How much does a meal kit cost per month, really? The price shown on the homepage never tells the whole story. Between the cost per meal, delivery and the welcome offer, the real budget deserves a close look so you can choose with full knowledge.
How much a meal kit costs: the short answer
Count on average EUR 4 to 7 per serving for a box to cook, and EUR 6 to 9 per plate for ready meals. The price drops when you order more recipes and for more people. Delivery is often free above a certain basket amount. And beware: the first offer skews the maths. To compare brand by brand, use our comparator of the best meal kit boxes.
Price is calculated per serving
Most services charge per meal and per person. The more recipes you order each week and the more people you are, the lower the price per serving. That is lever number one. A big plan works out much cheaper than a small basket of two recipes for one. The type also matters: a box to cook costs less than a ready cooked meal, where the chef work is included.
The cost items to include
- Price per serving: the most decisive, EUR 4 to 9 by box.
- Delivery fees: often free above a basket threshold, otherwise a few euros.
- Welcome offer: it strongly cuts the first month, but only once.
- Options: premium recipes, XL portions, which raise the price.
Beware of offers that look too good: the gap evens out once the discount is gone, as we explain in our Quitoque or HelloFresh comparison.
| Box type | Indicative price | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Box to cook | EUR 4 to 7 / serving | Quitoque from EUR 3.83 |
| Ready to heat | EUR 6 to 9 / plate | Seazon, Aussitot Bon |
| Produce basket | per kilo | Potager City |
Budget examples by brand
Concretely, over a month for 2 people and 3 recipes each week:
- Quitoque: from EUR 3.83 per serving, one of the most controlled budgets for fresh quality.
- HelloFresh: very low the first month thanks to the offer, around EUR 5 to 7 after. Our HelloFresh review details this.
- Seazon: EUR 6 to 9 per plate, but zero cooking, tasty meals ready in minutes.
Some ready-meal boxes use low-temperature cooking that preserves taste: handy for fast and tasty without cooking.
Cutting the bill without cutting quality
Good news: limiting waste also lowers the real cost per plate, since you mostly pay for what you eat. Boxes calibrate baskets per recipe, so few losses. We discover this fast in use, and detail it in our guide on anti-waste boxes. A few reflexes: order in volume, use the welcome offer to test, pause the subscription when you do not need a basket, and vary new recipes to avoid boredom.
Is a meal kit worth it?
It depends on your reference. Against the supermarket, a box is a bit pricier, but you save time, avoid superfluous food purchases and limit waste. Against a delivered dish or a restaurant, a meal kit is much cheaper, with varied recipes of quality. For many households, it is the right balance between budget, time and pleasure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meal kit cost for 2 people?
Count about EUR 40 to 60 a week for 3 recipes for 2, i.e. EUR 4 to 7 per serving. The price drops with more recipes.
Is delivery free?
Often free above a certain basket amount, otherwise a few euros. It varies by brand.
Is the first month representative?
No. The welcome offer skews the maths. Base your budget on the full price.
How to pay less for a meal kit?
Order in volume, use the starting offer, pause as needed, and choose a plan suited to your household.
Which meal kit is the cheapest?
HelloFresh is often cheapest at entry thanks to promos. Over time, Quitoque and Les Commis stay very competitive for a box to cook.