The Protein Plus offerings from Ingredient represent a significant portion of their overall menu, accounting for nearly half of the available options. The dishes predominantly reflect classic American cuisine, featuring items like garlic chicken, barbecue wings, and a red pepper frittata for breakfast. Among the more adventurous selections I sampled were Jamaican jerk salmon and Thai yellow curry chicken; though, even these felt somewhat familiar and approachable in flavor. Surprisingly, I found the jerk salmon too be much more enjoyable than I had anticipated.

Most meals are straightforward combinations: a protein source paired with a starch and typically some green vegetables.This style embodies what many would consider wholesome Midwestern comfort food. Ingredient—originating from Illinois—exhibits this regional flair with creative twists: take their “unstuffed pepper,” which is essentially the traditional filling of rice, meat, and tomato sauce served in meatball form with bits of bell pepper mixed in. It may appear messy but delivers pure comfort on a plate; if you dislike what is essentially a meaty stew with peppers, I’m not sure we can relate.

In previous iterations, Ingredient seemed to rely heavily on mashes and hashes to create meals; however, these appeared sparingly this time around—one notable exception being an unexpectedly delightful mashed potato dish infused with leeks that accompanied a thick filet mignon cooked medium-rare (though it leaned towards medium upon reheating).

The proteins consistently emerged tender and juicy across the board—whether chicken or various cuts of beef. Reheating vegetables can often led to texture issues; here too they tended toward sogginess when microwaved but improved significantly when prepared in an air fryer or convection oven. Additionally, it’s advisable to choose meals featuring brown or wild rice rather of white rice or “risotto.”

Sustained Enjoyment

I will always prefer freshly prepared meals over those that have been pre-cooked and reheated from packaging—the freshness of ripe tomatoes, the crunchiness of peas straight from the pod, or the crispness of freshly harvested carrots cannot be replicated by food made days prior. However, proteins and stews held up remarkably well during reheating; thus my experience with Protein Plus was among my favorites within Ingredient’s offerings overall. (For further insights into meal options available today check out WIRED’s guide on the best meal kits available.)