HelloFresh is a popular meal kit delivery service that provides pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to customers’ doorsteps. With its growing popularity, many wonder if HelloFresh accommodates common dietary restrictions like dairy-free diets.
The Short Answer
Yes, HelloFresh does offer dairy-free meal options. While not all of their recipes are dairy-free, they have a “Dairy-Free” filter that allows you to view dairy-free recipes each week.
Examining HelloFresh’s Dairy-Free Offerings
HelloFresh has a dedicated dietary preferences section on their website where you can select dairy-free as one of your preferences. This ensures that your weekly menu will be filtered to show dairy-free recipes. They also allow you to set the number of dairy-free meals you’d like per week.
Currently, HelloFresh offers between 3-5 dairy-free recipes weekly. While this represents only a small portion of their overall weekly recipes, it does provide enough variety for most dairy-free dieters. The dairy-free meals span a range of cuisines and typically include chicken, beef, fish, and plant-based proteins.
While ingredients like milk, butter, cream, and cheese are omitted from HelloFresh’s dairy-free recipes, many do include dairy-free substitutes. This allows the recipes to mimic the taste and texture of traditional dairy-inclusive dishes. Common dairy-free ingredients used include:
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Nut-based cheeses (cashew cheese)
- Plant-based butters and spreads
In customer reviews, most dairy-free customers seem satisfied with the meal choices and ingredients available. Many appreciate that HelloFresh’s dairy-free dishes move beyond just salads and vegetables by offering hearty, satisfying meals.
How to Order Dairy-Free from HelloFresh
Ordering dairy-free meals from HelloFresh is easy. Just follow these steps when signing up:
- Select the “Dairy-Free” dietary preference when filling out your profile.
- Choose how many dairy-free recipes you want per week. You can select anywhere from 1-5.
- Make sure your total number of weekly recipes matches how many you want that are dairy-free.
- Review your menu preview before confirming your plan.
- Change meal selections or quantities if needed before finalizing.
One thing to note is that you need to select dairy-free each week in your account. HelloFresh doesn’t save this preference automatically. So when you get your weekly menu preview, check that the dairy-free filter is on.
Dairy-Free Friendly HelloFresh Meals
While recipes change regularly, here are some recent dairy-free meal options that HelloFresh has offered:
Main Dishes
- Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Bowls
- Tex-Mex Turkey Stuffed Peppers
- Curried Chickpea Stew over Jasmine Rice
- Balsamic Glazed Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
- Argentinean-Style Beef Empanadas
- Pesto Chicken Skillet with Summer Veggies
- Eggplant & Cherry Tomato Flatbreads
Sides
- Cilantro Lime Guacamole
- Green Bean Amandine
- Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Coconut Cilantro Rice
- Blistered Bean & Corn Salad
These options demonstrate the variety of cuisines and ingredients used in HelloFresh’s dairy-free meals. From Thai curry to enchiladas to stuff peppers, there are diverse flavors and hearty proteins to choose from.
Tips for Enjoying a Dairy-Free HelloFresh Experience
Here are some tips to get the most out of ordering dairy-free meal kits from HelloFresh:
- Carefully read ingredients lists – Double check the ingredients on dairy-free meals to ensure they don’t include hidden dairy.
- Communicate preferences clearly – Make sure your dairy-free needs are clearly indicated on your account and when speaking to customer service.
- Seek substitutions if needed – If a meal contains trace dairy, you can request a different recipe.
- Provide feedback – Give feedback to HelloFresh on dairy-free recipes you enjoy and would like to see again.
- Supplement with your own items – Add in a side salad or extra veggies to round out dairy-free meals.
- Get creative – Improvise with meals by adding your own spices, herbs, and dairy-free sides.
As long as you closely monitor ingredients and clearly communicate your dietary needs, HelloFresh can be a convenient option for getting dairy-free dinners on the table. The menu variety and use of dairy-free substitutions makes following a dairy-free diet simpler.
HelloFresh vs. Other Meal Delivery Services for Dairy-Free Options
How does HelloFresh compare to other popular meal kit companies when it comes to dairy-free offerings? Here is a brief overview:
Blue Apron
- Offers between 2-4 dairy-free recipes weekly
- Labels dairy-free meals clearly with a green leaf icon
- Uses coconut milk, nut milks, and dairy-free cheeses in recipes
- Food quality and flavors are highly rated by customers
Green Chef
- Has Keto, Paleo, and Plant-Powered plans with dairy-free options
- Requires choosing one of those plans to access dairy-free meals
- Provides an estimated 8-10 dairy-free recipes weekly
- Uses ghee and olive oil frequently in lieu of butter
Sun Basket
- Does not offer a specific dairy-free filter
- Has a Vegan plan with many dairy-free options
- Lists potential allergen ingredients like dairy in recipes
- Estimates 3 dairy-free meals available per week
Overall, HelloFresh seems to offer a solid middle ground in terms of its dairy-free variety and ease of ordering. While not all meal kit companies cater specifically to dairy restrictions, HelloFresh provides enough flexibility for most dairy-free consumers.
Common Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Along with dairy, there are several other common food allergies and sensitivities that customers may look for meal kits to accommodate:
Gluten-Free
Like dairy, gluten is another ingredient that many aim to reduce or avoid entirely in their diets. HelloFresh offers gluten-free recipes and allows customers to select gluten-free preferences when ordering.
Nut Allergies
Tree nuts, peanuts, and coconut are common allergy triggers. HelloFresh recipes note which contain nuts, but options are more limited for those with severe nut allergies.
Seafood Allergies
Many people are allergic to common seafood like shrimp, fish, and shellfish. HelloFresh allows customers to specify seafood allergies when ordering.
Vegetarian and Vegan
Vegans and vegetarians also seek out meal kits that fit their diets. HelloFresh has vegetarian options, but currently lacks a vegan plan.
While HelloFresh aims to accommodate many dietary needs, specialized services may offer more options for those with multiple food restrictions.
Cost Comparison
How much does it cost to order dairy-free meals from HelloFresh compared to regular recipes? Here is a cost breakdown:
| Plan | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Classic Box (meat & dairy) | $8.99 |
| Vegetarian Box | $9.99 |
| Dairy-Free Meals | $9.49 |
On average, the dairy-free meals cost about 50 cents more per serving compared to regular HelloFresh recipes. The increased cost likely comes from using more expensive dairy-free ingredients like nut-based cheeses and coconut milk.
However, prices vary depending on serving size, specific proteins used, and fluctuations in food costs. Overall, the difference is relatively small and in line with what you’d expect for specialty dietary accommodations.
Tips for Transitioning to a Dairy-Free Diet
If you’re looking to move toward a dairy-free diet, here are some tips to make the transition smoother:
- Gradually remove dairy foods from your diet over a few weeks.
- Find dairy-free substitutions for your favorite dishes and snacks.
- Read labels carefully to spot hidden dairy ingredients.
- Choose dairy-free milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream.
- Take a daily calcium and Vitamin D supplement.
- Look for meal inspiration from dairy-free bloggers and social media accounts.
- Join online dairy-free communities to exchange recipe ideas.
- Use HelloFresh to conveniently add dairy-free dinners to your meal plan.
Making incremental changes and having meal shortcuts like HelloFresh can make eliminating dairy feel more manageable. Within a few weeks, eating dairy-free should start to feel like second nature.
The Bottom Line on Dairy-Free and HelloFresh
HelloFresh definitively offers weekly dairy-free recipes for those adhering to a dairy-free diet. While options are currently limited to 3-5 meals, the dishes cover diverse cuisines and ingredients. With meal kits gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers, it’s promising to see accommodation for major dietary preferences like dairy-free.
For the dairy-free home cook, HelloFresh provides a helpful shortcut to planning varied, exciting dinners within your dietary needs. The ability to customize and filter menus makes it easy to align each week’s selections with your dietary preferences. While not every meal may work, the variety and clarity around dairy-free choices makes meal planning simpler.
At the end of the day, HelloFresh’s dairy-free offerings provide a helpful solution for busting out of recipe ruts. Their ever-changing menu means those avoiding dairy don’t have to miss out on delicious global flavors and hearty comfort foods. A little creativity sprinkled in can go a long way in modifying recipes to suit your taste.
For the dairy-free eater who wants to simplify dinner, save time on meal prep, and expand recipe horizons, HelloFresh provides a handy cooking aid. The dairy-free options mean you don’t have to forgo convenience and variety for dietary needs.
