Anyone tried hellofresh? Do you think you're saving money?

[Knan10]

Anyone tried hellofresh? Do you think you're saving money?
Compared to buying the ingredients from the supermarket, having ingredients left over, etc. (as hello fresh do perfect portions of the stuff you need)

Do you sometimes get any challenging recipes? I find the ones provided are often quite easy so would be interesting to try a challenging one with tips.

I did look into simply cook but not a fan at all as that just provides the spices - I've got plenty of them already.

They are based fairly local to us and have been in the local press over the last few weeks regarding very questionable social distancing practices. They showed pictures inside the factory. I would now never even consider buying from them.

I've been using simply cook because I got a really good deal. I don't know if I'll carry on indefinitely. We enjoy the meals, like adding the ingredients directly to my tesco basket, and it feels like having a take away. A few nights when I don't have to think about what to have, just follow the box.

You can get a free box to try with this referral link.
simplycook.com/invite/A28X0W?via=app

It definitely didnt save us money, especially now that they charge extra for any meal with "premium" ingredients (e.g. steak, chorizo, prawns). Most of the standard recipes use cheap cuts like chicken thighs or pork mince - definitely not cheaper to go this way.

As an example, one recipe we had a bag of pasta, one carrot, some passata, seasoning and pork mince. I would definitely be able to buy all that for less than £1 a portion if cooking for 4.

Look at the reviews in their Facebook page, I’ve just cancelled, I had a run of 5 boxes with missing ingredients, sometimes they were due to supply issues and I was pre-warned and a substitute offers so that’s fine but others just completely missing, a cauliflower curry with no cauliflower, a paneer curry with no spices. The last one one of the recipes ingredients list didn’t match the recipe so 3 items were missing.

It’s a shame as the recipe options were really good inc vegetarian.

We are using them. It is more expensive but we are finding a lot of the ingredients still aren't available in our local shops, especially things like lamb mince, so it saves my husband the effort of trawling the aisles.

I have liked the recipes so far, plus the fact we can make them again by buying the ingredients ourselves. I disliked simply cook as they never said how much of anything was in the spice mixes so it was a guessing game if you made them again.

I wanted to try the alternatives too but none of them are accepting new customers at the moment.

They are available at half price at the moment, which is why I signed up (see the link a few posts back). I've been looking forward to them coming.

I use it. I used it before lockdown when I had busy weeks at work, but since lockdown have had a box every week. I order 3 meals for 2 people and the price is around £30. It easily feeds 2 adults and a child. There is a lot of plastic waste, but it saves me worrying about food and also no driving for me. We live 8 or so miles out of town so it's a massive help. We have had only 1 substitution of wraps for chapattis and it was fine. I like the food and even my husband offers to cook so win win.

I've got it but will cancel after the offer ends (50% off first box, next 3 boxes 35% off.

I noticed gousto are taking on new customers but only 10% off

My DD uses it as she works long shifts (NHS) and although more expensive than buying in the supermarket she feels the meals are nice and she is organised for a few nights a week and that it beats pizza and a bag of salad (her usual go to). She buys the basic priced recipes, the add on price for some recipes is excessive.

I often cook Hello Fresh recipes and add in extra veg. Most of the recipes are available on their website (I just buy the ingredients as part of my usual weekly shopping delivery). You could do that if you want to try some out.
www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/?c=WM-WDREW&gclid=CjwKCAjwqpP2BRBTEiwAfpiD-3_M-K_GvbHDCXgMII88pcDALXVz1H-2-2z_d1j4IwW2M72Jjk4cqBoCJ18QAvD_BwE&link_id=325202769
There is also a cookbook of popular recipes from a few years back.
www.amazon.co.uk/HelloFresh-Recipes-that-step-step/dp/1784724653/ref=sr_1_1?hvlocphy=1006565&hvnetw=g&keywords=hello+fresh+recipe+book&hvadid=259055025803&qid=1589984427&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqpP2BRBTEiwAfpiD-36LGgWT4FyRbiR5KHSiRcZUQZGst0gCJ6V6S6EuU6uVXODas0_NLBoC_bcQAvD_BwE&hydadcr=12330_1769725&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=kwd-361763385593&adgrpid=52711344643&hvrand=4286246578722196791&sr=8-1

We’ve been using them for a few weeks. We haven’t saved any money but as a pp mentioned they do save shopping and thinking time. They prevent wastage too - how often do you throw away unused bottles of sauces, spice and herbs because you just needed 1 teaspoon for a particular recipe?
We’ve been happy with them so far.

We only use them when we have discount codes.
Here’s a referral code if anyone wants to try them, gives £20 off
www.hellofresh.co.uk/?c=HS-T0XM5N0QB&utm_source=raf-share&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=clipboard

We have had one this week and on Monday 11 year old DD made tostados and last night 13 year old DS made pork and apple burgers. Both of them made it completely on their own with absolutely no input from me or DH so for that alone it’s worth paying for!!! 9 year old DS turn tonight but he will have to have some help!!!!

You can make it cheaper yourself with ingredients but sometimes when I am just work out with trying to think of meals to cook and work out what we need it’s nice just to click on pictures of recipes you like the look of and have all the ingredients then up ready to use! Plus it shakes up our repetoir of meals. Some have made it into our nor al list of dinners.

@FAQs if you complain on the chat or on messenger they get back to you and credit you. We got £11 back for the missing chicken breasts and £3 for the missing egg noodles and £10 credit for the box that was completely cancelled.

I'm a fussy eater and would only eat two out of the 21 meals they show online, so no, it's not for me. It surely must be more expensive than buying the ingredients from a supermarket.