The 7 Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services For a Nutrient-Packed Diet

By putting the control back into the hands of the home chef, the brand empowers people to expand their palate and consider new ways to use their ingredients to reduce food waste. 

You'll have the choice to shop a la carte ingredients or curated recipes for your weekly delivery, which starts at $65 per box. Both options allow users to filter by dietary preferences like gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free, and shellfish-free. 

Pros

Cons

We've tested out Hungryroot including these plant-based meals. If you're a whiz in the kitchen, the flavors might leave something to be desired. But for a fast and easy meals, here's our review:

While not every item is organic, Hungryroot aims to prioritize as many non-GMO products as it can. Shipping materials are also curbside recyclable sans the ice pack—a newly launched pouch uses a nontoxic gel that can be poured down the sink or used to feed your plants (!!!). Unfortunately, the brand does source groceries from a variety of companies, which makes further recycling instructions difficult to track down. 

Score: B+

Registered dietician nutritionist Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN reviewed the nutritional label for the Peanutty Veggie Noodles with Tofu and Crispy Brussels and gave the final product a B. She liked that the meal provided lots of fiber, which is essential for optimal gut health and healthy bowel movements. Knudsen also noted the meal was "really good on sodium" and "low in added sugars" despite including sauce. However, she noted the recipe may be higher in fat than some people may wish for (about 60% of calories).

"If you love the process of buying all your ingredients in the store and spending a considerable amount of time on a fancy recipe, this might not be the meal delivery service for you," they wrote, "I plan to use Hungryroot again when I know I'm going to be particularly busy because I did find it to be a helpful, streamlined way to approach the week's menu."

Delivered to your door weekly, every item contains at least four veggies, maximizing the biodiversity of your meals.

While low-carb eaters may struggle to find enough options, it's possible to filter out high-protein recipes and allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and wheat. The hardest part will be deciding what to try first: roasted garlic cauliflower soup, butternut squash risotto, or beet bourguignon. 

Pros

Cons

After trying more than a dozen different Mosaic meals spread across a few orders, mindbodygreen testers considered these plant-based picks the most delicious options:

Mosaic sticks to frozen meals because they create less manufacturing waste and help buyers reduce their risk of food waste. This commitment to sustainability continues with the packaging with a curbside recyclable box, lining papers, boxes, and trays (though you'll need to give these a rinse). You'll likely need to make a trip to your local grocery store or recycling center to recycle the plastic film on the trays.

Score: A-

Knudsen reviewed the nutritional label for the Eggplant Masala & Mango Chutney and was impressed by the ingredients. She liked that the bowl incorporated a variety of whole plant foods (and we all know the importance of biodiversity in our diet), however Knudsen warned the recipe may be too low in protein for some (~10% of calories) and too high in fat for others (~39% of calories).

"My gut reaction to frozen food has always been negative, but I can officially say that Mosaic has changed my point of view by offering whole foods, delicious frozen foods that tasted like I could've made them (and I mean that as a compliment). As a vegetarian who prides herself on impressing even the meat eaters in her life with delicious food, I feel confident that even carnivores would be impressed by these recipes—and the price."

Every hand-packed box is filled with pre-measured portions of all the ingredients you'll need for a nutritious meal, and each recipe takes less than 30 minutes. 

Pros

Cons

Green Chef is the very first USDA-certified organic meal delivery kit—but the ethos on quality doesn't end there. It also offsets 100% of its carbon emissions and focuses on completely recyclable packaging. Plus, the brand even partners with sustainability organizations to ensure they stay as green as possible.

Score: D

Knudsen reviewed the nutritional label for the Baja Cauliflower Bowls and felt there was room for improvement; she noted the recipe was high in sodium (almost 60% of the daily 2,400mg recommendation) and much lower in fiber than many other plant-based meals. Beyond that, it also had a fairly high fat macro breakdown, which also leads to more calories per serving than may suit some people's needs. Knudsen also noted the recipe lacked a significant protein source beyond nuts.

A majority of the menu is available as meal kits with a limited (and pricier!) selection of premade items available.

Past selections like crispy harissa tofu, scallion mushroom dumplings, and lemon-braised chickpeas showcase the depth of options available—and that's just the tip of the iceberg. You can also add on pantry items like vegan pesto, cheese, and sausage for extra excitement. Plus, the assortment can be filtered for dietary needs, such as low-calorie or high-protein meals, as well as allergy information for soy, gluten, and nuts. 

Pros

Cons

While the brand prioritizes organic produce, it doesn't guarantee a completely GMO-free meal. However, shelf-stable ingredients are most likely organic, according to the brand. Plus, the company supports the Farmlink Project and offers an in-depth guide on how to recycle the leftover packaging from your order. 

Score: A

Knudsen only had positive things to say about Purple Carrot's Sumac Tofu Fattoush recipe. She called the meal nutritionally balanced with a high-quality protein source (extra-firm protein), 11g of fiber, and no added sugars. Plus, she calls out the meal for packing 30% of the daily recommended calcium.

Regardless of your choices, you can rest assured knowing that there won't be any gluten, dairy, refined sugar, or GMOs in your next delivery. Plus, an abundance of low-calorie options makes this a choice for those seeking a meal delivery for weight loss.

Whether you opt for a spinach and shiitake grit bowl or an açai and cherry smoothie, your vegan goodies will arrive completely frozen and need minimal prep work. Think a few minutes in the blender or half an hour in the oven. Not to mention, there's even a line of dairy-free frozen desserts crafted with whole foods and natural sweeteners. 

Pros

Cons

We have a full Daily Harvest Review for those who want even more intel on this plant-based brand, but these are some of mbg's tester's top picks:

The brand has a long-term goal to be 100% compostable, recyclable, and virgin-plastic-free—and we're pretty impressed by its sustainability steps so far. The cups are the only paper that's not curbside recyclable, and a few plastics require extra attention. Plus, the brand supports farmers in making the swap to organic farming with more biodiversity.

Score: B

Knudsen gave the Daily Harvest Black Bean Cheeze Bowl a solid B, noting that the low-calorie entrée may not offer enough energy for some people. She also flagged that the meal could benefit from additional protein from plant-based sources, such as legumes or tofu.

"Daily Harvest makes it possible to eat nutritious meals even when you're in a time crunch. While the service isn't ideal for those on a tight budget or anyone following a low-carb/high-protein diet, it's a great option for anyone who wants to increase their fruit and vegetable intake without spending a ton of time in the kitchen."

Each week features a new rotation of six menu items, like the smoky bunless beet burger or pesto zucchini noodles, which all take less than three minutes to reheat. 

Nationwide deliveries arrive every Tuesday with options to skip or pause your subscription online at any time. Despite more streamlined offerings, the menu typically includes multiple nut-, soy-, and gluten-free options each week.

The only packaging you can't recycle from your delivery is the ice pack, but Sprinly suggests thoughtful ways to give it a second life. The quality continues with nutritious high-quality recipes that prioritize organic ingredients and no preservatives or artificial sweeteners.

Score: C

Knudsen felt the brand's Roasted Tahini "Butter" Sweet Potatoes with Red Rice and Sweet Lemon Kale could benefit from a few improvements. She noted the meal was not well-balanced from a macro perspective, making it "high carbohydrates" while "very low in protein." Plus, the recipe lacked non-starchy vegetables and a high quality protein source, which could be small at-home improvements.

There's a handful of fresh, ready-to-eat options available, like microwave-ready sweet pea and broccoli risotto. 

Plus, the menu can be filtered for a range of other dietary needs such as paleo, gluten-free, carb-conscious, or lean & clean. 

Pros

Cons

Regardless of your selection, you can expect 99% USDA organic ingredients with notifications any time the brand subs in nonorganic ingredients. When your box arrives, most components are curbside recyclable except the plastic bags, which will require a special visit to your local recycling center.

Score: B

Although Knudsen was impressed by the brand's low-sodium and low-sugar Deconstructed Samosas recipe—which focuses on whole ingredients and no preservatives—she noted the lack of protein. "Protein really should reach the minimum of 10%, especially at this calorie range," she says.