Lunch meal deals used to be the go-to option for workers popping out for a quick bite to each on their breaks. But, as food costs have risen, the cost of these deals at every UK supermarket has crept up.

Years ago, Tesco priced its meal deal at £3, but in recent years has risen up to £4, or £3.60 if customers hold a Clubcard. They, along with many other supermarkets, also have a £5.50 tier for more premium snacks and mains such as sushi, cut to £5 for Clubcard members. 

So, which supermarket has the best value meal deal, and if you ranked them from cheapest to most expensive, which one comes out on top?

The data experts at NetVoucherCodes compared the best and worst meal deal options for a cost-effective lunch. The best value meal shows how Brits can get the most for their money by gaming the system and finding deals of up to £5.30.

Here are the supermarkets with the biggest savings if you buy their most expensive meal deal items:

Image: NetvouchercodesThe analysis reveals that while Waitrose is the most expensive meal deal available, you can actually save big by buying their more premium options. Splashing out on a GLO Pulled Beef & Onion Salad, Taiko Mini Nigiri and Jimmy's Iced Coffee will save consumers a whopping £5.30, more than the original price of the meal deal.

While Poundland offers the most cost-effective meal deal at just £3, the supermarket offers the lowest savings of just £2 with limited options to splash out.

NetVoucherCodes also looked at the supermarkets where you can buy the cheapest lunches overall based on the items available within their meal deal offer:

Image: NetvouchercodesWhen buying a meal deal, it doesn’t always end up being a money-savvy options. Often, if you buy the cheapest items on the shelf, you’ll be spending way less than the meal deal price.

The data shows that Poundland offers the cheapest lunch at just £2.15 for an own brand basic sandwich, Oreo chocolate snack and Emerge energy drink, 85p below the already affordable meal option price.

Read on below to see the breakdown of supermarkets and their cheapest and most expensive meal deal items. If you only want the cheaper options, it's often better value to buy separately. 

Tesco  £4 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • YO! Sushi rolls/poke bowls - £4.75
  • Naked Smoothie 300Ml - £2.90
  • Itsu Chicken Gyoza Snack Pot 47g / Ginsters Butter Chicken Bake 117G - £1.50

Total: £9.15.

Save £5.15

Cheapest

  • Volvic Natural Bottled Mineral Still Water 1L - £1.10
  • Tesco Cheese & Onion / Cheese / No Ham / Egg & Cress Sandwich - £1.50
  • Nature Valley Crunchy Oats & Honey 42g - £0.75

Total: £3.35. 

Morrisons £4 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • Morrisons Limited Edition Chicken Fajita Wrap / Itsu Katsu Veg Big Bao - £3.25
  • Gu Zillionaire Cheesecake / My Protein Yoghurt Top Hat Vanilla Chocolate - £2
  • Naked Smoothie 300ml - £2.90

Total: £8.15

Save £4.15

Cheapest

  • Morrisons Egg & Cress / Cheese & Onion Sandwich - £1.55
  • Reese's Peanut Butter Creme Egg 34g / Malteasers Milk Chocolate Easter Bunny 29g - £0.35
  • Deeside Natural Mineral Water, Morrisons Scottish Water Still - £0.55

Total: £2.45. 

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Co-Op  £4 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • Co-op Tomato Basil And Chicken Pasta Salad 285g - £3.45
  • Co-op Treat Millionaire's Shortbread 245g - £2.45
  • Innocent Super Smoothies Energise 300ml - £2.75

Total: £8.65

Save £4.65

Cheapest

  • Co-op Cheese/Tuna Mayo Sandwich - £1.40
  • Co-op Irresistible All Butter Croissant, Co-op Bakery Cinnamon Swirl Each - £1.00
  • Co-op Still Mineral Water 500ml £0.65

Total: £3.05.

Waitrose £5 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • GLO Pulled Beef & Onion Salad - £4.80
  • Taiko Mini Nigiri - £2.50
  • Jimmy's Iced Coffee Original 380ml - £3

Total: £10.30

Save £5.30

Cheapest

  • Essential Tuna Mayo / Cheese & Onion Sandwich - £1.95
  • Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar single 45g - £1.00
  • Essential Still / Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 500ml - £0.80

Total: £3.75. 

Sainsbury's £3.75 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • Sainsbury’s Picnic Triple - £3.50
  • Holy Moly Guacamole Chips & Dip 77g - £1.85
  • Naked Smoothies 300ml - £2.90

Total: £8.25

Save £4.50

Cheapest

  • Sainsbury’s No Mayo Ham Sandwich - £1.50
  • Mcvitie’s Gold Billion Chocolate Wafer 39.5g - £0.75
  • Aqua Pura Mineral Water 500ml - £0.90

Total: £3.15. 

Poundland £3 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • Wraps / Salads / Premium Sandwiches - £2
  • Woodys Skewers 10pk - £1.50
  • Starbucks Caramel Macchiato 220ml / Red Bull 250ml - £1.50

Total: £5.00

Save £2.00

Cheapest

  • Basic Sandwiches - £1.25
  • Oreo Choc Snack 27g - £0.60
  • Emerge Energy Drink 250ml - £0.30

Total: £2.15.

Boots - £3.99 Meal Deal

Best Value

  • Boots Sandwich Ham & Egg Club / Tanpopo Rice Bowls - £3.60
  • Del Monte Apple & Toffee Dip - £2.50
  • Innocent Juice Apple & Guava 330ml - £3

Total: £9.10

Save £5.11

Cheapest

  • Simply Chicken Mayo Sandwich - £1.50
  • Snacking Essential Mixed Nuts 35g - £0.70
  • Arla Cravendale semi skimmed milk 250ml - £0.60

Total: £2.80. 

It just goes to show - it always pays to shop around, and only pick a deal if it saves you money.