Freshly Review: Pros & Cons in 2023

Freshly is a weekly subscription service delivering fresh (not frozen), chef-cooked meals that can be heated and served in just 3 minutes.

freshnlean

5.8

Apply Discount

Being a foodie on a tight schedule forces you to compromise on taste and suffocate your taste buds with bland, unappealing food. Recently, enticing meal subscription boxes have appeared all over the place, promising healthy, exquisite meals delivered to your home.

One of these meal delivery services is Freshly, which provides healthy food free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, and harmful chemical preservatives. Its customizable options allow you to plan meals around your favorite cuisines.

Although the providers don’t hail to be the healthiest meal delivery service in town, the freshness and taste they deliver to your table are worth a try. Here’s a detailed Freshly meal review that will tell you everything you need to know before placing your first order.

Pros:

It can fulfill your nutritional needs with low carb, low calorie, and high protein options.
Recyclable packaging material reduces environmental hazards.
Fresh meals bursting with exciting flavors and healthier calories.
Complete puts an end to the hassle of cooking.
Single-servings let you manage your portions easily.

Cons:

It offers limited options for dietary restrictions.
No breakfast, snacks, or more than 12 servings per week.
Relatively expensive than its counterpart
No add-ons were offered.
Organic, sustainably sourced ingredients are not emphasized.

What is Freshly?

Freshly, a New York-based meal delivery service provides completely prepared pre-portioned meals across the United States. Michael Wystarch and Carter Comstock launched this food delivery service in 2012, which Nestle bought for 1.5 billion dollars in 2020. It now ships one million meals per week pre-portioned and ready to be popped in the microwaves to relish a gourmet supper.

Freshly’s carb-conscious program FreshlyFit allows consumers to enjoy ready-made meals prepared with paleo and keto-inspired ingredients. Their menu is an interesting range of low-carb and high-protein options. Subscribers can choose 4 to 12 meals a week and handpick the dishes from the rotating menu. Freshly also offer additional proteins like grilled chicken breasts, masterful mac, cheese, etc., that can serve two to five people easily.

How does Freshly work?

Their meals can be considered fresh and healthy, nutrient-dense, contain quality proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. The food delivered by Freshly just needed to be microwaved for 3 minutes, and you are all ready to savor the delightful flavors. The price will depend on the weekly meals you subscribe for from the diverse options of 30 dishes.

You can also apply special filters to feel better and healthier every day, such as:

Protein Powerhouses (> 25g protein)
Carb Conscious (< 35g carbs)
Sodium Smart (< 600mg salt)
Curb Calories (< 500 cals)

The package you will receive is not entirely frozen, so you can either enjoy your meal right away or store them for the lazy days when you don’t feel like cooking. To place your order visit the Freshly website or download the app on your phone. Firstly, you will have to select the subscription plan which allows 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 meals per week. The menu changes regularly to offer distinct options.

Their plant-based options are not as extensive as their other meal plans. Freshly delivers to all the states except Alaska and Hawaii. You can check your area’s availability by entering your ZIP code at the website. The order is delivered within a day or two after the ordered date. You can keep track of the shipment tracking.

Plus, the subscription can be paused or canceled anytime you wish.

Enjoy $110 off across 5 orders, your first order ships free!

Blue Apron offers vegetarian and vegan meals, and many dietary personalizations.

Apply $110 Discount

Who can benefit from Freshly?

Freshly is a healthier alternative to fast-food chains and restaurants. As the food can instantly be heated in a microwave, it serves as a heaven for people who don’t like to spend their hours cooking. Besides, if your busy schedules or family with different food preferences need something different every day, then Freshly can help.

The meal service strives to contribute towards the food waste issue in the states, which is estimated to be 30 to 40%. If you go for single-serve meals, it will help reduce the waste as you get enough food to provide one-time filling, and you can also save on groceries which sometimes go to waste when they are not used.

If you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease then worry not because Freshly is certified gluten-free, and their meals are also peanut-free.

Who cannot benefit from Freshly?

Although Freshly claims to have all its meals peanut-free but some meals still contain nuts. So, people with nut allergies must take precautions and consider the ingredients in their meals before heating.

All the ingredients with their nutritional value are mentioned with meals, which you can consider beforehand if you need calculated calories.

If someone has any severe food allergies, then beware as cross-contamination can occur during cooking. Talk to the representatives before ordering anything.

Customers can choose from 30 delicious dishes that change each week. The meal plans are categorized into four varied options: FreshlyFit, Signature Collection, Purely Plant, and Protein and Sides.

1. Purely Plant

If you prefer a plant-based diet, then Freshly Purely Plant meal plans consist of meals made of plant-based ingredients. There are limited options for vegetarian diets; some include:

Middle Eastern Falafel Bowl
Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Cakes
Indian spiced chickpea curry bowl

2. Signature Collection

The chef-created meal provides the best way to reward your taste buds with delicious delights. Some of its popular options are:

Bunless Bison Burger
Hearty Chipotle-Chicken Stew
Tangy Turmeric Turkey Bowl

3. FreshlyFit

The famous freshly fit is best for diet-conscious individuals as the FreshlyFit meals are prepared to provide more protein and fewer carbs. Options you get with FreshlyFit include:

Coconut Lemongrass Pork Bowl
Protein-Packed Chicken Parm
Super Kale Pesto Chicken

Top Pick from Freshly Meals

All the options are equally delicious. Here are our favorite options that you can try to kick start your adventurous ride without any regrets.

Steak Peppercorn: A grilled flat iron steak, mashed potatoes, French green beans, and vitamin-rich sautéed carrots with garlic oil, lemon, and herbs. You get creamy peppercorn sauce made with yogurt and porcini mushroom.
Golden oven-fried chicken and mash: It is an oven-fried chicken breast coated in cassava flour. The mash made with cauliflower, potatoes, chives, and Greek Yogurt gives its distinct taste topped with melted cheddar and brown gravy.
Thai-ish Lemongrass Bowl: The meal is prepared by Thai-inspired lemongrass sauce cooked with coconut milk, ginger, and garlic. You also get seared chicken thigh, broccoli florets, cell peppers, onions, along basmati rice.

Essential Details, Cost, and Features

The pricing will depend on the number of meals you select for each week. Here is how much each plan costs:

4 meals per week: $11.79/meal
6 meals per week: $9.99/meal
8 meals per week: $9.49/meal
10 meals per week: $9.29/meal
12 meals per week: $8.99/meal

We found Freshly a little costlier than its competitors. The meals containing premium ingredients cost an additional $1.49-$2.49 per serving. At the same time, the bulk portions of protein and sides of the regular meal cost additional charges on some items from $0.99 to $4.99.

Shipping and Delivery

Shipping charges are calculated based on the state you are from and the number of meals you ordered. The shipping can cost from $6.99 to $11.99 based on the number of meals you have requested. The orders arrive between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the orders take a maximum of two days to get delivered to your given address.

Customer Service

In case of an issue, the Freshly customer service is highly supportive and equally responsive. Call them or leave a text at their customer service representative; they would be available 24/7. Or you can also chat or email them on their website. They also offer the convenience to skip a week, cancel a subscription any time or modify your week plan.

Canceling or Modifying a Plan

You can cancel or modify your subscription any time online through your Freshly account or send an email at [email protected]. If you do not wish to receive a scheduled order, then you need to cancel it before the date when the following order is to be charged. The charge is made 5 to 6 days before delivery but can vary in some cases.

You will be notified at the time of cancellation whether your order has been canceled and refunded or not.

Freshly FAQs

Before concluding this detailed Freshly meal review, here are some questions you might like to be answered:

Is Freshly really healthy?

Freshly meals are cooked prepared by a team of professional chefs and top nutritionists. They together strive to bring nutrients without compromising on flavors. Their meals are nutrient-filled, have complex carbs, healthy fats, and low sugar providing a healthier option.

Does Freshly meals work to lose weight?

The fully labelled meals with their nutrient value and ingredient list can help you control your portions and track your nutrient intake. Most meals contain fewer than 500 calories which can even assist to lose some extra weight.

Final Verdict

Our Freshly Meal Review concludes that Freshly is a highly refreshing option that equally satisfies your taste buds while maintaining a good balance of nutrition, taste, and convenience. The menu seems fascinating enough to keep you satisfied for long. For strict dietary restrictions, Freshly might not work out, but otherwise, it makes an excellent option for your lunch and dinner meals.

Valentina Bakers

Valentina Bakers is a passionate culinary enthusiast with a keen interest in exploring and evaluating the world of meal delivery kits. For the past five years, she has dedicated her time to researching, testing, and reviewing these innovative meal solutions, becoming an influential voice in the industry. Her love for cooking and baking extends beyond her professional pursuits, as she enjoys spending quality time in the kitchen with her children, sharing her culinary skills and fostering a love for food in their lives.