Navigating the world of meal kits can feel overwhelming, especially with the growing number of options tailored to different tastes and lifestyles. If you’re torn between Home Chef and EveryPlate, you’re not alone. These two meal kit services cater to very different audiences, offering unique benefits and pricing structures.
At The Meal Kit Review, we’ve spent weeks testing and tasting meals from both services in 2024 to bring you a comprehensive comparison. Whether you’re focused on budget-friendly simplicity or diverse culinary options, this guide will help you decide which meal kit best suits your needs.
Why Meal Kits Are Worth Considering
Meal kits have revolutionized the way we approach cooking, offering a convenient and stress-free alternative to traditional meal prep. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or someone looking to spice up their weekly menu, meal kits can simplify your routine while delivering delicious, home-cooked meals.
Here’s why they’re worth considering:
Save Time Without Sacrificing Quality
Meal kits eliminate the need for meal planning and grocery shopping. Everything you need is delivered to your door, pre-measured and ready to go. With recipes designed to be simple and efficient, you can whip up tasty dishes in 30 minutes or less.
Budget-Friendly Options for All
Contrary to the belief that meal kits are expensive, many services cater to budget-conscious consumers. By providing just the right amount of ingredients, meal kits help reduce food waste and eliminate the need for costly takeout or dining out.
Expand Your Culinary Skills
Meal kits are like a mini cooking class in your own kitchen. They guide you step-by-step through recipes, making it easy to try new techniques and cuisines you might not attempt otherwise.
Tailored to Your Dietary Preferences
From vegetarian and gluten-free to keto and low-calorie, there’s a meal kit for almost every dietary preference. These tailored options make it easier to stick to your health goals without compromising on flavor.
Perfectly Portioned, Less Waste
With pre-portioned ingredients, meal kits minimize leftovers and food waste. This is a win-win for your wallet and the environment.
Whether you’re looking for convenience, variety, or a way to make mealtime exciting again, meal kits offer a practical and enjoyable solution.
TL;DR: Home Chef vs. EveryPlate: Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Home Chef | EveryPlate |
Starting Price | $9.99 per serving | $4.99 per serving |
Shipping | $10.99–$13.99 per box | $9.99 per box |
Menu Options | 35+ meals per week | 30+ meals per week |
Dietary Preferences | Keto, vegetarian, paleo, low-carb, pescatarian, and more | Vegetarian, family-friendly, calorie-smart options |
Preparation Style | Meal kits, oven-ready, and microwaveable meals | Meal kits with easy-to-follow recipes |
Add-Ons | Breakfasts, snacks, desserts, and protein packs | Limited add-ons like proteins and sides |
Customization | Swap proteins or increase portions | Limited customization options |
Best For | Diverse menus and dietary flexibility | Budget-conscious families and simple meals |
About Home Chef
Home Chef is a meal kit delivery service designed to bring the joy of cooking to your kitchen with minimal hassle. Founded in 2013, this service is designed for individuals and families who want to enjoy restaurant-quality meals without the hassle. With options for oven-ready and microwaveable meals, Home Chef caters to those with busy schedules while maintaining a commitment to flavor and quality.
Key Features:
- Variety: Over 35 weekly menu options spanning cuisines like Italian, Mexican, and American classics.
- Customization: Swap proteins or double portions to suit your preferences.
- Dietary Support: Accommodates keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, and more.
- Convenience: Includes options like microwaveable meals and oven-ready dishes for busy schedules.
Home Chef is particularly well-suited for those who enjoy cooking but don’t want the stress of planning or shopping. Its customization options and family-friendly approach make it a standout choice for diverse households.
About EveryPlate
EveryPlate is one of the most budget-friendly meal kit services available. As a sister company to HelloFresh, it maintains high-quality standards while focusing on affordability. EveryPlate offers a curated selection of comforting, easy-to-make meals that are perfect for busy families and individuals on a tight budget.
Key Features:
- Affordability: Starting at just $4.99 per serving, it’s one of the most budget-friendly options on the market.
- Simplicity: Recipes with minimal steps and fewer ingredients for easy preparation.
- Dietary Support: Options for vegetarian, calorie-smart, quick and easy, and family-friendly meals.
- Convenience: Pre-portioned ingredients and simple cooking instructions, perfect for beginners or busy schedules.
EveryPlate is a fantastic choice for those who prioritize affordability and efficiency. While its menu variety and customization options are more limited than some competitors, it delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing meals at a fraction of the cost.
A Closer Look at Home Chef vs. EveryPlate
Pros and Cons
Home Chef Pros:
- Broad menu variety with over 35 weekly options.
- Strong dietary support, including keto, paleo, and vegetarian.
- Convenient options like oven-ready and microwaveable meals.
- Customization features for proteins and portions.
Home Chef Cons:
- Higher starting price at $9.99 per serving.
- Fewer quick-prep options compared to EveryPlate.
EveryPlate Pros:
- Highly affordable at $4.99 per serving.
- Simple, beginner-friendly recipes.
- Focus on comfort food with family-friendly options.
- Basic customization for proteins and sides.
EveryPlate Cons:
- Limited menu variety with about 30 weekly options.
- Less dietary support for specific preferences like keto or gluten-free.
Pricing
Home Chef
Home Chef starts at $9.99 per serving, with premium meals or protein upgrades available for an additional cost. Shipping ranges from $10.99 to $13.99 per box, depending on your location. While it’s on the pricier side, Home Chef frequently offers discounts for new customers, making it an attractive option for first-time users.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal kit options, with meals starting at $4.99 per serving and a flat $9.99 shipping fee per box. Optional premium meals and add-ons are competitively priced at $4.99 per serving, making EveryPlate a budget-friendly choice for those seeking value without compromising on quality.
Both services offer promotional discounts, but EveryPlate takes the lead for affordability, especially for larger families or individuals looking to minimize weekly costs.
Diet Support
Home Chef
Home Chef caters to a wide variety of dietary needs, offering meal plans that include:
- Keto
- Paleo
- Low-carb
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Pescatarian
Its customizable protein options and portion flexibility make it ideal for those with specific preferences or restrictions. This versatility ensures Home Chef can accommodate diverse household needs.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate offers straightforward dietary plans, including:
- Meat & Veggie
- Veggie
- Family Faves
- Quick & Easy
- Calorie Smart
While less specialized than Home Chef, EveryPlate provides balanced meals that suit broader dietary categories, making it a great fit for individuals or families without strict requirements.
Home Chef stands out for its extensive dietary accommodations, whereas EveryPlate excels in providing practical and accessible meal options for general audiences.
Meal Preparation
Home Chef
Home Chef focuses on convenience with options for:
- Oven-ready meals
- Microwaveable dishes
- Quick-prep kits
Most recipes take between 15 and 30 minutes to prepare, with minimal cleanup required. Home Chef’s organized packaging and pre-prepped ingredients further streamline the cooking process.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate emphasizes simplicity, offering recipes that take 25–45 minutes to prepare. Meals are designed with fewer ingredients and easy instructions, making them accessible to beginner cooks. While the packaging requires some sorting, the pre-portioned ingredients ensure hassle-free preparation.
Home Chef’s pre-prepped ingredients and faster meal options give it an edge for those with limited time, while EveryPlate’s simple recipes are perfect for those seeking affordable comfort food with minimal effort.
Meal Options
Home Chef
Home Chef provides a weekly menu with over 35 rotating options, including diverse cuisines like Italian, Mexican, and American. The menu includes meal kits, oven-ready meals, and microwaveable options, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. You can also find specialty dishes and premium meals that elevate the dining experience, ideal for a treat.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate focuses on hearty, comfort-style meals with a weekly selection of 30+ recipes. The dishes are straightforward, making them great for families or those new to cooking. While the menu is smaller, it includes options like vegetarian and calorie-smart meals, ensuring variety without overwhelming choices.
The Meal Kit Review’s Taste Test and Favorite Meals
At The Meal Kit Review, we tested both Home Chef and EveryPlate to compare their flavors, quality, and ease of preparation. Here’s what stood out:
EveryPlate Favorite Meals
- Sweet Chili Chicken with Scallion Rice: Tender chicken glazed in sweet and spicy chili sauce, served over aromatic scallion rice with roasted carrots for a colorful, balanced plate.
- Cheesy Southwest Beef Tacodillas: Packed with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and zesty pico de gallo, these crispy “tacodillas” are a fusion of fun and flavor.
- Jammin’ Fig Pork Chops: Juicy pork chops topped with a sweet fig glaze, paired with roasted green beans and crispy potatoes for a homestyle dinner.
- Cuban-Style Black Beans & Rice Bowls: A vibrant, hearty dish with seasoned black beans, lime crema, and fresh salsa fresca, served over fluffy rice.
Both services delivered satisfying meals with easy-to-follow recipes. Home Chef excelled with its diverse and customizable options, while EveryPlate stood out for its hearty, budget-friendly classics.
Home Chef Favorite Meals
- Creamy Peppercorn Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans: A comforting classic with tender chicken smothered in a rich peppercorn sauce, complemented by creamy mashed potatoes and crisp green beans.
- BBQ Shrimp with Smoky Corn & Rice Pilaf: Sweet, tangy BBQ shrimp paired with smoky, flavorful rice pilaf for a dish that’s both fun and satisfying.
- One-Pan Mushroom Stroganoff: A creamy, earthy dish featuring tender mushrooms and perfectly cooked noodles, ready in no time.
Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Wedges: Juicy pork tenderloin with a crunchy herb crust, served with perfectly roasted sweet potato wedges for a balanced, flavorful meal.
Optional Add-Ons
Home Chef
Home Chef provides an impressive array of add-ons to complement your weekly meals. These include breakfast items like egg bites, soups, and salads for quick lunches, protein packs for added flexibility, and desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. The “Customize It” feature also allows you to swap or double proteins in select meals, adding even more personalization.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate offers a simpler selection of add-ons, focusing on practical options like additional proteins, vegetables, and sides. Premium meals are also available weekly for an extra cost, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy elevated dishes without significantly increasing their budget.
Ingredients Quality and Nutritional Value
Home Chef
Home Chef prioritizes fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced seasonally, occasionally including organic options. The company partners with local suppliers to ensure the produce and proteins are top-notch. Nutritional information is available for every meal, with calorie counts typically ranging between 500 and 800 per serving, making it easy to meet dietary goals.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate also emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from regional suppliers to maintain affordability and quality. Meals are well-balanced, with a focus on comfort foods, and typically contain 500 to 900 calories per serving. Nutritional and allergen information is clearly provided on the website and recipe cards, ensuring transparency and ease of planning.
Subscribing and Canceling
Home Chef
Subscribing to Home Chef is straightforward. After choosing your meal preferences, dietary needs, and serving sizes, you can easily select meals for the upcoming week through their intuitive website or app. The platform also allows users to swap meals, customize proteins, and manage add-ons up to the cutoff date before delivery. Cancelling or pausing your subscription is hassle-free, with no long-term commitments required.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate offers a simple subscription process where you select your meal plan, serving size, and weekly recipes. The user-friendly website and app make it easy to adjust preferences, skip weeks, or cancel altogether. While the customization options aren’t as extensive as Home Chef’s, EveryPlate focuses on delivering a no-fuss experience that suits budget-conscious users.
Delivery Areas
Home Chef
Home Chef delivers to 98% of the United States, with flexible delivery days depending on your location. Their boxes are well-insulated and designed to keep ingredients fresh during transit, ensuring a hassle-free experience regardless of where you are.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate also covers most of the United States, offering flexible delivery options based on your zip code. Like Home Chef, their delivery boxes are insulated and include ice packs to maintain ingredient freshness during transit. While the packaging is more minimalist to reduce costs, it’s still effective in ensuring quality upon arrival.
What Customers Think
To get a better sense of what real customers think about Home Chef and EveryPlate, we delved into Reddit discussions. Here’s what users had to say about their experiences with these meal kit services:
EveryPlate Highlights:
EveryPlate earns praise for its no-frills, affordable approach. Users enjoy its straightforward recipes and generous discounts, which make it easy to get started. Some did find the portions a bit small and the menu less varied than other services. Despite these minor drawbacks, EveryPlate’s ease of use and budget-friendly options make it a favorite among cost-conscious households.
Home Chef Highlights:
Home Chef wins points for its variety and flexibility, offering options like oven-ready meals and customizable recipes. Many users love its restaurant-inspired dishes and the convenience of having pre-portioned ingredients. While some noted that portions might be too small for leftovers, others appreciated the portion control. Home Chef’s discounts and promotions are another big plus, though full-price subscriptions can feel steep.
Our Dietician’s Opinion
Katie Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, CLC, shares her insights on Home Chef and EveryPlate:
“Home Chef and EveryPlate are both great options for individuals and families looking to simplify mealtime while maintaining a balanced diet. However, they cater to slightly different needs.
Home Chef’s variety of meal plans, including options like keto, low-carb, and vegetarian, makes it a versatile choice for those with specific dietary preferences or goals. Its ‘Customize It’ feature also allows users to adjust proteins or portions, which is particularly beneficial for managing calorie intake or dietary requirements.
EveryPlate is an excellent option for those prioritizing affordability while still enjoying home-cooked meals. Although it offers fewer dietary-specific options, its portion sizes and balanced recipes make it a solid choice for families or individuals looking for wholesome, budget-friendly meals.
For those with dietary restrictions or specific nutrition goals, Home Chef provides more flexibility. For those focusing on convenience and cost savings, EveryPlate delivers excellent value without compromising on taste or balance.”
Katie recommends considering your dietary needs and lifestyle to decide which service best aligns with your health goals.
Who Is It Best For?
Home Chef
Home Chef is ideal for individuals and families looking for a customizable and diverse meal kit service. It caters to a wide range of dietary needs, such as vegetarian, keto, and low-calorie preferences, making it perfect for those with specific health goals. The add-ons, like breakfasts, desserts, and snacks, also make Home Chef a great choice for those who want more variety throughout the week.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate is the perfect option for budget-conscious users who still want to enjoy the benefits of a meal kit. It’s especially well-suited for families with picky eaters or those who prefer comfort food classics. While it doesn’t offer as many dietary options, its simplicity and affordability make it a practical choice for anyone looking to save time and money.
Final Recommendation
After comparing Home Chef and EveryPlate, Home Chef emerges as the clear winner for 2024. While both services simplify meal planning and make home cooking more accessible, Home Chef stands out with its greater variety, customization options, and ability to cater to dietary preferences like keto, paleo, and vegetarian. Its add-ons, including breakfasts and snacks, create a complete meal solution for individuals and families alike.
EveryPlate remains an excellent option for those prioritizing affordability. With its straightforward recipes and comfort-food focus, it’s perfect for anyone seeking hearty, crowd-pleasing meals without stretching their budget.
Ultimately, the choice between Home Chef and EveryPlate depends on what matters most to you—whether it’s variety and customization or keeping costs as low as possible. Either way, both services deliver convenience, quality, and delicious meals that make life a little easier.
