This HelloFresh reviews post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase we may be compensated. All opinions are our own.
by Alison Chew
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a pioneer in the meal kit space and continues to adapt to the changing needs of its’ customers. With over 20 easy-to-follow-recipes each week to offer dinner time variety, clearly labeled nutritional information to simplify meal selection, and high-quality ingredients sourced straight from local farms, HelloFresh brings you delicious convenient meals straight to your door. Read on for our full HelloFresh review and unboxing video.
All of our ingredients were fresh upon arrival and no ingredients were missing. The portion sizes worked for 2 adults and we noticed that the amount of shrimp given was more than other meal kit services that we have tried. The food also stayed fresh for the 4 days that it took for us to make the kits.
We really enjoyed all three recipes, but the Hoisin Shrimp was by far our favorite. The simple hoisin marinade was a huge hit and for under 600 calories per serving it’s a tasty go-to dinner. The pork tacos came in a close second, but with a higher calorie count, around 960, and fewer veggies, it tasted delicious but we needed to supplement the dinner with a salad to make it complete. The pork tenderloin was also very tasty and under 600 calories, with the same style green beans as the shrimp alongside crispy roasted potatoes, and a sweet figgy sauce. This dish was healthy and super easy to make.
With 20 recipes to choose from each week, HelloFresh maintains fresh and seasonal recipes that are sure to please everyone in your family. Each week they have something for everyone – from customer favorites to burgers, several different seafoods and vegetarian recipes, along with the standard pork, chicken, beef, and pasta. I would say that their recipes lean more American, home-cooking, comfort food with fewer international or global flavors which would most likely appeal to most. For us, though, we are more adventurous eaters and like to mix up our dinners to try new and interesting recipes. We will order HelloFresh when the menu fits our tastes and will skip when it doesn’t.
Read on for more details around packaging and ease of instructions.
HelloFresh Reviews: Packaging
Much of the HelloFresh packaging can be curbside recycled including the honeycomb paperboard, the box, the separator, plastic bottles, and brown paper meal kit bags. The ice gel packs can be emptied into the trash and then recycled. Depending on the time of year the liner may be recycled at a recycling center in the summertime or in the winter the liners have to be placed in the trash. The plastic bags that some of the produce comes in are not recyclable or you have to bring them to a store that recycles plastic bags. The HelloFresh packaging has evolved over the years and we hope that they continue to find ways to use less packaging and to include more curbside recyclables in their boxes.
Great news! HelloFresh is now the first carbon-neutral meal kit company! They have partnered with terrapass to offset 100% of their carbon emissions. They expect to offset at least 50,000 metric tons of carbon and 24,000 megawatts of electricity.
Did you know that HelloFresh tests each recipe 45 times before adding it to the menu? This ensures that recipes are clear as well as delicious. The instructions for our recipes were easy to follow and the skill level required, in our opinion, would be entry-level to intermediate. The recipes do require prepping, chopping, and several pans, but the step-by-step instructions walk you through everything. We did notice that in the photos for the pork tacos the pickled shallots were bright pink, ours did not turn pink at all. This isn’t a big deal as they tasted fine, but something that caught my attention when comparing the final product to the HelloFresh recipe card. The average cook time for our three meals was between 30-35 min. See below for the Sizzling Hoisin Shrimp recipe.
HelloFresh Reviews: Quick Facts
Serving size options: 2 or 4 people
Recipe selections per week: 2, 3 or 4 recipes per week
Recipe choices: 20 dinner recipes, 3 lunch recipes, plus sides, desserts and protein
Dietary options: Vegetarian and low calorie
Price:
2 people/4 recipes are $71.92/week or $8.99 per person per meal
