Purple Carrot Review 2026: My Honest Take After Trying It for a Week
Quick summary
If you’ve been thinking about adding more plant-based meals to your menu, chances are you’ve come across Purple Carrot. First founded in 2014, this popular meal delivery service has gained serious traction in recent years, thanks to its convenient vegan meal kits. But is it actually worth the hype?
In this Purple Carrot review, I’m sharing my firsthand, 100% honest experience after trying both their meal kits and prepared meals to see how they actually stack up in real life. I’ll also break down what I liked, what I didn’t, and who I think Purple Carrot is best suited for, so you can decide if it’s worth trying for yourself.
What is Purple Carrot?
Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal delivery service that offers a mix of fully prepared meals and meal kits aimed at making healthy cooking easier and more convenient.
The company focuses on chef-crafted recipes packed with vegetables, grains, legumes, and globally inspired flavors, all delivered directly to your door.
Customers can choose from meal kits that involve some cooking or ready-made meals that simply need to be heated and served. Purple Carrot also offers a handful of optional add-ons like breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and grocery items.
Everything on their menu is completely vegan and they provide options for certain dietary restrictions too, including high-protein and high-fiber meals.
Because of this, Purple Carrot can be a helpful option for people who already follow a plant-based diet or those looking to eat more meatless meals without spending tons of time planning recipes or shopping for ingredients.
How it works
When you’re ready to place your first order with Purple Carrot, you can browse the menu and add your chosen items directly to your cart.
You can filter the menu to find options that match your needs and preferences, or click on individual meals to see more details on ingredients, nutrition information, and cooking instructions.
Most meal kits come with two servings, though some do offer four servings. Prepared meals are available in one-, two-, or four-serving portions.
After selecting your items, you can check out and enter your shipping information to receive a delivery estimate.
Plans are billed weekly on a recurring basis unless you skip a week or cancel your subscription. You can either choose your own meals or opt for a curated selection.
Just keep in mind that any changes or cancellations must be made by 11:59 p.m. ET on the Tuesday before your next scheduled delivery.
Menu options
Purple Carrot offers around 25 meal kits to choose from each week, along with over 20 prepared options.
They also provide several plant-based breakfasts, sides, and snacks, such as pistachio milk, fruit jerky, and sweet potato chips.
Each week, you can pick your favorite items from their full menu, or use filters to find options that are high-protein, gluten-free, high-fiber, ready in under 30 minutes, or less than 600 calories per serving.
Some examples of items on their menu include:
- French Onion Burgers with Garlic-Toasted Buns and “Cheese” Fries
- Fattoush White Bean Salad with Quinoa, Radish, and Fresh Herbs
- Chipotle Tofu Tacos with Pickled Radish and Cilantro Crema
- Romesco Gnocchi with Slivered Almonds and Baby Kale
Nutritional value
Many of the items on Purple Carrot’s menu contain a moderate amount of calories, with most falling between 400 and 700 calories per serving.
If you’re trying to manage your weight, you can also filter the menu to find meals with fewer than 600 calories per serving.
Most meals are also fairly high in fiber, with around 5-10 grams per serving. That said, some options go even higher, with certain meals offering 15-20 grams (or more) in a single serving.
Protein content varies quite a bit across the menu, with some meals offering a solid chunk of protein in each serving but others providing much less.
If protein is your priority, look for meals made with ingredients like seitan, tofu, or lentils, or use the menu filters to find higher-protein options.
Finally, keep in mind that sodium levels are also relatively high in some meals, so it’s worth keeping an eye on if you’re watching your intake.
Overall, this means that the meals can be quite nutrient-dense. However, the nutritional profile does vary quite a bit depending on what you choose, so be sure to consider your personal needs and preferences as you build your menu.
Cost
The cost of Purple Carrot varies depending on the specific meals and number of servings you order.
Here are the general prices for different items on their menu:
- Meal kits: $9-$14.25 per serving (mostly $13-$14 per serving)
- Prepared meals: $9-$15 per serving
- Breakfasts: $4.50-$13 per serving
Purple Carrot also offers a variety of grocery items, like snacks, desserts, sauces, and plant-based proteins, which cost anywhere from $3-$40.
Shipping costs $12 for most locations, but orders over $100 ship free.
Purple Carrot also regularly offers promo codes — you can even use my referral link here for $50 off your first box!
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My honest review
After reviewing countless meal delivery services over the years, I finally decided to give Purple Carrot a try and purchased a box (not sponsored or gifted!) so that I could share my honest review, no holds barred.
I browsed their menu for a bit and then chose three meal kits and two prepared meals, including:
- Thai Peanut Lentil Bowls
- Spicy Buffalo Tofu Bowls
- Maple Seitan Lettuce Cups
- Spicy Korean Fried “Chicken” (fully prepared)
- Vibrant Falafel Bowl (fully prepared)
All of the items arrived right on time and were chilled and neatly packaged. Apart from large produce items (like romaine lettuce and celery), items for each recipe were packed together in the same bag, which had a recipe card on the outside with a list of ingredients, a detailed nutrition profile, and step-by-step directions.
Everything was refrigerated and clearly marked with a “best by” date to keep things organized.
The produce was in good shape too and everything held up surprisingly well during shipping, apart from a few tiny tears on the romaine.
Preparation
Both prepared meals were quick and convenient. I peeled back the plastic film, popped them in the microwave, and was ready to dig in just two minutes later.
All of the meal kits I tried were also pretty easy to prepare. In fact, for all three, I was able to hand my toddler a coloring book, roll my sleeves up in the kitchen, and have dinner wrapped up and ready before he lost interest.
Most ingredients arrived pre-portioned, so everything came together fast (a big win for busy nights!).
A few herbs and veggies needed to be cut and only a few other items required measuring, including sauces and spices that were split between different steps of the recipe.
Overall, I’d say it was much quicker than making dinner from scratch, and a whole lot less messy and stressful.
Taste
I was really impressed by the flavor of all three meal kits I tried. They each featured a mix of bold flavors and were filling enough that I left the table totally satisfied.
My favorite was probably the Maple Seitan Lettuce Cups, which paired crispy seitan with a tangy cucumber salad, romaine lettuce, vegan ranch dressing, and a side of paprika fries — so good!
That said, the other two that I tried were also delicious and I got some inspiration for new meals and ingredients to add into my regular rotation.
The prepared meals were decent in terms of taste, though not nearly as flavorful. Both had the feel of a premade meal (similar to something you might grab from the grocery store), but I don’t necessarily think they were worth splurging on, especially since they cost almost as much as the meal kits.
Regardless, Purple Carrot’s menu rotates weekly and offers a wide variety of flavors, so it should be easy enough to find something tailored to your taste buds.
Texture
All three meal kits delivered a satisfying mix of textures: creamy avocado with hearty lentils and crunchy slaw; fresh romaine paired with crisp seitan and creamy ranch; chewy tofu served with rice and crunchy coleslaw.
The prepared meals also stood out for their texture compared with other meal delivery services I’ve tried.
While I wasn’t necessarily wowed by the flavor of the premade meals, they held their crunch well and avoided the grainy or soggy texture I’ve experienced with other services.
Would I recommend it?
After testing Purple Carrot, I can say that I’m officially a fan.
The meal kits checked all the boxes for me: they were convenient, delicious, and surprisingly satisfying.
If you’re interested in eating more plant-based meals and aren’t sure where to start, I would recommend giving Purple Carrot a try.
It could also be a good option if you’re looking to add more diversity to your diet or want a low-stress way to build up your confidence in the kitchen.
However, it is relatively expensive and I’m not sure some of the simpler recipes are worth the price tag, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
I also didn’t love the prepared meals, and probably wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend them.
My final verdict: if you’re interested in mixing up your menu (and it’s within your budget), give the meal kits a try for a few weeks and see what you think!
Who should try Purple Carrot?
Purple Carrot can be a convenient choice if you’re interested in adding more plant-based meals to your menu.
The service offers a mix of prepared meals and meal kits, which is great if you like having the option to mix and match based on your personal preferences or your weekly schedule.
The menu also rotates each week, so you’re less likely to get bored eating the same meals again and again.
I think Purple Carrot would also be a great option for:
- people who are interested in trying new recipes
- new cooks who want an easy way to start preparing more meals at home
- those curious about plant-based eating but aren’t sure where to start
- individuals who want to enjoy healthy, well-rounded meals with less prep required
Because Purple Carrot currently offers meals in one-, two-, or four-serving portions, I don’t think it’s the best fit for larger families.
It also doesn’t cater to many specialty diets beyond vegan and vegetarian options, so it may not be the right choice if you follow a specific eating plan or have any serious food allergies.
Finally, it can be a bit pricey, so using it long-term may not be realistic if you’re on a tight budget.
Pros and cons
There’s a lot to like about Purple Carrot, especially if you’re looking for convenient plant-based meals, but there are also a few downsides worth considering. Here are some of the pros and cons to keep in mind.
Pros:
- Easy to prepare: Most meals come together quickly, making dinner feel effortless even on busy days.
- Flavorful: There are well-seasoned, satisfying flavor combinations available across the menu.
- Nutritious: Many meals are high in fiber and built around whole-food ingredients like veggies, legumes, and whole grains.
- Completely plant-based: Everything is 100% vegan, making it a convenient option for anyone exploring a plant-based diet.
- Variety of meals to choose from: The rotating weekly menu includes a wide range of cuisines and dishes, so there’s plenty of variety to keep things interesting.
Cons:
- Expensive: Pricing is on the higher side, which may not be ideal for long-term use if you’re on a budget.
- High in sodium: Some meals contain relatively high sodium levels, so it’s something to be mindful of if you’re watching your intake.
- Some meals are lower in protein: Protein content varies widely, and a number of meals are on the lower end.
- Prepared meals are hit or miss: The ready-made options can be convenient, but the taste and overall quality aren’t always great.
- Limited options for large households: With most meals serving one, two, or four people, it may not be the most practical choice for bigger families.
- Not suitable for some specialty diets: Beyond vegan and vegetarian, there are limited options for other dietary needs or restrictions.
Comparison with competitors
Curious about how Splendid Spoon compares to similar meal delivery services? Here’s a closer look.
| Purple Carrot | Thistle | Sprinly | Green Chef | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diet | vegan | plant-forward (with or without meat) | vegan and gluten-free | vegan, gluten-free, Mediterranean, keto, and high-protein plans |
| Types of meals | meal kits and refrigerated, fully prepared meals | refrigerated, fully prepared meals | refrigerated, fully prepared meals | meal kits |
| Number of menu items | 50+ per week | 30 per week | 6 per week | 42 per week |
| Types of items | meal kits, prepared meals, breakfasts, snacks | ready-to-eat breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks | prepared lunches and dinners | meal kits and optional add-ons, including salads and sides |
| Price | $9-$15 per serving | $7-$13 per serving | $16-$18 per serving | $13 per serving |
| Best for | cooking plant-based meals at home | fully prepared, plant-forward eating | convenient vegan meals | organic cooking at home |
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Conclusion
Overall, Purple Carrot is a solid option if you’re looking for convenient, plant-based meals that take the guesswork out of cooking and offer plenty of variety throughout the week.
The recipes are generally nutritious and easy to prepare, making it a helpful tool for eating more vegan meals at home.
That said, the higher price point, inconsistent protein levels, and so-so prepared meals may not make it the best fit for everyone, especially if you’re on a budget or have more specific dietary needs.
