If you’re looking for a meal delivery service that offers healthy meals that are organic, sustainable, and ethically sourced, then Sunbasket may satisfy your hunger. Sunbasket prides themselves on including only the highest quality ingredients to fit a number of dietary needs and preferences in its meal kits.
Our editorial team has put their expertise at use publishing over 500 honest and informative reviews since 2006 on mostly financial services.
So, why review a healthy meal delivery service? Fair question! We know our readers can benefit from coverage on services they’re considering using their hard-earned money on and we want to help you make informative rather than wasteful decisions. We tried them all and are sharing our experiences.
What is Sunbasket?
Sunbasket is a food delivery service that packages, prepares, and sends healthy meal kits directly to your home. Though you still have to actually cook the kits on your own if you don’t go with their Fresh & Ready options, Sunbasket provides a quick and easy way for you to access and prepare ingredients for your meals.
With your food from Sunbasket you’ll find fresh organic produce that Sunbasket tries to deliver organic 100% of the time, responsibly raised meats free of antibiotics and hormones, and seafood that’s wild-caught or sustainably raised. Sunbasket works with trusted farms to deliver the highest quality produce, and if something isn’t delivered organic (about 2% of the time), they’ll let you know and mark it as such.
The meals from Sunbasket are developed by a team of award-winning chefs and dietician-approved featuring whole grains, high-quality protein, good fats, and minimal added sugar and processed ingredients. It’s our #1 most recommended meal delivery service for those looking for a healthy meal kit.
Sunbasket pros & cons
Pros
- Number of different meal options — With Sunbasket, there are tons of options for nearly every dietary need with 24+ rotating weekly meal kit options.
- Organic ingredients — Fresh herbs and vegetables are a feature of many of the meals that are delivered organic 98% of the time.
- Good packaging — Sunbasket offers neat, streamlined, recyclable packaging
Cons
- Pricier than other services — Sunbasket is by no means cheap, especially compared to other meal delivery services.
How does Sunbasket work?
To start your delivery service with Sunbasket, the first thing you’ll need to do is create an account on their website. You can do so by using your email address or logging in with your Facebook, Google, Apple, or Pruvit Community account.
Customize your meal plan
Once you create an account, you’ll be taken to a screen where you can customize your meal plan according to your dietary needs and preferences. You can choose to feed either two or four people with their basic Meal Kits, or just one person with the Fresh & Ready meals. You’ll also share dietary preferences and how you prefer to eat (low fiber, avoid pork, etc.).
You can choose between a meal kit that you prepare yourself from portioned high-quality ingredients or Fresh & Ready meals that can he heated to enjoy in as little as 4 minutes.
Get your meals delivered
Sunbasket delivers your selected meal kits or ready to heat meals on your selected day between Sunday – Thursday, depending on your zip code. Sunbasket delivers to most zip codes, excluding excluding AK, HI, MT, ND, and parts of NM.
Food from Sunbasket is packaged to remain fresh during transit with streamlined packaging that’s environmentally friendly.
Sunbasket pricing and plans
Sunbasket starts at $11.49 or $9.99 per serving depending on if you want ready meals or a kit subscription. Here’s a breakdown of Sunbasket’s meal pricing.
- Meal Kits – Start at $11.49 per serving. You can choose two or four servings with 2, 3, 4, or 5 dinners per week.
- Fresh & Ready meals – Start at $9.99 per serving. All of these meals offer one serving with 4-10 meals per a week.
You can double up orders for Fresh & Ready if you need to order for more than one person.
Sunbasket sign-up offer and discounts
Sunbasket typically offers a deal to save across multiple boxes and free shipping when signing up. There may also be discounts for the following individuals with verification.
- Current & former military
- Military families
- Law Enforcement
- Firefighters
- Emergency medical personnel
- Government employees
There’s also a Refer-a-Friend program, where the person you’re referring to is provided a discount when signing up.
What can you eat with Sunbasket?
The nice thing about Sunbasket is that there are many menu options based on various dietary preferences that include:
- Paleo
- Gluten-Free Friendly
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
- Mediterranean
- Diabetes-Friendly
- Carb-Conscious
- Keto-Friendly
You’ll also see tags that notate Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, <600 calories, Protein Plus, so you can find exactly the type of meals that are perfect for your diet.
The nutritional details among the meals from Sunbasket usually have the following in common:
- Contain about 400-800 calories in a serving
- Are high in fiber, with at least 5g per serving
- Are high in protein, with a minimum of 10g per serving
- Contain limited sodium, typically less than 800mg per serving
Meal kits
The meal kits with Sunbasket are meals that you cook yourself with pre-portioned ingredients and easy recipes that can mostly be prepared in 30 minutes or less.
Meal kits from Sunbasket include hand-selected seasonal ingredients from the country’s top farmers, ranchers, and seafood purveyors in a flexible subscription. The produce is almost always organic (noted if not) and the meat and fish meet standards you don’t normally see with a meal delivery service or even typically the standard at your local grocery store.
Here some rotating meals you might see and the diets Sunbasket tags they fit:
- Salmon with spicy glazed Brussels sprouts and scallions (pictured above…yeah delicious).
- Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Carb-Conscious, <600 Calories, Protein Plus
- Shrimp diablo tacos with bell peppers, jalapeños, and queso fresco.
- Soy-Free, Pescatarian, Protein Plus
- Penne rigate with yellow squash, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella.
- Soy-Free, Vegetarian, No Added Sugar, Protein Plus
These meal kits feed 2 or 4 people with easy-to-follow recipes and include everything you need outside of common kitchen staples.
Fresh & Ready
Fresh & Ready meals from Sunbasket are healthy meals that are delivered prepared already by Sunbasket in oven- and microwave-ready trays. They can be heated up and ready to devour in as little as four minutes. They’re made with the same fresh organic produce and top proteins you’d see in the meal kits that you prepare yourself.
As the name implies, these arrive fresh and not frozen, but you can freeze most of the meals if you’re unable to consume them by the specified use-by-dates.
Market items
Sunbasket gives you the option to round-out your diet with a variety of healthy extra add-ons that include breakfast, snacks, quick lunch options, and specialty meats all noted for “all day deliciousness.”
Some picks you might see rotated include breakfast burritos, overnight oatmeal, juices, coffees, nuts, and pizzas. There’s also a number of add-on options for protein including raw seafood, like wild sea scallops, deli meat, cooked chicken, tofu and other plant-based protein.
My experience using Sunbasket
Enjoyed the food quality
To me, the food quality was outstanding. I’m a certified food snob *holds pinky up* and can tell if ingredients are not fresh or high quality. The fact that you are getting organic food probably plays a big role in the freshness of the ingredients and how they taste once you assemble the meal kit and eat it.
I would imagine that having organic ingredients means that you can’t store them in the refrigerator for long. For this reason, I cooked and consumed the three meals I received within about four days of delivery. I believe this made the food seem fresh and tasty once it was prepared.
Breakdown on taste
One thing I really appreciate about Sunbasket is how thoughtful, yet simple the flavor selections were. The use of fresh herbs like tarragon and cilantro really added a flavorful dimension to the meals that I enjoyed.
Also, the seasonings that were included in the kits didn’t contain a lot of salt. At first, it took a little getting used to but I soon realized that with high-quality, fresh ingredients and fantastic flavor combinations, the need for a salter taste was greatly diminished.
Here’s what I ended up with on the carb-conscious menu:
- Lettuce-wrapped turkey burgers with tarragon mayo.
- Steak and stone fruit salad with walnuts and ginger-basil dressing.
- Paprika-spiced chicken over “creamed” corn with tomato salsa.
Honestly, I liked everything. The steak was a little tough but it wasn’t bad enough for me to stop eating the meal and I’d recommend it to others. If I had to choose a favorite, maybe it’d be the turkey burgers. The tarragon mayo with sherry vinegar condiment for this meal was like eating a gourmet dinner prepared by a personal chef.
Portions were good
The portions, to me, were just about right. Though I felt slightly hungry after eating a serving of mainly protein and vegetables, I felt that it was due to the lower carbohydrate nature of the menu I choose (carb-conscious). I would imagine that a serving would with more carbs might be slightly more satisfying.
Directions were clear
The directions were simple and perfect down to the estimated preparation time. I was able to get the meals on the table in 20-40 minutes flat. In fact, my daughters, who are 10 and 14 years-old made one of the meals with no problems. If these kids can do it, even the most inexperienced home-cook can make these meals with ease.
Good delivery & packaging
As mentioned, the packaging is made of recyclable and compostable material. Even the insulation that keeps the food at the appropriate temperature is made of recycled denim. If you are not able to recycle this once you are done, it will eventually biodegrade. In addition, the Sunbasket website also offers ideas to upcycle the large box the smaller bags are shipped in.
Price was high but fair
The price, per serving starts at $9.99 or $11.49 depending on the plan you choose. This is a little higher than comparable best meal delivery services (that don’t all aim to be organic), but not outrageous.
However, I can tell the quality of the ingredients is really high. The ingredients are fresh, organic and the taste really reflects the price point. If you value organic, chef-grade ingredients, the price might be worth it for you.
Who is Sunbasket good for?
Those who like organic and sustainable foods
Sunbasket is good for people who value sustainable business practices. If you value organic, sustainable and high-quality ingredients and don’t mind paying for them, then Sunbasket is perfect for you.
- Produce is delivered organic 98% of the time with a constant aim for 100% with a sourcing from trusted farmers. If something can’t be delivered organic, say because of weather impact, Sunbasket will note the item as such in your delivery.
- The meats and seafood from Sunbasket are free of antibiotics and artificial hormones, and they also offer organic, free-range, and pasture-raised meats and poultry as well.
Sunbasket partners with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program to ensure responsible sourcing of both wild-caught and farm-raised seafood. An added plus is that all the packaging is compostable and recyclable.
Those looking to save time
Sunbasket also works for people who are looking to save time by forgoing weekly meal planning, shopping, and meal preparation. So, if you’ve got more money than time, Sunbasket will really make it easy for you to make delicious, fresh, chef-caliber meals.
» MORE: Are meal kits worth the cost?
Those who want kid-friendly options
This meal-delivery service also works well for people who also need kid-friendly options. In fact, the recipe booklet even highlights some tasks that kids can do during the meal preparation and cooking process.
Those with average-sized families
If you’ve got an average-sized family, Sunbasket may be ideal. With an average-sized family, you’ll likely need between two-four servings of the meals offered. Sunbasket is set up for those who are ok with those quantities and the healthy servings offered for a family of this size.
Those with smaller families
The minimum amount of food you can order with the Meal Kit option is two servings. The question really comes down to leftovers. If you’re a leftover person, then Sunbasket may very well be a good match for you. Not everyone likes to cook every night.
Note that many of Sunbasket’s meals use fresh herbs and leafy greens that might not be ideal for reheating or long periods of fridge storage. Many people say that they appreciate having fresh food that you can consume right away rather than having to freeze or depend on leftovers.
Who is Sunbasket not good for?
If you’re not concerned about healthy, organic, or sustainable ingredients and you aren’t too picky on quality, you may prefer another meal delivery service. One alternative option, EveryPlate, is one of the most affordable meal delivery services we’ve come across that focuses more on home-cooked tasty meals.
Is Sunbasket worth it?
If cost is less of an issue for you and you’re willing to pay for quality in receiving clean, sustainable and organic ingredients and meals then Sunbasket is worth it.
Sunbasket delivers nutritious and delicious meals right to your door.
The competition
Sunbasket is recommended meal delivery service for those who want to keep health in mind. You may still want to compare against some other options, however. Here are few others:
Sunbasket vs Green Chef
Green Chef is another premium meal delivery kit company that offers healthy, organic meal options with fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients with customized plans for dietary needs.
Green Chef stands out as one of the best healthy meal delivery services using certified organic ingredients. It’s ideal for people who want nutritious dinners made with organic food and those looking for a variety of flavors and ingredients to fit their specific diet.
- Meals for paleo, a vegetarian, or gluten free
- Certified organic ingredients
- Eco-friendly sourcing and recyclable packaging
- Higher cost per a serving
Green Chef was the first meal kit company to receive USDA organic certification and was actually acquired by HelloFresh in 2018. The ingredients in these meal kits have no GMOs, toxic pesticides, irradiation, sewage sludge, antibiotics, or steroids. And the meal delivery services fit a number of diets, including vegetarian, or gluten free.
You will, however, have to pay up for Green Chef. Pricing starts at $11.99 for their meals, so a little more than Sunbasket.
» MORE: Check out our full Green Chef Review
Sunbasket vs Blue Apron
Blue Apron is a popular meal delivery service that delivers high-quality healthy ingredients, step-by-step recipes, and menus updated weekly so you’ll never get bored.
Blue Apron offers both meal kits you prepare yourself and heat-and-eat meals that are already fully cooked. Ingredients are sourced directly from family-run farms to ensure freshness and quality and recipes are curated by a team of professional chefs.
- Highest-quality ingredients
- Adventurous recipes foodies will love
- Plenty of menu choices
- Not allergen-friendly
- Excessive packaging
Prices with Blue Apron start lower than both Green Chef and Sunbasket $7.99 per a serving on the meal kits, however only some of the ingredients are USDA-certified organic. Blue Apron still aims to source from those who practice sustainable farming practices.
Blue Apron is a great choice if you’re looking to consider healthier meals, lose weight, and try a variety of globally inspired restaurant-quality meals that are both nutritious and delicious.
» MORE: Details on quality options and rotating menus in our Blue Apron Review
Summary
Overall, Sunbasket is an excellent and healthy meal delivery option if you feel it’s worth it to go for an organic, environmentally-conscious meal delivery service.
Plus, I really like the fact that the family-friendly instructions and tips lend itself to being ideal for average-sized families. The food is tasty enough so that your picky eaters will enjoy it, yet simple enough so they can be involved (and vested) in the preparation.