Why Home Chef Meal Delivery Service Is The Perfect Gift

Who doesn't love meal kits, oven-ready and microwavable meals delivered right to their door?
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Your mom makes the best red sauce. And when you went off to college, she’d send so many oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that you fed your whole dorm. For as long as you can remember, food has connected your family. And now it’s your time to give your mom (and her stomach) a little something back. 

Sending her (or anyone, for that matter) a week, month or even year of delicious food kits is a perfect thank-you  present. Cooking a single meal demands many smaller tasks — from picking a recipe to sourcing all the indigents to washing, trimming and prepping all the produce — but Home Chef is a subscription meal delivery service that makes the process easier by providing everything needed to make mouth-watering, nutritious meals. 

Every week, you get to choose from over 30 recipe options that change each week. The classic meal kits, which are designed by chefs, take about 30 minutes to prepare, include all the ingredients you need, and are good for folks who love to chop and simmer. There are also grill-ready recipes for those who love to barbecue, the “Cuisine Collection” that contains more premium ingredients, 15-minute quick-cook kits, and oven- and microwave-ready food kits for fast and easy meals. 

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For special diets, there are calorie- and carb-conscious options, as well as options to avoid certain food (like pork, tree nuts or mushrooms). You decide if you’re cooking for two, four or six people, as well as how many meals per week you need, from two to six. 

The standard meal generally costs around $8.99 per portion, though the price can vary depending on ingredients and recipes. The minimum weekly order is $49.95 and shipping is free. 

Right now, Home Chef is offering 60% off your first three boxes, which is the equivalent of 16 free meals worth $90. To redeem this offer, you need to get at least 10 servings per week.

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1
Build your own Home Chef Box
After making a profile and taking your Home Chef quiz, you get to build your first delivery box. The Home Chef app lets you check and modify your orders with ease. And you can pause or reschedule deliveries any time before 12 p.m. CT on Fridays.

Pictured: Skinnytaste butternut squash and black bean enchiladas
2
Send your mom a Home Chef gift card
If your mom is tech-savvy and likes to do things on her own, send her a Home Chef gift card she can redeem at her leisure. You can select for the gift card to come via email or a physical card. Gift cards start at $25, and come in $50, $100, $150, $200, $500 or a custom amount.

Your mom will need to make her own Home Chef account to use her gift card, the 60% deal isn't eligible for the amount on the gift card.

Pictured: Asian turkey lettuce wraps

Promising reviews:

“I have tried every boxed meal kit. Home Chef is by far the best quality products. This is the best chicken I have ever tasted.” — Jan K. 

“So quick and easy. I’ve never had Brussels sprouts like this. I like learning new ways of cooking.” — Pat S. 

“This meal was perfect for our date night in. We paired it with a nice red wine and we felt like we were at a five-star restaurant.” — Beth P 

“This stew was perfect warm, comfort food. The fresh ingredients made it taste way better than pre-packaged products.” — Kristy D. 

Before You Go

Best Meal Kits For Older People That Live Alone
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, for name recognition and more "meat and potatoes"-type meals(01 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: Per Ellis, trusting a new food source can be an adjustment for someone who's homebound and into a routine. For something that feels a little more familiar, the Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon kit has a name they recognize and recipes they've likely had before. While the service does offer international cuisines and Instagrammable smoothie bowl meals, they also have comforting classics like pork tenderloin and parsnips and cheese ravioli.

How it works: Ten days before the food come to you, you get an email telling you to choose your dinners from 40 weekly recipes. You can chose up to six meals a week and portions come for two people or for four. (The more meals you order, the cheaper each becomes.) You can skip or decline an order up to five days before its scheduled delivery date, and can plan meals up to seven weeks in advance. Deliveries are made to most of the contiguous U.S. states, but you should check your zip code before ordering.

How much? Shipping is always $8.99. For a two-person portion, meals range from $9.49 to $11.99 per portion, depending on how frequent the deliveries are.

Check out Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon.
(credit:Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon)
Dinnerly, for more frequent food and less paper/packaging(02 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: As Ruhs described, when we get older, nutrients like B12, calcium and vitamin D are not absorbed as well by the body. Because of this, it's extra important that older folks eat consistent, nourishing meals. With Dinnerly, you have to receive at least three two-person meals a week, meaning you or your loved one will have a stocked fridge. For more stubborn folks or people who may not ask for help when they're hungry, this subscription will ensure they have ingredients for at least six meals. Dinnerly also uses fewer paper products and packaging than other kits, so it won't fill the house with trash.

How it works: After creating an account, you log on to choose your recipes and which day you want your ingredients delivered. There tons of dietary options like no meat, low-carb, dairy-free and low-calorie, and easy-cook options like "under 30 minutes" and "one-pot" meals. It's important to note that Dinnerly uses digital recipes; there is not a paper flyer like other kits, so some understanding of a smartphone or computer is needed.

How much? Shipping is $8.99 and two-portion meals range from $5.59 to $5.89 per portion.

Check out Dinnerly.
(credit:Dinnerly)
Hungry Harvest, for discounted produce and SNAP/EBT users(03 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: As Ruhs shares, older folks are at risk of not getting enough veggies. Hungry Harvest is a produce subscription box that accepts SNAP/EBT and comes in various sizes. For those who live alone, the "mini-harvest" comes with one type of green, three veggies and 2 to 3 pieces of fruit. You can set it for every other week to ensure there's fresh produce in the house, without too much food going to waste or going bad.

How it works: As of now, Hungry Harvest only delivers in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, Northern Delaware, South Florida, the Triangle area and Charlotte in North Carolina and the Detroit metro area. Select the size of harvest you want and weekly or biweekly deliveries.

How much? The mini harvest is $15 per box with $3.49 shipping. Shipping is free on orders over $29.99.

Check out Hungry Harvest.
(credit:Hungry Harvest)
Purple Carrot, for single-serving pre-made, veggie-packed meals to help with lowering LDL cholesterol(04 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: Ruhs notes that it's common for older folks to not consume enough veggies. Purple Carrot is an all plant-based meal kit that sends both fully pre-made meals and ingredients that you cook. Either pop it in the microwave or choose to chef something up (most recipes have around six steps.)

How it works: First, you choose between meal kits or prepared meals. For kits, you pick your number of servings (two or four) and how many dinners you want (three or four). Prepared meals come in single servings and you can get six, eight or 10 a week. There are options like high-protein, gluten-free, "easy" meals or "Chef’s Choice" meals, where you don't choose. To skip a delivery, just alert the website before 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays.

How much? For meal kits, servings are $9.99 to $11.99 per serving depending on how frequent the meals are delivered. Prepared meals are $12.99 each, regardless of frequency.

Check out Purple Carrot.
(credit:Purple Carrot)
SNAP-Eligible Amazon Fresh, for maximum convenience(05 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: If they already use Amazon, they may know how to work the website and feel comfortable ordering from it. Additionally, Amazon Fresh makes it easy to send groceries to someone else. Stock their fridge with a click of a button.

How it works: Amazon Fresh delivers in most of the continental U.S., but check the zip code to make sure. Then, like ordering anything from Amazon, click around and find what you like. Delivery is often available same-day or the next day. Check out the SNAP-eligible page to use your SNAP/EBT on Amazon Fresh.

How much? Just like the grocery store, each item is priced separately. When using SNAP/EBT, delivery is free even if you're not an Amazon Prime member.

Check out SNAP-Eligible Amazon Fresh.
(credit:Amazon)
Hungry Root, for actual food that looks like groceries(06 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: Ellis shared that getting groceries delivered helps ensure people's safety and lowers risk of injury or illness that can come from going out to the market. If you're feeling skeptical about the "Jetsons"-eqsue futuristic feel of meal kits, Hungry Root may be the way to go. Instead of packaged and proportioned ingredients made for set meals, Hungry Root is a subscription grocery service that sends a selection of actual groceries and access to a bank of recipes. The packages come as if someone went to the market for you and dropped it at your door, meaning the products are all more familiar, and the recipe bank correlates to what you have, letting you decide what you want to make and how.

How it works: Upon signing up, you take a quiz to develop your grocery plan. Select "fresh veggies" for a vegetable selection every week, and "premium proteins" for meatballs, chicken breasts, Beyond meats and more. You can select "ready to eat" meals for things that only need the microwave or heating up on a stovetop. Every week Hungry Root will send you their suggestions for foods they think you'd like, and recipes you can make with the groceries.

How much? Plans start at $65 and are totally customizable.

Check out Hungry Root.
(credit:Hungry Root)
Sunbasket, for single-serving dietary restrictions and lots of options for all three meals (and snacks)(07 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: From "carb-conscious" to "diabetes-friendly," Sunbasket has a wealth of options for different dietary needs. Choose from pre-made meals that just need heating or meal kits that generally take between 15-45 minutes to make. In addition to dinners, Sunbasket has breakfast options like oatmeal and yogurt, snacks like granola and protein bars, and other fare like juice or red sauce.

How it works: First, decide if you want the prepared meals or meal kits. Then select all your dietary preferences and restrictions, like "low sodium" or "avoid lamb." Each week, you'll get to see a bank of recipes and pre-made meals that fit your needs. Choose the one(s) you want, then pick the day of delivery.

How much? Shipping is $7.99.Prepared meals are for one, and start at $9.99 a serving for up to 10 meals week. Meal kits come in servings of two or four, for two to five dinners a week, from $11.49 to $14.49 per serving, depending on frequency.

Check out Sunbasket.
(credit:Sunbasket)
Green Chef, for protein-packed options that are highly customizable(08 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: "Obtaining enough protein is important to maintain muscle mass," Ruhs said, "which can be very important to avoid falls that can lead to broken bones." To help your loved one get enough protein, Green Chef has an array of keto, paleo and plant-based high protein meals. With options like gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free and legume-free, Green Chef is good for ensuring those with dietary restrictions still eat nourishing meals.

How it works: Select the "type" of meal you want — "Keto/Paleo," "balanced" (no diet restrictions) or "plant-powered" (vegan and vegetarian options) -- then choose if you want two, four or six portions and if you want three or four meals a week.

How much? Shipping is $9.99. A two-portion meal ranges from $11.49-$11.99 per serving, depending on frequency.

Check out Green Chef.
(credit:Green Chef)
Top Box Foods, for a more personal delivery and EBT/SNAP users(09 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: A community-driven food resource, Top Box Foods is an anti-hunger non-profit that delivers grocery staples and food boxes geared at making recipes. Because it's community-run, they partner with churches, community organizations, housing facilities and schools. It's less transactional and robotic than other meal kits, and you'll likely get to know your delivery person.

How it works: As of now, Top Box Foods delivers food around Illinois, Georgia and Louisiana. You place your order before the stated date each month and get your groceries about four days later. On the website, you can choose if you want pantry staples like oatmeal and milk or a box to make a meal. They have a bank of recipes to help you chose your groceries.

How much? Take Box Foods takes EBT/SNAP. There is no delivery fee. Boxes range from $9-$23, depending on the selection, and individual items are priced separately.

Check out Top Box Foods.
(credit:Top Box Foods)
EveryPlate, for easy cooking and less decision making(10 of10)
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Why it works for older folks: EveryPlate has fewer weekly options to choose from, meaning less decision-making and more relaxing and eating. All of EveryPlate's recipes have only six steps for cooking and most take under 30 minutes to cook. It's a more manageable kit that doesn't demand 45 minutes of zesting for every meal.

How it works: You choose your meal preferences, such as "classic" (full display recipes) "veggie" (vegetarian recipes) "family" (kid-friendly recipes) or "easy" (all under 30 minutes, often using fewer dishes). Then you decide how many meals you want a week and what day you want the delivery. You can cancel or postpone at any time online. You can even order "protein packs" alongside your meals, which are chicken breasts and cuts of meat. The minimum is three meals per week.

How much? For a two-portion meal, it's $4.99 to $5.49 per portion, depending on how many meals you get per week.

Check out EveryPlate.
(credit:EveryPlate)

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