Meal kit delivery subscriptions have been going strong for quite some time now, and they’ve become something of an obsession for me. I first spotted them in the hallway of my apartment building circa 2014, and I was immediately intrigued. Seeing my neighbors receive weekly deliveries from Plated, Blue Apron, and HelloFresh led me down a Google rabbit hole into the world of meal subscription boxes. I tried a few different services on my own before finding My Subscription Addiction and joining the review team as a food subscription specialist.
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I first reviewed HelloFresh for MSA in October 2015, and it’s funny to look back at that review to see how much the subscription has changed. From the very start, it’s clear that I loved the convenience that HelloFresh had to offer. (This was 2015! Imagine the novelty of having meal kits delivered straight to your front door!) Interestingly though, I wasn’t completely blown away by the food. I found the recipes to be a little bit... basic. The flavor profiles didn’t wow me, and I was underwhelmed by the limited selection. Back in those early days, subscribers were only given five different recipes to choose from each week. Still, I remember really liking HelloFresh! I'm sure those initial thoughts were colored by my excitement about meal kits in general, but regardless, I was pretty into it.
Over the years, I’ve remained a fan and loyal subscriber, and I’ve watched the service grow by leaps and bounds. Back in 2015, there weren’t all that many competitors in the meal kit delivery space, but competition has since boomed. The fact that HelloFresh has grown to be a leader in a crowded industry speaks volumes about how the company has evolved.
As a subscriber, the improvements are dazzling.
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The menu has grown four-fold, and today, subscribers get to choose from over 20 different recipes each week. Back in the early days, there were weeks when I struggled to find three recipes that I could get excited about. Not anymore. The packaging and shipping have been tweaked to perfection, and it’s rare that I have issues with missing or spoiled ingredients. Best of all, the food is excellent. In that first review from October 2015, I pointed out that the food wasn’t quite “restaurant quality,” and that’s absolutely not the case anymore. Those early days of feeling lukewarm about the flavors and food? Gone. Today's meals absolutely rival what I’d expect to receive in a bistro or neighborhood café. The flavor combinations are almost always successful, and I'll frequently come across flavors and dishes that are new to me and push me out of my comfort zone. I’ve actually adopted quite a few different recipes and techniques into my regular cooking rotation. Compared to other meal kits, HelloFresh has one of the largest menus around, the ingredients are high-quality, the recipes are tasty, and the customer service is fantastic. There are a lot of niche services that are great for vegans, or kids, or those on a budget, or those in a hurry, but HelloFresh is my favorite all-rounder. It's easy to see why it's one of the most popular meal delivery services. HelloFresh is convenient, delicious, and— perhaps best of all— flexible.
When I don’t want to receive a box, it’s easy to skip a delivery. I can even put my subscription on pause if I know I need a longer break. There have been entire months when I've gone without delivery, but I don’t plan on canceling my subscription anytime soon.
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Since first spotting those meal kit delivery boxes in the hallway of my apartment building all those years ago, a lot has changed. I’ve moved into a house, for one. I’ve changed jobs and cities. And I’ve eaten a ton of meal kits from dozens of different companies. HelloFresh has been there through it all. It’s been a constant in my life and has remained one of my favorite meal kits. I love that HelloFresh is always innovating and improving, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next!
About HelloFresh
The Subscription Box: HelloFresh
Availability: Nationwide
The Cost: Plans start at $7.49 per serving. Pricing varies depending on the number of meals and serving sizes. Shipping costs $7.99. Sign up here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! Free High Protein Item for Life + Up to 10 Free Meals One per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. No coupon needed - just use this link.
Visit our HelloFresh page to learn more!
Have you tried HelloFresh? Let us know in the comments!
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