HelloFresh

What's in the box: Each box holds the ingredients for the recipes you picked that week, portioned for each dish, plus easy-to-follow cooking instructions.

HelloFresh is one of the best known meal kit services in Germany and worldwide, and its German site keeps the idea simple: pick recipes each week, get the ingredients delivered portioned to the gram, and cook from step-by-step instructions. The company says it has delivered more than one billion meals. The weekly menu covers a good range. It includes premium dishes for special occasions, balanced recipes labelled high protein, low carb and vegan, international dishes, and family-friendly burgers and similar meals. You can also add desserts and snacks. Flexibility is a strong point. You can pause or cancel on a weekly basis, swap recipes, and change your delivery day and time slot each week. You can do all of this in the app, which also handles menu planning and account management. A cancellation link sits right in the site footer, which is reassuring. The main page does not list prices, so check the per-serving cost against your usual grocery spending before you sign up. As with any meal kit, expect more packaging than a normal shop, and remember that the subscription keeps running until you skip or cancel. Discounts are available for students, seniors and key workers. Overall, it is a polished and dependable choice for anyone who wants less planning on weeknights.