To ask what people think of their free Gusto boxes?

[londonmummy1966]

As lots of people were sharing codes last week I thought I'd try a box - I've had some from Hello Fresh before - to see how they compared.

Mine arrived today - I had a text yesterday giving a 2 hour delivery window and the box arrived within that - one up on Hello Fresh which only gives a 12 hour window and the couriers don't always knock so I don't know how long a box has been on the doorstep.

The contents are all there although the herbs and spinach look a little tired. THe chilled items came in a cardboard chiller box which would be good for taking things on a self catering trip/picnic or could otherwise be recycled.

Recipe cards are easy to follow and tonights meal - herby rice with basa fillet was really nice - fish portions are more generous than Hello Fresh.

The down points were that the recipes were less interesting to choose from than Hello Fresh a lot of pasta and rice dishes and not that many veggie options. Also Hello Fresh boxes divide up the ingredients between recipes so you have four bags each containing what you need for a dish with one further bag with any ingredients to be shared between recipes. Much easier to sort out and put away.

So I'm happy as they delivered what they said they would when they said they would and it tastes fine. Not sure I'd buy a full priced box though and am still pondering about 30% off or not - that might depend on whether or not I can also claim my voucher code credit.

Anyone else?

Made the chicken patia this evening. Wasn’t amazing tbh. The sauce didn’t thicken that much. I’m wondering where I went wrong.

wasn’t that tasty either considering what I put in it!

Mcdonalds tomorrow

I'm far from impressed as they emailed to say it's not coming due to increased demand.
Don't think I'll bother now!

I do think that they've been overwhelmed by demand - @NellesVilla - fingers crossed for you to get the money back.

The mango and chilli prawn salad was really nice - I left the rice out as I couldn't face a hot pan in the kitchen for any longer than the time it took to cook the prawns. I think that the ratio of prawns to rice to salad was a bit skimpy - this was the only prawn recipe which didn't have a surcharge though so hopefully the surcharged ones would have had more.

They were totally overwhelmed. My box for monday waa just cancelled

Mines just been cancelled too😔 I can still expect to pay nothing for the free cancelled order apparently 🤔

Looks like earliest i can order for is 20th and it is free so at least that's good.

I am really feeling sorry for the PR team now😂

I’m two meals into ours. I’ve enjoyed them so far, portion sizes are good, the recipes have been very tasty. I’m gobsmacked by the amount of packaging but can’t see how else they could manage it. I don’t know that I could justify the standard cost on a regular basis but I might consider getting one again in future if I’ve got a busy week and just want nice fresh meals without doing the shopping, or if I’ve just got into a bit of a menu rut again. Overall it’s been a pleasant surprise!

Chilli haddock linguine tonight. A bit Meh TBH and the pasta to anything else ration was very high. Looking forward to chicken and gnocchi tomorrow to see what that is like. However as they haven't sorted the mess out on the cost of the box I've cancelled next weeks as the £20 credit that should come off that hasn't yet been reinstated. Hopefully they will sort it out and I can order for the following week.

Finished our free week

favourite was the chicken laksa , then the crispy beef and coriander noodles … wouldn’t order the prawn salad or the burger again , both not as good as we could make ourselves but free is always good !

Love the Gousto box! First time of using and will continue subscribing. They must be totally overwhelmed though

We’ve had some of the plant based recipes in our box, they had loads of choice and I must say they were lovely.

I may order a box every now and then, only if on offer though I can’t justify a full priced one.

We've had the Goan-Style Basa & Spinach Curry With Coriander Rice so far. Really nice lots of it (had a portion left over so I'd say it serves 5). Would probably add less water next time. Dc1 is already talking about how to adapt the recipe to add more vegetables to it.
Was great as my two teens helped cook it.
1 teen loved it, one ate it but wouldn't have it again.
The box arrived on time (was a bit worried when i got the email saying evri were deliveringas ive had two parcelsfo missingthis week), in perfect condition. Awkward having to sort through all the little sachets but only a little inconvenience. My biggest gripe would be the amount of plastic waste.
I had considered continuing for at least the discounted weeks however when it showed they were going to take money out for the free box I suspended my account I want /need to be incotrol of my money and don't want them taking money out without me ordering.
I hope gusto are reading this thread they might pick up some ideas.

Absolutely love Gousto! Hubby is the cook in our house and really enjoys preparing and trying new recipes. The food is always fresh,you get just the amount you need so there is no waste.
Only problem I have- if you can call it that- is that if you don't order or cancel by a certain time ( usually 2-3 days before deliver) they they'll order for you so I have to set a reminder on my phone.

Mine arrives on Tuesday, I’ll report back. I’m really excited 😆

My biggest gripe would be the amount of plastic waste.

Yes such a shame the sauce sachets and herb packets were in plastic when the rice and main packaging were paper/cardboard. I don't know how else they could do it though?

They did slash it compared to before and from what I read they are working on it.
Compostable plast could maybe work, but I think that needs special composter

After being charged for my first 100% free box I contacted them via their email and had a reply to say this was correct as I had chosen a meal with a surcharge. Ok fair enough, didn't address my comments regarding it not being clear enough, but hey ho.
I re an email a few days ago saying the charge was in error and the box WAS 100% free so have no been charged for it. Happy days!

Now, checking my account it says I was charged £27.58 for last weeks box! Hmm?!

Weve enjoyed our meals, our favourite ps being the crab and prawn curry and the chicken laksa, but the teriyaki chicken and crispy chilli beef were also big hits.
This week we have Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi With Beans, Asian-Style Pulled Hoisin Duck Salad, Indian-Style Chicken Burger With Curried Slaw And Fries (tonight's dinner) and Brazilian-Style Chicken & Coriander Curry.

I agree! Hello fresh is basic as hell and gousto is for foodies!

I didn’t get a free box as I already use gousto, I tend to get a box once every 2-3 weeks. I made the Roasted rainbow veg with harissa couscous and feta today and it was delicious. Would highly recommend! I’ll be making it again for sure.

Having now had all of my box I would say that overall I liked it although the chicken and gnocchi bake was more fiddly than it needed to be and could have been made in a pan rather than having the oven on (only dish that needed the oven all week so I couldn't cook ahead). I had set up an order for a second box as that should only have cost £17 but I have cancelled that as Gusto still haven't sorted out the incorrect pricing on the free box and I am not happy to pay £37 for a box that is mainly pasta based meals. However, if they do sort it out this month I will order another discounted box.

Two recipes I would make again - the prawn and mango salad but I'd just buy the ingredients from the supermarket, and the herby rice and smoked basa although if I make it I'd buy haddock rather than basa as I prefer the texture.

My overall conclusion was that the box would not be good value at full price and that the recipes were a bit carb heavy but I would get another box if there was a discounted offer and that I really liked the cardboard cool box!

Does anyone know how I can apply my £20 credit to my next box please?

On the app it says if you have any credit it will be taken off automatically with your next payment.

I'd love a discount code if anyone has one going spare please. Never tried Gousto. TIA.