Ready Made Meals NZ: Chef-Made Dinners Delivered to Your Door
Ready made meals in NZ are fully cooked dishes you simply reheat and eat — no cooking, no meal-kit chopping, no last-minute takeaway runs. At The Family Kitchen NZ, our ready made meals are chef-made in an MPI-registered kitchen in Mount Maunganui, snap-frozen at peak freshness, and delivered chilled nationwide in temperature-controlled packaging. You keep them frozen for up to three months, then heat straight from frozen in the microwave in about 2.5–3 minutes. It's real, home-style food on the nights you don't have the time or energy to cook — with no lock-in contracts and no minimum commitment.
What are ready made meals?
Unlike a meal kit, where you receive raw ingredients to prepare yourself, ready made meals arrive fully cooked. Our chefs prepare each dish, portion it, and snap-freeze it quickly to lock in flavour and texture. When you're ready to eat, you reheat a single serve and you're done. That makes ready made meals a genuinely convenient option for busy families, older adults, shift workers, new parents, and anyone recovering from illness or surgery.
Why choose ready made meals in NZ
- Chef-made, home-style recipes — not factory-line food.
- Snap-frozen at peak freshness to preserve taste and nutrition.
- Delivered chilled nationwide in temperature-controlled packaging.
- Ready in minutes — no prep, no dishes, no meal-kit chopping.
- No lock-in contracts, so you order only when you need to.
- ACC-approved supplier (VBI718).
Our ranges
We cook for real households and real dietary needs. Choose from family lunch and dinner meals, kids' meals with hidden veggies, plus low carb, keto, low cal, high protein, gluten free and dairy free options. Browse our lunch and dinner range for everyday favourites, or the kids' meals for fuss-free family nights. We also offer care packages and gift cards when you'd like to send a meal to someone who could use one.
Tip: Stock your freezer on delivery day. With up to three months' frozen life, a small stash means a proper dinner is always minutes away — even on the busiest weeknight.
How delivery works
We dispatch Monday to Thursday. Urban orders typically arrive within 1–2 business days, and rural delivery is available on request. Delivery cost is calculated by region at checkout, so you'll always see the price before you confirm. Everything travels chilled in temperature-controlled packaging to keep your meals at their best.
Storing and reheating
Keep meals frozen for up to three months. Once defrosted in the fridge, enjoy within three days. To reheat from frozen, microwave for 2.5–3 minutes, stir, and rest for one minute. If your meal is defrosted, heat in the oven at 180°C for 15–20 minutes. Simple, every time.
Frequently asked questions
What are ready made meals NZ delivery times? We dispatch Monday to Thursday; urban orders usually arrive in 1–2 business days, with rural delivery on request.
How long do the meals last? Up to three months frozen. Once defrosted in the fridge, eat within three days.
Do I need a subscription? No. There are no lock-in contracts — order as often or as rarely as you like.
Are the meals actually chef-made? Yes. Every dish is cooked by our chefs in our MPI-registered kitchen in Mount Maunganui.
Are there options for special diets? Yes — low carb, keto, low cal, high protein, gluten free and dairy free ranges are available.
How do I reheat them? From frozen, microwave 2.5–3 minutes, stir and rest one minute. Defrosted, oven at 180°C for 15–20 minutes.
Related reading & where to order
Sorted for tonight's dinner
Chef-made, snap-frozen meals delivered fresh across New Zealand.
Hungry? We've got dinner sorted
Chef-made, snap-frozen meals delivered fresh across New Zealand. Pick your favourites and we'll do the rest.
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