Want to avoid the grocery store during these uncertain times? A meal kit could be the perfect solution. We tried one that costs $4.99 a plate. Here are our thoughts. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which...
Truth be told, I’ve never really liked going to the grocery store. It’s always such a chore.
But now that the coronavirus pandemic has flipped our lives upside down, my feelings have changed. Now I downright hate it.
Those are strong words, but there’s a panic that swells up inside me as I attempt to social distance and find bread (spoiler: it’s very difficult). Back at home, I try to make my stockpile last as long as possible. As my supplies run out, dinner becomes frozen pizzas and peanut butter and jelly wraps (again, no bread).
But here’s where people are getting smart: They’re ordering meal-delivery kits.
You’re right. Some of these can be pricy. But that’s why we tried EveryPlate. You can get meals delivered right to your door for only $4.99 per meal. And spoiler alert: The food is delicious.
EveryPlate Review: Weekly Dinners for $4.99/Meal
I have to preface this by saying I hate cooking. I hate it more than grocery shopping in the middle of a pandemic. For me, the final product is never worth the time and energy I put into it.
I’d never tried meal-delivery kits because, again, I don’t like cooking, and they’re pricy. I don’t really want to spend $10 a plate (plus shipping) just to make my own food.
So when I tried EveryPlate, I was admittedly skeptical. Could it change my tune? I was willing to give it a go. The price was right, and the meals looked delicious.
Each week, EveryPlate gives you 11 meal options to choose from. These change week-to-week, and these menu tweaks are part of what keeps the cost low. At the time we wrote this article, it was offering a good variety — everything from sweet ’n’ spicy pork chops with roasted carrots and ginger rice to lemony shrimp penne to Thai steak tacos with pickled cucumber and garlic Sriracha mayo.
Now you might be thinking: Can I really make this stuff? Will it really be that easy? At least, that’s what I was thinking.
The answer is yes. If I can do it, you can do it.
Each meal comes with a cook time (which typically ranges from 20 to 45 minutes), an easy-to-follow recipe card (with pictures!) and the ingredients already measured out.
I Tried It: A Roasted Vegetable Linguine
I decided to try a roasted vegetable linguine. The tomatoes and zucchini arrived fresh and ripe. The recipe card walked me through each step, perfectly timing out each component, so everything was ready at the same time.
Here’s another thing: I’m terrible at flavoring food, but the kit came with everything I needed to perfectly flavor this pasta: fresh lemon, garlic cloves and chili flakes. It even had shredded parmesan and bread crumbs, which added an amazing texture.
My plating wasn’t the prettiest, but otherwise I was ready for my Food Network debut.
I was a little worried about clean-up. Honestly, what’s worse than cooking is cleaning up the aftermath. But I only had a baking sheet, a pot and a skillet that needed a quick wash.
Skip the Grocery Store and Get a Week of Dinners to Your Door
Honestly, if you’ve been considering trying a meal-delivery kit, now’s the perfect time. You’ve probably got a little more free time on your hands, and it’ll keep you out of the grocery store. Plus, EveryPlate is the most affordable meal kit we’ve seen.
You can stock up for two or four people (if you’re solo, you’ve got lunch and dinner), and you can choose between three, four or five meals a week. Each meal is $4.99 a serving, plus $8.99 for shipping. You can cancel or freeze your plan at any time, so there’s no commitment.
Want to give it a try? Check out the weekly menus and select your plan.
It takes a matter of minutes to get signed up, and you can expect your first shipment at your front door in about a week. Then enjoy your delicious home-cooked meal. You’re basically a professional chef now!
Carson Kohler (carson@thepennyhoarder.com) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s been dreaming of that roasted veggie linguine since she made it. Delicious. *chef’s kiss*
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.