As a certified culinarian, I’m invested in cooking fresh and nutritious meals every day. I value a balanced diet that offers a variety of exciting new flavors. So when my friend asked me to check out Home Chef and give her my honest opinion, I had my doubts.
Although pre-portioned ingredients arriving at your door each week sounded super convenient. And exciting, and I’m sure meal kits save you tons of time. But is their produce actually fresh, are their meals nutritious, and are they at least as good as what I can whip up myself? Plus, I worried that a subscription would cost a fortune…
Honestly, I wasn’t too excited about trying out Home Chef because I automatically assumed their dishes would taste bland. But after clicking around the Home Chef site, my opinion changed.
Here’s what I found:
Meal Plans
Home Chef offers meal plans for 2, 4, or 6 people, with 2 to 6 recipes each week. And unlike other meal kit services, their meals are fully customizable. This is so much better than being limited by restrictive plans for specific dietary needs.
Most of their 30+ recipes allow you to choose your preferred protein with options like the Impossible Burger, Steak Strips, Shrimps, Salmon Filets, Antibiotic-Free Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, and more.
On top of that, Home Chef also offers Oven Ready meals that require barely any preparation. Simply assemble the fresh ingredients in a baking tray and pop it in the oven - done!
Pricing
Home Chef is totally affordable. I was so happy when I saw that their meals cost about $9.99 per serving. I did not expect this, especially considering the convenience of home delivery and the price of groceries. And then there’s Home Chef’s generous promo, which gives you 75% off your first box + 60% off 2nd and 3rd orders.
Flexibility
When it comes to subscription services, I always make sure that I have complete control over my plan. With Home Chef’s flexible subscription there are zero commitments. You can easily pause, skip a week, or opt-out of your plan within your profile’s settings.
Setting up my profile and ordering my first box was easy. There are so many delicious options. As a pescetarian, I love that I can choose my preferred protein, yet it doesn’t limit my selection which is the case with many other meal kits.
I couldn’t wait for my first box to arrive! And when it did, I was amazed by how carefully the ingredients were packaged. Everything looked fresh and came pre-measured, so there was no food waste.
“Home Chef meals are easy to make. No experience is needed, and it’s nice not having to go to the grocery store!”
Home Chef’s meals come with easy-to-follow recipe cards that include colorful pictures, a brief description of the dish, cook time, a list of ingredients, equipment, and a nutritional facts label.
The Tempura Mahi-Mahi and Pickled Ginger Aioli with Sesame Broccoli and Rice took precisely 50 minutes (as stated on the recipe card). And wow. It was a taste sensation. The pickled ginger aioli gave it the perfect kick. I went through culinary school so Home Chef’s meals are a breeze for me. But everyone can master Home Chef meals, even without much cooking experience. Their step-by-step recipe cards make it so easy to follow along.
Next dish up: the Oven-Ready
BBQ Cheddar Turkey Meatloaf with Potato and Pepper Hash. I’d switched out the Turkey with Impossible Burger to suit my diet. All I had to do was set everything in the tray that came with my order and bake it for the time stated on the recipe card. I didn’t even have to chop the veggies!
Eating a fresh, delicious, home-cooked meal has never been so convenient. And there’s nothing to clean up other than my plate.
Expert Summary:
Home Chef exceeds my expectations with flavorful, affordable, and easy-to-make meals that are packed with veggies, protein, and veggies that you can integrate into your diet, guilt-free! And their unique feature that allows you to customize your meals, is suitable for all kinds of diets.
For anyone who wants to enjoy fresh meals without the hassle that comes with cooking, Home Chef is an excellent choice.
Our friends at Home Chef are extending a special offer to our readers! Follow this link to get 75% Off Your First Box + More Free Meals!