When it comes to cooking at home, many of us are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality or flavor. One option that's gained popularity in recent years is meal kits – pre-portioned ingredients and recipes delivered right to your doorstep. But have these services become too pricey? Let's take a closer look.
Meal kit companies like EveryPlate, Blue Apron, and HelloFresh have been able to maintain their subscriber base despite rising costs, thanks in part to their focus on convenience and quality. So are they still a good value compared to buying groceries at your local supermarket?
A Breakdown of Meal Kit Prices vs. Grocery Shopping
I decided to crunch the numbers to find out whether meal kits like Blue Apron, HelloFresh, or EveryPlate can be cheaper than buying the same ingredients at a grocery store.
For my analysis, I chose two recipes for each meal kit service: one featuring steak and another featuring seafood. I used the cheapest version of the same ingredient available at Shop-Rite, a budget-friendly grocery store in my area, to calculate the cost. Since meal kits only include the amount of ingredients needed for a recipe, I prorated the cost accordingly.
Blue Apron: A Good Value if You Choose Wisely
I started with Blue Apron, which is known for its high-end recipes and quality ingredients. When I priced out the groceries to make two of their signature steak recipes – one featuring sirloin steak and another with fresh filets of steelhead trout – they clocked in at $11.26 and $8.23 per serving, respectively.
These prices are still higher than buying the same ingredients at the supermarket, but Blue Apron's largest plan offers an excellent value if you choose the right meals. For example, their average price of $9.75 per serving is comparable to the cost of buying groceries for a similar meal.
HelloFresh: A Less Cost-Effective Option
Next up was HelloFresh, which offered a more basic recipe featuring barramundi and chuck steak. When I calculated the cost of these ingredients at the supermarket, they came out to $6.55 per serving – about $2.50 less than HelloFresh's average meal plan of $9 per serving.
However, this calculation only accounts for the ingredient costs; add in the weekly shipping fee of $11 and you're looking at a total cost of around $11-$12 per serving – which is still more expensive than buying groceries.
EveryPlate: A Budget-Friendly Option
Last but not least, I looked at EveryPlate, which offered two budget-friendly recipes featuring chicken and pork chops. When I priced out the ingredients at the supermarket, they clocked in at $5.40 per serving – just 60 cents less than the cost of EveryPlate's meal kits.
This makes EveryPlate a great value if you're looking to save time and energy on cooking without sacrificing quality. With their affordable prices and easy-to-make meals, it's no wonder they've become our top pick for the best cheap meal kit service.