A private chef dishes on HelloFresh vs. Home Chef: Which one should you get?
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When you're a part-time private chef, the bar for food is high. Clients don't care that you were out until 2 a.m. or that you cooked for twenty the night before — they want their halibut flaky, their risotto perfect, and their expectations exceeded. So when I decided to test two of the biggest meal delivery services on the market — Home Chef vs. HelloFresh — I didn't approach it like a tired millennial looking to simplify weeknight dinners. I approached it like someone who has seared $70 steaks for people who tip in Birkin bags (I wish).
Spoiler: these boxes delivered. Not every dish was a hit, but both brands have carved out a space in the weeknight meal game for a reason. I was genuinely impressed by the quality of ingredients, the ease of recipes, and the fact that I didn't have to schlep to Whole Foods with a list longer than my last relationship. Comparing Home Chef to HelloFresh wasn't just fun, it was delicious, and oddly therapeutic. It gave me a much-needed break from menu planning, but still satisfied my compulsive need to judge everything on a scale from 'sad hotel breakfast' to 'Michelin-adjacent.'
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So if you're debating between the two — comparing things like Home Chef vs. HelloFresh prices, recipes, menus, or even who's running the better promo code right now — I've got you. This review is for home cooks, food snobs, and chaotic chefs alike. Let's dig in.
Home Chef vs. HelloFresh at a glance
Home Chef
Pros: Highly customizable meals
Offers oven-ready and quick-prep options
Solid portion sizes
Family-friendly
Cons: Less adventurous flavor profiles
Packaging isn't the most eco-conscious
Limited vegetarian/vegan options
Home Chef was founded to make home cooking accessible without sacrificing flavor or quality. They specialize in comforting, classic meals that feel homemade without being high maintenance. Think of it as the meal kit version of your favorite diner-meets-bistro — no frills, just satisfaction. It's best for busy families, picky eaters, or anyone who wants solid meals without spending 45 minutes slicing aromatics.
Who it's best for: Picky eaters, comfort food lovers, and people who want oven-ready or 15-minute meals. Home Chef is like the steady guy who shows up on time, remembers your coffee order, and always has a plan. It's dependable, satisfying, and ideal for anyone who wants to spend more time eating and less time prepping.
Dietary options: Offers calorie- and carb-conscious meals, vegetarian options, and the ability to swap proteins. There are also oven-ready and quick-cook options, which are great for special diets or picky eaters.
Sample recipes:
Garlic Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon
Oven-Ready Lasagna with Ricotta and Spinach
Tuscan Pork Medallions
HelloFresh
Pros: Global flavors and creative recipes
High-quality ingredients
Consistently good seasoning and sauces
Sustainable packaging
Cons: Recipes can be more involved
Less flexibility with customizations
Can get repetitive if you order frequently
HelloFresh is one of the biggest names in the meal kit industry, and for good reason. The brand has leaned into globally inspired, flavor-packed recipes that let you flex a little in the kitchen. It's best for people who actually like to cook and who see dinner as a time to try something new, not just get food in their body before reruns of Succession.
Who it's best for: Curious cooks who love trying new flavors and international recipes. HelloFresh is the artsy ex who makes great cocktails and introduces you to Ethiopian jazz. It's fresh, fun, and ideal for anyone who wants to make dinner an event.
Dietary options: Vegetarian, pescatarian, family-friendly, calorie smart, and carb smart options. Less flexibility in ingredient swaps, but plenty of variety across cuisine types. Vegan options are limited.
Sample recipes:
Harissa Chickpea Bowls with Pickled Shallot
Figgy Balsamic Pork with Roasted Carrots
Zucchini & Tomato Flatbreads
Sweet Soy Glazed Chicken with Garlic Rice
Editor's Note: *One per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.
Our review
How everything comes in the Home Chef box.
New York Post
Sheet Pan Herby Crusted Salmon:
The salmon came vacuum-sealed and surprisingly fresh. Once cooked, the crust crisped up perfectly, with the panko and herbs forming a golden shell that didn't fall apart on the plate. It didn't have that 'frozen seafood' flavor that I half-expected from a box. Instead, the texture was firm, the flavor delicate, and it paired beautifully with the included potatoes and tomatoes, roasted with tarragon and garlic.
Trusting the process…
New York Post
What impressed me most was the minimal effort it required. This was a single sheet pan, low-stress recipe that looked and tasted like something I'd charge $24 for on a brunch menu. For anyone who thinks salmon is too tricky to make at home, this is the gateway fish.
The final salmon dish!
New York Post
Creamed Spinach Smothered Chicken:
The cooking process.
New York Post
This dish was indulgent, in the best way. The spinach cream sauce was thick, silky, and clung lovingly to the chicken breasts like it knew what it was doing. The seasoning was spot-on and the spinach didn't get lost in the sauce — there was enough texture and brightness to break up the richness.
The final chicken dish.
New York Post
If you grew up eating casseroles and crave that nostalgic vibe but want something a little more elevated, this meal hits the mark. It was easy to prepare, made the kitchen smell like a hug, and reheated surprisingly well the next day. It's not winning any culinary innovation awards, but that's not what it's trying to do.
The unboxing of my HelloFresh box.
HelloFresh
Creamy Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup:
This dish came together like a dream. The broth thickened beautifully as the tortellini cooked, and the chicken sausage added a savory depth that played well with the spinach and tomatoes. The seasoning was dialed in — just enough garlic, a kiss of cream, and a finish that made you want to keep going back for another bite.
The final tortellini dish.
New York Post
I'd make this again from scratch. It felt indulgent but not heavy, and tasted like it had simmered for hours. The instructions were foolproof, and the end result felt restaurant-grade. Bonus points for the minimal chopping.
Ease of ordering
Both Home Chef and HelloFresh offer straightforward online experiences. That said, Home Chef takes the edge for its nearly obsessive customizability. Want to swap chicken for shrimp? No problem. Prefer double veggies instead of rice? Done. You can build meals the way you want, which makes it feel more tailored.
HelloFresh, on the other hand, offers a curated experience. You select from their rotating HelloFresh menu each week, but modifications are minimal. This isn't a flaw if you like to be surprised or don't suffer from choice paralysis.
Delivery and availability
Both services were delivered on time, and everything arrived cold and well-packaged. Home Chef's ingredients came in meal-specific bags (except for proteins, which were separated), while HelloFresh neatly labeled and color-coded each meal kit, which made fridge organization blissful.
Sustainability-wise, HelloFresh wins with its recyclable packaging and compostable insulation. It's a small thing, but it makes you feel slightly less guilty about outsourcing your grocery shopping.
Time and ease of instructions
Home Chef's meals were fast. The 15-minute and oven-ready options are ideal for people who want to eat ASAP. The instructions were clear, and the prep was minimal — a dream for chaotic weeknights when you don't want to deal with a lot of cookware.
HelloFresh was more hands-on. While their average recipe takes 20 to 40 minutes, the instructions were precise, and the results made the effort worthwhile. Still, if you're prone to hangry meltdowns, factor in the extra prep time.
Price
Home Chef cost: Starts at $9.99/serving. You can scale your meals up or down depending on your needs, but customizations and premium ingredients (like filet mignon) cost more. Still, you get solid value for the quality.
HelloFresh prices: Starts at $8.99/serving. The more you order, the cheaper it gets per meal. With frequent discounts and Hello Fresh promo codes, your first few boxes can be a steal. Just read the fine print—those discounts often taper off after the trial period.
The verdict
Home Chef is your steady, no-surprises wingman. If you want straightforward meals with comforting flavors and easy prep, it's the clear winner. It's perfect for nights when you want to eat well without performing culinary gymnastics.
HelloFresh is for your inner food nerd. It brings creativity, flavor, and a little extra flair to dinner. If you enjoy cooking as an experience and want to add new recipes to your repertoire, this is your box.
Which is best for whom?
Pick Home Chef if you want: Oven-ready meals Comfort food classics High customizability Easy clean-up
if you want: Pick HelloFresh if you want: Globally inspired dishes Restaurant-quality sauces and flavor combos Engaging cooking experience Eco-friendly packaging
if you want:
How we tested
I ordered the two-person, two-meal plan from both Home Chef and HelloFresh. Each dish was prepared solo, by me, with zero prep hacks and no extra seasoning cheats. I followed instructions to the letter, plated like it was for a chef's table, and judged with all the love and precision of someone who has cried over broken beurre blanc.
Each meal was rated on:
Taste
Ingredient freshness
Cooking experience
Clean-up time
Reheating performance (yes, I tried the leftovers)
I tested two meals from each service and approached each with the scrutiny of a chef who's watched too many clients complain about under-salted soup. Here's how they stacked up in real-life scenarios: hangry post-Zoom call, date night at home, and 'I forgot I needed to cook' weeknight.
FAQ: Home Chef and HelloFresh
Which is cheaper, Home Chef or HelloFresh?
HelloFresh tends to be slightly cheaper, with prices starting at $8.99 per serving compared to Home Chef's $9.99. However, Home Chef allows more customization, which can increase the total price compared to HelloFresh.
Which has better vegetarian options?
HelloFresh offers more variety for vegetarians, with rotating global-inspired meatless dishes. Home Chef has options but leans heavier on traditional American-style fare.
Can you skip weeks with both services?
Yes. Both Home Chef and HelloFresh allow you to skip a week or pause your subscription with a few clicks online. Just make sure to do it before the weekly cutoff date.
Do either offer meals for special diets (keto, gluten-free, etc.)?
Home Chef has more flexible options for low-carb and calorie-conscious eaters. Neither brand offers true keto or gluten-free certified plans, but HelloFresh includes labels for dietary preferences.
Which is faster to prepare?
Home Chef wins here. Their oven-ready and 15-minute meal options are unbeatable for speed. HelloFresh meals tend to take 30–40 minutes and require more hands-on time.
Are the ingredients fresh and high-quality?
Yes, both brands deliver fresh, high-quality ingredients. I found the proteins clean and well-sealed, produce crisp, and nothing arrived wilted or spoiled. It was pretty amazing.
Can I change the number of servings each week?
Yes. Both services allow you to change your plan size and number of meals per week, giving you flexibility if you're feeding more (or fewer) people that week.
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This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post's shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith's Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.
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