If you are considering a vegan meal kit service, Purple Carrot is a name that frequently comes up in discussions. Here’s a detailed guide to help you understand what Purple Carrot offers, its pros and cons, and who it is best suited for.
What is Purple Carrot?
Purple Carrot is a meal kit delivery service that specializes exclusively in vegan cuisine. It aims to provide healthy, flavorful, and innovative plant-based meals using fresh, high-quality ingredients. The service includes meal kits for dinner, as well as optional lunches, breakfasts, and snacks[3].
How Does Purple Carrot Work?
Purple Carrot operates as a subscription service where meal kits are delivered weekly. You can choose from a variety of dinner recipes, typically up to 12 options each week, and also add lunches, breakfasts, and snacks for an additional fee. The ingredients are pre-portioned, and the service includes detailed recipe instructions. You have the flexibility to cancel or pause your subscription at any time without penalty[1][3].
Menu and Recipes
Purple Carrot’s menu is diverse and rotates weekly. The recipes are centered around whole foods, vegetables, grains, legumes, and other vegan staples like lentils, cashews, and fresh greens. You won’t find many meat alternatives like Impossible Beef or Beyond Meat; instead, the focus is on authentic plant-based ingredients. Examples of dishes include Romesco Grain Bowl, Smoky Peach & Farro Bowl, Smoky Portobello Tacos, and General Tso’s Tofu[1][3].
Quality and Freshness of Ingredients
The ingredients provided by Purple Carrot are generally super fresh and of high quality. Many of the non-produce items, such as tofu, beans, and nut milk, are organic. However, there have been some instances where the produce quality was less than optimal, such as rotting tomatoes or damaged string beans[5].
Ease of Preparation and Support Materials
The recipes are designed to be easy to follow, even for beginners. The service provides clear and concise recipe cards or a small recipe booklet, which includes helpful footnotes and cooking tips. This makes it easier for new cooks to learn and prepare the meals[1][3].
Pros
Fresh and Healthy Ingredients: Purple Carrot uses high-quality, fresh ingredients, many of which are organic.
Innovative and Flavorful Recipes: The service offers a wide range of creative and delicious vegan recipes.
Great for Learning Plant-Based Cooking: It is an excellent way to learn how to cook vegan staples and experiment with new ingredients.
Flexible Subscription: You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time without penalty[1][3].
Cons
Expensive: Purple Carrot is on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other meal kit services.
Time-Consuming: The meals can take longer to prepare than those from other services.
Variable Quality: There have been instances where the produce quality was not up to par[1][5].
Who Should Try Purple Carrot?
Purple Carrot is ideal for:
Existing Vegans: Those already following a vegan diet will appreciate the variety and quality of the meals.
Those Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet: It is a great resource for learning how to prepare healthy and flavorful vegan meals.
Individuals Looking for Unique Ingredients: The service introduces users to a range of seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices that they may not be familiar with[1][3].
Prepared Meals Option
In addition to meal kits, Purple Carrot also offers prepared meals that are individually portioned and ready to reheat. These meals are convenient for those who prefer not to cook but still want to enjoy healthy, vegan options[3].
Most Important Facts About Purple Carrot Reviews
Exclusive Vegan Service: Purple Carrot is the only completely vegan meal kit service.
High-Quality Ingredients: Most ingredients are fresh, organic, and of high quality, though there can be occasional issues with produce.
Innovative Recipes: The service offers a diverse range of creative and flavorful plant-based recipes.
Flexible Subscription: You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time.
Great for Learning: It is an excellent resource for learning to cook vegan meals and experimenting with new ingredients.
Expensive: The service is on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Time-Consuming Meals: Meal preparation can take longer than with other services.
Ideal for Individuals and Small Groups: The service is best suited for individuals or small groups, as the meal kits and prepared meals are generally designed for one to four servings[1][3][5].
