Cooking at home has never been easier, thanks to meal kit services like HelloFresh. The convenience of having pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your door, paired with easy-to-follow recipes, makes it simple for busy families to enjoy home-cooked meals without the stress of meal planning. However, HelloFresh can sometimes feel pricey, especially for families trying to stick to a budget. That’s where hellofresh cheaper alternative options come in.
Over the past year, I’ve tested several meal kit services that provide the same convenience and quality as HelloFresh, but at a more affordable price. Some of these alternatives offer unique menu options, simplified meal prep, and excellent value for money. Here’s a detailed guide to the most loved HelloFresh cheaper alternative meals this year.
Why Look for a HelloFresh Cheaper Alternative
Meal kits like HelloFresh are excellent, but many people are looking for ways to save money while still enjoying the convenience and variety of home-cooked meals. Some common reasons include:
- Cost Efficiency: HelloFresh can become expensive over time, especially for larger families.
- Simplicity: Some alternatives focus on straightforward, easy-to-cook meals that save prep time.
- Variety: Trying a new meal kit can introduce you to recipes and cuisines you may not find with HelloFresh.
- Customization: Some services allow more flexibility with portion sizes or ingredient substitutions.
By exploring HelloFresh cheaper alternatives, families can enjoy the same benefits of home cooking without compromising on taste or quality.
Top HelloFresh Cheaper Alternative Meal Kits
Several meal kit services have gained popularity this year as more affordable alternatives to HelloFresh. Here’s a closer look at the most loved options.
EveryPlate: Simple, Affordable, and Delicious
EveryPlate is a standout in the world of HelloFresh cheaper alternatives. Focused on simplicity, EveryPlate offers meals that are easy to prepare and incredibly budget-friendly.
Why EveryPlate Stands Out:
- Price: Meals start at just $4.99 per serving, making it one of the most affordable meal kits available.
- Easy Recipes: Step-by-step instructions make cooking approachable, even for beginners.
- Portion Control: Each meal is perfectly portioned, reducing food waste.
- Family-Friendly Options: Meals cater to busy families with kid-approved recipes.
Example Meal: One popular EveryPlate meal is the Honey Garlic Chicken with Veggies. In under 30 minutes, you can have a well-balanced, flavorful dinner ready for your family.
Dinnerly: Streamlined Cooking for Busy Schedules
Dinnerly is another highly recommended HelloFresh cheaper alternative. It focuses on minimalistic recipes with fewer ingredients, making cooking quicker and simpler.
Key Features:
- Affordable Pricing: Meals cost around $4.69 per serving.
- Less Prep, More Taste: Recipes usually require only six main ingredients, cutting down grocery prep time.
- Digital Recipes: Easy-to-follow instructions with photos make cooking stress-free.
Example Meal: The Taco-Style Beef Bowls are a hit, requiring just a handful of ingredients but offering bold flavors that the whole family enjoys.
Home Chef: Customizable and Flavorful Options
While slightly higher in price compared to EveryPlate or Dinnerly, Home Chef offers customization options that many families appreciate. It allows you to swap proteins or adjust portion sizes, which makes it flexible for dietary preferences.
Highlights:
- Variety: From pasta to stir-fry, Home Chef offers a diverse menu each week.
- Customization: Swap proteins to fit your budget or dietary needs.
- Ease of Cooking: Recipes take about 30 minutes on average, making them convenient for weeknight dinners.
Example Meal: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Orzo combines rich flavors with quick prep, showing how a HelloFresh cheaper alternative can still deliver gourmet-quality meals.
Factor: Healthy and Ready-to-Eat Options
Factor specializes in healthy, pre-made meals, ideal for busy families or individuals who want nutrition without the cooking hassle. While it leans toward convenience rather than DIY cooking, it’s a popular HelloFresh cheaper alternative.
Benefits:
- Fully Prepared Meals: Heat and eat in minutes, saving significant time.
- Nutrient-Focused: Meals are designed by dietitians, offering balanced nutrition.
- Variety: Options include keto, low-carb, and calorie-conscious meals.
Example Meal: The Lemon Herb Chicken with Roasted Vegetables is fully prepared, flavorful, and perfect for anyone short on time but still seeking a healthy, home-cooked feel.
How to Choose the Right HelloFresh Cheaper Alternative
Selecting the best alternative depends on your priorities. Here are some tips:
- Budget: Compare meal costs per serving. EveryPlate and Dinnerly are best for affordability.
- Cooking Time: Consider whether you want meals that are pre-made or easy-to-cook recipes.
- Family Size: Some kits are designed for two servings, while others cater to four or more.
- Dietary Preferences: Check if the meal kit offers options for vegetarian, low-carb, or allergen-free meals.
- Flexibility: Look for services that allow menu customization or skipping weeks when needed.
Using these criteria, you can select a HelloFresh cheaper alternative that fits your lifestyle and eating habits.
Real-Life Example: Switching to EveryPlate
A friend of mine recently switched from HelloFresh to EveryPlate. She has a family of four and was spending over $150 per week on HelloFresh. By switching, she saved nearly $60 weekly.
Her favorite EveryPlate meals included:
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Veggies
- Creamy Beef Stroganoff
- Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Salmon
She found the recipes easy to follow and the ingredients fresh, showing that cost savings don’t mean sacrificing quality or flavor.
Benefits of HelloFresh Cheaper Alternatives
Switching to a more affordable meal kit can offer numerous benefits beyond just saving money:
- Convenience: Ingredients are pre-portioned and delivered to your door.
- Reduced Food Waste: Portion-controlled servings mean less leftover food.
- Home Cooking Skills: Following meal kit recipes helps improve cooking skills over time.
- Time Savings: Most meals can be prepared in 30–40 minutes, ideal for busy families.
Tips for Maximizing Your Meal Kit Experience
Even with a HelloFresh cheaper alternative, there are ways to enhance your meal kit experience:
- Plan Weekly Meals: Schedule your deliveries around your family’s availability.
- Batch Prep Ingredients: Chop vegetables in advance to save time during the week.
- Mix and Match: Combine ingredients from different meals to create new dishes.
- Store Ingredients Properly: Keep fresh produce in airtight containers to maintain quality.
Conclusion
Finding a HelloFresh cheaper alternative doesn’t mean compromising on taste, nutrition, or convenience. Services like EveryPlate, Dinnerly, Home Chef, and Factor provide affordable options with delicious recipes that save time and reduce stress. Whether you’re feeding a busy family, cooking for two, or just looking to simplify mealtime, these meal kits offer excellent value while keeping home-cooked meals exciting and accessible.
By exploring these alternatives, you can enjoy flavorful, home-cooked dinners without the high cost, making your weekly meals both satisfying and budget-friendly. Don’t stop here—our homepage has even more to explore.
FAQs
What is a good HelloFresh cheaper alternative for families?
EveryPlate is highly recommended for families because it offers affordable, easy-to-cook meals with kid-friendly options. Prices start at just $4.99 per serving, making it a great choice for budget-conscious households.
Are cheaper meal kits like Dinnerly still high quality?
Yes, Dinnerly focuses on simple recipes with fewer ingredients, but the quality of produce and proteins remains high. The meals are designed to be flavorful and convenient, making it a reliable HelloFresh cheaper alternative.
Can I customize my meals with HelloFresh cheaper alternatives?
Some services, like Home Chef, allow you to swap proteins or adjust portions. Others, like EveryPlate and Dinnerly, offer set recipes but provide variety each week to suit different tastes and dietary needs.