If you’re considering a meal kit or meal delivery service to put healthy, satisfying meals on the table with very little effort, there are some ways to make the services work harder for you. I’ve devised a playbook for getting the most out of your meal delivery and the most important step is taking advantage of a new-subscriber meal delivery deal. You can find sign-up offers from the most popular meal kit services that amount to weeks — sometimes months — of heavily discounted food.
The cheapest meal kit deal we found is EveryPlate. This budget-friendly service already offers some of the most affordable meal subscriptions. New customers will get their first box for just $1.49 per serving when they try the simple meal kits, most of which take less than 25 minutes to make.
EveryPlate is an even better value when you take advantage of this sign-up offer.
Screenshot by David Watsky/CNET
We found more than a dozen services are offering major discounts on meal kits or prepared meal delivery in April and collected the best meal delivery deals for you to peruse and choose the best fit for you. Those deals include $60 off your first order of Daily Harvest vegan meals to stock the fridge or meal kits from EveryPlate for as cheap as $1.49 per serving.
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Hungryroot has expansive options for vegans and vegetarians.
Hungryroot has expansive options for vegans and vegetarians.
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Hungryroot has expansive options for vegans and vegetarians.
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My Thistle meals were all solid, but there are other meal delivery services I’ve tested in thi price range that I liked more.
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Many of EveryPlate recipes are simple and fuss-free. I like that.
Many of EveryPlate recipes are simple and fuss-free. I like that.
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Many of EveryPlate recipes are simple and fuss-free. I like that.
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Our favorite meal delivery services and kitchen brands are slashing prices for Black Friday.
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Our favorite meal delivery services and kitchen brands are slashing prices for Black Friday.
HelloFresh has more than 50 recipes to pick from every week.
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HelloFresh has more than 50 recipes to pick from every week.
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Factor’s plant-based food was OK, but there are better options for those who don’t eat meat.
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Factor’s plant-based food was OK, but there are better options for those who don’t eat meat.
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If it’s cheap and simple you’re after, Dinnerly meal kits might be the perfect fit.
If it’s cheap and simple you’re after, Dinnerly meal kits might be the perfect fit.
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If it’s cheap and simple you’re after, Dinnerly meal kits might be the perfect fit.
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Ordering steak and seafood recipes will give you the most bang for your buck.
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Garlic shrimp over Spanish-style potatoes.
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Ordering steak and seafood recipes will give you the most bang for your buck.
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I put Green Chef’s meal kits to the test once again.
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I put Green Chef’s meal kits to the test once again.
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I put Green Chef’s meal kits to the test once again.
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Pulled pork and other slow-cooked meats are often a safe choice in meal delivery since they typically stay tender even after reheating.
Pulled pork and other slow-cooked meats are often a safe choice in meal delivery since they typically stay tender even after reheating.
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Pulled pork and other slow-cooked meats are often a safe choice in meal delivery since they typically stay tender even after reheating.
Make dinner in under 20 minutes with speedy meal kits.
David Watsky/CNET
I’ve tried most of them and they’re all solid, with differences to consider depending on your budget, diet, taste and kitchen skill level. You can check out CNET’s roundups of the best meal kit delivery services and best healthy food delivery services for a more detailed taste. Remember, nearly all of these meal kit companies let you pause or cancel anytime, so the risk and commitment when signing up for a meal kit service is minimal.
Whether you’re looking for ways to eat healthily, learn to cook new recipes or just make fewer trips to the grocery store this summer, a healthy, versatile and budget-friendly meal delivery deal can help you do it on the cheap.
I restested EveryPlate and it’s still my favorite cheap meal kit service.
David Watsky/CNET
Virtually all of the services we tried allow you to pause or cancel any time just in case you don’t love it, so there’s almost no risk after the deal is up. Although you may have to unsubscribe from their email blasts. Most brands just want you to try out the meals and see if you dig them and those brands are willing to make it very easy (and cheap) to do that. To make things easier, we already tried the top meal kits and meal delivery services so you’ll know exactly what to expect and you can pick the best food delivery deal for you and your tastes.
