Simply Cook Discounts: How to Save on Your First Box and Beyond
You know that moment when you're standing in the kitchen, staring at the same ingredients you always buy, wondering how to make dinner exciting again? That's where Simply Cook comes in. But here's the thing – you don't have to pay full price to discover their flavor pots. There are actually several ways to save money, and I've been digging into all of them.
Let me walk you through what I found. Because honestly, who doesn't want to try something new without breaking the bank?
The 50% Off Deal That's Everywhere
First up, there's a 50% off offer that's pretty hard to miss on their website. It's promoted with voucher code "homepage_199", and it's one of those deals that actually makes sense. You're getting half off your first box, which is a solid way to test the waters.
Here's how it works: you use the voucher code when you're selecting your recipes, and boom – 50% off. Simple. No complicated terms, no hidden catches. Just a straightforward discount that makes trying Simply Cook a lot less risky.
What I appreciate about this offer is that it's not trying to trick you. It's right there on the homepage, multiple times. They want you to use it. And honestly, that's refreshing. Some companies hide their discounts or make them hard to find. Simply Cook? They're putting it front and center.
The £3 Trial: Even Better Value
But wait, there's another offer that might be even better. I found a "Try for £3" deal with voucher code "arlp_video_3". And here's the kicker – it includes free postage. So you're getting your first box for just £3, with no shipping costs.
Let me break that down. A regular Simply Cook box typically costs around £9.99 (though prices can vary). So £3 is a massive discount. We're talking 70% off, plus free shipping. That's the kind of deal that makes it almost silly not to try it.
The free postage part is important too. Sometimes these trial offers look great until you see the shipping costs. But with this one, £3 is really £3. No surprises at checkout.
The Referral Program: First Box Free
Now this is interesting. Simply Cook has a referral program where you can get your first box completely free. That's right – free. As in, zero pounds.
Here's how it works: someone refers you using their referral link, and you get your first box for free. No minimum spend, no complicated requirements. Just sign up, get your box, and start cooking.
The important thing to remember here is that this is a subscription service. So after your first free box, you'll be charged for subsequent boxes unless you cancel. But here's the good news – you can cancel anytime. There's no commitment. You can literally get your free box, try it out, and cancel if it's not for you. No harm, no foul.
I've seen people mention this in reviews and forums, and it seems to work exactly as advertised. You get the box, you try the recipes, and if you love it, you keep going. If not, you cancel. Simple.
Gift Subscriptions: Save When You Give
If you're thinking about gifting Simply Cook to someone (or yourself, no judgment), there are some solid savings on gift subscriptions:
3 Box Gift: Normally worth £35.34, on sale for £30. That's a £5.34 savings, or about 15% off.
6 Box Gift: Worth £70.68, on sale for £55. You're saving £15.68, which is about 22% off.
12 Box Gift: Worth £141.36, on sale for £105. This is the biggest savings – £36.36 off, which is about 26% off.
What's nice about the gift subscriptions is that the recipient gets to choose their recipes and delivery frequency. So you're not locking them into something they might not want. They get flexibility, and you get a discount. Win-win.
The gift vouchers are digital, sent via email, and valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. So there's no rush to use them, which is helpful if you're buying ahead for a birthday or holiday.
Regular Pricing: What Happens After the Trial
After your trial box, Simply Cook costs £2.50 per week for a regular subscription. That's pretty reasonable when you think about it. You're getting four recipe kits, each with three flavor pots, plus recipe cards. For £2.50 a week, that's less than the cost of a coffee.
The subscription is flexible too. You can change, pause, or cancel at any time. No commitment, no hassle. If you're going on vacation, pause it. If you want to skip a week, do it. If you decide it's not for you, cancel. They make it easy.
Free Postage: Always a Bonus
One thing I noticed is that Simply Cook offers free postage on their boxes. This isn't just for the trial offers – it's standard. So you're not paying extra for shipping, which is always nice. Those shipping costs can add up with subscription services, so having them included is a real benefit.
Cashback Opportunities: Stack Your Savings
Here's where it gets really interesting. You can actually combine Simply Cook's discounts with cashback offers from sites like TopCashback and Quidco.
TopCashback offers £3.15 cashback on your first purchase. So if you're using the £3 trial offer, you could essentially get the box for free (or even make a small profit, depending on how you look at it).
Quidco offers £2.40 cashback on your first purchase. Still a solid deal, especially when combined with one of the trial offers.
The strategy here is: use a referral link or discount code to get your first box cheap (or free), then go through TopCashback or Quidco to get cashback on top. It's like double-dipping on savings, and who doesn't love that?
How Simply Cook Works: Understanding the Value
Before we dive deeper into the discounts, let me explain what you're actually getting. Simply Cook is different from other meal kit services. They don't send you all the ingredients. Instead, they send you flavor pots – these little containers packed with up to 23 ingredients that are expertly blended to create amazing flavors.
You use your own ingredients (4-6 items from your fridge or cupboard) and combine them with the flavor pots. So you're not getting a box full of produce that might go bad. You're getting the secret sauce, literally, and using what you already have.
Each box comes with four recipe cards and the corresponding flavor pots. You choose your recipes from their selection of 140+ options, which includes everything from classic comfort food to adventurous international dishes.
The beauty of this system is that it's flexible. You're not locked into specific ingredients. You can adapt recipes to what you have, what you like, and what's in season. It's cooking made simple, but not dumbed down.
Maximizing Your Savings: A Strategy
So here's how I'd approach this if I were trying Simply Cook for the first time:
Option 1: The Free Route Use a referral link to get your first box free. Then go through TopCashback or Quidco to get cashback on top. You're essentially getting paid to try it. Not bad.
Option 2: The £3 Route Use the "Try for £3" voucher code (arlp_video_3) with free postage. Then get cashback through TopCashback (£3.15) or Quidco (£2.40). You're either getting it for free or making a tiny profit, depending on which cashback site you use.
Option 3: The 50% Off Route Use the 50% off voucher code (homepage_199). If a regular box is around £9.99, you're paying about £5. Then add cashback, and you're looking at around £2-3 for your first box. Still a great deal.
The key is to combine the offers. Don't just use one discount – stack them. Use a voucher code or referral link, then go through a cashback site. That's where you'll see the biggest savings.
What Makes Simply Cook Worth It
I should mention why Simply Cook is worth trying, even at full price. The flavor pots are genuinely good. They're not just basic spice mixes – they're complex blends that create restaurant-quality flavors. And the recipes are easy to follow, even if you're not a confident cook.
The flexibility is huge too. You're not getting a box of ingredients you might not use. You're getting the flavor, and you provide the base ingredients. So there's less waste, and you have more control.
Plus, with 140+ recipes to choose from, you're not going to get bored. There's variety, there's adventure, and there's the ability to try new cuisines without committing to buying a bunch of spices you might never use again.
Student Discounts: Worth Checking Out
I noticed Simply Cook has a student page (landing/studentbeans), which suggests they might offer student discounts. If you're a student, it's worth checking out. Student discounts can sometimes be combined with other offers, which means even more savings.
The Subscription Model: No Pressure
One thing I really appreciate about Simply Cook is their no-commitment approach. You can cancel anytime. You can pause your subscription. You can skip weeks. There's no pressure, no guilt, no complicated cancellation process.
This makes trying it risk-free. You're not signing up for a year-long commitment. You're trying a box, and if you love it, great. If not, you move on. No big deal.
Real User Experiences: What People Are Saying
I've seen reviews from people who've tried Simply Cook, and the feedback is generally positive. People mention that the flavors are impressive, the recipes are easy to follow, and the flexibility is a huge plus. Some people even say it's better than other meal kit services because you're not dealing with pre-portioned ingredients that might not be fresh.
The "excellent" rating with over 10,000 reviews speaks for itself. That's a lot of happy customers.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Simply Cook
If you're going to try Simply Cook, here are some tips to maximize your experience:
Choose recipes you're excited about: Don't just pick the first four you see. Browse the selection, read the descriptions, and choose things that sound delicious to you.
Read the recipe cards carefully: They're designed to be simple, but take a moment to understand what you'll need before you start cooking.
Don't be afraid to experiment: The flavor pots are the foundation, but you can add your own touches. Make it yours.
Use the flexibility: Remember, you're using your own ingredients. So if a recipe calls for chicken but you have fish, adapt it. The flavor pots will still work.
Cancel if it's not for you: There's no shame in trying something and deciding it's not your thing. Cancel and move on. No pressure.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Here's the thing – Simply Cook offers a unique approach to meal kits. Instead of sending you everything, they send you the flavor. And with all these discount options, trying it is almost a no-brainer.
Whether you use a referral link for a free box, the £3 trial, or the 50% off deal, you're getting a low-risk way to try something new. And if you stack it with cashback, you might even get paid to try it.
The regular price of £2.50 per week is reasonable too. That's less than most people spend on takeout, and you're getting four new recipes to try. If you find even one recipe you love and make regularly, it's probably worth it.
So go ahead, use one of these discounts, try Simply Cook, and see what you think. Worst case, you've spent £3 (or nothing) on a box of flavor pots. Best case, you've discovered a new way to make dinner exciting again. And honestly, that's worth a lot more than £3.