This is my fifth review of a meal subscription service. Check out my other reviews:
Just in case you don't know: meal subscription services, also known as meal kit services send fresh, pre-measured ingredients and an accompanying recipe right to your doorstep.
Today's review is Sun Basket. I used an internet discount code to receive 2 boxed for a discounted rate but forgot to cancel in time so I paid full price for the third box (3 more meals). The meals I received took between 30 - 45 minutes for preparation and cooking. Sun Basket uses organic and non-GMO produce, humanely raising, antiboiotic and hormone free meat and seafood approved by the Monterey Bay Aquarium watch list. They offer omnivore, paleo, gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Sun Basket offers two basic plans:
- Classic plan ($11.49 per meal/person) - 3 recipes per week serving 2 or 4 people
- Family plan ($9.99 per meal/person) - 2 or 4 recipes per week serving 4 people
Shipping is free. You can skip weeks and cancel at any time. But you do actually have to call to cancel!
The Results
Sesame-crusted salmon with Cara Cara orange and roasted carrot salad. So good!
Steaks with satsuma escarole-salad and chimichurri. This was delicious.
Chicken with rosemary-roasted beets and oranges. The beets and the chard in this meal were a bit earthy for my preference. And if I don't love it, no change of anyone else even trying it. They are full of nutrients and I enjoyed trying something different but it just wasn't a hit.
Black bean tacos with pickled cabbage and lime-roasted cauliflower. Amazing! Kids weren't fans and the corn tortillas crumbled (there is a chunk missing in the photo) but the flavor was very good!
Spicy Mexican scramble and orange-almond smoothie. We love breakfast for dinner and this was very good! The tortilla were crumbly again so we just tossed them.
Salmon with yogurt-dill sauce and mint-cilantro rice. The salmon was good. Chard was earthy (but nutrient dense) and the rice was AH-mazing!
Korean been skewers with mandarin-cabbage slaw. This mean was colorful! We didn't love the flavors.
Lentil-mushroom Bolognese with gluten-free fusilli. This was good but the kids were scared of the looks and refused to taste it.
Root vegetable latkes with Greek yogurt and sauteed apples. I liked it but no one else did.
What I liked:
- Pre-measured ingredients for a specific recipe. Truly everything was pre-measured!
- Delivered to my door
- More and different vegetables than I usually buy for dinner
- Adults really enjoyed each meal and there was more variety between the meals than Hello Fresh.
- Everything was organic
What I didn't like:
- While the adults really enjoyed the recipes, the kids refused all recipes and defaulted to our back up food. They also did this with the "family friendly" Hello Fresh recipes so I wasn't surprised.
- The cost. We live on a tight grocery budget.
- Because everything was pre-measured the recipes would be very difficult to try and replicate on my own. I don't really know the exact ingredients or amounts in the spice blends, yogurt topping, etc.
- You actually had to call and talk to someone to cancel so I put it off. The introvert in me hated this although the customer service rep was super friendly!
The Verdict
If you have the room in your budget, Sun Basket is a tasty (and organic) option! Be aware that there are alternate (less frequent) delivery schedules if you have limited money (or time for cooking). I have a few more companies to try but I will definitely reconsider a less frequent schedule with Sun Basket; I really liked it! I have had said that about each company. They have all had many pros and a few cons.
Let me know in the comments section below if you have tried a meal kit service before and your experience. What did you like and not like? Would you do it again? Or have you tried any of the other competitive brands? Let me know! I would love to hear from you!
Don't forget that Health Happens at Home,
Erin Marie
P.S. The Sun Basket links in this post are not affiliate links. They are just for your convenience.
A review on the new 100 Days of Real Food on a Budget Cookbook!