As a wellness editor and vegetarian of 20 years, I spent several months this year testing 10 vegan and vegetarian meal kits and prepared meal companies for CNET's list of the best vegan meal delivery services. While I enjoyed many of them, one stood out in terms of taste, price and my specific dietary restrictions. I'm talking about Blue Apron, which is CNET's best overall meal kit for a reason.
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Blue Apron has the most thoughtful vegetarian recipes.
This year, I tried four vegetarian meal kits from Blue Apron, which are as low as $7 per serving. All of them were delicious: roasted cauliflower and farro salad, white bean and veggie grain bowls, loaded veggie burritos and Thai-style curry noodles. I even saved the recipe cards and have re-created the farro salad and grain bowls on my own.
I later tried pimento cheeseburgers with black bean patties, peanut udon stir-fry, roasted red pepper pasta and spicy mushroom and onion quesadillas. Again, absolutely delicious. No notes on taste. However, the pimento cheeseburger meal kit was missing one crucial ingredient, the pickled peppadew peppers, but I had a substitute on hand.
The pimento cheeseburger with a black bean patty. I added my own tomato and arugula to the burger, and broccoli on the side, for more veggies and greens. Anna Gragert/CNET
I could tell that whoever created these recipes didn't skimp on flavor or rely on old standbys like tofu or extra spice. I also felt that these dishes offered a good variety of fresh-tasting vegetables, greens, grains and different protein options, with the ability to adjust the sodium and spice levels to your liking.
As someone who regularly cooks at home to avoid spending extra on eating out or takeout, I was genuinely inspired by these meal kits, particularly by the sauces that brought the recipes together.
The peanut udon stir-fry topped with a fried egg. Anna Gragert/CNET
The cost is on the more affordable side.
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