I Tried Purple Carrot For A Week (My 2025 Reviews)

Purple Carrot, with its 100% plant-based promise, caught my eye not because I’m vegan but because I wanted to see if it could deliver quality and value, at least for the plant-based folks I train. I tested both their meal kits and prepared meals over a couple of weeks, digging into everything from flavor to protein punch.

In this review, I’ll break down what Purple Carrot offers, how it holds up for athletes and everyday eaters alike, and whether it’s worth the hype, or if something else might edge it out for my needs.

Pros

• High-Quality Ingredients: Fresh produce and mostly organic non-produce (tofu, beans) deliver clean, tasty nutrition. You can taste the care in every bite, even if it’s not all certified organic
• Convenience Factor: Prepared meals heat up in 2-5 minutes, and meal kits take 30-45 minutes with pre-portioned ease – perfect for busy schedules
• Eco-Friendly Packaging: Recyclable boxes and a 72% lower carbon footprint claim make it a solid pick for sustainability buffs. The insulation keeps food fresh without much waste.
• Flexible Subscription: Skipping, pausing, or canceling by Tuesday is a breeze via the account portal

Cons

• Low Protein Content: Maxing out at 20-25 grams per serving, it’s not enough for my 40+ gram needs. Athletes will feel the gap post-workout
• Vegan-Only Limits: The strict plant-based menu skips meat entirely, which is a dealbreaker if you’re not all-in on veganism
• Premium Price Tag: At $11-$13.25 per serving (plus $10 shipping under $100), it’s steep for the protein payoff compared to grocery runs or meat-inclusive services
• Limited Customization: You’re stuck with preset recipes and basic dietary tags. You can’t swap ingredients or boost portions. It’s rigid compared to many other services

What is Purple Carrot?

Purple Carrot is a meal delivery service launched in 2014 focusing on 100% plant-based, vegan meals.

Designed to make vegan eating accessible and appealing, it caters to a range of customers, such as vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores, looking to reduce meat consumption while emphasizing health, sustainability, and convenience.

The service offers two primary options: meal kits, which provide pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for home cooking, and prepared meals, which are fully cooked and ready to heat.

Additionally, a “Plantry” section allows customers to add plant-based breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and pantry staples to their orders.

The meal kits feature up to 16 weekly dinner recipes, with preparation times typically ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. Options include standard kits and “Less Prep” versions with pre-chopped vegetables and premade sauces to streamline cooking.

Prepared meals offer up to 15 single-serving choices weekly, requiring only 2-5 minutes to reheat, ideal for those seeking minimal effort.

Recipes draw from global cuisines like Thai, Mediterranean, and Indian, aiming to deliver variety and flavor without animal products.

Purple Carrot highlights its use of fresh produce and mostly organic non-produce ingredients (e.g., tofu, beans) and claims to produce up to 72% less carbon emissions than a standard American meal.

Purple Carrot’s main draw lies in its commitment to plant-based nutrition, eco-conscious design, and a balance of convenience and culinary exploration, making it a standout for those prioritizing veganism or sustainable eating habits.

My Purple Carrot Review & Experience

Customization

Purple Carrot’s customization options are pretty limited, which was a sticking point for me right off the bat.

You can’t swap ingredients or tweak recipes to fit your preferences, something I’m used to with other services that let me bump up the protein or ditch a veggie I’m not into.

Instead, they offer a handful of dietary tags like “high-protein,” “gluten-free,” or “under 600 calories” to help you pick meals that align with your goals.

For the meal kits, you choose from up to 16 dinner recipes weekly (offered for 2 or 4 servings), 4 or 5  for dinner, and a few breakfast options.

With prepared meals, you get up to 15 single-serving options. That’s it, no room to adjust portions or add a chicken breast, obviously, since it’s vegan-only.

The “high-protein” tag caught my eye, but don’t get too excited. Most of these meals top out at 20-25 grams of protein per serving, usually from beans, tofu, or tempeh.

For someone like me who shoots for 40+ grams per meal to fuel lifting and grappling, it’s a non-starter.

That said, the tagging system works fine if you’re cool with plant-based eating and just need a loose filter for dietary needs. It’s straightforward but rigid; flexibility isn’t their game.

Meal Variety, Kits and Recipes

The variety here is decent, especially if you’re into global flavors. For meal kits, I tried options like General Tso’s Tofu and a Thai Coconut Curry with chickpeas

They mix it up with cuisines like Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian, which keeps things interesting. The kits come in standard or “Less Prep” versions, the latter with pre-chopped veggies and sauces to cut down on effort. Cooking took me about 35-45 minutes, though some recipes felt fussier than I’d like, with extra steps like roasting and sautéing at the same time.

The prepared meals, which include single-serve stuff like Roasted Root Veggies with Quinoa or Spicy Dan Dan Noodles, offer up to 15 weekly picks.

They’re very convenient if you’re short on time; just zap ‘em in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, and you’re ready to eat.

Variety-wise, Purple Carrot does well for a vegan service, but as someone who thrives on meat-heavy meals, I found the lack of animal protein repetitive in its own way.

No steak or chicken to break up the tofu parade. For plant-based eaters, though, the creativity’s there. Recipes don’t just lean on boring salads or plain lentils.

Taste & Quality

I’ll give credit where it’s due: Purple Carrot knows how to make vegan food taste good. The General Tso’s Tofu from the meal kit had a sticky, sweet-spicy sauce that hit the spot, and the prepared Spicy Dan Dan Noodles packed a legit peanutty kick.

Ingredients felt fresh – crisp veggies, firm tofu, and grains that didn’t turn to mush. They use mostly organic non-produce items (like beans and tempeh), though the produce itself isn’t always certified organic. Quality-wise, it’s solid, and I didn’t run into any wilted greens or off flavors.

That said, as a guy who trains hard, I missed the hearty, satisfying punch of meat. The portions were filling enough calorie-wise (500-700 calories typically), but the protein ceiling at 20-25 grams max (often lower) left me hungry an hour later.

Taste gets an A for effort and execution, but if you’re used to richer, meatier profiles, it’s a shift. For what it is, though, the flavor and freshness hold up.

Packaging

The packaging is a mixed bag. Everything arrives in a big cardboard box with ice packs and insulation to keep it cool. My stuff was still fresh after sitting out a few hours, which is a win.

Most of it’s recyclable: the box, some plastic liners, and the meal kit bags. But there’s a decent amount of single-use plastic with things like sauce packets and veggie wrappers that will bug some of the crowd.

The prepared meals come in microwaveable trays, also recyclable, though the plastic film on top isn’t. They tout a 72% lower carbon footprint than standard meals, which is a strong eco-conscious move, but the plastic waste feels like a compromise.

It’s functional and keeps food safe, just not as lean as it could be.

Price

Meal kits run $13.25 per serving for 2-serving plans (3 or 4 meals per week) or $11 per serving for 4-serving plans (2, 3, or 4 meals).

Prepared meals are a flat $13 per serving, whether you grab 6, 8, or 10 a week. Shipping’s free over $100; otherwise, it’s $10—first orders often dodge that fee with promos. Here’s a breakdown:

Plan Type	Servings	Cost per Serving	Weekly Total (Examples)	Shipping
Meal Kit (2-serving)	3 meals (6 servings)	$13.25	$79.50	Free over $100, else $10
Meal Kit (2-serving)	4 meals (8 servings)	$13.25	$106	Free
Meal Kit (4-serving)	2 meals (8 servings)	$11	$88	Free over $100, else $10
Meal Kit (4-serving)	4 meals (16 servings)	$11	$176	Free
Prepared Meals	6 meals	$13	$78	Free over $100, else $10
Prepared Meals	10 meals	$13	$130	Free

Cancelation Process

Canceling was a breeze, which I appreciated after realizing this wasn’t for me. You log into your account, hit the cancellation button under subscription settings, and answer a quick “why are you leaving?” prompt. The whole procedure took me maybe two minutes.

No phone calls or pushy reps. You can also skip weeks or pause with the same ease, as long as you do it by Tuesday, 11:59 PM EST, a week before your next delivery. It’s hassle-free, which is more than I can say for some services that make you jump through hoops.

Who Is Purple Carrot For?

Vegan and Vegetarian Eaters

If you’re already vegan or vegetarian, Purple Carrot is tailor-made for you. The 100% plant-based menu takes the guesswork out of meal planning. No need to sift through meat-heavy options to find something that fits.

With up to 16 meal kit recipes and 15 prepared meals weekly, you get variety that’s creative and flavorful. The quality’s there, too, with fresh veggies and mostly organic non-produce like tofu and beans. For someone committed to a plant-based lifestyle, this is a convenient, tasty way to keep it interesting.

Plant-Curious Omnivores

Maybe you’re not vegan but want to dip your toes into plant-based eating, Purple Carrot is a solid pick. I’ll admit, even as a meat-lover, the flavors surprised me in a good way, like the spicy kick of the Dan Dan Noodles.

It’s perfect for omnivores looking to cut back on meat for health, sustainability, or just curiosity. The meal kits let you cook without mastering vegan recipes from scratch, and the prepared meals are a no-brainer for busy days. If you’re open to trying something new, this could ease you into less meat-centric habits.

Busy Folks Who Value Convenience

Time’s tight for a lot of us, and Purple Carrot delivers, literally. The prepared meals (2-3 minutes to heat) are a lifesaver if you juggle work, workouts, and family. The “Less Prep” meal kits shave off chopping time too, though you’re still looking at 30-45 minutes to cook.

With free shipping over $100 and flexible skipping or pausing, it fits hectic schedules. Anyone who wants healthy, plant-based food without the hassle of grocery runs or recipe hunting will find this a win.

Not for High-Protein, Meat-Focused Athletes

Here’s where I come in and where Purple Carrot falls short. As a guy who trains hard and needs 40+ grams of protein per meal to recover from lifting and grappling, this service doesn’t cut it. The “high-protein” options max out at 20-25 grams from lentils or tofu, which isn’t enough to fuel serious athletic goals.

Plus, it’s vegan-only, so if you’re like me and thrive on steak or chicken, you’re out of luck. The price ($11-$13.25 per serving) feels steep when I can get double the protein elsewhere for less. Active folks who prioritize meat and macros should look elsewhere.

Purple Carrot User Reviews

On Reddit’s r/mealkits, users have mixed takes. Some love the fresh produce and variety, especially for vegetarians, while others complain about late deliveries and longer-than-expected prep times for meal kits.

Sitejabber gives it a rough 1.3-star average from 51 reviews, with gripes centering on poor customer service, spoiled ingredients, and billing issues, though a few praise the freshness and support.

Trustpilot’s 892 reviews are more positive, with nearly 75% at 4 or 5 stars; fans highlight tasty prepared meals and convenience, but detractors flag missing items and inadequate refunds. X users echo the divide. Some call out bland or wasteful meals, while others stretch portions to offset the cost.

Overall, users split on Purple Carrot. Freshness, creativity, and ease win over plant-based fans, but delivery delays, inconsistent quality, and spotty service frustrate plenty.

Scores reflect the divide- Sitejabber’s 1.3/5 shows the lows, and Trustpilot’s higher marks hint at broader appeal, but it’s a mixed bag depending on your expectations.

Purple Carrot Alternatives

Green Chef

It’s a meal kit service, so you’re cooking, but the variety, over 50 weekly recipes, keeps it fresh with plans like Protein Packed, Keto, Vegan, and Quick & Easy.

I leaned heavy on the Protein Packed plan, and dishes like Moroccan-spiced beef hit me with 40+ grams of protein per serving, way more than Purple Carrot’s 20-25 grams max. Prep takes 30-40 minutes, with pre-portioned organic ingredients and bold premade sauces that make flavors pop.

Pricing is $11.49-$13.49 per serving plus $10.99 shipping, on par with Purple Carrot’s $11-$13.25 (free over $100), but the meat options and organic quality justify it for me.

Customization is decent – you pick plans, servings (2-6 per meal, 2-4 meals weekly) and can tweak proteins, though not as freeform as I’d like.

For athletes, the protein punch and variety make it a contender, though occasional wilted veggies and smaller portions left me wanting more after a heavy session.

My Green Chef review goes into detail about my experience.

Methodology

The weekly menu rotates with 20+ entrées and 5-10 breakfasts, leaning on 200+ plant varieties for variety that rivals Purple Carrot’s creativity.

Pricing is steep at $15-$18 per meal ($350-$460 for a 5-day Reset), dwarfing Purple Carrot’s cost, but the quality, all gluten-free and no refined sugar feel worth it for those with spare cash.

Customization, though, is limited; you pick portion size and dietary style (vegan, meat/seafood), but no fine-tuning like Green Chef’s protein swaps. For athletes, the large portions pack a protein wallop Purple Carrot can’t touch, though availability’s spotty outside California.

It’s a luxe pick for time-strapped health nuts who can afford it. You can read my experience in my Methodology review.

Hungryroot

You get pre-cut ingredients and recipes that take 10-15 minutes, plus a massive add-on pantry. It’s not vegan-only like Purple Carrot, and I naturally went for high-protein options like a chicken stir-fry (30 grams of protein) alongside a couple of vegan picks like a black bean taco bowl (20 grams).

With over 100 weekly meal combos and 46 grocery staples, the variety is solid, though the simplicity lacks Purple Carrot’s chef-driven flair.

Pricing hovers at $9.69-$11.39 per serving, with plans from $70-$155 weekly (free shipping over $70), making it cheaper than Purple Carrot but pricier than a grocery run.

Customization shines. You tweak via a quiz and swap items freely, which beats Purple Carrot’s rigid tags. Quality is clean and fresh, but portions felt small for my post-lifting appetite.

It’s great for convenience-driven eaters, less so for athletes needing big, complex meals. You can read my experience in my Hungryroot review.

Frequently Asked Purple Carrot Questions

How does the ordering process work?

The ordering process is straightforward. You start by signing up on their website, where you can choose a plan based on your preferences.

Purple Carrot allows you to preview the week’s menu before committing, and meals can be easily swapped to better fit your taste or dietary needs. Once selected, your meals arrive in eco-friendly packaging with all the instructions needed for preparation.

Are the meals all vegan?

Yes, every Purple Carrot meal is entirely vegan. They avoid all meat, dairy, and other animal-derived ingredients. Instead, recipes combine whole foods such as vegetables, grains, and legumes to create delicious and balanced dishes.

What kind of meals does Purple Carrot offer?

Purple Carrot’s menu includes a variety of meal kits designed for two or four servings and single-serve ready-made meals.

They also offer breakfast, lunch items, and snacks as add-ons. Categories include high-protein, quick and easy, gluten-free, nut-free, low-calorie, and low-sodium options to cater to different dietary preferences and goals.

Can I customize my meals?

Customization is limited. While you can choose meals from the weekly menu, the ability to swap specific ingredients is not available. This might be a concern for those with allergies or strict dietary requirements.

Summary

After testing Purple Carrot’s meal kits and prepared meals, I can see why it’s carved out a loyal following.

The 100% plant-based focus delivers fresh, flavorful options that shine for vegans or anyone dipping into sustainable eating. The variety is solid, and the quality delivers with crisp produce and bold global spices.

Convenience is a win too; prepared meals heat in 2-5 minutes, and kits take 30-45 minutes with pre-portioned ease. At $11-$13.25 per serving, it’s a mid-to-high investment, but the eco-friendly packaging and flexibility to skip or cancel add value for the right crowd.

That said, Purple Carrot didn’t quite fuel my fire as an athlete. The protein tops out at 20-25 grams per serving, which is nowhere near the 40+ grams I need to recover and grow.

The vegan-only menu, while creative, misses the meaty depth I crave, and the price feels steep for what I’m getting compared to grocery hauls or other services.

That’s why I’m pointing you toward Trifecta Nutrition instead. It’s my go-to for a reason: fully prepared, high-protein meals tailored for athletes, with options like clean eating, Paleo, or keto that hit my macros dead-on.

At $16 per serving, it’s more expensive than Purple Carrot but delivers bigger portions and way better macros.

Customization’s sharper too – you can dial in precise needs via their app, something Purple Carrot’s rigid tags can’t touch. For active folks chasing gains or recovery without the prep hassle, Trifecta’s the smarter play – premium nutrition that matches the grind.