If you’re recovering from cancer or simply managing your health with intention, eating well matters—but cooking every night? That’s often the first thing to fall apart during a busy or low-energy week. That’s exactly where plant based home delivered meals can help. Whether you’re trying to reduce inflammation, learn to add more plants to your approach, feel better in your body, and/or just need an occasional break from cooking, this article will show you what I believe to be the best plant based home delivered meals, what to look for, and how I personally use them to make life easier and more nourishing in my cancer survivorship.

Post Updated: June 23rd, 2025

The Rise of the Plant-Based Diet & Plant Based Home Delivered Meals

Everywhere we turn, we see the rise of plant-based ingredients, meals options, etc. Plant-based and vegan diets have surged in popularity in recent years as awareness of the health benefits increases, environmental impact has become top of mind for many and those focused on animal advocacy seek to eat based on their values. Regardless of which of these (or all) appeals to you most, a dietary approach centered around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are surging and likely (hopefully) not going away any time soon.

But even knowing the benefits, the big question is: how do you actually make it work when you’re wiped out, overwhelmed, and/or starving for extra time?

✨ That’s where plant-based meal delivery services shine.

Benefits of Using Plant Based Home Delivered Meals

Without a doubt, one of the most significant benefits of employing a plant-based meal delivery service is simply convenience. Take away the full-time job of being a cancer patient — between work, managing a household, juggling kids’ activities, and hopefully including some fun and rest somewhere in between – finding time for shopping for groceries, planning meals, and cooking is often a challenge.

Here’s why plant-based home delivered meal options and/or vegan meal delivery services are often a lifesaver for me, my clients, and many in the cancer community:

• Cuts the mental load – No grocery list, no meal planning stress
  
• Saves time and energy – Choose from ready-made or quick-prep meals
  
• Supports healing – Whole foods, phytonutrients, and anti-inflammatory ingredients
  
• Keeps you consistent – Skip takeout temptation when life gets hectic

Whether you’re balancing recovery, work, or family life, having healthy meals delivered gives you one less thing to worry about—and helps you stay on track without burning out.

How Plant Based Home Delivered Meals & Services (Typically) Work

Most meal service plans follow a similar model:

1. Pick your plan — choose how many meals per week; just a few or a full weekly menu
   
2. Choose meals — customize your meal plan with dietary filters
   
3. Get delivery — fresh meals and/or ingredients that arrive fresh, refrigerated, and ready to go (or with simple steps)
   
4. Reheat, or Heat, & Eat— most meals are ready in 5–30 minutes

The best plant based home delivered meal services allow you to pause, cancel, or skip weeks at any time and with ease—so it works around your life.

What to Look for in Plant-Based Home Delivered Meals

Not all services are created equal. Here’s what to look for and matters most:

• Whole ingredients, not ultra-processed “health” food, make for nutritious meals
  
• Ready-to-eat vs. semi-prepped — choose based on your energy level and cooking desire (zero cooking or do you like a few steps to the process?)
  
• Custom options — this one is big for me! Does it allow customization, especially for gluten-free, meatless meals, vegetarian options, dietary restrictions, vegan meals, organic ingredients, etc.?
  
• Sustainability — eco-friendly packaging and/or recyclable packaging, plus local sourcing when possible
  
• Pause/cancel flexibility — no rigid subscriptions

What is the Best Plant Based Meal Delivery Service? (Reviewed)

Over the years—as a cancer survivor, nutrition professional, and just a human being who doesn’t always have the time or energy to cook—I’ve tested a lot of plant-based meal delivery options.

Some were amazing. Others? Not even worth the box they came in.

Below, you’ll find the plant-based home delivered meals I personally recommend to my family, friends, and clients. These reviews are based on my own experience and broken down by:

• What it does well
  
• Who it’s ideal for
  
• Pros
  
• Potential drawbacks

With so many options available (a good problem to have!), my hope is that this guide helps you whittle down the choices and make the best decision for your body, your energy, and your life.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links below (not all) are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you decide to make a purchase. I only recommend services I’ve personally tried and found truly helpful. Thank you for supporting work like this—it helps me continue sharing real-world, healing-centered guidance.

1. Hungryroot (My Top & Sponsored Pick)

Hungryroot Overview:

My top pick, Hungryroot, is unique hybrid between a plant-forward grocery delivery service and a meal kit provider. It gives you the flexibility to choose from fully pre-made meals, semi-prepped kits, or fill your cart with fresh produce, pantry staples, snacks, and clean packaged goods.

You’re not locked into set meals—you build a cart based on your lifestyle, tastes, and energy level for the week. Plus, Hungryroot’s platform learns as you go, tailoring your deliveries based on feedback and what you tend to reorder.

What Hungryroot is Best for:

• Busy folks who want both structure and freedom in their weekly meals
  
• Families with picky eaters
  
• People who enjoy cooking sometimes but not every night
  
• Anyone who wants to reduce decision fatigue but still feel in control

Pros of Hungryroot:

• Highly customizable – Swap meals, build your own box, or let Hungryroot choose for you
  
• Always learning – The algorithm improves based on your ratings and past preferences
  
• Balanced plant-based options – Filter easily for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more
  
• Includes snacks, produce & pantry items – It’s more than meals—it stocks your week
  
• Easy-to-follow recipes – Most meals take 10–20 minutes, some require zero cooking
  
• Mixed-diet friendly – Include plant-based, meat, or dairy options, if needed
  
• Flexible subscriptions – Skip weeks, pause anytime, and change preferences easily

Potential Drawbacks of Hungryroot:

• Some meals require light prep – Not always heat-and-eat
  
• More of a “smart grocery box” than a done-for-you meal plan
  
• Portion sizes may be small for bigger appetites (though snack items help fill the gap)

Why I Love Hungryroot:

Honestly? It feels like cheating in the best way. On the weeks I get Hungryroot, I skip the store entirely, avoid decision fatigue, and still eat food that’s nourishing, satisfying, and aligned with how I want to feel. When energy is low or life gets chaotic, this is one of the easiest ways I stay on track—without the guilt or the grind.

As a sponsor for this post, Hungryroot is offering Wholesome readers 40% off your first order + a free gift in your first box!

👉 Try Hungryroot here → (Affiliate Link)

2. Purple Carrot

Purple Carrot Overview:

This 100% plant-based meal delivery service, Purple Carrot, offers both vegan meal kits and ready-to-eat meals. Their recipes are chef-designed, globally inspired, and packed with whole food ingredients—no animal products, no meat, no dairy, no guessing.

You can choose between quick, pre-prepped meals (heat-and-eat in under 5 minutes) or meal kits that take a bit more time but offer that satisfying “I made this” moment.

Who Purple Carrot is Best for:

• People who are fully plant-based or vegan
  
• Foodies who enjoy cooking (but want someone else to plan the meals)
  
• Anyone looking to explore creative, globally-inspired flavors
  
• Cancer survivors who want nourishing, anti-inflammatory meals that feel exciting

Pros of Purple Carrot:

• 100% plant-based – No need to filter out meat or dairy
  
• Delicious meals, restaurant-style flavors – Chef-designed recipes with bold seasonings and unique ingredients
  
• Options for every energy level – Choose meal kits or premade meals that are heat-and-eat
  
• Wholesome meals with balanced nutrition – Meals include fiber, protein, healthy fats, and whole-food ingredients
  
• Sustainable packaging – Eco-conscious and recyclable
  
• Supports long-term lifestyle changes – A great intro to plant-based cooking and flavor variety

Potential Drawbacks of Purple Carrot:

• Meal kits require more prep – Some recipes can take 30–40 minutes and use multiple pots/pans
  
• Portions are on the moderate side – May not be filling enough for high-calorie needs unless supplemented
  
• Less (but growing) snack or pantry variety
  
• Slightly pricier than some competitors when you factor in prep time

Why I Love Purple Carrot:

Purple Carrot is like a cooking class and dinner rolled into one. The meals are creative and satisfying—often things I wouldn’t have thought to make myself. I lean on their heat-and-eat meals during busy weeks, and save their meal kits for weekends when I want to slow down and enjoy the process.

If you’re looking to deepen your plant-based journey or simply want to eat better without sacrificing flavor, this is a great choice.

👉 Explore Purple Carrot here →

3. CookUnity

Overview of CookUnity:

CookUnity is a chef-to-table meal delivery service that brings the creativity and quality of restaurant meals straight to your home. Unlike traditional meal kits or mass-produced options, CookUnity partners with local chefs across the country to offer freshly prepared, gourmet-style meals that change weekly.

While it’s not exclusively plant-based, CookUnity has a dedicated filter for vegan and vegetarian meals, making it a strong option for those who want convenience without compromising on flavor — which is certainly something that’s been a downfall of some other services I’ve previously tried. Plus, you can even filter based on “GLP-1”, “Foodie”, “Families”, etc.

Who CookUnity is Best for:

• People who want restaurant-quality meals without leaving the house
  
• Busy professionals or parents who want zero prep
  
• Flexitarians or households with mixed diets
  
• Anyone bored with basic meal delivery and looking for elevated, chef-crafted dishes

Pros of CookUnity:

• Truly ready-to-eat – Most meals require under 2 minutes in the microwave or oven
  
• Rotating chef-designed menus – Each week offers a new variety of plant-based and non-plant-based options
  
• Restaurant-quality flavor – Creative sauces, spices, and plating make it feel indulgent
  
• Great for mixed households – Easy to mix and match dietary preferences in one order
  
• Flexible subscription – Skip weeks, pause, or cancel easily
  
• Larger portions – Hearty enough for bigger appetites

Potential Drawbacks of CookUnity:

• Not 100% plant-based – You’ll need to apply filters to find vegan/vegetarian meals
  
• Fewer whole-food-based options – Some plant-based meals are heavier on plant-based substitutes or refined ingredients
  
• Limited snacks or grocery items – Focus is strictly on prepared meals
  
• Can get pricey – Quality comes at a higher per-meal cost compared to other services

Why I Love CookUnity:

CookUnity is my go-to when I want to eat like a foodie without lifting a finger. The meals feel indulgent but balanced—and it’s hands down the most flavorful option I’ve tried in the heat-and-eat category. It’s also great for those transitional weeks when I want to keep things plant-based but don’t want to cook or plan.

If you’ve got the budget and want variety without prep, this one delivers.

👉Try CookUnity and find your favorite local chef here →

4. Plant Joy (Local Gem – Southeastern Wisconsin)

Overview of Plant Joy:

Plant Joy is a small, cancer survivor, woman-owned meal delivery business based in Southeastern Wisconsin, offering fully plant-based, gluten-free meals made with intention, flavor, and healing in mind.

Unlike larger national services, Plant Joy cooks and delivers locally-sourced, scratch-made meals each week, designed to support physical health and emotional well-being. Meals come ready to heat and eat, with a rotating menu that keeps things fresh and seasonal.

Who Plant Joy is Best for:

• Southeastern Wisconsin locals who want to support small business
  
• Anyone looking for deeply nourishing, whole food meals
  
• Cancer survivors or anyone recovering who wants food that feels like care
  
• People who value local sourcing and scratch cooking over mass production

Pros of Plant Joy:

• 100% plant-based + many gluten-free options
  
• Locally sourced, small-batch cooking – Handcrafted, not mass-produced
  
• Healing-focused ingredients – Thoughtfully prepared with real nutrition in mind
  
• Rotating menu – Keeps meals interesting, seasonal, and crave-worthy
  
• Delivered frozen, chilled and/or ready to reheat – Convenience without compromise
  
• High integrity brand – Female-founded, community-driven, mission-aligned

Potential Drawbacks of Plant Joy:

• Limited delivery area – Currently available only in Southeastern Wisconsin
  
• No national shipping – Truly local only.
  
• Order deadlines – Must plan ahead to meet weekly cutoff

Why I Love Plant Joy:

Plant Joy is the definition of food made with love. It’s nourishing, yes—but it’s also deeply intentional. There’s something powerful about knowing the person who prepared your meals, where the ingredients came from, and that it was created to support healing—not just fill you up.

For local readers, this is more than just meal delivery—it’s a way to feel cared for, supported, and connected to something real.

👉 Check out Plant Joy’s current menu →

How to Use Meal Delivery Services (Without Pressure)

You don’t have to go all-in to benefit from plant-based eating or meal delivery services. In fact, one of the best things about these services is how flexible they are. You can use them as often or as little as you need.

Here are some practical, non-perfectionist (and I say this pointing at me, not you, seeing as I consider myself a “recovering perfectionist”) ways to ease into plant-based meals, inspired by how I (and many of my clients) use these tools in real life:

Use It When You Need a Break

Not every week has to be a meal delivery week. I personally lean on these services during:

• Busy work or travel weeks
  
• Medical appointments or treatment weeks
  
• When I just need a break from decision-making or cooking
  
• Post-vacation “I don’t want to shop or meal plan” resets

Think of them as a support system, not a commitment.

Stock Up on Freezer-Friendly Options

Some meals freeze beautifully—either intentionally from the service or just because they’re freezer-friendly (like soups, grain bowls, curries, or veggie stews).

💡 My tip: Order a few extra meals during your delivery week and freeze a couple for later. It’s like building your own emergency meal stash, but with food you actually want to eat.

Supplement, Don’t Replace Everything

Or, you don’t have to hand over your whole menu to a delivery service. Instead:

• Use delivered meals for lunches during work days
  
• Lean on them for dinners a few nights a week to take pressure off
  
• Pair meals with easy sides or leftovers to stretch them
  
• Use them to try new ingredients or flavors without buying full pantry items

Try a “One Week On, One Week Off” Rhythm

Some people love the routine of weekly deliveries. Others (like me!) prefer more flexibility. Try doing:

• One delivery week a month to reset your habits
  
• Deliveries every other week to keep things interesting
  
• Rotating between services for variety and seasonality

You’re not locked in—and most services let you skip, pause, or cancel anytime.

Focus on Support, Not Perfection

The goal isn’t to “do it perfectly.” The goal is to make your life easier, eat in a way that supports your health, and take care of yourself in a way that feels good.

These meals can be:

• A tool for recovery
  
• A gift to your future self
  
• A bridge to better habits, not a permanent crutch

If nothing else, think of meal delivery like having a few pre-made self-care decisions already handled. It’s not necessarily about being plant-based 100% of the time—it’s about setting yourself up to succeed, even when life gets busy.

Final Thoughts: Nourish Yourself with Plant-Based Home Delivered Meals

Life is busy. Healing is hard – and never linear. And no one has unlimited energy—especially when you’re recovering from cancer or simply trying to stay well in the middle of real life.

That’s why plant-based home delivered meals can be such a powerful support tool. They take the pressure off, without sacrificing the nourishment your body needs. Whether you use them weekly, monthly, or just when life gets hectic, they’re here to help you eat well without burning out.

Remember:

• You don’t have to cook everything from scratch to eat healthfully
  
• You don’t need to go fully plant-based to benefit from more plants
  
• You don’t need to do it all alone

Whether you’re choosing meals for convenience, healing, or peace of mind, there’s a plant-based option out there that fits your life.

Ready to Explore Plant-Based Meal Delivery?

Here are the services I personally recommend—each with its own strengths:

🥦 Try Hungryroot – 40% off + a free gift

🧄 Explore Purple Carrot – 100% plant-based

🍲 Order from CookUnity – Chef-prepared meals, no prep required

🌿 Check out Plant Joy – Local love in Southeastern Wisconsin

Still not sure where to start? Consider trying just one delivery week, then pause. That one step might make your next week a lot easier.