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 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.
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 trendy meal kit services might not reach the inland Calgary market, there are plenty of proven and hometown options to choose from. So, if you’re not sure which one’s best for you, we’ve broken down the differences of the top five options here:
| Company | Ideal For | Cost Per Week (including shipping) | Cost Per Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooted | Local vegetarians | $94 | $14.16 |
| HelloFresh | Reliable variety | $79.99 | $8.99 |
| Chefs Plate | Budget-conscious | $59.94 | $9.99 |
| Lean On Meals | Losing weight | $80.50 | $12 |
| 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. Try their delicious and good-for-you cuisine like the Vegan sushi bowl and borscht with cashew sour cream and dill.
Catering to Vegetarian and Vegan diets, you can choose from the Peas in a Pod plan 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.
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 across Canada. Calgarians love HelloFresh because of the simple, affordable meals and the option to add wine pairings. 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 Classic, Vegetarian, Family, and Calorie Smart plans make it a breeze to choose the best meals for your needs. You can have 2 or 4 portions of each recipe and 2 or 3 recipes per box. The classic plan also has the option of 4 recipes per week. With all this choice, whether you’re feeding a crowd or want to plan for left-overs, you’re prepared.
This meal kit is also a favourite of solo diners–find it featured in our meal kit delivery for singles article.
HelloFresh
$12.72| 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.
Plan options include:
- Classic – $9.99 per serve
- Family – $8.99 per serve
- 15-minute – $12.95 per serve
- Vegetarian – $9.99 per serve
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
$8.99| 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
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 their healthy meals don’t skimp on flavour; check out the Classic Beef Tenderloin.
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 company’s 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.
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
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 give your own rating!