Evaluating the Price: Is Purple Carrot Expensive?
Purple Carrot is a 100% plant-based meal kit service that delivers pre-portioned ingredients and recipes directly to your door. While its completely vegan menu is a major draw for many, its price point is often debated. The cost-effectiveness of Purple Carrot depends heavily on your current cooking and eating habits.
Purple Carrot pricing tiers
Purple Carrot's costs vary depending on the meal plan you select, which includes meal kits and prepared heat-and-eat meals. The price per serving decreases with larger plans.
Meal Kits
- 2-Serving, 3 Meals per Week: Approximately $13.25 per serving ($79.50 per week).
- 2-Serving, 4 Meals per Week: Approximately $13.25 per serving ($106 per week).
- 4-Serving, 2 Meals per Week: Approximately $11.00 per serving ($88 per week).
- 4-Serving, 3 Meals per Week: Approximately $11.00 per serving ($132 per week).
Prepared Meals
- 6-10 Meals per Week: Approximately $13.00 per serving.
Shipping is free for most orders over $100, while smaller orders incur a fee of $10 or more. Reviewers on Yelp have expressed frustration with fluctuating or unclear pricing, but overall, the cost is comparable to other premium meal kit services.
Pros and Cons of Purple Carrot
To determine if Purple Carrot is worth the cost, let's break down the advantages and disadvantages based on recent customer and expert reviews.
Advantages
- Exceptional recipes: Many customers rave about the creative, flavorful, and unique recipes that often introduce new plant-based ingredients and cooking techniques. A review from Plant Power Couple specifically praises the creativity and delightful flavor combinations.
- 100% vegan menu: For dedicated vegans, or those looking to incorporate more plant-based meals, Purple Carrot is a standout choice with no meat or dairy cross-contamination risk. This is a major benefit over services with limited vegan options.
- Convenience: All ingredients are pre-portioned and delivered to your doorstep, saving significant time on meal planning and grocery shopping.
- Generous portions: Several reviews note that the portions are often generous, and a meal for two can sometimes stretch to three or more servings. This can help offset the cost per meal.
- Sustainability focus: Purple Carrot uses recyclable and eco-friendly packaging materials and promotes plant-based eating, which is better for the environment than meat-heavy diets.
- Variety of meal types: In addition to standard meal kits, the service offers heat-and-eat prepared meals, as well as breakfast and lunch items through its "Pantry" add-ons.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost per serving: For budget-conscious shoppers who are used to buying groceries in bulk, Purple Carrot's price can feel high. One Reddit user found that recreating recipes themselves cost about one-quarter of the Purple Carrot price.
- Excessive packaging: Despite efforts toward sustainability, many customers are concerned with the amount of single-use plastic in each box.
- Delivery issues: Some Yelp reviewers report problems with delayed or warm deliveries, leading to spoiled food, particularly in hotter climates. Shipping partners and packaging seem to be inconsistent in some areas.
- Less intuitive for beginners: A review from Plant Power Couple noted that some recipes, while simple, may lack the finer details needed for absolute beginner cooks, such as pressing tofu.
- Menu repetition and limits: While the menu rotates weekly, some reviewers find the options can become repetitive over time. Customization for dietary restrictions is also somewhat limited.
Comparison: Purple Carrot vs. Other Meal Kits
Purple Carrot's place in the meal kit market depends heavily on your priorities. Here's a brief comparison to illustrate where it stands:
| Feature | Purple Carrot | Green Chef | Home Chef |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan Focus | 100% plant-based recipes | Offers a 'Plant-Powered' menu, but not exclusively vegan | Offers vegetarian options, not focused on vegan |
| Convenience | Offers both meal kits and ready-to-eat prepared meals | Primarily meal kits; less variety in prepared options | High customization and quick-prep options available |
| Recipe Creativity | Frequently praised for unique and exciting plant-based recipes | Strong reputation for organic and health-focused meals | Recipes can be simpler and more repetitive |
| Pricing | Higher end for meal kits, starts around $11-13 per serving | Comparable to slightly more expensive than Purple Carrot for vegan options | Generally considered more affordable, especially with larger plans |
| Best For... | Dedicated vegans or those seeking to master vegan cooking | Health-conscious eaters who value organic ingredients but may not be strictly vegan | Busy families seeking a wide variety of customizable options, not necessarily plant-based |
Making Your Decision
So, is Purple Carrot worth the cost? For the right person, the answer is a resounding yes. It's a premium service offering a curated, all-vegan experience that excels in flavor and recipe development. If you are a committed vegan, want to expand your plant-based cooking skills, or value the convenience of having unique recipes and ingredients delivered to you, the cost can be justified. The portion sizes are often generous, which further adds to the value proposition.
On the other hand, if your primary goal is to save money, a budget-focused meal kit or simply cooking from scratch will likely be cheaper. The service may also be less ideal for those with specific dietary allergies beyond the marked options, individuals who prefer a wide variety of non-vegan choices, or those sensitive to single-use plastic waste. Ultimately, your lifestyle, budget, and cooking goals will determine whether the benefits of Purple Carrot outweigh the cost. You can learn more about its specific recycling practices on its official website.
Conclusion
While Purple Carrot is not the cheapest meal kit on the market, it offers considerable value for its target audience. It provides a unique, entirely plant-based menu with highly creative and delicious recipes, generous portions, and the convenience of eliminating meal planning and grocery shopping. For those committed to a plant-based diet or looking to explore vegan cooking with guidance, the cost is a worthwhile investment. For those on a tight budget or seeking a broader range of dietary options, more affordable alternatives or traditional grocery shopping may be a better fit.
