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Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh: Which Meal Kit is Better in 2024?

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Meal kit delivery services are subscription services in which a company, such as HelloFresh or Chefs Plate, sends pre-portioned fresh ingredients and recipes to prepare home-cooked meals.

For this type of service, you select meal plans and serving sizes online and specify how many meals you want to be delivered each week. The company then sends your order in refrigerated or insulated containers to ensure freshness.

HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are Canada’s two most popular meal kit delivery services. This article looks at Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh and determines which is better.

Key Takeaways

  • HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are Canada’s two most popular meal kit delivery services.
  • Chefs Plate starts at $8.99 per serving, regardless of the type of menu you choose.
  • HelloFresh meals start at $9.99 for all meal types.
  • If you are looking for variety, then HelloFresh is a better option. But if price and savings per serving are chief factors, Chefs Plate is your best bet.
  • Besides the two, there are other meal kit delivery services in Canada, including Spatula, GoodFood, and Fresh Prep.

Which is Better: Hello Fresh or Chefs Plate?

Due to their dominance in the market, Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh is a common topic that many people discuss. So, which of the two is the better option?

Both of these providers offer great meals and services to Canadians. They dominate the market, offering convenient meal kits that help ease the burden of meal planning.

Regarding the freshness of the ingredients and packaging, HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are highly similar, given that the latter is a division of the former. 

Below is a table that compares some of the features of each meal kit delivery service, from the number of meals to HelloFresh and Chefs Plate shipping fees.

FeatureHelloFreshChefs Plate
No. of meals35+24
Price per servingStarts at $9.99Starts at $8.99
Cooking timeAbout 30 minutesIn 30 minutes or less
Meal plans6-20 servings per week4-20 servings per week
Weekly total (2 people, 3 recipes)$73.00 ($12.17 per serving)$59.94 ($9.99 per serving)
Meal plansMostly Meat, Family Friendly, Carb Smart, Calorie Smart, Vegetarian, Quick & Easy, Pescatarian, High Protein15-Minute Meal Plan, Vegetarian Plan, Family Plan, Classic Plan
Dietary restrictionsNo meal plans for special dietary needs, no exclusive allergen- or gluten-free meal choicesNo meals for specific dietary restrictions
Delivery areasOntario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, and the MaritimesOntario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and  Manitoba
Delivery timeSunday-Thursday each week; Between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PMBetween 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM
Shipping cost$9.99$9.99

Looking at the table, Chefs Plate is marginally less expensive, but HelloFresh offers more meal options and meal plans every week.

If you are looking for variety, then HelloFresh is a better option. But if price and savings per serving are big factors, Chefs Plate is your best bet.

When it comes to the Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh debate, the better choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences.

Chefs Plate Overview

Chefs Plate is a subscription service that delivers fresh, portion-controlled ingredients you can prepare using easy recipes and cook at home in 15 to 30 minutes.

Founded in 2014 in Toronto, it aims to make meal planning easy through a weekly set of meals to choose from, recipes that are easy to follow, and fresh ingredients sent to your home.

Each week, you can choose from 24 easy-to-prepare recipes from the Chefs Plate menu. Customization is available to suit your preferences, adjust delivery dates, and skip weeks when you want.

You can use Chefs Plate via browser or through the app. The service is available in most Canadian provinces except Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Check out our Chefs Plate’s review here.

How Chefs Plate Works

To place an order with Chefs Plate:

  1. Browse through the weekly menu and pick the recipes you want. Select how many people you will order for and how many recipes you want per week.
  1. Chefs Plate will prepare your order and then pack it in an insulated or refrigerated container to keep the ingredients fresh.
  1. A delivery service will send your order to your doorstep before 8 PM local time, even when nobody is home to receive it.

If you want to modify a meal, use the customization option for select recipes to tailor your meals and substitute specific ingredients according to your taste.

To customize a meal, look for the label on the weekly menu and click the “Customize This Meal” icon, and select your ingredient swap. 

To change the delivery date of your meals:

  • Choose the week you wish to change if it is pending delivery.
  • To change your delivery date to another, pick an option from the “Delivers on” date toggle in the red box on the right-hand side.  

Depending on your order and location, Chefs Plate may charge a shipping fee to have a courier deliver your order to your door. You will find the exact amount upon checkout. 

HelloFresh Overview

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that sends weekly delivery of recipes and fresh ingredients that help you make easy meals at home.

HelloFresh provides a flexible plan where you choose your meals every week, change meals, skip a week, or cancel anytime.

Each week, you get fresh, pre-measured ingredients with simple step-by-step recipes that provide dietary information.

You can choose a meal plan from over 35 rotating recipes to create a custom menu. HelloFresh can also select which meals you receive. 

Ingredients are locally sourced and carefully hand-packed using special ice packs and insulation to help ensure ingredients are fresh until you get home.

Every recipe provides detailed nutritional information, such as food allergies.

Here is a detailed review of HelloFresh

How HelloFresh Works

To order HelloFresh:

  1. Select a plan from the available menu. Options include Mostly Meat, Family Friendly, Carb Smart, Calorie Smart, Vegetarian, Quick & Easy, Pescatarian, and High Protein.
  1. HelloFresh will hand-pack all your ingredients in meal kit bags with ice packs and insulation to keep them cool.
  1. A courier will deliver your order to your doorstep from 8 AM to 8 PM on the day you picked.
  1. You will receive fresh, pre-measured ingredients, including sauces, seasonings, and garnishes. The order will also include step-by-step recipes with nutritional information.

To change your delivery day, go to your account and make the necessary modifications four days ahead of your scheduled delivery.

To skip a delivery or cancel, you must make the adjustments on your account by 11:59 PM PST, four days before your scheduled delivery.

Chefs Plate Menu and Meal Options

Chefs Plate menu offers a wide range of options that include:

  • Meat & Veggies
  • Vegetarian
  • Family-Friendly
  • Pork-Free
  • Beef-Free
  • Fish-Free
  • Shellfish-Free
  • Poultry & Veggie

Meals include:

  • Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake
  • Italian-Style Turkey Melts
  • Spiced Beef Bowls
  • Herby Panko-Crusted Chicken
  • Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Add-ons available include:

  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Cups
  • Lean Ground Beef (227g)
  • Two Chicken Breasts (285g)
  • Skin-On Salmon Fillets (250g)
  • Top Sirloin Steak (285g)

HelloFresh Menu and Meal Options

HelloFresh offers six meal plans you can select from:

  1. Family Friendly – Quick and easy-to-prepare meal options that kids love
  2. Meat & Veggies – Options that include meat and vegetables
  3. Quick & Easy – Meals that you can cook in 30 minutes or less
  4. Fit & Wholesome – Meals that have approximately 650 calories per serving or less
  5. Veggie – Plant-based vegetarian meals
  6. Pescatarian – Meals that feature seafood but with no poultry or red meat

Below are some of the most popular HelloFresh recipes.

Quick Dinner Ideas:

  • Teriyaki Beef Meatballs on Garlic Rice with Japanese Slaw
  • Tropical Pulled Chicken Bowl on Green Onion Rice with Mango-Poblano Salsa
  • Mediterranean Grilled Pork Chops with Veggie Couscous and Feta

Spicy recipes

  • African-Inspired Peanut Soup with Kidney Beans and Sesame Flatbreads
  • Cal Smart Chipotle Turkey Burrito Bowls with Guacamole and Pickled Jalapeños
  • Spicy Bibimbap-Style Rice Bowls with Plant-Based Protein, Zucchini and Carrots

Easy Recipes

  • Southern-Style Smothered Chicken Breast with Smashed Potatoes and Broccoli
  • Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Breast Bowls with Lemony Roasted Potatoes
  • Striploin Steak and Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction with Green Bean Almandine and Goat Cheese Mash

Chefs Plate Cost

Chefs Plate starts at $8.99 per serving, regardless of the type of menu you choose. Below is a table showing the number of servings and recipes and their total cost.

No. of PeopleNo. of RecipesTotal ServingsCost per ServingBox PriceShippingTotal Cost
224$9.99$39.96$9.99$49.95
 236$9.99$59.94$9.99$69.93
 248$9.99$79.92$9.99$89.91
 2510$9.99$99.90$9.99$109.89
428$8.99$71.92$9.99$81.91
 4312$8.99$107.88$9.99$117.87
 4416$8.99$143.84$9.99$153.83
 4520$8.99$179.80$9.99$189.79

Seniors over the age of 60 can avail of the Over 60’s Discount from Chefs Plate. Qualified seniors get 50% off their first box, plus 10% for every subsequent box at Chefs Plate.

The requirement to claim the discount is a valid passport or driving license.

Hello Fresh Cost

HelloFresh meals start at $9.99 for all meal types. The table below shows the prices according to the number of servings and the total cost, including the shipping fee.

No. of PeopleNo. of RecipesTotal ServingsCost per ServingBox PriceShippingTotal Cost
236$12.17$73.00$9.99$82.99
 248$11.88$95.00$9.99$104.99
 2510$11.50$115.00$9.99$124.99
4312$10.83$130.00$9.99$139.99
 4416$10.31$165.00$9.99$174.99
 4520$9.25$185.00$9.99$194.99

Chefs Plate vs Hello Fresh Promo Codes

Aside from providing meals that let you save money by minimizing eating out and grocery shopping, both Chefs Plate and HelloFresh offer promo codes that let you save on meal kits.

Use this legit HelloFresh promo code link and get up to 20 free meals.

To claim your free meals:

  1. Fill out the online order form.
  2. Select the number of people and the number of recipes per week.
  3. Click “Select this plan.”

When you sign up using the promo code link above, you get the following discounts spread out across your first four boxes:

  • Delivery 1 – $65 off
  • Delivery 2 – $20 off
  • Delivery 3 – $20 off
  • Delivery 4 – $20 off

Chefs Plate Promo Code

Save on your meal plans and get up to nine free meals with this Chefs Plate promo code.

To claim the discount:

  1. Fill out the online order form.
  2. Choose your meal preferences.
  3. Select your box size.
  4. Apply the promo code (it is automatic with the link).
  5. Click “Select this plan.”

For your first box, shipping is free.

Pros and Cons of Chefs Plate

While Chefs Plate is a top meal kit delivery service in Canada, it also has downsides. Find out below what its benefits and disadvantages are.

Pros

  • Convenience in terms of meal planning
  • Wide variety of meals
  • Easy to prepare
  • Budget-friendly
  • Insulated container
  • Locally-sourced ingredients
  • 100% recyclable kit bags and cool-pouches
  • Minimizes trips to the grocery
  • Recipes can be viewed without signing up first
  • Costs less than other meal kits
  • Can skip orders when you want
  • Can cancel any time
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • Does not offer meals for specific dietary restrictions
  • Not recommended for people with allergies
  • Does not guarantee ingredients are free from cross-contamination
  • The shipping fee of $10 per box

Pros and Cons of Hello Fresh

As with Chefs Plate, HelloFresh has its plus and minus points, which are enumerated below.

Pros

  • Convenience
  • Accommodates various appetites, household sizes, and schedule
  • Simple-to-follow recipes
  • Recipes come with detailed nutritional information, including food allergies
  • Options to choose meals each week
  • Offers vegetarian, pescatarian, and reduced-calorie meal plans
  • Price is similar to or lower than competitors
  • Fewer trips to the store and less cleanup
  • Less waste
  • 100% recyclable boxes; meal kit bags are recyclable and compostable
  • Discount is available on the app
  • Subscription can be cancelled anytime
  • Weekly deliveries can be skipped or cancelled anytime

Cons

  • May not be ideal for those with special dietary needs
  • No exclusive allergen- or gluten-free meal choices
  • No meal plans for stricter diets
  • The shipping fee of $10 per box

Alternative Meal Kit Delivery Options

Besides Chefs Plate and HelloFresh, other meal kit delivery services serve the Canadian market as well. These are Spatula, GoodFood, and Fresh Prep.

Spatula

Spatula is one of Toronto’s gourmet meal kits that utilizes flash-frozen technology to preserve its dishes.

With Spatula, you select your plan (a discovery box or a subscription meal plan), pick your dishes from a diverse menu, and wait for the order to arrive. Portions start at $11.49.

Spatula meals do not require much preparation since the dishes are frozen. You just heat them in a  pan for ten minutes, and they are ready to eat.

Spatula delivers in most areas of Southwestern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Kingston, London, Hamilton, and Burlington.

Shipping costs range from $4.99 to $12.99, depending on your postal code. You get a $40 discount using our referral link (SAVVY40).

GoodFood

GoodFood is another meal kit delivery company and one of HelloFresh and Chefs Plate’s primary competitors.

Ordering from GoodFood entails choosing your meals from the selection of dishes and waiting for your meal kits to arrive in a cooler box.

Each box contains meal kits, portioned raw ingredients, and easy-to-follow recipes. The meals are designed to remain fresh for up to a week after delivery.

A GoodFood Family Basket (with two recipes and four servings) costs $51.80, or $6.48 per serving. Original recipes are available every week. 

GoodFood delivers across Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Maritimes.

FreshPrep

FreshPrep offers a variety of recipes for various dietary preferences and helps you plan for quality meals that you can prepare in 30 minutes or less.

Meal kits at FreshPrep start at $10.99 per serving. You can choose from ten recipes per week, add extra meals, and remove those you do not need.

First-time subscribers can get two free meals on their first order. Aside from meal kits, FreshPrep provides prepared meals, snacks, sides, desserts, and grocery items from its Add-ons menu.

As with other meal kit delivery services, skipping is also a simple process. FreshPrep requires no commitment, so you can cancel anytime.

FreshPrep provides free delivery to homes and workplaces throughout Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Greater Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Okanagan.

FAQs

Is HelloFresh cheaper than EveryPlate?

HelloFresh meals start at $9.99 per serving, while EveryPlate meal costs $4.99 each. While both require a shipping fee of $9.99, based on the per-serving cost, EveryPlate is cheaper than HelloFresh.

Is HelloFresh financially worth it?

HelloFresh is financially worth it, particularly compared to eating out. The more meals you order for more people, the more you can save on the cost per serving. Get more savings by using this HelloFresh promo code link upon sign-up and other HelloFresh promo codes to get discounts.

Is it hard to quit HelloFresh?

No. To cancel your HelloFresh subscription, log into your account, click on your name at the top of the page, select Account Settings, scroll down to “Status,” and click “Cancel Plan” on the left-hand side. You will receive an email confirming the cancellation.

Who is HelloFresh’s biggest competitor?

GoodFood is one of HelloFresh’s top competitors in Canada, with Hello Fresh vs Good Food being a common search query. GoodFood is similar to HelloFresh as it also offers pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes packed in a cooler box and delivered to your doorstep.

Related: Best Free Meal Kit Trials in Canada

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Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

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