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Note: Because there’s no single definition of “plant-based,” we included services that are suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.
Plant-based diets have soared in popularity, especially among people looking to improve their health, reduce their carbon footprint, and add more fruits and vegetables to their diet. However, preparing plant-based meals can be tricky, especially if you’re short on time or have limited cooking experience.
Meal delivery services offer an easy and convenient way to enjoy more nutritious plant-based meals at home — but with so many new plant-based meal delivery services popping up, finding an option that works for you can be difficult.
Keep reading for our picks of the eight best plant-based meal delivery services, and take a look into some of the other services we considered.
Disclaimer: Many of the services below were provided for free by meal delivery service providers. Our reviews and opinions are ours alone, and haven’t been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the meal delivery service companies. Pricing information is current as of publication and is subject to change.
Plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian: What’s the difference?
A plant-based diet is considered more of a lifestyle than a diet because of how much it can vary from person to person.
A plant-based diet focuses on minimally processed, whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains with small amounts of lean meat, eggs, and dairy.
A vegan diet avoids all animal products. Veganism is also more of a lifestyle often associated with and rooted in animal rights.
The Vegan Society defines veganism as a philosophy and way of living that “excludes … all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” This means steering clear of any animal byproduct, like leather, wool, silk, or suede, in addition to animal flesh.
A vegetarian diet, on the other hand, does not include any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish, or byproducts of animal slaughter but can include eggs and dairy. However, other types of vegetarian diets may also avoid eggs, dairy, and other animal byproducts.
Here are a few other services we tested and considered for this review, but that didn’t quite make the cut.
Daily Harvest (3.6 out of 5): All Daily Harvest meals are plant-based and gluten-free, and most are organic. We love their focus on sustainability, with much of their packaging being recyclable. However, they fell short in testing. Portions were smaller and less filling than other options, while flavor was lacking in some items we tried.
Sunbasket (4.6 out of 5): Our testers enjoyed Sunbasket’s meals, but they might be a better option for people who aren’t strictly plant-based. They offer only a few vegetarian options each week, and they don’t have a dedicated vegan menu.
Hello Fresh (4.2 out of 5): Hello Fresh is an affordable meal delivery service that offers a few vegetarian and vegan menu items each week. Like some other services on our list, they also offer menus that contain animal products. They’re transparent about their suppliers for those products, but show in their most recent chicken welfare report that they have a longer way to go on their key goals than comparable services.
We’ve taken the time to test more than 30 of the most popular meal delivery services on the market. Testers select a week’s worth of meals from several menus to get a well-rounded view of the types of flavors and ingredients offered.
As part of our testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the sign-up and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, ease of cooking, and, of course, the taste. We score them accordingly.
Why you can trust us
Every meal delivery service we recommend has been reviewed by registered dietitians and vetted to ensure it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each service in this article:
is in compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety and manufacturing regulations
uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products
lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging
promotes a healthy approach to well-being
doesn’t make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials
Offering a large assortment of vegan-friendly meal kits, prepared meals, and optional add-ons, Purple Carrot is one of the best plant-based meal delivery services on the market.
Mosaic Foods is one of the most affordable options if you’re looking for 100% vegan meals.
There are many vegan-friendly meal delivery services that prioritize fresh, nutrient-rich meals, including Sprinly, Purple Carrot, and Mosaic Foods.
Plant-based meal delivery services offer a convenient way to enjoy nutritious meals at home.
The many available plant-based meal delivery services vary in terms of the types of meals and menus they provide.
Be sure to consider factors like menu variety, ingredient quality, cost, availability, and required preparation when selecting the service that’s right for you.
Last medically reviewed on March 7, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
