What Is EveryPlate and How Does It Work?
Owned by the same parent company as HelloFresh, EveryPlate was designed as the budget-conscious alternative to more premium meal kit services. The concept is straightforward: fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards are delivered to your door, eliminating the need for meal planning and grocery shopping.
The service offers a weekly rotating menu with dozens of choices, allowing subscribers to select meals based on their preferences. EveryPlate's meals are focused on familiar, comfort-food style dishes rather than complex, gourmet creations. The company keeps costs low by simplifying recipes, using less packaging, and offering fewer menu options compared to its higher-priced siblings. This means that while you save money, you should expect to supply some basic pantry items, like cooking oil and seasonings.
The EveryPlate Process:
- Choose your plan: Select the number of people (2, 4, or 6) and meals per week (3 to 6).
- Pick your recipes: Browse the weekly menu, which includes categories like "Meat & Veggie," "Veggie," and "Quick & Easy".
- Receive your box: Ingredients arrive chilled and pre-portioned, with all items for the week packed together rather than separated by meal.
- Cook and enjoy: Follow the simple, 6-step recipe cards to prepare your meal.
The Pros and Cons: Weighing EveryPlate's Value
Like any meal kit service, EveryPlate comes with a distinct set of advantages and drawbacks. Understanding these is key to determining if it's the right fit for your household.
EveryPlate Pros: The Upside of Affordability
- Budget-Friendly: EveryPlate consistently ranks as one of the most affordable meal kit services, with meals often starting at less than $5 per serving during introductory offers. Even at regular pricing, it is significantly cheaper than competitors and often less expensive than grocery shopping.
- Convenience: All ingredients are delivered right to your doorstep, saving you time on meal planning and shopping. This is a major benefit for busy families, students, or anyone looking to reduce daily decision fatigue.
- Simple Recipes: Recipes are designed to be straightforward and easy to follow, making EveryPlate an excellent choice for beginner cooks or those with minimal culinary experience.
- Satisfying Portions: Many reviewers report that the portion sizes are generous and satisfying, with leftovers sometimes being a possibility.
- Flavorful Meals: Despite its focus on simplicity and affordability, many users praise the food for being tasty and comforting.
EveryPlate Cons: The Trade-offs for the Price
- Limited Dietary Options: This is one of EveryPlate's most significant weaknesses. The service does not cater to specific dietary preferences like vegan, paleo, or gluten-free, and offers only a handful of vegetarian options per week.
- Basic Recipes and Variety: The meals are geared towards comfort food classics, which can be repetitive over time. It is not the ideal service for adventurous cooks looking to explore unique flavor combinations.
- Inaccurate Prep Times: Some customers note that the estimated recipe times are often optimistic and can take longer in practice, especially for less experienced cooks.
- Ingredient Quality Issues: While generally good, some reviewers have reported occasional issues with less-than-fresh produce or inconsistent quality, particularly with chicken.
- Minimal Packaging and Sorting: Ingredients for the entire week are consolidated into one box, rather than separated by meal. This requires the user to sort through the items, which takes a little extra time.
EveryPlate vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head Comparison
To better understand where EveryPlate stands, let's compare it to its sister company, HelloFresh.
| Feature | EveryPlate | HelloFresh |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per Serving | Lower (typically $5-$7) | Higher (typically $9-$11) |
| Recipe Variety | 30+ recipes weekly, simpler dishes | 70+ recipes weekly, more gourmet options |
| Dietary Options | Limited, few specific diet accommodations | More options for dietary preferences like 'Calorie Smart' and 'Family Friendly' |
| Packaging | All ingredients for the week packed together | Ingredients for each meal bagged separately for easier organization |
| Convenience | Highly convenient, but requires basic pantry staples | Slightly more convenient due to meal-specific bagging |
| Best For | Budget-conscious beginners, families with picky eaters | Foodies, adventurous cooks, or those with more specific diet needs |
Is EveryPlate a Good Meal Plan for You?
The answer to this question depends largely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle. EveryPlate is an excellent solution for some but may fall short for others.
Who is EveryPlate best for?
- The Budget-Conscious: If saving money is your top priority, EveryPlate offers the best value proposition among the major meal kit services.
- Beginner Cooks: The simple, foolproof recipes are perfect for those new to cooking or anyone looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
- Busy Families: For households with demanding schedules, the service simplifies mealtime and reduces the stress of planning and shopping, with family-friendly recipes that appeal to most palates.
- Singles or Couples: Plans start with two-person servings, making it a viable and affordable option for smaller households.
- Picky Eaters: With a focus on familiar, comforting flavors, EveryPlate's menu is often more appealing to less adventurous eaters.
Who might want to skip EveryPlate?
- Those with Dietary Restrictions: If you follow a vegan, keto, gluten-free, or specific diet, EveryPlate's limited options make it unsuitable.
- Gourmet Chefs: Experienced cooks seeking culinary adventure and innovative techniques might find the recipes too basic.
- Organic Food Enthusiasts: EveryPlate does not prioritize organic or sustainably sourced ingredients to keep costs down. A service like Green Chef might be a better fit.
- Those with Specific Time Constraints: While advertised as quick, recipe times can be longer than stated. This may be a concern for those with extremely tight cooking windows.
Conclusion: Final Verdict on EveryPlate
For anyone looking to save money and time on weeknight dinners, EveryPlate is an undeniably good meal plan. It delivers on its promise of affordability and convenience, providing easy-to-make, satisfying meals that are generally delicious. The service is particularly well-suited for families, busy students, and novice cooks who appreciate straightforward recipes and hearty comfort food. The trade-offs for the low price include limited dietary flexibility and less menu variety compared to premium services. However, if your needs align with EveryPlate's offerings, its value is unmatched. The service is flexible, easy to use, and a solid choice for injecting some new, simple recipes into your home cooking routine. For more detailed hands-on testing, you can read reviews from CNET.
