The Cheapest & Best Supermarket Meal Deals 2026

Last updated: 2nd January 2026

A rundown of the best supermarket meal deals.

Supermarket meal deals are the epitome of British culture. 

You can always expect the meal deal fridges in any supermarket to be a battle of the fittest (who can reach the top shelf of sarnies). But even with your basket at the ready to budge people out of your way, you'll still be left with the lonely metallic-tasting pasta pot and a sugar-free energy drink.  Maybe some boiled eggs, too, if the crisps have been ransacked.

Supermarket lunch meal deals have always had students' backs, whether that's being a lifeline after a long, dull lecture or a quick bite before pre-drinks. But why is it such a cult-classic? 

Because meal deals are affordable! The price of a can of iced coffee can cost the same as the entire total of the meal deal, so it's definitely a cheap alternative for students. And you can make healthier choices too, but we wouldn't blame you if you picked up a chocolate bar as a snack. 

So if you're wondering how much is a Boots meal deal and more - look no further! We've got all the best supermarket meal deal options, as well as the cheapest meal deals. Warning: reading this might cause hunger…

Fridge looking empty? Use the cheapest online supermarket for delivery of your favourite food. 

Cheapest meal deal prices in UK supermarkets

	Boots	Sainsbury's	Tesco	Morrisons	Co-op	Asda
Standard Meal Deal Price	£3.99	£3.95	£4.25	£4	£4.10	£3.74
Standard Meal Deal Price for Loyalty Card Members	£3.60	N/A	£3.85	£3.75	£3.75	N/A
Premium Meal Deal Price	N/A	£5.50	£6	N/A	N/A	N/A

Boots meal deals

Boots meal deal price: £3.99 or £3.60 with an Advantage Card

What's included: a main, a snack, and a drink

Regional differences: £4.99 in London stores and airports or £4.50 in London with an Advantage Card

Boots has the advantage of being everywhere — from high streets to train stations and airports — which means many travellers end up grabbing a Boots meal deal by default. The downside? The Boots meal deal price is higher in travel hubs, and London stores are more expensive as standard too.

That said, an Advantage Card can help bring the Boots meal deal price down across the UK, including London (airport stores excluded). So if you shop at Boots regularly — especially in the capital — so having an Advantage Card is a no-brainer.

The Boots meal deal itself is pretty solid, with over 450 items included. It’s also very dietary-friendly, with loads of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

If you’re trying to eat a bit better, there are rice bowls, falafel veggie boxes, salads, lentil chips, fruit and sparkling water — but don’t worry, crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks are still on the table too.

Give yourself a challenge and try to get by on a £20 a week food budget to help you be more savvy with your spending. Oh - and make sure to get extra savings with our 10% Boots student discount.

Sainsbury's meal deals

Sainsbury's meal deal price: £3.95 

Premium meal deal price: £5.50

Kitchen Deli Deal: £7

What's included: a main, a snack, and a drink

Unlike other supermarkets, Sainsbury's only offers one price for its meal deals regardless of whether you're a Nectar Card holder or not.

The good news is that Sainsbury's meal deal is super varied with more than 500 products available to mix and match. You can choose options from the bakery to make up your meal deal, so you'll get fresh and in some cases hot options for your lunch. Of course, you can choose from your standard classic sandwiches, pastas and salads too. Sainsbury's Plant Pioneers vegan range is also available in the meal deal.

The Kitchen Deli Meal Deal allows you to choose from a range of high quality mains such as a Yumie Salmon Poke Bowl and a Greek Feta & Kalamata Olive Wrap that would other wise cost £6.25 and £5.50 on their own. Sainsbury's also offers an exciting range of drinks too, with Frijj and Yazoo milkshakes and Starbucks ready-made coffee drinks all available as options.

Most of the premium mains come from the Taste The Difference range, which can cost upwards of £4.70 individually so it's actually quite good value for money to grab one as part of your £5.50 meal deal.

Tesco meal deals

Tesco meal deal price: £4.25 or £3.85 with a Clubcard

Premium meal deal price: £6

What's included: a main, a snack, and a drink

Tesco currently offers one of the cheapest meal deals in the UK — as long as you’ve got a Clubcard. Regular shoppers will know that a Clubcard is essential for unlocking the best Tesco meal deal price, and luckily, it’s quick and free to sign up.

Like most supermarket meal deals, the Tesco meal deal includes a main, snack and drink, with loads of choice. You’ll find classic sandwiches like BLT or cheese and onion, plus wraps and pasta pots if you’re not in the mood for bread.

There are solid options for vegans too, including the plant hoisin wrap and houmous and harissa sandwich, alongside gluten-free picks.

Snack-wise, you can keep it classic with crisps or chocolate, or go savoury with Peperami or cocktail sausages. Drinks range from soft drinks to Red Bull and smoothies — items that are usually pricey on their own, making the Tesco meal deal even better value.

While the premium version costs more, it does offer something a bit different. That said, for students watching their spending, the standard Tesco meal deal price still makes it one of the cheapest meal deals on the high street — and a clear winner among supermarket meal deals.

Being a student can sometimes come with its perks, like student freebies. Almost too good to be true. 

Morrisons meal deals

Morrisons meal deal price: £4 or £3.75 with a My Morrisons membership

What's included: a main, a side, and a drink

Similarly to Tesco and Co-op, Morrisons also offers a "Food To Go" cheaper meal deal when you sign up for a membership and download the My Morrisons app. The Morrisons meal deal is the same price as Co-op so if you frequently shop in both, you'll want to be signed up to both loyalty schemes in order to get the cheaper option.

Morrisons offer a pretty standard range of options including classics like the chicken salad sandwich or the BLT. There are also pasta pots and two gluten-free mains and two vegan mains. In terms of sides, some of the more out-there options include samosas, malt loaf, fruit pots, yoghurt, cake bars or sushi –– this is definitely a pretty wide selection.

The drinks include smoothies, juices, soft drinks and even protein shakes. With smoothies costing upwards of £2, it's definitely a wise choice to opt for a smoothie as part of your lunch for a solid deal.

If you're feeling brave, why not try cooking for yourself using one of our quick and easy vegan and vegetarian student meals and recipes?

Co-op meal deals

Co-op meal deal price:  £4.10 or £3.75 with a Co-op membership

What's included: a main, a snack, and a drink

To get the best value out of a Co-op meal deal, you'll need to have a Co-op membership which will give you a 35p discount. All you need to do is sign up for a Co-op loyalty card to take advantage of the meal deal discount as well as other in-store offers, so if you're a regular Co-op shopper it's definitely worth it.

Mains include classic sandwiches, pasta pots, salads or even sushi and Co-op's vegan GRO range also has five options included –– although whether or not you'll find all the options in the store is a gamble, especially at lunchtime.

Snacks include crisps, chocolate bars and even cornish pasties! While drinks range from your standard soft drinks, energy drinks such as Lucozade, smoothies or water.

In terms of general price, the Co-op meal deal is pretty average in line with other supermarkets but it does have a solid range of choices.

Use our Central Co-op or Southern Co-op student discount for 10% off your shop. 

Not sure what one to use? Here are a list of all the Co-ops included:

• Central Co-op stores

• Southern Co-op stores

Asda meal deals

Asda meal deal price: £3.74

What's included: a main, a snack, and a drink

ASDA has now launched their Food To Go Meal Deal for £3.74.

Now you can pick from their range of sandwiches, pasta salads and wraps at a competitive price to other supermarkets listed.

There are loads of options (including ones to fit all dietarty requirments) across each category so the combinations really are endless.

The ASDA OMV! vegan range has several options that are included in this deal such as the Vegan No Chicken Caesar wrap and rustlers burgers are also a delightful option.

Make sure you're including vitamins for your immune system within your diet, too, so you can fight off any nasties. 

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