What is HelloFresh?
HelloFresh is an online subscription meal service that delivers fresh ingredients directly to your doorstep. You can choose which kind of box you'd like, whether it be for a family, a vegetarian, or just a classic plan (which is what I chose). There are different recipes each week, six to choose from, and you get to choose which three you'd like to receive. You can input allergies or food specifications if need be as well. You get to choose the day you'd like your box delivered, and if you aren't home, no worries because everything in the box is well insulated, so if it sits at your doorstep for a few hours it will still be 100% okay.
All of the recipes come with exact ingredient measurements (unless it's like 1/2 cucumber, then you get to save the other half for later, but that's really the only exception). They also come with difficulty levels, instructions for the meals, and all nutrition facts all in a little booklet. I found all of the recipes to be extremely easy, straightforward, but still unique! They are very user-friendly, especially the way the booklet is set up, so the recipes would be really easy to follow even for those who don't spend time in the kitchen usually.
Why HelloFresh?
I of course tried this one because it offered a free box, but now there are lots of services like this that I plan on trying and comparing. Blue Apron, Home Chef, Munchery, these are all services I want to try out. For my lifestyle, I found this to be such a convenient, yet healthy option. Sometimes, as a college student in a rush, you can be pressured to cook up a little Top Ramen or just not eat if you're in a hurry or don't feel like making a huge meal because of sheer exhaustion. But, with this, everything was measured out, and it took 30 minutes or less for every meal. It pushed me to try different foods, like steak (which I would never buy, #broke), and encouraged a little bit from each food group.
I can see this box being ideal for those with a busy lifestyle, people who hate grocery shopping, who hate cooking, or who are indecisive on meal choices. This would also be a great option for families with busy lifestyles.
How does the box come?
On the HelloFresh website once you've subscribed, you get to choose which day of the week (and the exact date, ie. Monday October 31st) you'd like to receive your box so that it works best for your personal schedule. You leave specific instructions such as "leave at front door" or "leave behind bench on front porch", whatever you need to keep your delivery secure. Your box is given a delivery time window of 8am to 8pm, which I personally found to be extremely inaccurate. My first box was delivered around 10:30pm. And, one of Julie's boxes that was supposed to arrive on Monday arrived on Tuesday, so that is definitely something to keep in mind.
On your doorstep you will find a very hefty, secure, chilled box full of your meals for the week. The box itself has really cute facts and HelloFresh goodies on it. Opening your box, you'll find insulation to secure all of your food, which I think is totally awesome! On the top is your three meal ingredient packs, each boxed and labelled for the exact meal they are for. All your ingredients are in one place, which is great. Once you've tossed those into your fridge, you'll find a large gel ice pack that conceals your meats. I love that the meat is kept in between two of these ice packs, as well as the fact that the raw meats are kept separate from the produce and fresh ingredients.
How do I find the meals?
Every week HelloFresh will change their meals. You just head over to their website, hover over "Our Meals" and click on whichever tab is applicable to you - "this week", "next week", upcoming, etc. You have a deadline to select which 3 you'd like to receive or it is generated for you. But you can always see what recipes are coming to you!
If I'm ready to make my first meal?
All you need for each meal is what HelloFresh sent you, some salt and pepper, and a cooking oil of your choice. They send you everything you need down to the 1tsp of spices!
Just pull out the package labelled for whichever meal you're craving, along with the separate raw meat. If you receive any fish, they recommend consuming that meal first, so that everything stays fresh. One thing I did find about this box is that everything was truly fresh. The meat was all pasture-raised, and I'd never tried fancy meat before, it really did make a difference in the taste of the meat (then again, maybe that's all in my head).
The recipes are contained in a small booklet, with a photo of the meal, nutrition facts, prep time, cook time, and all the steps one by one for you! P.S. I'm posting the photo below of this recipe because you guys have got to screenshot it, it was INCREDIBLE!
Follow the instructions one by one and your meal will be all ready to go before you know it! The first meal I made was Italian Sausage and Baby Broccolini Pasta. Another thing I loved about these meals is that they really are the perfect amount for 2 (if that is the family size you choose) nice and filling, without being too much food, and no leftovers to worry about.
Is it worth it?
If you have the luxury to spend on receiving these meals, I definitely highly recommend the service. It's $69.95 for 3 meals a week for 2 people. If you are out on the town eating, you'd spend roughly the same if not more, so it really isn't that outrageous. As a college student, spending that much every week is not practical at all for me, so I won't be continuing my subscription, but I loved the luxury of trying it for a week!
And the biggest plus? You can pause deliveries anytime you wish and unsubscribe at any time, so if you don't like your first box, you can cancel right away, or if you're on vacation or just bought groceries, you can skip a week. And, HelloFresh and their awesome customer service will likely check in on you and ask how everything is going too.
My favorite meal of all? Vietnamese Marinated Steak with Quick-Pickled Veggies, pictured below, with the recipe above. Which is another great plus, even if you make an account and don't use the service, you can download the HelloFresh recipes and go get the groceries yourself!
What do you guys think? Have you tried / are you going to try any food subscription service boxes like HelloFresh?
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