Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service USA: The 2026 Budget Guide

Let’s be honest: grocery shopping after a draining workday is the last thing anyone wants to do. But for years, the assumption was that meal delivery services were a luxury reserved for the wealthy. That narrative has flipped. With grocery inflation still stinging in late 2025, strategic use of budget meal kits can actually mathematically beat the supermarket checkout lineif you pick the right one.

We aren’t just looking for “cheap” food; we are looking for value. The best affordable services cut overhead costslike fancy packaging and printed recipe cardsto pass savings on to you. Below, we curate the top contenders that balance quality with strict budget requirements.

The Budget Kings: Lowest Price Per Serving

If your primary goal is keeping the bill low, these two services are currently unmatched in the US market.

1. EveryPlate

The Verdict: The absolute best value for meat eaters.

EveryPlate effectively holds the crown for the lowest price point without sacrificing safety or basic quality. Owned by industry giant HelloFresh, they utilize the same supply chains but strip away the frills. As of December 2025, meals start at $4.99 per serving for standard plans, though aggressive promotions for new customers can drop this to as low as $1.99.

The Trade-off: You won’t find complex dietary customization here. The menu leans heavily on comfort foodstacos, pastas, and burgersthat are crowd pleasers but simple. To keep costs down, ingredients are not pre sorted by meal, so you’ll have to do a little sorting when the box arrives.

2. Dinnerly

The Verdict: The best budget option for picky eaters.

Like EveryPlate, Dinnerly starts around the $4.99 per person mark. How do they do it? They went fully digital. You won’t receive paper recipe cards; instead, you use their app. They also use fewer ingredients per dish (usually six or fewer), which speeds up cooking time.

Hidden Gem: Unlike other budget tiers, Dinnerly offers surprising customization. You can swap proteins or sides in many recipes (e. g., trading white rice for cauliflower rice). If you prefer hunting for your own unique ingredients at the best street markets in the USA, this might not be for you, but for a delivered solution, it’s incredibly efficient.

The Value Tier: Best Balance of Quality & Cost

These services cost a few dollars more but offer significantly better recipe variety and ingredient quality.

3. HelloFresh

HelloFresh remains the market leader for a reason. For a standard 4-person family plan, you are looking at approximately $9.99 per serving plus shipping. While not the cheapest on paper, the value comes from the sheer varietyover 100 weekly items and chef curated recipes that have been tested 45 times for perfection.

Why pay more? The organization. Ingredients come pre bagged by meal, saving you mental energy. It’s a solid middle ground choice if EveryPlate feels too basic.

4. Home Chef

Home Chef distinguishes itself with its “Customize It” feature. Even in late 2025, this remains a standout tool, allowing you to upgrade steak for chicken or swap to a plant based protein on almost any dish. Prices generally start at $7.99 per serving, though family plans can dip to $6.99.

If you are skeptical about online services, you might ask, is online shopping legit for fresh food? Home Chef’s consistent track record and Kroger ownership make it one of the safest bets in the industry.

Specialty & Niche Options

5. Blue Apron

Blue Apron has evolved. They now offer a distinct “Prepared & Ready” lineheat and-eat meals priced between $9.49 and $11.99 per serving. Traditional kits start lower (around $7.99 for large orders) but can climb significantly for “Premium” recipes. It’s the foodie’s choice, offering ingredients you won’t typically find in budget boxes.

6. Daily Harvest

Focused on frozen, plant based nutrition, Daily Harvest is less about “dinner” and more about functional fuel (smoothies, harvest bowls). As of 2025, the barrier to entry is a $50 minimum order (or 6 items). It’s not the cheapest per calorie, but for clean, organic ingredients with zero prep, the value proposition holds up.

7. Mosaic Foods

If you want plant based meals that actually taste cooked, Mosaic Foods is the winner. They require a 6-item minimum per box. Pricing varies, with oat bowls around $5.99 and larger meals higher. It is a fantastic option to stock your freezer, so you aren’t tempted to order takeout on lazy nights.

8. Mom’s Meals

A crucial inclusion for caregivers: Mom’s Meals caters specifically to seniors and those with chronic conditions. They partner with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans, meaning eligible members might get these meals at little to no cost. If you are caring for an elderly parent, check their insurance coverage for this benefit immediately.

A Note on Freshly

Long time readers might look for Freshly on this list. Note that Freshly ceased direct to-consumer operations back in 2023 and has not relaunched as of late 2025. If you see other guides recommending them, those guides are outdated. For a similar heat and-eat experience, look at Blue Apron’s “Prepared & Ready” line or Mosaic Foods.

Buying in Bulk?

Sometimes delivery isn’t the answer. If you have a large family, the old fashioned way might still win. Visiting local hubs like the wholesale markets in Chicago or your local city can secure bulk pricing that no meal kit can match. But for the rest of us trying to save time, the services above are the best tools for 2026.