FabSwingers.com forum: Gousto, hellofresh etc.

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

Anyone uses them? What's you experience? I like cooking and food as you all know but struggle with time recently and was wondering if it might be a good option for a bit. Your thoughts please. Thanks.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *anderer88Woman
25 weeks ago

essex

I've used them before, mostly when I'm in a food slump and lack inspiration or I'm time poor... they've worked well for me and there's only been a couple I didn't like.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ou345Woman
25 weeks ago

somewhere out there

I haven't but I'm bookmarking as I'm interested to know as well.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *atnip make me purrWoman
25 weeks ago

Reading

Yes I've used both and made some tasty easy meals.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *midnight-Woman
25 weeks ago

...

I've used Planthood -it is excellent and broadened my palate. Restaurant quality food that is already prepared and just needs heating/assembling. 20 mins tops

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
25 weeks ago

I use Hello Fresh quite a bit.

Good when money is tight, because I can order for 4 people, which leaves enough to have lunchtime leftovers the following day.

There’s a good variety of recipes, and I’ve yet to have any I didn’t like.

Good for not leaving food waste.

I’m terrible in the supermarket for overbuying so it does save me money too.

Downsides, sometimes the ingredients arrive in a badly packed box, squashed, or. It as fresh as you’d like. But to their credit……..hello fresh do credit your account for every item you report to them.

Some might say they’re a bit pricey. I pay £13 per 4 person recipe.

For an experiment, I priced up the equivalent (or as near to) ingredients for a weekly box, and it came in at about £11 per 4 person recipe. But with the convenience of it being pre-portioned, and delivered to my door……I’ll take that.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *estructionDollyWoman
25 weeks ago

The Deep Dark Woods

I've used them but found the amount of single use plastic and packaging a downside. And getting tiny amounts of things like seasonings and stock etc a bit pointless when you can buy a huge package of it. Good for inspiration, bad for the environment and value for money imo.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

I think the first order discounts are good to at least try and cancelling sounds as is very easy. Not sure why but gousto appeals to me more at first glance but might try both to just see. The plantfood mentioned earlier also seems to have some great dishes on the menu.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *onestjohn1962Man
25 weeks ago

Sheffield

Can’t understand why people don’t just cook. It takes as little time or as long a time as you like. It’s not difficult to stock up with the everyday stuff.

The thought of of a parcel being delivered with little packets of salt pepper herbs spices one onion 2 mushrooms etc leaves me horrified.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
25 weeks ago

East Sussex

We used Hellofresh once and thought it was excellent. If you're short on time it's a great way to get the ingredients to the door.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *usty kayWoman
25 weeks ago

Burnham on Sea

I use them both a lot. They are great when you're in a slump or fed up with food. They're also useful for making sure I eat when hubby is away, I deliberately pick meals I can use for lunch the next day.

We keep the recipe cards and reuse them often as well.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icevicebabyWoman
25 weeks ago

Dublin North

I also use hello fresh, and while I agree with comments about packaging, I actually find I have less food waste when I order a box. During the week if I'm particularly busy I don't want to think about what to cook. This makes it easy.

When I get sick of it I just pause it and go back to doing bigger food shops.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"Can’t understand why people don’t just cook. It takes as little time or as long a time as you like. It’s not difficult to stock up with the everyday stuff.

The thought of of a parcel being delivered with little packets of salt pepper herbs spices one onion 2 mushrooms etc leaves me horrified. "

Nobody said anything about not wanting to cook. It's my hobby and pkeasure to do but occasionally circumstanes ask for a different apptoach temporarily so the post was to elicit information from those who have used it till the norm is restored

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *urves and MischiefWoman
25 weeks ago

North West

I’ve used both Gousto and Hello Fresh.

Great when you are stuck in a rut and want to try some new ideas and of course the convenience especially during the week. You can keep the recipe cards as well so when you take a break from them you can always revisit some of your favourites. I have a few on rotation now.

Out of the two I preferred Gousto. I felt they had more choice without asking you to pay supplements and also found that Hello Fresh ingredients were not always very fresh. Spoiled before I could get to use them so I personally wouldn’t go for them again. It’s hit and miss though as I know others who swear by them. 🍭

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

[Removed by poster at 10/02/25 14:56:16]

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

Well I took the plunge and ordered a sample discounted box from each to test them out. I already cancelled the membership for one of them and will do same for the other before the cut off point. That keeps the membership inactive and will reactivate if ever needed. Thanks for your comments everyone

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
25 weeks ago

East Sussex

"Well I took the plunge and ordered a sample discounted box from each to test them out. I already cancelled the membership for one of them and will do same for the other before the cut off point. That keeps the membership inactive and will reactivate if ever needed. Thanks for your comments everyone"

Let us know what you think.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *midnight-Woman
25 weeks ago

...

"Can’t understand why people don’t just cook. It takes as little time or as long a time as you like. It’s not difficult to stock up with the everyday stuff.

The thought of of a parcel being delivered with little packets of salt pepper herbs spices one onion 2 mushrooms etc leaves me horrified. "

If I buy it, it provides full meals for a week - lunch + dinner for me

Each meal has the ingredients in a bag that you need take a meal. It's no different to using the car to buy one onion in a supermarket, so why be horrified??

Salt+ pepper isn't included in mine, but they do give you things like a portion of kimchi which I doubt many people would have.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *andering Welsh GuyMan
25 weeks ago

All over the place

Found the meat quality to be poor and portion sizes tiny

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *empest2KMan
25 weeks ago

Derby

"Anyone uses them? What's you experience? I like cooking and food as you all know but struggle with time recently and was wondering if it might be a good option for a bit. Your thoughts please. Thanks. "

I've used them and they are good when you're in a bit of a bind. I also only get them on significant discount, otherwise they are just too expensive. Most of the meals are good, plus I save the recipe card for future and try to recreate them with the usual shop-bought ingredients, which can be fun sometimes too.

The only bit that annoys me with hellofresh is that they bunch some fridge items in with the non-fridge items (in my humble opinion), so those items have gone off by the time I use them because they've not been fridged. Then again, maybe it's me being a derp or particular, but I'm not sure which one it is 🤣

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

Let us know what you think. "

Will do in due course

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

Well, got my gousto parcel and quite like the content and how it was packed and delivered. Everything looks fresh too. The recipe cards look good, easy to understant and to use and to organise all the ingedients which are clearly marked ibto the different meals. Most recipes don't take long at all. This first one though I am choosing for today, takes just few mins to prepare, but then in slow cooker for 4 hours so that will be dinner for tonight. It's slow cooked lamb, aubergine and potato and served with mint and feta cheese. Can't wait to taste it later and will report on the result.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
25 weeks ago

East Sussex

Sounds good.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iss KinkWoman
25 weeks ago

Up North

I have used gusto I found it really good

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"I have used gusto I found it really good"

Yes, not something I want all the time but wanted to test as see what is like for the odd occasion that I may want to do that. I enjoy cooking myself so it's just for whenever really need it.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *enSiskoMan
25 weeks ago

Cestus 3

I would rather cook my own meals.

I have tried gusto, and kept the baked bean card as I like real baked beans better than Heinz.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *overexploreMan
25 weeks ago

Romsey / Salisbury

We use Gousto - wife doesn't like cooking and we found the ingredients last longer than Hello Fresh - and it's good to last....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

As promised, I can report that it was really good and enjoyed it very much and considering I like a full plate, there is quite a lot of it. I have 4 more recipes to try but so far so good. Will definately order again if I needed to but I do generally prefer to do it all myself. The Hello fesh ones are due this weekend and will see how they compare.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *hief_Of_AlwaysMan
25 weeks ago

1313 Mockingbird Lane…

I’ve used both

I prefer Hello Fresh, but Gousto is cheaper.

Was thinking of trying Factor - No cooking required

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oPantsJustVibesMan
25 weeks ago

Thailand

I’ve used both but prefer Gousto. They have a wider range of meals and there’s never been any missed ingredient whereas I always have something missing with hellofresh.

Me and the mrs have been using it discounted. First box is like 50-60% off, then the following ones are 25%, then when my discount runs out, she signs up and do the same, rinse and repeat.

They really do have great meals though and something for everyone!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"I’ve used both but prefer Gousto. They have a wider range of meals and there’s never been any missed ingredient whereas I always have something missing with hellofresh.

Me and the mrs have been using it discounted. First box is like 50-60% off, then the following ones are 25%, then when my discount runs out, she signs up and do the same, rinse and repeat.

They really do have great meals though and something for everyone!"

Sure and I had a good discount too but once used if you are not a new customer, I believe it does not accept the code

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he Silver FuxMan
25 weeks ago

Uttoxeter

I’ve used them for a while just exploiting the discounts, flipping from one to another but I just shop now and sometimes use the menu cards for particular favourites

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"I’ve used them for a while just exploiting the discounts, flipping from one to another but I just shop now and sometimes use the menu cards for particular favourites "

I must say their cards look good. We should share them with one another

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
25 weeks ago

When you freeze your subscriptions, you sometimes get discount offers when you ‘return’

Mrs Wick and I have accounts for both Gousto and hello fresh, which we freeze and unfreeze on a rotation.

Nearly always get discounted boxes.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *B..Woman
25 weeks ago

Wiltshire

I’ve used Hellofresh but found the portions for 6 adults were not enough so had to add more vegetables

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"When you freeze your subscriptions, you sometimes get discount offers when you ‘return’

Mrs Wick and I have accounts for both Gousto and hello fresh, which we freeze and unfreeze on a rotation.

Nearly always get discounted boxes."

Thanks. That's what I have done though I doubt it will ve a 70% discount as the one I had for my first box.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
25 weeks ago

"When you freeze your subscriptions, you sometimes get discount offers when you ‘return’

Mrs Wick and I have accounts for both Gousto and hello fresh, which we freeze and unfreeze on a rotation.

Nearly always get discounted boxes.

Thanks. That's what I have done though I doubt it will ve a 70% discount as the one I had for my first box.

It’s usually a 40-50 % of the firsts and 20% for the next couple of weeks. Still a pretty good saving.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"When you freeze your subscriptions, you sometimes get discount offers when you ‘return’

Mrs Wick and I have accounts for both Gousto and hello fresh, which we freeze and unfreeze on a rotation.

Nearly always get discounted boxes.

Thanks. That's what I have done though I doubt it will ve a 70% discount as the one I had for my first box.

It’s usually a 40-50 % of the firsts and 20% for the next couple of weeks. Still a pretty good saving. "

That's true. I just found a code someone had listed somewhere of 70%. I could not believe it when it worked

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

Update

Last meal from Gousto bi, pork escalopes, creamy mash. Very nice and tasty but a little fiddly. Almost as much work as a roast pork dinner (slight exaguration)

In the meantime I received the Hellofresh box. Nicely packed and good ingredients but found it tiresome separating them into the recipes unlike the gousto ones which I found much easier to do. Let's see what the actual recipes are like. So far my own preference would be edging slightly towards Gousto.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ympho6969Woman
25 weeks ago

glasgow

I've used both when there is a promo on. Like 50% off first order or something like that. I tend to buy a weeks worth for 4, when it's just me and my son to maximum the savings.

Long term and without discounts, it's very pricey. It's also a lot of packaging waste. Everything is individually wrapped.

Never had any complaints with the quality of either. Some could have been seasoned better but nothing bad enough that I didn't eat it

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
25 weeks ago

All over

"I've used both when there is a promo on. Like 50% off first order or something like that. I tend to buy a weeks worth for 4, when it's just me and my son to maximum the savings.

Long term and without discounts, it's very pricey. It's also a lot of packaging waste. Everything is individually wrapped.

Never had any complaints with the quality of either. Some could have been seasoned better but nothing bad enough that I didn't eat it"

Yes would not buy all the time but if need to sometimes.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
24 weeks ago

All over

Tried tge first Hellofresh one today, Rosemary lamb and mushroom rigatoni. Simple but tasty dish. Recipe card was easy to follow. I still find the smaller gousto cards more user friendly but that is just my preference. Ingredients were all nice and fresh. The juslry is still out till I finish the other three recipes too.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
24 weeks ago

All over

Not had the next Hellofresh meal today as fancied makong an omelette. Will report tomorriw when I go with the second recipe from tbe box

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ChubsMan
24 weeks ago

West Midlands

Had Hellofresh on & off for a while (currently off) and found the quality of the veg went downhill & some of the meat portions were a joke! Had 2 chicken breasts in 1 packet, 1 a good size, the other looked like it had been cut off the first!

Also found the volume of water in some dishes was way too much to just "reduce in the pan".

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *esley_CTV/TS
24 weeks ago

Edinburgh

I used HelloFresh with an introductory offer and really liked it! But I live alone and the meals were all designed for two and it became a bit of a faff trying to divide everything - so, cancelled after the introductory period.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
24 weeks ago

All over

I have finished both now and to be fair very little difference between them. My personal preference would slightly lean towards gousto. I will probably go with that if I evrr feel the need to reactivate my subsription though I usually prefer to shop for and organise and cook my own meals.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *EAT..85Woman
24 weeks ago

Nottingham

I love Gousto. I've used it for the last couple of years. I hate cooking and do NOT have a natural flair for it. But I can't go far wrong with Gousto. I order it every other week now.

Meals are categorised multiple ways; by cooking time, content, V, cost...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
24 weeks ago

All over

"I love Gousto. I've used it for the last couple of years. I hate cooking and do NOT have a natural flair for it. But I can't go far wrong with Gousto. I order it every other week now.

Meals are categorised multiple ways; by cooking time, content, V, cost..."

Agreed and like their cards personally more.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *endalshaggersCouple
24 weeks ago

Lake District

Used to have Guosto. Have debated about returning to it now and again.

Liked the variety of recipes, especially as sometimes you get stuck on what to cook or find yourself having the same sort of meals week in week out. Enjoyed that you'd sometimes get a suprise recipe you may not have maybe expected. Also liked that everything comes pre portioned to a degree, especially with the spices - you don't have to go out to the shop and are forced to buy a massive jar of something you only need a teaspoon of and will probably only use once.

The downside was sometimes the "freshness" of some of the veg was questionable, and now and again for what you paid vs what you go it did make you wonder.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
24 weeks ago

All over

"Used to have Guosto. Have debated about returning to it now and again.

The downside was sometimes the "freshness" of some of the veg was questionable, and now and again for what you paid vs what you go it did make you wonder."

Agreed, though to be fair all the ingredients I had were spot on. I think paying the full price would not be for me but this was discounted a lot.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ngel7disguiseWoman
24 weeks ago

Loughborough

I have used Hello Fresh, but wasn’t happy with the selection of recipes.

I currently use Gousto, and very pleased with them, if there is a problem the customer service is easy to deal with. Selection of recipes is good.

And I actually now spend less on food than I did before using such a service.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottom OP Man
24 weeks ago

All over

"I have used Hello Fresh, but wasn’t happy with the selection of recipes.

I currently use Gousto, and very pleased with them, if there is a problem the customer service is easy to deal with. Selection of recipes is good.

And I actually now spend less on food than I did before using such a service. "

Yes I thought gousto recipes were a little more exciting and preferred their cards too.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *tarcrossed_SwingersCouple
24 weeks ago

Loughborough

The recipe cards are fantastic and it's a great way to teach people how to cook and what goes well. However, the companies are very dodgy. We've had Hellofresh come to our house and practically make us sign to get an order! Sneaky!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread