How many vegan-friendly meal kits can you list off the top of your head? When we embarked on this project, we assumed there were maybe half a dozen. After doing our research, we were shocked to find that you need more than two hands to count them all. Given a small staff and limited fridge space, we narrowed it down to 13, divided up the “work,” and began sampling. Some blew us away, others were about as expected, and all delivered on the promise of plant-based convenience. Whether you’re looking for a quick frozen option or a freshly prepared, locally sourced meal, there is a vegan meal kit for you. We tried them all, and here are our thoughts.
Note: this list is not ranked in any particular order.
Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest doesn’t just make smoothies anymore—it’s moved on to something better. In addition to the frozen dump-and-blend smoothie cups that popularized this plant-based delivery service, Daily Harvest now ships everything from morning oats to dinner-sized bowls. Unlike many meal kit companies, it also offers desserts in the form of Scoops (ice cream) and Bites (naturally sweetened superfood balls). All items come frozen.
Service: VegNews Publisher and Co-founder Colleen Holland keeps coming back to this company for the variety of foods as well as for the easy ordering. She gets deliveries once a week with a fresh batch of smoothies, Harvest Bowls, and even flatbreads.
Price: $5.99-$8.99 per item
Variety: Pretty solid if you’re in the mood for healthy food. From smoothies to soups and flatbreads to ice cream, you won’t get bored. We’re big fans of the new Almond Mylk wedges, too!
Meals: Holland’s favorites include Tart Cherry + Raspberry Smoothie, Chocolate + Blueberry Smoothie, Carrot + Cinnamon Smoothie, and the new Almond Mylk wedges.
Insider tip: If you like your smoothies on the sweet side, add a date or two when you blend them up.
Overall: Because all these meals are frozen, Daily Harvest is ideal for those looking for a nourishing go-to meal when there absolutely is no time for food or those who aren’t interested in cooking at all.
MamaSezz
MamaSezz
This plant-based company is a triumph of what allergen-friendly eating can be. Each meal is vegan as well as oil, gluten, refined sugar, preservative, and peanut-free. The meals are refrigerated and serve two to three per pouch. They’re great to have on hand when you want to boost up the produce or farmers’ market bread you have on hand.
Service: In regards to packaging, the pouch thing kind of threw us off. It’s weird plopping out tuna salad from a Ziplock black bag. However, once we took a bite, we entirely forgot about it.
Price: As low as $169 for 24 servings
Variety: For an ingredient list that restricts so many items, MamaSezz does not want for variety. Choose from soups, deli salads, plant-based proteins, and the new Not-a-Cookie.
Meals: VegNews Digital Editor Tanya Flink ate the Chickpea Tuna Salad straight from the fridge! The Moroccan Stew and toothsome Ginger Garlic Protein Strips were also a hit. And the Not-a-Cookie was surprisingly excellent.
Insider tip: Keep the deli salads and protein options on hand to give substance to leafy greens and homemade stir-frys.
Overall: If you’re looking to keep some affordable and healthy vegan staples on hand, MamaSezz is an excellent option. We wish some items came frozen, though, for preservability’s sake.
Veestro
Veestro
Veestro gets five stars for accessibility and ease. The meals are solid, take less than two minutes to heat up, and there’s plenty of variety. We paired each meal with a big salad or steamed greens to amp up the veggies.
Service: Compact packages remind us of frozen TV dinners, but they store nicely in the fridge and keep forever. The à la carte feature is also a major plus.
Price: As low as $9.35 per meal
Variety: Mostly comfort food veganized and somewhat healthified. We want dessert!
Meals: Flink adored the Chilaquiles (it’s more like a Mexican lasagna), Lentil and Spinach Tagine, Beluga Lentil Braise, and the Chick’n Nuggets. Watch out, NUGGS, Veestro is coming for you!
Insider tip: Keep greens on hand to add a bit more veg to your meal.
Overall: For a vegan meal you can heat up in minutes, Veestro excels in this category. Not every meal is a winner, but the vast majority of them are so satisfying.
Plantable
Plantable
This plant-based company is committed to you, and it expects equal commitment from you. Plantable is all about lifestyle change and forming healthy eating habits. Meals come frozen and are nutrient-dense, refined sugar-free, and low in salt. It’s not cheap, but you’re essentially getting a virtual nutrition coach along with premade meals.
Service: Loved the à la carte option and various plans (we tried the Reboot). Plantable is goal-oriented and it shows—from the daily emails right down to the complimentary breakfast and salad recipe booklet that come with each order.
Price: As low as $129 for a three-day cleanse
Variety: Exceptional. All meals are healthy, but they lean into comfort foods as well as the standard soup and grain/veggie/protein bowl.
Meals: With the exception of the Hippie Brunch Burrito, Flink loved everything she tried. The Spanakopita with Chickpea Toast Triangles; Tomato, Eggplant, and Lentil Stew; and the Pizza Pocket were outstanding.
Insider tip: Don’t put any casserole-style dishes in the oven. They’re great, but they fall apart when heated. Plop them into a bowl and microwave.
Overall: If you’re thinking about any kind of cleanse or reboot—whether that’s a juice cleanse or an elimination diet—we’d suggest trying Plantable first. It’s real food, it’s satiating, and it’s scientifically proven to actually work.
Prime Roots
Prime Roots
New to the vegan meal delivery market, this plant-based company was built on bacon. After mastering this inaugural product, Prime Roots moved on to ready-made meals. All dishes come refrigerated, so you have to eat them fast. The meals themselves are ideal for a quick lunch or nothing-in-the-fridge dinner.
Service: Meals were delivered promptly and there was no issue in transport. The slim containers stack nicely in the fridge or in a bag when you’re headed out the door.
Price: As low as $9.99 per meal
Variety: It’s expanding. Items range from vegan bacon to rice bowls and ravioli to mac and cheese.
Meals: We only tried the rice bowl options (made with rice, vegan meat, veggies, and sauce). The sauce ratio was spot on—not too saucy and not too dry. We also appreciated the generous portion of perfectly cooked vegetables.
Insider tip: Get the bacon. Pre-cooked, it looks a bit questionable, but when the strips are crisped up in a dry pan, the taste and texture is spot on. It’s bacon without the gristle. Granted, Flink hasn’t had bacon in 16 years, but the experience is just like she remembers.
Overall: When you know you’re going to have a busy week but don’t want to rely on fast food, it’s nice to have a Prime Roots meal handy. Also, get the bacon!
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot makes home cooking simpler by eliminating the “what’s for dinner?” question and sending you the pre-measured ingredients you need to put a wholesome meal together. The portions are sometimes a bit off, but altogether you can rely on a home cooked meal that’s likely better than what you could make on your own.
Service: We loved that the directions were easy to follow and included pictures. Though, it’s not great if you’re picky, as there’s no à la carte option. You get whatever that week’s menu has planned.
Price: $11.99 per meal, serves 2
Variety: Incredible. We tried foods and flavors we never thought of putting together before. Meals are globally inspired and often pleasantly spicy.
Meals: VegNews Editorial Assistant Jocelyn Martinez said the Kimchi Quesadilla made her want to keep kimchi on hand at all times.
Insider tip: You get to keep the recipes! Also, allow a good 30-45 minutes to prepare, particularly if you’re a novice in the kitchen.
Overall: Purple Carrot is an excellent option for those looking to master a handful of delicious, nutrient-dense, vegan meals.
Thistle
Thistle
If you’re a juice regular (or would like to become one), Thistle is your best bet. It’s not a juice cleanse, but the refrigerated, pre-packed lunch and dinners come with a wide away of green, citrus, and fruit cold-pressed juices as well as gut-boosting immunity shots (the kind you drink, for clarification). The meals themselves came fresh and required no prep beyond a zap in the microwave.
Service: Excellent, though we were surprised by how much juice came in our boxes. It was a lot to get through in a few days when they’re at their peak.
Price: As low as $43.50 for a 3-meal package
Variety: All meals centered around balanced macronutrients and minimally processed foods—most are bowl-style (grain, veg, protein, sauce).
Meals: Martinez gushed over the juices and shots. She and Flink loved the Carnitas Bowl with Chipotle Jackfruit. The jackfruit was flavorful and tender and the portion was generous! Though, the Thai Salad wasn’t a favorite.
Insider tip: It’s not all vegan, so be sure to choose the plant-based protein option.
Overall: Thistle is a stellar choice if you’re looking to incorporate more whole foods into your diet but don’t want to sacrifice flavor. However, be prepared to chug those juices within a few days’ time.
Fire Road Foods
FireRoad Foods
FireRoad was built for athletes by athletes. It’s just one of many ventures of Brendan Brazier—former professional Ironman and vegan sports nutrition pioneer. All meals come frozen and are relatively affordable, particularly in comparison to other companies. Many meals also feature Beyond Meat, so if you’re into that, this company might be right for you.
Service: Love the compact containers and freezability. We also appreciate the fact that you can see the individual components that comprise each dish.
Price: As low as $8.55 per meal
Variety: No complaints here. You’ll find mostly oats, pasta, grain bowls, and smoothies.
Meals: Of the meals we received, we enjoyed the bowls the best. The Sweet Potato Mac n Cheese was something Flink would definitely order again—the chickpea pasta was perfectly al dente, the cheese sauce was velvety, and there was a generous amount of broccoli that retained its textural integrity even after microwaving.
Insider tip: Flink wasn’t a fan of the smoothies. Stick to the bowls.
Overall: Busy athletes or even active parents could certainly benefit from keeping a few FireRoad bowls in the freezer.
Vanessa Christina Photography
Territory Foods
Trying to eat closer to home? Territory Foods sources its vegan-friendly meals from restaurants and private chefs around you. Meals come fresh and labeled with the restaurant or chef it came from—it’s a great way to learn more about independent plant-based businesses. However, this service is higher on the price range compared to others.
Service: Order these when you know you’ll be home to eat them—they’ll only stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.
Price: As low as $13.95 per meal
Variety: Perhaps the most varied, the options encapsulate every meal from breakfast to dessert. Thanks to the inventiveness of local chefs, you won’t get bored.
Meals: We adored the Chai-Spiced Breakfast Quinoa with blueberry jam and almond butter—Flink actually ate it for dessert. The Cafe Gratitude Boundless (pasta puttanesca) was exceptional, as well as the enchiladas with pleasantly surprising smoky pinto beans.
Insider tip: Like Thistle, not all meals are vegan, but you can specify.
Overall: To discover new vegan options in your local area, Territory Foods is great if you have the funds.
Simple Feast
Simple Feast
Like Purple Carrot, this plant-based meal kit requires some assembly. The results are well worth it. Also, don’t sweat the packaging too much—it’s all sustainable and even the “plastic” is biodegradable. All meals serve two to three, and the price is more than fair for what you get. The food is fresh, high-quality, and the directions are easy to follow.
Service: Admittedly, the unpacking of all three meals feels arduous—there’s compostable bags of fresh produce, multiple trays of fresh herbs, and containers of sauces—but once all the numbered packages are arranged in your fridge, you feel extremely organized. We also love that the time-intensive parts of the meal come pre-made.
Price: $89 per week plus $9 for shipping
Variety: Simple Feast only does dinner, but the wide variety of the meals within that confine is appreciated.
Meals: Flink loved every meal she tried—she literally ate the puttanesca sauce on its own with the hunk of French bread provided. The Mushroom Enchiladas were restaurant-quality and potentially the best bite of this entire project.
Insider tip: Keep the fresh herbs for meals later on. There’s way too many but they’ll last for a few days.
Overall: Simple Feast is perfect for couples (or singles who love leftovers) who want to eat well and enjoy spending about thirty minutes in the kitchen.
Food Flo
Food Flo
Food Flo is a decent option if you’re looking to keep a few healthy and exciting options on hand. There’s tons of variety, unique dishes, and fun add-ons such as juices and desserts. The prepared meals come fresh but not well-labeled. Not every dish is a stunner, but some may surprise you.
Service: We had a bit of a labeling issue with this company, though Senior Editor Richard Bowie was delighted that all of the meals came fresh in a reusable tote bag. It was slightly difficult to decipher what was what, as there were no accompanying instructions and half the labels were missing ingredient lists.
Price: As low as $113 for 6+ meals when ordered weekly
Variety: Tons of variety here. All of the dishes were inventive and layered with complimentary flavors and textures.
Meals: Bowie was a fan of the Falafel Cake with Beet Tahini, Couscous, and Vegetable Ratatouille. He also loved the Sushi Salad which came with a “very cute” vegan sushi roll on top. Juices and desserts are also on offer.
Insider tip: Get the Rose Potion #1. Bowie raved, “I could drink this all day!”
Overall: A bit of a hit or miss, but the portions were sizable, the price fair, and the hits were fantastic.
Sakara
Sakara
There’s no other way to describe Sakara other than the Ritz Carlton of meal services. It comes with a hefty price tag, but you know the company will bend over backwards to make sure you’re taken care of. The freshly prepared, veggie-heavy meals aren’t something to rely on long-term, but if you’re looking for a pre-wedding shape-up or in the mood to treat yourself, go ahead and splurge a little.
Service: Expect to be treated well. All food is plant-based, organic, and reminiscent of a $20 salad or grain bowl you might find at a wellness retreat.
Price: As low as $177 for two days of full meals
Variety: Each week’s menu is set, so choice is limited, but the selection goes way beyond the typical overnight oats and wellness smoothies. You’ll be excited each time you open your Sakara package.
Meals: Holland tried three days of meals and loved it all. Her favorites include the Cacao Chip + Almond Waffles, Sakara Burrito Bowl with Turmeric Corn Salsa, and the Roasted Peach Chana Masala. All packages also come with Detox Tea and Beauty Chocolate (yes, you eat it).
Insider tip: If the price seems intimidating, pick up the Sakara cookbook, Eat Clean, Play Dirty, to try the recipes yourself.
Overall: Holland advised, “Sakara is perfect to have delivered to the office once a week for healthy meals at work or a great way to jumpstart new habits. It’s not cheap, but it’s very high-quality food. They also have Detox Programs and a 20-Day Bridal Program before your big day!”
Urban Remedy
Urban Remedy
Urban Remedy is focused on fresh, nutrient-dense meals that don’t compromise on the meal experience. It’s not all vegan, but it does offer a medley of plant-based options from breakfast to dessert. Holland received her fair share of vegan items and declared it a “total home run.” Here’s what you need to know.
Service: Holland reported her experience was a “perfect execution” of meal delivery in terms of variety, food quality, and taste.
Price: As low as $6.99 per item or $19.99 for a 2-pack meal kit
Variety: From juices to full meals and even dessert, we were pleased with the range of options. You can just do a juice cleanse, order dinner to have on-hand, or simply stock up on snacks and wellness shots.
Meals: Holland raved about every item she received, but her favorites included the Upbeet Vegan Cheeseburger Wrap, The Vegan Caesar (which “made her a believer”), Matcha Energy Bar, Booster Shot, and the Raw Cacao Mousse which was “one of the most heavenly chocolate experiences of her life.”
Insider tip: Keep a few of the wellness shots on hand to snip any oncoming colds in the bud.
Overall: We’ll let Holland take this one. She remarked, “This is my dream delivery service.”
Tanya Flink is the Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Photo credit: Simple Feast and Urban Remedy
This post was originally published on VegNews.com.