HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are two of the biggest meal kit delivery companies in Canada.
As someone who values both the quality and the process of meal preparation, my goal was to uncover which service provides better convenience, variety, and sheer pleasure of cooking. I was curious to understand how each kit could fit into the diverse lifestyles and dietary preferences of modern-day consumers.
In this review, we’ll delve into the variety each meal kit offers, their commitment to sustainability and the eco-friendliness of their packaging, the ease and speed of preparation, and the cost of each meal kit. These factors were meticulously examined so you know what to expect when you open your door to Chefs Plate or HelloFresh.
Both companies dominate the Canadian market and offer a similar experience but they both have their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Which meal kit delivery service is better?
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In this review, we’ll compare Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh based on a number of factors and go into detail on the bigger elements including:
| HelloFresh | Chefs Plate | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Families looking for lots of variety | People on a budget cooking for one |
| Delivery Areas | Australia, Canada, Europe, United States | Canada |
| Diets | Vegetarian Low Carb Pescatarian | Vegetarian Low Carb |
| Variety of Meals | 40 options each week | 25 options each week |
| Ease | Recipes are very easy to follow. Easy clean-up. One pot. | Recipes are very easy to follow. |
| Cook Times | 20-44 minutes | 15-45 minutes |
| Packaging | Mostly recyclable | Mostly recyclable |
| Number of People | 2 or 4 | 2 or 4 |
| Meals Per Order | 3-5 | 2-5 |
| Price Per Plate | As low as $10 | As low as $8.99 |
| Shipping Costs | $10.99 | $4.99 |
| Introductory Deal | Up to 20 free meals with code HELLO20FMS | Up To 20 Free Meals + Dollar Menu with code FLYC399 |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
1. Variety
Variety in a meal delivery service means a wide selection of meal options to choose from and different dietary preference choices.
Here’s how HelloFresh and Chefs Plate differ in variety:
HelloFresh Variety
HelloFresh offers around 40 different menu items to choose from each week. They also provide the option to add more protein, upgrade the cut of meat, or swap the type of protein used for most menu items. HelloFresh caters to many different dietary preferences including vegetarian, pescetarian, and ketogenic. Their meal filters also include low CO2, spicy, and low-calorie options.
HelloFresh delivers exciting recipe variety each week which spans a delightful range of cuisines and cooking styles. Every week presents unique flavor profiles, ensuring a dynamic selection that keeps the experience fresh. The rotating menu introduces new ingredients and cooking techniques alongside familiar favorites. Whether you’re drawn to classic Italian pastas, crave bold Asian stir-fries, or seek traditional American comfort food, HelloFresh caters to a wide range of culinary preferences, transforming each meal into an opportunity to explore the culinary landscape.
HelloFresh
$11.49Per Serving
|
Chefs Plate Variety
Chefs Plate offers 25 meals to choose from each week. They cater to vegetarian and low-carb diets. Their ‘Balanced’ meals contain at least 20g of protein, less than 15g of saturated fats, and under 100g of carbohydrates. Chefs Plate meals also include BBQ, spicy, and ‘Premium’ recipes that come with higher-quality ingredients than usual.
While Chefs Plate offers a decent variety of 25 recipes each week, I’ve noticed that, over time, they tend to share a similar flavor profile. Compared to my experience with HelloFresh, the rotation of meals at Chefs Plate feels more limited. After subscribing to Chefs Plate for about 8 to 12 months, you may begin to find the options a bit repetitive, and the excitement of trying new dishes each week may lessen. After some time with Chefs Plate, it will become a bit more challenging to find something that feels truly new and different in their lineup.
Chefs Plate
$8.99Per Serving
|
Variety & Flexibility Winner: HelloFresh
HelloFresh distinctly stands out for its variety, taking the victory in this category over Chefs Plate. With an impressive selection of around 40 unique menu items each week, HelloFresh not only offers a broader spectrum of choices, but also caters to a wider array of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, pescetarian, and ketogenic options. The ability to customize dishes by adding more protein or altering the type of protein enhances the personalization of meals. Furthermore, the weekly rotation introduces new flavors, ingredients, and cuisines, ensuring that each meal is an opportunity to explore different culinary traditions. This diverse and ever-changing lineup keeps the experience fresh and exciting, a contrast to the more predictable offerings of Chefs Plate, which, while varied, tends to become a bit repetitive over time.
2. Sustainability & Packaging
HelloFresh Sustainability
When my HelloFresh meals arrive, they’re neatly packed in a cardboard box, with each meal conveniently separated into compostable paper bags. Some additional items will be separate (for example meats, cheeses, etc.) and each meal box will come with ice packs to keep the contents fresh and cool. It’s reassuring to know that the packaging is mindful of the environment – the cardboard and ice pack outer layers are recyclable, and even the gel inside the ice packs is non-toxic, compostable, and safe to dispose of down the drain.
Inside the paper bags, the ingredients are wrapped in plastic, which can be recycled, depending on the local recycling rules. Each meal comes with a large recipe card with step-by-step photos and cooking instructions which makes cooking very easy. Recipe cards can feel wasteful but they are also recyclable! Plus, with the option to access recipes via the HelloFresh app, there’s hope for an even greener future.
As for food waste, HelloFresh meal kits do not leave much behind. Occasionally, I might save some vegetable scraps for a broth, but overall, they’re excellent at minimizing waste, which I greatly appreciate.
Chefs Plate Sustainability
My experience with Chefs Plate mirrors that of HelloFresh in terms of their commitment to sustainability. The meals arrive in a cardboard box, accompanied by recyclable ice packs and nestled in compostable paper bags, much like HelloFresh. The box contains ingredient packets, made of recyclable plastic, along with the large paper recipes.
Chefs Plate also offers a digital solution with their app, hinting at a potential move towards even more sustainable practices in the future. Their food waste is pretty much the exact same as HelloFresh so whichever meal delivery kit you choose you can feel confident that you are not being overly wasteful.
Sustainability Winner: Tie
Both HelloFresh and Chefs Plate use the same packaging. Each meal kit will result in the same amount of waste and recyclable and compostable items. This shared commitment to sustainability ensures that, regardless of my choice between the two, I’m making a decision that aligns with my environmental values.
3. Cook Time
The whole idea behind meal kits is to make the cooking experience easier and more enjoyable. This means that meals should be easy to prepare, have a short prep time, are quick to cook, and are easy to clean up.
HelloFresh Cooking Times
HelloFresh meals take between 20 and 45 minutes to cook. They have some really cool cook time filters to help you choose your meals including:
- Quick: Quick meals take 20 or 25 minutes to prepare. For me, these quick meals are a lifesaver on busy weeknights when I barely have time to think, let alone cook.
- One-pot: These meals only require a single pot or pan to create. I love the one-pot option because it simplifies cooking and cleaning, making the whole process feel more manageable and less daunting.
- Easy clean up: Similar to the one-pot meals, these meals leave very little to clean up. The easy cleanup is a game-changer for me; it means I get to spend less time washing dishes and more time relaxing after a delicious meal.
- Prepped in 10: These meals are prepped in only 10 minutes, the rest of the cooking time is spent hands-off cooking. This feature significantly cuts down my time in the kitchen, allowing me to focus more on enjoying the meal than preparing it.
These cook time filters are perfect for those who don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen. For someone like me, who’s always juggling tasks, these features enhance my cooking experience by making it quick, easy, and fuss-free.