Purple Carrot vs Green Chef (2024 Upd) | In-Depth Comparison!

I know first hand how difficult it is to prepare meals for various family members with varying dietary preferences. Whenever family members come to visit, I find it easiest to rely on a meal kit delivery service.

In this case, Purple Carrot and Green Chef are top contenders for vegan options. I like how Purple Carrot saves me time through its packaging. But I prefer Green Chef’s better menu variety and better quality ingredients.

Average Cost per Serving

  • PurpleCarrot – around $12 per meal
  • GreenChef – under $13 per meal

Average Cost per Week

  • PurpleCarrot – under $75 per week on average
  • GreenChef – under $79 per week on average

Average Meal Prep Time

  • PurpleCarrot – around 30 minutes
  • Green Chef – up to 45 minutes

Meal Preferences

  • PurpleCarrot
    • Vegan
  • GreenChef
    • Keto
    • Balanced Living
    • Plant-powered
    • Low-carb

Guarantee

  • PurpleCarrot – negotiable within seven days of receiving your order
  • GreenChef – store credit refunds on a case to case basis

Minimum Order

  • Purple Carrot – 3 meals per week for 2 people
  • GreenChef – 3 meals per week for 2 people

Number of Recipes on the Weekly Menu

  • PurpleCarrot – about 8 recipes on the dinner menu
  • GreenChef – three to six recipes depending on your meal plan

Delivery Coverage

  • PurpleCarrot – delivers to all states in the US except Hawaii and Alaska
  • Green Chef – delivers to 47 states in the US

Number of Portion Options

  • PurpleCarrot – 2 and 4 people
  • Green Chef – 2 and 4 people

Number of Recipes Delivered Each Week

  • PurpleCarrot – 3 to 4 recipes
  • Green Chef – 2 to 4 recipes

Popular Meals

  • PurpleCarrot
    • Mediterranean Fried Rice with Sumac Cauliflower and Za’Atar Aioli
    • Blond Puttanesca with Chickpeas and Lemon Caper Sauce
    • Portobello Mushroom BLT with Herb Mayonnaise and Garlic Pepper Fries
    • Black Pepper Tofu with Chinese Broccoli and Brown Rice
    • Mexican Socca Pizza
  • GreenChef
    • Chicken Bruschetta Pasta
    • Enchilada Quesadilla
    • Falafel Curry Noodle Bowl
    • Shrimp Fried Rice
    • Tuna Poke Bowl

Delivery Days

  • Purple Carrot – ships from Monday to Wednesday
  • GreenChef – Monday to Saturday

Quality of Ingredients 

  • PurpleCarrot – non-GMO ingredients
  • GreenChef – USDA-certified organic

Shipping Cost

  • PurpleCarrot – free shipping
  • GreenChef – from under $7 to under $14

Review Summary: Purple Carrot is a good option if you want strictly vegan meals delivered to your doorstep. Their single menu means you’ll have less of a hard time choosing which meals to get, but it also means you’re limited to only a handful of choices each week. You do have the option to add on lunch and breakfast items, though so you can plan an entire day’s worth of meals. On the other hand, I’ve determined that Green Chef is the better option. Their various meal preference options cater to more than just vegan choices, which means you can switch between menus each week. Plus, their dedication to organic USDA-certified ingredients add more nutritional value compared to the former.

Varieties Of Meals Offered

Green Chef vs Purple Carrot

Both meal kit delivery services cater to more than just dinner items. They also offer a good variety of vegan dinners that are healthy, well-balanced, and delicious. I like how the menu changes each week, so you’re able to try out new recipes. Both companies offer two and four-person plan and take roughly 30 minutes to an hour to prep.

Green Chef Logo

Green Chef

Green Chef’s various meal preference options mean it has more variety compared to Purple Carrot.

There are three to six recipes to choose from in each of their four menus that cater to different dietary restrictions. Unfortunately, this does mean that each menu has less to offer compared to Purple Carrot.

  • You can choose between four meal preferences
    • Ketogenic
    • Balanced Living
    • Plant-Powered or Vegan
    • Carb-Conscious or Low-Carb
  • You can choose between three and four meals each week.

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Purple Carrot

On the other hand, Purple Carrot has more recipe variety in its menu compared to Green Chef with the exception that you’re limited to a single dinner menu.

There are currently up to 8 items on the Purple Carrot menu in addition to their lunch and breakfast meals.

  • There are quick and easy meal options that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
  • Their meals focus strictly on a vegan menu.
  • However, they do not use all-organic ingredients.

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My Experience Using The Two Services

Green Chef and Purple Carrot services were easy to use and had a straightforward sign-up process. I liked how they had a progress tracker at the top of your dashboard so you could monitor exactly where you are in the subscribing process. 

One thing I didn’t appreciate with Green Chef, though, is the fact that you had to check out prior to being able to view the weekly menu.

I like to be able to view the Green Chef vs PurpleCarrotweek’s offerings prior to making a commitment, especially if it’s my first time with a subscription. 

Fortunately, it wasn’t that big of a deal for me since I’ve already tried Green Chef before. But it is something you might want to consider. 

I also liked being able to choose different meal preferences with GreenChef.

My most recent week with the company was during my sister’s visit. She’s very particular about her meal choices and needs to stick to a strict low-carb diet. 

Since GreenChef has a dedicated menu to low carb meals, it made it easier for me to select meals we’d both be comfortable eating. 

On the other hand, there were a few choices with Purple Carrot.

But the lack of a dedicated menu meant it was difficult to select meals and that I was very limited in my choices.Gre

Plans and Pricing

Green Chef vs Purple Carrot

Both services offer a two and four person meal plan with various numbers of meal availability for the week. I like how they deliver to most of the United States with the exception of Hawaii and Alaska. Both services offer meals for under $13.

Green Chef Logo

Green Chef offers four meal preference options that can serve either two or four people. You’re able to pick out three to four recipes each week as well. 

Keto and Carb-Conscious Plan – under $13 per serving

Balanced Living and Plant-Based Plan – under $12 each serving.

Shipping is calculated upon checkout and varies from $7 to nearly $14.

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Purple Carrot has two meal plans to choose from and is a bit more straightforward. Purple Carrot features high-protein meals. Its focus on a strictly vegan menu means you don’t have to select a meal preference. Instead, you’re prompted to select the number of servings and meals you want each week.

Three or Four Dinners for Two People – under $12 per portion
Two to Three Dinners for Four People – under $10 per portion

Purple Carrot ships for free to most of the US.

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Packaging

Green Chef

Both companies are good at maintaining a sustainable practice when it comes to packaging. I like how their boxes are all compostable, come packed, insulated and chilled so your produce and protein don’t get contaminated or spoiled on its way to you.

Green Chef Logo

Green Chef’s meal kits come packed in cardboard boxes with recyclable fillers and packaging. I like how their meat and produce are separated, so you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination as well. 

  • Their ingredients aren’t packaged per meal so you will need to do a fair bit of sorting.

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Purple Carrot also comes in recyclable and compostable packaging. There are also a couple of gel ice packs in each box that keep your food fresh and frozen for as long as possible in transit. 

  • Their meal kits are packaged in separate bags, so you don’t need to spend time sorting. You can simply put each bag in the fridge once they arrive.

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Quality of Ingredients

Both companies seem to focus on fresh ingredients. Their best ingredients are premium quality at first look. However, Green Chef’s dedication to organic components means it’s better quality compared to Purple Carrot.

Green Chef Logo
  • USDA-certified, non-GMO ingredients
  • No additives and hormonal supplements added to their meats

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Does not offer much reliable information about their ingredients. However, they claim to focus on non-GMO ingredients sourced from premium farmers.

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Alternatives

It’s quite difficult to properly compare both services with others in the market. However, if you’re looking for better value for your money or a more convenient option for home-cooked meals, you should look into SunBasket or Plated.

SunBasket is better in terms of meal variety. On the other hand, Plated is an ideal choice if you want a more convenient meal kit. 

SunBasket

SunBasket has a selection of over 10 menus. There are best options for various meal preferences, as well as a ready to heat menu that features pre-cooked meals. I like how each meal preference features a menu of up to 15 recipe options each week. This gives you more variety and is more cost-effective when you think about it. 

Logo SunbasketMeal Plans

  • Chef’s Choice
  • Fresh and Ready
  • Low Carb
  • Paleo
  • Gluten free
  • Lean and Clean
  • Vegetarian
  • Mediterranean
  • Pescatarian
  • Diabetic-Friendly

Average Cost per Meal – under $12 per portion

Portion Options

  • Two and four people

Number of Recipes Each Week – two to four meals

Plated

Plated is ideal if you’re looking for a meal kit delivery service that allows you to cook at home, but with less hassle than is normally expected of meal kit deliveries.

Their ingredients come pre-cut, which eliminates an extra step of cleaning and prepping your meals. This also means you can get to cooking right away. 

  • Their meal options are available for purchase in various stores. You just need to use your store locator. 
  • Unfortunately, their meal kit subscriptions closed in 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions About Purple Carrot and Green Chef

By now, I’m used to my clients, asking me any number of questions regarding certain products and services in general. In fact, just the other day, Rodney approached me, asking me about Green Chef Review and Hello Fresh. To help you out with any burning questions you may have, I answer some of the most asked questions I receive on a regular basis.

Are Purple Carrot Meals Healthy?

Before starting to use the products, I reached out to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Purple Carrot Nutrition Coach, Kara Eastman, MS, RDN to get her professional take on healthy food as it is in the company’s famous Instagram pictures. She doesn’t recommend eating that amount of meat in a week at a time for a typical omnivore, which is what I’m more used to eating. But she did agree that eating 2 servings of rice a day probably wouldn’t hurt anyone. However, Eastman emphasizes that since these are special meals, they’re more for cooking beginners or followers of the company and its founder who are used to eating plant-based meals. The food and recipes are not recommended for home cooks unless they are experienced in making your own meals,” she tells SELF. “They would not be practical, and I’d have to say they are much more a meal or side dish for the home cook and/or their guest. It would be easy to get the main ingredient from most grocery stores and make your own meals.

Is Green Chef Really Healthy?

Green Chef wants to be the Trader Joe’s of meal kits. Just as the up-market grocer has built a loyal customer base by consistently offering fresh, quality produce, Green Chef promises to deliver fresh, quality meals. In fact, Green Chef boasts that it uses a “dozen fresh ingredients daily” and, unlike most other meal kits, ingredients are delivered pre-portioned. But will it deliver fresh, healthy food? On the surface, Green Chef claims to be one of the most popular meal kit companies in the country. But digging deeper reveals a less rosy picture. As with all meal kit companies, it faces many of the same issues: limited control over the quality of its ingredients, expensive shipping fees, and limited variety. But Green Chef’s biggest issue may be that it offers one-size-fits-all meals that seem far too basic and unbalanced to merit such a premium.

Can You Skip Weeks with Purple Carrot?

One of the main complaints about “fat loss diets” is that they are too restrictive, thus giving you an eating disorder. Many purists think that only exercising and cutting calories will get you lean. Well, none of those things work, of course, but there are plenty of ways to lose fat and get results without eating “clean.” We want you to be in control of your body, not a control freak. That’s why we offer the Purple Carrot app for iOS devices: it gives you more control over your eating and workout by providing a ton of delicious plant-based, vegan recipes, based on recipes submitted by thousands of real, happy people like yourself.

Plus, Purple Carrot really is a unique, delicious food service: The recipes are like everything you’d want in your fridge, but taste amazing and take minutes to make. With 24 million people already using the app every month, it’s an easy choice to add to your phone.

Why Did Mark Bittman Leave Purple Carrot?

Mark Bittman’s departure from Purple Carrot, a meal kit company founded by his wife, doesn’t mean that he will stop being an influential food writer. “I don’t want to become a pundit or think tank wannabe,” he said. He’ll also continue to write for the New York Times, in which he has been a columnist since the 1980s.

Bittman’s role at Purple Carrot included a wide range of responsibilities, according to CEO and co-founder Tammy Fox. “From writing recipes to holding the line on marketing and sales to making strategic decisions about pricing and promotions, Mark has done everything that we have asked of him, all the while bringing energy and vision to each opportunity,” she told BuzzFeed News.

Is Purple Carrot Legit?

Undoubtedly, Purple Carrot stands as a reputable and established entity within the realm of plant-based meal delivery services. Its inception in 2014 marked the beginning of a journey characterized by a dedication to delivering superior-quality, nutritionally-rich, and chef-crafted plant-based meals directly to consumers’ doorsteps. The veracity of Purple Carrot’s standing is fortified by its unwavering commitment to ingredient sourcing transparency, robust collaborations with esteemed suppliers, and adherence to stringent industry standards.

From a scientific vantage point, Purple Carrot’s offerings harmonize seamlessly with the burgeoning body of scientific research spotlighting the manifold health advantages of plant-based diets. These diets, enriched with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, have been irrefutably associated with diminished susceptibilities to chronic ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and specific types of cancers. Noteworthily, Purple Carrot’s culinary offerings are meticulously curated to furnish an equilibrium of vital nutrients encompassing protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all without the inclusion of animal-derived products.

Furthermore, Purple Carrot’s culinary creations are meticulously fashioned by adept chefs and nutrition experts, ensuring a fusion of gastronomic allure and dietary soundness in each meal. The company’s online platform provides comprehensive nutritional insights for every dish, thereby empowering patrons to make astute dietary decisions tailored to their preferences and needs.

It is essential to underscore that Purple Carrot’s authenticity and effectiveness are further buttressed by its acclaimed reputation and the effusion of affirmative customer evaluations. As of the current juncture, Purple Carrot boasts a commendable average rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars on TrustPilot, drawing from a substantial pool of 652 customer reviews. The positive feedback effuses praise for delectable recipes, facile preparation procedures, and impeccable packaging. Additionally, the array and diversity of culinary choices have left an indelible mark of contentment on numerous patrons. In sum, Purple Carrot is unequivocally a dependable choice for individuals seeking convenient access to meticulously crafted plant-based repasts that effortlessly blend gustatory delight with nutritional merit.

What is Veestro?

Veestro is a prominent and legitimate player in the domain of plant-based meal delivery services. Established with a mission to provide accessible and convenient options for individuals embracing plant-centric diets, Veestro has solidified its reputation since its inception. The company, founded in 2012, has garnered recognition for its commitment to delivering chef-prepared, fully-cooked plant-based meals directly to consumers’ doorsteps.

Scientifically, Veestro’s offerings align harmoniously with the burgeoning body of research spotlighting the health benefits of plant-based diets. These diets, rich in plant-derived nutrients, have been extensively linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Veestro’s meals are designed to provide essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while excluding animal-derived ingredients.

The culinary creations offered by Veestro are meticulously curated by chefs and nutrition experts, ensuring not only culinary satisfaction but also nutritional adequacy. The company offers a diverse range of meals, accommodating various tastes and dietary preferences. Their website provides detailed nutritional information for each meal, empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices based on their individual needs.

Purple Carrot vs Sun Basket vs Green Chef

When comparing Purple Carrot, Sun Basket, and Green Chef, several factors come into play, including the quality of ingredients, variety of meal options, sustainability practices, and overall customer satisfaction.

Purple Carrot stands out as a plant-based meal kit delivery service, focusing exclusively on vegan and vegetarian options. Their meals are designed to showcase the diversity and flavor potential of plant-based ingredients. Purple Carrot emphasizes the use of whole, minimally processed foods, prioritizing organic and non-GMO produce whenever possible. The company also emphasizes sustainability, with eco-friendly packaging and a commitment to reducing food waste.

Sun Basket offers a wide range of meal options catering to various dietary preferences, including paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and family-friendly choices. They prioritize organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, partnering with local farmers and fishermen to ensure freshness and quality. Sun Basket also provides detailed nutritional information for each meal, helping customers make informed choices based on their dietary needs and goals.

Green Chef focuses on providing organic, sustainably sourced meal kits with a focus on clean eating. They offer meal plans tailored to specific dietary preferences, including keto, paleo, and vegetarian options. Green Chef prides itself on using high-quality ingredients free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and artificial ingredients. Their recipes are designed to be flavorful and nutritious, incorporating a variety of fresh produce, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

In terms of customer satisfaction, all three meal kit services receive positive reviews for the quality of their ingredients, recipe variety, and overall convenience. However, individual preferences may vary based on dietary restrictions, taste preferences, and budget considerations. Conducting thorough research and considering factors such as ingredient quality, meal variety, and sustainability practices can help individuals determine which meal kit service aligns best with their needs and preferences.

Hello Fresh acquired Green Chef in 2018. While it’s still possible to order from the two companies separately, Hello Fresh released a statement that they’ve brought in Green Chef’s expertise with all-organic ingredients into their menus.

No, Tom Brady does not own Purple Carrot. The company’s CEO is Andrew Levitt, who founded the company in 2014. It has since been acquired by the largest Japanese organic meal delivery service—Oisix ra Daichi Inc.

Healthy eating paired with a good workout routine will help you lose weight. Purple Carrots’s emphasis on vegan diets are also proven to be an effective long-term weight loss solution.

Final Thoughts. Green Chef vs Purple Carrot: Which is Right for You?

Both Purple Carrot and Green Chef are good options if you’re looking for a meal kit delivery service that delivers healthful vegan meal kits.

I like how Purple Carrot packages their kits in individual recyclable bags so you’re able to store them immediately when you get them instead of having to rummage through your box and piring ingredients with each other. 

But if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option with more variety when it comes to meal preferences, I recommend looking into Green Chef instead.

Their four dietary options come with a menu of up to six options, which means you aren’t limited to only vegan meals. 

Furthermore, their dedication to USDA-certified ingredients give you better quality food options.