HelloFresh Review

HelloFresh Review: Is HelloFresh Worth it?

If you’re looking for the most comprehensive HelloFresh review available, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re a busy executive or a work-at-home mom with active babies, you can benefit from cutting time spent on meal planning, shopping, and preparation. That’s where the best meal delivery services like HelloFresh and EveryPlate, come in.

Weekly subscriptions allow you to hop onto the app or website, choose from beautifully crafted, chef-tested meals, and simply wait for delivery. Each package includes everything you need to prepare your meals sans the salt, pepper, and oil. Detailed instructions guide you through the cooking process from start to finish.

As these services increase in popularity, options abound. We’ve collected everything you need to choose the right option for you and your family, including cost, contracts, discount terms, and dietary options.

How does HelloFresh actually work?

HelloFresh delivers pre-portioned, fresh ingredients and chef-curated recipes right to your door, complete with easy-to-follow cooking instructions. According to customer reviews, HelloFresh meals are not only delicious but also offer healthy options for those on a diet.

With the convenience of providing a week’s worth of meals, HelloFresh simplifies meal planning and organization. The perfectly measured portions help minimize food waste and overeating.

Plus, most HelloFresh recipes can be prepared in under 30 minutes, ensuring a quick and hassle-free cooking experience. While there are numerous benefits to using HelloFresh’s food delivery service, it’s essential to consider any potential drawbacks, as we’ll discuss shortly.

Now, let’s delve into the basic steps customers need to take to have HelloFresh meals delivered to their doorstep.

Step 1: Review HelloFresh Menu and Meal Options 

When signing up for HelloFresh, you’ll start by choosing your meal options. Choices include:

• Meat & Veggies
• Veggie
• Family Friendly
• Fit & Wholesome
• Quick & Easy
• Pescatarian

Step 2: Customize Your Plan Size

You’ll further customize your order by choosing between 2 or 4 people and deciding how many meals you’d like, between 2 and 6 per week.

Step 3: Review HelloFresh Cost and Pay

On the next screen, you’ll receive a preview of your cost. Since cost can vary depending on your choices, it may not be accurate, but it will give you an idea of what you’ll pay.

You’ll then be required to input your payment information. Only input your payment information if you plan to proceed with the service.

If you’re still on the fence, check out the Hellofresh recipes before moving forward. 

Review HelloFresh Popular Recipes

How much does HelloFresh cost?

Hellofresh’s cost per serving varies depending on your plan. It ranges from $8.99 to $12.49 per serving, plus shipping and add-ons. We created a handy chart to help you figure out your cost. Add-ons can include things like garlic bread, dips, desserts, or salads. You can also upgrade to Gourmet or Gourmet Plus meals for special dinner nights. For our example below, we’ll upgrade just one meal per week to the Gourmet Plus option for those ordering four or more meals.

Is HelloFresh expensive compared to other food delivery services?

According to a HelloFresh review on CBS News, by Tom Horton, “Compared with other meal delivery services, HelloFresh is definitely on the cheaper end of the spectrum. You can find meal plans starting at $8 per serving, which is the same starting price point for competitors like Blue Apron and Home Chef.”

Figures are approximate; see HelloFresh.com for more detailed information

Can HelloFresh save you money?

As you can see from our chart, six dinner meals per week for four people will cost about $257 before any add-ons and after upgrading only one meal per week. Depending on your location and typical budget, this may or may not be a cost savings.

“The cost of feeding a family of four a healthy diet can run $146 to $289 a week, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Source, UsaToday.com, Cost of feeding a family of four.

Something else to note is that the highest number of meals per week is 6, meaning that you’ll still need to shop for and prepare two meals each day that you use the meal kit and three meals on the day you don’t. Therefore, it doesn’t totally eliminate the need to meal plan and grocery shop. Depending on your lifestyle, that may or may not be a game changer.

Something to note: You may be charged sales tax depending on your location and order.

Tip: You can try the HelloFresh recipes for free! Each recipe is published in the HelloFresh catalog online and includes beautiful illustrations and nutritional information. Before you buy the subscription, you can purchase the ingredients on your own and try the recipe. If you enjoy the tasty meals, skip the store and order your ingredients via a subscription.

Review How to Get HelloFresh Discounts

HelloFresh regularly offers introductory rates for new customers. The coupon codes will boast offers such as “HelloFresh, 16 Free Meals,” “Free shipping on your first box,” and “3 Surprise Gifts.” These are great deals, but the code does not apply all at once.

Initially, you’ll see a discount applied to your order when you sign up with a code. Your free shipping (a savings of about $10.00 on your first week) and a discounted amount based on how many servings you’re ordering will be calculated. The remaining discount will then be spread over the first nine weeks of your subscription.

Gifts are also held until you’re well into your weekly subscription. If you’re receiving three freebies, you’ll likely get one in your 4th, 6th, and 8th-week boxes.

Discounts cannot be applied to upgrades or add-ons.

While the discounts can drop the price of your individual servings to a mere $3.99, be sure you’re ready to commit before buying. While you won’t be locked into a contract, you must remember to cancel or pause any shipments at least five days before your next box’s ship date, or you’ll be responsible for its cost.

HelloFresh Meal Delivery Options

HelloFresh has amassed a collection of more than 2,500 meals; each week, you’ll have a choice between over 100 of them. If you’re short on time, you’ll find a long list of options that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.

Recipes include delicious meals such as:

• Butter-Basted Chicken Breasts with Candied-Bacon Brussels Sprouts & Mashed Potatoes
• Beef Ragu Spaghetti with Zucchini and Italian Seasoning
• Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi with Roasted Pepper over Linguine
• Pan Roasted Flounder with Marble Potatoes
• Bacon Apple Breakfast Pizza with Ricotta and Balsamic Onion

HelloFresh offers options for Breakfast, Brunch, and Dinner. Dinner-to-lunch options include everything you need to prepare a scrumptious dinner and delicious lunch for the next day.

Some of our favorite options in this category are:

• Chicken Sausage and Pepper Bowl Dinner with Southwest Roll-Up for Lunch
• Beef Spaghetti Ragu for Dinner with Greek Pita Pockets for Lunch
• Chicken Sausage Meatball Dinner with Meatball Minestrone for Lunch

For families with children, kid-friendly options are available, such as:

• Kid’s Turkey Gouda Pinwheels with Carrot Sticks, Cuke Rounds, Dried Fruit & Tortilla Chips
• Cheesy Smothered Mushroom Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots for dinner.

Review HelloFresh Healthy / Diet Options

HelloFresh offers a wide array of diet options to fit almost any diet. 

• Low Calorie
• Low Carb
• Vegetarian
• Pescatarian
• Meat & Veggie

Source: HelloFresh Diet Meals, https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/calorie-smart-recipes

Does HelloFresh have Kosher meals?

While you can work around it, HelloFresh does not offer Kosher meals. Each recipe comes with detailed nutritional and ingredient information, but no search options are based on Kosher criteria.

Does HelloFresh have Whole30 meals?

HelloFresh does not offer Whole30 meals at this time. You may be able to order meals that are close and edit recipes to get you to a Whole30 meal, but you won’t find specific options in the HelloFresh cookbook.

Does HelloFresh do Paleo meals?

Just like Whole30, Paleo is not a dietary option offered by HelloFresh, but you could make it work with some careful adjustments.

Does HelloFresh have diabetic meals?

Yes, many of HelloFresh’s low-carb meals would qualify as Diabetes-friendly.

Does HelloFresh do Fodmap?

HelloFresh does not explicitly offer Fodmap options at this time.

Ethical Practices Industry Study

According to Popular Science, the transportation of fruits and vegetables to the grocery store, as well as each consumer’s drive to get them contributes greatly to the country’s carbon emissions.

“Transportation associated with fruits and vegetables added up to around 36 percent of the total food-miles emissions (or over 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent), nearly doubling the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from their production.“

Those able to grow all of their own fruits and vegetables, and skip the grocery store altogether, drop their carbon emissions to almost zero. HelloFresh is the happy medium for consumers with concern for the environment who cannot grow all of their own food. Using the service reduces carbon emissions by 31%, according to 3BL CSR Wire.

HelloFresh provides delicious food sustainably and ethically. Practices include:

• Locally grown produce suppliers when possible
• 95% of their fish and seafood is ethically sourced
• Use of a Dynamic Packaging Innovator that minimizes packaging waste
• Donation of un-sold food to charitable causes

HelloFresh Good Reviews for 2022 & 2023

After thorough research from reputable sources, including the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs, here’s a summary of positive customer reviews about HelloFresh from 2022 to 2023:

Variety and Deliciousness: Customers praise HelloFresh for offering a wide range of meals and commend the delicious taste of the dishes.

Convenience and Ease of Use: Many users find HelloFresh to be highly convenient and time-saving, with ingredients delivered directly to their homes and easy-to-follow recipes.

Savings and Cost-effectiveness: Some customers mention that HelloFresh has helped them save on grocery bills as they only need to purchase basic items, and the portion sizes are generous.

HelloFresh Customer Service: Several reviewers have positive experiences with HelloFresh’s customer service, especially in promptly resolving issues related to missing or damaged items.

Meal Planning and Flexibility: Users appreciate the flexibility of customizing their meal selections and the option to skip weeks when needed.

Cooking Confidence: HelloFresh has been instrumental in boosting the cooking confidence of some customers, as the recipes are straightforward to follow, resulting in successful meals.

Quality Ingredients: Some users express satisfaction with the quality of ingredients provided by HelloFresh.

Overall, these positive reviews showcase HelloFresh’s strengths in simplifying meal planning, delivering delicious dishes, and offering a convenient and enjoyable cooking experience for its customers.

Source: ConsumerAffairs.com, HelloFresh 

HelloFresh Bad Reviews for 2022 & 2023

The bad reviews for HelloFresh include complaints about aggressive and excessive messaging, difficulties in canceling subscriptions, unauthorized charges, unresponsive customer service, and issues with missing or incomplete meal deliveries.

Some customers also expressed dissatisfaction with the food quality, packaging waste, and billing discrepancies. Many reviewers felt that the company’s practices were unethical, and some described the overall experience as a frustrating and disappointing one.

Please note that the reviews provided here are from individual customers and reflect their personal experiences. These reviews have been sourced from HelloFresh’s BBB profile page. For additional information regarding HelloFresh customer reviews, we recommend visiting the BBB directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Final HelloFresh Review and Rating Criteria

About the Author:

Tammy McKinney, RN & Healthcare Writer:
Tammy McKinney is a dedicated registered nurse committed to helping consumers get and stay healthy. She uses her enthusiasm for writing to inform and inspire the public about health and wellness. To learn more about Tammy McKinney, please visit her profile at TrustedCompanyReviews.com.

About Author

Tammy McKinney–Registered Nurse and Product Researcher