Meal Kits vs Groceries: Which One is Cheaper?
On a Tuesday night, you have two carts in your head. Cart A: a meal kit with tonight’s dinner ready to assemble—no math, no wandering aisle seven for capers. Cart B: a grocery list with the same recipe, but you’re buying a whole jar of capers you’ll use twice this year, plus a bag of potatoes because the two-pack costs more per pound. One choice saves time; the other probably saves a few bucks—unless the recipe needs a dozen specialty bits you don’t already own.
Here’s the simple question this article answers: Are meal kits cheaper than groceries—and for whom? The short version: budget kits can match or beat a basic grocery shop for singles and small households on certain meals (especially those with sauces/spices you’d otherwise buy in full-size containers). For families who cook in bulk or already have a stocked pantry, groceries still win on pure price most weeks.
We’ll show you the numbers, the gotchas, and how to decide for your kitchen, not the average. WIRED’s 2025 test found many kit recipes were hard to replicate for less once spice/sauce costs were included, though simpler “budget kit” meals came closest.
The state of food prices (so your comparison is fair)
- U.S. grocery (“food at home”) prices rose about 1.2% in 2024 and are forecast to rise around 2.4% in 2025—a cooler pace than the 2022 spike. (Economic Research Service)
- Canada: as of July 2025, Canadians were paying ~27% more for groceries than in July 2020—price levels remain elevated even as inflation has cooled. (Statistics Canada)
What that means: comparing “is X cheaper?” depends on which year’s prices you’re remembering—and how many pantry items the recipe assumes you already own.
So…are meal kits cheaper than groceries?
Usually not on simple meals; sometimes yes on complex ones—especially for singles/couples without pantries.
In 2025 price checks, mainstream kits often run $7–$14 per serving before shipping, while budget kits land closer to $5–$8. Shipping adds ~$10–$12 per box in the U.S. (Canada varies by brand and promo).
Two real-world touchpoints:
- Dinnerly (budget kit): current plan builder shows ≈$7.99/serving with $10.99 shipping for small orders. This aligns with third-party tests reporting ~$5–$6/serving at higher volumes (before shipping).
- EveryPlate (budget sibling to HelloFresh): reviewers price typical servings around $6–$7 plus ~$11 shipping.
Where meal kits can win: elaborate dishes with unique sauces/spices you don’t keep on hand. Buying full jars and special condiments to copy a single meal can make groceries more expensive that week—exactly what WIRED found when replicating kit recipes item-by-item.
Where groceries win: big households, bulk buyers, and simple recipes (think chili, stir-fries, sheet-pan chicken). U.K. research similarly found supermarkets often undercut recipe boxes at full price—promos narrow the gap but don’t erase it.
The decision framework (use this, not averages)
1) Household size & pantry reality
- Singles / couples, sparse pantry: kits can be cost-competitive after waste reduction and time saved—especially budget lines.
- Families / bulk shoppers: groceries almost always cheaper per serving when you plan across the week.
2) Recipe complexity this week
If the meal needs five condiments you’ll rarely use, the grocery version’s “real” cost includes those jars. That’s where kits shine.
3) Shipping and promos
- Budget kits: add $10–$12 shipping/box in the U.S.; Canadian shipping varies. First-box promos can drop per-serving prices sharply, but treat those as one-time discounts, not your baseline
TL;DR
- Are meal kits cheaper? Sometimes. Budget kits can match (or occasionally beat) groceries for small households on complex recipes; otherwise, groceries win on pure price.
- Why the confusion? Pantry assumptions, shipping, and the “full-jar problem” for sauces/spices.
- Best value play: use kits to anchor weeknights with 2–3 meals, then bulk-shop staples for the rest.
A quick, honest price snapshot comparing meal kits to groceries
| Scenario (2025) | Typical Price Per Serving | Shipping Costs | When It’s a Good Deal |
| Budget meal kit (EveryPlate, Dinnerly) | $5-8 | $10-12 per box | Small households; recipes with many condiments; low food waste. |
| Mainstream kit (HelloFresh/Marley/Blue Apron) | $8-14 | $10-12 per box | You value convenience/variety; selective use with promos. |
| Groceries (cook from scratch) | Lowest for bulk/simple meals; higher if buying full bottles to copy a complex recipe | N/A | Families, meal preppers, or anyone with a well-stocked pantry. |
Where this leaves Canadians
Grocery prices are still ~27% above 2020 levels as of July 2025, so even if monthly inflation has cooled, sticker shock remains. For many readers, value isn’t only a price tag: it’s waste avoided and weeknight time recaptured. Use kits tactically (two nights you dread cooking), and let bulk-planned groceries cover the others.
Smart ways to lower your food costs either way
- With meal kits: pick the budget lineups; scale up to reduce per-serving; avoid add-ons that erase savings; watch shipping.
- With groceries: batch across the week so a bunch of cilantro serves three meals; buy meats on sale and freeze; compare your “copycat” recipe’s total when specialty condiments are involved.
Mini-FAQ
Are meal kits cheaper than eating out?
Nearly always, for comparable quality. But groceries can be cheaper still if you plan in bulk.
Do promos make kits “cheaper than groceries”?
For the first box or two, yes—then prices normalize. Treat promos as a trial, not your ongoing baseline.
What about Canada-specific meal kits and pricing?
Canadian brands and shipping policies vary widely. Check current promotions from national providers like HelloFresh Canada and regional options such as Goodfood/Fresh Prep before deciding.
Bottom line
If you’re cooking for one or two, lack a deep pantry, and crave variety, a budget meal kit can be as cheap—or cheaper—than groceries for the right recipes. If you’re feeding three or more and comfortable batching, groceries will almost always beat kits on cost. Either way, the smartest strategy is mixed: use kits to remove the mental load on busy nights, and let bulk groceries carry the rest.
