As an active individual and a coach who needs to give solid recommendations, I’ve tried most meal delivery services, and in this comparison, I will be diving into two popular organic-focused options: Green Chef and Sunbasket.
Both promise quality ingredients and convenient meal solutions, but which one truly delivers for active folks? I’ve put them through their paces to find out which service deserves your hard-earned cash.
Quick Verdict
Green Chef and Sunbasket both deliver premium meal kits with organic ingredients and solid variety, perfect for health nuts and busy schedules.
Green Chef edges out slightly with its high-protein plans and bold global flavors, while Sunbasket’s prepared meals and eco-friendly packaging shine. But for athletes like me, Trifecta Nutrition is the real champ—premade, macro-packed meals with no prep steal the show.
| Feature | Winner |
|---|---|
| Customization | Green Chef |
| Meal Kits and Variety | Draw |
| Taste and Quality | Draw |
| Packaging | Sunbasket |
| User Reviews | Draw |
| Cancelation Process | Draw |
| Price | Green Chef |
Winner
Based on my experience with each meal delivery service, neither Green Chef nor Sunbasket hold a light to Trifecta Nutrition.
Trifecta caters to any allergies or dietary preferences and has a Performance Line with meals that don’t skimp on protein or calories.
They are high protein, moderate carb, and lower in fat making them perfect for muscle building, fat loss, or sports performance related goals. Use code “liftbig40” for 40% OFF.
What Is Green Chef?
Green Chef is the first USDA-certified organic meal kit service, focusing on sustainably sourced ingredients and nutritionally balanced recipes.
Founded with a commitment to clean eating, they offer pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards for meals that typically take 30-40 minutes to prepare.
Green Chef offers a diverse range of specialized meal plans catering to specific dietary lifestyles. The options include keto, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, and high-protein diets through their “Protein Packed” plan that delivers 40+ grams per serving.
Their rotating weekly menu features over 50 recipes inspired by global cuisines, ensuring variety without sacrificing nutrition.
Green Chef emphasizes eco-friendly packaging, using recyclable, compostable, or reusable materials, including corrugated cardboard boxes with recycled content and compostable insulation.
For those prioritizing organic quality, Green Chef delivers eggs and produce that are certified organic unless stated otherwise, while proteins adhere to strict animal welfare standards.
They source many ingredients from local farms and regional suppliers, creating a service that balances nutrition, quality, and ethical sourcing.
What Is Sunbasket?
Sunbasket is a meal delivery service launched in 2014 from San Francisco, offering two distinct options: Meal Kits with pre-portioned ingredients for 20-40 minute cooking and Fresh & Ready meals that heat up in just 4-6 minutes.
This dual approach makes it versatile for different schedules and cooking preferences.
Sunbasket prides itself on its strong commitment to ingredient quality and sustainability. The service boasts that 99% of its produce is USDA-certified organic, with proteins free from hormones and antibiotics.
Their menu caters to various dietary needs including Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Mediterranean, and Carb-Conscious plans.
With approximately 24 meal options rotating weekly, subscribers can mix and match across dietary plans rather than being locked into one category.
Beyond dinner options, Sunbasket offers add-ons through their market section, including breakfast items, snacks, and extra proteins priced individually.
The service delivers across most of the contiguous U.S. in eco-friendly packaging that’s nearly 100% recyclable or compostable.
While premium-priced, Sunbasket aims to provide a convenient solution for health-conscious individuals seeking nutritious meals with minimal prep time and maximum flavor.
Green Chef vs. Sunbasket Key Differences
Customization
When it comes to customization, both services offer solid options but with distinct approaches. Green Chef lets you choose from eight meal plans, including Mediterranean, Plant-Based, and its standout Protein Packed plan, delivering 40+ grams per serving.
You’re not restricted to one plan, though. Once signed up, you can explore the full menu each week. The service allows for 2-4 meals weekly with 2-6 servings per meal, and you can skip deliveries with 7 days’ notice.
Green Chef recently stepped up their game with protein customization, allowing you to upgrade or swap proteins in many dishes, double vegetables, or boost protein in veggie meals by adding meat to 50g per serving.
However, you can’t make granular changes to individual recipe components (aside from meat swapping).
Sunbasket similarly offers plan selection (Paleo, Carb-Conscious, etc.) with freedom to mix and match across categories. Their menu filters let you sort by nutritional content like protein or carbs, which is handy for tracking macros.
Unfortunately, you can’t modify individual recipes. They do offer organic meat upgrades for an additional fee, and their ordering system allows for easy pausing or redirecting deliveries.
Neither service offers complete recipe customization like some competitors, but both provide enough flexibility for most healthy eaters to find suitable options.
Meal Kits, Recipes, and Variety
Green Chef boasts an impressive variety with over 50 weekly recipes spanning diverse global cuisines. The Protein Packed plan features options like Moroccan-spiced beef and Japanese-inspired steak skewers, keeping your taste buds engaged.
Meals come with pre-portioned ingredients, antibiotic-free chicken or grass-fed beef, organic veggies, and premade sauces that pack bold flavors. Most recipes take 30-40 minutes to prepare, with clear, step-by-step instructions.
Sunbasket offers about 24 weekly options split between Meal Kits and Fresh & Ready meals. Their kits feature dishes like “Steak with Chimichurri” or “Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce,” taking 20-40 minutes to cook with organic produce and clear instructions.
The Fresh & Ready meals are a major time-saver, heating up in just 4-6 minutes, though they’re single-serving portions. Options like “Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce” deliver surprisingly good quality for microwavable meals.
For protein content, both services deliver, with Green Chef’s Protein Packed plan offering 40+ grams per serving and Sunbasket’s high-protein options hitting 30-40 grams.
Green Chef edges out in sheer number of choices, but Sunbasket’s dual format (kits and prepared meals) offers more flexibility for varying schedules.
Both services incorporate global flavors and premium ingredients, making them suitable for health-conscious eaters who want variety without compromising nutrition.
Green Chef emphasizes cooking from scratch, while Sunbasket provides that option alongside convenient prepared meals when you’re too tired to cook.
Taste & Quality
Both Green Chef and Sunbasket shine with exceptional taste and ingredient quality, but each has its own flavor profile. Green Chef delivers bold, globally inspired dishes that pack serious flavor punches.
Their Protein Packed options like beef tenderloin with chimichurri or spicy chicken with poblano cream use premade sauces and spice blends that elevate home cooking to restaurant-quality meals.
The organic ingredients, cage-free chicken, and grass-fed beef genuinely taste superior to standard grocery store fare, though occasionally, produce arrives less than perfect.
Sunbasket similarly impresses with flavor complexity across both Meal Kits and Fresh & Ready options. Dishes like “Pork Chops with Honey-Chipotle Glaze” and “Salmon with Lemon-Tahini Sauce” feature creative seasonings that create memorable meals.
The Fresh & Ready meals surprisingly maintain quality even after microwaving. Sunbasket’s commitment to 99% organic produce and responsibly sourced proteins mirrors Green Chef’s quality standards.
Both services deliver on their organic, premium ingredient promises with clean flavors that reflect their sourcing practices. Portion sizes for both can sometimes feel modest for very active individuals, especially after intense training sessions.
Neither service cuts corners on quality, though, making them ideal for those who prioritize clean eating and real flavor over sheer quantity.
For those refueling after workouts, both provide satisfying meals with solid macros, though you might need to supplement if you have a larger appetite.
Packaging
Green Chef’s packaging is functional but not without flaws. Boxes arrive sturdy, with recyclable cardboard and compostable insulation, keeping ingredients cold.
Ice packs and labeled bags per meal make unpacking easy, but the plastic overload—every veggie and sauce in its own baggie—feels excessive despite the eco-friendly pitch.
They offset carbon emissions, which is cool, but the plastic pileup clashes with the sustainability vibe. It’s practical, just not as green as advertised.
Sunbasket steps up here. Its boxes are also recyclable, with denim insulation and drainable ice packs that keep things fresh even after hours on the porch.
Meal Kits have ingredients in tidy bags, and Fresh & Ready meals come in microwave-safe trays. Nearly 100% of the packaging is recyclable or compostable, and there’s less plastic waste compared to
Green Chef. The setup feels thoughtful, aligning better with eco-conscious values. For active folks who care about quality and the planet, Sunbasket’s packaging is a clear win, delivering freshness with a lighter environmental footprint. Green Chef gets the job done, but Sunbasket’s leaner, greener approach takes the crown.
Price
When it comes to your wallet, both services position themselves as premium options, but with notable differences in pricing structure and value:
| Meal Delivery Service | Meal Kits (per serving) | Prepared Meals | Shipping | Minimum Order |
| Green Chef | $11.49-$13.49 | N/A | $10.99 | No strict minimum |
| Sunbasket | $11.49-$17.99 | $9.99-$15 | $9.99 | $45 minimum |
Green Chef offers slightly better pricing on its meal kits, especially when ordering larger quantities. Their 6-serving option can bring the per-serving cost down to $11.49, making it more economical for families or meal preppers.
Sunbasket’s meal kits run higher, particularly for premium protein options reaching $17.99 per serving. However, they offer Fresh & Ready meals starting at $9.99, providing a more affordable option when you don’t want to cook.
Both services charge for shipping—Green Chef at $10.99 per box and Sunbasket at $9.99 (with free shipping on your first order). Sunbasket requires a minimum $45 order, while Green Chef has no strict minimum.
For athletes and active individuals watching their budget, neither service is particularly economical compared to grocery shopping or budget meal kits, but the quality of organic ingredients and convenience factor justify the premium for many customers.
Cancelation Process
Canceling Green Chef is a breeze. You log into the website or app, hit the subscription settings, and select “deactivate” after a quick “why are you leaving” prompt. I did it in under two minutes, no hassle. You just need to cancel seven days before your next delivery, or you’re stuck with the box.
Sunbasket’s process is equally smooth. From your online account, go to “Account Settings,” click “Pause or Cancel,” and confirm after an optional feedback question.
I canceled in a couple of minutes and got an instant confirmation email. You can pause or redirect deliveries by Wednesday. Both services avoid pushy traps, making them flexible for busy folks.
User Reviews
Customer feedback for both services reveals consistent themes about their strengths and weaknesses. Green Chef users frequently praise the freshness of organic ingredients and creative meal designs.
Many highlight the deliciousness of meals, with one customer exclaiming they’d “give them 10 stars if I could!”
Long-term subscribers particularly appreciate the vegan recipes and exceptional ingredient quality. Customer service also receives positive mentions for being responsive and quick to resolve concerns.
Sunbasket reviews similarly emphasize taste and quality, with users noting “the flavors are amazing and way better than other kits I’ve tried!” The freshness of vegetables and meats regularly earns praise, as does the convenience of both meal kits and prepared options.
The eco-friendly packaging scores points with environmentally conscious customers who appreciate not “drowning in plastic.”
For both services, pricing is the most common criticism, with users questioning whether the premium cost is justifiable for regular use.
Portion sizes generate mixed feedback—while adequate for average appetites, athletic individuals with higher caloric needs sometimes find them insufficient. Delivery reliability occasionally comes up as an issue, though both companies’ customer service teams typically address problems promptly.
Overall, satisfied customers for both services tend to be those who prioritize organic quality and flavor over budget concerns and don’t require massive portions for intense training regimens.
My Experience With Sunbasket And Green Chef
Testing Green Chef and Sunbasket was a deep dive into premium meal kits, and both brought something to the table for my active lifestyle.
With Green Chef, I went hard on the Protein Packed plan, and dishes like spicy chicken with poblano cream or beef tenderloin with chimichurri were straight-up bangers. The 40+ grams of protein per serving fueled my recovery after heavy lifts and the global flavors kept my plate interesting.
Cooking took 30-40 minutes, with pre-portioned ingredients making it painless, though a wilted kale batch and excessive plastic packaging were minor letdowns. The organic veggies and grass-fed meats tasted clean, but portions sometimes left me eyeing extras.
Customization was solid, as I could swap proteins or add meat to veggie meals, but the $12.49 median price stung a bit.
Sunbasket hooked me with its mix of Meal Kits and Fresh & Ready options. The kits, like pork chops with honey-chipotle glaze, cooked in 20-40 minutes and packed 30-40 grams of protein, hitting the mark for taste and macros.
The organic produce was vibrant, and hormone-free meats felt premium. The Fresh & Ready meals, like chicken with mushroom sauce, were a relief on busy days, needing only 4-6 minutes in the microwave.
Portions could feel light after a big training day, and I wished I could tweak recipes (no sauce swaps allowed).
The eco-friendly packaging was a standout, while the $13.49 median price for kits felt steep but justified by quality. Canceling or pausing both services was seamless.
Green Chef’s broader menu and protein consistency won me over slightly, but Sunbasket’s prepared meals were clutch when I was slammed.
Both delivered on flavor and clean eating, but big appetites might need sides. For athletes, they’re solid, but neither fully nails the no-prep, macro-heavy vibe I crave.
Should You Pick Sunbasket Or Green Chef?
Green Chef shines for its massive menu with 50+ weekly recipes and high-protein options packing 40+ grams per serving, perfect for meat-loving lifters like me.
The bold global flavors and organic ingredients make every meal feel like a win, and the 30-40 minute prep fits busy schedules.
But the price ($11.49-$13.49) and occasional quality hiccups, like wilted veggies, might give budget eaters pause. It’s best for those who love cooking and want variety without meal prep headaches.
Sunbasket’s strength is its flexibility, offering both Meal Kits and Fresh & Ready meals for zero-prep nights. With 24 weekly options and 30-40 grams of protein, it fuels active lifestyles well, and the eco-friendly packaging is a big plus.
The flavors pop, but portions can feel light, and the $11.49-$17.99 price tag stings. It’s ideal for busy folks who want organic quality and the option to skip cooking sometimes. If sustainability and convenience top your list, Sunbasket’s your match.
Ultimately, though, I’m pointing you toward Trifecta Nutrition. For athletes chasing gains, its premade meals deliver 35-50+ grams of protein, bigger portions, and macro precision without any kitchen time. At ~$16 per meal, it’s a splurge, but the time saved and recovery-focused fuel make it unbeatable.
Trifecta
Trifecta Nutrition
A clean, high protein meal delivery service that doesn’t skimp on quality or portions. Use code “liftbig40” for 40% OFF.
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