Best Budget-Friendly Meal Kits
Save money without sacrificing quality — these meal kits offer the best value
per serving and affordable weekly plans.
Find your perfect plan in minutes.
Not all meal kits offer the same value. The best budget-friendly options focus on keeping costs low while still delivering filling, reliable meals you can stick with week after week. Here’s what matters when choosing the right service:
- Cost Per Serving - Look for plans under ~$6–$9 per meal.
- Shipping Fees - Some services offset low meal prices with higher delivery costs.
- Value Per Serving - Meals should still be filling and balanced.
- Plan Flexibility - Ability to scale meals up or down based on budget.
Top 5 Budget-Friendly Meal Kits
Best Overall Pick
Best for: Lowest Cost per Serving
- One of the most affordable meal kits available
- Meals typically priced under $6 per serving
- Simple, familiar recipes with broad appeal
- Generous portions for the price
8.6
Best for: Ultra-budget simplicity
- Among the lowest-priced meal kits on the market
- Fewer ingredients help reduce overall cost
- Digital recipe cards keep operations lean
- Quick, straightforward meals
8.5
Best for: Balance of price and quality
- Competitive pricing with frequent discounts
- 30+ weekly meals for strong variety
- Consistent portion sizes and quality
- Easy-to-follow recipes
HelloFresh offers a strong middle ground — slightly higher cost than budget options, but with better variety and overall meal experience.
9.2
Best for: Flexible pricing options
- Mix of budget-friendly and premium meals
- Ability to customize proteins and pricing
- Occasional lower-cost meal options
- Wide menu selection
9.4
Best for: Premium meals at moderate price
- Higher-quality ingredients at reasonable pricing
- Structured portions reduce food waste
- Frequent promotions and discounts
- More elevated recipes without extreme cost
Blue Apron isn’t the cheapest, but it offers strong value if you want higher-quality meals without paying premium prices.
8.7
Choosing the Best Budget-Friendly Meal Kit
The best budget meal kit depends on how you define value — whether that’s the lowest cost per serving, better ingredient quality, or more variety each week. Some services focus on keeping prices as low as possible, while others offer a balance between affordability and overall meal experience.
The key is finding a meal kit that fits your budget consistently, so you can save money without sacrificing convenience or quality.
- Best Overall: EveryPlate
- Lowest Cost: Dinnerly
- Best Value: HelloFresh
- Most Flexible: Home Chef
- Best Premium Budget: Blue Apron
Frequently Asked Questions About Meal Kits for Families
1. Are meal kits cheaper than grocery shopping?
It depends on your habits. Budget meal kits can be comparable to or slightly more than groceries, but they often reduce food waste and save time, which can make them a better overall value.
2. What is the cheapest meal kit available?
Services like EveryPlate and Dinnerly consistently offer the lowest cost per serving, making them the most affordable options for most users.
3. Are budget meal kits lower quality?
Not necessarily. Budget meal kits often simplify recipes and reduce ingredient variety to keep costs down, but they still provide balanced, filling meals.
4. How can I save more money with meal kits?
Look for promotions, choose lower-cost meal options, and select plans that match your household size to avoid over-ordering and unnecessary expense.
5. Do budget meal kits include free shipping?
Some services offer free or discounted shipping promotions, but many include a delivery fee, so it’s important to factor total cost—not just price per meal—when comparing options.