⚡ Our Verdict
Purple Carrot is the best 100% plant-based meal kit on the market — and it's not particularly close. The recipe writing is genuinely creative, ingredient quality is solid, and the variety keeps vegans and plant-curious eaters engaged week to week. The tradeoffs: recipes take 40–55 minutes (longer than most kits), the price per serving is high, and if you're not committed to plant-based eating, the lack of any animal protein option will feel limiting. If you eat entirely plant-based, this is the kit we'd recommend. If you're just plant-curious, CookUnity or HelloFresh have strong vegan selections without the locked-in commitment.
✅ What We Liked
- 100% vegan — every ingredient, every recipe
- Genuinely creative global recipes (Korean BBQ tofu, shakshuka, Moroccan tagine)
- Strong ingredient quality and fresh produce
- 10–12 recipes per week — better variety than most kits
- Eco-conscious packaging, mostly recyclable
- HelloFresh ownership = reliable logistics and delivery
❌ What We Didn't Like
- Long cook times (35–60 min) vs competitors
- $11–13/serving is expensive for a kit where you still cook
- $9.99 shipping fee every week, not included in per-meal price
- No meat or fish options — can't mix for non-vegan households
- Smaller portion sizes — can feel insufficient for high-calorie needs
- Protein per meal averages only 22g — low for athletes
What Is Purple Carrot?
Purple Carrot launched in 2014 as one of the first dedicated plant-based meal kits in the US. It was acquired by HelloFresh in 2020, giving it significantly better logistics infrastructure while retaining its plant-based identity. Today it operates as a standalone brand — 100% vegan, no exceptions.
It's a meal kit, not a prepared meal service. You receive pre-portioned raw ingredients and detailed recipe cards, then cook yourself. The recipes range from accessible (20-minute grain bowls) to ambitious (multi-component dishes with house-made sauces). The weekly menu rotates fully every week.
🌱 Who Purple Carrot Is For
Purple Carrot works best for: committed vegans or vegetarians who enjoy cooking and want genuine variety, plant-curious households looking to add 2–3 meatless nights per week without defaulting to pasta, and health-focused eaters who want whole-food plant-based meals they actually enjoy cooking.
Purple Carrot Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Servings/Week | Price/Serving | Weekly Total | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Person, 2 Recipes | 4 servings | $11.99 | ~$48 | $9.99 |
| 2-Person, 3 Recipes | 6 servings | $11.49 | ~$69 | $9.99 |
| 4-Person, 2 Recipes | 8 servings | $10.99 | ~$88 | $9.99 |
| 4-Person, 3 Recipes | 12 servings | $10.49 | ~$126 | $9.99 |
The shipping fee is a real consideration. At $9.99/week, it adds $2.50 per serving on the smallest plan — effectively making a $11.99 serving cost $14.49 in practice. New subscribers typically get introductory offers (often 60% off first box). Factor this into your calculations before committing.
The Menu: What to Expect Week to Week
Purple Carrot offers 10–12 recipes per week, which is genuinely good variety for a plant-based-only kit. Cuisine styles rotate between American comfort, Mediterranean, Asian (Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian), Mexican, and Middle Eastern. You won't find the same recipe repeated within a few months.
Typical weekly menu might include: Korean Gochujang Noodles with Crispy Tofu, Butternut Squash & Lentil Shepherd's Pie, Black Bean Tacos with Mango Salsa, Creamy Mushroom Risotto, and Thai Peanut Tempeh Bowls.
📊 Average Nutrition Per Purple Carrot Meal
Calories: ~550–700 · Protein: ~18–26g · Carbs: ~60–80g · Fat: ~20–30g · Sodium: ~700–1,000mg
Protein is notably lower than meat-based kits. Tempeh and legume-heavy weeks average higher protein. If protein is a priority, look for tofu, tempeh, and edamame-based recipes specifically.
How Does It Compare to Competitors?
| Service | Plant-Based? | Cook Time | Price/Serving | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Carrot | 100% Vegan | 35–55 min | $11–13 | Committed vegans |
| CookUnity | 20–40 vegan options | 2 min | $11–14 | Convenience + variety |
| Daily Harvest | 100% Vegan | 5–10 min | $8–12 | Smoothies & bowls |
| Green Chef | Vegan plan available | 30–45 min | $12–14 | Organic + keto options |
| HelloFresh | Veggie plan (ovo-lacto) | 30–40 min | $9–12 | Budget meal kits |
Cook Times: The Honest Reality
Purple Carrot's recipes are genuinely well-written and creative — but they take time. Most recipes clock in at 40–55 minutes, with some multi-component dishes approaching 60. This is longer than HelloFresh (30–40 min) or EveryPlate (25–35 min).
If you're comparing to prepared meal delivery like CookUnity or Factor, this isn't a fair comparison — those services do the cooking for you. But within the meal kit category, Purple Carrot is on the longer end. The dishes often justify the time (you're building real sauces, roasting multiple components), but be realistic about what you're committing to on a Tuesday night.
Delivery and Packaging
Purple Carrot ships weekly via FedEx and UPS. Delivery is available nationwide in the US. Boxes arrive insulated with an ice pack system designed to keep ingredients fresh for up to 5 days after delivery, even if you're not home. The packaging is mostly recyclable — the company has made commitments to sustainable packaging improvement, though some plastic components remain.
Since the HelloFresh acquisition, logistics have become more reliable. Box damage and missing items — historically a common complaint — are less frequent. Customer service response time is typically 24 hours.
Is Purple Carrot Worth It?
At $11–13/serving plus shipping, Purple Carrot is priced at a premium for a meal kit where you still do all the cooking. For comparison, Daily Harvest delivers fully made plant-based meals at similar pricing. The case for Purple Carrot is the cooking experience itself — you're buying variety, skill development, and the satisfaction of actually making the food.
If you're committed to plant-based eating and enjoy cooking, Purple Carrot delivers genuinely better recipe variety and quality than you'd find in the vegan sections of omnivore kits like HelloFresh or Home Chef. That's a real value.
If convenience is the priority, CookUnity offers 20–40 vegan options weekly with zero cooking in 2 minutes. If you want cheaper plant-based meal kits, HelloFresh's veggie plan is more affordable (though not 100% vegan).
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Prepared Plant-Based Meals Instead?
If you love plant-based eating but don't want to cook, CookUnity offers 20–40 vegan chef-prepared meals per week — ready in 2 minutes. New subscribers get 50% off.
Get 50% Off CookUnity →