HelloFresh Review: Is It Worth Trying Out?

What's on the dinner table tonight? It's often the most stress-inducing meal for families. Figuring out what to eat for any meal involves planning, prep work and cooking, which can feel dreadful at times. To tackle these challenges, many are turning to subscription meal kits. If you're feeling intimidated by cooking or are new to it, a meal kit can gently guide you through the process with clear, step-by-step instructions and helpful visuals.

Additionally, if you're considering a switch to a plant-based diet but aren't sure where to start, or if you're intrigued by the idea of trying out a vegan lifestyle or pescatarian diet but want reliable recipes, a meal kit delivery service can be a real game changer and practical solution. These kits cater to various eating styles and preferences, making it more convenient to shift your dietary habits or experiment with a new eating approach.

Essentially, meal kits serve as a helpful tool to ease into cooking and explore diverse culinary options. Services like HelloFresh handle all the challenging tasks behind the scenes, from selecting top-quality ingredients to providing simple cooking directions, making your life easier. It has earned a spot in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab's roundup of the best meal delivery services.

After testing over 50 kits, including healthy meal delivery services and getting feedback from over 300 home chefs, our food and nutrition experts have gathered information to help you decide if HelloFresh is the right choice for your needs.

Hello Fresh Hello Fresh

$10 at HelloFresh

Pros

• Choose from more than 40 menu options every week
• Simple-to-understand instruction cards with clear visuals
• Items are well-packaged and organized
• Cost-effective when preparing meals for four people

Cons

• The recipes are not as intriguing or innovative when compared to certain other meal kit companies
• Not ideal for larger families

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery subscription service that sends weekly boxes with pre-measured ingredients and rotating recipes to customers across the United States. Started in 2011 by Dominik Richter and Thomas Griesel, they initially packed ingredients for their community to test a new way of bringing tasty, nutritious meals right to their doorstep. Now, HelloFresh operates in 18 countries, delivering over 1 billion meals, making it the world's largest meal kit service.

Their values focus on reliable, affordable and time-saving recipes, using fresh ingredients, curated by chefs, with a commitment to sustainability and enhancing your cooking experience. Their philosophy is to make it easy for everyone to prepare delicious home-cooked meals. What sets them apart from other meal delivery services is their "sustainable, direct-to-consumer model, reducing customers’ carbon footprint by 31% compared to cooking with supermarket ingredients," as stated on their website. Moreover, customers have the flexibility to choose from over 40 weekly recipes and over 100 seasonal and convenience items, offering the most extensive selection compared to any other meal kit service.

To get started with HelloFresh, you'll first specify your meal kit preferences, which are grouped into categories like Meat and Veggies, Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit and Wholesome, Quick and Easy and Pescatarian. Following this, you'll determine the number of meals you want per week, with options ranging from two to six meals, and also specify the number of people in your household, with choices limited to two or four. If you select a four-person plan with, for instance, five meals, each of those meals will serve four people. After finalizing your preferred meal plan and size, the subsequent step is to input your address and payment details before choosing the meals for the upcoming week. For those less tech-savvy, the ordering process won't cause stress. According to one tester, "The website was very easy to navigate and understand."

If you're craving variety, there's a plethora of delicious recipes available in various cuisines. Some of the most popular options include Vegan Coconut Curry, Tofu Lettuce Wraps, Homestyle Turkey & Biscuit Pot Pie, Sweet 'n' Spicy Apricot Chicken, Spaghetti with Chicken and Brussels Sprouts, Lemony Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts, Middle Eastern Chickpea Bowls and Pan-Seared Sweet Soy Glazed Chicken.

Pick from a rotating selection of over 40 menu options each week, catering to a diverse range of diets and lifestyles. Begin by choosing one or more menu preferences, including:

• Meat and Veggies: Tailored for meat-eaters, this plan provides a varied selection, including meat, fish and seasonal produce.
• Family Friendly: If you have kids, consider the Family Friendly plan for quick and kid-friendly meals, catering to picky eaters.
• Quick and Easy: Explore the quickest and simplest recipes for busy people, ensuring satisfaction.
• Veggie: Opt for the Veggie plan if you adhere to a vegetarian lifestyle, offering a mix of fresh fruits, vegetables, hearty grains and/or meatless proteins.
• Fit and Wholesome: Delight in a diverse array of nutritionist-approved meals, each around 650 calories, supporting a balanced and wholesome diet.
• Pescatarian: Indulge in fresh seafood paired with seasonal, naturally grown vegetables.

The pricing of HelloFresh is contingent on the number of meals and the serving size you choose. For example, the two person plan ranges from $9.79 to $12.49 per meal, totaling $59.94 for three meals for two people, plus $10.99 for shipping. Meanwhile, the four person plan varies from $8.99 to $9.79 per meal, totaling $113.88 for three meals for four people, with an additional $10.99 for shipping.

Pricing for HelloFresh's marketplace add-ons is not as straightforward, as it depends on the specific items ordered. However, discounts of 10% to 15% are offered on certain menu items each week.

HelloFresh's individual meal cost varies with plan size, offering a lower cost per meal for larger orders, similar to other meal kit services. The pricing is consistent across plans, differing only in size. Delivery is available throughout the continental US and select areas in Honolulu, Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska, with a flat-rate shipping fee of $10.99. HelloFresh prioritizes environmentally-friendly packaging to match the quality of their recipes.

Ordering and meal selection

I found HelloFresh's website to be consistently user-friendly. According to experts in the Lab, there is a good variety of meals to choose from, although not the most extensive they've seen. While there are some dietary options, they may not be ideal for those with allergies or specific medical needs that need to follow modified diets such as diabetic-friendly or heart-healthy meals. One GH tester somewhat agreed: "I liked that it seemed to have a lot of variety of meals to choose from."

When choosing my plan, I opted for the Meat & Veggies plan to access meals with both animal-based and plant protein sources, along with a generous serving of veggies to help me stay satiated and ensure I am getting a boost of vitamins and minerals. Despite being allergic to shellfish, the abundance of meal options allowed me to choose without limitations. I typically aim for a balanced mix of protein, carbs and veggies in each meal, and HelloFresh definitely excelled in providing nutrient-dense, balanced meals.

After selecting my preferred plan, I picked three meals for my delivery, a challenging task given the beautifully photographed and tempting recipes. With the cooler weather on the east coast, I leaned toward comforting and cozy meals, considering soups and pasta dishes. Eventually, I settled on these three selections, each serving two:

• Vegan Pearl Pasta and Bean Soup with Garlicky Breadsticks and Parsley
• Pecan-Trout with Apple-Studded Salad and Thyme-Roasted Potatoes
• Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Cavatappi with Scallions and Parmesan

The last step was selecting my delivery date and eagerly counting down the days until I received my HelloFresh box.

Unboxing and condition of food on arrival

Upon arrival, the box was intact, and all the ingredients were cool to the touch and appeared fresh, thanks to its insulated packaging. Everything was neatly organized, from the easy-to-follow recipe cards to the labeled ingredients, and each meal was grouped in its individual paper bag. One tester noted, “My kit included all the meats, veggies, spices, accompaniments and condiments, everything to cook an entire meal plus wonderfully detailed instructions.”

I also appreciated the environmentally-friendly packaging, which was mostly recyclable, reusable and compostable. However, if you're conscious about minimizing plastic use, it's important to note that most of the ingredients are packaged in plastic. “Kit came in a cardboard box with insulation and a large ice pack all of which they say is recyclable, including the ice pack,” adds another tester. The website provides details on how to responsibly recycle each part of the HelloFresh box. For instance, some elements like the separator and honeycomb paperboard are 100% curbside-friendly.

Upon unpacking, I noticed some issues with the mushrooms and scallions for the pasta dish — mushrooms were slightly browned, and scallions were wilted. Thankfully, I had extra mushrooms on hand to supplement the recipe. Another tester had a similar experience, noting “freshness of a few produce items weren't their best.” However, all other ingredients for different meals appeared fresh and vibrant. Fresh herbs, like thyme and parsley, were well-preserved in plastic wrap. The box also included dry goods such as cavatappi pasta, couscous and panko breadcrumbs, along with pre-portioned seasonings like garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Condiments and spreads like cream cheese, garlic herb butter and Dijon mustard were appropriately chilled. The Steelhead trout and chicken sausage arrived fresh with no noticeable odor.

Recipes and nutrition

The recipes I tried were all crafted with minimal ingredients, offering a delightful balance of protein, fats and carbs. They not only made for enjoyable dinners but also provided leftovers for the next day's lunch.

1. Pecan-Crusted Trout: This dish featured tender, buttery fish made complete with a crunchy, nutty topping. It was served with seasoned roasted potato rounds and mixed greens with apple slices, creating the perfect fall-inspired meal. (Nutrition: 980 kcals, 10 g fiber, 70 g fat, 31 g protein, 350 mg sodium)
2. Mushroom Cavatappi: The creamiest pasta, rich with cheesy flavors to satisfy every savory craving. The dish is perfected with sautéed mushrooms and scallions, providing a delightful and fulfilling experience. (Nutrition: 750 kcals, 4 g fiber, 40 g fat, 22 g protein, 370 mg sodium)
3. Vegan Pearl Pasta and Bean Soup: This hearty, cozy vegan soup is packed with a variety of beans, including kidney beans and white beans, and enhanced with flavor-boosting ingredients. It's served alongside garlicky bread for a satisfying meal. (Nutrition: 710 kcals, 14 g fiber, 11 g fat, 21 g protein, 1540 mg sodium)

I valued the fact that the recipes achieved an ideal combination of protein and fiber, ensuring overall satisfaction. However, I observed that the soup contained a high sodium content. To address this, I followed the recipe's step of rinsing the canned beans with water, reducing their sodium content. Additionally, I used only a portion of the vegetable stock concentrate and opted not to include salt as instructed in a few steps. “The only thing that I don't like about it is the salt level — the recipes tell you to salt fairly often and if you do, it's pretty heavy-handed,” adds one tester.

The pasta recipe included ingredients like garlic butter, cream cheese and milk, which while enhancing the rich creamy flavor also contributed to increased calories and fat content. I believe exploring alternatives or reducing the portion of these specific ingredients would align better with health-conscious choices, a priority for me.

Prep and cooking

Preparing and cooking the recipes turned out to be an enjoyable experience for me! The prep work involved minimal chopping or slicing, mainly scallions, potatoes and mushrooms. The step-by-step instructions were easy to follow, eliminating any intimidation from the process. I felt at ease adjusting the recipes to match my preferences. Each recipe card featured visual cues for the steps, adding a helpful touch. Even for those new to cooking, these recipes seemed quite manageable.

One tester mentioned, "I really struggle with motivating myself to cook, even though I like it and I'm good at it — this makes it so much easier because it's hard to justify not cooking when I don't have to come up with what to make, go to the store and then cook for an hour." The meals had a short cooking time, typically around 30 minutes, and the cleaning process was also swift, which I particularly appreciated.

Taste

HelloFresh prioritizes convenience and flavor in each recipe. Personally, with roots in Ghana, I've grown up appreciating the significance of flavor in dishes using seasonings, herbs and spices to elevate each meal. While the dishes didn't quite meet my personal flavor standards, I believe they hit the mark for the average home cook. As an advocate for encouraging more people to include fish in their diets, I always recommend trying new techniques such as adding crushed nuts for a boost in texture, flavor and vitamins. The pecan-crusted trout from HelloFresh was indeed delightful.

My favorite among the recipes was the Mushroom Cavatappi, likely because of my fondness for creamy pasta dishes. I paired it with a side of greens for added color and nutrition. According to the experts from the Lab, the meals may not be the most flavor complex, but they're unique enough to keep mealtime interesting. Overall, these meals inspired me to explore new culinary creations, and I will certainly order again and try other recipes, especially during my busier weeks.

HelloFresh is a good option if grocery shopping is hard or time-consuming for you. Using this service ensures you get diverse meals without sacrificing convenience. When cooking without it, you might end up with repeated meals or leftovers to reduce food waste (which isn't bad at all). However, if you're on a tight budget and prefer a cheaper meal delivery service or have many allergies, it might not be the best choice. The same goes if you have specific medical conditions requiring a special diet plan.

HelloFresh is a convenient meal kit service offering a variety of fresh, flavorful and nutrient-rich recipes catering to various dietary preferences. We recommend it as a solid choice, particularly suitable for couples or families of four. While it may not be the best fit for singles or larger families, individuals living alone can still benefit by either consuming two servings or enjoying one for dinner and saving the other for lunch the next day. The portion sizes are reasonable, the recipe cards are clear and the instructions are easy to follow, allowing for meals to be prepared in around 30 minutes. The shipping materials are of high quality, incorporating recyclable components.

The service is beginner-friendly, with neatly packaged items. Whether you opt for weekly or monthly deliveries, HelloFresh simplifies the process of putting delicious, nutritious meals on the table, even during hectic days. While there are some downsides, such as higher sodium content and a basic flavor profile, I found it to be worth trying overall.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all different types of food products and services. From healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services, our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more.

In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we recruited over 300 at-home chefs across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs. All in all, we evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services, ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card to fully prepared options. We tested the services over the course of three months in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability.

Valerie Agyeman is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert and regularly appears on networks including ABC’s Good Morning Washington, and she is a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health, The Thirty and Shape.

Valerie Agyeman, R.D.

Contributing Writer

Valerie Agyeman (she/her) is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of combined nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert in the media, regularly appearing on networks such as Fox 5 DC, PIX-11, and ABC’s Good Morning Washington. She is also a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health Magazine, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, and The Everygirl.