I come from a family of fantastic cooks, which makes my own struggles in the kitchen all the more apparent. While my mom and grandma could whip up incredible meals with ease, I never quite inherited their culinary talents. Even with a detailed recipe in front of me, my dishes often end up undercooked, under-seasoned, or just…off. After years of living on my own, I decided to dedicate more effort to cooking meals that actually taste good.
Like any skill, practice is key, and what better way to improve than with pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered directly to my door? That’s why I decided to try HelloFresh for a week, and it completely transformed my approach to cooking and saved me countless trips to the grocery store. I’ll share my experience with HelloFresh, covering everything from pricing and preparation to meal selection.
What is HelloFresh?
HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that provides fresh, pre-measured ingredients and simple recipes delivered to your doorstep. Each week, you select meals from a rotating menu, and HelloFresh sends you a box containing recipe cards and the precise ingredients needed for your chosen portion size. None of the ingredients are frozen, although you can freeze the meats if you are not cooking them right away. All of the ingredients are considered grocery-store fresh.
HelloFresh offers six dietary preferences:
- Meat and Veggies
- Veggie (with 14 vegetarian meals, including two vegan options, each week)
- Family-Friendly
- Fit and Wholesome
- Pescatarian
- Under 20 Minutes
These preferences help to prioritize meal options that best fit your needs and dietary restrictions.
You can choose your meals up to five days before your next scheduled delivery. If you don’t make a selection, you’ll automatically receive pre-selected meals based on your preferences. You can also filter meals to show pork-free and vegetarian options, change or swap proteins and sides, or add a protein to a vegetarian dish.
In addition to cooking, some light prep work is required, such as chopping, slicing, and mixing.
How Much Does HelloFresh Cost?
HelloFresh’s cost starts at $9.99 per serving, plus $10.99 for weekly shipping. There are 15 different weekly plans available, allowing you to select the number of people you’re feeding (two, four, or six) and the number of meals you want per week, ranging from two to six.
Here’s a breakdown of the pricing for each plan:
- Two-Person Plan:
- 2 meals: $45.96
- 3 meals: $59.96
- 4 meals: $79.92
- 5 meals: $99.90
- 6 meals: $119.88
- Four-Person Plan:
- 2 meals: $79.92
- 3 meals: $119.88
- 4 meals: $159.84
- 5 meals: $199.80
- 6 meals: $239.76
- Six-Person Plan:
- 2 meals: $119.88
- 3 meals: $179.82
- 4 meals: $239.76
- 5 meals: $299.70
- 6 meals: $359.74
During the sign-up process, you’ll specify your dietary preferences, serving size, and the number of meals per week. Your final price will depend on these choices.
My Experience with HelloFresh Meal Kit Delivery
HelloFresh sent me three meals that I chose from its weekly menu:
- Mandarin Chili Pork Chops: A flavorful dish combining sweet and spicy flavors.
- Chicken Caesar Wraps: A lighter, quicker option for a satisfying meal.
- Peaches and Cream French Toast: A delightful brunch option that felt like a treat.
I received my meals on a Thursday and cooked them throughout the week. Following the instructions on the recipe cards was simple, thanks to clear directions and pictures.
Most of HelloFresh’s ingredients are packaged in a paper bag to help you keep track of which ingredients belong to certain recipes.
Key Takeaways from Trying HelloFresh
From selecting meals to preparing and eating them, my experience with HelloFresh was mostly smooth and easy. Here are some key takeaways:
Meal Selection
The meal selection process is straightforward. Each week, you’re presented with a menu of over 45 meals, including dinner options and brunch choices like Peaches and Cream French Toast.
However, if you’re an adventurous eater, you may find the meals somewhat predictable.
The service offers up to 60 meals on its weekly menu, and I had no trouble finding options that appealed to me.
Packaging and Delivery
The meal kits arrive in an insulated container with a large ice pack to ensure everything stays cool and fresh. Most ingredients are packaged in labeled paper bags, making it easy to identify what belongs to each meal.
The ingredients all arrived fresh and ready to cook, despite delivery hiccups.
Ingredients
I was impressed by the freshness of the ingredients, especially considering they were shipped rather than bought directly from a store. Everything arrived in near-perfect condition, and the labeled packaging made it easy to find the ingredients for each recipe.
Cooking and Preparation
While I initially felt intimidated by the cooking and prep work involved, my concerns quickly disappeared. The recipes were beginner-friendly, and each meal took less than an hour to prepare.
The recipes I chose were all beginner-friendly, so cooking was quick, easy and straightforward.
How Does HelloFresh Compare to Other Meal Kit Delivery Services?
I’ve tried several meal kits over the past few years, and HelloFresh stands out as one of the best. The ingredients are fresh, it’s great for beginners, and the meal options are varied and delicious.
At $9.99 per serving, HelloFresh is comparable in price to other popular meal kits like Blue Apron ($9.49) and Home Chef ($9.99).
Who is HelloFresh Best For?
HelloFresh is ideal for busy individuals who want to simplify meal planning and preparation. It can also help you save money by reducing food waste.
HelloFresh provides flexibility, allowing you to update your food preferences, the number of recipes you want per week, and the number of people you’re cooking for. You can easily adjust your delivery date or skip a delivery online.
Is HelloFresh Worth It?
HelloFresh is an excellent option for those seeking convenience and a way to improve their cooking skills. Its flexible plans and varied menu make it a worthwhile investment for busy individuals and families alike.
