Is HelloFresh Actually Convenient? My Full Review

I’m no stranger to meal kits. But as someone who actually enjoys cooking, they’re more of a "sometimes treat" rather than a full-time relationship. However, last week, my life was a mess—work was chaotic, my dog was sick (she's better now, don't worry), and my energy levels were at a solid zero. Grocery shopping? Absolutely not. That’s when I knew it was time to call in some backup: HelloFresh. Here’s my unfiltered take on whether it was actually worth it.

First Impressions

I went with the 3 meals per week plan for two people. Everything arrived in the now-iconic HelloFresh box, neatly packed with ice packs and clearly labeled ingredients. If you’re someone who gets irrationally excited about organization (hi, it’s me), this setup is a dream.

The Cooking Experience

One of the biggest perks of HelloFresh is that you still get to cook—but without the annoying parts like meal planning, grocery shopping, and measuring everything out like a scientist. They take care of all that. You just show up and play chef.

I kicked things off with the salmon recipe because, well, I was feeling a little extra.

This recipe was beginner-friendly, straightforward, and impossible to mess up. Even if you have the attention span of a goldfish (me), you can still pull this off. The instructions are crystal clear, and the plating suggestion even made me feel like a contestant on MasterChef. Total cook time? Under 30 minutes—and that’s with me multitasking and getting distracted.

And let’s talk about the portioning. HelloFresh is freakishly precise with ingredients. Every little packet of seasoning, every drizzle of sauce—it’s all perfectly portioned.

Taste Test & Portion Sizes

Now for the real moment of truth: Did it actually taste good?

OH. MY. SALMON.

I’m not even being dramatic. Both my husband and I couldn’t believe how fresh and flavorful this fish was. We actually sat there trying to remember if we’d ever bought salmon this good from our local grocery store. Spoiler: We hadn’t.

Then my husband said the magic words:
"This tastes better than most restaurants."

And you know what? He was right.

HelloFresh, if you’re reading this, please start selling your salmon separately. I will happily buy it. I would like a lifetime supply, thanks.

As for the portions, I was a little skeptical at first because they looked small, but we both ended up completely satisfied. It’s portioned perfectly so you don’t feel like you overate but also aren’t left raiding the fridge 10 minutes later.

Value for Money

The cost for this box was around $60 for two people (three meals each). But thanks to a discount (bless), I only paid $47—which breaks down to about $7.99 per meal.

That means we had a restaurant-quality salmon dinner for $8.

I know if I tried to buy everything individually—fresh salmon, produce, seasonings, and all—it would have been more expensive. Plus, I would have ended up with extra ingredients I’d probably forget about in the fridge (RIP to the half-used cilantro from last week). So honestly? The price felt 100% worth it.

Is There Anything I Didn’t Like?

Honestly? Not much.

I know some people don’t love the packaging, but almost everything was recyclable, so it wasn’t a big deal for me. Also, HelloFresh has tons of meal options to pick from, which was great because I was able to grab a pork dish for my husband—something I rarely cook because I don’t eat pork myself. So that was a nice bonus.

Final Thoughts: Is HelloFresh Worth It?

Once again, HelloFresh saved me from a week of sad, last-minute meals. I tend to order meal kits when I know life is about to get extra busy (hello, holiday season chaos), but honestly? It’s also perfect for:

✅ New cooks who want some hand-holding while learning

✅ Busy people who don’t have time to plan meals

✅ Anyone prone to grocery store chaos (if you’ve ever walked out with only bananas and snacks, this is for you)

If you’re a first-timer, I’d recommend starting with their most popular meals before venturing into the more experimental options. Over time, you’ll get comfortable enough to branch out and try new things.

For me? I’ll definitely keep using HelloFresh when I need easy, delicious, home-cooked meals that taste like restaurant food but cost way less.

And if they ever offer that salmon as a standalone purchase? Take my money.