An Overview of Home Chef's Meal Kit Service
Home Chef is one of the most popular meal kit delivery services in the United States. The company was founded in 2013 and acquired by grocery chain Kroger in 2018.
Home Chef appeals to home cooks by providing exciting recipes packed with bold flavors, offering flexibility to customize orders, and making cooking easy with pre-portioned ingredients. The service aims to save customers time on meal planning and grocery shopping without sacrificing quality.
Here is an in-depth look at what Home Chef provides, from the meal kit menu options to pricing and comparisons to competitors.
How Home Chef Works
Each week, customers can select recipes from Home Chef's frequently updated menu which are then delivered to their doorstep. Recipes come with perfectly portioned fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards.
Home Chef offers flexibility to choose which meals and how many servings. Skip weeks or cancel anytime as there is no subscription required.
To get started, customers build a box by selecting recipes through the weekly menu which refreshes every Sunday. Choices can be customized to preferences like calories, cook time, protein or cuisine type. Boxes arrive on the chosen delivery day a few days later.
Home Chef Menu and Meal Options
Home Chef provides dozens of weekly meal choices across a variety of categories so customers can find options to suit any taste or diet. Meals take around 30-60 minutes to prepare.
Menu categories include:
Protein Plus
Protein Plus meals feature a lean protein with creative sauces and sides. Options may include chicken, pork, turkey, tofu or fish. Previous recipes have included Chicken Chimichurri, Balsamic Pork Tenderloin and Cajun White Fish.
Calorie Smart
Calorie Smart meals contain 650 calories or less. Lighter recipes focus on lean proteins, whole grains, veggies and smart swaps. Sample options have included Chicken Gyro Lettuce Wraps, Cauliflower Gnocchi and Veggie Packed Turkey Meatballs.
Carb Conscious
Carb Conscious provides low carb meals with 20g net carbs or less. Recipes emphasize proteins, healthy fats, and low glycemic veggies and grains. Past dishes have included Steak Fajita Foil Packs, Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Boats and Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers.
Oven Ready
Oven Ready meals come pre-prepped so they can be popped straight into the oven. Minimal prep means quicker cooking times under 30 minutes. Previous Oven Ready options include Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, Lemon Garlic Salmon and Pork Carnitas.
15 Minute Meals
15 Minute Meals, as the name suggests, can be on the table in just 15 minutes or less. Quick recipes require minimal prep and cooking. Some examples include Tex Mex Turkey Burgers, Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry and Lemon Parmesan Crusted Salmon.
Veggie
Veggie meals are designed for vegetarian and plant-based eaters. Ingredients may include tofu, legumes, lentils, tempeh as well as plenty of vegetables and whole grains. Recent Veggie meals have included Sweet Potato Quinoa Buddha Bowls, Mexican Street Corn Pizza and Crispy Cauliflower Tacos.
Family Friendly
Family Friendly meals appeal to kids and adults alike. Recipes are simple with tasty, kid-approved flavors. Options have included Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese, Mini Turkey Meatballs and Cheeseburger Sliders.
Premium
Premium meals have more involved recipes that take a bit more time but feel restaurant quality. Previous examples include Seared Scallops, Beef Tenderloin and Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti.
Signature Collection
The Signature Collection features Home Chef's most popular recipes of all time such as Cherry Balsamic Pork Chops, Risottos and Chicken Parmesan.
Smoothies
Pre-portioned smoothie kits can be added to any order. Kits come with fresh fruit, smoothie mixes, juices and superfoods to blend into delicious drinks.
Breakfast
Add on a breakfast kit to start the day off right. Options include dishes like breakfast tacos, egg sandwiches, overnight oats and chia puddings.
Dessert
Satisfy sweet cravings by adding a dessert like Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Bars, Triple Chocolate Brownies or Banana Pudding.
Sides
Compliment meals with one of Home Chef's fresh veggie sides like Garlic Green Beans, Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Creamed Spinach.
Home Chef Pricing and Plans
One of the most appealing factors about Home Chef is flexibility in choosing recipes each week rather than getting pre-selected meals. Pricing per portion ranges from around $7-$12 depending on the recipes chosen.
Meal Kit Pricing
On average, Home Chef meal kits with 2 servings cost $9.95 per serving. For 4 servings per meal kit, the average cost is $8.95 per serving. Oven Ready recipes tend to be on the less expensive end while Premium meals cost a bit more.
Additional Fees
A $7.99 shipping fee is added per box. It's free on orders over $100.
A 10% discount is offered on first orders for new customers. Ongoing promotions are frequently available as well.
Plans
Rather than committing to a set subscription, customers can choose to order meal kits weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Skip, pause or cancel anytime.
However, Home Chef does offer a few optional subscription plans:
- Oven Ready Plan: Get Oven Ready meals only shipped every week starting at $49.95.
- Lifestyle Plan: Choose recipes catered to preferences like Family Friendly, Calorie Smart, Carb Conscious, etc. Starting at $59.95 per week.
- Custom Plan: Pick a set number of recipes to arrive weekly; 4 recipes (8 servings) for $71.92 or 6 recipes (12 servings) for $103.86.
How Home Chef Compares to Other Meal Kits
Home Chef stands out from the competition for its flexible ordering, bold and global recipes, easy oven ready options, and family friendly meals. Here is how it stacks up against other popular meal kits:
Home Chef vs. Blue Apron
Both offer exciting original recipes, but Blue Apron’s menu is more limited. Home Chef has better customization since diners pick each recipe rather than get a pre-selected box.
Home Chef also has more simple oven ready and kid friendly options. Price wise, they are comparable at around $9-10 per serving.
Home Chef vs. HelloFresh
HelloFresh and Home Chef have similar menus with lots of variety. However, HelloFresh’s recipes tend to use more pre-prepped ingredients that speed up cooking but compromise freshness. Home Chef sends raw ingredients that are fresher.
HelloFresh also doesn’t offer oven ready meals while Home Chef provides more flexibility for customizing orders.
Home Chef vs. Green Chef
Green Chef focuses specifically on certain diet preferences like Keto, paleo, or plant-based while Home Chef has broader appeal. Green Chef also has strictly organic ingredients which increases cost.
Home Chef has cheaper pricing for more servings and simpler recipes better for families. Green Chef does offer more specialized nutrition-focused plans.
Home Chef vs. Marley Spoon
Marley Spoon and Home Chef both emphasize global cuisine with unique flavor profiles. Their menus have considerable overlap.
One difference is Marley Spoon caters better to vegetarians while Home Chef has more quick oven-ready meals. But they are largely comparable services.
Home Chef vs. Gobble
Gobble focuses solely on quick 15 minute meals while Home Chef has options better suited for lingering over dinner. Gobble recipes also involve more pre-prepped ingredients.
Home Chef offers better customization and flexibility. But Gobble is better for fast weeknight cooking.
Home Chef Pros and Cons
Here is a quick overview of some of the key advantages and disadvantages of Home Chef meal kits:
Pros
- Wide variety of recipes and cuisines
- Flexibility to fully customize weekly orders
- Oven ready and 15 minute meals for quick cooking
- Kid friendly options suitable for families
- No subscription required
- Free shipping over $100
- Fresh, high quality ingredients
Cons
- Added shipping fees under $100
- Some involved recipes better for seasoned cooks
- Limited fully vegetarian options
- Common food allergens like dairy, eggs, soy
Is Home Chef Worth It?
Home Chef meal kits provide an affordable, convenient way to reduce meal planning stress and eat more home cooked dinners. For many busy families, the service is well worth the cost for the time savings, recipe inspiration, and grocery shopping relief.
The flexibility to choose different meals each week rather than get stuck with a set menu makes Home Chef stand out. Variety and customization allow diners to truly tailor orders to their tastes and dietary needs.
While not the most budget-friendly option, Home Chef provides good value at around $9 per serving. The fresh, restaurant-quality meals can cost far less than take-out or dining out.
For families looking to gather around the dinner table more often for home cooked meals without the hassle, Home Chef delivers.
Getting Started with Home Chef
Interested in trying out Home Chef? Here is a quick step-by-step guide to signing up:
- Go to homechef.com and click Become a Customer
- Create an account by providing your email and setting a password
- Select delivery zip code and preference for 2-person or 4-person meals
- Pick which day of the week to receive deliveries
- Browse weekly menu and select recipes and add-ons for your box
- Check out and pay for your box
- Modify or cancel future deliveries at any time
Home Chef offers a great way to simplify dinner, bring exciting new recipes into your routine, and enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home. The customizable boxes and rotating weekly menus make mealtimes easy.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment