When you factor in how long it takes to plan out all your meals for the week, drive to and from the grocery store, get everything on your shopping list and then cook, getting a meal on the table becomes an hours-long event. A lot of people just don’t have time for that, especially on days when there’s something going on in the evening.
It’s why HelloFresh is such a lifesaver for people who want to eat healthy but are pressed for time. The meal kit delivery service has meal kits based not only on what you want to eat (their rotating menu has tons of options), but also how much time you have.
Unlike some other meal kit delivery services which only offer one type of meal (for example: heat-and-eat meals or 30-minute meals), HelloFresh has five different offerings that can help you massively cut down on time and effort in the kitchen. Curious about your options? Allow us to explain.
Ready-made meals
HelloFresh’s ready-made meals are perfect for having on hand when you literally have no time to cook. All you have to do is pop one in the microwave and it’s ready to eat in three minutes. But these meals are no soggy TV dinners. They’re just as flavorful and filling as HelloFresh’s other meal types. A run-down of some you can choose from: Southwest-inspired chicken bowl, alfredo truffle cavatappi, Indian-inspired chicken with turmeric rice and udon stir-fry with pulled pork and vegetables.
Low-prep meals
If you want to cook, but you also want it to be easy, HelloFresh’s low-prep meals may be a good fit for you. They’re crafted to be made with just a handful of ingredients and require less than 30 minutes of prep time. If you’re super fatigued but know you still need to eat something healthy, it’s the perfect option.
10- to 20-minute meals
HelloFresh’s 10- to 20-minute meals are similar to the low-prep meals, but they may require a bit more prep (such as chopping veggies) while also taking less time to cook. For example, a low-prep meal may only take five minutes of prep but require a 30-minute cook time, while all the meals in this offering can be prepped and cooked within the designated 10-, 15- or 20-minute timeframe.
One-pan meals
These meals are exactly what they sound like; the only cookware item they need is a sheet pan. If you like cooking but hate doing the dishes, these meals are right up your alley — there will be no pots and pans to wash after you’ve finished your meal. Some examples include smoky beef tacos and bean and pepper lettuce wraps.
Prep and bake, oven-ready meals
HelloFresh’s oven-ready meals come with the ingredients all prepped, pre-portioned and ready to go. All you have to do is cook them in the oven on the oven-safe trays they come with. They’re all designed to be made in 30 minutes or less and since the oven-safe trays come with the meal kit, there’s no dishes to wash when you’re done. Some examples of their oven-ready meals include walnut-crushed chicken with cheesy ciabatta and roasted broccoli, salsa verde chicken with rice and beans and enchilada chicken with Southwest rice and beans and red pepper crema.
Can’t decide between these different offerings? You don’t have to! You can include a variety as part of your subscription, tweaking it based on what your week ahead looks like.
Want to sign up? First, find out if HelloFresh is available in your area. Then, choose a plan and start deciding what meals you want from the rotating weekly menu. Six plans are available, and each one caters to different dietary and convenience needs: meat and veggies, veggie, family friendly, fit and wholesome, quick and easy and pescatarian.
You don’t have to sacrifice nutrient-rich, flavorful meals just because you’re busy. Whether you like the easy step-by-step cooking format or want something ready to eat in mere minutes, a HelloFresh meal kit subscription can make it happen.