Dinnerly Review: The Cheapest Meal Kit, Honestly Reviewed
Dinnerly markets itself as the most affordable meal kit in America — meals starting at $4.99 per serving. We looked at what you actually get for that price, what's good, and where they cut corners.
What Is Dinnerly?
Dinnerly is a budget meal kit delivery service owned by Marley Spoon. They position themselves as the affordable alternative to premium kits like HelloFresh and Blue Apron — simpler recipes, fewer ingredients, lower prices. Meals start at $4.99/serving with a 2-person or 4-person box.
What You Actually Get
| Feature | Dinnerly | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Price per serving | $4.99-6.99 | $9-12 |
| Weekly menu options | 25+ recipes | 20-30 |
| Dietary options | Vegetarian, low-calorie, family-friendly | Varies |
| Ingredients per recipe | 6-8 (simpler recipes) | 10-15 |
| Recipe cards | Digital only (no printed cards) | Printed cards included |
| Packaging | Minimal — ingredients grouped loosely | Meal-by-meal bags |
| Shipping | $11.99 per box | $9.99-11.99 |
What Dinnerly Gets Right
- Price. At $4.99-6.99 per serving, Dinnerly is genuinely the cheapest national meal kit. For a family of four eating 4 meals per week, that's $80-112/week — competitive with grocery shopping for many households.
- Simplicity. Recipes use 6-8 ingredients and take 20-30 minutes. No obscure techniques or specialty equipment. If you can chop vegetables and follow basic instructions, you can cook Dinnerly meals.
- Variety. 25+ weekly options including vegetarian, low-calorie, and family-friendly picks. The menu rotates seasonally.
- Portion sizes. Generally adequate — not huge, but not skimpy. Expect a normal dinner serving, not restaurant-sized portions.
Where They Cut Corners (Literally)
- Digital-only recipe cards. You'll need your phone or tablet in the kitchen. No printed cards to keep. Some people find this inconvenient — others prefer less paper waste.
- No meal-by-meal bagging. HelloFresh packages each meal's ingredients in a labeled paper bag. Dinnerly groups everything loosely in the box. You'll spend 2-3 minutes sorting ingredients before cooking.
- Simpler recipes. Fewer ingredients means less complex flavors. Dinnerly meals are good — not restaurant-quality. Think "solid weeknight dinner" not "date night experience."
- You supply pantry basics. Salt, pepper, oil, butter, sugar — these are not included. You'll need a basic pantry to cook Dinnerly meals. Most people already have these, but it's worth noting.
Who Dinnerly Is Best For
- Families on a budget who want home-cooked meals without the grocery store hassle
- Beginner cooks who want simple, foolproof recipes
- People who don't mind digital recipe cards
- Anyone comparing "meal kit vs grocery shopping" costs — Dinnerly often comes out even or ahead
Who Should Skip
- Foodies who want complex, multi-step gourmet recipes
- People who strongly prefer printed recipe cards
- Those with specific dietary needs beyond vegetarian/low-calorie (no keto, paleo, or allergen-free options)