without having to spend a ton of time or money at the grocery store.

She personally uses meal delivery services as a way to change up her family's normal dinnertime routine and to get introduced to a variety of new foods and unique preparation methods.

Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU.

Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

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Our top picks: 1. Best Overall Cheap Meal Delivery Service Dinnerly Shop at dinnerly. Shop at dinnerly. Best Value Cheapest Meal Delivery Service EveryPlate Shop at everyplate. Shop at everyplate. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Beginners Hello Fresh Hello Fresh Shop at HelloFresh.

Shop at HelloFresh. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Wellness Blue Apron Blue Apron Shop at blueapron.

Shop at blueapron. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Families Home Chef Shop at Home Chef. Shop at Home Chef. Best Plant-Based Cheap Meal Delivery Service Mosaic Foods Mosaic Foods Shop at mosaicfoods.

Shop at mosaicfoods. Plans Two or four people and two to six meals per week. Packaging The box, separator and thermal liner are all curbside recyclable. The bottles and containers can be disposed in plastic recycling bins. Availability Delivery throughout the contiguous United States.

Pros Lowest cost meal kit per serving Lots of comfort food options Add-ons like sides and desserts also available Includes recipe cards with step-by-step pictures Kit includes everything you'll need to create the meal.

Plans Two or four people and three to six meals per week. Availability Delivery to the vast majority of the continental USA. Pros Large weekly menu selection Easy-to-follow recipe cards with clear pictures Full recipes and nutrition information available on their website Solid and well-organized packaging.

Packaging Fold and discard the box with other household recyclables. Availability Delivery to all states across the continental US. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Inventive and flavorful recipes Over 70 weekly menu options Variety of WW-recommended selections High-quality, fresh ingredients Ready-to-cook and heat-and-eat options also available.

Plans Two or four people and two to four meals per week. Availability Delivery to the contiguous United States. Pros Can feed up to six people Multiple meal kit options, including quick minute meals Over 30 weekly meal options Also available for purchase in Kroger grocery stores.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. After extensive testing, EveryPlate, HelloFresh, and Mosaic Foods are among our top picks for the cheapest meal delivery services.

Read on to see the other services that made the cut. Meal delivery services can be a quick and convenient way to enjoy more healthy, home-cooked meals.

But 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 anyone on a tight budget to find an option that works for them. We included an assortment of both prepared meals — which can typically be heated in the microwave or oven with no meal prep required — and meal kits, which include preportioned ingredients and recipe cards so you can make your own meals at home.

Keep reading for 5 of the best affordable delivery services in , along with our feedback on each service and a closer look at how they compare.

As part of our testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the signup and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, ease of cooking, and, of course, the taste.

We score them accordingly. Learn more about how we test meal kits. Each service in this article:. There are a few factors you may want to consider when selecting a meal delivery service to ensure that the company fits your lifestyle and budget:. Meal delivery prices can range quite a bit.

If you regularly dine out or order takeout, a meal delivery service could save you money, depending on the service you choose. But compared with buying groceries and cooking meals at home, meal delivery services tend to be more expensive.

Meal delivery services can range quite a bit in price, making it challenging for people on a budget to find suitable options. But 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 variety, quality, cost, availability, and ingredients.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. These Black-owned companies check all the marks for freshness, flavor, and elevating Blackness in the food industry.

Dinnerly is an affordable meal kit service that provides quick recipes and the ingredients you need to prepare them. We put Dinnerly to the test to….

While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Carb counting is complicated. Take the quiz and test your knowledge! Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food…. While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern.

Let's look deeper:. Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory. Dietitians can help you create a more balanced diet or a specialized one for a variety of conditions.

We look at their benefits and limitations. Liquid collagen supplements might be able to reduce some effects of aging, but research is ongoing and and there may be side effects. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based The 6 Cheapest Meal Delivery Services. Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on November 28,

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