This year has been incredibly hectic for me. In addition to homeschooling my son, running my freelance business, and maintaining my mental and physical health, I am also involved in drumming for my local church. As a result, the idea of using a meal delivery service has become more appealing.
I’m always on the lookout for tricks and tips to maximize efficiency, and this includes meal preparation. While I relish cooking, the process – from meal planning to shopping and preparation – can be tedious, especially when done on a daily basis.
If you’ve pondered whether a meal delivery service could save you time, effort, or money, I’ve distilled my research on some of the most economical meal delivery services currently available.
DINNERLY
Dinnerly, a meal delivery service you may not have heard of, provides a similar plan to more known companies like Blue Apron but at a friendlier price. You simply sign up, select your delivery date and your favorite meals. Your hand-picked ingredients are then shipped to you in an insulated box, with meals starting at approximately $4.29 per adult serving. With the use of digital recipe cards, minimal packaging, and offering fewer ingredients per meal, Dinnerly manages to maintain quality while reducing costs. With weekly refreshed menus, offerings include creamy ravioli, shawarma-spiced chicken with garlic sauce, and vegetarian options.
COST BREAKDOWN
Dinnerly offers either a 2-person or a family-size box for 3 to 6 days per week, with the cost per serving decreasing as you add more days. For example, a family meal box for 3 days per week works out to $4.99 per serving and for 5 days per week, it’s $4.49. In both cases, there’s an $8.99 shipping fee.
EVERY PLATE
Another budget-friendly option is Every Plate. They deliver ingredients for 13 different meals per week, complete with cooking instructions. Their offerings include stuffed meatloaf, lemon chicken, and honey-glazed pork chops, all of which can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.
COST BREAKDOWN
The cost per serving with Every Plate is a flat $4.99, whether you’re ordering for 2 or 4 people for 3 to 5 days a week, along with a shipping charge of $8.99. My one reservation is that they offer “premium meals” at a higher price, which makes me question the quality of their basic plan ingredients.
HOME CHEF
Although Home Chef is the priciest of the three, it offers the broadest variety. They cater to various dietary preferences, including low carb, vegetarian, low calorie, and quick-prep meals. Also, their meals, customizable each week, are more flexible and ready in as early as 15 minutes.
COST BREAKDOWN
Home Chef’s meals start at roughly $6.99 per serving, with the cost subject to change based on customization. The shipping costs may vary, but from my research, it appears to start around $6.99 per order.
CAN YOU SAVE MONEY WITH A MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE?
It all boils down to your initial expenditure on groceries. If dining out was your previous norm, you might find meal services cheaper. However, if you’re accustomed to home-cooked meals, the savings might not be significant.
There are pros and cons to consider:
Pros are convenience, flexibility to skip or cancel, easy-to-cook meals, high-quality ingredients, and introductory discounts.
Cons include high shipping costs, meals could require extensive prep, not all offer vegetarian options, and limiting your opportunity to cook extra for leftovers.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
If you’re not set on a meal delivery service, consider other options such as making your own meal plan, using free grocery pick-up services, cooking in batches, or delegating cooking days to other household members.
SUMMARY
Depending on your specific circumstances, a meal delivery service could be a way to save money, but it’s not the only path. Before deciding, consider the pros and cons of each option. And remember, you could take advantage of substantial discounts for new members on Home Chef, Every Plate, and Dinnerly.
