Is Purple Carrot Worth the Hype? My Review of the Vegan Meal Kit Service

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For those managing busy schedules or seeking inspiration for weekly meal planning, meal kits offer a straightforward solution. This is especially true for individuals adhering to plant-based or vegan diets, as these kits help ensure nutritional needs are met while simplifying the cooking process.

One such service is Purple Carrot, which not only provides meal kits but also offers ready-to-eat meals and a service for ordering vegan pantry staples. To better understand its offerings in terms of taste, convenience, and cost, I explored Purple Carrot for one week. Here’s what I found for those considering trying it out.

Currently, new users can receive a 50% discount on their first Purple Carrot order with the code SELF50 at checkout; this offer is valid until Monday, March 31.

In this article

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Purple Carrot Review

Guided by a meal kit buying guide from SELF, which incorporates advice from dietitians, I’ll share insights into how Purple Carrot operates, including aspects such as meal customization, pricing, order and delivery logistics, simplicity of use, nutritional value, and flavor.

Customization Options for Dietary Needs

All meals offered by Purple Carrot are vegan, and there are various ways to tailor your experience. Each delivery allows you to choose specific meals from an available menu, with detailed information regarding common allergens so you can easily avoid any ingredients that don’t suit your dietary restrictions.

Upon signing up, you will select a dining plan that best fits your needs while also indicating preferences, such as prioritizing meals that require less preparation, are gluten-free, or are high in protein. If you prefer not to handpick your meals, Purple Carrot will automatically select options based on your established preferences.

I opted for the meal kit selection and added a few ready-to-eat meals to assess their convenience. As someone without dietary restrictions, I was eager to try diverse ingredient combinations and discover new favorite recipes. (Spoiler alert: I found several!)

Meal Varieties Offered by Purple Carrot

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Each week features a new lineup of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. For those wanting minimal preparation, a specific “less prep” filter highlights the easiest choices available.

You can choose between two to four servings for each meal and schedule three or four meals weekly.

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Currently, Purple Carrot provides 33 ready-to-eat meal selections, which require no preparation—simply heat them in the microwave for a quick meal ready in minutes.

Options include six, eight, or ten single-serving meals each week.

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The platform also has a grocery delivery feature, enabling you to include various pantry staples in your meal kit order. These options consist of plant-based products like bean burgers, vegan mac and cheese, tofu, juices, canned beverages, dips, snacks, and sauces.

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If you’re unsure where to begin, you can opt for a curated program featuring a chef’s selection of four ready-to-eat breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, thereby eliminating the need for prior planning.

Sample Dishes

You may be curious about actual meal options. Here are some recipe examples that provide an idea of the ingredients and cooking instructions included with each meal.

Pricing Details for Purple Carrot

The most popular meal plan includes four meals with two servings each, priced at $13.25 per serving, totaling $106 weekly. Currently, readers can use code SELF50 for a 50% discount on the first order, offering a cost-effective way to evaluate meal selections and overall service.

Choosing the four-serving plan reduces the cost to $11 per serving (exclusive of introductory discounts). A $12 shipping fee applies, though orders exceeding $100 qualify for free delivery.

As someone accustomed to regular grocery shopping and preparing most meals at home, I initially viewed meal delivery services skeptically regarding their economic viability. However, for those purchasing organic and plant-based items, grocery bills can accumulate quickly. Therefore, the $11 to $13 per serving cost is relatively reasonable, especially for one or two people. This approach is also more affordable than restaurant takeout, particularly for vegan dishes, which can often be pricier and harder to find.

Order and Delivery Experience

To place an order, you log into your account weekly to select meals, ensuring choices are finalized by 11:59 p.m. ET the Tuesday before your delivery. If you miss the deadline, Purple Carrot will default to your saved preferences and select meals on your behalf. You can also skip specific weeks or pause your order for several weeks whenever necessary.

Delivery occurs on a chosen day, such as Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, based on your location, and notifications indicate your delivery schedule, minimizing any surprises.

Your meal kits arrive insulated in recyclable materials, complete with frozen gel packs that can be reused or recycled after use. Each recipe’s ingredients are packaged individually, accompanied by a recipe card, while ready-to-eat meals come in their containers, sometimes with additional cooking instructions provided.

User Experience with Purple Carrot

The recipe cards are well-organized and user-friendly, each containing an estimated cooking time that provides practical guidance for meal planning. The ingredient lists specify what’s included versus what’s needed from your kitchen, which typically consists of basic pantry staples like vegetable oil or seasonings.

Source
www.self.com