Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne with Coriander Rice
Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne with Coriander Rice: independently scored 6.8/10 on Protein Score and 8.6/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
22.4g protein per serve · 442 cal · 9.5g sugar · 1251.2mg sodium · 340g serve.
Overview
The sodium hit in this tray is the first thing you notice, landing at a massive 1251mg per serve. That eats up roughly 63% of the 2000mg daily limit in a single sitting, making this Youfoodz meal an outlier even in the notoriously salty ready meal aisle. It's a trade-off for the convenience of a classic beef chilli con carne, built on a base of basmati rice with beef mince, corn, and a six-bean mix. Compared to the brand's own Shredded Beef Ravioli with Tomato Ragu, this chilli offers less protein and slightly more sugar. Stacked against the broader category, its 6.6g of protein per 100g sits well below the 10.4g average for ready meals we track, signalling it's more of a balanced meal than a protein-focused one. The protein here comes from real beef mince, which is a positive, but it only makes up 15% of the total meal. At 442 calories, it's a genuinely filling dinner, not a light snack masquerading as a meal. We see it as a backup option in the chiller at Coles for when you can't face the kitchen. The ingredient list is long at 38 items, but that's the reality of creating a complex, shelf-stable meal that just needs a few minutes in the microwave. It's a compromise between real food and pure convenience.
Protein Score: 6.8/10
This meal lands in the middle of the pack for its protein contribution, doing just enough to qualify as a solid dinner. The 22.4g of protein per serve is a decent return for a 442-calorie tray, earning it a 6/10. It clears the 20g threshold for a solid dinner, but only just. Its protein density of 5.1g per 100 calories is where it falls behind, lagging the 8g benchmark we look for in a balanced meal. This signals a higher proportion of carbs and fats relative to the protein, which is expected in a rice-based dish. The protein source is 15% beef mince, a real-food anchor that's preferable to processed fillers. Ultimately, this tray scores below the category average for ready meals. It's a serviceable option for a post-gym refuel in a pinch, but there are more efficient, higher-protein meals in the Youfoodz range and across the chiller aisle if protein is your main goal.
Clean Score: 8.6/10
Youfoodz generally keeps its ingredient lists more recognisable than many competitors, and this meal is a good example. With 38 ingredients, it sits just above the category average, but the additive count is low for a complex ready meal, helping it achieve a 7.2/10. The score is supported by the absence of artificial sweeteners, colours, or preservatives, with just a thickener (1442), flavour enhancer (635), and the acid (330) in the crushed tomatoes doing the processing work. These are common additions to ensure the texture and taste hold up after microwaving. For a shopper wanting a convenient meal without a long list of synthetic-sounding chemicals, this is a solid choice. It clears the average Clean Score for the category, reflecting a commitment to using mostly real-food ingredients like beef mince, beans, and vegetables. The trade-off is a shorter shelf life compared to frozen meals, but that's the deal with chilled ready-to-eat options.
Wins
- A solid 22.4g of protein in a single-serve tray.
- Made with real beef mince, beans and basmati rice.
- Fewer additives than the typical ready meal we score.
Watch outs
- Over 1250mg of sodium per serve, a huge amount.
- Protein per calorie is low, suggesting padding.
- Lower protein density than other meals in the range.
Ingredients
Basmati Rice (25%), Crushed Tomato (Tomato, Acid (330)), Beef Mince (15%), Corn, Sour Cream (Reduced Fat Cream (Milk), Milk Solids, Thickener (1442), Sour Cream Culture), Bean Mix (6%) (Red Kidney Beans, White Kidney Beans, Butter Beans, Chickpeas, Borlotti Beans, Salt, Acid (300)), Mild Salsa, Tomato Paste, Onion, Red Wine (Milk, Sulphites), Canola Oil, Taco Seasoning, Garlic, Carrot, Pepper Lime Seasoning (Flavour Enhancer (635)), Beef Booster, Natural Flavour, Vegetable Booster, Salt, Mexican Chilli Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Italian Herbs, Ground Coriander (0.1%) (Wheat), Black Pepper, Parsley.
38 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sodium is in the Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne?
- The Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne contains 1251.2mg of sodium in a single 340g tray, which is a significant amount for one meal in Australia. This represents approximately 63% of the 2000mg daily sodium limit suggested for adults. While convenient, eating meals with this level of sodium regularly could make it difficult to stay within daily health guidelines. For our 2026 index, this is one of the higher sodium meals we have scored in the ready meal category, making it a choice for occasional convenience rather than a daily staple.
- Is Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne a stronger on the numbers meal choice?
- We can't say if it's a stronger on the numbers choice for you specifically, but the data for 2026 shows a mixed nutritional profile for Australian shoppers. On one hand, it delivers a solid 22.4g of protein and 6.8g of fibre per serve, which helps with satiety. On the other hand, it carries a very high sodium load at 1251.2mg, over half the daily limit. It also contains over 7g of saturated fat. It's a trade-off between convenience, protein content, and a significant sodium and fat hit.
- How much protein is in the Youfoodz Beef Chilli?
- A single 340g tray of Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne provides 22.4 grams of protein. This is enough to be considered a solid dinner for an average adult, helping to refuel after a workout or provide a filling meal. The protein comes primarily from 15% beef mince. However, when measured by protein density, it offers 5.1g of protein for every 100 calories, which suggests the meal is bulked out with its basmati rice and sauce base rather than being purely protein-dense.
- Is the Youfoodz Beef Chilli good for meal prep?
- This meal is not ideal for frequent eating as part of a weekly meal prep plan due to its extremely high sodium content. One serve contains 1251.2mg of sodium, which is about 63% of the daily recommended limit. Relying on this meal several times a week would make it very challenging to maintain a balanced sodium intake. It's better suited as a one-off backup meal from the chiller aisle when you're short on time, rather than a staple you eat on consecutive days.
- What's in Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne?
- Youfoodz Beef Chilli Con Carne is made from a list of 38 ingredients, with the main components being basmati rice (25%), crushed tomatoes, and beef mince (15%). It also includes a bean mix, corn, sour cream, and various seasonings. To achieve its flavour and texture, the recipe uses thickeners like (1442), an acid (330), and a flavour enhancer (635). While it uses real food ingredients like meat and vegetables, it's a moderately processed meal designed for convenience and a long shelf life in the chiller.
- Where can I buy Youfoodz meals in Australia?
- Youfoodz ready meals are widely available in the chiller aisle at major Australian supermarkets like Coles. According to the brand's website, they are also stocked at other retailers including Woolworths and various independent grocers. Youfoodz is owned by HelloFresh and started as a meal delivery service, so you may also be able to purchase meals directly from their website. We haven't independently verified all stockists, but Coles are the most common place to find them.
- Youfoodz Beef Chilli vs Shredded Beef Ravioli: which is better?
- When comparing the two Youfoodz meals, the Shredded Beef Ravioli has a slightly stronger nutritional profile on a per-100g basis. The Ravioli contains 7.7g of protein per 100g, which is 1.1g more than the 6.6g in the Beef Chilli. It also has slightly less sugar. While both are convenient ready meals, if you're choosing between the two based on protein density, the Shredded Beef Ravioli is the more efficient option within the Youfoodz range.
- How does ProteinScore rate the Youfoodz Beef Chilli?
- We don't give nutritional advice, but we score products based on their data. The Youfoodz Beef Chilli scores below the category average for protein. Its 22.4g of protein per serve is solid, but the protein-per-100-calorie figure of 5.1g is low, indicating it's less efficient at delivering protein than other meals. This means a larger portion of its calories come from carbohydrates and fats rather than protein, which is a key factor in our scoring.