For many new parents, the daily task of preparing meals for the family can feel overwhelming. One new mother, having previously relied on simple 'girl dinners' or takeout, found herself facing the logistical challenges of feeding a family. The constant cycle of meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning became a significant burden, compounded by a lack of prior extensive kitchen experience. This often led to wasted food, time, and money on ambitious recipes that her son wouldn't eat. In her quest for a more efficient and economical solution, she discovered EveryPlate, a meal kit service that claims to be the most affordable on the market. Intrigued yet skeptical, she embarked on a journey to determine if EveryPlate could truly offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative to conventional grocery shopping.
EveryPlate Meal Kit: A Detailed Review of Convenience and Cost
Our featured mom, a newcomer to extensive home cooking since becoming a mother a year and a half ago, found herself struggling with the daily demands of family mealtimes. Her previous cooking habits, which largely consisted of easy 'girl dinners' or frequent takeout orders, left her ill-equipped for the comprehensive effort required to feed a family consistently. The logistical burden—encompassing meal planning, ingredient procurement, actual cooking, and subsequent cleanup—proved to be a significant and often costly learning curve. She recounts numerous instances of attempting elaborate recipes that her toddler refused to eat, leading to considerable waste of food, precious time, and financial resources. This frustration prompted her to explore EveryPlate, a meal kit service widely advertised for its affordability, offering meals at approximately $6.99 per serving, with the promise of simple preparation. Despite her initial doubts about whether a meal kit could genuinely be more economical than traditional grocery shopping, she decided to put it to the test.
Upon subscribing, she quickly recognized EveryPlate's focus on cost-efficiency rather than gourmet culinary experiences. The recipes are designed to be straightforward, using a limited number of common ingredients, which contributes to their lower price point compared to competitors, which often charge between $8 and $12 per serving. EveryPlate's weekly menu features around 30 rotating options, primarily consisting of typical weeknight dinners such as chicken and vegetable dishes, various pastas, skillet meals, burgers, and stir-fries. While some premium items like steak and seafood are available, they usually incur a small additional charge. The service also provides some vegetarian options, but it is not tailored to highly specific dietary needs like keto, vegan, gluten-free, or allergen-sensitive diets. However, there is some flexibility, allowing subscribers to swap sides or occasionally proteins.
When her first EveryPlate box arrived, it contained pre-portioned ingredients and detailed recipe cards. Unlike some services, ingredients were not pre-bundled by meal, necessitating a brief sorting process before cooking. This approach, however, significantly reduces packaging waste. EveryPlate also operates on the assumption that subscribers possess basic kitchen essentials such as oil, butter, salt, pepper, eggs, or milk, as these are not included in deliveries, further cutting down costs.
To rigorously compare costs, she ordered three different EveryPlate meals, each designed for four servings, and then purchased the exact same ingredients from her local grocery store, Ralph's. For each meal, she meticulously tracked two grocery store costs: one for buying all ingredients fresh, and another that accounted for pantry staples she already owned. It's worth noting that EveryPlate charges a flat weekly shipping fee of $10.99. Since she opted for the minimum order of three meals, the per-recipe shipping cost was approximately $3.67. This cost decreases proportionally if more meals are ordered in a single delivery.
The first recipe she tried was Crispy Buffalo Ranch Chicken. The EveryPlate version cost $7.91 per serving, including shipping. At the grocery store, buying all new ingredients brought the cost to $11.99 per serving. However, when factoring in pantry staples she already owned (garlic, ranch dressing, honey, and breadcrumbs), the grocery store cost dropped to $7.60 per serving, slightly undercutting EveryPlate's price. She praised this recipe for its manageable preparation, simple ingredient list, and clear, step-by-step instructions with photos. The dish, essentially a sheet-pan meal, allowed for easy cooking and minimal cleanup, which she greatly appreciated as a busy parent. The meal was flavorful, satisfying, and toddler-friendly, confirming EveryPlate's promise of simple, cost-effective meals.
Next, she prepared the Maple Pecan Chicken. This meal cost $7.91 per serving with EveryPlate. The grocery store equivalent was $11.86 per serving when all ingredients were bought new, reducing to $8.36 per serving with existing pantry items (maple syrup and chicken stock). The preparation for this dish was similar to the first, involving basic chopping and cooking. Although it required slightly more active cooking time due to pan-searing and glaze preparation, it remained manageable. The maple-pecan glaze was a pleasant surprise, elevating the meal's flavor beyond her expectations and reinforcing the value proposition of EveryPlate.
The third and final recipe was Dijon Butter Steak with Roasted Asparagus & Rosemary Mashed Potatoes. This meal included a steak upcharge, bringing the EveryPlate cost to $9.16 per serving. Intriguingly, the grocery store cost was lower: $8.20 per serving for all new ingredients, and just $7.01 per serving with pantry staples. This particular meal highlighted that EveryPlate's cost advantage diminishes when premium proteins are selected. While the rosemary mashed potatoes were a personal highlight, the steak was underwhelming, and the overall meal felt less distinctive, especially after two similar chicken-and-sides dishes. This experience underscored both the efficiency and the potential redundancy in EveryPlate's streamlined meal formats.
EveryPlate presents a compelling option for those seeking a balance between convenience and cost in meal preparation. While it may not always be cheaper than meticulously planned grocery shopping, especially when considering existing pantry staples or premium ingredient upgrades, its value lies in the significant time and effort it saves. For busy individuals or families, particularly new parents, the reduction in mental load from meal planning, list-making, and grocery store trips can be invaluable. The service offers a practical middle ground, providing simple, repeatable, and generally affordable meals that ease the stress of daily cooking without breaking the bank or overwhelming the cook.
