The Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services for Quick, Healthy Meals
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Managing a plant-based eating pattern can pose a challenge, no matter your level of skill in the kitchen. From sourcing and ingredient considerations to asking the right questions in restaurants, there's rarely a food space built for plant-based eating every day. Luckily, there's an ever-growing and evermore delicious selection of options from the meal kit delivery and prepared meal industry to support the needs of folks who want to feast on plants. We've tested nearly every service in the industry to find the ones we think are the best plant-based meal delivery services.
Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services of 2023
Best for Vegans: Purple Carrot
Best for Families: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
Best Meal Kits: HelloFresh
Best Organic: Green Chef
Best for Breakfast: Daily Harvest
Best for Soups and Smoothies: Splendid Spoon
Best Prepared Meals: Mosaic Foods
Best Healthy Meals: Sakara Life
Best for Flexitarians: Fresh N Lean
Best for Vegetarians: Sunbasket
Best for Vegans: Purple Carrot
Key Specs
Starting Price: $11 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
Whether you're after the convenience of a meal kit or a fully prepared meal, Purple Carrot offers a wide range of inventive vegan meals.
Pros
Fully plant-based menus
Meal kits, fully prepared meals, and "plantry" add-ons
Vibrant, globally flavored menus
Cons
No customization
Overview
Instead of picking through menus to find the items to meet your plant-based needs, Purple Carrot has everything you want and nothing you don't. With meal kits with fresh, preportioned ingredients or fully prepared, single-serving meals that heat up in a few minutes, there's something for every family size and set of needs. Price points vary depending on what you choose, but as long as you're in the contiguous 48 states, you can order from this plant powerhouse meal delivery service.
Meals We Tried
Peanut noodles with gingered edamame and braised tofu
Creamy mac and cheese with pesto peas and sun-dried tomatoes
Spelt risotto with summer vegetable caponata
Chilled curried chickpea salad with dates and quinoa red pepper pilaf
Tofu palak paneer with carrot biryani
Best for Families: Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon
Key Specs
Starting Price: $8.69 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
From the kitchen of one of the culinary greats, we love that Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon balances the needs of the foodie with the needs of the family.
Pros
Over 100 total weekly options to choose from
Family and kid-friendly meals
Generous portions
Vegan and vegetarian recipes
Cons
May not accommodate other dietary needs
Overview
Not only is the weekly menu one of the most extensive we've come across, with options for all mealtimes, but we also love that there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices for those who want to eat meatless. The meals are always tasty (no surprise there) and come ready to support you on your journey to culinary greatness with preportioned ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. The "good for kids" tags make it easy to find ones you may want to feed your littles, and the four-serving plan with generous portions is an excellent fit for families.
Meals We Tried
Broccoli Reuben, Russian dressing wedge salad
Best Meal Kits: HelloFresh
Key Specs
Starting Price: $8.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
A giant in the meal kit industry, HelloFresh is known for its plentiful portions and menu of comfort food favorites.
Pros
"Veggie" plan option
Ingredients for kits are separated in delivery
Generous portion sizes
May be able to swap proteins and sides
Cons
Not as many vegan options
Overview
It's easy to see why HelloFresh is one of the most popular meal kits, and we think it's a great choice for those who want to get into the kitchen and take a hands-on approach to their plant-based meals. Meal kits from HelloFresh are always big on flavor, generous in quantity, and come at a reasonable price compared to its competitors. The vegan and vegetarian selection reflects these same values, and the kits are designed for convenience with preportioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes.
Best Organic: Green Chef
Key Specs
Starting Price: $11.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
If you're all about organic produce, look no further than Green Chef with its USDA-certified organic status and vegan and vegetarian meal plans.
Pros
Vegan and vegetarian meal plan options
Certified organic
Sustainable sourcing practices
Cons
No customization
Overview
Not only does Green Chef prioritize the sourcing of its ingredients, but the company isn't shy about serving them up in abundance. Depending on preferences, customers can choose from vegan and vegetarian meal plans, and there are plenty of options no matter which route you take. Green Chef's meal kits arrive with preportioned ingredients, custom spice blends, and everything you need to whip up a tasty, plant-filled meal from scratch.
Meals We Tried
Middle Eastern-style chickpea bowls
Maple glazed carrots with figs
Best for Breakfast: Daily Harvest
Key Specs
Starting Price: $9.95 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It
Daily Harvest is ideal for folks who want to get their fill of fruits and veggies first thing in the morning.
Pros
Fully vegan menu
Items reheat in minutes, no cooking required
Frozen method extends shelf life
Diverse ingredients utilized
Cons
No fresh options
Overview
Ideal for busy mornings, Daily Harvest will stock your freezer with ready-in-minutes smoothies and grain bowls in sweet and savory flavor profiles so you can get out the door in a hurry without skimping on nutrition. There's a lot more on offer besides breakfast, too, with flatbreads, soups, and even "scoops" that all have nutrient-dense, functional ingredients combined in flavor profiles that are worth salivating over. While everything is single-serving, we think the service makes a great fit for singles or couples.
Meals We Tried
Mint and cacao smoothie
Mango papaya smoothie
Hazelnut and chocolate bites
Tomatillo and pepper flatbread
Portobello and pesto flatbread
Sweet potato and wild rice hash
Brussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowl
Spinach and shiitake grits
Tomato and zucchini minestrone soup
Best for Soups and Smoothies: Splendid Spoon
Key Specs
Starting Price: $10 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
Our testers loved all things slurpable from Splendid Spoon, with a diverse menu of soups and smoothies that are all totally plant-based.
Pros
Specialize in plant-based soups and smoothies
Menu includes easy-to-search nutrition filters
Globally inspired flavors
Cons
Can be pricey for the portion size
Overview
True to its namesake, Splendid Spoon is geared toward all things sippable and spoon-worthy, with soups and smoothies as well as some noodle and grain bowls. While the price point may be on the higher side, we love that these sweet and savory sips are ready in seconds, are fully plant-based, and are designed by dietitians and chefs to be nutrient dense.
Meals We Tried
Smoothies:
Cacao almond
Blackberry basil
Green matcha
Power greens
Raspberry cacao
Soups:
Red lentil dal
Green tomatillo chili
Lentil and kale
Kimchi fried quinoa
Cauliflower tikka
Cauliflower potato
Butternut turmeric
Garden minestrone
Best Prepared Meals: Mosaic Foods
Key Specs
Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
Delivery Area: Major metro areas on East and West Coasts
Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It
Mosaic Foods brings a quality culinary experience to your freezer with prepared options that are readily accessible to help fuel your busy lifestyle.
Pros
Vegan and vegetarian meals
Dishes are big on flavor
Chef collabs
Meals reheat in minutes
Cons
Limited delivery area
Overview
While Mosaic Foods may not be as widely available as other meal delivery services, we think it's a great choice if you're a plant-based eater looking for the ultimate convenience. Mosaic has many plant-based and plant-forward meals ranging from smoothies and soups to veggie bowls, pizzas, family-size meals, and the Mosaic+ chef collaborative meals. You can stock your freezer with chef-crafted meals that come together with no shopping, prep, or cleanup.
Meals We Tried
Spicy dan dan noodles
Buffalo cauliflower pasta bake
Mac and greens
Pozole verde
Veggie kebab platter
Coconut chickpea curry
Best Healthy Meals: Sakara Life
Key Specs
Starting Price: $28 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
Sakara is a plant-based, holistic health-focused meal delivery service geared toward nutrient-rich meals.
Pros
Fully vegan menu
Nutritionally optimized meals
Meals are ready to eat
Cons
Preset menu of options
Price point may not reflect quality
Overview
Meals from Sakara always arrive fresh and feature unique, nutrient-dense options like pitaya powder, hemp-crusted avocado, and the company's signature smoothie made with cucumber, spinach, spirulina, and lucuma. While you can't select your own meals, with a day of meals from Sakara you can expect over 75 different plant-based ingredients with an estimated 37 grams of fiber per day, ensuring nutrient diversity and hitting your fiber goals. The program does come with a hefty price tag, but if you're looking for health-focused, fully vegan meals with a bit of luxe, Sakara may be a good fit.
Meals We Tried
Southwest Sunset soup, chipotle corn muffin
High Vibe honeydew salad, mint chlorophyll quinoa, kombucha vinaigrette
Moo shu veggie wraps with tamarind sauce
Prosperity pad Thai, kelp noodles, creamy sesame dressing
Best for Flexitarians: Fresh N Lean
Key Specs
Starting Price: $8.49 per serving
Delivery Area: 50 states
Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It
If you're looking to flex your diet (and your muscles), we love Fresh N Lean for the fitness-focused eater.
Pros
Lower starting price point
Accommodates several "avoidances" at once
Meal plans and à la carte menu available
Meals heat and eat in minutes
Cons
No customization of meals or plans
Overview
Meals from Fresh N Lean are definitely geared toward the fitness-focused eater, but with options that are vegan, vegetarian, and Mediterranean, guests who want to sample different styles of eating can toggle back and forth between plans with ease. Meals are premade, preportioned, and optimized for nutritional impact. Choose your preferred plan or order from the à la carte menu to get meals ready in minutes.
Meals We Tried
Grilled shrimp with caper dill aioli and roasted winter squash
Moroccan mint grass-fed steak with spiced cauliflower and brown rice
Tikka chicken with turmeric-roasted cauliflower and quinoa
BBQ turkey meatballs with white beans
Cajun salmon with Yukon potato and tomato rice
Best for Vegetarians: Sunbasket
Key Specs
Starting Price: $9.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 46 states
Products Arrive: Fresh and frozen
Why You Should Try It
Known for its customizable kits and focus on sustainability, Sunbasket is a crowd favorite and beloved for both its kits and its prepared options.
Pros
Prepared meals and meal kits
Sustainable sourcing practices
Some customizability with meal kits
Cons
Not many vegan prepared meals
Overview
Sunbasket's sustainability-focused sourcing ensures that you can feel good about what you're eating. While there are plenty of vegan options to choose from, the prepared foods from Sunbasket are more accessible if you're open to a vegetarian (as opposed to vegan) eating style. In addition to the meal components, there are also plenty of add-ons for your fridge, freezer, and pantry that are veggie-friendly and there to make your day-to-day life even easier.
Meals We Tried
Meal Kits
Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
Snapper with romesco, vegetables, and almonds
Burmese chicken and sweet potato curry
Sirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa
Prepared Meals
Broccoli mac and cheese
Chicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlic
Beef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetables
Burrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef
Final Thoughts
Selecting the meal delivery service that is right for you depends on your goals: Purple Carrot makes it easy to maintain a vegan diet no matter your cooking prowess and works just as well for singles as it does for families, while busy singles or couples may enjoy the convenience provided by Daily Harvest's menu. And if you take a more flexible approach to plant-based eating, a service like Fresh N Lean may be a good option. Whatever your approach to plant-based eating, there is a service that can help take the hassle out of day-to-day meal planning.
Compare the Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services
Guide to Choosing a Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service
Price/Cost Per Meal: Price per meal can vary greatly across meal delivery services, within this list, and outside of it. Customers should consider what they are willing and able to pay for these services.
Number of Meals Per Delivery: You'll have lots to choose from here, with meal kits typically offering anywhere from two meals per week up to six, and prepared meals can get you anything from a few dinners a week to three full meals a day, plus snacks.
Flexibility: One thing we love about meal delivery services is the ability to flex plans, pause weeks, and otherwise really curate your own experience. We recommend customers get to know these facets of their chosen service to get the most out of it.
Menu Selection: If variety is the spice of life, then menu selection is the seasoning that keeps us returning to meal delivery services. Not all will have the same options with plant-based services, so look at the full menu options and those within your diet.
Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: One critical element for plant-based diets is variety and quality, specifically among proteins and certain vitamins. We recommend that if you are using a meal delivery service, you should have an understanding of common nutrient deficiencies and ensure you're enhancing the meals provided as needed.
Are Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services Right for You?
We love the convenience and support built into plant-based meal delivery services for the experienced plant-based eater and those looking to dabble. If you're looking to dig into a plant-based diet and want to take the guesswork and label-reading out of it or simplify the question of "what's for dinner?" we love this list of favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Vegan, Vegetarian, and Plant-Based?
Most meal delivery services will use plant-based and vegan terms interchangeably, meaning no animal products are included, such as milk or eggs. In contrast, vegetarian plans will likely have those lacto-ovo items but omit meat, poultry, fish, and other animal proteins.
Do Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services Offer Alternatives for Allergies?
It can be more challenging to accommodate additional dietary restrictions with plant-based meal delivery services; however, several of our favorites offer gluten-free options, and you'll always be assured vegan items are free of allergens like fish, shellfish, and milk.
Are Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services Healthy?
Plant-based meal delivery services can provide a foundation for healthy eating. While deprioritizing or eliminating animal products, these services rely on more fruits and vegetables than we often see with more meat-centric meal delivery services.
Methodology
We tasked a team of food and nutrition experts with ordering, cooking, and evaluating over 40 different companies to determine which offered the best plant-based meal delivery services. Each service was rated based on offerings, nutrition criteria, sustainability platforms, information transparency, and factors like customer experience and quality. After rigorously testing each company, we analyzed the data and arrived at the ratings we used to deliver our favorites.
