Because of these overlapping goals and audiences, the company names sound, well, kind of the same. There’s HelloFresh, Home Chef, Chefs Plate, Green Chef, Purple Carrot, Blue Apron. Phew! If the “H” companies have you jumbled up, we’re here to explain the differences between Home Chef vs. HelloFresh, two of the more prominent names in the biz (don’t miss out on our comparison of HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron, too!).

What’s the Difference Between Home Chef and HelloFresh?

Similarities

Home Chef and HelloFresh have the same model as other meal delivery services for families. They allow you to select plans for different numbers of recipes and servings to receive each week. The insulated cardboard boxes that each company sends contain all the ingredients needed for the chosen recipes, sorted into bags for added convenience.

Even the cost differences are virtually nonexistent. Home Chef meals cost between $9.99 and $11.99, depending on how many you purchase. HelloFresh meals cost between $9.99 and $11.49. (Psst! Keep an eye out for sales.) Note: With Home Chef, you have the option to order six servings per meal, whereas HelloFresh only sells meals with yields of up to four servings.

The recipes are similarly categorized on the website, with labels related to carbohydrate and calorie content, cook/prep time, vegetarian-friendliness and more. Both companies offer roughly 30 recipes to choose from each week. (Need an exclusively vegetarian service? Try Mosaic Foods.)

When trying out Home Chef vs. HelloFresh recipes, each box had its highs and its lows, for a very comparable experience with both brands. For instance, I loved the Italian-Style Wedding Soup from Home Chef but was a little underwhelmed by the Salmon Cakes with Dill Hollandaise. As for HelloFresh, the Street Cart-Style Turkey Bowls wowed while the One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes left a bit to be desired.

In addition to the entrees they provide, HelloFresh (through HelloFresh Market) and Home Chef also allow add-ons to their boxes. Think breakfasts, drinks, side dishes, breads, desserts and a la carte proteins, available for an additional cost.

Lastly, both companies are committed to eco-friendliness and sustainability, exhibited through their sourcing practices. However, these companies may pose cross-contamination risks which can be dangerous for those with severe allergies. Both brands have also been known to include some single-use plastics in their kits. That said, most of these single-use materials are recyclable.

Differences

The differences between these two companies in terms of menu options, flexibility and pricing are hard to identify. There are a few additional features of Home Chef, potentially accounting for its slightly elevated price tag, that set it apart from HelloFresh. If you view these features as value-adds, then it could be the fit for you.

Home Chef, owned by Kroger, sells some of its meal kits in supermarkets. This means that to enjoy Home Chef’s offerings, you might not even need to subscribe. Also, if you have a favorite food celebrity, there’s a chance they’ve collaborated with Home Chef. Some examples of partnerships include Rachael Ray and Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest fame, who developed limited-time recipes for the service. This meal kit also offers oven-ready meals that require little prep before popping in the oven and family meals that automatically come with four servings.

All About Home Chef

Home Chef is based in Chicago, Illinois, and was founded in 2013. Since then, the company has expanded its offerings to include traditional meal kits, as well as optional add-ons like desserts, breakfasts and sides; oven-ready meals; and in-store kits.

Most of its recipes are developed by professional on-staff chefs, though some notable celebrity partnerships mean a selection of the company’s recipes were developed by the famous chef in question. Recipes are dubbed easy, intermediate or expert, and labeled with tags like Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Smart, Vegetarian, Carb-Conscious, etc.

The company boasts its products as “endlessly customizable…meal kits that fit your needs” with “fresh, pre-portioned ingredients.” This customization is made clear via the “Customize It” options, which usually entail swapping out proteins or omitting them altogether.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Home Chef meals, especially the Italian-Style Wedding Soup, and their high-quality ingredients. I found the cook times and difficulty ratings to be accurate. Plus, the comprehensive recipe cards were incredibly helpful.

Although I think some of the recipes could’ve been more efficient, my experience was certainly a positive one, and I believe it could be for you, too. Home Chef offerings are suitable for all types of consumers: couples, singles and families.

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Home Chef

Home Chef, available in select Kroger stores and online, is a celebrity-endorsed, ultra-customizable meal delivery service.

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All About HelloFresh

If HelloFresh isn’t beckoning you, perhaps one of the company’s other brands will. The HelloFresh Group, based in Germany, also owns Green Chef, EveryPlate, Factor and Good Chop, among others. Green Chef focuses on healthy, organic recipes while EveryPlate is a budget brand. Factor sells fully prepared frozen meals, and Good Chop is a meat delivery service.

HelloFresh, the group’s namesake, is the most straightforward meal delivery serviceand perhaps the original, founded in 2011. You’ve surely heard of it, thanks to its omnipresent marketing, solid reviews and amazing deals.

I’ve tested HelloFresh three times now, and its meals are always tasty, easy and made with ingredients I, myself, would pick out from the supermarket. Think Daisy sour cream, Philadelphia cream cheese, Cholula hot sauce and Colavita olive oil. The comprehensive recipe card makes recipe preparation super simple.

And don’t discount HelloFresh Market, which functions as a more built-out grocery delivery service. There’s even fresh produce available!

Some negligible drawbacks include misquoted prep and cook times and substantial cleanup, but those are small complaints for an overwhelmingly pleasant, ever-consistent experience.

HelloFresh also has the lead in allergy information with their clear breakdown of ingredients to avoid any allergens like dairy or gluten.

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HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a fan-favorite meal delivery service celebrated for its diverse menu, customization options and affordability.

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Why You Should Trust Us

Annamarie Higley is the shopping editor who manages all of Taste of Home‘s testing lab and product testing. She has assessed online trends and search traffic to review hundreds of products, food subscriptions and wine delivery services in her experience at Taste of Home,Brit + Co and Edible. Given her hands-on experience with meal kit subscriptions and extensive experience looking for the best food and kitchen products, she is more than adept at comparing Home Chef and HelloFresh.

Nancy Snyder is a shopping editor and professional dietitian at Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest, Family Handyman,The Pet Collective, Women’s Health, Prevention, MyFitnessPal and Bustle. At these publications, she has years of experience honing her culinary talent and identifying the food industrys top trends, recipes, subscriptions and products. With all of this experience under her belt, she is an excellent candidate to review Home Chef and HelloFresh.

Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor atTaste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor atBob Vila.

FAQ

Are Home Chef and HelloFresh cheaper than eating out?

Home Chef and HelloFresh are less expensive than eating out as their meals are priced at $9 to $11 for two to four servings, which is definitely cheaper than most takeout options.

How much does Home Chef and HelloFresh cost a week?

Home Chef subscription plans come at a price point of $50 to $82 depending on which plan you select. Or, HelloFresh comes with 15 different plans to select which can range from $100 to $110 per week. Plus, it comes with a $10.99 shipping fee per week, rounding out the price to $110 to $120 per week.

Are Home Chef and HelloFresh easy to cancel?

Home Chef and HelloFresh subscriptions are easy to cancel by logging into the ‘Account’ portal and selecting ‘Cancel’ or ‘Cancel Plan’. If you are vacationing or going away for just a short time, you can also suspend or pause your subscription at any time.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to Home Chef vs. HelloFresh, you can’t go wrong here. I’d suggest browsing the menus of both companies and deciding which one entices you more. However, if you’re committed to your weekly supermarket runs or your favorite celebrity chef, then Home Chef might be a better call. Aside from that, the pricing, sustainability practices, recipe selections and ingredient quality are very comparable.

The post Home Chef vs. HelloFresh: I’ve Tested Both, But How Do They Compare? appeared first on Taste of Home.

Since then, my cooking chops have improved (fortunately!), and I’ve tried five other meal delivery services, including Home Chef, Dinnerly, Green Chef, EveryPlate and the two compared here. My initial conclusion remains: Meal delivery services are a major value-add.

All the meal delivery services we’ve tested are good and worthwhile. You might roll your eyes, but it’s the truth. Sure, some recipes are tastier than others. But really, meal delivery services are largely similar, with equally user-friendly websites, flexible subscription policies and quality ingredients. When it comes down to it, it’s more a matter of finding which one is right for you and your family.

What’s the difference between Blue Apron and HelloFresh?

Cost & Plan Differences

When it comes to Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh, the companies have a slew of similarities. They’re both meal delivery services that send the makings for professionally developed and tested recipes straight to customers’ doors. The cardboard boxes in which they arrive are insulated and contain ice packs, and the ingredients are divvied up by meal. Both allow users to skip and cancel with ease without contacting the company via a button in account settings.

Blue Apron lets subscribers order between two and five meals per week, with two or four servings of each. You can also add additional meals a la carte. Meals range between $7.99 and $12.49 per serving, depending on how many you buy. HelloFresh offers as many as six meals per week, with two, four or six servings of each. You can also add on more meals for a modest cost. Meals range between $9.99 and $11.49, depending on how many you order.

Dietary Options and Recipe Variety

Aside from technical differences like price and subscription plans, Id categorize Blue Apron as the more gourmet option, which may explain its higher meal prices. The recipes can be slightly more complex, featuring exciting flavor profiles, as seen in the Hoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen I tested. Blue Apron suits empty nesters or busy foodies, though it may not be the best service for picky kids.

In contrast, HelloFresh offers simpler recipes, such as One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes, making it ideal for families. It also provides a broader selection of diet-specific plans, catering to vegetarians, pescatarians and calorie-conscious eaters. While Blue Apron focuses on sophisticated, globally inspired dishes, HelloFresh excels in accommodating specific diets and dietary restrictions.

Unique Add-Ons and Product Lines

Both companies have a handful of unique add-ons and products that set them apart from the other. For example, Blue Apron has a line of Heat & Eat mealsakin to microwaveable TV dinners, but better (of course). Think Cheesy Truffle Cavatappi or Lemon Chicken. Blue Apron also has a collection of Ready to Cook meals available each week. These baked recipes arrive alongside a recyclable aluminum pan and require little prep before going into the oven. The Miso-Maple Chicken Thighs & RiceI tested is an example, as well as Squash & Pinto Bean Tacos or Tuscan Sausage & Gnocchi. You can also add additional a la carte options, like cookies, salads, biscuits or soups.

HelloFresh, on the other hand, has HelloFresh Market, which is a robust selection of food items outside the typical dinnertime entree. Think breakfast items, soups, sides, desserts, meats and even fresh produce. This makes the HelloFresh experience closer to that of going to a grocery store if you so choose. (See more deliverable grocery options.) It’s a highly desirable option for those looking to replace their weekly grocery runs altogether.

Sustainability and Packaging

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron emphasize sustainable practices and are carbon neutral, which is impressive. However, they differ in their packaging approaches. Blue Apron uses looser packaging, resulting in less overall waste, but this requires users to sort ingredients themselves. In contrast, HelloFresh packages all ingredients individually, which some may find wasteful, though it offers greater convenience. Still, HelloFreshs packaging is largely recyclable, and the brand provides a recycling guide for users.

Customer Experience and App Usability

Both brands provide customer-facing mobile apps and customer service options, though their execution differs. Blue Apron receives praise for its user-friendly app interface and high service quality, including few issues with billing and subscription management.

HelloFresh’s app is also functional, offering myriad options for managing a user’s account. It shows your current order, upcoming orders and the buttons to “Change Meals” or “Edit Delivery.” All nutrition info is there, as well as ingredients, items not included in delivery, utensils needed and cooking steps with photos.

All About Blue Apron

New York-based Blue Apron was founded in 2012 and has only grown from there. Among the 80-plus options per week, subscribers can choose from recipes that are labeled as premium, craft, carb-conscious, vegetarian, new and notable and more. Recipes feature fresh ingredients, most of which come directly from producers, that are in keeping with the season. At the time of writing this article, for instance, customers will see Brussels sprouts, figs, kale, apples and pepitas on the website.

When testing, I found Blue Apron’s offerings to be the most elevated. Both the Miso-Maple Chicken Thighs & Rice and Hoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen felt worthy of a restaurant and boasted unexpected flavor combinations that I could tell had been vetted and approved by professional chefs.

There were a couple of snafus regarding leaky packaging and mismatched ingredients, but overall, Blue Apron delivers quality and convenience. Additionally, in Editorial Coordinator Sydney Manning’s latest 2024 tests, these seem to be solvedno leaky packages here!

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Blue Apron

Blue Apron, with 80-plus options on the menu each week, stands out for its elevated recipes with a modest price tag.

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All About HelloFresh

HelloFresh is the flagship brand of the HelloFresh Group, which also owns favorites like Green Chef, EveryPlate, Factor and Good Chop (a meat delivery service). An industry leader, HelloFresh began in Germany in 2011 but has had a presence in the U.S. since 2013. It’s known for its amazing deals, seemingly omnipresent marketing, impressive recipe selection and solid reviews.

HelloFresh, which we’ve now tested over three times, is nothing if not consistent. The recipes, albeit slightly more elementary than those from Blue Apron, are easy to make, even for beginners, and palatable for all types of eaters. Customers can find them categorized by popularity, speed, batch size, caloric content, seasonality and more.

The protein and produce always meet my standards, and the brown-bag packaging of each meals’ ingredients makes for easy organization and prep. Cleanup isn’t always the quickest and quoted cook/prep times aren’t always accurate, but those are small complaints for an overwhelmingly pleasant experience.

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HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a longtime favorite of meal-kit subscribers, thanks to its universal recipes, fair pricing and customization.

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The Bottom Line

Peruse the menus of each before you subscribe! Keep in mind: The pricing is fairly comparable. Generally, I think Blue Apron would be better for young professionals, newlyweds, retirees, self-identified foodies, etc., whereas HelloFresh is best for students or families with young children. However, there will always be exceptions to those rules. Whichever you choose, rest assured the recipes will be yummy, the ingredients will be fresh and those around your kitchen table will be satisfied.

Why You Should Trust Us

Annamarie Higley overseesTaste of Home’s product testing team and daily operations in our testing lab. She is also a former Taste of Home shopping editor, and she has reviewed hundreds of products, from meal kit subscriptions to wine delivery. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, baking, reading and following her cat around.

Nancy Snyder is a registered dietitian and seasoned professional in nutrition and culinary expertise. She reviewed and fact-checked this piece. With nearly a decade of experience collaborating with restaurant chefs and food manufacturers, Nancy has forged a path at the intersection of nutrition consulting and culinary innovation. She is also a senior shopping editor forTaste of Home, working alongside the Test Kitchen to identify and test products that help each individual reader elevate their personal kitchen experience.

FAQs

How much do HelloFresh and Blue Apron cost per week?

HelloFresh meals cost about $9.99 per serving on average, making it the more affordable option. Blue Apron is slightly more expensive, ranging from $10 to $12 per serving, though its meals are often more gourmet.

Do Blue Apron and HelloFresh have add-ons?

Both services offer add-ons. Blue Apron provides appetizers, side kits, extra proteins, desserts and prepared meals. HelloFresh offers additional meat and seafood boxes for an extra cost, as well as charcuterie boards and breakfast and lunch kits.

Is it easy to cancel Blue Apron and HelloFresh?

Neither service requires a long-term commitment and can be canceled anytime following the respective cancellation policy instructions. However, meals that have already been processed or shipped cannot be canceled.

The post Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh: What’s Best? appeared first on Taste of Home.

With inflation contributing to record high food costs, wasting groceries each week hurts both the environment and consumers wallets, said Jeffrey Yorzyk, senior director of sustainability at HelloFresh. Families cook with the best intention of using their leftovers, but our research shows that they are generally not consuming all of those leftovers. Getting creative with the food in your fridge can help families feel like theyre eating something new and exciting!

Why Do People Waste Food?

For the most part, people hate throwing food away. According to the survey, more than 70% of consumers say theyre riddled with guilt when they waste food. Often, the problem starts in the grocery store. Nearly 20% of respondents say they overestimate how much food theyll use when shopping. Package size is another problem. A quarter of people say they end up buying at least five food items they wish they could buy in smaller quantities.

Still, some people are simply wasteful and without remorse. Nearly 40% admitted that theyve thrown food away just because they didnt feel like eating it after purchasing it.

What Are the Most Wasted Food Items?

Survey responders were pretty adamant about the foods they buy that are the hardest to use up. Below are the top 10 most wasted, hardest-to-use-up foods that survey respondents noted:

1. Lettuce
2. Bananas
3. Milk
4. Apples
5. Bread
6. Avocado
7. Deli items (meat, cheese, prepared foods, etc.)
8. Eggs
9. Meat
10. Carrots

How Can You Cut Down on Food Waste?

Once you’ve bought food at the grocery store, there are a number of strategies to ensure you don’t waste it. The most important is finding creative ways to turn leftover food into new meals. Foremost among these strategies is meal planning. Besides cutting down on waste, simple meal planning can make your life easier.

You can also upcycle food scraps, such as orange peels, cucumber peels and watermelon rinds. Finally, you can start composting at home, turning smelly food scraps into organic nutrient-rich soil.

The post These Are the Top 10 Most Wasted Foods appeared first on Taste of Home.

Editor’s Tip: The famous Chipotle queso blanco is especially popular and personally, keeps us coming back for more. Its creamy, cheesy, andperfectly spicy. The only downside? It will set you back a few bucks to add queso to your order.

What Is the Chipotle Catering Meal Prep Hack?

Quite simply, this hack involves ordering Chipotle catering boxes. Unlike individual orders at Chipotle, the catering boxes come with bulk packaged meats, veggies, cheeses and more that can be divided and reassembled in your own dishes (or ones supplied by Chipotle) to create prepared meals to store in the refrigerator.

TikTok creator Erika Gunn showed how she paid $109 to build 10 servings of food for her family (about $11 per meal). “You’d be super surprised. It comes with everything you need,” Gunn says in the video. In the video, she shows how she unboxed the various meats, vegetables and toppings to create several meal bowls that could be easily reheated and stored in the fridge.

@sidehustleagent Chipotle Catering for meal prep #mealprep #chipotle #easyonthego #tiktokhack Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Another creator, Alicia Briggs, also tried the hack and posted about it, calling it “absolutely genius.” She says in her video, I eat a lot of rice, and a lot of chicken, so why not add some mixed vegetables and sauted fajitas to my meal? Briggs ended up spending $139 for 10 servings. “This is going to make meals for a long time,” she says.

@thebrownmamimelts #greenscreen thank you to whoever shared this first. Im hype! All this would have cost me more plus taken alot of time! #mealprep #weightloss #vsgcommunity #gymtok Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

How much money people save by using Chipotle catering for weekly meal prep seems unclear. A meal delivery service like HelloFresh, for instance, starts at $7.49 per serving. So, if you use HelloFresh, you spend about $53.94 per week for three dishes a week for two people.

For now, Chipotle doesn’t seem to mind that its catering services are being used for meal prep purposesthe company has even added items to its menu recently based on TikTok creators and their hacked menu orders.

Chipotle Copycat Recipes to Try

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Slow-Cooker BarbacoaMy husband adores this barbacoa, which is beef roast simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin. He would eat it one a week if I would make it that often! We have it over rice with cilantro and a spritz of lime. Aundrea McCormick, Denver, ColoradoGo to Recipe

Chipotle Chicken CopycatChipotle chicken is tender, juicy and perfectly seasoned to complement all the burrito fixings in those gigantic flour tortillas. Making this copycat Chipotle chicken recipe at home couldn't be easier; the key is marinating your chicken overnight in a spicy, smoky blend of herbs, spices and aromatics.Go To Recipe

Chipotle Queso Blanco CopycatOoey-gooey cheesy queso is great in bowls, burritoseven straight out of the cup! This copycat recipe tastes just like Chipotle's queso blanco, but if you want your queso to look more similar, use shredded white cheddar instead of yellow.

Go to Recipe

Editor's Tip: The famous Chipotle queso blanco is especially popular and personally, keeps us coming back for more. Its creamy, cheesy, andperfectly spicy. The only downside? It will set you back a few bucks to add queso to your order.

Chipotle Guacamole CopycatChipotle's guacamole is legendaryand for good reason. The secret? Its freshness! Though many dips tend to improve the longer they sit, guacamole tastes best shortly after it's made, so the flavor of fresh avocado shines through the rest of the ingredients. Eating it right away also keeps guacamole from browning.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa CopycatTomatillos may look like green tomatoes, but they're not the same thing. Instead, tomatillos are small, round and firm with a dense interior. When raw, tomatillos have a bright, extremely tart flavor that's somewhat reminiscent of limes. When roasted, tomatillos lose that acidic edge and become a little sweeter. They're the perfect addition to salsa.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Rice CopycatHave you ever dreamed of going to Chipotle and eating nothing but a big, heaping bowl of fluffy cilantro-lime rice? Well, you can make that dream come true in your very own home with this simple five-ingredient recipe.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa CopycatIf possible, try to find fresh or frozen sweet white corn for the most authentic Chipotle corn salsa. It's what the restaurant uses in its recipe. However, if all you can find is yellow corn, this salsa will still be spectacularly delicious.Go To Recipe

Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa CopycatYou only need five ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to make this vibrant salsa, which livens up just about everything it's paired with. Although this fresh tomato salsa is delicious the day it's made, it gets even better the longer it sitsdouble the recipe so you can snack on salsa and veggies or chips all week.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa CopycatThis recipe isn't an exact replica of Chipotle's fiery red salsa, but it's a great "close enough" option if you don't have access to fresh tomatillos. If you like your salsa extra spicy, don't hold back when adding the hot sauce!

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Carnitas CopycatCarnitas is arguably one of the most popular meats at Chipotle. Though there's no shortage of winning options on the menu, it was the irresistible slow-roasted spiced pork that put Chipotle on the map when it opened its first location in Denver, Colorado, in 1993.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Steak Tacos CopycatFire up the grill to make these Chipotle-inspired flank steak tacos, topped with a simple fresh salsa made explosive with fresh lime juice. For even more delicious acidity, serve these tacos with pickled red onions.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Chicken Tacos Copycat with Avocado SalsaAs good as these chicken tacos are, the real star of this copycat recipe is the easy-to-make avocado salsa, which you'll want to eat straight out of the bowl. Let your guests choose between crispy corn tortillas or soft flour tortillas, just like you would at Chipotle.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Cheese Quesadillas CopycatIf you don't want to worry about ordering a quesadilla ahead of time for pickup at Chipotle, you can make quesadillas at home instead. This is a basic, easy quesadilla recipe everyone should know how to make, and once you do, you can start experimenting with all sorts of additional fillings.

Go to Recipe

Chipotle Veggie Burrito CopycatPerfect for meatless Mondays, no one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh filling. Double the recipe, and you can eat the leftovers for Taco Tuesday! Include guacamole for an even closer copycat recipe.

Go to Recipe

 

The post People Are Using Chipotle Catering for Meal Prep—And Honestly, It’s Genius appeared first on Taste of Home.

We all know meal prepping is the best way to plan out your weekat least foodwise. However, finding the right container for all your brilliant meal prep ideas can be tricky. That’s why we found a meal prep cutting board that has everything you need to make those Sunday Scaries less, well, scary.

What is a meal prep cutting board?

You might see the name and think, “How can a cutting board be used to meal prep?” This particular meal prep cutting board is more than a place to chop your fruit, veggies and meat. Its unique design creates a space where you can chop everything on the bamboo top, then push your prepped food into one of three stackable containers underneath.

The three containers each have 1.5 liters of spacea bit over six cupsgiving you plenty of room for packing away prepped ingredients. Thanks to the airtight seal on each container, your food will stay fresh in the fridge, and because the containers are stackable, they’re easy to store.

This specialty cutting board has a built-in grater, which is perfect for zesting lemons and shredding cheese. It also has a slot to hold your phone or tablet, so you can reference up meal prep recipes while you prep. (Or place a new order with your favorite meal delivery service if all that prepping leaves you too tired to cook!)

How to Use a Meal Prep Cutting Board

Typically with meal prepping, you have to worry about buying the right sized meal prep containers, along with all the other utensils you need. One of the best things about this meal prep cutting board is that it’s perfect for someone just starting off in their meal prep journey. You’ll already have the space and storage you need to meal prep your week!

You can cut everything from chicken to cucumbers on the bamboo cutting board top. The handles on the side make it easy to hold the board in place or shift around to make the perfect chop.

We also love the cutout where you can push all your food into one of the containers. Instead of lifting your cutting board to dump everything into your plastic or glass containers, you simply move your food across the bamboo board until it drops into place. The “drop zone” also fits the included slicer, garlic mince, julienne and other attachments so you can effortlessly prep nearly any ingredient.

The lid also comes with a handle, which means you can easily tote your prepped meal or ingredients to work or school. All in all, the multi-purpose features of this gadget make it a must-have meal prep product for your kitchen.

The Best Amazon User Reviews

We’re not the only ones who think this functional meal prep cutting board is a great addition to your kitchen! Here’s what 5-star Amazon reviewers have to say.

Verified Amazon user K. Rietmann wrote, “Bought this item for my daughter to give her along with a meal kit membership. It has everything she needs… Excited that it’s an all-in-one solution that will help her stay organized with her limited room.”

Alexa noted the cutting board and meal prep containers together were a big improvement to meal prepping. Alexa wrote, “…makes meal prepping far more efficient and fun! I really like to be able to slide all the waste into one container to be tossed later. The bamboo board also looks great and we leave it out as a permanent kitchen counter item.”

Where to Buy a Meal Prep Cutting Board

You can find the meal prep cutting board on Amazon for $64. While you’re waiting for it to arrivewhich shouldn’t be long thanks to Amazon’s speedy shippingstart developing your meal plan.

$49.95 at Amazon

The post This Multi-Purpose Cutting Board Makes Meal Prep a Breeze appeared first on Taste of Home.

With the same convenience as other meal kits, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is a meal prep service with more than 100 recipes to choose from each week. And, as a big fan of Martha’s, I knew I had to put this service to the test. If you’re curious about Marley Spoon reviews, I cooked through several recipes to see what this meal delivery service was all about.

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We Tried It

Marley Spoon Meal Delivery

Marley Spoon meal delivery service, which offers dozens of meals per week, is a fresh, convenient way to keep your household fed.

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What is Marley Spoon?

Marley Spoon is a meal delivery service much like HelloFresh, Dinnerly and Green Chef. Each box includes the ingredients needed to make your chosen meals, along with an instruction card to follow. The options on the menu each week are recipes from Martha Stewart, with a focus on full meals with great flavor. Choose from 100+ different rotating options, including meals that are plant-based and family-friendly. You can also choose from snacks, smoothies and desserts.

Each week, go online to choose your menu. From there, pre-packaged ingredients and instruction cards are delivered to your home. I knew the exact day my box would be delivered, but the perishable ingredients were still packaged in a separate cold bag in case they needed to sit for a while. It was simple to unbox and put ingredients away either in the fridge or pantry until I was ready to dive in and start cooking.

Marley Spoon Features

When you choose your meals on the Marley Spoon website, you can select a plan for two or four people. You can also choose from two to six meals per week. My box arrived well-packaged, causing no concern for the foods that needed to be kept cold. The insulated bag and ice packs kept things fresh, and everything nonperishable was wrapped and stored in a paper bag.

Ingredients such as eggplant, red peppers, onion and sweet potato, as well as the packaged meat, came very fresh. Other ingredients, such as small squares of Parmesan cheese or a mini container of ricotta, were portioned individually, making measuring simple and eliminating extra food waste.

The three dishes I tried were far more flavorful and interesting than I anticipated, which makes me want to try more of what’s on the menu. I love that the recipes aren’t the same each week. At first glance, the pictures of the final product and even some of the methods seemed intimidating. However, each recipe was divided into six steps, with helpful photos of each step that made it easy to follow along. Plus, with the recipe and instruction cards, I now have the option to make the meal again on my own time.

How We Tested Marley Spoon

To truly see what Marley Spoon was all about, I tried multiple meals over the course of a week. Each meal came with the main ingredients needed to pull it off. However, the recipe cards noted other required pantry staples, such as olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and vinegar.

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Skillet Beef Moussaka

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The first dish I made was the Skillet Beef Moussaka. In the box, I found eggplant, onion, canned tomatoes, fresh parsley, mascarpone cheese, Parmesan cheese and a specialty spice blend. The process of cooking this meal took a bit longer (and required more dishes!) than I expected, but the results were certainly worth it. The final dish was hearty comfort food full of flavor. I loved the combination of ground beef, eggplant and other veggies, and the seasoning was well-balanced. Another major bonus: I ended up with plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day.

VIA MERCHANT

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Italian Sausage Rag Pasta

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Next up was the Italian Sausage Rag Pasta. This kit was quick and easy, with red bell pepper, pork sausage, fennel seeds, cherry tomatoes, linguine pasta, fresh parsley, ricotta and Parmesan cheese included. The prep for this recipe was super simple, as well as the cooking method. I was shocked by how flavorful this dish was with so few ingredients. It easily stacked up to a restaurant-quality bowl of pastaa fantastic weeknight meal.

MOLLY ALLEN FOR TASTE OF HOME

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Sheet Pan Piri Piri Chicken

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Last but certainly not least was the easy-prep Sheet Pan Piri Piri Chicken. After first reading the recipe card, I didn’t have high hopes for this dish. The method of broiling chicken seemed a bit odd to me, and I imagined such a simple dish might be bland. But it pleasantly surprised me. The box included shallot, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, chicken breast, honey and a delicious piri piri spice blend. It required a bit of prep to chop the veggies and roast them in separate steps, but the results were amazing. The flavor of the seasoned vegetables and chicken, paired with the drizzle of piri piri vinaigrette, was incredible. I ended up eating every single piece of the roasted veggies in one servingthey were that good.

Portion Sizes and Leftovers

As mentioned, Marley Spoon’s meals are portioned for either two or four folks. This means they’re not designed for leftovers. However, if you are a pair and you order meals for four, you’ll be getting two meals per person per recipe. This is also a way to increase portion sizes, should you so desire. Another means of increasing portion sizes or ensuring you have leftovers is by adding side dishes, which are also available through the service. That said, the brand’s meals are based on the US’s standard dietary guidelines.

Cooking Time and Effort

Marley Spoon’s weekly menu typically displays the meals available that weekthe brand boasts over 100 options per weekand sometimes includes the cooking time. More specifically, it highlights certain meals that should take “under 30 minutes” to prepare. That said, our experience suggests the suggested cook times are probably only accurate for seasoned home chefs prepared beforehand. In practice, these meals could take longer to cooka common complaint on forums.

Furthermore, the kits don’t actually include all the ingredients you need for the meals. Many of them require you to have kitchen stapleslike olive oil, salt and/or vinegaron hand. This could be frustrating for some users who aren’t prepared ahead of time and poses a major roadblock for anyone unprepared. After all, you won’t be able to complete a meal if it calls for vinegar and you simply do not have any in your kitchen. We recommend carefully reading your meal ingredients and instructions before you order so you can be prepared with those kitchen staples ahead of time.

Dietary Restrictions and Special Diets

The Marley Spoon site proudly displays that it offers dietary-specific meals for those who are calorie-conscious, dairy-free and vegetarian. There are even “gluten-free friendly” mealshowever, it’s hard to say whether there is the possibility of cross-contamination in the production facilities. Unfortunately, that’s where the dietary catering stops. There are no available dedicated meals or plans for vegans, keto diets or allergy-friendly options. If your diet is restrictive in any of these ways, Marley Spoon may not be for you.

Sustainability and Packaging

Thankfully, Marley Spoon is very forthcoming about its packaging’s recyclabilitycheck out the brand’s how-to recycling page here. For the most part, the packaging is highly recyclable. The boxes and produce trays are made from cardboard that can be recycled anywhere and the liners are made from paper and plant-based foam. The films and bags (including ice packs, which need to have their non-toxic contents dumped in the garbage before recycling) are made of thin layers of #1 (PET) and #4 (LDPE) plastic, which are also recyclable but can take a bit more effort, requiring some customers to travel to a grocery store or recycling center to turn them in.

All told, Marley Spoon does appear to be doing its best to make its packaging as sustainable and recyclable as possible on such a large scale. Still, some of the packaging may be inconvenient to dispose of.

Ready-Made Meal Options

Along with the brand’s cook-it-yourself meals, Marley Spoon also has a collection of ready-made meals, which are even more convenient for those in a time crunch (or who lack culinary skills). These provide a quicker alternative to the meal kits and are designed for microwave or oven reheating. While they’re not as varied in their ingredients and styles, they’re an outstanding, quick alternate option.

Pros

• Wide variety of recipes to choose from
• Flavorful, wholesome meals
• Generous portions with leftovers
• Ability to choose your delivery day based on your schedule
• Option to skip a week if needed
• Fresh, quality ingredients included

Cons

• Required quite a few other kitchen staples on hand, such as olive oil, eggs and vinegar
• Some meals requires more time and resulted in more dirty dishes than expected
• Higher cost per meal than other services

FAQ

Are there diet-specific options through Marley Spoon?

With more than 100 meal prep kits to choose from, there are plenty of options to fit dietary restrictions. Choose to make your box entirely vegetarian, or set dietary preferences that fit low-carb, gluten-free friendly, low-calorie or picky eater-approved lifestyles. You can also select a specific meat protein type.

To clarify, you cant currently select a dairy-free box, but you can look for meals tagged dairy-free and add them to your box. Gluten-free is not an option for a kit, but they offer gluten-free friendly. However, there’s still the potential for cross-contact with gluten-containing ingredients.

Furthermore, recipe labels identify meals that suit specific preferences like dairy-free or vegan, but it’s up to you to curate the box with these selections.

Marley Spoon strives to avoid cross-contamination, but their facilities and equipment handle major allergens. Thus, they can’t guarantee against it. Marley Spoon also lists all allergens in each recipe.

Are Marley Spoon and HelloFresh the same?

While both HelloFresh and Marley Spoon are meal services, they offer different experiences. Whereas HelloFresh kits focus primarily on simple, basic meals, Marley Spoon pushed me slightly out of my comfort zone in the best way.

Is Marley Spoon cheaper than the grocery store?

Whether or not Marley Spoon is cheaper than shopping for groceries depends on your weekly grocery budget and how many Marley Spoon meals you order per week. For example, two meals per week for two people costs $52, or $13 per serving, while six meals per week for four people costs $208, bringing the cost down to roughly $8.70 per serving. While some people average less than $9 per meal when shopping for groceries, others may spend more. It’s also worth considering the value of the added convenience of having all of the ingredients delivered to your door.

Product Comparison

Having tried HelloFresh in the past, I found the quality of ingredients and recipes from Marley Spoon to be better. The meals were far more flavorful. Of the meals I tried, they were fairly simple. However, some of the steps took me out of my comfort zone and required additional kitchen skills. But with that, I was thrilled to have the chance to learn something new along the way.

The shipping and delivery options are incredibly convenient, with the ability to choose your delivery day depending on your location. Nationwide shipping isn’t available, but the service is available in most states.

For more tasty eats, check out our reviews of Wildgrain and Misfit Market.

Why You Should Trust Us

I am a former bakery owner with over a decade of experience writing, photographing and reviewing recipes. I also keep an eye on emerging food trends and kitchen gadgets so I can write top-notch buying guides. To date, I have covered pizza ovens, grills and desserts for Taste of Home. My work has appeared in many publications, including Good Housekeeping, Eater, The Kitchen, Simply Recipes and Food & Wine.

Nancy Snyder is a registered dietitian and seasoned professional in nutrition and culinary expertise. She reviewed and fact-checked this piece. With nearly a decade of experience collaborating with restaurant chefs and food manufacturers, Nancy has forged a path at the intersection of nutrition consulting and culinary innovation. She is also a senior shopping editor forTaste of Home, working alongside the Test Kitchen to identify and test products that help each individual reader elevate their personal kitchen experience.

Final Verdict

If you’re someone looking for a meal kit service to try new and interesting recipes in the kitchen, I’d definitely recommend Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon. The service is great for foodies who want to expand their recipe repertoire, learn new skills and try gourmet meals with a convenient twist. The meal prep required a few more steps and dishes than I anticipated, but the results were well worth it. And I was pleased with just how fresh and high quality the ingredients were, without as much individual packaging and plastic waste as I’ve seen with other kits.

Where to Buy Marley Spoon

VIA MERCHANT

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We Tried It

Marley Spoon Meal Delivery

Do dinner the Martha way with Marley Spoon meal delivery service! Meals cost as little as $8.69 per serving.

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Sign up for a subscription and purchase meal prep kits on the Marley Spoon website. Pricing ranges from $52 to $120 per week for meals for two people. Meals for four people range from $84 to $209 per week. There is an additional charge of $11.99 per box for shipping. Keep an eye out for deals and new customer specials, though. You can frequently snag a box for much less. Weeknight dinner is about to get a whole lot more interesting!

The post Marley Spoon Review: I Tried Martha Stewart’s Meal Delivery Service appeared first on Taste of Home.

EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME

Shop on HelloFresh

HelloFresh checks all the boxes as the best meal delivery service for families. It offers flavorful meals that you can throw together in 30 minutesa must when you have young kids scurrying around the house. Each meal is tested more than 200 times to ensure it’s delicious and easy to prepare. Bonus: There are more than 65 available entrees each week, so your kiddos are bound to find something they like.

Registered nurse and contributing writer Carrie Madormo is a former recipe tester for HelloFresh. She attests that the company is tireless about making sure chefs of any experience level can easily follow their recipes to create something tasty. I’ve tried HelloFresh three times, and can concur that the recipes would appeal to kids and adults alike.

“Apple Crisp, as we call it in our house, has always been a favorite of mine. HelloFresh calls this lovely dessert a Breakfast Bakeless guilt this way,” says Product Tester Sheri Kaz, who also enjoyed testing HelloFresh. “Of course, this is the first one I tried in the box. I was a little concerned that this recipe would be way too sweet for me, so I omitted a tablespoon of sugar. Perfect! But what made this really stand out was the lemon zest added to the yogurt. Wowdelish. Per the recipe, I also included the creme fraiche and honey. Who knew?! Everything blended together so nicely, and it was a warm treat on a rainy autumn day.”

The meal plans are flexible and easy to cancel or skip. You can even tell them which foods your family (or, honestly, your kids) won’t eat to guarantee each meal is a winner. Child-friendly favorites include One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes and Homestyle Turkey and Biscuit Pot Pie. Some meals are even explicitly labeled as “Make Ahead Kids Eats,” “Family Dinner” and “15-Min Kids Lunch” to make for quick picking each week.

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Sunday: Steakhouse Baked Potatoes

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Each week, we’ll be adding the meal plan featured in our Meal Prep & Planning newsletter.Sign up nowif you’d like to get these meal plans sent straight to your inbox.

Check out the Experts Guide to Meal Planningfor tons more plans, recipes and tips that’ll keep you organized.

This Week's Plan: Meals Between Christmas and New Year's

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Sunday: After-Christmas EmpanadasTurn your leftovers into tasty empanadas using refrigerated pie pastry. We make these savory pastries and freeze them for a quick fix during the holidays. Cheryl Marinaccio, Webster, New York

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Monday: Pizza Potato ToppersNot only is this recipe quick and easy to make, but it's an economical treat as well. I don't know of a more satisfying way to stretch a half pound of meat! Sheila Friedrich, Antelope, Montana

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Tuesday: Spinach QuesadillasMy family gave these cheesy quesadillas oohs and aahs. Remove the spinach from the heat as soon as it wilts so it keeps a little bit of crunch. Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri

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Wednesday: Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni SandwichWho doesn't love a good grilled cheese sandwich recipe? This super decadent version comes fully loaded with pepperoni and five types of cheese!Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

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Thursday: Confetti Kielbasa SkilletHere's one of my husband's favorite dishes. When it's in season, substitute fresh corn for frozen. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. Sheila Gomez, Shawnee, Kansas

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Friday: Tater Tot-chosPlaying with food is loads of fun when you have Tater Tots and taco toppings. Let kids build their own for smiles all around. Eleanor Mielke, Mitchell, South Dakota

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Saturday: Salmon with Spinach & White BeansMy husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee

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Find more 7-day meal plans.

Need some inspiration on what to cook for dinner between Christmas and New Year’s? Here are a few ideas that either use up those leftovers, are super-duper easy or are just a little bit healthy.

Last Week's Plan: Rotisserie Chicken

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Sunday: Slow-Cooker Butter ChickenCreamy, tangy, tomatoey and mildly spiced slow-cooker butter chicken is a beloved Indian dish that's easy to recreate at home.

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Monday: Chicken Ranch Mac & CheesePrep once and feed the family twice with this comforting, hearty macaroni and cheese with chicken. Pro tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for another time.

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Find the best rotisserie chicken available at the grocery store to make your dinner a delicious success.

Tuesday: Chicken & Bean ChiliChili Time is any time you want to make a hungry crowd happy. This creamy chili is a must at my soup party every year. Theresa Baehr, Williamsburg, Michigan

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Wednesday: Favorite Sloppy JoesI've prepared these sandwiches for years. I've tried many sloppy joe recipes, but this one is the best by far. It also travels well for picnics or potlucks. Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington

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Thursday: One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato SkilletGet a one-pan dinner on the table with this ground turkey sweet potato skillet, featuring smoky turkey, tender sweet potatoes and vibrant kale in a savory tomato broth, topped with creamy avocado.

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Friday: Steak Stir-FryLoaded with crisp veggies and tender strips of garlic-ginger sirloin, steak stir-fry is an easy 30-minute dinner to take the hassle out of busy weeknights.

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Saturday: Maple-Glazed Pork TenderloinMy husband and I think this roasted pork tenderloin tastes like a fancy restaurant dish, but it couldnt be simpler to make at home. The maple-mustard glaze makes it extra special. It's a modification of a recipe we first tasted at a friend's house. Colleen Mercier, Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

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Find more 7-day meal plans here.

A rotisserie chicken is one of the best shortcut ingredients you can buy. Carve and shred it when you bring it home and store in the fridge until you need it. For this week’s plan, you’ll want to pull it out for Monday’s mac and cheese and Tuesday’s chili.

Want to make your own plan? Check out our meal plan template.

December Weekly Meal Plans

If you ask us, December is the best month of the year. And whether you’re craving something healthy in between bites of Christmas cookies or you need ideas for using up leftovers, these meal plans have you covered. Plus, they’re all easy! (We know you’ve got your hands full with holiday prep).

A 7-Day Meal Plan of Freezer Meals

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using a Rotisserie Chicken

A 7-Day Meal Plan Between Christmas and New Year's

November Weekly Meal Plans

We look forward to November all year long. And while Thanksgiving Day is a major food holiday, the rest of the month doesn’t have to be quite as laborious. That’s why we love these oh-so-simple meal plans for sheet pan suppers, 5-minute meals and more. There’s nothing wrong with taking it easy!

7-Day 5-Ingredient Meal Plan

A 7-Day Meal Plan with Prep-Ahead Soups

A 7-Day Meal Plan with 5-Minute Meals

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Leftovers

October Weekly Meal Plans

Fall is in full swing, and we are loving seasonal ingredients. This month, incorporate pumpkin, squash, Brussels sprouts and more autumnal produce into your meals. This is also a great month to dig into cozy casseroles and hearty German eats (Hello, Oktoberfest!).

A 7-Day Meal Plan Featuring Fall Flavors

A 7-Day German Meal Plan

10 Recipes with 10 Ingredients

September Weekly Meal Plans

September brings a lot of changecooler weather, back to school and shorter days. Make the most of it with prep-ahead meals, global eats and plans that incorporate your favorite kitchen appliances.

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Quinoa

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Baked Potatoes

A 7-Day Meal Plan with Prep-Ahead Casseroles

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Appliances

August Weekly Meal Plans

The dog days of summer are here. Cool off with summer meal plans built around grilled meats, family favorites and simple ingredients. This is a great month to take advantage of peak seasonal produce, too. (We’re serving sliced watermelon with almost every meal!)

7-Day Meal Plan: Shop Once, Eat All Week

A 7-Day School Night Dinner Plan

A 7-Day Italian Meal Plan

July Weekly Meal Plans

Lazy summer days are coming right up. Enjoy easy 30-minute plans and more. Our goal is to help you cook less so you can enjoy more time outdoors.

A 7-Day 30-Minute Summer Meal Plan

A 7-Day Meal Plan of Southwestern Dinners

A 7-Day Meal Plan Featuring Mushrooms

A 7-Day Meal Plan for the Summer

June Weekly Meal Plans

Longer, warmer days have us wanting to spend less time in the kitchen. This month, we’re showing you how to use one prepared ingredient a few nights throughout the week. At the store (or farmers market!), keep an eye out for tons of fresh summer fruits and leafy greens.

A 7-Day Meal Plan Repeating Favorite Dinners

A 7-Day Meal Plan Starring Salsa

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Hard-Boiled Eggs

A 7-Day Meal Plan for The Week of The 4th of July

May Weekly Meal Plans

See ya springand hello summer! May is a great transition month and the perfect time to start experimenting with fresh flavors in your kitchen. Put seasonal ingredients to work, like tomatoes and grilled chicken, and enjoy time well spent on the patio.

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Spaghetti Sauce

A 7-Day Meal Plan with Grilled Chicken

A 7-Day Southern Meal Plan

A 7-Day Meal Plan for the Week of Memorial Day

April Weekly Meal Plans

A warm up is on the way! Celebrate spring this month with recipes featuring taco meat, roast chicken and more. April is also a great month to get thrifty and experiment with making meals out of pantry staples or minimal ingredients. (After all, we’ve been saving up for spring break!)

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Canned Food

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Easter Leftovers

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Taco Meat

A 7-Day Meal Plan With Roast Chicken

March Weekly Meal Plans

Spring is on the horizon. As you start spending more time outdoors (goodbye, snow), make dinner quick with recipes that require just 15 minutes of prep. Making a big batch of meat and grains on Sunday also helps speed up weeknight dinners. And don’t forget about St. Patrick’s Day. We have ideas for the entire weekcorned beef, reubens and other Irish-inspired meals.

A 7-Day Meal Plan During Lent

A 7-Day Meal Plan For St. Patrick's Day Week

A 7-Day 15-Minute Prep Meal Plan

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Slow Cooker Pot Roast

A 7-Day Meal Plan with 4-Ingredient Dinners

February Weekly Meal Plans

February may seem dull and dreary, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re in the mood to use your favorite small kitchen applianceslike the Instant Pot and slow cookerto cook up some comfort food, you’ll find lots of ideas this month. And if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your special someone, we’ve got a meal plan for you.

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Your Instant Pot

A 7-Day Meal Plan for Valentine's Day Week

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using a Batch of Rice

A 7-Day Meal Plan Using Slow Cooker Chicken

January Weekly Meal Plans

January is all about starting freshand that applies to your meal plans, too! We’re enjoying lots of lightened-up meals, as well as classic comfort foods to keep us warm on cold nights. January is also a great month to experiment in the kitchen, whether that means trying a new global recipe or finally putting your Dutch oven to work. Stay warm out there!

A 7-Day Meal Plan of Winter Dinners When Your Fridge Is Bare

A 7-Day Indian Dinners Meal Plan

A 7-Day Meal Plan of One-Pot Meals

A 7-Day Meal Plan of Kid-Friendly Dinners

How do I make my weekly meal plan?

In the mood to make your own meal plan? We suggest starting with a few core ingredients that you can use throughout the week. Roast chicken, for example, can work as a Sunday night dinner, a Monday night taco filling and a Tuesday soup starter. We also recommend picking simple, family-friendly meals. After all, meal planning is supposed to make your life easierdon’t feel pressured to whip up a 27-step gourmet meal after a busy day.

Editor’s Tip: If you’re on a budget, use grocery store sale flyers to guide your ingredient selection.

What meals can I cook for a week?

Most meal plans focus on dinner, but you can also meal plan for breakfast and lunchor all three! To save time, we recommend repeating meals for breakfast and lunch. Overnight oats are a great meal prep option to enjoy all week. And a big batch of grains, roasted veggies and grilled chicken prepared on Sunday can feed you for lunch the entire week.

If you’re looking for meal plans that fit a particular lifestyle, check out our low-carb meal plan, vegetarian meal plan and vegan meal plan. We also have tips for creating a healthy meal plan, too.

Don’t miss our most popular Taste of Home recipes for January.

Next up: How to Stock Your Pantry According to Our Kitchen Expert

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Sunday: Quinoa Unstuffed Peppers

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Sunday: Smothered Burritos

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Sunday: Favorite Barbecued Chicken

Is there a place better than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? Thats where this one is fromits my father-in-laws own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think its the best! Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia

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Glass Meal Prep Containers

A sturdy container is one of the most important meal prep supplies. This set of glass containers makes it easy to prep and organize a work week’s lunches, and the clear design makes it easy to spot your lunch in the fridge so you can grab it on the go. You can also use them to properly store leftovers when you order from a meal delivery service. Bonus: These are oven-safe, freezer-safe and dishwasher-safe. For more options, check out our guide to meal prep containers.

$34.99 at Amazon

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We’ve made sure you wont feel deprived with these hearty lower-calorie breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Our meal plan comes in below 1200 calories, leaving you 300-400 calories for sides, snacks and drinks to balance out your day.

Continuing your weight-loss journey? Don’t miss these tasty and healthy dinner recipes.

The post 7-Day 1200-Calorie Meal Plan appeared first on Taste of Home.

Sunday: Easy Seafood Salad

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Sunday: Pressure-Cooker Lentil Stew

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Sunday: Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese

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EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME

Shop on Home Chef

Coming in at the top of our list of the best keto meal kits is none other than Home Chef. This service is so keto-focused that it is also ranked as the best keto-friendly option in our piece on the best meal delivery services. A strong variety of recipes makes this our favorite service for the average keto home cook.

Customers select from over 40 meal options per week, choosing between two to six meals per delivery. These aren’t your typical run-of-the-mill meals, eithereach whips up easily thanks to the detailed cooking instructions. Not only does Home Chef save time, but the service offers a flexible delivery schedule of Sunday through Friday.

The meals are also some of the best we tried, with options like chipotle butter mahi-mahi, horseradish beef meatballs and fiesta chicken tortilla soup. All meat arrives packaged separately from the rest of the ingredients to ensure contamination-free delivery. Each meal comes with a recipe card, but it’s also handy to have access to the brand’s app, which contains a digital cookbook detailing all of your recipes in case you particularly enjoy something.

“Delicious,” says tester Sydney Manning of the keto roasted garlic butter sirloin with bacon-cheddar broccoli. “The steak was a nice cutvery tender and juicy with not much fat on it. The steak seasoning they provided was also great.” She notes that it took about 35 minutes to prepare, which was almost spot-on with the recipe’s estimated prep time of 30 minutes.

With endorsements from iconic celebrity chefs like Tieghan Gerard and Rachael Ray, it’s easy to see why Home Chef’s meals are some of the best. Read our full review of the service for more information on subscribing. One note of caution: We recommend keeping an eye on your charges, as pricing can sometimes be inconsistent.

The post 5 Keto Meal Kits That Fit Your New Lifestyle—and Taste Good appeared first on Taste of Home.

Day 1: Caribbean Shrimp Bowl

After switching to a paleo diet a few years ago, we have started eating tons of veggies for almost every mealyes, even breakfast. Weve gotten used to swapping in cauliflower, broccoli and kale in place of carbs like rice or potatoes. This bowl is literally chock-full of veggies and has tons of Caribbean-inspired flavor! Plus, it is so simple to make and uses one skillet! Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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Goes Great with: Caribbean Chips with Apricot Salsa

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Sunday: Chicken Tikka Masala

If you loved this, then you need to give these otherIndian recipesa try.

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Sunday: Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage

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Sunday: After-Christmas Empanadas

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Sunday: Zippy Chicken Enchiladas

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But, more often than we’d like, this isn’t feasible. The kids’ schedules get hectic, work meetings run late or we simply can’t muster the energy, creativity or forethought those kinds of meals require.

All of these reasons to opt for other meal solutions are totally relatable, which is likely why meal delivery services such as Dinnerly, Hungryroot, and HelloFresh have found such success. If you’re unsure whether one of these services would be a good fit, look no furtherread my HelloFresh review and decide if it’s conducive to your lifestyle.

What is HelloFresh?

HelloFresh is a meal kit provider based in Germany that has found wild success here in the U.S. The meals, which customers choose weekly from a menu with dozens of options, are delivered straight to your door. The company allows customers to purchase as many as six different recipes per week in serving quantities of either two or four. Thats traditional HelloFresh.

Launched in the summer of 2021, HelloFresh Market elevated the company from a beloved meal prep service and suppertime helper into a full-blown online grocery. Through the market, you can order breakfasts, side dishes, snacks, beverages and even fresh produce. The add-ons are included in the same box as the other recipes and come from an array of popular brands and vendors, including Pillsbury, Annie’s Homegrown, Sargento and Lrabar.

TASTE OF HOME

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HelloFresh

HelloFresh transforms your weekly meal prep by shipping everything you need for dinners (and beyond) straight to your door.

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HelloFresh Features

When you first hop on to the HelloFresh website, youre prompted to pick out a plan. This entails selecting your dietary preferences, such as meat and veggies, pescatarian, veggie or family-friendly, as well as entering the number of people you’re feeding and the number of meals youd like per week.

Then, on HelloFreshs easily navigable menu, there is an array of meals labeled as “Calorie Smart,” “Carb Smart,” “Easy Cleanup,” “Easy Prep,” “Veggie,” etc. to help you select based on your appetite and schedule that week. My meals of choice? Street Cart-Style Turkey Bowls, One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes and Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Cavatappi. I also couldve added on fresh produce, desserts and breakfast items via HelloFresh Market, which Ive done in the past but passed on this time around.

My HelloFresh meals arrived on the Wednesday of the given week in a sturdy, cardboard box. Each meals ingredients, excluding the meat, were divvied up and tucked into their own brown paper bag. The ground beef and ground turkey were situated underneath the bags and sandwiched between two ice packs that were still cold.

In addition to the meals, there were recipe cards that contained helpful information such as an ingredient list, tools list, prep and cook times, calorie count, cooking tips and step-by-step instructions.

How We Tested It

When it comes to meal delivery services, testing means cookingand also eating (the best part!). I excitedly cooked all three meals within two days of receiving my box.

Street Cart-Style Turkey Bowls

Maybe it’s because I’m partial to Middle Eastern food, but this meal was easily my favorite of the bunch. It provided the most ingredients, including turmeric, lemon, rice, cucumber, shawarma sliced almonds and pita bread. And, to my dismay, it required equally as many tools and dishes. That being said, the cleanup was well worth it because the recipe was delicious.

I chopped the cucumber; boiled, simmered and fluffed the yellow rice (my favorite element of the recipe!); stirred the sauce; browned the turkey and toasted the pita. All these components came together for an interesting, unexpected and texturally exciting dish. I wouldn’t have thought to put butter on pita, hot sauce on turkey shawarma or sliced almonds in turmeric rice. But it all workedand in just 25 minutes!

Although I was slightly underwhelmed by the fresh ingredients for this mealthe lemon was small and not very juicy, and the cucumber was a bit softthe final result was certainly delicious enough to make me disregard these facts.

One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes

This recipe actually took me less time to prepare than was estimated32 instead of 35 minutes. You can’t beat that! And I loved having an excuse to whip out my cast iron skillet. While an ovenproof skillet isn’t something every home cook has, the recipe card offered instructions for how to adjust this recipe for a 13×9-inch baking dish. All other ingredients and tools required for this recipesalt, pepper, cooking oil and a few bowls and utensilswere very basic.

The provided ingredientssuch as the 80/20 ground beef, the name-brand hot sauce and the corn tortillaswere high quality. Although the color of the pepper didn’t match that of the one on the recipe card, it seemed ripe enough and easy to slice and soften.

This is truly one of the easiest meals I’ve tested, which is really saying something because I don’t consider enchiladas simple to make. The utilization of one pan for both the browning of the meat and the baking of the enchiladas was a game-changer. I found the enchilada filling to be somewhat bland (the salsa verde helped a little), but it was so easy to make that I didn’t mind. This would be an ideal weeknight meal delivery for a family with young kiddos.

Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Cavatappi

I love it when I dig into one of these bags to discover some of my favorite supermarket brands, like Colavita and Philadelphia, both of which were provided for this cavatappi recipe. Taking these as well as the fresh mushrooms and pre-made garlic-herb butter into account, I had a good feeling about this dish before I even began. (Note: The flour bag tore slightly during shipping, so there was a thin coating of flour on all the ingredients.)

During preparation, I pulled out a knife, cutting board, saucepan, strainer, skillet, wooden spatula, paper towels, measuring cup, plate, whisk and kitchen shears. I loved that the instructions had me use the same skillet for the mushrooms and the bechamel sauce. This recipe took me about five minutes longer than allotted, but that’s on me. I added too much pasta water to the sauce so it took longer to reduce to the correct thickness.

The prepared pasta was so delicious but very rich, so be warned. The cavatappi was cooked to perfection, and the sprinkling of shredded Parmesan cheese and green onions on top took things, well, over the top. Although I wish I could’ve gotten a nice crisp on the mushrooms like the directions said, this meal was still majorly enjoyable and, in my opinion, worthy of a restaurant menu.

2024 Tests

We originally wrote and published this piece in 2022. Since then, weve tested this service again to ensure our opinion remains current. Upon signup, secondary tester Sheri Kaz notes that the app is very user-friendly. It shows your current and upcoming orders, along with buttons to change meals or edit your delivery. All nutrition info is there, as well as ingredients, items not included in delivery, utensils needed and cooking steps with photos.

As for the menu, Sheri counted 67 available entrees for the week. There are many choices, including many “premium” dishes that you have to pay extra foraround $9.99 more per serving. Customizations, while available, also cost a little more. When ordering, you can quickly view the recipe, which includes the total time, prep time, calories and difficulty level, plus the description, allergens and ingredient quantitieswith small pictures.

Additionally, the site has additional items available as add-ons once you build a cart. Add-ons include lunch items (e.g., Caesar salad, cajun wings, soups, mac and cheese) and proteins (including meat boxes, seafood boxes, grilling boxes, grass-fed beef boxes, fully cooked chicken breast boxes and chopped chicken breasts). The HelloFresh Market is like an online grocery store, offering apps and sides, desserts, breakfasts and brunches, lunches, snacks and drinks, pizza and pasta, proteins and healthy dog food. You can also choose an option called “Beyond the Box,” which provides food to community members in need.

Cancelling and skipping a week of deliveries is easyjust navigate to your account settings. With the first delivery, Sheri received a substantial discount and paid only $45.89 rather than $115. Plus, they sent a free sixth item: Avocado and Pineapple Salsa Breakfast Toasts. Yum!

Pros

• Well-rounded, tasty recipes
• Convenient
• True to cook/prep times
• Helpful instructions and resources
• Little food waste and efficient packaging

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Considerable cleanup

FAQs

What is the downside of HelloFresh?

Which meal delivery service is right for you (or whether any of them are right for you) is entirely subjective. HelloFresh reviews suggest that some people might perceive the cost to be a drawback, for example. The meals cost between $10 and $11.50 per serving, with the price going down incrementally the more you buy. Similarly, other HelloFresh reviews might view the absence of keto or paleo options and the lack of vegan options as a downside. HelloFresh is a great meal delivery service for the masses, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for everyone.

Is HelloFresh really worth it?

Above all else, HelloFresh saves you time on meal planning. If you’re someone who’s too slammed or unable to plan recipes, create a grocery list and go to the store, HelloFresh is absolutely worth it. HelloFresh would be especially beneficial for families with small children, busy young professionals or housebound folks.

Product Comparison

I’m something of a meal kit expertI’ve tested six services at this point. I’d argue that HelloFresh, like Blue Apron, was one of the first household name in this businessand there’s good reason for that. (Psst! Get the low-down on Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh). The website and service as a whole are user-friendly, and the variety of choicesboth the sheer quantity of recipes and the range of flavors and dietary preferencesis amazing. Although it might not be as affordable as some other brands, including its sister brand EveryPlate, it’s cheaper than most, like Home Chef (read our HelloFresh vs. Home Chef comparison for the full scoop) or its other sister brand Green Chef.

Those meal kit services that are a bit pricier are, in turn, a little more gourmet, too. Some foodies might find HelloFresh’s recipes to be a little elementary for their liking, but that certainly doesn’t mean they don’t taste good. HelloFresh offers straightforward, tasty recipes that the whole family will love, as well as convenience the cook will love. If you’re looking for a more high-end option, we recommend Marley Spoon.

Final Verdict

In all, my HelloFresh reviews are positive, though I will not make a weekly habit of ordering it because it’s a little beyond my budget. But because the service is so easy to activate and deactivate, I would definitely consider re-ordering if I’m ever in the mood to treat myself.

This service is probably best for busy couples or small families who don’t have the time to devise lengthy grocery lists or run to the supermarket each week. All it takes is the click of a few buttons, andbada bing!there’s a box with everything you need delivered right to your doorstep.

Where To Buy HelloFresh

TASTE OF HOME

Shop on HelloFresh

We Tried It

HelloFresh

HelloFresh transforms your weekly meal prep by shipping everything you need for dinners (and beyond) straight to your door.

Shop on HelloFresh

Purchase your shipment of HelloFresh meals directly from the company’s website. Boxes range from about $56 to $250, depending on the number of recipes and servings you order. I know I’ll be dreaming of that Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Cavatappi until the next batch arrives.

The post HelloFresh Review: I Tried a Meal Prep Service for a Week—Here’s What I Thought appeared first on Taste of Home.

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