Is there anything like getting back from your holidays to a big box full of nice things waiting for you?
HelloFresh is all about delicious, healthy ingredients delivered straight to your doorstep. Boxes come in various selections, and you can choose to create either 3 or 5 meals per week for 2 or 4 people.
I love this temporary life of ours (for the most part!), but as I have made no secret of, one thing I will not miss is the supermarkets! Let’s just say we are spoilt in the UK. Don’t have time to go? Place an order, and have it all delivered at a time that suits you. Want to cook something with a rare spice plucked by monks in the Himalayas? No problem, aisle 3, fourth shelf up (OK I made that up, but the produce selection at home is immense!)! Here in Bavaria internet grocery shopping is in its infancy (at least it is in Munich), and whilst it does exist, there are limitations as to where they will deliver etc. I think HelloFresh might even deliver to the moon!
As well as the ingredients, our box included three recipe cards with which to create our meals (in German here obviously, but they are on the HelloFresh site too so you can translate them if needs be!). Our selection for the three days was a Delicate Pork Fillet with a Mustard Crust with New Potatoes and Vegetables in a Cream Sauce:
A Summer Mascarpone Broccoli Penne with Basil, Parmesan and Lemon:
And a Greek Salad with crispy cubes of Pitta bread, and Grilled Turkey Breast (which I had to laugh at having just returned from Santorini!):
All recipes work on difficulty level from 1-3. I don’t think anyone would struggle that much with 3 however, all of them were simple enough to follow. Recipes are not usually repeated, but there is a box filled with customer favourites once a year! I like that it’s an interactive society too – tweet, Instagram or Facebook your faves and make suggestions as to what you want to see in your next box, or never see again!
We really liked all of the meals, and as it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, it was great having some new inspiration! The Pork dish was probably our favourite (and probably the fiddliest!), the Greek Salad was really tasty, and whilst I am not sure I would make it again, the Penne made for a nice light summer’s evening supper.
The Produce is all good quality. Main suppliers are listed on the HelloFresh site, so you know exactly where your ingredients are coming from, and I like that food waste is at a minimum as you are sent only what you need.
How does the food keep cool? Book a delivery time when selecting a box, and it all comes packed with innovative insulating materials. We arrived home from the airport late on a boiling hot day, and our neighbours had kindly taken our box in (you can state whether you would like it left with someone just in case) and the contents were all quite literally as cool as cucumbers.
I thought HelloFresh might like to see what our box was upcycled into – a Santorini Donkey retirement centre – but these guys care about the environment too, and had I read the site properly before I recycled all of our packaging (our hamster is currently happily sleeping in the wool!) I would have seen that you can return it (around 5 weeks worth is suggested) via DHL and they will re-use and recycle everything – I LOVE that!
Is it good value? I think so. If you look at the UK and the DE sites, there are price comparisons on both which show that a weekly Hellofresh box is slightly cheaper than an equivalent supermarket shop. You also save your petrol money, and more importantly your own precious time. Plus I don’t know anyone who goes to a supermarket and doesn’t add extra stuff to the trolley as they are going around, do you?
Would we use this service again? Yes, I think we would from time to time, especially as my working hours are about to increase significantly. It’s not something I would want to use every day (although I know people who do), but as you can stop and start when you wish, to know it’s there when things get super hectic, is nice.
HelloFresh would like to offer my readers a €20 discount code on any first order (and £20 in the UK!)! Here in Germany you should use code: HFBVSJ20 and for the HelloFresh site in the UK: HFBASO20 Enjoy!
*disclaimer, we were sent a 3 meal HelloFresh Classic Box to review. All words and opinions are my own however.
Erin says
Hmmmm….I might have to try this. My work hours have also increased significantly, as you know… :-)
bavaria says
I honestly would recommend it. Thanks Erin! (:
Frau Dietz (Eating Wiesbaden) says
A friend was telling me about this a couple of weeks ago, funnily enough. It sounds like a great idea, but it’s even better to see it in action! Can they send someone along to cook it, too? ;)
bavaria says
I wish, that would be nice wouldn’t it?? :D
Mari says
Wow some delicious recipes there and they look like they’re quite easy to follow too
bavaria says
Thanks Mari! I love the look of the UK recipes even more! :)
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
I rather like the idea of this. After so many years cooking for a family, I do tend to stick to old favourites and need some inspiration. This would kickstart my cooking.
Donkey sanctuary..genius!
bavaria says
It’s just sometimes nice to have a change isn’t it? Thanks Trish! :D xx
Laura says
I have been thinking about using Hello Fresh. Your review may have convinced me! All of your meals look really lovely and I think it’s great that you only get what you need. I get annoyed by some of the food waste in my house.
bavaria says
I really loved that there was no food waste, and that the portions were just right too. Thanks Laura! :)
Penny A Residence says
I had no idea Germany didn’t have the same level of internet groceries! The things we take for granted eh? Looks fab and right now anything that helps me cook a decent meal would be fab – I am run ragged!
bavaria says
We are so so spoiled in the UK Penny especially when it comes to supermarkets! :D I like this is as it’s easy to dip in and out when you need too, you don’t have to use it all the time! :)
Shell Louise says
My first thought was, not another of these box things! Now I’ve read the post I actually would spend money on this type of box. I love cooking and trying new recipes and I’d be excited to see what came in each box!
bavaria says
It has yet to make it to Germany, but if you don’t like something in a UK box when you get the list the Friday before, you can swap it! How fab is that?
Monika aka Mumonthebrink says
That box looks such a great idea. How do they do it at competitive prices?
bavaria says
I think because they go straight to the supplier and cut out any overheads etc. Thanks Monika! :)
Grace says
I have never heard of them before and just checked them out on their website. I notice they won Grocer Gold Award – Specialist Online Retailer of the Year 2014! I think it is a great concept – I have always been rather put off with the thought of a box of random organic vegetables arriving on the doorstep, then trying to find recipes to use them up!! x
bavaria says
It’s nice to have some of the guess work taken out of it isn’t it? :) xx
Jess Howliston says
This sounds like a great idea and a reasonable price too for what you receive! The food looks yummy and I think it would be a great idea to encourage a wider variety of meal choices as sometimes when you shop at the supermarket I tend to just grab the same things lol! xx
bavaria says
Me too Jess! Thank you :)
Jen aka The Mad House says
I think this is the perfect thing to come home from holiday too. I wouldn’t use it all the time, but wonderful for when needed
bavaria says
That’s what I think too. Thanks Jen! :)
Aly says
I think this would work for those with busy lives.It’s great to see how interactive they are with their customers.
bavaria says
I think they sound like a great company to work for too! Thanks Aly! :)
Globalmouse says
Wow that looks great. I could dive into that pasta with broccoli right now!! Love the donkey centre too ;)
bavaria says
Thank you! (:
Emma says
We’ve used Hello Fresh a few times, and loved them. One of the things I struggle with is finding the time to plan new meals so Hello Fresh is perfect for adding a bit of variety to our food, but I did find them a little expensive if used on a weekly basis.
bavaria says
Thanks Emma! :)
becky says
I love this idea hate supermarket shopping and this would help so much with diet and meal planning
bavaria says
Me too Becky, especially here! Thank you! :)
Mary Keynko says
I love these boxes, I wish we could use them! Sadly with one of us as a vegetarian and one of on a gluten free diet there seems no way of fitting into their recipe scheme! Maybe one day!
bavaria says
Thanks Mary, that’s a shame. You never know, as the company grows you might get even more choice! x
Donna@MummyCentral says
Wow. This food looks scrummy. I love companies like this, which take us back to good, fresh produce instead of frozen ready meals.
bavaria says
Thanks Donna. I like that too! :) x
Elinor aka Beach Hut Cook says
Great idea. I like the sound of that. Elinor x
bavaria says
Thanks Elinor! :) x
Liz Burton says
I’ve only just eaten my dinner yet your pictures are making my tummy rumble already!
What a fab idea, it does look super fresh.
bavaria says
Thank you! :)
susanna says
Sign me up please!! That is just what I need.
bavaria says
Thanks Susanna! :D
Angela Spicer says
We tried out Hello Fresh at the beginning of this year and was very impressed.
bavaria says
Great aren’t they? Thanks Angela! :)
Louisa says
They look fantastic. What a great way to get a bit if variety into your diet without trudging to the shops.
bavaria says
Thanks Louisa. We were so spoilt in London – if we ran out of something we just had to walk around the corner! :D
Healthier Mummy says
These sound delicious, and a really great idea. Particularly useful when you’re stuck for ideas of what to make. How long did they take to cook?
bavaria says
I think they aim to keep them to the 35 minute mark. One of them did take slightly longer but I am blaming that on the fact that we had just got off a plane so we were a little bit disorganised! Thank you! :)
Nikki Thomas says
I have looked at Hello Fresh a few times as I have heard so many good things about them, but they still seem a little expensive to me. It does look and sound amazing though and I love that they will recycle the packaging too
bavaria says
It’s a few years since I have lived in the UK now, so I am not too sure on the prices there, but here it definitely seems quite economic! Thank you! :)
you baby me mummy says
Wow the foodlooks gorgeous. What a lovely idea x
bavaria says
Thank you! Now, if I could have someone to cook it too and clean up the kitchen afterwards it would be even better! :D
Lulastic says
Oh it looks THE BUSINESS! It would make a fantastic baby on present for new parents, don’t you reckon?
bavaria says
That’s a brilliant idea! Thank you Lucy! :)
Carolin says
Oh wow, the meals look great. I’ve never considered using a service such as Hello Fresh, but your delivery looks really fresh and great quality and all those meals would be something we would enjoy.
bavaria says
Thank you Carolin, I was really impressed with them! It was fun to have everything chosen for you too for once! :D
Kate Takes 5 (@KateTakes5) says
Oh my god – YUM! I am going to have to log off now and eat something..
bavaria says
Haha, sorry about that Kate! :D
Victoria says
That’s a good idea!! They all look yummy!! Love the donkey sanctuary!! :) xx
bavaria says
Thank you! :D xx
Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows says
What a clever idea. Having two fussy toddlers means this probably wouldn’t be for us, but the meals look and sounds absolutely delicious
bavaria says
Thanks Rachel! :)
Clare @ Emmys Mummy says
The meals look delicious.
I often think about trying these types of boxes but my hubby is very fussy
bavaria says
Thank you! I know that on the UK site there is a swap option to change some items in the box for the following week if you are not keen! :)
Rachel says
Love the sound of this, from all the similar boxes i have seen, this is what I would be wanting. Ingredients to make a few meals instead of being sent which looks like random bits from a closing food shop and I have to say, each meal looks delicious x
bavaria says
Thanks Rachel, I was impressed! :)