Gousto Recipe Box Review: Easy Meals at Home
Let’s talk about dinner. You know, that thing we all have to figure out every single day. After a long day of work, the last thing I want to do is stress over what to cook, go food shopping, or stare blankly into my fridge, hoping dinner magically appears.
So I decided to give Gousto a try!
Why I Looked Into Gousto
Honestly? I was just tired. Tired of overspending at the supermarket (hello £65+ grocery weeks) and tired of wasting food because I bought ingredients with the best of intentions and then forgot about them.
I googled “affordable recipe boxes UK” and started falling down a rabbit hole of TikTok reviews, Instagram posts, and YouTube hauls. Gousto kept coming up, and I liked the idea of having meals planned out and ready to go without me needing to think about anything.
👉 Try Gousto Here with 70% off your first box (which is even better than what I got!)
https://juliaxeats.com/gousto-70-percent-off-first-box
What Is Gousto?
If you’ve never heard of it, Gousto is a recipe box service that delivers meal kits to your door. You choose the recipes online, and they send you all the ingredients in just the right portions, along with easy step-by-step instructions.
They’ve been around since 2012, started by a guy named Timo who wanted to make home-cooked meals easier for busy people. And I love that they’re doing their bit for the planet too – they’ve even patented their own recyclable packaging to cut down on plastic.
You don’t need to commit long-term either. You can literally try one box and cancel. No weird loopholes or hidden contracts.
Just want recipe inspiration? Their cookbook is free to browse online too.
What I Paid
I paid £15.50 for three meals for two people. Not bad at all, especially considering that it included all the ingredients and the recipes. This was with a 50% discount on my first box.
Quick note: I paid for this myself – no sponsorships or free boxes here.
Now here’s the kicker – once I signed up, I saw they offer 70% off your first box if you sign up using someone’s referral link. Kind of wish I had one of those before I joined. So if you’re thinking of trying it out, here’s mine.
👉 Claim 70% Off Your First Box (yes, it’s a referral, but it’ll save you more than I saved!).
https://juliaxeats.com/gousto-70-percent-off-first-box
Ordering & Delivery
Ordering was smooth – I just picked the meals I wanted for the week and selected a delivery day. Done.
The box arrived exactly when they said it would – around 10am, which was within the time range they shared. They texted me in the morning with an estimated time slot (between 10–11am), so I didn’t have to wait around all day like with some other couriers.
Heads up: they don’t give exact time slots when you order, so just be aware the delivery could happen anytime between 8am and 7pm.
Cooking the Meals & Taste Test
Here’s the fun part. I actually enjoyed cooking. Like, genuinely looked forward to it. The recipes were super easy to follow, even on nights when I was already mentally checked out.
What I Ordered & What I Thought
- One Pot Easy Chicken Biryani → Served more than 2 and had room for seconds. Easy, comforting, and full of flavour.
- Smoked Basa with Leek & Potato Hash and Poached Egg → I didn’t know I liked leek this much? It was hearty and felt like a proper Sunday brunch moment.
- Tandoori Chicken, Mint Raita & Kachumber Salad → Said it served 2 but we easily got 3 portions out of it. Loved the combo of the warm spices with the fresh mint yoghurt – SO good.
- Basa with Lemon Mash & Pesto (This recipe is from the second box I ordered) → This one felt super fancy. I didn’t have a food processor for the pesto, so I just chopped everything by hand and smashed it with a spoon. Still amazing. I added cheddar and rosemary to the mash because, well… extra flavour never hurts and tasted better!
👉 Try Gousto Here with 70% off your first box (which is even better than what I got!)
https://juliaxeats.com/gousto-70-percent-off-first-box
The Good & The Not-So-Good
What I Loved
- No supermarket trips – more weekend time for me!
- The recipes were interesting but not complicated
- Calorie count and cooking time included – helpful if you’re trying to eat mindfully
- Great variety – veggie, meat, pescatarian, low-carb, quick meals… all kinds
What Could Be Better
- You do need to plan ahead. Orders need to be placed a few days before your delivery.
- It’s a subscription, so if you forget to skip a week, you’ll be charged and sent a box. It’s not a big deal if you stay on top of it – but just something to know.
- Without the discounts, the boxes can get a little pricey.
Is It Worth the Price?
With the discount? Absolutely. It felt like I got way more than I paid for – especially considering the time saved and the extra portions.
It’s perfect for those busy periods where I just don’t want to think about cooking.
Has It Made Life Easier?
100%. I’m not wasting time wandering around the supermarket or stressing over what to make. I’m trying new recipes, eating better, and actually enjoying cooking again. It’s like a little win at the end of the day.
Final Thoughts
So that’s my Gousto experience in a nutshell. These are just honest thoughts from someone who’s always looking for ways to make life a little easier (and tastier). The convenience, variety, and fun of trying new meals made it totally worth it.
Whether you’re a tired uni student, a busy parent, or just someone in a cooking rut, I’d say it’s worth giving it a go – especially with that juicy first-box discount.
Thanks for hanging out with me in this post – hope it helps if you’ve been curious about trying a meal kit. And if you do end up trying Gousto, tell me what you cooked! I’d love to know which recipes you went for.
Until next time, happy cooking
Should You Try It?
If you’re someone who:
- Gets overwhelmed with meal planning
- Wants to cook more but doesn’t know where to start
- Is bored of making the same 3 recipes on repeat
Then yes – I’d totally recommend giving Gousto a go.
👉 Try Gousto Here with 70% off your first box (which is even better than what I got!)
https://juliaxeats.com/gousto-70-percent-off-first-box
Let me know if you try it – or if you’ve got any fave recipes I should try next time!
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