Home Chef vs Factor – Honest Meal Kit Delivery Comparison

For people who want to skip cooking meals at home from scratch, meal kit services like Home Chef and Factor help you do just that by delivering meals straight to your doorstep.

Such meal kit services take care of shopping, meal prep, and meal planning for you. All you have to do is cook the meals and, in the case of Home Chef vs Factor, just heat and serve!

(Read our Complete Home Chef Review here)

(Read our Complete Factor Review here)

I went ahead and compared both meal services so you can get a better idea of which works better for you. Home Chef and Factor both have their strengths and are aimed at specific types of home cooks. I found that Home Chef’s meals are more customizable, while Factor’s meals are more straightforward.

For instance, I would recommend Home Chef for improving your culinary skills. It has easy-to-follow and delicious recipes that save you time and effort. See Home Chef Menu here to see if you can like any of their recipes. Plus, you can also choose from a wide variety of interesting snacks, desserts, and proteins.

Factor, on the other hand, is the best meal kit service for a lazy cook. It is aimed at simplifying your meals to the maximum as freshly prepared meals are served straight to you. Here, you can select your weekly recipes from vegetarian to non-vegetarian. That’s literally all you have to do!

Why Choose Meal Kit Services?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have time to cook every meal. This explains the recent rise in the popularity of meal kits like Home Chef and Factor. They really help simplify cooking by delivering recipe ingredients and prepared meals to your door. Plus, they’re not as expensive as takeout food!

Meal kit delivery services ensure that you do not have to spend more than 15 minutes per meal if you’re going for prepared meal kits. Other than that, if you opt for pre-portioned meal kits, they take 30 minutes tops per meal. Compared to the time you would ideally spend in a kitchen to make a whole meal from scratch, 15-30 minutes is a life-changer!

You can make a healthy, nutritious meal in less time than it takes for takeout food to get delivered!

Meal kit delivery services add new recipes every week. Thus, you don’t have to eat the same dish twice. Plus, you can try unique and versatile dishes at home, just like in a restaurant.

Made from high-quality ingredients, fresh produce, and hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, the recipes are aimed at meeting certain dietary needs such as low-calorie, low-carb, high-protein, gluten-free, etc. You can even filter out the ingredients you don’t want when browsing the menu.

Lastly, the meal kits contain ingredients that are pre-measured for the serving size you select. You won’t be wasting any ingredients nor would you have to buy measuring cups or spoons to prep them before cooking. Everything is done for you and packed in meal kits with the proper cooking instructions.

Let us take a look at the factors before you choose a meal kit delivery service.

Choosing Meal Kit Delivery Services

By considering these factors, you’ll be better equipped to choose a meal kit delivery service that aligns with your dietary preferences, cooking abilities, and lifestyle, ultimately enhancing your overall culinary experience. Read on:

• Menu Variety: Look for a meal kit delivery service that offers a diverse range of meal options. This ensures you have a wide selection of cuisines, dietary preferences, and recipes to choose from, catering to your specific tastes and needs.
• Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s crucial to find a meal kit service that accommodates your requirements. Look for options that offer specialized menus for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, dairy-free, or other specific dietary needs.
• Recipe Complexity: Consider your cooking skills and the amount of time you’re willing to invest in meal preparation. Some meal kits are designed for beginners and offer simple, quick recipes, while others cater to more experienced cooks with complex dishes. Choose a service that aligns with your cooking proficiency and the time you can dedicate to cooking.
• Quality of Ingredients: Assess the quality of ingredients used in the meal kits. Look for companies that prioritize fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients to ensure the best taste and nutritional value in your meals.
• Customizability: Some meal kit services allow you to customize your meals by swapping ingredients or adjusting portion sizes. This feature can be helpful if you have specific preferences or dietary needs within your household.
• Cost and Value: Compare the pricing structures of different meal kit services. Consider the cost per serving and any additional fees for shipping or special add-ons. Look for promotions, discounts, or subscription plans that can provide value for money.
• Delivery Schedule and Flexibility: Check the delivery options and schedules provided by each service. Ensure they can deliver to your location and that the delivery times align with your availability. Look for services that offer flexible delivery options, such as the ability to skip weeks or change delivery days.
• Packaging and Sustainability: Consider the packaging materials used by the meal kit service. Look for companies that prioritize eco-friendly and recyclable packaging to reduce environmental impact.
• Customer Reviews and Ratings: Read customer reviews and ratings to gauge the overall satisfaction and experiences of previous customers. Pay attention to feedback on taste, portion sizes, customer service, and delivery reliability.
• Customer Support: Evaluate the customer support offered by the meal kit service. Check if they have responsive and helpful customer service channels, such as phone, email, or live chat, to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
• Special Features: Explore any additional features or benefits offered by the meal kit service. This could include options for add-ons like desserts or snacks, cooking tips, nutritional information, or mobile apps that enhance the overall user experience.
• Cancellation and Flexibility: Look into the cancellation policy and flexibility of the service. Ensure you have the freedom to pause or cancel your subscription without excessive fees or restrictions.

Benefits of High-Quality Meal Kit Services

Meal kit delivery services have gained popularity in recent years as a convenient and time-saving solution for home cooking. These services provide pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, delivered right to your doorstep. Whether you’re a busy professional, a novice cook, or simply looking to add variety to your meals, meal kit delivery services offer several benefits. In this list, we explore the advantages of using meal kit delivery services to help you make an informed decision about incorporating them into your lifestyle.

1. Time-Saving Convenience: One of the key benefits of meal kit delivery services is the time they save in meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. With pre-measured ingredients and detailed recipes, you can skip the tedious tasks of recipe hunting, measuring ingredients, and chopping, allowing you to enjoy more free time.
2. No Meal Planning Required: Figuring out what to cook for every meal can be a daunting task. Meal kit delivery services eliminate the need for meal planning, as they provide a variety of recipes to choose from. You can simply select the meals you want and have all the necessary ingredients delivered to your doorstep.
3. Variety and Exploration: Meal kits introduce you to a wide range of culinary experiences by offering diverse recipes and cuisines. They encourage you to step out of your culinary comfort zone and try new flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that you might not have considered otherwise.
4. Portion Control and Reduced Food Waste: Meal kit services provide pre-portioned ingredients, ensuring that you use the right amount for each recipe. This helps with portion control and reduces food waste since you only receive the exact quantities needed. It’s an excellent way to minimize leftovers and avoid buying ingredients in excess.
5. Enhanced Cooking Skills: Meal kits often come with detailed step-by-step instructions, accompanied by photos or videos, making it easy for even beginners to follow along. By regularly using meal kits, you can develop your cooking skills, learn new techniques, and gain confidence in the kitchen.
6. Healthier Eating Habits: Many meal kit services offer options that cater to specific dietary needs or goals, such as vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, or gluten-free. By choosing meals that align with your dietary preferences, you can maintain a balanced and nutritious diet without the hassle of researching and planning.
7. Reduced Stress and Decision Fatigue: With a meal kit delivery service, the guesswork is taken out of meal preparation. You don’t have to worry about what to cook or whether you have all the necessary ingredients. This reduces stress and decision fatigue, allowing you to enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience.
8. Cost-Effective: While meal kits may seem more expensive than cooking from scratch, they can be cost-effective in the long run. By eliminating the need to buy large quantities of ingredients for specific recipes, you can avoid wastage and save money on groceries.
9. Accessible for Busy Lifestyles: Meal kit delivery services are particularly beneficial for individuals with busy schedules or those who have limited time for grocery shopping and meal preparation. They provide a convenient solution for enjoying home-cooked meals without sacrificing valuable time.
10. Flexibility and Customization: Many meal kit services offer flexibility in terms of portion sizes, allowing you to select options that fit your needs, whether you’re cooking for one person or a family. Additionally, some services allow customization, such as ingredient swaps or the ability to exclude specific allergens or ingredients you dislike.

Meal kit delivery services offer a range of advantages, from saving time and reducing stress to promoting healthier eating habits and expanding your culinary horizons. Consider these benefits when deciding whether meal kits are the right fit for your lifestyle and dietary preferences.

Why Choose Home Chef?

When it comes to choosing a meal kit delivery service, Home Chef stands out as a top contender. With its wide variety of recipes, quality ingredients, and customizable options, Home Chef offers an exceptional culinary experience for home cooks of all levels. Let’s explore the reasons why Home Chef should be your go-to choice for meal kit delivery, highlighting its unique features and benefits that set it apart from other services in the market.

Reasons to Pick Home Chef as Your Meal Kit Delivery Service:

1. Extensive recipe selection: Home Chef offers over 38 weekly options, catering to various tastes and dietary preferences.
2. Customizable and flexible: Personalize meals with the “Customize It” feature, allowing swaps, upgrades, and portion adjustments.
3. High-quality ingredients: Fresh and flavorful ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers for nutritious meals.
4. Beginner-friendly recipes: Easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step photos for confident cooking. (See How to Prepare Home Chef Meals here)
5. Time-saving convenience: Pre-portioned ingredients and detailed recipe cards streamline meal preparation.
6. Family-friendly options: Meals loved by both children and adults, with kid-approved recipes and family-sized portions.
7. Affordable pricing: Competitive pricing, promotions, discounts, and special deals for budget-friendly options.
8. Dietary options and allergen awareness: Wide range of choices for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets, with clear labeling and allergen information.
9. Sustainability efforts: Eco-friendly packaging and recycling programs for reduced environmental impact.
10. Excellent customer service: Responsive and friendly support team available to assist with inquiries, concerns, or changes to orders.

With its extensive recipe selection, customizable options, quality ingredients, and commitment to customer satisfaction, Home Chef offers a compelling meal kit delivery.

Why Choose Factor?

When it comes to choosing a meal kit delivery service that prioritizes healthy eating and personalized nutrition, Factor stands out as an excellent choice. With its focus on providing chef-prepared meals that are nutritionally balanced and made with high-quality ingredients, Factor offers a convenient solution for individuals seeking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this content, we will explore the reasons why Factor should be your preferred meal kit delivery service, highlighting its unique features and benefits that set it apart from other options in the market.

Reasons to Pick Factor as Your Meal Kit Delivery Service:

1. Chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals: Convenient, restaurant-quality dishes delivered to your doorstep, eliminating the need for cooking or meal preparation.
2. Focus on health and nutrition: Nutritionally balanced meals using fresh, whole food ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives.
3. Personalized meal plans: Customizable options based on dietary preferences and goals, accommodating specific diets and allergies.
4. Wide variety of menu options: Diverse menu with rotating choices, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for a flavorful selection. (See how to Prepare Factor Meals here)
5. High-quality ingredients: Premium, organic produce, grass-fed meats, pasture-raised meats, and sustainable seafood for nutritious meals.
6. Convenience and time-saving: Ready-to-eat meals save time on meal preparation, cooking, and cleanup, ideal for busy individuals.
7. Transparent nutritional information: Detailed calorie counts, macronutrient breakdown, and ingredient lists provided for informed choices.

How Home Chef Works

Home Chef is a popular meal kit delivery service that aims to make cooking enjoyable and convenient. With its user-friendly platform and customizable options, Home Chef offers a seamless experience for individuals looking to prepare delicious meals at home. (See Home Chef Menu here)

To get started with Home Chef, you begin by selecting your preferred meals from their weekly menu with an exceptional customer service guarantee. Home Chef offers a wide variety of recipes to choose from, including vegetarian, low-carb, and calorie-conscious options. The menu is updated regularly, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to try.

Home Chef provides a high level of customization to cater to your individual preferences. Once you’ve chosen your meals, you have the option to customize them further. You can select different proteins, upgrade to premium cuts of meat, or adjust the portion sizes based on your specific needs. This customization feature ensures that you receive meals tailored to your liking.

After finalizing your meal selections, Home Chef delivers the pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards right to your doorstep. The ingredients are carefully packaged in insulated boxes with ice packs to maintain freshness during transit. Home Chef’s reliable delivery ensures that you receive your meal kits on time, allowing you to plan your cooking schedule accordingly.

Each Home Chef meal kit comes with detailed recipe cards that provide step-by-step instructions for preparing the dishes. The recipe cards include clear cooking directions, estimated cooking times, and accompanying photos to guide you through the process. Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, the recipe cards make it easy to follow along and create impressive meals.

Home Chef simplifies the cooking process by pre-portioning and prepping the ingredients. This eliminates the need for extensive measuring and reduces food waste. With the ingredients and recipe cards provided, you can focus on the cooking techniques and enjoy the culinary experience without the stress of meal planning or shopping for ingredients.

Home Chef understands that dietary preferences and restrictions vary from person to person. They offer a range of options to accommodate different needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free meals. Home Chef’s clear labeling and detailed ingredient lists allow you to make informed choices and select meals that align with your dietary requirements.

How Factor Works

Factor is a meal kit delivery service that takes the hassle out of meal planning and preparation while prioritizing your health and nutrition. If you’re looking for a convenient way to enjoy chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals that align with your dietary preferences, Factor is an excellent choice. With Factor, you can indulge in delicious, nutritious meals without the stress of cooking or compromising on your health goals. (See Factor Menu here)

To begin your Factor journey, you start by browsing their extensive menu of chef-prepared meals. Factor offers a diverse range of options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Their rotating weekly menu features a variety of delicious dishes inspired by global cuisines, ensuring there’s something for everyone. You can easily view the nutritional information, ingredients, and customer reviews for each meal to make informed choices.

Factor understands that individual preferences and dietary needs vary, which is why they offer customization options. You can personalize your meal selections based on your dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, keto, paleo, or dairy-free. Factor allows you to tailor your meals to align with your specific goals, ensuring you receive meals that suit your unique requirements.

Once you’ve made your meal selections, Factor delivers your chef-prepared meals directly to your doorstep. The meals are carefully packaged in insulated boxes to maintain freshness and are delivered in a refrigerated format to ensure optimal quality. The convenience of doorstep delivery saves you time and eliminates the need for grocery shopping or meal preparation.

One of the standout features of Factor is that their meals are fully prepared and ready to eat. Unlike traditional meal kit services, you don’t need to spend time cooking or follow complicated recipes. Factor’s expert chefs have already done the cooking for you, allowing you to enjoy restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of your own home or on-the-go.

Factor prioritizes nutrition by focusing on wholesome, high-quality ingredients. They use fresh produce, lean proteins, and healthy fats to create meals that are both delicious and nutritionally balanced. Each meal is portion-controlled and designed to provide the necessary nutrients your body needs, whether you’re looking to lose weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or follow a specific diet.

Factor’s meals are designed to be conveniently heated and enjoyed whenever you’re ready to eat. Each meal comes with easy-to-follow heating instructions, whether it’s in the microwave, oven, or stovetop. Once heated, you can savor the chef-crafted flavors and indulge in a satisfying dining experience without the stress of cooking or cleanup.

The Home Chef Menu

Home Chef offers a diverse and customizable menu that caters to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Their menu typically features a rotating selection of delicious and easy-to-follow recipes, ensuring there is something for everyone. With options ranging from classic comfort foods to global-inspired dishes, Home Chef strives to provide a variety of choices to suit individual preferences.

One of the standout features of Home Chef’s menu is its flexibility. Customers can personalize their meals by choosing from various options, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, or calorie-conscious meals. This allows individuals to adhere to their specific dietary needs and preferences without compromising on taste or quality. Home Chef also offers family-friendly recipes that are designed to please both kids and adults, making it a convenient option for households with different taste preferences.

Additionally, Home Chef ensures that their menu includes seasonal ingredients and highlights the freshest produce available. This focus on quality ingredients allows customers to enjoy meals made with fresh, flavorful, and nutritious components. The recipes provided with each meal are accompanied by clear step-by-step instructions and estimated cooking times, making it convenient for both experienced and novice home cooks to prepare delicious meals with ease.

The Factor Menu

Factor 75 offers a thoughtfully curated menu that emphasizes nutritious and chef-prepared meals. Their menu is designed to provide a convenient and healthy option for individuals who are looking to maintain a balanced diet or follow specific dietary guidelines. With a focus on high-quality ingredients, Factor 75 offers a diverse selection of meals that cater to various dietary preferences, including paleo, keto, dairy-free, and vegetarian options.

The Factor 75 menu stands out for its commitment to using fresh and sustainable ingredients. Each meal is carefully crafted by professional chefs and nutritionists to ensure that it meets the company’s standards for taste, quality, and nutritional value. With an emphasis on whole foods and balanced macronutrients, Factor 75 meals provide a convenient solution for those who want to enjoy chef-prepared dishes without compromising on their health goals.

Furthermore, Factor 75 offers a rotating menu that changes weekly, allowing customers to explore new flavors and cuisines regularly. This variety ensures that there is always something exciting and enticing on the menu, preventing mealtime monotony. Whether it’s hearty comfort food, international-inspired dishes, or lighter options, Factor 75 strives to provide a well-rounded selection to satisfy different palates and preferences.

How to Prepare Home Chef Meals

I’ll make this quick since we’ve already covered most of the meal plans and how easy they are to prep/cook when talking about Home Chef vs Factor.

The cooking time of Home Chef’s meal is more varied since they offer two different types of meal plans plus snacks and add-ons that you can add to your cart.

Their meal kits, which come with preportioned ingredients, have an average cooking time range of 35 minutes up to 1 hour. There are a few recipes that take under 30 minutes to cook, even with 2 or more servings per recipe.

Now, the ready-to-serve, easy-prep meal kits will only need to be heated. They are labeled as 15-minute meal kits with some recipes that take slightly longer – up to 30 minutes – to prepare. These meal kits do not involve any prep, so you simply have to put them in an oven or microwave and set the specific time for reheating. There’s no need to wait around in the kitchen for the estimated time.

How to Prepare Factor Meals

Choosing Factor as your meal delivery service stands out if you’re considering the best qualities. The cooking time of Factor’s meals does not take as long as Home Chef’s since they are preprepared and single-serve. I found that Factor’s meals were very consistent and convenient in cooking time. I did not have to add anything extra to their meals nor spend a lot of time reheating the meals for each recipe.

Majority of the Factor’s meals take 5-10 minutes to reheat. Each meal kit comes with heating instructions that you can follow to use either a microwave or oven.

How Are Home Chef Meals Packed?

On Home Chef’s FAQs page, a question about organic labels is posted with the clarification that they include meals with organic ingredients. However, not all of their recipes have organic produce.

Home Chef includes different seasonal ingredients that are used in a wide variety of recipes that change every week. Some of the ingredients are organic, while others are not. Home Chef does not list down any certified labels or food-handling information in relation to sustainable farming.

Home Chef uses cardboard boxes that are partially recycled and can be recycled again. Liners are made up of recyclable materials such as cotton or denim. Said plastic containers/liners are also recyclable. You can wash and sanitize them to reuse as storage containers at home.

There are no complaints regarding the packaging or handling of the ingredients and meals inside each and every one of Home Chef’s meal kits. You can read the FAQ regarding recycling details and find out your local area’s sustainable practices.

They do, however, feature some organic meat options in select meals such as organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are GMO-, antibiotic-, and hormone-free. Their meal kit boxes are USDA-certified for storage and safe food handling. All their seasonings, sauces, dressings, and meat options are free of colorants, sulfites, and any other artificial preservatives.

Here is a simple process of how Home Chef meals are packed from production to your doorstep:

How Are Factor Meals Packed?

Factor’s ingredients and sourcing standards are with select organic farms that follow sustainable farming practices. All of the ingredients, according to their website, are sourced from within the United States. Seafood options such as salmon, which is BAP-certified, is sourced from Canada, while certain cuts of meat are sourced from elsewhere, outside of the United States.

As far as packaging goes, Factor uses eco-friendly materials including a recyclable cardboard box. The plastic container the meals are packed in is BPA-free CPET, which is recyclable plastic. The liner or plastic film covering the container is not recyclable, so that’s the only thing that you will have to throw away in the bin.

Here’s how Factor packs their meals so they’re conveniently ready for everyone:

1. Meal selection and customization:
   • Customers choose their desired meals from the available options provided by Factor 75. (See Factor menu here)
   • They may have the ability to customize their meals based on dietary preferences or restrictions.
2. Ingredients sourcing and preparation:
   • Factor 75 sources high-quality ingredients for their meals, including fresh produce, proteins, and other components.
   • Ingredients are prepped, portioned, and cooked in a commercial kitchen.
3. Portioning and packaging:
   • Once the meals are prepared, they are portioned according to the selected serving sizes.
   • The individual meal portions are then packed into appropriate containers.
4. Sealing and labeling:
   • The containers are sealed to maintain freshness and prevent any leaks or spills during transit.
   • Each container is labeled with relevant information, including the meal name, date, and any dietary labels.
5. Insulation and cooling:
   • Insulation materials such as ice packs and liners are included to ensure that the meals remain at a safe temperature during delivery.
   • This helps to maintain the quality and freshness of the ingredients.
6. Quality check:
   • A quality control process is performed to ensure that all meals meet the company’s standards in terms of taste, presentation, and ingredient quality.
7. Delivery preparation:
   • The packed meals are organized for delivery, either through in-house delivery services or shipping partners.
   • Proper handling and packaging methods are employed to ensure that the meals reach the customers in a timely and secure manner.

Is Home Chef Diet-Friendly?

Home Chef has no vegan options, which is such a let-down if you follow a vegan diet. However, Home Chef recognizes that people have different dietary needs and offers a range of options to accommodate them. Whether you’re following a low-calorie, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet, Home Chef provides menu items specifically designed for these preferences. Their extensive menu selection ensures that there are plenty of choices available to suit your specific diet requirements.

If you’re looking to manage your calorie intake, Home Chef offers calorie-conscious meal options. These meals are thoughtfully portioned and designed to be lower in calories while still providing satisfying flavors and balanced nutrition. With calorie information clearly displayed on each meal, it becomes easier for you to track your daily intake.

For you to have a great point of view of how Home Chef can help with your diet, here are the most popular menu items with their corresponding macronutrients:

Vegetarian/Vegan Meals

HOME CHEF’s Caesar Chopped Salad with creamy Caesar dressing	HOME CHEF’s Spaghetti with Roasted Red Pepper Cream and garlic bread
Calories: 200 calories per serving	Calories: 900 calories per serving
Protein: 4 grams per serving	Protein: 27 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 9 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 118 grams per serving
Fat: 17 grams per serving	Fat: 35 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 2 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 9 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: 5-10 minutes	Prep/Cook Time: 35-45 minutes

Chicken-Based Meals

HOME CHEF’s Hazelnut Butter Chicken Breast with garlic mashed potatoes and honey-rosemary carrots	HOME CHEF’s Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thigh Pasta with spinach and Parmesan
Calories: 710 calories per serving	Calories: 810 calories per serving
Protein: 42 grams per serving	Protein: 56 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 53 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 78 grams per serving
Fat: 37 grams per serving	Fat: 31 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 7 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 6 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: 50-60 minutes	Prep/Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Beef-Based Meals

HOME CHEF’s Chili Cheese Beef Stuffed Peppers with sour cream and crispy tortillas	HOME CHEF’s Beef Egg Roll Rice Bowl with red cabbage and bell peppers
Calories: 620 calories per serving	Calories: 660 calories per serving
Protein: 40 grams per serving	Protein: 33 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 31 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 69 grams per serving
Fat: 38 grams per serving	Fat: 27 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 8 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 3 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: 35-45 minutes	Prep/Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Seafood-Based Meals

HOME CHEF’s Honey BBQ Salmon with bacon jalapeno corn muffins and corn on the cob	HOME CHEF’s Greek-Style Shrimp Orzo with zucchini and feta
Calories: 850 calories per serving	Calories: 590 calories per serving
Protein: 41 grams per serving	Protein: 29 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 56 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 50 grams per serving
Fat: 52 grams per serving	Fat: 27 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 2 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 7 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: 30-40 minutes	Prep/Cook Time: 25-35 minutes

Is Factor Diet-Friendly?

Factor emerges as the better choice when it comes to special diet preferences because of its plant-based meals, both vegetarian and vegan, which are not only wholesome but also very delicious.

You know that the professional chefs at Factor are doing something right when even their veggie-based dishes look truly delightful and mouthwatering. Moreover, each recipe is packed with all the right kinds and amount of nutrients as well as the perfect combination of carbs and proteins.

However, even though Factor offers vegan meals, there aren’t too many of them, and that’s a bit displeasing. On the Factor menu, you’ll see more vegetarian options, highly nutritious and totally meat-free, but not enough “vegan” choices. Plus, it’s not like you can pick Home Chef instead because it’s even more disappointing since they have zero vegan and very limited vegetarian dishes.

Vegetarian/Vegan Meals

FACTOR’s Spicy Sweet Potatoes & Peanut Sauce with coconut rice & miso-roasted green beans	FACTOR’s Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Risotto with roasted carrots
Calories: 700 calories per serving	Calories: 480 calories per serving
Protein: 17 grams per serving	Protein: 11 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 80 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 66 grams per serving
Fat: 37 grams per serving	Fat: 19 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 11 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 6 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned	Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned

Chicken-Based Meals

FACTOR’s Keto Monterey Spinach Chicken with sun-dried tomato alfredo & cauliflower gratin	FACTOR’s Chicken & Mushroom Marsala with garlic mashed cauliflower & haricot verts
Calories: 690 calories per serving	Calories: 470 calories per serving
Protein: 49 grams per serving	Protein: 40 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 13 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 18 grams per serving
Fat: 50 grams per serving	Fat: 26 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 4 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 6 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned	Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned

Beef-Based Meals

FACTOR’s Fiery Beef & Black Bean Chili with cilantro sweet potatoes & corn salsa	FACTOR’s Italian Ground Beef & Marinara Bowl with ricotta & pesto zucchini
Calories: 460 calories per serving	Calories: 710 calories per serving
Protein: 21 grams per serving	Protein: 37 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 50 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 16 grams per serving
Fat: 22 grams per serving	Fat: 57 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 10 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 3 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned	Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned

Seafood-Based Meals

FACTOR’s Pesto Salmon with creamed spinach & tomato butter haricot verts	FACTOR’s Tuscan Shrimp with creamy kale & zucchini-pepper-onion medley
Calories: 710 calories per serving	Calories: 520 calories per serving
Protein: 39 grams per serving	Protein: 24 grams per serving
Carbohydrates: 12 grams per serving	Carbohydrates: 13 grams per serving
Fat: 58 grams per serving	Fat: 42 grams per serving
Dietary Fiber: 4 grams per serving	Dietary Fiber: 3 grams per serving
Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned	Prep/Cook Time: not mentioned

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Home Chef and Factor

Do Home Chef and Factor Comply with Food Allergies?

In both cases of Home Chef vs Factor, they do not exclude potential allergy-causing ingredients. At the same time, there are no special categories wholly committed to serving those with common food allergies either. Some of their recipes, however, don’t have certain allergy-associated food items, but you have to check the list of ingredients for that.

One thing I like about Home Chef and Factor recipes is that on every recipe page, both make it a point to mention the usual allergy-triggering ingredients, such as milk, eggs, shellfish, wheat, soy, nuts, etc.

As someone with serious or severe food allergies, you might want to know that it’s best when allergy-causing foods are not handled, cooked, processed, or packaged in the same area or facility as allergy-friendly ingredients.

Quite disappointingly then, Home Chef and Factor fail to use two separate facilities. Instead, everything is taken care of in the same space, hence the chances of cross-contamination despite ingredients being individually wrapped.

How Easy Is It to Make Order/Delivery Changes on Home Chef and Factor?

With Home Chef and Factor, skipping meals is possible if that’s what you mean. How amazing and convenient is that?

The latter’s cutoff time is Wednesday, 12 am CT – the Wednesday prior to the scheduled delivery week of course. Home Chef’s deadline, on the other hand, is every Friday at 12 pm CT. Once again, this is the Friday before your delivery week.

Home Chef, in this area, seems like a more flexible meal kit delivery service, with the additional option to actually add/swap proteins to your order. Home Chef allows you to pause, skip, and even cancel your subscription, but then so does Factor.

Here are Home Chef’s instructions to cancel the subscription, which is a part of their very helpful FAQs & Support page. You can also manage your subscription on Factor because even they have useful, informative FAQs.

How to Contact Customer Support

Home Chef’s customer service is accessible via email, FAQ, and phone. Their response time, via email and phone, is always consistent. Most of what you’ll need can be found on their FAQs page that, on its own, is very informative and versatile.

There’s information about their recipes and ingredients, placing and editing orders, managing the account, shipping and delivery, and other discount features. Every section has over 15 questions posted by customers and promptly answered by Home Chef.

Factor’s customer service is also very responsive and consistent. You can reach them via email, phone, or text or refer to their FAQ page to have all of your questions answered.

Whether you’re concerned about the delivery of your orders or editing the meal plan after placing an order, the FAQ page has everything you need. You can quickly contact their customer service regarding any complaints or refunds, and they will provide credit for other future orders.

Skipping meals or canceling orders is easier to do from the account itself. You don’t need to contact their customer service to do so. Even if you want to change your delivery address or email, you can log into your account and edit the information on their Account Settings page. It’s simple and straightforward.

Are Home Chef and Factor Suitable for a Weight Loss Diet Plan?

Home Chef’s “calorie-conscious” and “carb-conscious” meals are perfect if you’re on a weight loss program.

As for Factor, the menu may not have categories like the ones on Home Chef, but it does include quite a few low-calorie recipes at under 500 calories per serving.

When trying to lose weight, keeping your consumption of calories in check is a must and so is preparing more nutritious, well-balanced, and healthier homecooked meals. With that in place, it’s such a huge relief to know that meal kit delivery services such as Home Chef and Factor take care of both for you.

Furthermore, in both cases, meals have high levels of protein per serving. Increasing your daily protein intake also helps with weight loss since protein keeps you full for longer.

Also, let’s not forget that the Factor menu does include the “keto” tag, which is a low-carb diet effective for shedding those extra pounds.

Home Chef Pros and Cons

What to Like	What NOT to Like
Very affordable meal kit delivery service.	Not the best for vegans or those with food allergies.
You can customize meal plans based on your diet.	Sodium content seems to be high.
Minimal prep, and oven-ready meals are also included.	Information about sourcing standards is not clear/enough.
Flavorful recipes and comfort food options on weekly menu.

Factor Pros and Cons

What to Like	What NOT to Like
Fully prepped meals with add-ons	Family-friendly meal plans not available
Sustainably sourced, top-quality ingredients	Not very allergy-accommodating
Premade and microwavable meals included	Very few plant-based recipes
GMO- and preservative-free meals

Home Chef vs Factor – Final Verdict

Home Chef is a meal kit delivery brand that lives up to all possible expectations its name automatically gives rise to in the head – homecooked-style meals with only fresh ingredients that you can quickly put together to conveniently cook your meals.

Fresh ingredients are accompanied by transparent pricing, flexible scheduling, and a lot more that’s nothing but ideal for those living a hectic life where cooking proper, wholesome lunches and dinners is just not possible. That’s the Home Chef experience!

Then there’s the very flexible and equally convenient Factor experience, with its wide variety of meal plans on the menu, simple order processing, easy customizations, vegetarian and vegan options, and more. The pricing range here may be slightly more expensive than Home Chef, but that’s mainly because their ingredients are organic and also gluten-free.