Supermarket meal deals are the epitome of British culture.
You can always expect the meal deal fridges to be a battle of the fittest — who can reach the top shelf of sarnies — but even with your basket at the ready, 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 already been ransacked.
Supermarket lunch meal deals have always had students' backs, whether that's a lifeline after a long, dull lecture or a quick bite before pre-drinks. They're affordable — the price of a can of iced coffee can cost the same as an entire meal deal total — and you can make healthier choices too (though we wouldn't blame you for grabbing a chocolate bar as a snack). Here's a full rundown of the best supermarket meal deals and the cheapest options right now.
Fridge looking empty? Check out our essential uni food shopping list to stock up on the basics.
Cheapest Meal Deal Prices in UK Supermarkets
Supermarket | Standard Meal Deal Price | Loyalty Card Price | Premium Meal Deal Price
|
|---|---|---|---|
Asda | £3.74 | N/A | N/A |
Sainsbury's | £3.95 | N/A | £5.50 |
Boots | £3.99 | £3.60 (Advantage Card) | N/A |
Morrisons | £4.00 | £3.75 (My Morrisons) | N/A |
Co-op | £4.10 | £3.75 (Co-op membership) | N/A |
Tesco | £4.25 | £3.85 (Clubcard) | £6.00 |
Boots Meal Deal
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; £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 price is higher in travel hubs, and London stores cost more as standard.
An Advantage Card brings the Boots meal deal price down across the UK, including London (airport stores excluded). If you shop at Boots regularly — especially in the capital — a card is a no-brainer. With over 450 items included, the Boots selection is also exceptionally dietary-friendly, with a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Rice bowls, falafel veggie boxes, salads, lentil chips, and fruit sit alongside crisps, chocolate, and sugary drinks — something for everyone. Don't forget to also use your 10% Boots student discount on top for extra savings.
Sainsbury's Meal Deal
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 offers one standard price regardless of whether you're a Nectar Card holder. The good news is that Sainsbury's is extremely varied, with more than 500 products available to mix and match — including fresh and hot options from the bakery, classic sandwiches, pastas, salads, and the Plant Pioneers vegan range.
The Kitchen Deli Deal steps things up further, letting you choose from premium mains like a Yumie Salmon Poke Bowl or Greek Feta & Kalamata Olive Wrap (worth £5.50–£6.25 individually) for just £7 as a meal deal. The £5.50 premium option pulls from the Taste the Difference range, where mains often cost £4.70+ on their own. Drinks include Frijj and Yazoo milkshakes and Starbucks ready-made coffees.
Tesco Meal Deal
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 offers one of the best-value meal deals in the UK — as long as you've got a Clubcard. Signing up is free and takes minutes. The standard selection includes classic sandwiches (BLT, cheese and onion), wraps, and pasta pots, with solid vegan options like a plant hoisin wrap and houmous and harissa sandwich, plus gluten-free picks.
Snacks range from crisps and chocolate to Peperami and cocktail sausages. Drinks include soft drinks, Red Bull, and smoothies — items that are usually pricey on their own, making the Tesco meal deal excellent value for Clubcard holders. For students watching their spending, it's one of the strongest supermarket meal deals around.
Morrisons Meal Deal
Morrisons meal deal price: £4, or £3.75 with a My Morrisons membership
What's included: a main, a side, and a drink
Morrisons offers a cheaper meal deal when you download the My Morrisons app and sign up for a free membership. The range includes classics like chicken salad sandwiches and BLT, pasta pots, two gluten-free mains, and two vegan mains. Sides are a highlight — alongside the usual crisps and chocolate, you'll find samosas, malt loaf, fruit pots, yoghurt, cake bars, and sushi. Smoothies and protein shakes are available as drinks, which makes the £3.75 membership price particularly strong value.
Co-op Meal Deal
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 from a Co-op meal deal, you'll need a Co-op membership card — sign-up is quick and free. Mains include sandwiches, pasta pots, salads, sushi, and five options from the vegan GRO range. Snacks include crisps, chocolate, and cornish pasties. Drinks range from soft drinks and energy drinks to smoothies and water. Students can also stack their Central Co-op or Southern Co-op student discount for 10% off their wider shop.
Asda Meal Deal
Asda meal deal price: £3.74
What's included: a main, a snack, and a drink
At £3.74, the Asda Food To Go Meal Deal is the cheapest standard meal deal on this list — and there's no loyalty card required. The range covers sandwiches, pasta salads, and wraps across a good variety of dietary requirements. The OMV! vegan range includes several options (including a Vegan No Chicken Caesar wrap), and Rustler's burgers are also available as a wildcard option. Great value for students near an Asda.
How to Get Even More from Your Meal Deal
Once you've picked your supermarket, a few habits can stretch your food budget even further. Always check whether a loyalty card applies before you pay — Tesco, Boots, Morrisons, and Co-op all offer meaningful discounts to members. Drinks are often the best value slot in a meal deal: choosing a smoothie or protein shake (worth £2+ individually) instead of water or a soft drink maximises what you're getting for your money.
If meal deals aren't cutting it for your lunches, our guide to easy healthy lunch ideas for students has 50 quick options you can make for less. And if you're cooking from scratch on a tight budget, try our quick and easy vegan and vegetarian student recipes — many come in well under £1 per portion.
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