HelloFresh Review 2024: Worth It or Overhyped?

Overview

HelloFresh is one of Australia’s most popular meal delivery services, so I had to find out for myself if it really lives up to the hype. With so many options out there, HelloFresh must stand out for a reason.

The service’s biggest strength is its wide variety of meals. You get access to about 40 weekly recipes, ranging from family-friendly options to quick meals, along with the ability to customise some dishes. Whether you’re looking for something calorie-smart or a vegetarian dish, HelloFresh makes it easy to find meals that fit your preferences.

There’s somewhat limited support for people with severe allergies, but if you have mild intolerances, you’ll likely be just fine. Overall, HelloFresh is a great service. The recipes are easy to follow and taste great. Read on to get the full details of what I thought about HelloFresh.

HelloFresh Menu: Gourmet Meals Made Easy

HelloFresh offers over 40 meals every week, covering a wide range of cuisines. The menu has tags under each recipe so you can see at a glance whether a meal suits your needs. Some tags are Calorie Smart, Over 30g Protein, Air Fryer Friendly, Kid Friendly, Veggie, and Plant Based.

You can choose from 8 preferences when signing up:

• Classic

• Vegetarian

• Family-Friendly

• Calorie Smart

• Carb Smart

• Quick & Easy

• Flexitarian

• Protein Rich

You can mix and match any of these plans, allowing for a flexible experience. You’ll first see meal options that most closely align with your preferences, but you can easily view the entire weekly menu. These categories serve as organisational tools rather than restrictions, helping you find meals that suit your needs. You also have the option to order between 3 and 5 meals each week, with portion sizes designed for 2 to 6 people.

Meal Options: Something for Everyone

HelloFresh offers a wide range of meal types, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, sides, snacks, desserts, and extras. The menu is globally inspired, with Italian, Indian, Asian, and Latin American, among others. Some sample dishes include Spiced Honey-Glazed Chicken, Caribbean Lentils and Pineapple-Mint Salsa, and Indian Potato and Cauliflower Dahl.

All recipes have their difficulty level clearly marked, so if you’re not much of a cook, aim for the Easy recipes. The prep time and energy level are also marked, so this information will be very useful if you’re an eco-conscious cook. Recipes also list exactly what comes in your box and what ingredients and utensils you need to have.

After confirming your order and entering payment information, you can choose from extras and sides through the Marketplace. You can’t see these before payment, which may be a drawback if you like to see all your options upfront.

Customise Your Recipes to Suit Everyone in Your Household

HelloFresh lets you customise certain recipes to suit your taste. Each week, you’ll find 3 recipes you can tweak by swapping ingredients, adding extra protein, or upgrading to a premium option.

These recipes come with easy-to-follow custom instructions, and they’re clearly marked with a Customise label so you can spot them quickly. Just keep in mind that customisation isn’t available for every meal and may change from week to week.

Each meal is marked with the items that you need to provide. Because these come from your own pantry, they don’t have to match exactly what HelloFresh suggests. Use dairy butter instead of plant-based if you don’t follow a vegan diet. Use rice vinegar instead of white wine vinegar if that’s what you have in stock. Even the ingredients that HelloFresh sends can be swapped at home if needed.

HelloFresh Could Use Improvement if You Have Allergies

HelloFresh could be better when it comes to catering for people with allergies. While major allergens like nuts, dairy, and soy are clearly marked on the recipe cards, you don’t have the option to swap out ingredients specifically for allergy reasons. This means you'll need to review each recipe manually if you’re avoiding certain foods and possibly make swaps at home.

There are no specific menu filters for allergens or diets, so browsing can take extra time if you're trying to steer clear of certain ingredients. After signing up, the plan categories act as a basic filter, but there’s still no way to filter for allergens, which can make it harder to assess how suitable or healthy the options are for your needs.

HelloFresh’s Menu at a Glance

Unboxing: Organisation Is HelloFresh’s Strong Suit

HelloFresh sends you most of the ingredients you need to cook each meal. However, basics like salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegar, and some others aren’t included, so you'll need to have those on hand depending on the recipe. Every recipe clearly labels the ingredients you get in the box and the ones you’ll need on hand.

Most of the ingredients are organised by recipe, saving you the hassle of sorting them yourself. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to do some basic prep, as the ingredients don’t come pre-chopped.

If you’re concerned about freshness, chicken and seafood should be eaten first, followed by pork and red meats like beef and lamb. You can often freeze chicken, pork, and red meat but check the label first. If the label says Do not freeze, the meat or fish was likely frozen earlier in the supply chain, but it’s still safe to eat before the use-by date. For fragile ingredients like leafy greens, it’s best to use them early on.

As for herbs, keep them in their sealed bags to extend their freshness. For leafy herbs like coriander and parsley, wrap them in a damp cloth and place them in a zip-lock bag to keep them fresh for up to 2 weeks. Woody herbs like rosemary and thyme will last 2–3 weeks if rolled in a dry cloth and stored in a sandwich bag in the fridge. Basil, on the other hand, does best when stored in a jar of water outside the fridge and away from direct sunlight, lasting up to 2 weeks.

The meat comes in Cryovac packaging. Don’t worry if there’s a slight confinement odour when you open it. This usually disappears within 5–10 minutes.

Cooking with HelloFresh: Easy Meal Kits, Restaurant-Quality Taste

Cooking with HelloFresh is straightforward, whether you’re whipping up a quick meal or preparing something more involved. Some of the extras and desserts come pre-made, but most meals will require a bit of prep and cooking on your part. Shelf-stable ingredients like potatoes, rice, and spices are included, while items like meats, fish, seafood, and fresh veggies need to be kept in the fridge.

Although some sauces require a bit of preparation, it’s never too complex, and the steps are easy to follow. Keep in mind, though, that the ingredients don’t come pre-chopped, so you’ll need to do a little work depending on the recipe.

Each meal comes with detailed instruction cards that guide you through the process step by step, making it easy to recreate restaurant-quality dishes at home. You can also access the instructions online if that’s more convenient for you.

Shortlist of My Favourite Meals

Beef Stroganoff & Garlic Mash

The Quick Beef Stroganoff & Garlic Mash is a hearty, protein-packed dinner that's great for families. Tender beef strips in a creamy sauce pair perfectly with garlic mash and steamed veggies. This recipe is beginner-friendly and takes just 25 minutes to prepare, so it’s ideal for busy weeknights when you need a fast, satisfying meal.

This dish offers over 30 g of protein per serving and is simple to customise. Little ones can help with mashing potatoes or sprinkling flaked almonds on top. The clear instructions make it easy to follow, ensuring a quick and delicious dinner everyone will love.

Honey Halloumi & Chermoula Veggie Toss

The Honey Haloumi & Chermoula Veggie Toss is a vibrant and satisfying vegetarian dish. Crispy halloumi is paired with Moroccan-spiced roasted veggies, making it both filling and flavourful. The garlic aioli adds a creamy touch, while the flaked almonds give a delightful crunch, perfect for a balanced meal under 650 calories.

This dish is ideal for those looking for a low-carb, veggie-packed option that's easy to make. The variety of textures keeps it interesting, and the preparation is beginner-friendly with just 30 minutes of prep time. If you're looking for something light but substantial, this recipe delivers both flavour and nutrition.

Mild Indian Butter Chicken

The Mild Indian Butter Chicken is perfect for anyone who loves creamy, flavourful curries without too much heat. With tender chicken in a rich, North Indian-inspired sauce, this dish is easy to prepare and even quicker to enjoy. The combination of peanut rice and garlic tortillas adds both texture and a fun twist, making it a great option for family dinners or weeknight meals.

This recipe is kid-friendly and beginner-friendly, with just 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. The step-by-step instructions make it simple, while the garlic tortillas bring a satisfying, hands-on element to the meal. If you're looking for a delicious, comforting dish that's easy to whip up, this butter chicken is a must-try.

Prices: Value-Packed With Quality Ingredients

HelloFresh’s pricing is in line with many other meal delivery services, offering decent value for the quality of ingredients you get. The smaller your order, the higher the cost per serving, so ordering larger quantities can save you money over time.

To get the lowest price per portion, you’d need to go with 5 meals for 6 people each week, which feels like a fair deal. This way, the price starts at $5.17 per serving once you take into account our special discount: Get up to $200 + free delivery. Add-ons, extras, and meal customisations come at an extra cost, typically ranging from a couple of dollars to $5–$10, depending on what you choose.

Shipping is a flat rate of $9.99, no matter where you’re located, so that’s something to factor in as well – but I like that it’s free for your first order.

Shipping & Delivery: Services Most of Australia, but It Could Be Better

HelloFresh delivers to many areas across Australia, including parts of SA, VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD, and NT. While it’s great that so much of the country is covered, it would be even better if the service was available in all regions. The good news is that HelloFresh is working on expanding its reach.

To check if delivery is available in your area, you’ll need to enter your post code at checkout. Just remember to make any changes to your order – whether it’s meal swaps, skipping a delivery, changing your box type, or cancelling – by the weekly deadline. Payment gets processed the day after the deadline, so be sure to check the cut-off in the My Deliveries section of your account.

The HelloFresh app, available on iOS and Android, makes managing your orders easy. You can order, make changes, or skip weeks, all from your phone or tablet.

How HelloFresh Works (Step by Step Guide)

Signing up for HelloFresh in Australia is simple. All you have to do is visit the website, choose a plan, enter your address and payment details, checkout, and choose your meals. You’re also welcome to view any of the primary meals before checking out – but keep in mind that you can’t see any of the add-ons or extras before entering your payment details.

How to Sign Up (6 Simple Steps)

1. Visit hellofresh.com.au and click Build your perfect menu. 

2. Verify that delivery is available in your area by providing your postcode.

3. Choose a plan size. Options include 3, 4, or 5 meals for 2, 4, or 6 people per week. Once you’ve made your selection, click Select this plan.

4. Enter your email address and click Continue without password.

5. Enter your personal information, including your first and last name and address.

6. Provide your payment information and choose a delivery date by clicking the Edit button. Once you’ve done this, you can click Save & select meals, then complete the checkout process.

Managing Your Subscription

You can manage your subscription in a couple of different ways. The first is by logging into your online account at hellofresh.com.au and clicking Log in at the top right of the screen. You can also download the HelloFresh app to manage your plan and subscription there.

In both cases, you can change your delivery date, skip deliveries, and even cancel your account. You’ll have to make changes before your cutoff date, which is unique for every customer.

Customer Service: Quick, Courteous & Professional

Customer service is available via live chat and phone, both of which are available 24/7 (except holidays). You’ll also find an in-depth FAQ and help centre with answers to most questions you might have. I found this area to be really helpful, as it prevented me from having to contact somebody directly.

That said, I did end up testing out the live chat feature to see how the agents would handle customer inquiries. Overall, I was pretty satisfied. An agent connected to the chat quickly and provided thorough answers to my questions. The agent was friendly, courteous, and professional.

How HelloFresh Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

HelloFresh vs. Marley Spoon: HelloFresh and Marley Spoon both use fresh ingredients with easy-to-follow recipes – but Marley Spoon’s partnership with Martha Stewart means more gourmet recipes. However, Marley Spoon’s menu can feel a bit limited, especially if you want simple, quick meals. HelloFresh offers a wider variety of family-friendly options and lets you customize ingredients more easily. If you’re after flexibility and more meal choices, HelloFresh might be the better fit.

HelloFresh vs. EveryPlate: EveryPlate is great if you're on a budget, offering simple meals at a lower price point. But you get what you pay for – the menu is smaller, and the ingredients aren’t as high-quality as HelloFresh. With HelloFresh, you get more variety, fresher ingredients, and the ability to tweak your meals to suit your taste. If saving money is your main goal, EveryPlate works, but if you want better options and flavours, HelloFresh comes out on top.

HelloFresh vs. Dinnerly: Dinnerly is known for being the most affordable meal delivery service, but it lacks key features like ingredient and cuisine variety along with customisation options. That’s why HelloFresh is the clear winner. It offers higher-quality ingredients, better recipe variety, and more flexibility, such as customising meals and choosing from more dietary options. Overall, HelloFresh delivers a more premium and reliable experience.

The Bottom Line: Is HelloFresh Worth It?

HelloFresh is worth it if you’re after a meal delivery service that offers variety, quality, and flexibility. With over 40 meals to choose from weekly across a wide range of cuisines, clear labelling, and the ability to customise some recipes, HelloFresh stands out in the meal kit market. 

It’s relatively inexpensive and provides excellent value with fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. If you don’t mind a bit of meal prep and are looking for convenience without sacrificing taste, HelloFresh is a solid choice.

HelloFresh strikes a balance between variety and flexibility. It caters to a broad audience with its customisable options and meal plans. For those who enjoy cooking and want control over their ingredients, HelloFresh offers more versatility, making it a strong overall option.

FAQ

How much do HelloFresh meals actually cost?

HelloFresh meals start at $5.17 per serving, depending on the size of your order and the meal plan you choose. Larger orders lower the cost per serving, so ordering meals for a family or group of 6 will give you better value. Add-ons, extras, and customisations can increase the price, and shipping is always an additional $9.99.

How much is 3 meals a week with HelloFresh?

The cost for 3 meals a week with HelloFresh depends on the number of servings per meal. The price per meal drops as you increase the number of servings, making larger orders more economical. However, smaller orders like 3 meals for 2 people tend to have a higher cost per serving compared to bulkier plans.

What’s the downside of HelloFresh?

The main downside of HelloFresh is its limited support for specific dietary restrictions and niche diets. While it offers vegetarian, low-calorie, and family-friendly options, it doesn’t cater well to strict diets like keto or those with severe allergies.

Additionally, while the meals are convenient, you still need to do some prep work since ingredients aren’t pre-chopped.

Is it easy to cancel HelloFresh subscription?

Yes, it’s relatively easy to cancel your HelloFresh subscription. You can cancel directly through your account settings on the HelloFresh website or app. Just be sure to cancel before the weekly cut-off to avoid being charged for the next delivery. If you prefer to skip weeks instead of cancelling entirely, HelloFresh gives you the flexibility to pause your subscription without hassle.