The home chef has It has long been my top pick for a great meal kit for beginning chefs. I first tried the service in 2020, when meal kits gained popularity due to the pandemic. And after another week of trying it, I still think it’s a great option for anyone who wants to start cooking with a little guidance.
The first thing you’ll notice when opening a Home Chef delivery is how easy it is to store everything. Each meal is packaged in its own zippered plastic bag, and the proteins arrive sealed in their own package. I filled my refrigerator door with ingredients for three dinners. When it came time to try a recipe, I simply grabbed the bag and the corresponding protein. I have a shared refrigerator that is chaotic even at the best of times, so I was grateful to be able to quickly grab everything and place it on my counter instead of digging through leftovers to try to find a stubborn packet of vegetables or sauce.
Photography: Louryn Strampe
What really sets Home Chef apart from many other meal kits is its recipe cards, which are some of the most detailed I’ve seen. On the front, there is a list of ingredients you should have, plus a list of what you will need to supply. This is usually olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe some aluminum foil. There is also a list of kitchen items you will need. It’s not exhaustive (for example, you may still need to grab a measuring cup or kitchen utensils), but it’s a good starting point. And I really appreciate the “Cook within…” section with suggested cooking or freezing dates, which will help you prioritize the dishes that arrive so you don’t risk ingredients spoiling. There’s also a chart with reminders about safe internal temperatures for meat, plus a difficulty level and spice level.
Home Chef weekly menus Have filters for dietary preferences and needs, such as vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious meals. Meals are organized into categories, such as Oven-Ready (meals that come with a tray and are prepared in the oven), Culinary Collection (meals with more adventurous ingredients and cooking techniques), Express (meals that take 30 minutes or less to prepare). prepare). ), and more. There are optional add-ons and extras, such as breakfast muffins, rolls or desserts. Some dishes are customizable, allowing you to choose different proteins, double up, or upgrade proteins.