Gousto, hello fresh or mindful chef?

[Hangnailing]

Anyone tried them all and if so which did you prefer and why?

Mainly want meat and the odd veggie meal
Big eaters so portions important

Probably use for two meals a week

And anyone have any discount codes?!

I've tried Gousto and Hello Fresh last year and much preferred Gousto. If you're big eaters the portions are pretty small, 1 chicken breast for 2 people for example.

Gousto.

Portion size is small though. We order meals for a family of 4 people, but there are only 3 of us - and rarely any leftovers.

Ok one chicken breast for two people would not satisfy two big teenage boys I fear! Can you get six portions for four people? I wouldn’t eat them but three big kids and a husband.

Another vote for Gousto.
The portion sizes for the veggie meals are large - we always have enough to freeze quite a bit but the meat meals seem to be less generous. We mainly eat veg/lentil ones though so we are happy. We tried it because we were stuck in a bit of a same old meal rut!

You could get a 4 portion and a 2 portion of each meal - but that’s going to work out expensive!

We've tried HF and gousto and preferred gousto. The portions were absolutely fine for us.

gousto for tastiest food and fewest mistakes

Hello fresh wasn’t great. Not good quality in my opinion. Haven’t tried the other two.

I use Gusto, here's a referral link if you want a discount. I find the portions fine and I prefer them to HelloFresh.

cook.gousto.co.uk/raf?promo_code=KIRST41992505&utm_source=androidapp

Gousto for choice.

HelloFresh got me through the first lockdown though.

Mindful Chef astronomically priced even on a welcome deal.

My neighbour gave me a Mindful Chef meal as a thank you gift. The portions were huge and it was absolutely delicious.

we only tried HF and were given a box of MC

MC felt more luxurious, but harder for DH to cook (the boxes are the compromise for him to cook, he is not confident in the kitchen). It would be too pricey for us.

HF is good but a bit samey - loads of minced meat. Fish often a premium. Instructions easy enough. Portions for 4 (with 2 primary aged girls) more than enough for us (we make 6 portions out of most meals).

Reading the thread, I am thinking of trying Gousto and mixing with HF.

I like Gousto. Usually get a 2 person box as I live alone and then freeze anything spare
I do prefer to add more veg/salad as a side which bulks it out so some things I get 3 potions out of

We’re quite happy with Gousto. Portion size never been a problem. Never feel the need to nibble at anything after dinner and certainly too full up for any thought of pudding.

Like @ThatsnotMyNameAgain , Gousto was our compromise because DH “couldn’t” cook. He loves Gousto and because you know what the ingredients are, you can replicate recipes on non Gousto days. The Gousto deliveries have been a blessing in these Covid times.

We also tried SimplyCook but you had to supply the ingredients and most of it was too spicy for me (and because you didn’t know what was in the pots, you couldn’t adjust the heat).

I really rate Mindful Chef. We had some properly delicious meals from them. It isn't cheap, but they use more expensive ingredients - it depends on your budget and priorities.

The only reason we're not using then at the moment is because the children aren't adventurous enough yet, and we don't have the time or energy to cook twice a night on a regular basis.

Have used HF and Gousto. Prefer Gousto by far. More choice, less packaging and ample portion sizes. I order a 4 person box for 4 nights a week for the 5 of us.

We also tried SimplyCook but you had to supply the ingredients and most of it was too spicy for me (and because you didn’t know what was in the pots, you couldn’t adjust the heat). We usually choose the spicy recipes then add a teaspoon of chilli flakes! I like it because I can substitute ingredients for my fussy teen.

Free SimplyCook box

30% off Pasta Evangelists

@OllyBJolly The ingredients lists for each pot are on the back of the individual recipe kit boxes.

Gousto coming up better then but keen to hear from those with ravenous teens how you made it work.
Suppose I can bulk out the chicken easily enough by adding some of my own.

Does the meat have good provenance?

I've tried them all. Mindful Chef too puritanical and way too expensive. Hello Fresh was not v tasty. Gousto was by far the best although seem to do fewer promos.

I have switched to Field and Flower and spice boxes now. Not too much more effort. DM me if you want a welcome code

@Hangnailing

Gousto coming up better then but keen to hear from those with ravenous teens how you made it work. Suppose I can bulk out the chicken easily enough by adding some of my own.

Does the meat have good provenance?

Field and flower definitely good for provenance and ordering what you need for a family

I preferred HF, I’m obviously in the minority! Not tried mindful chef though.

My favourite so far has been Simply Cook because I've found the Gousto and Hello Fresh recipes quite plain. The Simply Cook recipes are so flavourful! www.simplycook.com/recipes

Simply Cook doesn't supply any of the main ingredients - just the sauces, spices and seasonings and then you buy the meat and vegetables yourself (you could always order those online for convenience). They also offer a £3 trial if you'd like to give it a try first.

I'm a regular Gousto box user and we've found the portions mostly very generous, meat portions are typically 125g per person which is about right, and the meals fill a large dinner plate, some with leftovers.

We had some Mindful Chef ready meals whilst recovering from covid. They were truly disgusting, and so watery. That put me off ever trying their cook yourselves meals.