Whether you’ve been vegan for years, are thinking of going vegetarian, or simply want to eat more plants, finding the time to plan and grocery shop for nutritious meals can be difficult and intimidating. Newbies to the plant-based world may not be sure what to eat or how to plan balanced meals, and may have limited time for figuring these things out.
This is where the best plant-based meal delivery services come in. They can take the guesswork and stress out of meal planning, shopping, and meal prep, saving you valuable time (and possibly money).
These companies are all different, however, and choosing between them can be overwhelming. Our team has tested over 40 of the best meal delivery service options to rate them on everything from ease of ordering to preparation to taste. We also consulted with Perry Nix, R.D., to rank the best plant-based ones to make your choice much easier.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
11 Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services
- Best Overall Plant-Based Meal Delivery: Purple Carrot
- Best Meal Kit For Vegetarians: Home Chef
- Best Organic Plant-Based Meal Delivery: Green Chef
- Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery For Weight Loss: Bistro MD
- Best Luxury Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service: Sakara Life
- Best Budget Meal Kit For Vegetarians: Dinnerly
- Best Plant-Based Frozen Meal Delivery: ModifyHealth
- Best Gluten-Free Vegan Meal Delivery: Mosaic
- Best Vegan Meal Delivery for Smoothies and Soups: Daily Harvest
- Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Families: Hello Fresh
- Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Picky Eaters: Splendid Spoon
Best Overall Plant-Based Meal Delivery: Purple Carrot
Good for: People looking for 100% vegan, healthy prepared meals or meal kits with high-protein and gluten-free options
Purple Carrot offers vegan meal kits and prepared meals. There are no specific meal plans, but you can choose from the full menu, which includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and “plantry” items—add-on products like brownie bites and salad dressing. You can’t mix and match meal types, though.
What our tester says:
“My favorite was the sloppy Joe (with tofu instead of meat). Considering this was a plant-based meal service, I was quite happy with how everything came out, and the portions were quite good, too.”
Purple Carrot is a 100% vegan, plant-based meal delivery service that offers both prepared meals and meal kits that you cook yourself. Their mission is to provide easy-to-prepare meals that benefit the health of their customers and of the planet.
GGR performance editor and certified nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly loved how fresh the ingredients were and how easy the recipes were to prepare, and gave Purple Carrot 3 out of 5 stars for the preparation. “I thought everything tasted really good! My favorite was the sloppy Joe (with tofu instead of meat),” he said.
The instructions may be a little simple for people new to cooking, but he was impressed with the variety of plant-based options. You can choose between high-protein, gluten-free, low-sodium, Whole30, and less-prep options, and cleanup is a breeze. We give this service 4 out of 5 for variety.
Many places offering plant-based meals tend to skimp on portions or miss the mark on creating meals that keep you full, but Anthony was pleasantly surprised at Purple Carrot’s generous portion sizes and felt satisfied after every meal.
The nutritional information for each meal is readily available for the high-protein options, but can be challenging to find for their other offerings.
Purple Carrot has great customer service, offering support via live chat, email, social media, and more. They make it easy to cancel or postpone orders, so no worries if your plans change after ordering.
We were also impressed with how highly Purple Carrot seems to value sustainability and we give them 5 out of 5 for this category. They used much less plastic to package their meals compared to some of the best meal delivery for weight loss, and everything was recyclable.
Registered dietician Perry Nix likes that Purple Carrot strives to make plant-based eating accessible and enjoyable for more people, but does warn that it might not be the best option if you’re looking for prepared meals. “While Purple Carrot does offer some pre-made meals, this probably isn’t the best meal service if that’s what you’re looking for,” she says. “Their pre-made meal selection is limited and you’ll run out of options quickly.”
If you’re looking for prepared meals, you may want to consider Bistro MD instead.
| Price per serving | $6.63 |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Meal kit and prepared options available |
| Meals per week | 3 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. |
| Examples of meals we tried | Tofu Sloppy Joes |
Best Meal Kit for Vegetarians: Home Chef
Good for: Vegetarians or pescatarians who want delicious, easily customizable meals with multiple prep time options
Home Chef is a meal delivery service that gives you options between meal kits, heat-and-eat meals, and grill-ready selections. It does require a subscription, but you can cancel any time or skip a week if you don’t want a shipment. Our testers appreciate the high-quality ingredients, easy ordering process, and variety of options.
Best Organic Plant-Based Meal Delivery: Green Chef
Good for: People who want plant-forward meals made with organic ingredients
If you want high-quality and/or organic ingredients, Green Chef is a good option that can feed two to six people per recipe. There are several specialized diets to choose from, and you can mix and match from weekly menus to suit your needs.
What our tester says:
“Green Chef is all-organic, which is a great no-brainer for those who prioritize organic food. However, I didn’t find the actual ingredients much different than other meal kits I’ve tried that don’t prioritize organic ingredients.”
Most of the meals Green Chef offers are meat-heavy, but they do offer a number of plant-based options and a Plant-Powered meal plan, which includes vegetarian and vegan meals made with organic produce. Pescatarian and Mediterranean meals are also available.
GGR head of content and certified nutrition coach Nicole Davis appreciated how easy the ordering process was, with the ability to change your plan at any time. You can view Green Chef’s weekly menu on their website, but you have to pay before you can browse all of their menu options. We gave the ordering process 5 out of 5 stars.
RELATED: Best Organic Protein Powder
The portions were disappointingly small, though, especially for Nicole’s husband, and meals require at least 30 minutes to cook with multiple pots and pans. “Overall, I liked the taste of these, but the portion size was just not great, and thus the cost didn’t really make sense to me,” she said. Nicole gave Green Chef a 3 out of 5 for the serving size, and a 3 out of 5 for the price per meal.
Green Chef may not be for you if you want a low-effort option, but the meals are delicious. This service could be a good fit if you have a smaller appetite and really value organic ingredients.
Dietician Perry Nix appreciates that the meals cater to some dietary restrictions as well as being certified organic. “In addition to being certified organic, Green Chef’s paleo and keto meal plans are also certified gluten-free. This means they’re safe for people with celiac disease and anyone with gluten sensitivities,” she said.
Read more about Nicole’s experience trying this meal service out with our full Green Chef review.
If you’re looking for larger serving sizes, you may want to try Purple Carrot instead.
| Price per serving | $11.99-13.49 (varies based on number of servings and meals per week) |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Meal kit |
| Meals per week | 2-4 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. (except some parts of Louisiana) |
| Examples of meals we tried | Monterey Jack Cheese-Smothered Chicken with Mushrooms and Squash, Chicken Burrito Bowl, Breakfast Bundle (oatmeal, egg white bites, muffins), French Toast, Breakfast Sandwiches |
Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Weight Loss: Bistro MD
Good for: Those looking for vegan-friendly meals that come in low-calorie options
BistroMD was designed by a doctor to help folks struggling with weight loss. BistroMD addresses insulin-resistance and aids a healthy metabolism with lean protein and high-fiber foods to keep you full in addition to low glycemic carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugars. You’ll find a meal plan that works within your dietary restrictions including gluten-free, vegan, or keto.
If you’re looking to lose weight, odds are you’re seeking low-calorie options that are perhaps lower in fat or lower in carbs, depending on your dietary needs. Bistro MD brand bills itself as “healthy weight loss delivered.” What’s more, it offers a great selection of vegan meals. There are more than two dozen vegan options, nearly all of which are between 250 and 300 calories, as well as dozens of plant-based snacks, and Bistro MD earns 5 out of 5 for variety.
We asked Perry Nix, registered dietitian, to review the program to assess its viability for those trying to lose weight.
“These meal plans focus on fueling your metabolism, stabilizing your blood sugar, and keeping you full and satisfied, so you can burn more calories and utilize energy efficiently,” she says.
You can choose between getting these ready-to-eat, frozen meals seven days a week or five days a week. The seven-day program yields 20 meals a week (seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and six dinners) or 14 meals (seven lunches and seven dinners). On the seven-day program, one dinner is left off. The brand calls this “My Night,” which we interpret as subscribers getting to eat whatever they choose for a night.
Choosing your meals was a simple process, and we give the ordering process 4 out of 5 stars.
RELATED: Best Prepared Meal Delivery
Perry did have concerns with calorie counts as she reviewed the program. “For three meals and two snacks, the average daily calorie intake for women and men is 1,200 and 1,500, respectively,” she says. “This is much too low, and while you could see initial weight loss, you’re more likely to gain the weight back plus some.”
Price-wise, you’ll find this to be somewhere between $10 and $15 per meal, though it appears the brand offers deep discounts on your first order. When we placed our order, we received 40% off and free shipping. We think this is a good deal and give this service 4 out of 5 for the price per meal.
While we didn’t try any of the plant-based meals from this brand specifically, our expert product tester and staff writer, Lauren Strong, did get to try nearly a dozen other meals.
“The Chicken Florentine Cannelloni is both good-tasting and filling,” she says. “The side of roasted veggies were better than expected, actually. They looked a little water-logged, but the taste was good.”
Bistro MD offers both vegan and non-vegan options, so if you’re looking for a service that only offers vegan and vegetarian meals, you may want to try Purple Carrot, which only offers 100% vegan meals.
| Price per serving | $10-$15 |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Prepared frozen meals |
| Meals per week | 14 or 20 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. (not Hawaii or Alaska) |
| Examples of meals we tried | Chicken, Rice, and Cheddar Casserole; Sloppy Joe with Cabbage Slaw; Turkey Breast with Cranberry Apple Chutney; Merlot Meatballs with Grits; Chicken Florentine Cannelloni; Firecracker Chicken Meatballs with Asian Salad; Hickory Smoked BBQ Beef with Yukon Gold Potatoes; Cranberry Harvest Turkey Meatballs; Meatloaf with Honey Bourbon Glaze; Mojo Pork with Black Beans & Rice |
Best Splurge Plant-Based Meal Delivery: Sakara Life
Good for: People looking for a “food as medicine” approach to meal delivery and access to wellness coaching
Sakara is the gold standard in luxury meal delivery—offering convenience, clean ingredients, and next-level presentation. But it comes at a steep price and may not fit high-protein diets.
What our tester says:
“The food is really good, especially for being gluten free and dairy free. The baked goods especially impressed me, but the dairy-free parfaits were really good, too. I was less impressed with the ‘metabolism latte’ coffee susbtitute drinks, but they were OK.”
Sakara Life is a luxury meal delivery service that also offers wellness coaching. Their meals are 100% plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contain no refined sugars. They focus on whole foods and offer interesting add-ons like their Metabolism “Latte” substitute.
The company claims that their meals are designed by nutritionists and doctors and can help improve digestion, reduce bloating, boost energy, increase focus, and improve skin clarity.
From our experience, Sakara Life is definitely a “luxury” option—you pay much more for their meals than you would most other places, and we only give them 1 out of 5 for the price per meal.
Ordering is very simple, with the option to choose whether you want breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a combination. You can’t choose specific menu items, but you can look at the weekly menu to see what to expect. Since all meals come pre-prepared, the only cleanup involved is the dishes you use to eat.
GGR editor Frieda Johnson ordered breakfasts and overall really enjoyed the meals. “The food is really good, especially for being gluten free and dairy free. The baked goods especially impressed me, but the dairy-free parfaits were really good, too,” she said.
She also noted that she thought the Metabolism “Lattes” were OK, but not amazing. While Frieda was impressed with the taste of most of her meals, she wasn’t impressed with the tiny portion sizes, admitting that she needed to eat a second breakfast to feel full. We also noticed there wasn’t much variety for lunch, which are all salads.
Overall, we give Sakara Life 1 out of 5 for the portion sizes, and a 4 out of 5 for variety.
A nice touch is that meals are shipped in two separate packages (with lots of ice) to ensure that perishable ingredients are as fresh as possible. This produces a lot of packaging, but fortunately, it’s all recyclable.
There are some poor customer service reviews online, but we didn’t interact with them ourselves. One issue that bothered Frieda was the lack of nutrition information, which wasn’t available on the recipes or the website. “They have the ingredients listed for each meal on the online menu, but I can’t find nutrition info anywhere. The meals themselves don’t have either the ingredients or nutrition info listed on them,” she said. “This is potentially concerning for people like me who have food allergies.”
Dietician Perry Nix also has some concerns about the suitability of this service for people with food allergies. “When you place an order with Sakara Life your meals are selected for you based off the weekly menu,” she says in our Sakara Life reviews. “This isn’t ideal for someone with food allergies or sensitivities who needs to choose meals without specific ingredients.”
Overall, Sakara Life has great-tasting meals and might be a good fit for people willing to pay more for trendy, wellness-inspired extras like the company’s beauty water drops, vitamins, detox teas, and probiotics.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option with better portion sizes, our top pick is Purple Carrot.
| Price per serving | $26-33.50 (varies based on number of meals per week) |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Prepared |
| Meals per week | 2-20 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. |
| Examples of meals we tried | Cinnamon rolls, tea cake, dairy-free parfaits, Metabolism “Latte” |
Best Budget Meal Kit for Vegetarians: Dinnerly
Good for: Vegetarians and people living a dairy-free lifestyle who want quick meals on a budget
Skip the food shopping and the chopping—Dinnerly is a meal kit service that sends you fresh ingredients right to your door with most of the food preparation already done. You’ll need to sign up and provide credit card information before browsing the menu and making your selection. Meals start around $8, but the more meals in your weekly subscription, the greater the potential discount.
What our tester says:
“The introductory plan is 3 meals per week with 2 portions. I got my first week for 50% off as a new customer promotion, too. All in all, this is one of the more affordable meal kit services, by far.”
Dinnerly is one of the cheapest meal delivery services out there, with options as low as $1.99 per serving, and they earn a 5 out of 5 for price per serving. Vegan options are pretty limited, but they do cater to vegetarians and pescatarians and offer dairy-free meals.
They pride themselves on their quick-to-prepare meal kits, which we found took about 30 minutes total to cook and 10 minutes to clean up. They also offer faster meals and prepared meals for people needing even quicker options.
Nicole Davis, GGR head of content and certified nutrition coach, thought the meal kit meals tasted especially great, but wasn’t as impressed with the prepared meals she tried. “The Beef Stir-Fry in Garlic Sauce tasted like a Lean Cuisine TBH. It has better ingredient quality and definitely less sodium than a TV dinner but very similar taste vibes,” she said. She also noted that the prepared meals were more suited to a light lunch than a filling meal. The meal kits were more filling for her, although the serving sizes weren’t quite large enough for her husband, so she only rated them 4 out of 5 for portion size.
Everything arrived in great condition despite the ingredients starting to sweat shortly after delivery. Be aware that ingredients aren’t grouped by recipe, so you’ll have to do some organizing before you start cooking. You’ll also have to take some time to choose your meals each week, but this is nice for people who prefer to choose their meals themselves.
Dinnerly makes it easy to contact customer service and report issues. Shipping seems to be the most frequent issue. There’s a lot of packaging involved, as with most meal delivery kits, but at least the box, packaging, and containers are all recyclable. Dinnerly earns 4 out of 5 for sustainability efforts.
Perry Nix, RD, says of the service: “Dinnerly helps you make affordable home-cooked meals in only 5 simple steps and less than 30 minutes. It’s a solid option for people trying to save money and improve their diet by going out to eat less. Simply by cooking at home, you’re likely consuming less calories, salt, and saturated fat than you would be if you ordered a meal at a restaurant.”
If you’re looking for another option that delivers ready-to-cook ingredients, you may want to give Home Chef a try.
| Price per serving | $1.99-7.04 |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Meal kit and prepared options available |
| Meals per week | 5 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. (most areas) |
| Examples of meals we tried | Beef Stir-Fry in Garlic Sauce, Turkey Taquitos, Pastrami-Crusted Steak with Everything Bagel Potato |
Best Plant-Based Frozen Meal Delivery: ModifyHealth
Good for: People looking for nutritious heat-and-eat frozen meals designed by registered dietitians to address common health issues
If you adhere to a low-FODMAP diet, have diabetes, or a gluten allergy ModifyHealth could be the meal delivery service you’ve been waiting for. ModifyHealth processes all meals in a gluten-free facility and commits to using non-GMO ingredients. Your subscription gains you access to a weekly delivery of fresh, vacuum-sealed meals that are ready to reheat and enjoy. Plans start as little as 6 meals per week with the option to skip a week or pause your subscription.
It doesn’t get much easier than popping dinner in the microwave!
ModifyHealth offers frozen meals created by chefs and dietitians to address various health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They have a few vegan options and cater well to pescatarians and vegetarians.
For people with specific health needs, they offer low-FODMAP, low-sodium, and gluten-free options as well as a Mediterranean meal plan. A nice touch is the ability to flag ingredients you prefer to avoid.
Having been burned by mediocre frozen meals in the past, Nicole Davis, GGR head of content and certified nutrition coach, enjoyed her meals, praising them as the most delicious frozen meal delivery service she’s tried so far. “Really good—I was pleasantly surprised,” she said. “These are frozen meals and I didn’t have high hopes based on the other frozen meal deliveries I had tried. These were the best by far. Tried an assortment of meals from the Mediterranean plan, which is a lot of fish, and I enjoyed all of them. Salmon was my favorite.”
However, while the portion sizes were enough for her, they weren’t large enough for her husband, so she gave them 4 out of 5 for the portion size. ModifyHealth also doesn’t seem to place much of a priority on sustainability, so this may be a turn-off for some people. We only gave them 3 out of 5 stars for sustainability.
Other pros of this service are the free shipping, freshness, a variety of 30 different meals per week to choose from, inclusion of a nutrition label on each meal, and UPS tracking alerts. ModifyHealth earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for meal variety, and 5 out of 5 for the ordering experience.
ModifyHealth may not be the cheapest meal delivery service on our list, but it’s likely worth it for people who want the peace of mind and time savings that come from medically-tailored frozen meals that taste great.
For a more budget-friendly option, you may want to look at Dinnerly.
| Price per serving | $9.95 (breakfast) – $12.95 (entrees) |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Prepared |
| Meals per week | 6+ |
| Delivery area | Nationwide |
| Examples of meals we tried | Assortment of meals from the Mediterranean plan |
Best Gluten-Free Vegan Meal Delivery: Mosaic Foods
Good for: People who want a 100% meatless, heat-and-eat meal delivery service with globally-inspired flavors
Mosaic is a great entry-level plant-based meal delivery service with gluten-free options and frozen convenience. It’s more budget-friendly than fresh kits but less luxurious.
Mosaic Foods is a 100% meatless meal delivery service. Because of this, they offer a much better variety of vegan meals than other companies while also catering to vegetarians. Their mission is to make plant-centric eating easier for everyone. Or, as dietician Perry Nix says, “Mosaic is committed to improving health outcomes and preserving the environment by promoting plant-based eating.”
Unfortunately, you can’t view the menu and pricing until you enter your email address on their website. The menu doesn’t seem to change, but they have enough options that you probably won’t get bored for a while, and we give them 4 out of 5 stars for variety. You’re responsible for picking out every meal as they don’t offer any set meal plans.
Our tester, former GGR staff writer Lauren Strong, said all of her meals were delicious, healthy, and satisfying, and she gave them 5 out of 5 stars for the taste. “Smoothies were excellent, pizzas were pretty darn good, and the Thai noodle dish I ordered was totally awesome,” she said. And since all meals come frozen, prep and cleanup are quick and easy. Meals can be heated in the microwave or oven, depending on the item, and smoothie ingredients are added to your blender.
They offer a nice variety of globally-inspired flavors, such as yellow dal, ginger sesame noodles, and a coconut chickpea curry.
RELATED: Best Vegan Protein Powder
Lauren did note that for people who lift often and/or have higher protein needs, these meals alone won’t be enough. Smoothies have less than 10 grams of protein and meals have around 15, meaning you may need to add extra plant-based protein or drink a protein shake to meet your goals. That said, we still give them 4.5 out of 5 for the portion size, just know the meals may be a little low in protein.
That said, Mosaic’s meals are nutrient-dense with low-sugar options and variety for different food allergies. Nutrition information is clearly labeled on all the meals, making it easy to reference. We were also happy to see that you can recycle all the packaging.
Mosaic is great, but if you want more protein in each meal, you may want to try Home Chef instead.
| Price per serving | $6-8 for breakfast; $10-12 for lunch and dinner |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Prepared |
| Meals per week | 6+ |
| Delivery area | Most major metro areas in the Eastern and Western U.S. |
| Examples of meals we tried | Smoothies, Pizzas, Thai Noodle Bowl |
Best Vegan Meal Delivery for Smoothies and Soups: Daily Harvest
Good for: People looking for 100% plant-based smoothies and soups with minimal prep required
Daily Harvest is a flexible and clean plant-based meal service for busy people. It’s suitable for anyone who wants convenient, nutrient-packed meals with zero hassle. The meals arrive frozen and take just a few minutes to reheat or blend. However, they may not be substantial enough for athletes or individuals who have higher calorie needs.
If you’re looking for a reliable delivery service for simple menu items like smoothies and soups that are 100% plant-based, Daily Harvest is a solid option.
Former GGR senior staff writer and certified nutrition coach Amanda Capritto tried a variety of their menu items and was most impressed with their smoothies, which tasted great and seemed super fresh. Smoothie ingredients are delivered frozen, meaning the only prep required is adding them to a blender—no washing and cutting the fruit yourself or dealing with waste.
The soups are also simple, which you only need to heat with some broth. You may need to add extra seasoning, but they’re a great option for people with limited time, and earn 4 out of 5 for ease of preparation.
The need for extra seasoning was actually a common thread Amanda noticed with the skillet meals, flatbreads, and oat bowls that she tried. Overall, she felt that most of these items were bland and didn’t seem as fresh as the smoothies, and she only gave them 3 out of 5 for the taste. The flatbreads were limp, the oats were mushy, and the portions overall were pretty small. “Unfortunately I was disappointed with the taste of pretty much all of the items I tried,” she said. “Overall, the flavors are pretty bland and I had to spice up every meal with additional ingredients (except the smoothies).”
RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Smoothies
You do get to choose the menu items you’d like every week as there aren’t any set meal plans and it’s easy to filter by dietary restrictions. However, there isn’t as much variety compared to other delivery services, and we give Daily Harvest 3 out of 5 for variety.
Daily Harvest does provide easily accessible nutrition information, however, and offers a clear recycling guide. The fact that meals are packed with dry ice was a nice touch, eliminating some of the potential packaging waste.
Dietician Perry Nix appreciates the brand’s focus on sustainability. “When you order from Daily Harvest you’re getting sustainably-sourced fruits and vegetables,” she said. “The company values organic farming and biodiversity, which promotes more nutrient-rich soil and is better for the planet.”
If you want a little more variety or aren’t a huge fan of smoothies and shakes, Bistro MD is a good alternative to consider.
| Price per serving | $5.99-11.99 (price lowers the more items you order at a time) |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Prepared |
| Meals per week | 9, 14, or 24 |
| Delivery area | 95% of the continental U.S. |
| Examples of meals we tried | Smoothies, Mulberry Dragon Fruit Harvest Bowl, Flatbread, Rice Bowls |
Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Families: Hello Fresh
Good for: Families looking for simple plant-based meal kits with easy clean-up
HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals. They provide six different plans, including plant-based, pescatarian, and quick and easy meals. Additionally, 40 different recipes are available each week, and proteins and sides can be swapped out as needed. The subscription is flexible, as you can skip a week, pause, or cancel your account at any time.
What our tester says:
“There are around 5 to 8 meals that I consider my favorites that I like to choose when they are in the rotation, but I’m regularly able to expand my palate and try something new, especially with the seasonal options they include.”
Hello Fresh is one of the most popular meal kit services out there, and with good reason. While they don’t cater exclusively to plant-based eaters, they offer plenty of meatless options for vegetarians and a few options for vegans.
Hello Fresh is one of the most customizable services, allowing you to easily swap meals, add extra meals, swap proteins, and add additional snacks, proteins, and desserts to your orders. The ordering process earns a strong 5 out of 5.
Ashley Little, our tester for this service, was a big fan of the filling portion sizes and found most items to be very flavorful, only needing seasoning once in a while. “I’m almost always satisfied with my meals,” she said, giving them 4.5 out of 5 stars for the taste. “HelloFresh does not include typical seasonings like salt and pepper or butter, so you can season your food to your own taste.” The freshness of ingredients may vary based on your location. Ashley noticed that some vegetables tend to arrive looking less fresh, but all dairy arrived in good condition.
She was also impressed with the seasonal options from Hello Fresh, which add variety and allow long-term customers to regularly try new things. Nutrition information is easily accessible on the app.
Another significant advantage is the quick prep and cleanup, with 5-10 minutes for prep and 25-45 minutes for cooking. Thankfully, most meals only require dirtying one or two dishes. This is a huge time saver for families with busy schedules, making Hello Fresh one of the best options for plant-forward families, and we give them 4 out of 5 for ease of preparation.
Dietician Perry Nix says in our HelloFresh review, “I really like that Hello Fresh offers Family Friendly meal choices. As a mom of two young children, it can be difficult to find nutritious meals that everyone will eat. Also, since you cook these meals at home, the kids can help prepare their meals, which inspires them to taste new foods.”
If you don’t want to do any sort of cooking, Bistro MD is a good option for pre-made meals.
| Price per serving | $8.99-$12.49 |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Meal kit |
| Meals per week | 2-6 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. |
Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery for Picky Eaters: Splendid Spoon
Good for: People looking for 100% plant-based meals with minimal prep and extensive customization to avoid disliked ingredients
Splendid Spoon makes plant-based eating extremely accessible with no cooking required. It’s a solid pick for light, nutritious meals on a tight schedule, though heavy lifters may want to add protein elsewhere.
Splendid Spoon offers 100% plant-based frozen meals, taking the guesswork out of avoiding animal products while making it simple to eat more plants. They stand out for making it easy to avoid specific ingredients, such as beets and bananas, that you dislike or are allergic to. Allergens and dietary preferences are clearly marked, earning Splendid Spoon 5 out of 5 stars for access to nutritional information.
All meals are also gluten-free and free from artificial sweeteners, with low-sodium and low-carb options.
Splendid Spoon offers plans which vary by the number and categories of meals that they include. GGR editor Frieda Johnson tried the 14-meal plan, which included five smoothies, five grain bowls or soups, two noodle dishes, and two main dishes. “The food is surprisingly good!” she said. “The smoothies are hit and miss, though—the only one I’ve actually liked so far is the strawberry chocolate, the rest have been disappointing. But the food has all been really good, especially for gluten-free, vegan frozen meals. Unfortunately, since the smoothies are not very good and you don’t have the option to order a plan with just the food, I’m going to have to give them a lower overall score.”
Even though the solid meals are good, the questionable smoothies bring down the taste score to 3 out of 5 stars. On the plus side, they cycle their menu, meaning there’s a good variety of meals from which to choose.
Frieda thought the portion sizes were great for lunch but not quite filling enough for dinner. You also end up with fewer actual meals than Splendid Spoon claims since the meal plans are mostly made up of smoothies and soups. Perry Nix, RD, said, “All plans require you purchase a combination of smoothies, bowls, noodles, and dishes, which isn’t ideal for anyone not interested in all of these items. The smoothies are considered a meal, but don’t provide enough energy to be considered a sufficient meal replacement.”
Another plus—their dedication to sustainability, which earns them 4.75 out of 5 stars for this category. All packaging is recyclable, and Splendid Spoon recently opened a new distribution center which reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by 70,000 pounds.
Unfortunately, while Frieda’s ingredients were still cold upon delivery, the dry ice had already melted. Meals were jumbled up in their containers and weren’t packed well, with soup containers arriving upside down.
The process for canceling orders was a little convoluted, and Frieda had issues being charged for her second box before she had received her first one. She also missed the chance to edit her second box because the notification was sent out so late. Choosing replacements for out-of-stock meals was also difficult as she was never notified that she needed to pick something else.
Overall, this service is great for picky eaters due to the large selection and ability to filter by foods to avoid, but be aware of potential issues with shipping and customer service.
For more, check out our full Splendid Spoon review.
If you’re looking for a service with a smoother ordering process, you might want to consider Hello Fresh instead.
| Price per serving | $11.17 |
| Type (meal kit or prepared) | Prepared |
| Meals per week | 7, 14, 21 |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. |
| Examples of meals we tried | Fruity Greens Smoothie, Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie, Black Bean and Plantain Grain Bowl, Butternut Turmeric Soup, Green Curry Noodles |
Other Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services We Researched and Tested
There were a few other plant-based meal delivery services we tried that seemed promising, but ultimately missed the mark.
Revive Superfoods: Meals are frozen, chosen a la carte, and fairly affordable at about $8, but the taste and flavor profiles were lacking for most items. The portions were also pretty small, more suitable for a snack than a true meal. Because of the lackluster flavor and small portions, we couldn’t give this service our stamp of approval.
Sprinly: Their organic plant-based meals were creative, tasty, and quick to reheat, but the ice had melted and two meals were already warm upon delivery. Because the company didn’t offer a refund for the spoiled meals, it’s hard to recommend them for people who live in remote areas.
Blue Apron: Blue Apron has a lot of things going for them: it’s easy to choose your meals, they offer a vegetarian meal kit plan, and customer service is phenomenal. That said, we couldn’t rate it as one of our favorites due to the variation in taste. Some meals were amazing, while others were bland. If they start offering consistently great-tasting options, we would definitely recommend them.
RELATED: Blue Apron Vs HelloFresh Vs Home Chef
Every Plate: While we appreciated how easy Every Plate makes it to customize your order, we found the meals to be pretty bland. Combined with the fact some recipes were pretty involved and that not every required ingredient is included (like salt, flour, and cooking oil), we think there are more convenient options available.
Sunbasket: In our experience, this meal kit delivery service just wasn’t worth the money and time required to prepare the meals. Every meal we tried was bland and required a lot of doctoring. Add to that the long cooking and cleanup time, small portions, and variable ingredient quality, and you’d be better off choosing another company.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery
To provide the most well-informed rankings possible, we had numerous team members try multiple meal delivery services and provide their feedback according to predetermined criteria. These included:
Price per Meal
This helped us decide whether the meal kits and fully prepared meals provided more value than ordering takeout or eating at a restaurant. Some services were just too expensive for the value they provided.
Ordering
If the ordering process was overly complicated or confusing, this was a big red flag. We preferred being able to view menus and pricing before being asked for personal information.
Taste
For us, bland food was the biggest turn off. It’s hard to justify the price of a delivery service if you have to add your own seasonings and ingredients just to make the food enjoyable.
Ease of Preparation
Many people turn to meal delivery kits to cut down on cooking time during the week, so this was an important factor for us to consider.
Portion Size
We (and many of our readers) are physically active, which meant that small portions weren’t going to cut it. We prioritized filling meals that could stand alone without having to supplement.
Ingredient Quality
Freshness was a big factor, as this impacts how long the meals last and cuts down on food waste.
Variety
Ordering the same meals over and over can get boring, so we hoped to see a good variety of ingredients and flavors.
Meal Plans and Customization
Having set meal plans is great for cutting down on decision-making, but some people prefer the ability to choose and customize their meals. We looked for both of these factors.
Access to Nutritional Info
Nutritional information can come in handy when deciding which meal best fits your goals that day, so we wanted it to be easily accessible.
Packaging and Sustainability
A common criticism of meal delivery kits is the excessive packaging, which plays into sustainability. We wanted to see easily recyclable, minimal packaging. Fortunately, choosing plant-based meals is already helpful for the environment compared to meat-heavy items.
Customer Service
What if your order is delayed, you receive the wrong meal, or your food never arrives? Good customer service that responds quickly is an important thing to look for.
Benefits of Plant-Based Meal Delivery
Why choose a plant-based meal delivery service? They:
Can Improve Nutrient Density
Eating more plants is an effective way to increase your intake of dietary fiber, antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and certain micronutrients like vitamin C and potassium. At the same time, it can lower your intake of saturated fat.
Of course, depending on how plant-based your diet is, you may need to supplement with vitamin B12 and include enough foods rich in iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, and selenium.
May Decrease Your Risk of Certain Diseases
Nutrient-dense plant-based diets are often associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease1, Type 2 diabetes2, obesity, and high blood pressure, according to multiple systematic reviews and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics3.
The American Institute for Cancer Research4 (AICR) also recommends a plant-heavy eating pattern that limits red and processed meats to help prevent the development and recurrence of cancer.
Are Good for the Environment
Good news for climate change: Our food choices can make a big difference. According to a November 2016 systematic review published in Advances in Nutrition5, diets higher in healthy plant-based foods and lower in animal products have consistently been shown to be less taxing on the environment.
Can Be More Budget-Friendly
Plant-based eating isn’t only good for your health and the planet, it can also make your wallet happy. Plant-based staples like beans, lentils, and grains tend to be more affordable than meat and dairy. Just watch for overly trendy foods like acai bowls or wellness shots, which are usually way overpriced.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Plant-Based Meal Delivery
When choosing between plant-based meal delivery services, keep the following points in mind to best meet your needs.
Meal Kit or Prepared
Think about how much time you want to spend preparing meals and whether you want to do any cooking. Meal kits can help you save time on grocery shopping and meal planning, but do require cooking.
If you want ready-to-eat meals, choose a service that provides prepared options. These can be fresh or frozen.
Whether Animal Products Are Included
“Plant-based” is a nebulous term nowadays, often used to describe eating patterns that include a lot of plant foods with smaller amounts of meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, or honey. If you want to avoid all meat, ensure that the company offers vegetarian meals.
Even if a service has vegetarian options, they may not have vegan options. Vegans should double check and look for meals that are clearly marked. They may feel most comfortable with a 100% vegan meal service just for peace of mind.
Variety
Take it from someone who has been vegan for almost a decade—if you don’t have a variety of flavors and textures in your diet, you’ll get bored quickly. Try to browse the menus and choose a meal delivery service that offers a variety of cuisines, ingredients, and flavor profiles.
Price
Meal delivery services can add up quickly, so make sure to have a budget in mind. Do the math and see if the service will save you money. You may be willing to spend more for the convenience, which is also fine—you just don’t want to be surprised when you check your bank account at the end of the month.
Protein Content
Getting enough protein on a plant-based diet is entirely possible, but not all meal delivery services prioritize this. Look for meals that include tofu, tempeh, beans, legumes, seitan, and quinoa. Plant-based protein powders in smoothies also work.
If you’re physically active, you’ll want at least 20-25 grams of protein per meal. Not all meal delivery options will provide this much, so do your research beforehand.
Portion Size
People often need to eat larger portions of plant-based foods to feel full, especially if they’re lower in protein and fat. Try to find customer reviews that address whether the portion sizes are large enough to keep you full between meals.
Responsive Customer Service
Some of the most frustrating things that can happen with meal delivery is missing or spoiled ingredients, receiving the wrong order, or not receiving your order on time. Choosing a company with a responsive customer service team that offers refunds will save you a lot of worry (and money).
Plant-Based Meal Delivery: FAQs
Is there a vegetarian version of HelloFresh?
Yes! HelloFresh offers plenty of vegetarian meals under their Veggie meal plan.
How much does Hungryroot really cost?
Hungryroot starts at $65 per delivery, depending on how many meals you order. They average around $10 per meal.
Is Veestro all vegan?
Yes, Veestro is a 100% vegan meal delivery service. They don’t use any meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, or honey in their meals.
How does Purple Carrot deliver?
Purple Carrot delivers meals weekly. Food is kept cold with the use of fully frozen gel packs, and they partner with a third-party lab and shipping carriers to ensure food is cold enough and minimize shipping time.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Dinu M, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A, Sofi F. Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017;57(17):3640-3649. doi:10.1080/10408398.2016.1138447
- Key TJ, Papier K, Tong TYN. Plant-based diets and long-term health: findings from the EPIC-Oxford study. Proc Nutr Soc. 2022;81(2):190-198. doi:10.1017/S0029665121003748
- Melina V, Craig W, Levin S. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(12):1970-1980. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.025
- American Institute for Cancer Research. AICR’s Foods that Fight Cancer™ and Foods to Steer Clear Of, Explained. Accessed 8/8/2023.
- Nelson ME, Hamm MW, Hu FB, Abrams SA, Griffin TS. Alignment of Healthy Dietary Patterns and Environmental Sustainability: A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2016;7(6):1005-1025. Published 2016 Nov 15. doi:10.3945/an.116.012567
