Meal kits have become the love child of "I want to eat something that didn't come from a drive-through" and "I wouldn't know a good recipe if it kissed me on the mouth." Meal kits are perfect for health-conscious folks who've realized that ordering Thai food five nights a week isn't a nutrition plan and for culinary beginners who think "sautéing" is a French dance move.
Here's the plot twist: meal kits actually cost about the same as regular groceries these days. Yes, you read that right. Thanks to grocery price inflation, your weekly meal kit subscription might actually be cheaper -- and certainly less hassle -- than wandering the aisles of your local supermarket.
But here's where things get interesting (and where most people mess up): Signing up for a meal kit is like buying a gym membership -- the real magic happens when you actually know how to use it. I've taste-tested, chopped, diced and occasionally burned my way through every major meal kit service known to humanity and I've cracked the code on getting maximum deliciousness for your dollar.
Whether you're already Team Blue Apron, riding the HelloFresh train, keeping it simple with Factor or getting fancy with Daily Harvest, chances are you're leaving money (and flavor) on the table. The good news? A few insider tricks can transform you from meal kit amateur to subscription ninja, squeezing every last drop of value from your weekly deliveries.
Ready to become the meal kit master your kitchen deserves? Let's dive in.
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7 big meal kit mistakes to avoid
1. Missing out on a meal kit deal or offer
EveryPlate has laughably cheap sign-up offers to take advantage of. You can pause or cancel anytime. EveryPlate/Screenshot by CNET
First and foremost, you'll want to take advantage of new customer sign-up offers. Most meal kit services allow you to try their goods for deep discounts, up to 70% off and often for several weeks' worth of meals. I've rounded up the best meal delivery deals right now to help you pick.
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