PRICE: Despite marketing claims to the contrary, meal kits do cost more than buying groceries. However, they typically cost less than takeout and are healthier. If you want to evaluate whether the trade-off is worth it, the good news is that, like mattress-in-a-box companies, meal kit companies typically have some Current promotions. Most meal kit pricing models offer volume discounts – the more meals you buy per week, the lower the price per serving. We detail dietary restrictions and subscription costs below. If you ever want to skip a week or cancel, you can find that information in the account section on your chosen service’s website.
WIRED: Meal kits are convenient—I didn’t have to worry about planning dinner or panicking over junk food after forgetting to eat a proper meal during the day. Learning to cook from one of these services can instill confidence and impart basic knowledge. If you’re busy or don’t feel like it, meal kits can be just what you need to get started cooking—and cooking at home never hurts. Meal kits may be right for you if you cook for a small family, work nontraditional hours, hate thinking about what to make for dinner, want to stop ordering takeout all the time, or are trying to develop your cooking skills.
TIRED: There’s nothing better than learning to cook the old-fashioned way, so be sure to give that a try, too. It’s cheaper and you learn more if you pick out your own fruit or shred a whole chicken for $5. You just don’t get that experience if everything comes to your door and the chicken parts are pre-packaged. Planning and shopping is an integral part of the art of cooking. Meal kits are also often more wasteful than traditional home cooking, and often more expensive. Meal kits may be the wrong choice for you if you’re on a tight budget, cooking for a large family, or want tighter control over the specific ingredients you’re using.