Gousto Review: A Brit’s Honest Take on the Meal Kit That Saved My Dinner Sanity (Spoiler: Not Perfect, But Close)

How a Reluctant Cook Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Recipe Card

The Story

I found Gousto the way all modern miracles happen – through targeted Instagram ads during Great British Bake Off commercials. Three factors sold me:

My 47th consecutive Thursday pesto pasta
A lettuce that liquefied in my fridge (RIP)
£10 off first box for watching a 30-second reel of a perfectly golden chicken schnitzel

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First impressions? Arrived in a Woolworths-worthy cardboard box with ice packs. I half-expected a passive-aggressive note about my life choices, but found instead:

Pre-portioned sriracha (no more $8 bottles expiring after one use)
Recipe cards with Euro-to-American measurements
A free Freddo Frog chocolate (Britain’s version of a participation trophy)

The Experience

Monday Night Reality Check: Attempted the ‘Speedy Korean Beef Bibimbap’ after a 9-hour workday. Discovered:

‘20-minute’ recipes take 35 mins when you confuse sesame oil for olive oil
Crispy rice is just burnt rice with commitment
My kids will eat ANYTHING with gochujang (parenting hack unlocked)

Unexpected Wins:

Learned to quick-pickle veggies (now do this with Costco cucumbers)
Reused paprika-dusted sour cream as nacho topping
Actual text to friend: “Turns out ‘courgette’ is zucchini. My Ratatouille Era begins.”

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Let’s Break It Down

Pros

No More ‘Zombie Aisles’: Saved 2hrs/week avoiding Tesco’s cereal aisle existential crises
Portion Control for Americans: Meals designed for UK appetites = realistic serving sizes (sorry, Texas)
Global Flavors Without Jet Lag: Went from Lagos-style peanut stew to Kyiv chicken in 4 days
Stealth Health Wins: 80% meals hit 5-a-day veg quota without sad ‘diet’ labels

Home cooking made easy with Gousto * Eating Covent Garden

Cons

Occasional ‘Herb Heists’: Got 3 sprigs of thyme for 4-person meal – now keep a windowsill plant
Plastic Guilt: Recycle 3-5 bags/week (but ice packs make great picnic coolers)
Wine Pairing FOMO: Recipes assume you’ll drink tap water like a peasant

Real Talk

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Perfect For:

Busy expats craving comfort food from home (looking at you, Texans missing queso)
Couples doing ‘why don’t we cook together more?’ damage control
Parents teaching teens to cook before uni (RIP my smoke alarm) it’s NOT For:
Paleo/kete diehards (too many carbs, not enough elk meat)
People who think ‘meal prep’ is reheating Uber Eats

Hacks That Saved Me £££:

‘Double Duty’ Proteins: Add extra chicken to Thai curries, use leftovers for lunch wraps
Spice Bank: Saved cumin/coriander packets for taco Tuesdays
Veg Scrap Soup: Freeze leftover onion tops/carrot nubs for broth

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The Bottom Line

After 26 boxes (yes, I spreadsheet-ed):

Cost: £4.50/serving – cheaper than Pret, pricier than beans on toast
Time Saved: 7 hours/month not deciphering ‘chop vs dice’
Surprise Benefit: Finally understand Great British Menu contestants

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Final Verdict: If adulting was a meal kit, it’d be Gousto – occasionally messy, surprisingly rewarding, and way better than eating cereal over the sink.