HelloFresh Meal Kits: Is it right for you?

Life can get hectic. If you’re a busy person struggling to find time to cook healthy meals for your family, meal kit delivery companies could be the perfect solution for you.

We tried HelloFresh and found it to be a great way to get fresh, tasty food delivered to our door without spending too much time or energy on grocery shopping.

We tried Hellofresh for several weeks using the initial welcome offer and promo code. We received (6) deliveries in (3) months, and we enjoyed 99% of the meals, and so did our picky toddler, which is a huge plus for families with small children. HelloFresh is not the most budget-friendly option, but it is a great time-saving solution. And all the meals are easy and delicious. There’s no smoke and mirrors, and I love that. 

What is HelloFresh, and how does it work?

HelloFresh offers sustainably sourced ingredients shipped in waste-saving, recyclable packaging. The pre-portioned ingredients also help minimize waste because you get the perfect amount for each meal down to the ounce. An ice pack is included, keeping everything cool and cozy, along with a recipe card with step-by-step images on making each meal.

There’s also an app! It features a “cook with me” option, which includes a timed step-by-step allowing you to follow the recipe from start to finish. Whether you are a beginner or a home chef, the meals are effortless.

Hellofresh recipe vs. what we cooked, very delicious:

Menu options

Hellofresh allows you to preview every chef-crafted meal, steps, and macros for the recipes before you choose. There are (6) meal plan preferences to fit most lifestyles: meat & veggies, family friendly, fit & wholesome, veggies, quick & easy, and pescatarian.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of HelloFresh meal plans?

Advantages:

• Fresh groceries delivered to your door
• New and flavorful recipes constantly on rotation
• Easy, guided recipes (great for shy cooks)
• Options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert
• Perfect portions, no measuring needed
• Eliminates grocery shopping (all items provided, except for basics, like water and oil)
• Convenient website, app, and online collection of recipes

Disadvantages:

• Carb-heavy – potato sides, bread for sandwiches, and pasta
• Getting consecutive shipments can create a backup of food (plan accordingly)
• Premium Hellofresh recipes are pricier (i.e., Beef wellingtons)
• Additional meals can raise the bill significantly

Aside from the convenience, we also loved the cooking tips we learned from HelloFresh. For example, soaking panko crumbs in 2 tbsp water when making meatballs, Old bay seasoning on potato wedges for great fries, combining sour cream and lime juice for an easy crema drizzle, and onion jam (chopped onion with brown sugar and balsamic reduced until it carmelizes).

How much does Hellofresh cost?

Is it financially worth it? Yes and no. It is not cheap, but it is a 100% time-saving option. The meal plans help you skip the grocery lines and provide your entire week of meals with just a few clicks.

The HelloFresh pricing for a 5-meal plan for two people is about $99.89 (basically, ten meals for $100). Our first box was $60 with a promo code, and every other box after that averaged between $80-$140, depending on if we chose Premium meals or had extra add-ons.

A 5-meal plan for two people with takeout would cost much more than Hellofresh’s pricing. Depending on how often you order takeout during the week, then yes, Hellofresh deliveries are a more budget-friendly option.

And, Finally:

Even when you cancel, you still have access to their Blog and library of over 2,500 hassle-free,easy-to-cook Recipes. I also love that if you forget your login, you can do a password-less login by clicking a link sent to your email. Overall, we highly recommend Hellofresh, especially for busy families who want accessible, healthy, delicious meals at home.

*Editors note: This is not a sponsored post. We were not paid to participate in or review the service.