Meal Kit vs. Prepared Meals: What's the Real Price Difference?
The cost of meal delivery services varies significantly based on the type of service you choose. The two main categories are meal kits and prepared, or ready-to-eat, meals. Meal kits, like EveryPlate and Dinnerly, provide pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for you to cook at home, and are generally the more budget-friendly option. Prepared meals, from services like CookUnity or Factor, arrive ready to heat and eat, offering maximum convenience at a higher price point.
Meal Kit Service Costs
Meal kit services typically offer a lower cost per serving, with some budget-friendly options starting at around $5-$8 per serving. The final price depends on several factors:
- Number of servings: The more servings you order per week, the lower the price per serving usually becomes. Family-sized plans offer economies of scale.
- Meal frequency: Most services require a weekly subscription, and committing to more meals per week can also reduce the individual meal cost.
- Shipping fees: Most services charge a separate shipping fee per box, which can range from about $7 to over $12.
For example, EveryPlate offers one of the lowest starting prices, often around $5.99 per serving. However, a weekly box for two people with three meals might end up costing over $50, including shipping. The perceived savings come from the fact that you are cooking at home, which is still cheaper than most takeout, but requires your time and labor.
Prepared Meal Service Costs
Prepared meal services prioritize convenience, and their pricing reflects that. Average meal prices are significantly higher, ranging from about $11 to $15 per serving or more. These services are ideal for individuals or families with limited time for cooking. Key factors influencing the price include:
- Chef-prepared quality: Meals are fully cooked by chefs, which adds to the cost.
- Dietary specialization: Services offering specific dietary plans (e.g., keto, plant-based, weight loss) may have different pricing structures.
- Packaging and logistics: The cost of ready-to-eat meals includes the specialized packaging and logistics required for pre-cooked, often chilled or frozen, delivery.
For instance, CookUnity and Factor often start their pricing around $11-$13 per serving, with shipping fees applied on top. The total weekly cost can add up quickly, especially for multiple meals per week for a family.
On-Demand Takeout vs. Subscription Services
Another option is on-demand takeout from third-party apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash. While this offers the ultimate flexibility, studies show that it's the most expensive option.
The Cost of Convenience
Meals ordered through these apps can be marked up by 15-38% compared to the in-restaurant price. These services also tack on several fees:
- Delivery fee: Varies by distance, time of day, and demand. This can be offset by a subscription to the app's premium service (e.g., Uber One).
- Service fee: A percentage of your subtotal charged by the app.
- Small order fee: Charged if your order falls below a certain amount.
- Tip: An additional, customary cost for the delivery driver.
Comparison of Meal Delivery Options
| Service Type | Cost Per Serving | Convenience Level | Prep Time | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meal Kits (EveryPlate, Dinnerly) | $5 - $8 | Medium | 15 - 40 minutes | Budget-conscious cooks, families |
| Prepared Meals (Factor, CookUnity) | $11 - $15+ | High | 1 - 5 minutes | Busy professionals, people with less time |
| On-Demand Takeout (Uber Eats) | Significantly Higher (marked up 15-38%) | Highest | 0 minutes | Spontaneous orders, ultimate convenience |
How to Reduce the Cost of Meal Delivery
Fortunately, there are ways to make meal delivery more affordable:
- Use introductory offers: Many services offer significant discounts on your first few boxes to entice new customers. Look for these promotions when signing up.
- Increase your order size: As mentioned, a larger weekly order often decreases the price per serving. Consider ordering more meals at once to lock in a better rate.
- Go for a budget-friendly service: Services like EveryPlate and Dinnerly are explicitly designed to be more affordable than their competitors, using simpler recipes and ingredients.
- Consider family-size plans: If you are feeding a family, a family plan can lower the cost per person significantly compared to ordering individual meals.
- Try hybrid grocery/meal kit services: Services like Hungryroot offer a mix of pre-portioned ingredients and quick recipes, functioning like a virtual grocery store. This gives you more control over what you spend.
- Bundle meals strategically: On-demand apps sometimes offer combo deals that can provide more value than ordering items individually, though they still come with fees.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Budget
Determining how much it costs to have meals delivered to your house depends entirely on your needs and budget. For those prioritizing low cost, meal kits are the clear winner, requiring some hands-on cooking. If convenience is your top concern and you have a larger budget, prepared meals offer ready-to-eat options. The most expensive but flexible choice is on-demand takeout. By understanding the different pricing models and factors like shipping and serving size, you can make an informed decision that saves you money without sacrificing convenience.
Ultimately, there is a meal delivery service for nearly every budget. The key is to weigh the trade-offs between cost, convenience, and cooking effort. To find the best fit for your finances, research services that align with your lifestyle and take advantage of introductory offers to test them out.
Food & Wine article on meal delivery services
Understanding the Total Cost of Meal Delivery
This article provides a thorough breakdown of how much it costs to have meals delivered to your house, detailing the differences between meal kits, prepared meals, and on-demand takeout to help you make the best financial decision.
- Cost factors: The final cost depends on the service type (meal kit vs. prepared), the number of servings ordered, meal frequency, and associated shipping fees.
- Meal kit pricing: Budget-friendly options like EveryPlate and Dinnerly start at around $5-$8 per serving, requiring cooking effort.
- Prepared meal pricing: Ready-to-eat meals from services like CookUnity are more expensive, averaging $11-$15+ per serving for maximum convenience.
- Takeout pricing: On-demand apps are the priciest due to menu markups (15-38%) and multiple fees (delivery, service, small order).
- Cost-saving tips: Utilize introductory discounts, order larger quantities, choose budget-focused services, and consider family plans to lower your expenses.
- Best value: Meal kits offer the best value for those willing to cook, while prepared meals and takeout trade higher cost for convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cheapest meal delivery services? EveryPlate and Dinnerly are consistently ranked among the cheapest meal delivery services, with some meals starting at $5-$8 per serving. They achieve lower costs by using simpler recipes and more affordable ingredients.
Is a meal kit cheaper than buying groceries? In most cases, cooking a meal from scratch using groceries is cheaper than a meal kit. However, meal kits can reduce food waste by providing perfectly portioned ingredients, potentially saving money that would have been spent on unused items.
Why are prepared meals more expensive than meal kits? Prepared meals are more expensive because the cost includes the labor of a chef who cooks the food for you. The price also covers specialized packaging and shipping logistics for a fully-cooked, refrigerated product.
How much does shipping typically add to the cost of meal delivery? Most meal delivery services charge a shipping fee per box, which can range from approximately $7 to over $12, depending on the service and your location. This fee is added to your total order.
Are there ways to avoid delivery fees on takeout apps? Some apps offer premium subscriptions (like Uber One) that provide free delivery on eligible orders. Alternatively, some restaurants offer their own direct delivery, which may not include the same high fees as third-party apps.
How do family size plans affect the cost? Family-size plans for meal kits and prepared meals are more cost-effective on a per-serving basis. By ordering a larger quantity of meals for more people, the price per plate is often lower due to economies of scale.
Can I find meal delivery options for specific diets on a budget? Yes, many services now cater to specific diets like vegetarian, keto, or plant-based. While specialized options can sometimes cost more, budget-friendly services often include simple versions of these meals to keep costs down. You can also customize your selections with hybrid services like Hungryroot.
