In a Nutshell
pros
- Wide range of dietary options
- Organic, sustainably sourced ingredients
- $90 off first four boxes + free shipping
cons
- Relatively pricey
- Doesn't deliver in all states
Sunbasket at a Glance
Cost
Dietary Options
Flexibility
Recipes
Sustainability
Sunbasket at a Glance
What Is Sunbasket?
Sunbasket is a meal delivery service that delivers organic, chef-crafted meals directly to your doorstep. Its focus on sustainable, high-quality ingredients sourced from trusted farms provides the nutrients you need to support a healthy lifestyle. Similar to Home Chef, it offers both meal kits and ready-to-eat options. Whether your goal is saving time on grocery shopping, reducing processed foods, or meal prepping for weight loss, Sunbasket has you covered.
The menu features a variety of options, including Paleo, Vegetarian, Diabetes-Friendly, High Protein, and Low-Calorie dishes. But it doesn’t stop at dinner—you can also get lunch, breakfast, and snacks from its marketplace.
Sunbasket Meal Plans
Sunbasket offers ten diverse meal plans for singles, couples, and families of four. You can choose a minimum of four meals weekly, covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Its Classic Meal Kits serve two or four people, while Fresh & Ready meals are portioned for one.
Developed by award-winning chefs and approved by dietitians, all meals emphasize nutrient-dense ingredients. They contain 400-800 calories per serving, at least 5g of fiber and 10g of protein, and typically less than 800mg of sodium. The service allows you to mix and match from its full menu, filtering options based on dietary preferences like Paleo, Vegetarian, or Diabetes-Friendly, as well as nutritional goals such as High Protein or Low Calorie.
Cooking times vary from ready-to-heat meals to 30-minute recipes. The dishes feature seasonal, often organic produce and whole grains. They also include high-quality proteins and good fats. Sunbasket minimizes the use of added sugar and processed ingredients in its meals.
Sunbasket Dietary Options and Programmes
Prepared Meals (Serve 1)
Fresh & Ready
Sunbasket's Fresh & Ready meals offer a convenient solution for busy days. These healthy, heat-and-eat options feature organic produce and require no prep or cleanup. Try the "Gyro-spiced chicken bowl with brown rice, lemon yogurt, and slaw" for a satisfying high-protein dish. Alternatively, the "Korean turkey japchae with glass noodles, kale, and mushrooms" caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo diets.
Meal Kits (Serve 2 or 4)
Chef’s Choice
Experience restaurant-quality meals at home with Sunbasket's Chef's Choice plan. The chefs handpick recipes that showcase peak seasonal organic produce, premium meats and seafood, and unique house-made sauces.
For example, you might enjoy "Orange glazed ribs with cucumber tiger salad and rice," a Northern Chinese-inspired dish that combines crisp vegetables and spicy jalapeños with a sweet, spicy, and nutty dressing. Served alongside orange-glazed spare ribs and jasmine rice, this meal always promises a flavor-packed dinner.
Paleo
A study comparing 11 popular diets found the Paleo Diet to be the most effective for reducing inflammation, improving blood lipid profiles, and controlling blood sugar. With Sunbasket's Paleo meal delivery, you'll enjoy dishes rich in meat and vegetables with fewer carbs.
These clean, high-protein recipes feature organic fresh produce and top-quality proteins while excluding dairy, gluten, grains, soy, and corn. For example, you might savor a "Spicy chipotle turkey and sweet potato chili with cabbage slaw," packing a flavorful punch at just 570 calories per serving.
Gluten-Free
If you're among the 6% of Americans with gluten intolerance, Sunbasket offers a variety of delicious gluten-free dinners. You can enjoy dishes like "Japanese shrimp Kamameshi rice with red pickled ginger" without feeling deprived. These meals feature fresh vegetables, high-quality meats, seafood, and the chef's preferred gluten-free alternatives.
Note: Sunbasket’s meals are prepared in a facility that handles wheat. Due to the risk of cross-contamination, you should be cautious if you have severe gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Lean & Clean
Sunbasket's Lean & Clean plan offers protein-packed recipes to boost your gains while helping you manage your weight. These flavorful meals, averaging around 550 calories per serving, are high in protein and fiber but free from gluten and dairy. You'll enjoy dishes like the "Steak salad with strawberries and spiced chickpeas," which contains only 400 calories per serving.
Vegetarian
Sunbasket offers several meat alternatives if you’re on a vegetarian diet, like the "Summer vegetable skewers with baba ganoush, feta dip, and flatbread." If you're a pescatarian, you can enrich your diet with sustainably sourced seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). A delicious example is the "Salmon and quinoa bowls with wilted greens and citrus dressing." Plus, it’s pre-prepped.
Mediterranean
Sunbasket offers delightful Mediterranean-inspired meals that embrace the hallmarks of this heart-healthy diet: seasonal produce, lean meats, whole grains, and good fats. These dishes, can help reduce inflammation and may ease symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Tempting options include "Mayan butter bean and quinoa bowls with avocado and oranges" and "Chicken and spaghetti with kale and caramelized onions."
Diabetes-Friendly
Sunbasket offers a rare find in meal delivery: diabetic-friendly meal kits. If you're managing diabetes, you'll appreciate how Sunbasket takes the guesswork out of meal planning. The service provides nutritious, carefully portioned meals like "Blackened sole with turmeric cauliflower and artichoke-spinach dip," containing just 430 calories per serving.
Carb-Conscious
Featuring dishes with 35g net carbs or fewer per serving, this plan helps you manage your carbohydrate intake without sacrificing flavor. Recent studies suggest that low-carb diets may offer a metabolic advantage, burning 200 to 300 more calories compared to high-carb diets of the same calorie content.
Explore global flavors while keeping carbs in check, like the "Marrakech lamb merguez patties with warm carrot salad" that brings North African cuisine to your table.
Preparing Your Meals
When your Sunbasket arrives, promptly refrigerate all ingredients. For optimal freshness, eat meals with seafood first, followed by Fresh & Ready meals, Pre-Prepped Meal Kits, and finally, Classic Meal Kits. Fresh & Ready meals can be heated in the microwave or oven, and some can even be frozen for later use. Meal Kits stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week, while Fresh & Ready meals are best consumed within three to five days.
For Meal Kits, you'll need basic pantry staples like cooking oil, salt, and pepper and standard kitchen equipment such as pots, pans, and utensils. These kits come with easy-to-follow recipes, typically ready in 30 minutes or less. Fresh & Ready meals require no preparation beyond heating. For the best results, follow the heating instructions provided with each meal.
How Sunbasket Works
When you sign up, you choose a meal plan that fits your dietary preferences, from Paleo to Vegetarian and everything in between. You can select Meal Kits to cook yourself or Fresh & Ready meals for quick heating, with at least four servings per week. The service allows you to mix and match options from their full menu, starting at $9.99 per serving, with free shipping on your first delivery.
In your Sunbasket, you'll find fresh organic produce, responsibly raised meats free of antibiotics and hormones, and sustainably sourced seafood, along with seasonings and sauces. You can view detailed information for each recipe or meal, including ingredients, potential allergens, nutritional content, and preparation instructions. Prices are listed per item, and you can see your order total before checkout.
Deliveries are made Sunday through Thursday to most US zip codes (excluding AK, HI, MT, ND, and parts of NM) in packaging designed to maintain freshness. While you're billed automatically each week, you can skip weeks, pause, or cancel your subscription anytime before the weekly cut-off on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET.
How to Get Started With Sunbasket
To begin your Sunbasket experience, follow these steps:
- Visit the Sunbasket website and create an account by providing your name, email, and zip code. This allows you to view meal prices and start your plan.
- Choose your preferred meal plan from Paleo, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, or Diabetes-Friendly options. You can also select "Chef's Choice" if you prefer a variety of options.
- Decide on the number of servings you want per week (minimum of four) and whether you prefer Meal Kits, Fresh & Ready meals, or a mix of both.
- Select your meals from Sunbasket's full menu, which changes weekly. You can filter options based on dietary preferences and cooking time.
- At checkout, choose your delivery frequency (weekly is standard, but you can adjust this later) and enter your shipping and payment details.
- Enter your address details and payment information.
- Review your order and confirm. Remember, your first delivery comes with free shipping.
Sunbasket Customer Service
Sunbasket offers multiple ways to get help with your order or answer your questions. You can chat with Sunny B., its digital assistant, available 24/7 for immediate support. If you prefer direct assistance, its customer service team is available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT and weekends from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT (excluding some holidays).
You can reach them by phone at (866) SUN-BSKT (866-786-2758), text at +1 208-960-6505, or email using the contact form on the help page. Sunbasket responds to emails within 24 hours.
For quick answers, check out the companies’ comprehensive FAQ page, recipes section, and blog, which offer information on meal plans, delivery, cooking tips, and customer stories.
How to Cancel or Pause a Sunbasket Subscription
Sunbasket offers a straightforward cancellation system that you can manage entirely through its website:
- Log into your account and click the 'Manage My Subscription' link on your account settings page.
- Follow the prompts to cancel your subscription. Sunbasket will ask for your reason for canceling.
- You may be offered alternatives to cancellation, but if you wish to proceed, select 'No' to confirm your cancellation request.
- Wait for a confirmation email, which will verify that your cancellation has been processed.
Account Changes
To modify your Sunbasket account:
- Log in and navigate to the 'My Account' section
- Edit meal plans by clicking the Edit icon under 'Meal Plan'
- Change passwords under the 'Account' section
- Update delivery addresses via the Edit icon under 'Delivery Information'
- Modify billing details through the Edit icon in 'Payment & Billing'
Weekly Delivery Management
All changes must be made by Wednesday at Noon PST / 3 pm EST before the delivery week.
Simply follow these steps:
- Select weekly meals in the 'My Menu' section
- View past orders in 'Rate Order'
- Skip a week through the 'Schedule' page
- Cancel subscriptions via the provided cancellation link
- Forward deliveries to alternate addresses when traveling
Is There a Sunbasket App?
Sunbasket has a user-friendly mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. You can easily manage your subscription, select meals, and track deliveries from your smartphone.
The app has recently been updated to improve its stability and speed. You'll notice a redesigned menu navigation, including a new Pre-Made Meals aisle. This section showcases all single-serving Fresh & Ready and Prepared & Ready meals, which you can prepare in five minutes or less.
These updates enhance your experience and make meal selection even more convenient. If you have any comments or suggestions, you can send them directly to ux@sunbasket.com.
How Much Does Sunbasket Cost?
Note: Actual costs may vary based on specific meal selections. Meals with meat or seafood typically cost more than vegetarian options. Shipping is free for your first box.
Sunbasket uses a la carte pricing, with meal kits ranging from $11.49 to $24.49 per serving. Each order has a $45 minimum. Sunbasket can be somewhat pricey compared to its competitors, like HelloFresh and Green Chef. However, you pay for high-quality, mostly organic ingredients and responsible sourcing.
Cost example for one week (four meals for two people):
- Four meal kits at $11.49 each: $91.92
- Shipping: $9.99
- Total: $101.91
Optional Add Ons
Market Items
Sunbasket's Market offers diverse ready-to-eat items and ingredients to complement its meal kits and cater to various dining needs throughout the day. Quick breakfast options like Petite Breakfast Quiche Lorraine and Overnight Oats are perfect for busy mornings.
There are pre-made salads such as the Wedge Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese or the Pesto Caprese Tomato Salad for lunch or light dinners. The Market also provides a selection of smoothies, juices, and probiotic drinks.
You can also order several types of pasta, sauces, snacks for weight loss, and proteins like seafood, beef, and poultry. Items are priced individually and can be easily added to your order each week using the Sunbasket website or app.
Refer-a-Friend Program
Sunbasket's Refer-a-Friend program allows you to give friends up to $90 off their first four deliveries, and you'll receive $40 when they join. This is a great way to introduce friends to the service while earning rewards for yourself.
Send to a Friend
You can forward your Sunbasket as a care package or surprise gift to a friend. This feature is particularly popular for new parents or anyone who could use a break from meal planning.
Gift Cards
Sunbasket offers gift cards in any amount, which can be scheduled for delivery with a personalized note on your chosen date. This makes it easy to gift delicious, healthy meals to friends and family.
Bottom Line
Sunbasket is a great choice to save time on meal planning and cooking without sacrificing quality. Whether you're cooking for yourself, your partner, or your family, you'll find various chef-developed recipes to suit different tastes and dietary needs. While it's pricier than some other services, you're paying for organic, sustainable ingredients and innovative recipes.
You'll appreciate the flexibility to customize your meal plan, skip weeks, or pause your subscription as needed. Sunbasket could answer your "what's for dinner?" dilemma if you value high-quality, healthy meal delivery services.