Mindful Chef vs Gousto (+3 Sample meals)
This info-rich article will be discussing in depth the main features and characteristics of Mindful Chef and then comparing them with those of Gousto. Mindful Chef and Gousto are both meal kit delivery services which mainly operate in the UK today. Meal kit delivery services like these bring fresh ingredients and recipes for busy users to cook delicious meals with.
In the end, we will give you our opinions on which of these two may be the better choice based on first-hand experiences.
Mindful Chef vs Gousto
The following table will depict the different features and advantages which you can find in Mindful Chef and Gousto. We have also mentioned their delivery areas along with the price ranges of the food items you can find in these brands. By checking out the table below, you can choose between Mindful Chef and Gousto.
| Feature | Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Delivery areas | Mainland UK,Channel Islands | Mainland UK |
| Price per plate | £4.50 per plate | £3.14 per plate |
| Difficulty levels | Easy,Intermediate | Easy,Intermediate,Expert |
| Avg. cooking time | 30 minutes or less per meal | 30 – 40 minutes per meal |
| Avg. calorie count | 400-650 calories per serving | 600-900 calories per serving |
| Supporting material | Meal description,Nutritional facts,Recipe cards,Recipe library | Meal description,Nutritional facts,Recipe cards,Blog |
| Recipes supported | Vegan,Poultry,Fish,Beef,Pork,Shellfish,Lamb | Family friendly,Vegetarian,Speedy,Gluten-free,World food,Plant-based,Boost & Balance,Dairy-free |
| No. of choices | 20 per week | >75 per week |
| Introductory deal | 25% off on first 4 boxes | 60% off for first box |
| Avg. shelf life | 3-5 days for meat,1-2 days for seafood | 2-3 days in fridge,6 months in freezer |
Types of Plans: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Healthy Recipe box High quality protein,No refined carbs,Full of fiber | Regular box 2 or 3 or 4 recipes per box,£34.99 per box |
| Vegan recipe box Low carbon impact,Completely plant-based | Large box 2 or 3 or 4 recipes per box,£50.25 per box |
| Family-friendly box Kid-friendly,Balanced meals |
In Mindful Chef, there are a number of plans that the user can choose from based on their needs and requirements for the week. The best-selling option in Mindful Chef is the Healthy Recipe box which is perfect for balanced and clean eating. There is also a vegan plan in Mindful Chef which is filled with plant-based goodness.
In Gousto, the user can choose from the regular box or the large box depending on how many meals they wish to cook during the week. The regular box from Gousto can be perfect for singles, couples and even small families. The large box from this meal kit delivery service can be great for bigger households.
Winner: Mindful Chef wins the Types of Plans segment.
Types of Ingredients: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Ingredient type | Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Produce | Farm-fresh produce | Farm-fresh produce,Overseas suppliers |
| Meat, eggs, fish | Free range chicken,Grass-fed beef,Sustainable seafood | Hormone-free,Antibiotic-free |
| Other ingredients | Seasonings, Spices | Seasonings, Spices |
The meal kits from Mindful Chef contain only the freshest of ingredients which are not guaranteed to be organic all the time. This can be disappointing for those who prefer eating only as naturally as possible. The meat and the poultry used in the meal kits from Mindful Chef come from sustainable sources and thus are safe to consume on a long-term basis.
In Gousto’s meal kits, the produce and the fruits come from mostly local farms and vendors. However, some ingredients are procured from overseas suppliers. The meat and the poultry used in Gousto’s meal kits come from hormone-free and antibiotic-free sources. The meal kits come with the required seasonings and spices to be used in the cooking process.
Winner: Mindful Chef and Gousto win the Types of Ingredients segment.
Add-Ons: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Smoothies,Soups,Breakfast items,Desserts,Snacks | Desserts,Drinks,Cookware |
The add-on menu from Mindful Chef contains a lot of options for the user to choose from. In this add-on menu, the user can choose from numerous starters and appetizers like soups, snacks and even healthy snacks. Furthermore, the user can also choose from grab-and-go breakfast items and even numerous smoothies.
In Gousto, the add-on menu covers options like healthy drinks and even delicious desserts which can be perfect for those who have a sweet tooth. Apart from these options, the user can also find useful cookware and even gadgets which are perfect for any home chef who is trying to improve their skill sets.
Winner: Mindful Chef wins the Add-ons segment.
Packaging of Meal kit: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Denim insulation,Meal boxes,Cool bags,Ice packs | Insulated meal box,Cold packs,Recipe cards |
| Fully recyclable | Fully recyclable |
The meal kits from Mindful Chef are shipped in meal boxes which are mostly made of recycled cardboard. The meal boxes are lined with insulation made of environmentally-friendly material like denim cotton. The ingredients are packed with ice packs containing a non-toxic gel which can be easily disposed of in the trash.
In Gousto, the meal kits come in boxes which are insulated with eco-friendly material. The ingredients are packed with cold packs containing a non-toxic gel which can be simply emptied in the trash or even mixed with the soil to help plants grow. The meal kits from Gousto also come with recipe cards to help in the cooking process.
Winner: Mindful Chef and Gousto win the Packaging of Meal kit segment.
Customer Support: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Feature | Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Chat support | – | + |
| Email support | + | + |
| Phone support | + | + |
| Availability | All days of the week | All days of the week |
The customer support of Mindful Chef can be reached through a number of ways, like email support and phone support. However, there is no chat support in Mindful Chef and this can be a disadvantage for those who prefer texting over other types of communication. Mindful Chef is also pretty active on several social media platforms.
In Gousto, users can reach out to the support through the live chat feature, and even through emails and phone support. Gousto’s customer support operates on all days of the week, including weekends. Gousto’s support is pretty active and easily responsive when it comes to its customers who are reaching out for help.
Winner: Gousto wins the Customer Support segment.
Sample Meals: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Sample | Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Sample 1 | Name: Spiced Chicken Salad with Coronation DressingPreparation time: 30 minSpice level: MediumDifficulty: Easy | Name: Spicy Sausage & Creamy Tomato Sauce with Mushroom TortelloniPreparation time: 10 minSpice level: HighDifficulty: Easy |
| Sample 2 | Name: Tempero Baiano Bavette Steak with Quinoa SaladPreparation time: 15 minsSpice level: MediumDifficulty: Easy | Name: One-Pot Baked Beef Stroganoff TortiglioniPreparation time: 30 minsSpice level: MediumDifficulty: Intermediate |
| Sample 3 | Name: Slow-cooked Pulled Pork, Spicy Slaw & Carrot FriesPreparation time: 30 minsSpice level: MildDifficulty: Easy | Name: Sesame, Honey & Lime Basa with Sweet Potato WedgesPreparation time: 30 minsSpice level: MediumDifficulty: Easy |
In Mindful Chef, the menu brings plenty of variety and can easily accommodate a number of diets and nutritional requirements. The recipes in Mindful Chef can be prepared in about thirty minutes from start to finish and require only basic cooking skills. The spice levels also vary to cater to different palate preferences.
Gousto also offers a lot of options for the user to choose from. The recipes in Gousto can be mostly prepared in about half an hour and can be cooked by even a mediocre cook. For those who like a challenge in the kitchen, Gousto even offers some recipes which require a little more skill and finesse.
Winner: Gousto wins the Sample Meals segment.
App rating: Mindful Chef vs Gousto
| Platform | Mindful Chef | Gousto |
| Google Play Store | Rating not available | 4 |
| Apple App Store | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| TWP Rating | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
Final Verdict: Gousto wins this battle with its easy to cook recipes and large variety of options.
Mindful Chef aims to make healthy cooking and eating an easy process for everyone in the UK. The beauty of this meal kit delivery service is that it combines both local cuisines along with international cuisines to be able to satisfy any type of palate and dietary preference. The meal kits from Mindful Chef can be cooked by everyone, of all cooking calibers.
In Gousto, the meal kits come with all sorts of proteins, including plant-based proteins which are perfect for those who are following a vegetarian lifestyle. The meal kits and recipes from Gousto require very little time and effort in the kitchen and the dishes are family-friendly enough to suit everyone’s palate at the dinner table.
When we compare Mindful Chef and Gousto, the latter option takes the crown. Gousto is not only easy to cook with, but the whole platform is also very easy to use. This meal kit delivery service also has a great customer satisfaction level from users who have left thousands of raving reviews about its simple and yet great-tasting recipes.
Methodology
To bring you the best reviews of each and every meal delivery service, we spoke to testers and real life users, reviewed the information provided by each service on their respective websites, carried out primary research on social media platforms and checked out the user reviews of these platforms on various social media sites. We have also used the reviews presented by current users of these services on their respective Google and Apple apps.
We are currently conducting our own internal review and we will update this page with videos and pictures of our experiences. If they differ extensively from what our external reviewers said then we will update this post so you get both points of views and can decide which service provider is more suited to your needs based on the information above.
The main types of criteria which we have used in order to assess and evaluate these meal delivery services is the simplicity of the recipes, the variety of meals in the service, the inclusiveness of diets and cuisines and even the supporting material.
In addition to these, we have also taken into regard the sustainability and recyclability of the packaging of these services. Lastly, we have also considered the delivery services and customer services of these platforms.
Frequently asked questions: “Mindful Chef vs Gousto”
How many calories are in a Mindful Chef meal?
In a Mindful Chef meal, the user can find about 400-650 calories per serving. Thus, this meal kit delivery service is preferred by those who want to eat healthier meals without too many excessive calories. The recipes in Mindful Chef also come with the right amount of proteins, healthy carbs and fiber, perfect for a balanced-diet.
Is Mindful Chef gluten-free?
Yes, Mindful Chef is gluten-free and also dairy-free. This is definitely one of the best advantages of using Mindful Chef as a meal kit delivery service. The recipes in Mindful Chef cleverly use healthy substitutes for ingredients containing gluten and therefore can be accommodating of those who are avoiding this ingredient in their daily diets.
How long do Gousto boxes last?
Gousto boxes last for about 24 hours when they are left outside. This is because the boxes are insulated with liners and also come with ice packs to keep the ingredients nice and fresh. However, the user is recommended to cook the meal kits as soon as possible to ensure the best of taste and freshness.
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