Ordering ready-made meals for the week in the UK
Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026
Читать на русскомReady meals and meal kits are different
A ready meal needs heating or cooking according to instructions; a meal kit supplies ingredients for you to cook. Check the format first, especially when ordering for an older relative, after moving or for a busy week. A frozen dish is not necessarily microwave-compatible.
List the number of meals needed, available appliances, freezer space and dietary restrictions. A for-one portion can vary in size and contents between companies. Check actual weight and whether a separate side dish is needed.
A comparison example
COOK offers frozen taster packs ↗. On 7 October 2026, seven meals for one are listed at £44.50 and seven for two at £76.20, before any delivery charge. Contents and availability depend on postcode, and the page allows occasional substitutions.
This is one supplier's example. Compare providers using equivalent complete dinners rather than the number of boxes. Read allergen information for each dish, including replacements.
Storage and receipt
Establish the delivery day, packaging and action if the order is delayed. The COOK delivery help section ↗ covers frozen delivery and food arriving defrosted. Contact the supplier about a questionable condition instead of judging safety by smell.
Clear freezer space before ordering. Follow each package's storage, defrosting and cooking instructions. Do not assume all dishes use the same method or that refreezing is appropriate after every delivery problem.
Subscriptions and the complete budget
Try a small order before committing to a regular service. For subscriptions, check amendment deadlines, pauses, automatic payments and cancellation. COOK publishes its subscription terms ↗, including minimum orders and delivery exceptions; another provider may differ.
Calculate food, delivery, side dishes and other daily meals. Assess variety and convenience after the trial week. Do not choose a menu on a promise of medical benefits; discuss a medically prescribed diet's suitability with the appropriate professional.