Meal Kits vs. Groceries: Comparing Cost and Convenience

Finding time to cook balanced and delicious meals in today’s fast-paced world is no easy feat. Meal kits and grocery shopping offer solutions for different lifestyles and preferences. 

But how do you decide between meal kits vs. groceries to make mealtime easier? 

Our guide will break down both options to help you find the cooking solution that suits your needs. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent with young children or simply looking to explore new culinary options, we’ll tell you everything you need to make the right choice.

What are meal kits?

Meal kits offer a solution for those seeking to streamline their meal prep routine. By providing pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions, meal kits can reduce the time spent cooking and planning meals. This is especially beneficial for busy individuals or families who struggle to find time for grocery shopping and meal preparation.

Meal kits offer a variety of cuisines and meal types, as well as the number of servings you need. This allows you to easily try new recipes without the hassle of extensive planning and ingredient sourcing.

Some meal kit services cater to various dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb diets. This makes it easier for individuals with specific dietary needs to find convenient meal options.

Meal kits vs. groceries: Comparison

When comparing meal kits vs. groceries, it's important to consider the trade-offs between convenience, cost, sustainability and lifestyle factors.

Benefits of meal kits and grocery shopping

When it comes to meal planning and prepping, it can be tough to choose between meal kits vs. groceries. Both options offer unique benefits and cater to different preferences. Here are a few benefits of each, as well as the benefits of combining both.

Benefits of meal kits

When you don’t have time to think about what to make for dinner, try a meal kit and enjoy these benefits:

• Convenience: Meal kits have pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions to save time and effort.
• Variety: You have access to a wide range of cuisines and meal types.
• Portion control: Meal kits are pre-portioned to your desired number of servings.

Cons of meal kits

But meal kits might not be for everyone:

• Lack of customization: Can be difficult to adjust recipes to your individual tastes, dietary restrictions or preferences
• No pantry building: Unless you supplement with grocery store visits, relying on meal kits won’t allow you to build your pantry supplies.
• Not ideal for entertaining: If you have visitors for dinner, you may not have enough ingredients to feed more guests than expected.

Benefits of grocery shopping

Even in the world of convenience and meal kits, there are still some reasons people prefer grocery shopping the old-fashioned way:

• Flexibility: Customize meals based on personal preferences and dietary restrictions.
• Ingredient control: Choose high-quality ingredients and control the freshness and source of produce with groceries.
• Cost-effectiveness: It can be more affordable to grocery shop in the long run, especially for frequent cooks and those who buy certain items, like grains, in bulk.

Cons of grocery shopping

Despite its advantages, there are still many reasons some people struggle to grocery shop, including:

• Time-consuming: Trips to the grocery store and building meals from scratch take more time than delivery meal kits do.
• Less variety: It can be difficult to always think of new meals, leading home cooks to rely on and rotate through just a couple recipes.
• More food waste: Many struggle to get through all their groceries before they go bad, creating more food waste unless meals are carefully planned.

Combining the two

Why not try the best of both worlds? Combining meal kits with grocery shopping gives you the benefits of both, minimizing their disadvantages:

• Balanced approach: Leverage the strengths of both options for a personalized meal plan.
• Variety and convenience: Enjoy the convenience of meal kits and prepared foods while adding flexibility and customization with grocery shopping.
• Cost-effectiveness: Potentially save money by combining meal kits with grocery shopping for pantry staples, grocery basics and bulk purchases.

The best of both worlds: Combining meal kits and grocery shopping

While meal kits offer convenience, grocery shopping provides flexibility and control. A balanced approach can leverage the strengths of both options. Here are some ways to combine meal kits and grocery shopping:

• Consider weekday meals vs. weekend meals: Use meal kits or prepared foods for busy weekdays when your time is limited, and grocery shop for weekend meals when you have more time to cook and experiment.
• Supplement meal kits with fresh produce: Incorporate seasonal produce from the grocery store into your meal kit meals for added flavor and freshness. For example, when it’s artichoke season, layer them into a lasagna or creamy dip.
• Grocery shop for pantry staples: Stock up on pantry staples, like spices, oils and grains, at the grocery store and mix them in with your meal kit meals.
• Create your own meal kits: Use meal kits as recipe inspiration to create your own meals by purchasing ingredients from the grocery store.
• Compost food scraps: Reduce food waste and nourish your home garden with an at-home compost.

By combining them, you can enjoy the convenience of meal kits while maintaining control over your ingredients with grocery shopping. 

Tips for using meal kits and grocery shopping

Navigating the world of meal kits and effective grocery shopping isn’t easy.Here are a few tips and tricks to help simplify the process.

Tips for using meal kits

If you’re trying out meal kits for the first time, consider these tips to get the most out of each delivery:

• Plan ahead: Review the menu and plan your meals in advance to create your weekly meals.
• Follow instructions: Adhere to the instructions for best results and to avoid mistakes.
• Utilize leftovers: Plan for extra and repurpose your leftovers into new meals.
• Store properly: Store ingredients and prepared meals according to the instructions to maintain freshness.
• Customize your meals: Experiment with ingredient substitutions or additions to personalize your meals.

Tips for grocery shopping

If grocery shopping works for you, these hacks can help you reduce food waste and keep things fresh during meal times:

• Use a meal plan template: Create a meal plan based on your preferences and dietary needs for your weekly grocery trip.
• Make a list: Write a grocery list to ensure you have everything you need.
• Buy in bulk: Purchase frequently used ingredients, like flour and sauces, in bulk to save money.
• Check expiration dates: Make sure perishable items don’t expire in the next few days.
• Store properly: Store groceries correctly to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.

Meal kits vs. groceries FAQ

Are meal kits worth it?

Yes, meal kits can be worth it for those with busy schedules, people who don’t have many cooking skills or individuals who struggle to get through their groceries before they go bad.

Are meal kits cheaper than groceries?

In general, meal kits are more expensive than groceries, but if you overshop at the store, waste ingredients or find yourself ordering in because you don’t have time to cook, then meal kits may cut your overall costs.

Do meal delivery services save money?

Meal delivery services can save money in certain situations, such as if you’re trying to eat out at restaurants less or if most of your groceries go bad before you get the chance to use them.

What is the 5-4-3-2-1 grocery rule?

The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery rule is a meal planning method that can make it easier to grocery shop. To streamline grocery shopping, try to get:5fruits4vegetables3 proteins2grains1treat

Meal kits and groceries delivered to your door

Whether you opt for meal kits vs. groceries, the key is to find an option that works for your lifestyle and preferences. By combining the two, you can enjoy delicious and convenient meals while saving time and effort.

Ready to save even more time? Shop for groceries and prepared foods through Instacart. Simply create your account, browse and discover the items you need and place your order today. With Instacart, you can enjoy the convenience of grocery home delivery without sacrificing quality, variety or convenience.