We monitor the prices of various recipe kits and meal boxes every year. This allows us to compare how prices evolve and determine if they align with inflation rates.
Recently, we once again mapped out the costs of different recipe kits. The comparison looked at a total of six meals—three meals for two people. The prices include delivery. After analysing the prices, we found that prices have increased by an average of just under 6% compared to last year. Notably, HelloFresh and Gousto managed to keep their price increases below 3% over the past year.
From the analysis, we can conclude the following:
- There has been a 6% price increase compared to last year.
- The average cost of a recipe kit containing three meals for two people is now £40.70.
- This amounts to £6.78 per meal.
- HelloFresh and Gousto are the most affordable options, costing £5.82 per meal.
- Over the past six years, the price increase for these two providers has been relatively modest at 16.6%, which is considerably lower than inflation over the same period.
- The largest price increases were observed at allplants and Riverford, although Riverford's recent price hikes have been relatively modest.
Looking at recipe kit prices over a longer period, the percentage increase is significantly higher. This is largely due to the overall rise in kit prices. Over the past six years, prices have risen by 24.4%, slightly below the total inflation rate of 24.5% during the same period.1
In this analysis, HelloFresh and Gousto are the UK's most affordable recipe kits, priced at £34.98. If you use a recipe kit 40 weeks per year, that amounts to nearly £1,400 annually.
When we compare this to the Netherlands, where we also conduct this research, the average price of a recipe kit is almost identical (€48.41 = £40.60). Both HelloFresh and Green Chef are active in the Dutch market as well, and when we look at their prices, we notice that both HelloFresh and Green Chef are cheaper in the UK than in the Netherlands. The price difference is £3.50 per week for Green Chef and £3.60 per week for HelloFresh. This adds up to a yearly difference of £140 to £144 per subscription.
The price data from the research can also be found in this document.
Note: Call it professional bias, but in our opinion, recipe kits are generally worth the cost. Besides saving time, for many people, a recipe kit means eating healthier and with more variety. The providers are actively working on improving how we eat and their impact on the food supply chain. Think of the pre-measured portions, which help reduce food waste. Ingredients are often sourced locally, organically, and sustainably, which makes the food chain more efficient—and therefore more affordable.
Recipe kit providers are committed to promoting good and sustainable eating, not only because it can help reduce costs but also because it boosts their marketing.
If you follow a specific diet and find it challenging to source ingredients and recipes, many of the providers have you covered. They offer a wide variety of recipes and plenty of options for different dietary needs. Whether you're pregnant, eating gluten-free, looking to reduce carbs, or simply vegetarian, there's no shortage of choices among recipe kit providers.
- Inflation Calculator, Bank of England[
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