The Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Services In 2022
It's no secret that, as a whole, the pandemic has sparked some serious interest in our personal health and well-being. (Can you say self-care?) We've also been exposed to a lot of information about the state of the planet we call home (via UN News) as well as eco-friendly foods. If anything, COVID-19 has increased awareness about living a more sustainable, earth-friendly lifestyle, as noted in this abstract from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
The Food Revolution Network states that one of the simplest ways that we can begin to tackle this monstrous task is by adopting a more plant-based diet. Veganism and vegetarianism are on the rise — Globe Newswire states that a report from Facts and Factors predicted the world's plant-based meat market to register at about $15.8 billion by 2028. Food delivery services that either offer veggie-friendly meal plans or cater specifically to them are also seeing an increase. Following a vegetarian diet is no longer considered a fad, as noted by Food Revolution Network. Scientific research continually backs up the personal and global benefits of eating less meat and more produce. Vegetarian meal-delivery services are identical to normal meal delivery, except that there are no meat-based dishes involved. That means eggs and dairy are okay. So if you're interested in traveling down the veggie route or are already on that road but looking for more options, vegetarian meal services are an excellent way to broaden your foodie horizons.
How we chose the following vegetarian meal delivery services
When it comes to plant-based meal-delivery services, you're not as limited as you'd think. We did find multiple companies that specialize in only this type of food. Others, as noted above, aren't solely dedicated to vegetarian or vegan offerings but do have meal plans that cater to this demographic.
Aside from the necessary reviews from individual consumers and independent blogs that specialize in the areas of health, nutrition, and delivery services, we also looked into what you'd end up paying per portion (serving) and how many different menu options were available (because the last thing you want to do is just eat salad all day long). The number of servings, along with the order frequency, versatility, meal-type options (fresh, frozen, etc.), and any extra costs (such as shipping) were also taken into consideration. Since sustainability is integral to helping our beloved planet earth get back on track, we obviously delved deep into this area. We specifically looked into where each brand sourced its ingredients, whether the produce and meat substitutes were organic (or not), and how eco-friendly the packaging used for deliveries was.
After a copious amount of sleuthing, we've pulled together a vegetarian delivery service for every budget, meal type, and location. (There's something for everyone!) As always, information changes quickly on the web, so make sure that your desired service still caters to your actual location. And now, on with the best vegetarian meal delivery services in 2022.
Best overall
Green Chef caters to both protein- and plant-based diets. It is also fully certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an organic company, and there is an option for subscription packages that can feed up to six people per week — Healthline gives major kudos for that. (Most meal-delivery services generally cater to a maximum of four people.) You're unfortunately required to pay a $9.99 flat-rate shipping fee. However, on the sustainability front, The Spruce Eats likes that Green Chef packaging is 100% eco-friendly and sustainable. Everything — from the insulated cardboard box to the cooling packs and even down to the sauce packets — is either recyclable or compostable (unless food safety law prohibits it). The review goes on to praise the global diversity and variety of the menu items, noting that the food was perfectly seasoned, spiced, and filling.
Reviewed also mentions that the meals are filling, and that while there were a few hit-or-miss flavor-profile pairings, everything was easy to prepare — although the bags are difficult to open if you don't have scissors — and tasted well-balanced and high quality. Kathy's Vegan Kitchen gives high marks to Green Chef for being a "carbon emissions neutral company." Green Chef offers both ready-to-eat and cook-at-home menu items. Should you opt to prepare and cook yourself, expect to be in the kitchen for about 30 minutes.
At the time of this writing, Green Chef starts at $11.99 per serving.
Best budget
If you're looking for tasty, home-cooked meals that don't break the bank, then Dinnerly is worth checking out. The company caters to all food paths, but it also gives you the option to make your meal plan vegetarian. This also makes the price drop for your menu, which is another big bonus.
According to VeryWell Fit, one of the best things about Dinnerly is that there are only five prep steps before cooking, which means less time waiting and more time enjoying dinner. It also has a good rotation of meals with good variety. It's important to mention that Dinnerly only serves up to four people six times per week. So if you have more than four mouths to feed, this might not be the best option. That being said, CNET praises the heartiness of the meals and notes that the menus are easy to follow (from a digital recipe card) and great for picky eaters.
Dinnerly packaging is recyclable, and the box and separators are made from sustainably managed forests. Everything is made with either No. 1 or No. 4 plastic, and the cooling packs are also filled with water and super-absorbent polymer (SAP) — which is non-toxic, according to SAP Gel — so it can be poured down the drain once the cooling pack has become liquid.
Dinnerly starts at just $4.99 per portion.
Best splurge
Territory Foods isn't like the other food-delivery services out there because it sources from local chefs and restaurants to provide you with your meals (as opposed to a central hub or production kitchen). That means your order supports local farmers, businesses, and the community as a whole. When sourcing ingredients, the company refrains from using any items that are highly processed, that may contain inflammatory oils, or that have refined sugars. Its emphasis on nutrient-dense, high-quality food — and super-speedy cook times (we're talking less than 5 minutes) — are a few of the major selling points, according to Self. The magazine review gives Territory Foods a 7 out of 10 because the company is super local and does a great job at providing healthy, flavorful, and perfectly prepared dishes (that are tailored to your dietary preferences). However, among the few downsides are that Territory Foods isn't yet delivering nationally, and it is pretty expensive.
The Spruce Eats mentions that Territory Foods hits high for sustainability, with 100% recyclable and compostable packaging. The company also tries to use organic and locally sourced produce as often as possible. It also gives back to nonprofits that help individuals dealing with food insecurities. CNET confirms that it's one of the pricier plans, but its plethora of menu options as well as all ingredients being gluten- and dairy-free makes it worthwhile.
Territory Foods is priced à la carte, with no meal plan or subscription, with a minimum order of four meals a week.
Best frozen
Mosaic Foods not only caters strictly to plant-based diets, but it is also one of the more affordable vegetarian meal-delivery services out there. The meals arrive frozen and require only heating. CNET says that you have to order at least $70 worth of food — about eight meals — before you can check out, and you have to pay for shipping. (Shipping is waived if you order over $100.) The tech blog also goes on to note that all the meals tended to be heavy on the rice, so if you're following a low-carb diet, then this might not be your best choice. Mosaic Foods also is not delivering on a national level yet, so you'll need to confirm your ZIP code before signing up.
MindBodyGreen reports that at least 80% of the meals are actually vegan. Meals can be heated via microwave or in a pan (or toaster oven), and are substantial and flavorful. They also have a longer shelf life than fresh foods. This helps eliminate unnecessary food waste, which keeps discarded leftovers from fermenting in landfills and contributing to greenhouse-gas emissions. The company's sustainability stance also spreads to its packaging, which is fully recyclable or biodegradable (for example, the liners are made from a blend of paper and corn starch). Instead of gel packs that are made with plastic No. 4, Mosaic Foods uses dry ice, which also makes for a lighter box.
Mosaic Foods starts off at $5 per serving.
Best meal kit
When it comes to menu options, Purple Carrot offers both cook-at-home meal kits and ready-to-eat meals that heat up in less than 5 minutes. Purple Carrot is incredibly conscious of how packaging plays a major role in minimizing its environmental impact. A side note: No. 1 and No. 2 plastics are the easiest to recycle, while anything after No. 3 is more difficult (via Almanac).
Healthline notes that the Purple Carrot is an excellent choice if you're looking to add diversity in your kitchen. That being said, its fresh produce is not always organic, though it tries to source this as much as possible. The same goes for its ingredients being free of genetically modified organisms — that's the goal but not always achievable due to availability. Its non-produce items — nut milks, tofu, tempeh, and beans — are almost exclusively organic.
When it comes to packaging, Purple Carrot isn't 100% recyclable, which it openly admits. To make disposal an easier process, the company ensures the packaging has the plastic number clearly labeled, so you'll know what goes where when you're adding it to your recycling bin. A reviewer with The Spruce Eats states that the meal kits are pretty heavy on the cooking side (which isn't a bad thing, per se), and that the limited customization is a bit of a downer. The review also stated that the food is overall fresh and healthy and that customer service is good.
As of October 2022, Purple Carrot starts off at $11 per serving.
Best for breakfast and lunch
Daily Harvest is all about convenience, but where the company really excels, writes Forbes, is with its smoothies, breakfast choices, and lunch options. The media outlet also says that when it comes to smoothies, you'll have lots of options (there are at least 27 combos). They warn that while Daily Harvest is great for individuals with limited time, the costs do begin to add up.
To offset the pricing, Healthline reports, the company has no shipping costs (this, along with taxes, is already calculated into the price of the menu item). So there aren't any unpleasant surprises when you go to purchase your first order. The wellness blog also likes the ingredient transparency: Everything sourced is free from preservatives, additives, and unnecessary fillers, with 95% being organic (when possible). On the flip side, it notes that the meals aren't super filling (but that helps prevent the midday food coma).
Like its competitors, Daily Harvest is also cognizant of its impact on the planet and takes an active stance to be as sustainable as possible. Each box comes with a pamphlet that offers assistance in how to recycle each component. Daily Harvest also actively helps non-organic farms transition to more organic and regenerative agriculture practices, as reported by Food Tank. Self rates Daily Harvest 9 out of 10, giving props to minimal prep time and good variety. But the reviewer also finds the prices to be a little steep.
At the time of this writing, Daily Harvest starts at $6.79 per serving.
Best for smoothies and soups
Splendid Spoon takes satisfaction in knowing that it is an incredibly eco-friendly company. It is not only 100% plant-based, but it also uses 100% recyclable packaging and plastics free of BPA (bisphenol A), reports Healthline. Splendid Spoon's foods are free of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), and while not everything is organic, the company pays special attention to sourcing ingredients that tend to have more pesticides on them. Its menu items are nutritious and super tasty but also incredibly low-calorie (many are around 400 calories per serving), so you might still be a bit hungry when you're done.
CNET gives props for variety, ease of prep and cook time, and its super fresh-tasting foodie fare. But like Healthline, it warns the portion sizes are a bit skimpy and somewhat overpriced. Daily Harvest does offer an "on-demand" box, which is basically a one-time order. This is a great option for those of you who would rather taste-test before committing to a full subscription right off the bat. The packaging is mostly recyclable, as noted by The Spruce Eats, and uses dry ice in lieu of gel packs to cut back on unnecessary plastics. The reviewer also mentions that there was a nice assortment of soups to choose from, but that the smoothies tended to come out a little grainy.
As of October 2022, Splendid Spoon starts off in between $9 and $13 per meal.
Best for flexitarians
Maybe you're looking to incorporate more veggies into your life, but you still want to indulge in the occasional teriyaki chicken. Reviewed claims that Sunbasket is a great delivery service for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. It's also a great option for those who are trying to make healthier lifestyle choices. Each box includes a recipe booklet, which Healthline found to be less appealing when compared with the recipe cards that other brands ship out. However, the recipes themselves were super simple to make and required only a few cooking tools, which was convenient when it was time to do the dishes. Sunbasket also makes sourcing organic and sustainable ingredients a top priority. It has good variety when it comes to recipes and meal plans.
Thrillist warns that this is not a budget-friendly meal service, and that it only serves up to four individuals four times a week. On the flip side, you're also paying for a premium product from a company that has strict standards when it comes to what it purchases from farmers and fisheries. It also has "add-on" options, and meal choices run the gamut, from breakfast to snacks to dessert and everything in between.
CNET rates it a 9 out of 10, noting that it's a bit expensive if you're going for strictly protein-based meals, but super affordable if you're ordering plant-based only.
Sunbasket starts off at $11 per serving.
Best for families
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is one of the more foodie-oriented meal services, writes CNET, but that's great for home chefs and those who want to learn how to cook from scratch (minus the food prep). That being said, you're ultimately the one who chooses your cooking skill level, which ranges from simple to advanced. While the vegetarian and vegan options are a bit slim — the tech blog states that there are 29 menu options, and only seven of them are plant-based — the ability to order à la carte helps satisfy any extras that you might want or need. Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon also has kid-friendly recipes.
Healthline warns that you're going to have to pay for shipping — a flat rate of $8.99. Healthline also notes that the more you buy, the more bang you get for your buck. The blog says that one of the best things about Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is you only need to have salt, pepper, and oil on hand to complete your meal. You can also add proteins, coffee, or dessert baking kits to your subscription. (Who doesn't like freshly baked cookies?)
When it comes to packaging, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon is mid-tier, according to The Spruce Eats. It all really depended on the actual items (some were wrapped in brown paper, while others were vacuum-sealed for freshness). Most of the plastics were either No. 1 or No. 4.
As of October 2022, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon starts at $6.39 per serving.
Best gluten-free
Epicured earns our vote for being the best for gluten-free ready meals because it not only specializes in the area, but it also caters to low FODMAP diets. (Low FODMAP diets, writes John Hopkins Medicine, don't contain certain sugars and are specially designed to prevent flare-ups in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome and other similar intestinal ailments.) The Spruce Eats rates the health-conscious company a 4.1 out of 5, citing that the core menu is large, and the dishes use high-quality — but not organic — ingredients (though Epicured does try to source organic when possible). The Spruce Eats does mention that most of the packaging uses recyclable plastic (No. 1 and No. 2), but there are some of the more difficult, landfill-destined plastics in there as well.
An independent reviewer on the nonprofit blog Girls with Guts found Epicured's low FODMAP menu items flavorful and enlightening and appreciated that all the ingredients were listed on the website. However, the blog also mentioned that Epicured was a bit on the pricier side.
At the time of this writing, Epicured starts off averaging $15 per serving.
Best for all 50 states
Finally, here's a meal-delivery company that offers its services in all 50 states. We knew there had to be at least one out there! Fresh N Lean actually caters to several different dietary niches: high protein, keto, paleo, vegan, low-carb vegan, and the Mediterranean diet. It also offers a bulk option so you can stock up on your favorite extras. While its plant-based menu is geared more toward vegans, that's not going to stop us from including it on this list. Why? Because you can tweak the Mediterranean menu to remove seafood, shellfish, chicken, and red meat. (It's still wise to check in on what ingredients make up each dish, just in case.)
Fresh N Lean uses only organic, seasonal ingredients that are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Plant-based blog Vegan Liftz notes that the heat-and-eat meals arrive chilled — not frozen — a nod at keeping your food as local as possible. Though the blog found the plastic packaging questionable, Vegan Liftz does admit that the Fresh N Lean uses less plastic than other brands on the market. The blog Health gives the brand a 9.2 out of 10, citing that the food is delicious, but the lack of a dedicated vegetarian menu is a bit frustrating.
Fresh N Lean starts off at $7.93 per meal. If you live in the lower 48, shipping is free. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii will pay extra.