I never understood the hype surrounding meal kits. Sure, they sound convenient. But do the meals really taste fantastic and will I save a bunch of money?
Every time I’m close to subscribing, I come across customer reviews complaining about low-grade produce and meat, complicated recipes that take over an hour to prepare, and lack of variety…
So before you sign up for a meal kit service, read this:
Quality Ingredients or Just a Buzzword?
Considering how affordable meal kits can be, I always doubted the quality of the ingredients. I was surprised to see that Home Chef places such a significant emphasis on quality ingredients that they source them directly from trusted suppliers. I was certain that Home Chef meals would be far beyond my budget, but they start at only $8.99 per serving — that’s cheaper than groceries!
My order arrived with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients organized in separate bags, making the cooking process super convenient. Everything’s carefully packaged in a biodegradable, insulated box with cool gel packs that keep the meat and vegetables cool during delivery.
Time-Consuming or Convenient?
This is a big one for me because I don’t have the patience to cook overly complicated recipes that take forever to set on the table. It has to be quick or I opt for takeout. When I found recipes like Lemon Beurre Blanc Shrimp with pesto cauliflower & couscous my first thought was no way!
But it’s actually an Oven-Ready meal, so all I have to do is pop the ingredients in the oven-safe tray that comes with the order and let the oven do the cooking. This is sooo easy. Home Chef also offers Express meals — cooked in 20 minutes or less. And Fast & Fresh meals that can be microwaved — my go-to for busy days.
Customization Hype: Is It All It's Cracked Up to Be?
Home Chef is really proud of their customization options which allow you to tailor your meal preferences and dietary restrictions. I was skeptical about how these customizable dishes might turn out and if they stand out from other meal kit services.
Well, I absolutely love their Customize It tool*. It allows me to upgrade, swap, or double up on my favorite protein — options include antibiotic-free boneless skinless chicken breasts (my favorite), salmon filets, Impossible Burger, and more. This is an awesome feature that other meal kits don’t offer!
Recipe Variety or Déjà Vu?
Many subscribers in the meal kit space frequently complain about the competition’s bland recipe rotation — they get bored pretty quickly so they cancel.
I've been ordering Home Chef for over a month now, and I’m thrilled with the variety. With 30+ dishes to choose from each week, there’s something for every taste and preference — from delicious vegetarian recipes like Bang Bang Cauliflower Rice Bowl with bok choy, to Calorie-Conscious meals like Roasted Garlic Butter Sirloin with bacon-cheddar broccoli. There are even Keto-Friendly options.
Final Thoughts: A Blessing or a Catch?
Although I wish I’d known about Home Chef’s convenience sooner, I’m now officially obsessed!
It saves me so much time and helps me choose dinners that are surefire hits. (I still can’t believe I enjoy fresh, homemade meals most days a week). And Home Chef helps me save money. Ordering out can be highly expensive.
On top of it, their subscriptions are very flexible — I can skip a week, pause my account, or change my order at any time in just a few clicks.
It’s clear to me — Home Chef is a blessing!
Looking for simple dinner solutions that taste delicious and don’t break the bank? Try Home Chef!
* Source: https://www.homechef.com/customize-it