Is SimplyCook Worth It in 2026? An Honest UK Review
If you’re bored of cooking the same meals on repeat but don’t want to pay premium prices for a full meal kit, SimplyCook probably looks appealing. But is it actually worth the money, or just a cheap gimmick that still leaves you doing the hard work?
I’ve tried more meal kit services than I care to admit. I’m a terrible cook, I lack imagination, and I have very little patience for planning meals. Recipe boxes have helped me branch out, but services like HelloFresh and Gousto can get expensive if you use them regularly.
That’s why SimplyCook caught my attention. It’s much cheaper than traditional meal kits, but it works very differently. I wanted to see whether it genuinely offers value, or whether it just shifts the effort back onto you.
SimplyCook review
SimplyCook isn’t a full meal kit. You don’t get fresh ingredients, just recipe cards, spice blends and flavour pots. It’s cheap, flexible and great for meal inspiration, but you still need to shop for ingredients yourself.
Pros
- Plenty of recipes to choose from
- As there are no fresh ingredients, cook in your own time
- One of the cheapest meal kit-style subscriptions
Cons
- You’ll still need to pick up ingredients
- Not suitable if you want zero-effort meals
Reviewed by Household Money SavingIs SimplyCook worth it?
SimplyCook is worth it if you want new meal ideas at a low cost and don’t mind buying your own ingredients. It isn’t a time-saving meal kit, but it’s an affordable way to add variety to home cooking.
Who SimplyCook is (and isn’t) worth it for
SimplyCook is worth it if:
SimplyCook isn’t worth it if:
What is SimplyCook?
SimplyCook is a recipe-based subscription service rather than a traditional meal kit. Instead of sending fresh ingredients, they post you flavour pots, spice blends, marinades and recipe cards.
You buy the main ingredients yourself, such as meat, vegetables and carbs, either from the supermarket or shops you already use. This keeps costs down and removes time pressure, as there’s nothing fresh to go off.
The company launched in 2014 and has become popular with people who want variety without the cost of full meal kits.
Also worth reading
Find out how SimplyCook compares to the other popular meal delivery services.
How does SimplyCook work?
You sign up via the website or app, then choose four recipes per box. New customers can usually get their first box for free, paying only for delivery.
Boxes can be delivered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Each box fits through a standard letterbox and contains:
• Four recipe cards
• Three flavour pots per recipe
Recipe cards list the ingredients you’ll need, and these are also shown online, so you can shop in advance if you want.
Because there are no fresh ingredients, you can cook whenever it suits you.
How much does SimplyCook cost?
SimplyCook costs £10.99 per box, plus £1.99 delivery.
That gives you four recipes. You then need to factor in the cost of ingredients, which SimplyCook estimates at around £3–£6 per person depending on what you buy and where you shop.
If you receive boxes fortnightly, that works out at £25.96 per month, excluding ingredients.
There’s no bulk discount for ordering more often, but the overall cost stays low compared to traditional meal kits.
SimplyCook vs supermarket vs meal kits
This is where expectations need to be realistic.
| Option | Typical cost per meal | What you’re paying for |
|---|---|---|
| SimplyCook | £3–£6 + box cost | Recipe ideas & flavour |
| Supermarket cooking | £2–£3.50 | Lowest cost |
| Full meal kits | £3.50–£7 | Convenience |
SimplyCook doesn’t compete on convenience. It competes on inspiration and affordability.
SimplyCook recipes and choice
This is where SimplyCook really stands out.
There are well over 100 recipes available, covering:
• Meat-based meals
• Vegetarian recipes
• Vegan options
• Gluten-free dishes
You can set dietary preferences to avoid recipes you don’t want. Around a quarter of meals are classed as low calorie, typically around 550–600 calories per portion, and all recipes show nutritional information upfront.
My first SimplyCook box
My box arrived within a few days and fit straight through the letterbox. Inside were four small boxes, each containing three flavour pots.
The recipe cards were easy to follow, though a few extra step-by-step images wouldn’t hurt. Each card includes a tear-off shopping list, which is surprisingly handy.
Meals I tried included:
• BBQ Tandoori Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges
• Vietnamese Pork
• Masala Lamb Chops
• Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles
Is SimplyCook any good?
Taste-wise, yes. The flavour pots made a noticeable difference, far more than I expected. Cooking times were accurate, which I really appreciated, and the instructions were clear even for someone like me.
The only downside is presentation — my food never looks like the pictures — but that’s on me, not SimplyCook.
Is SimplyCook easy to cancel?
Yes. You can cancel through your online account with no phone calls and no hassle. In fact, when I went to cancel, I was offered a long-term discount, which made the boxes even cheaper.
So, is SimplyCook worth it?
If you want meal inspiration without spending a fortune, SimplyCook is well worth trying. It’s cheap, flexible and easy to fit around your schedule.
If your goal is to avoid food shopping altogether, this isn’t the service for you. But if you’re happy buying ingredients and just want better ideas, SimplyCook offers excellent value.
Personally, I liked it. I paired it with discounted meat from MuscleFood and kept costs low while still cooking new meals.
SimplyCook discount code
You can usually get your first SimplyCook box for 50% off with free delivery by using the button below. Just remember it’s a subscription, so cancel or change it if you don’t want another box.
Alternatives to SimplyCook
If SimplyCook doesn’t suit you, these are worth considering:
These include fresh ingredients, but cost more as a result.
A little tip
When I went to cancel my subscription, I was offered 20% off. For life! That meant all my recipe boxes would cost just £7.99 each. Not bad value, but still a little expensive for me. But if you like SimplyCook, this is something to consider.
If you want to try new food, not just meal kits, look at my Degusta Box review. This subscription box gives you the chance to try food from all over the world.
FAQs
How long do SimplyCook boxes last?
We all get sidetracked from time to time, or things fall to the back of our cupboards. Kits will generally last for 2-3 months and all have an expiry date written on them.
Is SimplyCook healthy?
As I said above, there are plenty of meals to choose from. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can choose meals from the ‘light range’. These are all under 600 calories per portion. As for the other meals on the regular list, it is unclear how many calories they contain.
Does SimplyCook have a minimum subscription?
No, you can cancel at any time.
Is there a SimplyCook free box or trial?
Currently, there aren’t any freebies on offer. The best you can do is a discounted trial box. This ranges from £1-£3.
Does SimplyCook include meat?
No. Their meal kits only include flavour pots and a recipe card. No fresh ingredients are sent.
Can you freeze SimplyCook meals?
Because you can make the meals whenever you want, you don’t need to freeze your meals. But in most cases, you can.
Can you buy gift cards?
Not quite. But you can buy a SimplyCook monthly subscription for somebody, ranging from 1 to 24 months.
Simply Cook has plenty of dishes to choose from but they are VERY high in sugar. Yes, all of them. When I contacted them to ask why, I was told it’s for preserving and used in place of chemical preservatives, but everything is really sweet and if you’re diabetic one of these meals is going to send your blood sugar through the roof.
I’ve been using Simply Cook for 3 or 4 years now. Basic, cheap ingredients easily available from small supermarkets and excellent quick recipes. Perfect for the time poor who don’t like shopping and way more practical and economic than the delivery based offerings.