Purple Carrot

What's in the box: A weekly box of pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards for plant-based dinners, with optional prepared meals, breakfasts, protein add-ons and dressings.

Purple Carrot is a US meal kit service that has delivered only plant-based food for more than ten years. Japan's Oisix ra daichi has owned it since 2017. The core product is a weekly delivery of vegan recipes with pre-portioned ingredients, but the menu now goes well beyond cook-at-home kits. You can choose quick meals ready in about 15 minutes, fully prepared dishes, four-serving family bakes, protein add-ons such as a plant-based chunk steak, grab-and-go breakfasts and salad dressings. The company focuses heavily on nutrition. It says each week includes options with at least 30 grams of protein, at least 10 grams of fiber and under 600 calories, and its menu lists protein and fiber counts for each dish. Chefs and dietitians develop the recipes, which draw on global flavors like gochujang and miso. The main appeal is variety for people who already eat vegan or want to eat less meat without planning every meal. The downside is that there is no meat or dairy at all, so mixed households may end up cooking separately. Some dishes rely on processed meat substitutes such as seitan and plant-based chicken, which will not suit everyone. Like most meal kits, it is a recurring weekly subscription, though the site says you can skip or cancel anytime. The homepage did not show pricing, so check current costs before signing up.