Thermomix vs meal kits: which one actually saves you time and money?

Meal kits deserve credit. They are cheaper than takeout, they can be healthy, and they take the planning and shopping off your plate. So if you already use one, why would you look at a Thermomix?

Where meal kits win

Shopping and planning. The ingredients arrive at your door, measured out. That is a real advantage, and I will not pretend otherwise.

Where they fall short

• You still do all the work. A typical kit means 30 to 45 minutes of chopping and cooking.
• Portions run small. It is the most common complaint, especially for families.
• You order days ahead. Whatever you picked last week is what you eat tonight, whether you fancy it or not.
• The packaging. Every box comes with a pile of plastic, ice packs and cardboard.

How a Thermomix compares

With a Thermomix you buy your own groceries, so the cost per serving drops to what the ingredients cost. You choose the portion size, most recipes serve four to six, and you cook whatever you fancy tonight. The machine does the chopping, stirring and timing, and cleanup is one bowl: a quick pre-clean, then into the dishwasher.

It also does the things a meal kit never will: smoothies, crushed ice, frozen margaritas, sorbets, bread dough and baby food.

If a meal kit is someone else deciding what you eat this week, a Thermomix is you deciding tonight.

See the full comparison

I have put takeout, meal kits and Thermomix side by side on the Takeout vs meal kits page. And if you want to see it for yourself, book a free demo.