Dinnerly Reviews: The Most Affordable Meal Kit?
By Ben Carter
8.4
Consumers Best Verdict: Dinnerly Highlights
In 2025, Dinnerly remains one of the most affordable meal kits in the U.S., backed by the Marley Spoon family. Expect quick, 5–6 ingredient recipes, app-based digital cards (no printed booklets), and a rotating menu that leans family-friendly. Delivery is flexible, skipping is easy, and there are add-ons if you want extras—and yep, there’s a delivery fee. The trade-off for the price is lighter packaging and occasionally basic flavors, but for most busy households, that’s a fair shake.
If you’re after a genuinely low-cost meal kit that still tastes like a win on a Tuesday night, Dinnerly hits the sweet spot. It’s not flashy—fewer ingredients, simpler recipes—but that’s exactly why it’s so dependable and cheap. After combing through dinnerly reviews and cooking a stack of boxes ourselves, my take is simple: Dinnerly nails weeknight efficiency without wrecking your budget.
In-Depth Look: Dinnerly Features & Considerations
Core Features & Consumer Benefits
Dinnerly keeps the barriers low—less prep, fewer steps, and a bill that doesn’t sting. Here’s what stood out in daily use.
Low per-serving price
One of the most budget-friendly meal kits, making weekly planning feel doable, not indulgent.
Fast, simple recipes
Most dinners land in the 15–35 minute range with minimal cleanup—great for real weeknights.
Digital-first instructions
No paper clutter; the app and site walk you through each step with photos and tips.
Family-friendly flavors
Classic profiles (think tacos, skillet pastas, meatballs) that picky eaters usually accept.
Flexible plans and add-ons
Easy skip/pause in the app, plus optional extras like breakfasts, snacks, and proteins.
Important Considerations & Potential Downsides
- Simpler flavors
With fewer ingredients, some meals can taste basic—good, but rarely gourmet-level complex.
- Not allergy-safe
Ingredients may be handled in facilities with common allergens; strict allergen needs should proceed carefully.
- Delivery fee + cutoff windows
Shipping isn’t included, and late skips/cancellations often won’t be refunded after the weekly cutoff.
- Occasional produce variance
Budget kits can see a bruised tomato or small onion now and then—usually fine, but it happens.
Who Is the Dinnerly Best For?
Busy families on a budget
Quick, crowd-pleasing meals that won’t nuke the grocery bill.
New cooks and time-crunched pros
Short ingredient lists, step-by-step app guidance, and minimal pots and pans.
Meal planners who like predictability
Straightforward recipes that reliably taste the way you expect.
Students and first-apartment cooks
Affordable entry point into cooking at home without a giant spice rack.
Value seekers who still want variety
Rotating weekly menu with classics, veg options, and seasonal twists.
Who Might Want to Explore Other Options?
- Foodies chasing chef-y complexity
If you want restaurant-level technique and layers of flavor, look to premium kits.
- Strict dietary needs
Those needing certified gluten-free, keto, or allergy-controlled kitchens should consider specialized services.
- Paper-recipe loyalists
Dinnerly’s digital cards save money (and trees), but they’re not ideal if you love laminated recipe cards.
- Huge appetites
Portions are sensible; athletes or big eaters may want to add sides or choose add-on proteins.
