Plated is ideal for foodies and people who love to cook at home. They provide a variety of meat, veggies and seafood meals as well as desserts.
Pricing: $9.95- $11.95 (Updated Sep 2018)
MEAL KIT
Blue Apron delivers all the freshest meats, fish, fruits, and veggies direct to your door in an insulated box.
Pricing: $7.49 – $9.99
(Updated to Sep 2018)
MEAL KITS
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Over the last few years, there have been many changes in the meal kit industry. With many new companies entering the industry, there is now much diversity and many options available for the consumer. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know which option is the best for you.
That is where we come in – Comparing all the companies that are available and providing a breakdown, so you are better able to select the company that is the perfect match for you.
Comparing all the companies that are available and providing a breakdown, so you are better able to select the company that is the perfect match for you. Two of the most well-known companies in the meal kit industry are Blue Apron and Plated. They have many things in common, but there are also a few important differences, so let’s get started!
Variety of plan
In this category Plated offers a flexibility – with 3 different plan options: 2,3 or 4-person servings and with each you can choose 2, 3 or 4 recipes per week.
With Blue Apron you have 2 plan options:
- Family Plan for 4 people – which provides 2-4 dishes per week.
- A Classic Plan for 2 people – you can choose 2 or 3 recipes a week.
Variety of dishes
When it comes to a variety of dishes, the winner is Plated, offering an enormous amount of 20 dishes per week! This is regardless of what plan you choose! Blue Apron offers a selection of 8 dishes with the Classic Plan, whereas the Family Plan they only offers a selection of 4 dishes per week. With both companies, you will find dishes that include vegetables, meat, poultry, pork, fish and seafood, but the diversity of dishes with Plated is better – many vegetarian dishes, low calories, kids friendly, high gourmet or casual food – you can find it all among the 20 dish weekly selection.
Style and complexity of dishes
We tried dishes from Both Blue Apron and Plated, and all the dishes were good. It would appear that some of the recipes offered by plated require a little more sophisticated cooking, and that is certainly a nice option if you are interested. But don’t worry – Since they offer 20 recipes per week you can also easily select less sophisticated options.
Few dishes we tried from Plated: Spicy Crunchy Shrimp Bowls, Seared Steak or Roasted Eggplant Moussaka.
Few dishes we tried from blue apron: Curry Chicken & Vegetables, Roasted Fall Vegetable & Farro Salad or a more classic dish like Parisian Steak Frites.
Quality of products
Both Blue Apron and Plated offer very high-quality products. They both use farm fresh seasonal products and where they can, they also include organic ingredients. Blue Apron state that all meats they use have no added hormones and the seafood is always sustainably sourced. Plated state that they use 100% antibiotic-free meats, beef with no added hormones and sustainably sourced fish and seafood whenever possible. some of the ingredients used by Plated are handcrafted specialty items, and they supplement premium quality produce with organic ones when possible.
The Box
Both companies deliver your order in a specifically designed and labeled carton box. Both place the proteins requiring refrigeration on the bottom of the box with sufficient ice, so the box can stay outside for few hours without any issues. The main difference between the two boxes is the organisation within the box.
Plated ensures that the ingredients of each dish have been sorted and labeled in a plastic bag so there is little sorting required. This is opposed to Blue Apron that does not label most of their ingredients and they are packed loosely inside the box. The only thing wrapped individually for each dish are small ingredients like spices, vinegar etc. So with Blue Apron, it is important to keep in mind that you will have to sort and match the ingredients of each dish which is an important time consideration.
The app and website
Both companies offer a well-organized and easy to use website and app. You can register, choose or change your plan, define your eating preferences, select dishes, change payment method etc – all online in a very easy and user-friendly way. We found Plated app a bit more user friendly and easy to use.
Terms of plan
Both companies offer its service as a subscription service and not as a one-off. Both companies provide the option of holding your account if you are needing to skip a week. They also both offer flexibility in being able to nominate your delivery day. With Plated the cancellation of your account is easier as it can be done through the app/website. This is opposed to Blue Apron that requires you to contact their customer service for cancellation.
Add-ons
Plated offers a selection of two changing desserts every week, at a cost of 8$ each. That is a very useful and unique service – and it is always nice to finish a great dinner with a delightful sweet treat!
Blue Apron offers an excellent selection of wines, and they even provide recommendations for the right wine to accompany each dish, which is great! They also have a retail option, offering a selection of cookware and other kitchen supplies. Plated on the other hand, offers a selection of two changing desserts every week, at a cost of 8$ each.
Bottom Line
Both Plated and Blue Apron are good meal kit options. Both appealing to people who looks for an upscaled home cooked dinner, and both offers a range of dishes that includes classic and a little more complicated dishes. However, after trying boxes from both, we think that Plated is a much better option in almost every term – the weekly variety and style of dishes, the taste and quality of ingredients, the meal portion sizes, and to top it all, the convenience of the website and the packaging! So our pick is Plated with no doubt!