Parsley Box is an Edinburgh company that delivers ready meals you keep in the cupboard, not the fridge or freezer. Its 70+ dishes, from cottage pie and beef stew to sweet and sour chicken, are cooked and sealed in their trays so they keep for up to six months at room temperature, and most heat in the microwave in a few minutes. It is aimed squarely at older people living independently and the families who look after them, and it does that job very well. One thing to know before you search for a plan: Parsley Box is not a subscription. You order when you want, with no commitment.
Parsley Box prices
New customers can start with one of three welcome offers. After that, you build your own order from the full menu.
| Offer | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lighter Appetite Welcome Box | 7 smaller meals (270g to 300g), such as turkey dinner, cottage pie and beef lasagne | £19.99 (instead of £30.95) |
| Welcome to Parsley Box Selection | 7 regular meals (350g to 400g) plus a pudding and custard | £24.99 (instead of £41.50) |
| You Choose and Save £10 | Any meals from the full range | £10 off a first order of £29.99 or more |
| Regular orders | Meals, soups, sides, puddings, breakfasts and drinks | Minimum order £20 |
Standard delivery is free on orders of £20 or more to mainland UK. Express next day and nominated day delivery cost £4.99 (free over £150), and some remote postcodes pay £1.99 to £4.99. Welcome offers are for first orders only, one per household.
How Parsley Box works
You order online or by phone (the Edinburgh contact centre takes orders seven days a week), and meals arrive by courier, usually within one to three working days on the mainland. You do not need to be in: you can pick a safe place or a neighbour from the tracking link. The meals go in a cupboard, and when you want one you heat it in the microwave, the oven or on the hob, following the instructions on the sleeve. Many dishes come in two sizes, “For the lighter appetite” (200g to 300g) and “Regular” (350g to 400g). There is no subscription to manage, skip or cancel. Parsley Box also posts a free printed catalogue, which many customers use to order by phone.
What makes Parsley Box different
- No fridge, no freezer. Meals are cooked and sealed using a process similar to pressure cooking, so they keep for months in a cupboard without added preservatives, according to the brand.
- Designed for older adults. Clear labels, simple heating, a phone line and a printed catalogue make it easy to use without a smartphone. Storing meals in a cupboard also means less bending down to a freezer.
- Familiar food. British classics, pies, hotpots, roast dinners, a few takeaway favourites, plus soups, breakfasts, cakes and puddings, with vegetarian, gluten free and high protein options labelled.
- Order for someone else. Families can send meals to a parent or relative’s address, which is a big part of its appeal.
Is Parsley Box worth it?
For its audience, yes. If you are buying for an elderly parent who struggles to cook or to keep a freezer stocked, a cupboard full of meals that keep for months and heat in minutes is genuinely reassuring, and the welcome boxes at £19.99 and £24.99 for seven meals are a cheap way to test the food. The trade-offs are the usual ones for long-life ready meals: the food is comforting rather than fresh tasting, portions in the lighter range are small, and regular prices are well above the welcome offers. If you want fresh or frozen meals cooked to a higher standard, or meal kits you cook yourself, look at the alternatives below.
Pros
- No subscription or commitment, order only when you need to
- Meals keep up to six months in a cupboard
- Ready in minutes in the microwave, oven or on the hob
- Phone ordering and a printed catalogue, ideal for older customers
- Free standard delivery on orders of £20 or more
Cons
- Long-life texture and flavour, not as good as fresh or frozen meals
- Lighter appetite portions are small for bigger eaters
- Regular prices are much higher than the welcome offers
- £20 minimum order
Best alternatives to Parsley Box
- COOK: frozen meals made by hand like you would at home, a better pick if there is freezer space.
- allplants: frozen plant-based meals delivered on a flexible plan, for vegans and vegetarians.
- Frive: fresh, healthy meals delivered weekly, for active people rather than older adults.
- Mindful Chef: healthy recipe boxes and ready meals, if the person you are buying for still enjoys cooking.
- Jane Plan: a calorie controlled diet plan with meals delivered, for weight loss rather than convenience.
For more options, browse all our ready meal delivery services.
Parsley Box FAQ
How much does Parsley Box cost?
New customers can get seven lighter appetite meals for £19.99 or seven regular meals plus a pudding for £24.99, or £10 off a first order of £29.99. After that there is a £20 minimum order, and standard delivery is free on orders of £20 or more.
How do I cancel Parsley Box?
There is nothing to cancel: Parsley Box is not a subscription, so you only pay for the orders you place. To stop the catalogue or marketing, update your preferences in your account or call customer care on 0131 326 0131.
Is there a Parsley Box discount code?
The best deals are the welcome boxes and the £10 off first order offer on the Parsley Box website. Existing customers can share a referral code that gives a friend £10 off a first order of £29.99 plus free delivery, and earns them a £10 reward. Opting in to marketing unlocks further vouchers.
Is Parsley Box worth it?
It is worth it if you need reliable meals that keep in a cupboard, especially for an older relative living alone. If you have freezer space and care most about taste, frozen meal services such as COOK offer better food.
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