The Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Right Meal Kit

The chances that you have seen a meal kit ad are high in this day and age. But only 22% percent of people actually tried one for themselves last year, according to a CNET survey. If you're on the fence about jumping in and want to know which meal kit is the best for beginners, we're here to help. And I'm not just talking about whether you're a beginner to meal kits. This is for people who are new to cooking, too. 

If you're a college student who's tired of dining hall meals or someone who typically prefers takeout but wants to save money this year, meal kits may be a fit and this list will help you choose the best plan.
Before meal kits, I rarely cooked at home. Now I hardly ever eat out during the week and my bank account has thanked me. Here's how to get the easiest start in the world of meal kits.  

HelloFresh: The best meal kit for novice cooks

If you want a full cooking experience without too much of a challenge, choose HelloFresh. There's a vast selection of meals, including dozens that take 30 minutes or less to prepare. In my experience, the steps for this meal kit are also some of the simplest. There is some basic chopping, but nothing too intensive or time-consuming. 

For simple meals, start with a sheet-pan or one-pot recipe like these one-pan cheesy beef tortilla melts. They take minimal effort and minimal dishes, so not only is the cooking a breeze, but the clean-up is too.  

The Essential Tools You'll Need to Get Started with Meal Kits See at CNET

EveryPlate: A cheaper option with meal kits that are just as simple

EveryPlate is the budget-friendly arm of the HelloFresh empire, with meals clocking in at about $6 or $7 per serving, depending on the plan you choose. They're also simple to prepare, with some recipes taking less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Ingredient lists are also pared down -- some with as few as four or five ingredients to keep you from becoming overwhelmed.

While an advanced cook might clock some of EveryPlate's meals as "basic," the straightforward cooking directions and manageable ingredients will be a welcome aspect for the average kitchen newbie. Plus, EveryPlate breaks down each step in great detail, recognizing that not everyone who orders a box has years of kitchen experience.

Here's our review of EveryPlate and why three CNET editors agree it's the best cheap meal kit service in 2026.

What if I want to skip the prep work?

No problem. That's where prepared meal delivery services come in. One of my current favorites is Tovala meals, but there's one catch. You have to purchase the Tovala oven, too. The oven is $119 when you sign up for a meal subscription, but you can also use the oven as a regular toaster oven, even without the meals.

I like this meal kit because there's hardly any prep work and I was impressed with the quality of the meals. However, I do understand that the extra expense of an entire toaster oven might not be worth it to some people. Another great prepared meal kit option that comes fully cooked, so all you have to do is heat it up in the microwave or on the stove is CookUnity. Read our full review on this service and browse the menu online to see if anything piques your taste buds. 

What if I eat plant-based?

HelloFresh and CookUnity offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian options but if you're looking for an option that is solely plant-based, Mosaic Foods is our favorite vegan meal delivery service. 

Wellness Editor Anna Gragert tried more than a dozen meals from Mosaic recently and was impressed by the value of this heat-and-eat meal service. Because this is a prepared service, these meals can be stored in the freezer and popped in the microwave or warmed on the stovetop whenever you need a quick lunch or dinner.

Although there are other full meal kit services that are plant-based, such as Purple Carrot, these recipes can be a bit more time- and skill-intensive. Because of this, we recommend starting with one of the options above and then building your confidence and skill level up before moving on to other, more complex meal kits.