The Guide to Plant-Based Meal Delivery Subscriptions: How to Pick the Best Option | VegNews

2022-07-29 19:50:44 By : Mr. Rocky Wang

Your Ultimate Source for All‑Things Vegan

Get the world's #1 plant‑based magazine

When you want to eat more plant-based and you also don’t want to be tied to the kitchen, many time-crunched people are turning to meal delivery options to enjoy the benefits of vegan food with the convenience of having most of the labor—from deciding what’s for dinner, to grocery shopping, to chopping and measuring—removed from the equation. Plant-based meal delivery subscriptions vary from focusing on artisan ingredients and superfoods to worldly and comfort foods, from smoothies to filling meals. If you are interested in dabbling, just assess your own or your household’s needs and check out the great variety of possibilities that are available for delivery across the US today.

Meal delivery service might mean ordering locally from Postmates or the likes but in this case, it is referring to the growing number of businesses that offer meals you prepare at home, which are also sometimes known as meal kits. In most cases, subscribers sign up for meals by the week, month, or longer, and receive deliveries of boxes to their door that contain the ingredients that are separated by meal along with the food prep instructions, or prepared meals that are simply heat-and-eat. Meals can also be ordered for multiple family members depending on the service.

In addition to the convenience for those without the time or desire to shop and cook, plant-based meal delivery services allow subscribers to reap the physiological benefits of animal-free diets, such as heart health and reduced inflammation, as well as benefit the environment and contribute less to animal cruelty.

There are meal services and plans that specialize in prioritizing health benefits and ones that are focused on recipes that are family-friendly. Some delivery services are heat-and-eat and others require a little effort in the kitchen but use ingredients that have been pre-measured in the designated amount. 

In addition to being entirely plant-based, Purple Carrot’s delivery service allows subscribers to choose gluten-free menus as well as the option to pick and choose meals based on allergies or preferences. With their meal kits, subscribers chop and prepare the ingredients that are pre-measured in the weekly box. Purple Carrot now also offers a vegan prepared meals option.  Sample meals: Romesco Grain Bowls with Pan-Roasted Mushrooms & Butter Beans; Black Bean & Corn Quesadillas with Green Chile & Chipotle Mango Aioli; Takeout-Style Noodles with Snow Peas & Sesame Ginger Sauce  Learn more here

Featuring an entirely gluten- and dairy-free menu, Thistle also offers vegan options for every meal. The vegan-friendly company’s nutrient-dense ingredients include superfoods such as turmeric, maca, spirulina, ginger, matcha, chia, and moringa.  Sample meals: Tofu Chilaquiles; Burmese Khow Suey; and Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Energy Balls Learn more here

Another ready-to-eat meal delivery service, Sakara offers all-vegan, organic, gluten-free, and plant-forward menus that emphasize fresh, seasonal vegan ingredients. Offering both a signature program, which includes different meal frequency options and is available by the week or subscribing for longer plans and a 30-Day Reset, a four-week program focusing on optimizing wellness, Sakara is great for those who want to boost their nutrition with ease.  Sample meals: Fennel + Fresh Herb Medley with Green Spring Hummus; Veggie Satay Bowl; Soothing Shakshuka with Pumpkin “Egg” Learn more here

A vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free whole food service, Sprinly offers different plans depending on the number of diners and emphasizes nutritionist-approved prepared meals with organic ingredients as well as minimal oil and sodium. Menus rotate and subscribers can choose what they like each week.  Sample meals: Citrus Detox Salad with Beets and Fresh Oranges; Baked Falafel Plate with Mediterranean Golden Rice; Japanese Soba Noodles with Pineapple Glaze and Tofu Learn more here

Founded by a new mother with a premature baby and a parent who was suffering from congestive heart failure, Mamasezz’s heat-and-eat food delivery service was inspired by the work of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and in addition to being vegan, is GMO-, oil-, gluten-, refined sugar-, and peanut-free. Subscribers can order à la carte from rotating weekly menus or buy different bundles, such as their Protein Bundle box or their Festive and Flavorful Mexican Bundle.  Sample meals: Aunt Mary’s Chick’n Salad; Hungarian Mushroom Soup; Ricotta Style Mushroom and Tomato Bake Learn more here

Mosaic sends frozen, prepared meals to subscribers from dozens of menu options that are ready to heat-and-eat, offering options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Mosaic also sells vegetarian meals so be sure to choose the vegan plan.) Emphasizing plants and avoiding artificial ingredients, Mosaic specializes in hearty bowls that are nutrient-dense. Icons make it easy to navigate gluten-free, nut-free, and high-protein options from the menu.  Sample meals: Miso Soba Noodle Soup; Spinach Saag & Tofu; BBQ Meatloaf & Sweet Potato Mash Learn more here

Available for delivery in the US and Canada, Revive Superfoods offers smoothies, soups, frozen desserts, meals, and more, emphasizing nutrient-dense superfoods and offering a free meal with every purchase to a charity that supports food-insecure communities. All chef-crafted menu items are flash-frozen and quick to prepare.  Sample items: Morning Mocha Smoothie; Artisan Bean and Tomato Soup; Vanilla & Salted Caramel Frozen Dessert Learn more here

Partnering with chefs and restaurants in 27 states, Territory Foods is not exclusively vegan but depending on your zip code, offers subscribers menus of plant-based food every week. Working locally, the environmental footprint is reduced and more money stays within communities. Territory Foods meals are all ready-to-eat, gluten-free, and free of refined sugars.  Sample meals (depending on location): Tropical Bowl with Coconut Rice, Lentils, and Peanut Sauce; Fusilli Pesto with Cashew Alfredo Sauce; Macro Grain Bowl with Crispy Cornflake Crusted Tempeh Learn more here

Also not exclusively vegan, Hungryroot offers vegan menus of their quick-to-cook, pre-measured recipes with an option of adding to your subscription box from their additional grocery options, like fresh produce, plant-based proteins, and sauces and dips.  Sample meals: Chorizo Morning Scramble Tacos; Beyond Meatball Marinara Stuffed Mushrooms; Coconut Curry Tofu Rice Bowl Learn more here

A certified organic company, Green Chef offers a rotating vegan menu plan with recipes made with pre-measured ingredients that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. With an emphasis on sustainability, Green Chef supports local growers and uses packaging that is made from recycled, reusable, and/or compostable materials.  Sample Meals: Thai Veggie Peanut Curry; Roasted Portobello Sandwiches; Jerk-Spiced Fried Rice Learn more here

For more vegan eats that deliver, read: 13 Vegan Meal Delivery Kits Ranked from Price to Taste 16 Vegan Cookies That Ship Nationwide These Companies Will Ship Vegan Pantry Staples to Your Door

Marla Rose is the co-founding partner of VeganStreet.com.

Happy birthday, VegNews! To celebrate, we're having a mega subscription sale—complete with incredible vegan prizes.

Happy birthday, VegNews! To celebrate, we're having a mega subscription sale—complete with incredible vegan prizes.

Never miss out on breaking stories, recipes, and vegan deals

All-things vegan, in your mailbox and inbox

by Jasmin Singer & VegNews Editors

Get the world's #1 plant-based magazine

Copyright © 2022 Fresh Healthy Media, LLC