I Made a Week’s Worth of CookUnity Meals — and It’s Like Having My Own Private Chef, Only Way Cheaper

Prior to this year, I’d never tried any meal kit delivery services, but now I’m practically an expert. I tested ones from the likes of HelloFresh and Home Chef and really appreciate the ease (and flavor) they add to my busy weeknights. As simple as they are, there is truly nothing easier than not having to cook at all — and that’s where CookUnity comes in.

The ready-made meal delivery subscription service drops dishes made by chefs at my door every week — and the best part is I just heat them up in the oven (or microwave), no cooking required. Surprisingly, in addition to saving time, it’s actually helping me save on groceries.

CookUnity is a meal delivery subscription service offering ready-made dishes crafted by chefs like Jose Garces, Esther Choi, and Einat Admony. Founded 10 years ago, CookUnity now has more than 100 chefs from around the country creating its menu of weekly meals.  

Unlike meal kit subscription services that deliver ingredients to make recipes from scratch, like Blue Apron and HelloFresh, CookUnity’s meals arrive already prepared. So you can have a warm chef-made dish in as little as two minutes when warmed in the microwave. (They take up to 15 minutes in the oven, which is still faster than delivery where I live.)

After answering a few questions about your dietary preferences, you’ll decide between four, six, eight, 12, and 16 meals for the week (depending on where you live the four-meal plan might not be available). Choose from hundreds of meals, which will differ depending on where you live. West Coast residents might find a Mission-Style Chicken Burrito, while people on the East Coast could order Penne with Spicy Pink Sauce or, for those in the Midwest, a French Onion Soup Burger. The majority of the meals are single servings, though there are a few larger portioned ones here and there. 

You’ll pick your meals before your cutoff time, which falls between four to six days before you’re set to receive your order. If you forget, CookUnity will send you a quick text or email reminding you. If you still forget, the brand will select meals for you. The day and timeframe you’ll receive your order will vary depending on where you live. 

CookUnity’s meal plans start at $56.92 (for four meals, or $14.23 per dish). Like many meal services, the larger your plan, the cheaper you pay per meal. The 16 meals-per-week plan is $185.60, which breaks down to $11.60 per dish. This does not include premium meal options, most breakfasts, sides, desserts, or kids meals, which you can add to your order starting at $4.99.

Yes, for first-time subscribers, CookUnity regularly offers deals and promotions of varying discounts. Right now, you can get your first week of meals for 50% off, which makes the four-meal plan as low as $28.46 and a 16-meal plan $88.72. 

I tested out the service and received six meals for less than $40. My average grocery bill for my fiancé and I is usually four or five times that amount. 

I ordered eight meals: Grilled Halloumi and Souvlaki Vegetable Platter, Spicy Green Curry with Chicken, Mediterranean Salmon, Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl, Roasted Grilled Salmon, Chipotle BBQ Chicken Bowl, Spicy Chicken Tenders, and Crispy Chicken Katsu. I paid $97.60 ($12.20 per dish).

My box did show up later than expected, and by that I mean it arrived around 9 p.m. Thankfully, I did receive a text alert about this from CookUnity, so it didn’t end up sitting outside overnight. While I didn’t love how late the box arrived, I did appreciate the communication and accurate tracking link the company provided. 

The meals were each packaged separately and easily fit in my fridge. I organized them by expiration date, putting those that needed to be eaten soonest at the top. The dates range between four and seven days. 

I usually opted to cook my meals in the oven over the microwave. Once preheated, it typically took 12 minutes to warm everything through. It was honestly such a relief not to concern myself with making full dinners during the week — or doing the dishes.

Initially, I was a little skeptical of the heat-and-eat meal situation. I questioned what the quality would be like, but the meals actually tasted like when I make them at home (or better, to be honest). The salmon and shrimp were tender and not at all fishy (can you tell I’ve been burned before?). Plus, all of the grains were perfectly cooked, and the accompanying sauces were flavor-packed. The produce was nice and fresh, too. 

Of the five meals I ate (I saved three for my fiancé), my favorite was the Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl. I heated up the grilled shrimp for a few seconds, though it could have been eaten cold. I liked the juxtaposition of the warm shrimp on top of cool quinoa, spinach, feta, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, chickpeas, and diced red onions. 

The six shrimp were perfectly seasoned and tender, and the exact right amount for me. (In fact, all the meals were just filling enough, which I appreciated.) The true standout of this meal was the avocado green goddess dressing; it was creamy, herbaceous, and garlicky. Honestly, it was so good, I’d add a bottle of it to my box, if I could. 

I was also a major fan of the Grilled Halloumi and Vegetable Souvlaki Platter. The tomato sauce tasted like a delicious homemade marinara. I really liked its brightness with the hearty cheese, roasted eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini, and the slightly chewy farro that soaked it all up.

Usually, my goal is to make simple and quick meals during the week, and CookUnity took that to a whole new level. It truly doesn’t get easier than unwrapping a meal and popping it in the oven. While I do enjoy frozen dinners, the quality of CookUnity’s chef-crafted meals (along with a huge menu) is what will keep me coming back. 

The meals actually did taste like a professional made them for me, and there’s something so comforting about that. Plus, it can save me a little coin, too. I ended up spending $37 less after grocery shopping for the rest of my meals that week. Now I just need to decide what I want to order for next week.

What meal delivery service should I try next? Tell us about it in the comments below.