I’m a Vancouver-based mom and writer who loves to cook. Hope you enjoy!Meal kit delivery services make the lives of busy professionals and young families easier. They remove the effort of deciding what to eat, reduce food waste and the hassle of grocery shopping from your daily to-do list. Meal deliveries allow you to spend less time preparing food and more time enjoying delicious, healthy meals with loved ones.
Meal kit services exploded in popularity in the United States in the past few years and because of their endless benefits, meal kit services are booming south of the border and Canadian coastal cities are quickly adopting the trend, too. While our friends south of the border may have a myriad of meal kit delivery service options to choose from, there are plenty of proven, hometown meal kits to choose from.
So, if you’re not sure which one is best for you, we’ve broken down the differences of the top five meal kits in Calgary, Alberta.
Read on to discover our editor’s take on each meal kit company:
Best Meal Kit Companies in Calgary
| Company | Ideal For | Cost Per Week (including shipping) | Cost Per Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooted | Local vegetarians | $85-140 | $12.08-14.16 |
| HelloFresh | Reliable variety | $68.94-154.99 | $9.69-11.49 |
| Chef's Plate | Budget-conscious | $45.96-143.84 | $8.99-9.99 |
| Lean On Meals | Losing weight | n/a | $10.99+ |
| Better Prep | Pre-made family meals | $84.00 | $14 |
Read on to discover our editor’s take on each:
Rooted
Calgary’s very own meal kit delivery company, Rooted Meal Prep offers plant-based meals with a focus on quality ingredients and whole foods. With new good-for-you recipes available every week, including foods like plant-based mac and cheese, vegan sushi bowl, and cauliflower alfredo, Rooted makes eating healthy in Calgary a breeze. Each box comes with the 3 recipes of the week, including pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards with directions on how to cook the meal at home.
Catering to Vegetarian and Vegan diets, you can choose from the Peas in a Pod box for 2 adults ($89) or the Bunch of Carrots for 3-4 adults ($149). Have your meals delivered anywhere in Calgary for a $5 shipping charge. Or, if you prefer to pick up your meals, nab them from UNDRCARD Boxing Studio at 349 10 Ave SW.
Although the price range for Rooted’s meal kits are higher than most, it’s worth a shot due to their emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients.
Rooted Vegan Meal
HelloFresh
If a plant-based diet isn’t on the menu for your family, HelloFresh is a reliable option for meat-eaters and vegetarians across Alberta. Calgarians love HelloFresh because of the simple, affordable meals and sheer convenience. Their easy, delicious, and healthy meals only take 6 steps and 30 minutes to prepare. Plus, they’re known for their large portions, so they’re big-appetite approved.
Choose from up to 20 tasty meal options per week (like Korean Beef Bibimbap) including breakfast and Premium meal options. The Meat & Veggies, Family Friendly, Vegetarian, Smart Meal plans make it a breeze to choose the best meals for your needs, eliminating dinner stress. You can have 2 or 4 portions of each recipe and 3 or 4 recipes per box. With all this choice, whether you’re feeding a crowd or want to plan for left-overs, you’re prepared. Depending on the box you choose, prices start at $9.69 per serving with a $9.99 flat rate shipping fee.
This meal kit is also a favourite of solo diners–find it featured in our meal kit delivery for singles article.
HelloFresh
$12.72Per Serving
| Delivers to: | Australia, Canada, Europe, United States |
|---|---|
| Dietary Plans Available: | Low-calorie, Vegetarian |
| Dinners for: | Two (Couple), Four (Family) |
| Price per Plate | $5 to $10 |
| Free Shipping? | Yes for order above $50 |
| Intro Deal: | Yes |
| Sustainability | Recycling |
| HQ Location | Germany |
Chefs Plate
Love options but hate paying for delivery? We can relate! In that case, the free delivery and affordable, tasty meals of Chefs Plate will pique your interest and your appetite. One of the first meal kits to hit Canada, Chef’s Plate constantly makes best meal kits lists due to its reliably delicious and flexible menus.
- Choose from a classic Meat & Vegetables plan, Vegetarian, or Family Friendly, with the option to pick 15-minute recipes if you’re really short on time.
Chefs Plate partners with local, small-scale farms and Ocean Wise to make deliciously sustainable meals like Speedy Southwest Turkey Chili. While their meals tend to be less flashy than other options, their simplicity and affordability are where they shine.
Chefs Plate
$8.99Per Serving
| Delivers to: | Canada |
|---|---|
| Dietary Plans Available: | Vegetarian |
| Dinners for: | Two (Couple), Four (Family) |
| Price per Plate | $10 to $15, $5 to $10 |
| Free Shipping? | Yes |
| Intro Deal: | First 2 meals free |
| Sustainability | Ocean Wise, Sustainability |
| HQ Location | Toronto |
Chefs Plate’s Roasted Cauliflower and Halloumi
Goodfood
Canadian-made Goodfood guarantees seasonal ingredients, perfect portions, and ingredients that are always fresh. In fact, not only are they committed to providing ingredients that are up to 7 days fresher than those found at the grocery store, but at least 85% of the contents in their meal kits are produced or packaged in Canada. So, if you’re strapped for time yet still want to support local, you can do so with Goodfood, guilt-free.
Goodfood also offers some of the most customizable kits on the market whether you’re cooking for one or for a family. Choose from Classic, Easy Prep, Family, Vegetarian or Clean15 recipes, available in Easy Prep, Classic, and Family Basket options. With recipes like Red Miso-Ginger Baked Trout, and Masala-Roasted Carrots with Seared Halloumi, there’s something to suit a variety of dietary needs.
Depending on the basket you choose, prices start as low as $3.98 per serve with free shipping. And if you just can’t get enough good food, you can sign up for Goodfood WOW, for free same-day and next-day deliveries with no weekly subscription management for just $9.99/month.
Goodfood
$11.38Per Serving
| Delivers to: | Canada |
|---|---|
| Dietary Plans Available: | Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low-carb, Vegan, Vegetarian |
| Dinners for: | Two (Couple), Four (Family) |
| Price per Plate | $5 to $10 |
| Free Shipping? | Yes |
| Intro Deal: | 40% Off First Order |
| Sustainability | Recycling |
| HQ Location | Montreal |
Goodfood burgers
Lean On Meals
When you’re super strapped for time but are making healthy eating a priority, meal prep delivery is a lifesaver. Lean On Meals is a Calgary-based company that sends pre-cooked meals straight to your door. When it’s time to eat, all you need to do is pop your pre-made meal in the microwave and dig in.
They cater to all types of dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, low-FODMAP, and vegetarian. But just because they’re healthy, doesn’t mean they sacrifice on taste, offering yummy meals like Gochujang Chicken and Calgary Classic Ginger Beef.
Their focus on health means meals are highly customizable. Choose how many ounces of protein, what starch, and what vegetables you’d like for each serving. It’s the closest you can get to a personal chef, but for a fraction of the cost.
When you buy in bulk, you’ll earn free delivery on orders over $100. Otherwise, there’s a somewhat hefty $8.50 delivery fee–still a small price to avoid Deerfoot traffic. The downside to buying local is sacrificing some perks of larger companies’ economies of scale. But if you want to keep costs down and stay local, you can pick up your meals Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings at Unit 10 1420 40th AVE NE.
Lean On Meals Southern Blackened Basa
Better Prep
A second Calgary meal prep delivery option is even better for a busy family of conscious eaters. Better Prep has over 60 menu options with breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks to choose for delivery. Ala carte’ options like Maple Sesame Glazed Chicken Thighs make every meal of the day a near-effortless homerun. You can choose the family meal option, which includes 4.5 servings of the recipe: plenty for hungry kids.
BetterPrep offers recipes that are suitable for all types of dietary needs, including anti-inflammatory, gluten-aware, low-carb, low-FODMAP, and vegan. Plus, their 100% satisfaction guarantee means you have complete peace of mind when you give them a shot.
Better Prep’s Jerk Chicken Kebabs
Made Foods
Made Foods is the closest you’ll get to home cooked meals without spending a minute in the kitchen. Prepared fresh daily in Calgary with locally sourced ingredients, Made Foods meals contain zero preservatives, making real food accessible to all. Their ready-to-eat meals are their ‘bread and butter’, with a variety of meals ranging from Certified Angus Beef Wraps to Vegan Taco Bowls. And Made Foods also offers meal kits—although with a limited selection of recipes.
Ready-to-eat meals start at $5.99, while meal kits start at $20.99, with the option to subscribe weekly, starting at $31.95 per week for 4 meals.
If you prefer to totally customize your meal plan, you can build your meal from scratch and choose your protein, carb, vegetable and sauce. Customized meals start at $8.49 per serving.
Shipping costs will depend on your location, based on the distance between your home and Made Foods’ headquarters where the magic happens. Bulk orders of $80+ will receive free shipping, and if you prefer to pick up your order, you can do so at their retail store in the South East, or at various locations across Calgary.
Made Foods caesar salad
How can I get a free meal delivery kit?
If you’d like to give meal kits delivery a try, you’re in luck. The majority of the companies mentioned offer steep discounts for first timers. Here are some of the options available:
Chef’s Plate: 50% off your first 2 boxes, including free shipping
HelloFresh: $50 off your first box, $20 off your second box, $10 off your third box with free shipping
Goodfood: $40 off your first 2 boxes, including free shipping
Lean On Meals: 50% off your first order
Better Prep: 10% off your first order with a newsletter sign up
What’s the Best Meal Kit Delivery in Calgary?
Calgary may not have every meal kit option available, but those that are thriving here are worth giving a try. These five companies stand out from the crowd as the best in their unique focus. Whether you want to choose hyper-local, reliable variety, budget-friendly, weight loss, or fast family meals, there’s a meal kit service just for you!
Which Calgary meal kit delivery company is your top choice? Read our meal kit reviews here to give your own rating!