Dinnerly Review 2024: Cheap, but Is It Worth It?
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Overview
Dinnerly stands out for its affordability and streamlined approach. Curious about its reputation, I explored its offerings to see why it appeals to so many. Dinnerly simplifies cooking with minimal ingredients and quick preparation, setting it apart in a sector filled with options.
It boasts a wide menu with over 100 weekly dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options. Recipes are designed for ease, requiring just 6 main ingredients and about 30 minutes to cook, perfect for quick meals. Although simple, Dinnerly allows plenty of customisation options.
Despite its advantages, Dinnerly has a few limitations. You'll need your own pantry staples, which could be inconvenient for those who prefer to receive everything included. Also, its straightforward recipes might not meet the needs of those seeking gourmet experiences.
However, its low prices and convenience are compelling. From my research, Dinnerly seems well-suited for those needing simple, budget-friendly meal solutions. Read on for more detailed insights into Dinnerly.
| Pros | Cons |
| 100+ menu options each week | No images used on recipes |
| Budget-friendly meal kits | Additional ingredients often required |
| Market items available | Soft plastics can’t be recycled |
Dinnerly’s Menu: Huge Range of Meals to Suit (Almost) Everyone
Dinnerly offers great variety with over 100 meal options weekly, including at least 4 vegan and 6 vegetarian choices. This selection is more than double that of HelloFresh, providing ample choices even if you follow a meat-free diet.
The menu includes plenty of easy-to-cook recipes that call for just 6 ingredients and are ready in 30 minutes or less. However, you'll need some pantry staples, which are listed on each recipe, to ensure you're prepared before you start cooking.
While the extensive menu offers a lot of options, this abundance can be overwhelming if you find decision-making challenging. Also, the service doesn't cater extensively to niche diets, which might limit options for those with specific dietary restrictions.
Navigating Dinnerly’s vast menu to find suitable options could be a hassle, particularly for those adhering to strict dietary needs. The limited search functionality might make this process more time-consuming, although the variety and ease of preparation do appeal to a broad audience.
Meal Options: Plenty of Variety to Meet the Needs of Even the Pickiest of Eaters
Dinnerly's main menu caters to both lunch and dinner. It features a rich assortment of cuisines like Indian, Asian, and Mediterranean. Whether you're craving a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, there's something to satisfy even the pickiest eater. Its “No. 1” dishes are the top-rated meals that customers love.
Special occasions and holidays bring additional treats like brunch options and desserts. These are often available through special bundles during festive times such as Easter and Christmas, adding a seasonal twist to the regular offerings.
The menu is tagged with helpful descriptions like dairy-free, no added gluten, low-calorie, balanced, and family-friendly. However, sorting through these options becomes easier only after setting up an account, which allows for filtering according to these tags.
More exclusive choices are labelled as Plus recipes, including quick 15-minute meals, high-quality proteins such as barramundi, pork fillet, beef rump, and dishes with gourmet touches. You can also find “Feed A Crowd” and “Slow Cooker XL” recipes, which are priced differently and ideal for larger gatherings.
The Saver recipes offer substantial savings for those looking to stretch their budget further. These dishes are up to $1.50 less per portion than the regular kits. Every week, roughly 8 options are offered, including family favourites like pastas, curries, risottos, and stir-fries.
There Are So Many Ways to Customise Your Meals!
Dinnerly offers a level of customisation that surpasses many other meal kit delivery services. You can tailor your menu based on your dietary preferences and even modify individual dishes to suit your taste or dietary needs.
When signing up, you’re presented with the following options: I like everything, Healthy Choice, Kid Friendly, Quick & Easy, Vegan, and Vegetarian. You can select more than 1 option while still having access to the full menu.
You can also specify your preferred proteins, including poultry, lamb, pork, beef, shellfish, and fish. The choices you make are used to create a Taste Profile, which automatically suggests recipes tailored to your preferences. However, you can make changes to these selections up to 7 days before your delivery.
Look for the “customisable” tag on individual recipes to modify your dishes further. There are 4 ways to customise: you can switch out the protein, upgrade it (e.g., swap basa for salmon), speed up the cooking process with quicker-cooking ingredients, or choose extra ingredients such as extra veggies for a stir fry.
Australian-Sourced Ingredients Used When Possible
Dinnerly prioritises Australian-grown and packaged ingredients. It showcases local produce like Aussie lamb in dishes such as the Greek Butterflied Lamb Leg. This commitment supports local farmers and ensures freshness and quality, with a reminder on each recipe to wash produce before use, highlighting its farm-fresh origin.
For canned items, Dinnerly uses products free from artificial preservatives, flavours, colours, and genetically modified ingredients. It also aims for minimal added sugars and salts, focusing on enhancing the natural flavours of the food. This approach ensures that subscribers receive healthier, more natural ingredients in every meal.
Beware! Pantry Staples Are Required for Most Recipes
Dinnerly's recipes are streamlined to include just 6 main ingredients. This means you'll need to provide some common pantry staples like eggs, flour, oil, seasonings, sugar, and sauces such as mayo and soy sauce. Always check the recipe details before you start cooking to ensure you have everything you need.
Requiring your own pantry staples keeps Dinnerly's costs low, but it can be inconvenient for some. It adds an extra step, as you must ensure you have ingredients like eggs and oil ready before cooking. This might be a drawback for those who prefer a fully inclusive meal kit, where every necessary item is delivered.
Dinnerly’s Menu at a Glance
| Diet | Is Dinnerly Good For This Diet? |
| Vegetarian | Yes, there are 8 options |
| Vegan | There are 4 options per week |
| Keto | No, there are no options |
| Gluten-free | Yes, lots of no added gluten recipes |
| Low-calorie | Yes, there are 5+ options |
| Low-carb | Yes, there are 5+ options |
| Organic | No, there are no options |
Unboxing: Recipe Ingredients Aren’t Pre-Sorted
When you receive your Dinnerly box, you’ll see that the ingredients aren’t pre-sorted by recipe, so some organisation on your part is necessary. Ingredients for your selected recipes will be included, but you'll need to have some pantry staples on hand. Market items come in a separate box but are delivered at the same time as your meal kits.
Chilled items are grouped together, making it easy to transfer them directly to the fridge. Dinnerly recommends a specific order for consuming your meals: fish dishes first, followed by meat, and then vegetarian options. You can find extensive storage guidance for each ingredient in Dinnerly’s FAQ.
Packaging is designed with sustainability in mind. The ice packs included can be reused or emptied on your garden soil to retain moisture. The delivery box is fully recyclable. However, due to the discontinuation of the REDcycle programme, soft plastics used in packaging must now be disposed of in your regular trash.
Cooking with Dinnerly: 6-Step Recipes Make Cooking A Breeze
Dinnerly streamlines the cooking process with recipes that follow just 6 simple steps. Most meals are table-ready in about 30 minutes. For those in a rush, there are even faster prep and one-pot meal options to further simplify your cooking experience.
Each recipe clearly lists the pantry staples and cooking utensils you’ll need, which helps you prepare before you start cooking. For example, you might need a grater, oven tray, or a potato masher. The difficulty level of recipes is also included with most recipes rated as easy.
While you can access digital recipe cards through your online account, if you prefer a physical copy, you have the option to opt-in to receive paper copies of the recipe cards with your delivery.
Shortlist of My Favourite Meals
With such a huge menu, it was difficult to pick out some of my favourite meals. Here are some of the highlights.
Best Aussie Burger: Aussie Barbecue Chicken Burgers
Enjoy a quick meal of Aussie Barbecue Chicken Burgers paired with Sweet Potato Chips. This family-friendly recipe is ready in 30-40 minutes and features fresh ingredients for a tasty twist on traditional barbecue. Customise your burgers with optional toppings like cheese for added flavour.
Best Veggie Dish: Speedy Spinach and Ricotta Fiore Ravioli
This vegetarian and family-friendly dish is ready in under 25 minutes. With just a few pans and simple steps, it delivers full flavour without any fuss. It's a great choice for a busy weeknight, offering a straightforward yet tasty recipe that easily brings a touch of gourmet to your dinner table.
Best Quick-Cook Dish: Speedy Thai-Style Tofu Curry
This vegan, dairy-free recipe is designed for efficiency with only one pot needed and minimal prep. It combines flavorful tofu and fresh vegetables in a simple yet vibrant curry that’s perfect for a quick and nutritious meal. Ideal for any night of the week when you want something delicious without the hassle.
Prices: A Top Choice for Budget-Friendly Dining
| Starting From | Order Size and Price (Before Shipping) | Shipping Fee |
| $9.85 per portion | 2 meals for 2 people/week: $39.40 | $9.99 |
| $8.49 per portion | 3 meals for 2 people/week: $50.94 | $9.99 |
| $7.99 per portion | 4 meals for 2 people/week: $63.92 | $9.99 |
| $7.49 per portion | 5 meals for 2 people/week: $74.90 | $9.99 |
| $7.28 per portion | 6 meals for 2 people/week: $87.48 | $9.99 |
| $7.79 per portion | 2 meals for 4 people/week: $62.32 | $9.99 |
| $6.99 per portion | 3 meals for 4 people/week: $83.88 | $9.99 |
| $6.69 per portion | 4 meals for 4 people/week: $107.04 | $9.99 |
| $6.49 per portion | 5 meals for 4 people/week: $129.80 | $9.99 |
| $5.49 per portion | 6 meals for 4 people/week: $131.76 | $9.99 |
Dinnerly offers box options for either 2 or 4 people. If your household is larger, such as a family of 6, you’ll need to set up 2 separate accounts, each with a different email address. This can make it confusing to actively manage both accounts, particularly if you need to skip weeks or want to change your recipes.
The pricing structure is straightforward, but the final cost varies depending on the type of recipes you select. If you choose any Plus recipes or opt for upgrades, the price will increase, whereas the Saver menu dishes will reduce the cost per portion.
You can also use our discount code (Up to $140 off through 5 boxes + Free shipping) that can bring the cost down to as low as $3.99 per portion, making it one of the most affordable meal delivery options available. However, be aware that shipping is a flat rate of $9.99 per delivery. Additionally, any purchases from the Dinnerly Market will add to the overall cost, so consider these factors when budgeting for your meal plans.
Shipping & Delivery: Dinnerly Delivers to Most of Australia
Dinnerly delivers to many areas, including Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and more. Delivery schedules vary by location. To check if Dinnerly delivers to your area and see available timeslots, enter your postcode during the initial stage of the sign-up process. If it’s not available in your area, you will be notified.
Deliveries are managed by Home Delivery Services (HDS) using refrigerated vehicles to maintain freshness. Overnight shipments are transported from Dinnerly’s fulfilment centres to local hubs in temperature-controlled vehicles and then delivered by HDS. For convenience, you can easily change your delivery date and manage orders through the Dinnerly app.
How Dinnerly Works (Step by Step Guide)
Dinnerly works as a subscription service, and it’s really easy to sign up. Don’t forget that you can always skip, pause, or cancel your plan really easily from your Dinnerly account.
How to Sign Up (Just 5 Simple Steps)
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Head to Dinnerly’s homepage. Click on Choose Meal Kit in the top right of the screen to get started.
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Decide on your plan preferences and your plan size. You’ll be able to access all the Dinnerly recipes no matter which preferences you choose.
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Add your postcode and email. This is to set up your online account.
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Enter your address details and choose your delivery date and slot. Your delivery options depend on your location.
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Pay for your order. Enter your payment details and set an account password.
After entering your payment details, you get all the fun of selecting your meals. Remember that if you select Saver recipes, you can reduce your total cost by between $1 and $1.50 per meal.
Managing Your Subscription
Managing your Dinnerly subscription is straightforward. You can easily make changes to your meal selections, delivery schedule, or account details directly through your online account. You must make any changes at least 7 days before your scheduled delivery date.
Customer Service: Very Responsive Agents!
The Dinnerly chatbot is a quick way to get answers about plans, pricing, ingredients, and other queries. If you need to speak with a human agent, simply type "agent" into the chat and provide your email address. It only took me a few minutes to connect with a customer service agent and receive a response.
If you prefer speaking to someone directly, Dinnerly offers phone support at 02 9056 7570. Live contact hours are available weekdays from 7 am to 9 pm and weekends from 8 am to 4 pm. Email is also an option; I received a reply by the next working day. For urgent matters, I recommend using the live chat or calling to get assistance.
Cancelling your Dinnerly subscription is straightforward. Log in to your account, navigate to the Settings tab, and scroll to Manage subscription. Follow the on-screen prompts until you reach a confirmation screen. You’ll also receive an email confirming that your cancellation has been processed successfully.
How Dinnerly Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services
Dinnerly vs. HelloFresh: Dinnerly offers a broader array of menu options compared to HelloFresh, providing more variety each week. However, HelloFresh delivers a more comprehensive package by including all necessary ingredients for its recipes, which reduces the need for you to have certain pantry staples on hand.
Dinnerly vs. Marley Spoon: Both feature a similar number of dishes on their menus, giving customers a wide range of choices. However, Dinnerly has more budget-friendly pricing. Marley Spoon’s recipes are approved by an in-house dietitian, ensuring that the meals are not only tasty but also nutritionally balanced.
The Bottom Line: Is Dinnerly Worth It?
Dinnerly is an appealing choice for variety and affordability in meal kit delivery services. With over 100 meal options weekly, it offers significantly more diversity than competitors like HelloFresh. This is complemented by simple recipes that use around 6 main ingredients and take about 30 minutes to prepare.
However, Dinnerly’s streamlined approach does mean you’ll need to supply common pantry staples yourself, such as eggs, oil, and seasonings. While this helps keep the costs lower than many other meal kit options, it can add an extra layer of planning and preparation that might not suit everyone.
It's particularly suitable for families and individuals who enjoy cooking but are looking to cut down on meal planning and grocery shopping time. However, for those who prefer a more all-inclusive, ready-to-go meal kit experience or have specific dietary needs, Dinnerly might have some limitations.
FAQ
What are the weaknesses of Dinnerly?
Dinnerly’s meals don’t come prepackaged by recipe like HelloFresh, requiring you to sort ingredients yourself. Additionally, you need to opt in to receive recipe cards, and pantry staples aren’t included, so you must have items like oil and seasonings on hand.
Is Dinnerly owned by HelloFresh?
No, Dinnerly isn’t owned by HelloFresh. Dinnerly is a brand under Marley Spoon, an independent company that also owns the Marley Spoon meal kit service.Which is better, Marley Spoon or Dinnerly?
If you prefer simplicity and affordability, Dinnerly is the better option. It offers simple recipes at a lower price point than Marley Spoon, making it ideal for budget-conscious consumers or those new to meal kits.
Can I see Dinnerly recipes before paying?
Yes, you can view Dinnerly’s recipes before paying. Dinnerly allows potential customers to browse its meal selection online to see full recipe details, helping you decide if they suit your dietary preferences and cooking style.
- Summary
- Overview
- Dinnerly’s Menu: Huge Range of Meals to Suit (Almost) Everyone
- Unboxing: Recipe Ingredients Aren’t Pre-Sorted
- Cooking with Dinnerly: 6-Step Recipes Make Cooking A Breeze
- Prices: A Top Choice for Budget-Friendly Dining
- Shipping & Delivery: Dinnerly Delivers to Most of Australia
- How Dinnerly Works (Step by Step Guide)
- Customer Service: Very Responsive Agents!
- How Dinnerly Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services
- The Bottom Line: Is Dinnerly Worth It?
- FAQ