{"id":1919437,"date":"2023-10-06T10:27:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T15:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1919437"},"modified":"2025-04-08T17:38:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T22:38:20","slug":"everyplate-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/everyplate-review\/","title":{"rendered":"EveryPlate Review: This Meal Kit Balances High Quality and Low Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"As a writer, my creative juices flow from nine to five, and sometimes, I'm a bit tapped come dinnertime. After hours of coming up with witty captions, fresh angles and that just-right adjective, I don't always have the urge to muster equally imaginative recipes. That's why I'm so grateful that on those days, I have the contents of a meal kit tucked away in my fridge.\r\n\r\nThe best meal kits<\/a> take the effort out of meal planning without sacrificing variety and quality. EveryPlate<\/a> is the latest of many that I've tried. Owned by the HelloFresh Group and touted as the company's most affordable service, this kit did not disappoint. Let's dig into my EveryPlate reviews of each recipe in the box.\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"We Tried It\" product_name=\"EveryPlate\" short_description=\"EveryPlate meal kits are an affordable way to have delicious recipes and all their ingredients delivered straight to your door.\" image=\"2065679\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"EveryPlate\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-9070496-13519175\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on EveryPlate\" \/]\r\n

What is EveryPlate?<\/h2>\r\nEveryPlate<\/a> follows the same formula as most other meal kit delivery services on the market, especially those also owned by the HelloFresh Group, such as Green Chef and, of course, HelloFresh<\/a>. Offering an exceptional user experience, the service allows customers to select up to <\/span><\/span>five<\/span><\/span> recipes with yields of two, four or six servings on a weekly basis.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nThe well-insulated box of ingredients for the preselected recipes then arrives on your doorstep, typically by Wednesday of the given week. The\u00a0family-friendly meals<\/a> are as low as $5.99 per serving, depending<\/span>\u00a0on how many meals and servings you purchase, and you\u2019ll have <\/span><\/span>25+<\/span><\/span> signature, semi-customizable recipes from which to choose each week.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nWhile EveryPlate can be more affordable than eating out, it can also make healthier meals more accessible. Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, Registered Dietitian at Balance One Supplements<\/a>, says, \"Meal delivery services reduce reliance on dining out\u2014a practice associated with larger portions, hidden calories and less control over ingredients\u2014ultimately contributing to better dietary decisions.\"\r\n

EveryPlate Features<\/h2>\r\n\"An\r\n\r\nEveryPlate reviews set this meal kit apart from competitors, such as Blue Apron<\/a> and Marley Spoon<\/a>, mainly for its low price\u2014a price the company is able to offer because of packaging adjustments and condensed menu options. That being said, there are still <\/span><\/span>around 25<\/span><\/span> meals from which to choose each week. Choose from three to five meals per week, each available with up to six servings.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nThen comes the fun part, at least for me: sifting through all the delicious-looking recipes and picking which ones I want on my plate ASAP. For my box, I chose chicken scallopini, sticky soy pork burgers and creamy corn and bacon chowder. I opted out of any add-ons, but you can bulk up your box with items like garlic bread, egg bites or cheesecake for a small price if you like.\r\n\r\nThe recipes are conveniently labeled with signifiers such as \"Customer Fave,\" \"Easy Cleanup\" or \"30 Min or Less,\" so you know exactly what you're signing up for. And if you're not feeling any of the offerings, you can skip weeks or cancel altogether at any time.\r\n\r\nEach meal's ingredients arrive fresh at your doorstep. \"Prioritizing fresh, high-quality ingredients contributes to the overall nutritional value of the meals, differentiating them from some restaurant offerings that rely on processed or less healthy components,\" says Best.\r\n

How We Tested EveryPlate<\/h2>\r\n\"Everyplate\r\n\r\nMy EveryPlate box arrived on a Wednesday afternoon. I immediately unpacked it and tossed all the ingredients in the fridge. The non-meat ingredients, such as sauces, veggies and grains, are compiled in a cardboard box. Then, check underneath the ice packs for your proteins\u2014I've made that mistake before! Despite the packaging adjustments that partially account for the low cost of the box, the items arrived cold and in great shape. I cooked them all the very next day.\r\n

Chicken Scallopini<\/h3>\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nFor those who don't know (read: me before ordering this box), chicken scallopini<\/a> is thinly sliced chicken that's dredged in flour, pan-fried and served with a sauce, in this case, a lemon-garlic cream sauce. The full meal also included roasted broccoli and cubed potatoes. So, in addition to the aforementioned steps of dredging, pan-frying and whisking together a cream sauce, I also had to chop, season and bake the potatoes and broccoli.\r\n\r\nThe instructions included some helpful pointers that I might not have considered, such as adjusting the oven racks so the potatoes would bake right at the top of the oven and the broccoli would go in the middle. This lent itself to a perfect cook on both. However, I would've preferred the instructions had me add the broccoli halfway through the potatoes' cook time rather than pulling them out halfway through the potatoes' cook time so that both would've been hot when eating.\r\n\r\nThe dredging process was super easy\u2014I appreciated that the instructions had me sprinkle the flour over the chicken, then pat until it adhered, rather than having me add the flour to a bowl, toss the chicken in there and dirty extra pans. After the chicken was cooked, I was able to stir together the sauce in the same skillet. Achieving that smooth, lemony sauce was so straightforward.\r\n\r\n\"Chicken\r\n\r\nAlthough one piece of chicken was on the slightly dry side, in all, it was a nourishing, filling meal that those sitting around my table really enjoyed. The potatoes were crisped to perfection, and the lemon cream sauce added a welcome brightness to this comfort-food dish. I will note, though, that it took me nearly an hour to prepare, rather than the quoted 40 minutes.\r\n

Sticky Soy Pork Burgers<\/h3>\r\nWhen eagerly awaiting the arrival of my EveryPlate box, this is the meal about which I was most excited. And after taste-testing them all, it was certainly the most unique, in a largely positive way. The recipe entails chopping, seasoning and baking the potato wedges; making a cilantro slaw; and forming and cooking the pork patties on the stovetop (there's also a ground beef version).\r\n\r\nDespite looking like something you'd find on a restaurant menu, this recipe was super easy to put together. Although I'd make some tiny tweaks if I were to make it again, such as julienning the potatoes so they cooked better, seasoning the patties slightly more, or adding less mayo to the slaw, I found it to be a juicy, delicious burger that stands out from many of the tired, go-to recipes in my repertoire.\r\n\r\nThe glaze on the sticky soy pork burgers<\/a>, made of soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, lime, ginger and a couple of other ingredients, really took things up a notch. The potato buns were a fluffy, tender complement to the equally tender pork. Although this recipe took me 42 instead of 35 minutes to make, I could certainly see myself revisiting this recipe.\r\n

Creamy Corn and Bacon Chowder<\/h3>\r\nI've had some really incredible salads from meal kit delivery services, so it was time to try a soup. With a few favorite ingredients of mine such as bacon, cream cheese, jalapeno and potatoes, the creamy corn and bacon chowder<\/a> was a slam-dunk for me. In fact, I'd say the bacon was the highest-quality ingredient in the whole box.\r\n\r\nFirst, I chopped the potatoes, onion and jalapeno. Then I saut\u00e9ed the aromatics and seasonings in butter before adding flour and then milk. Next, I added milk, water, chicken stock and potatoes and cooked until the potatoes were tender. Meanwhile, I crisped up the bacon to just my liking. Lastly, I stirred in cream cheese, some of the bacon and corn, then topped it with jalapeno, more bacon and sour cream. Easy, peasy!\r\n\r\nAlthough this was my favorite recipe of the bunch flavor-wise, there were some minor drawbacks. First, the recipe required milk but did not provide it. Luckily, I keep dairy milk on hand, but at this point in time, I know many households do not. Furthermore, unlike the other meals, there were no side dishes, so I needed to make my own; this wasn't an all-in-one kit. Lastly, it took me 45 minutes to make instead of the quoted 35.\r\n\r\nTo end on a bright note, it tasted dang good. The cream cheese added a tanginess where other corn chowders sometimes fall flat. The combination of textures with the crispy bacon, tender corn, semi-mashed potatoes and raw jalapeno was delightful. And the recipe made way more than two servings, in my opinion. Leftovers I can get behind!\r\n

2024 Tests<\/h3>\r\n\"Southwest\r\n\r\nWe originally wrote and published this piece in 2022. Since then, we\u2019ve tested this service again to ensure our opinion remains current. Secondary tester Dylan Fischer<\/a> notes that, in terms of flexibility, EveryPlate delivers\u2014literally. Deliveries take place any day of the week, depending on each customer's chosen schedule. Each delivery takes place sometime between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on the chosen day, with the option to skip or cancel at any time.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Dylan notes that even though navigating through all the options is a bit cumbersome due to the lack of menu filters, there's a pretty good variety with EveryPlate. Every recipe you select has an option for add-ons with an upcharge.\r\n\r\n[quote-card quote=\"EveryPlate definitely expects a little more from the customer, both in terms of skill level and on-hand ingredients. But the end results are meals that feel more robust and bring more complex flavors.\" name=\"Dylan fischer\" title=\"product tester\" \/]\r\n
There's also an entirely different menu storefront for add-ons in case you want to replace some of your weekly shopping with the service. Choices include \"Bundle Boxes,\" traditional online grocery and a la carte menu items. Bundle Boxes are boxes full of snacks like crackers, cookies, chips and other pantry stockers. The Grocery Store is the ingredient storefront with things like proteins, veggies and sides. A La Carte consists of sides like mac and cheese, roasted asparagus, sliders and other menu items.<\/div>\r\nDylan chose a menu consisting of southwest pork flautas, a shawarma chickpeas and feta bowl, cheesy smokehouse beef hash, crispy chicken honey biscuits and chicken scallopini. Of those, the chicken scallopini secured a spot as his favorite.\r\n\r\n\"Absolutely delicious,\" he says of the dish. \"Quite possibly the top three of all the recipes I've made this month, which was a bit surprising. I think the really big ingredient here was the sauce. Sour cream, chicken stock, garlic and lemon zest were so creamy, and the lemon was very subtle.\"\r\n\r\n\"Shwarma\r\n\r\nThat said, he does note that EveryPlate expects customers to have a few ingredients on hand\u2014things like oil, pepper and sometimes milk. Additionally, the prep for these meals is a bit more involved, making them ideal for folks with little existing kitchen experience. He especially noticed this with the pork flautas.\r\n\r\n\"Chopping the veggies and cooking the meat was nothing new for this test, but prepping the tortillas was definitely a unique step. Each one had to be rubbed down with oil before wrapping it and placing it on the baking sheet. Again, this recipe is just a bit more involved than other recipes. This would be a fun one to do with two people,\" he says.\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n