We Tried the Viral Vegan Meal Kit Everyone’s Talking About

I’ve been testing meal delivery services for the past six years with Good Housekeeping, and one thing I’ve learned is that while many offer a few plant-based dishes each week, it’s still rare to find a service dedicated entirely to vegan meals (that actually taste good). That’s why I was excited to try Purple Carrot, a 100% plant-based meal delivery service known for its globally inspired recipes. We even had Purple Carrot send boxes to GH+ testers, who cooked the meals in their own kitchens to see how they fared in everyday life. But its higher price tag, despite not including any meat, gave me pause. Is it worth it? Here are my honest thoughts on what I loved and what could be better.

Purple Carrot Meal Delivery

Order at purplecarrot.com

Pros

• All meals are 100% vegan
• Flavorful, globally-inspired recipes
• Flexible mix of meal kits and ready-to-eat meals
• Helps inspire new flavors and cooking creativity
• Additional dietary filters available like high-protein and gluten-free
• Nice selection of add-ons like snacks and pantry staples

Cons

• One of the more expensive kits per serving
• Packaging includes a fair amount of plastic

Purple Carrot is a fully vegan meal delivery servicconsue designed to make eating plant-based easier and more accessible. It offers both meal kits, complete with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipes, and ready-made meals you just heat and eat. The menu changes weekly and includes a wide range of globally inspired dishes, from comfort food to more adventurous flavors, all without any animal products. They also cater to different dietary needs, such as gluten-free, high-protein, or low-carb. You can add a few specialty plant-based grocery items to your order, and many of the ingredients are locally sourced. It's a practical option for anyone looking to eat more plant-based without the extra work.

Purple Carrot offers three flexible meal plans for different lifestyles and schedules:

• Meal Kit: For those who enjoy cooking but want to skip the planning and shopping, this option includes everything needed to make a flavorful meal with minimal prep. It’s available in two-serving ($13.25/serving) and four-serving ($11/serving) sizes, with preferences like Chef’s Choice, Gluten-Free, Less Prep, and High Protein.
• Ready to Eat: Ideal for busy days, these single-serving meals ($13 each) just need to be heated, no prep or planning required. Options include Chef’s Choice and a wellness-focused plan called Jumpstart.
• Mix & Match: A more flexible option that lets you combine Meal Kits, premade meals, and grocery items depending on your schedule and needs.

There’s a $50 order minimum, and orders over $100 ship free. A $15 shipping fee applies in most areas, which will be shown at checkout. Right now, Purple Carrot ships to all 48 contiguous U.S. states.

Flavorful, innovative meals

Purple Carrot's meals are a welcome break from the usual go-to vegan staples like rice and beans. My family eats vegan twice a week for religious reasons, so it's safe to say that I've tried my fair share of plant-based meals and know that it's easy to fall into a lentil soup rut. But the Purple Carrot recipes feature flavor combinations and unexpected ingredient pairings that I wouldn't think to put together myself. One tester summed it up nicely: "I was blown away by Purple Carrot (especially compared to HelloFresh)! The meals were much more inventive and unique, and I felt like I was preparing a much more put-together dish than the HelloFresh vegetarian meals."

Some dishes definitely stood out more than others, but overall, they were pretty filling and very flavorful, even without meat or dairy. Another tester shared a great example and said, "The food was quite good. We first made the Thai noodles with salad, which was fine, nothing super special. However, the hearty tomato soup with tofu 'cheese' curds was excellent, and even my picky husband said it was great. We never would have thought to make such a dish on our own, and thought the tofu 'cheese' curds were really creative."

Flexible options

One thing I've found useful is the ability to switch between full meal kits and prepared meals. On weeks when I have time to cook, the kits are a good option. When I don't, the premade meals are solid and exciting, something I actually looked forward to heating and eating. That said, the ready-made meals are really more geared toward individuals, not families, so they don't go very far if you're feeding more than one or two people. I also found that the actual meal kits were healthier from a nutrition standpoint.

Still, I appreciate the flexibility, especially since the plans accommodate different dietary preferences, such as high-protein and gluten-free, while remaining entirely plant-based. Many testers highlighted how the meals helped them break out of their routine. One person mentioned, "Since my husband and I are both dairy-free, it was nice to try something that forced us away from our typical proteins."

Thoughtful plant-based recipes

Many vegan meals tend to lean heavily on carbs or feel like they're missing something, but I was surprised by how balanced most of these dishes were. There's usually a good mix of plant-based protein and fiber, and the meals feel more filling and complete than I expected. Ingredient quality was consistent, too: The produce arrived fresh, and the pantry items were solid. "I liked how fresh everything was when it arrived! The instructions were easy to follow, and each meal came together very quickly. It was great to make after work, and I didn't have to use any brain power to figure out what was for dinner," one tester said.

Another person noted how the recipes pushed them to try new things. She said, "I really enjoyed how it inspired me to try different flavors and ingredients that I wouldn’t have normally purchased. Every meal was delicious, but I especially loved the Mango Tempeh and Cauliflower Lentils. It definitely expanded my palette with unique flavors and recipes I wouldn’t have come up with myself."

Exciting grocery selection

Beyond full meals, Purple Carrot also offers a small grocery section with snacks, sauces, and breakfast items. It’s convenient if you’re already ordering meals, and while it’s not a substitute for a full grocery run, it’s a nice way to try out new plant-based products and mix things up from week to week. I discovered a new favorite, Harken Sweets, and also Fabalish dips and condiments, through this section of the service. "I also liked that it included some fully prepared items and a few bonus items like a tasty juice and nuts. It made the whole delivery a bit more special," one tester said.

Another person commented, "I liked Purple Carrot more than Hungryroot. I felt like the recipes were more inventive and the quality was better."

Higher price point

While Purple Carrot's meals cost less than most restaurant dishes, I would say they're on par with, or even more expensive than, standard takeout. Since it doesn't have any meat, I had difficulty justifying the high cost. That said, the portions were more filling than I expected for plant-based dishes, and the ingredient quality is clearly a focus. Still, for anyone on a tighter budget or feeding multiple people several nights a week, the cost can add up quickly. It might make more sense as an occasional solution rather than a full-time commitment.

Quick turnaround for freshness

The emphasis on fresh, minimally processed ingredients is great, but it means some components have a shorter shelf life. Compared to other meal kits I've tried, a few of the more delicate items (like herbs or greens) didn't hold up as long. One tester pointed out, "The pizza was surprisingly tasty. I didn't expect much from vegan cheese, but it was good. We waited a couple of days to make that one, and while the ingredients were still generally fresh, the basil was pretty wilted by then." If you're using this service, it's best to plan to cook the meals within a couple of days of delivery to minimize food waste.

Packaging still adds up

For a plant-based company, I expected Purple Carrot's packaging to be more sustainable. While some components like the cardboard box and ClimaCell insulation are curbside recyclable for most, there's still quite a bit of single-use plastic involved. Recycling the remaining materials depends heavily on local guidelines, which aren't always clear or accessible. I understand that food safety is a factor here, but it's worth noting that other services, like Sunbasket, have made more visible progress in embracing environmentally friendly practices. All in all, it's more plastic than I expected from a brand built around plant-based values. One tester also experienced a packaging issue, too: "One of the sauce containers in my packaging exploded and ruined a few of the grocery items." That said, I've tried the service several times and have never experienced this myself.

How much does Purple Carrot cost?

Meal Kits start at about $11-13 per serving, depending on the size of your plan. The ready-to-eat meals cost around $13 each. Shipping is free on orders over $100 and $15 otherwise, and there is a order minimum of $50.

Is Purple Carrot completely vegan?

Yes, all Purple Carrot meals are 100% vegan, made without meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal products.

Does Purple Carrot offer gluten-free options?

There are gluten-free items available on the menu each week. However, Purple Carrot’s facilities are not certified gluten-free, so the service may not be suitable for those with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies.

Is Purple Carrot good for weight loss?

While Purple Carrot is not a formal weight loss program, it does offer balanced, portion-controlled meals. The specific Jumpstart meals are designed by dietitians and focus on lighter, wellness-oriented recipes that can support healthy habits.

Can I mix meal kits and prepared meals?

Yes. The Mix & Match plan lets you combine Meal Kits, Ready-to-Eat dishes, and grocery items in a single order for maximum flexibility.

Where does Purple Carrot deliver?

Purple Carrot currently ships to all 48 contiguous United States.

Is Purple Carrot easy to cancel?

You can cancel your subscription under your account either on Purple Carrot's website or app. You'll also have the option to pause your subscription for up to 10 weeks.

Purple Carrot is one of the few fully vegan meal kits, and I appreciate that it doesn't rely on the usual plant-based go-tos. The meals were genuinely creative, satisfying, and often more filling than I expected. There's also a much bigger vegan selection than I've seen with most services, not just in terms of flavors, but also dietary preferences, with options like high-protein, gluten-free, and lower-carb.

I liked the flexibility of switching between meal kits and prepared meals, which made it easier to fit into a busy week. But I'll be honest: The price feels steep, especially since there's no meat in the dishes. Some of the fresh produce didn't last more than a couple of days, and for a vegan brand, I was surprised by how much plastic the packaging contained.

But if you're looking to eat more vegan meals that actually taste great and don’t mind spending a bit more for the convenience and variety, Purple Carrot is a solid option. Just know it might work better as a once-in-a-while solution rather than your go-to every night.

Registered Dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos has led meal-delivery testing for the brand for the past six years. She is passionate about finding practical, time-saving solutions that make healthy eating and living more attainable. Stefani appreciates that many meal delivery services are offering more nutritious options to support a balanced lifestyle.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT

Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.