Meal prep services can make life easier, but they are not always as affordable as they seem. Many services advertise low introductory prices, only for the real cost to increase after the first few deliveries.

If you are trying to save money, eat healthier, and avoid wasting food, the best affordable meal prep service is the one that fits your schedule, cooking style, and grocery budget.

In this guide, I compared the most affordable meal prep services available, explained who each one is best for, and included cheaper alternatives that can save even more money.

Are Meal Prep Services Worth It?

Meal prep services can be worth the money if they help you:

• Stop ordering takeout
• Reduce food waste
• Save time during busy weeks
• Stick to a grocery budget
• Eat healthier meals more consistently

For example, spending $7 to $10 per serving on a meal kit may still be cheaper than ordering restaurant takeout several times each week.

However, if you already cook at home often and shop carefully, traditional meal prep may cost less than any subscription service.

What Makes a Meal Prep Service Affordable?

The cheapest meal prep service is not always the best value. Before signing up, compare:

• Price per serving
• Shipping costs
• Portion sizes
• Number of meals included
• How much cooking is required
• Ability to skip or cancel weeks

A service that costs $5.99 per serving but charges high shipping may end up being more expensive than a service with a slightly higher meal price.

1. EveryPlate: Best Affordable Meal Kit for Families

Average Price: $5.99 to $7.49 per serving

Best For:

• Families
• Beginners
• People who want simple recipes

Why It Is Affordable: EveryPlate is usually the cheapest traditional meal kit service. The recipes are simple, family-friendly, and use fewer ingredients than premium meal kits.

Typical meals include:

• Creamy tomato pasta
• Chicken tacos
• Pork chops with potatoes

Pros:

• Very low price per serving
• Good for families of 3–6
• Easy recipes with limited prep

Cons:

• Fewer vegetables than healthier meal services
• Smaller menu than premium competitors

Realistic Monthly Cost: A family of four ordering 3 meals per week will usually spend about $290 to $360 per month.

2. HelloFresh: Best Balance of Price and Variety

Average Price: $8.99 to $10.99 per serving

Best For:

• Families who want more choices
• Busy professionals
• People who get bored with repetitive meals

HelloFresh costs more than EveryPlate, but the larger weekly menu makes it easier to find meals for picky eaters, lower-calorie diets, and faster dinners.

Best Features:

• More than 100 meal choices each week
• Family-friendly and vegetarian options
• Easy-to-follow recipe cards

Best If You Want: More variety without paying for expensive premium meal kits.

3. Mosaic Foods: Best Cheap Prepared Meals

Average Price: $6.24 to $8.00 per serving

Best For:

• Vegetarians
• Busy people who do not want to cook
• Affordable frozen meals

Unlike meal kits, Mosaic Foods sends fully prepared meals that only need to be heated.

Popular options include:

• Veggie bowls
• Soups
• Family-size casseroles

Pros:

• One of the lowest prices for prepared meals
• No cooking required
• Plant-based and freezer-friendly

Cons:

• Limited if you prefer meat-based meals

4. Chef’s Plate: Best Budget Meal Kit in Canada

Average Price: $5.99 to $8.99 per serving

Best For:

• Canadians
• Families
• People looking for a cheaper alternative to HelloFresh

Chef’s Plate is often one of the least expensive options in Canada and usually offers aggressive introductory discounts.

The meals are simple and filling, with recipes such as:

• Chicken stir-fry
• Beef tacos
• Pasta dishes

One thing to watch for is that prices can rise quickly after your first promotional box.

5. Factor: Best Healthy Prepared Meals

Average Price: $10 to $13 per serving

Best For:

• High-protein diets
• Keto or low-carb eaters
• People who want healthy meals without cooking

Factor is not the cheapest service, but it may save money if you normally buy expensive takeout lunches.

The meals are already cooked and take about 2 minutes to heat.

Popular categories include:

• Protein Plus
• Calorie Smart
• Keto

6. Blue Apron: Best for Flexible Ordering

Average Price: $7.99 to $12.89 per serving

Best For:

• Couples
• Flexible schedules
• People who do not want a long-term subscription

Blue Apron now allows many customers to order meal kits without a long-term subscription, which can make it easier to use only when you need it.

7. Hungryroot: Best Grocery and Meal Hybrid

Average Price: $8 to $11 per serving

Best For:

• Busy professionals
• Health-conscious shoppers
• People who want groceries and recipes together

Hungryroot combines groceries with easy meal ideas. Instead of sending exact meal kits, it sends ingredients that can be used in several meals.

This can reduce waste if you like flexibility.

8. Local Grocery Store Prepared Meals

Many grocery stores now sell ready-made family meals that can cost less than subscription meal prep services.

Affordable examples include:

• Rotisserie chicken with salad and bread
• Family-size lasagna
• Pre-cooked rice and grilled chicken

Stores such as Costco, Whole Foods, Walmart, and local supermarkets often offer meal bundles for $7 to $9 per serving.

This is one of the easiest ways to save money if you want meal prep convenience without a subscription.

9. DIY Meal Prep: The Cheapest Option Overall

If your goal is to spend as little as possible, homemade meal prep is still the cheapest solution.

You can usually make healthy meals for:

• $2 to $4 per serving using rice, pasta, beans, eggs, chicken, and frozen vegetables
• $4 to $6 per serving for more variety and fresh produce

For example, one large batch of:

• Chicken and rice bowls
• Chili
• Pasta bake
• Burrito bowls

can create 4 to 8 meals for less than the price of one restaurant order.

Sample Weekly DIY Meal Prep Plan Under $50

Here is a realistic meal prep plan for one person that costs less than $50:

Grocery List

• 2 pounds chicken breast
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 bag frozen vegetables
• 1 bag rice
• 1 box pasta
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 bag shredded cheese
• 1 can black beans
• 1 loaf bread
• Peanut butter
• Bananas

Meals

• Chicken and rice bowls
• Pasta with marinara and vegetables
• Egg sandwiches
• Peanut butter banana toast
• Black bean burrito bowls

Estimated cost per meal: About $3 to $4.

Best Affordable Meal Prep Services by Need

If You Want…	Best Option
Cheapest meal kit	EveryPlate
Cheapest prepared meals	Mosaic Foods
Best for families	EveryPlate or HelloFresh
Best in Canada	Chef’s Plate
Healthiest prepared meals	Factor
Cheapest overall	DIY meal prep

7 Real Ways to Save More Money on Meal Prep Services

Even the cheapest meal prep service can get expensive if you use it every week. These strategies can make meal prep much more affordable:

1. Use Introductory Offers Strategically

Most services offer major discounts on the first box. Cancel after the first or second delivery and rotate between services.

2. Skip Expensive Add-Ons

Desserts, drinks, and premium meals can double the cost of your order.

3. Choose Family Plans

The cost per serving is often much lower when you order meals for 4 people instead of 2.

4. Freeze Extra Portions

Prepared meals and meal kits can often be frozen. This helps avoid waste and lets you skip a week without losing food.

5. Pair Meal Kits With Cheap Homemade Meals

Use meal kits for busy nights and cook simple homemade meals the rest of the week.

For example:

• Monday: Meal kit
• Tuesday: Leftovers
• Wednesday: Homemade pasta
• Thursday: Meal kit
• Friday: Rice bowls or tacos

6. Shop Sales Before Ordering

Sometimes grocery store sales make homemade meal prep cheaper than any subscription box.

7. Use Grocery Pickup Instead

If your biggest problem is impulse spending at the store, grocery pickup can help you stay on budget while still doing your own meal prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest meal prep service?

EveryPlate is usually the cheapest meal kit service, while Mosaic Foods is often the cheapest prepared meal service.

Are meal kits cheaper than groceries?

Usually no. Homemade meal prep is almost always cheaper than meal kits. However, meal kits may still save money if they help you avoid takeout or reduce wasted groceries.

What is the cheapest way to meal prep?

The cheapest way to meal prep is to buy inexpensive staples in bulk, such as:

• Rice
• Beans
• Eggs
• Pasta
• Frozen vegetables
• Chicken

Then prepare several meals at once.

Which meal prep service is best in Canada?

For Canadians, Chef’s Plate is usually one of the most affordable options, while HelloFresh and Goodfood provide more variety.

Final Thoughts

Affordable meal prep services can save time, but they are not always the cheapest way to eat. If you want the lowest possible cost, homemade meal prep still wins.

If convenience matters more, EveryPlate, Mosaic Foods, and Chef’s Plate are usually the best values. The right choice depends on whether you want meal kits, ready-made meals, family-sized portions, or healthy options.