This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Sunbasket Pros & Cons

Sunbasket Pros

• Sunbasket has a huge menu. Every week, there are around 40 different meal choices available.
• Whether you're looking for prepared meals or meal kits, Sunbasket has you covered. Fresh & Ready meals are ready in as little as 3 minutes. Meal kits feature easy recipes that are ready in 15-40 minutes.
• Meals feature high-quality, USDA-certified organic ingredients.
• Sunbasket supports a number of different lifestyles like the following: paleo, vegetarian, low-cal, gluten-free, low-carb, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly, pescatarian.
• Easy-to-follow recipe cards list ingredients and outline nutritional information.
• Different plans are available that focus on traditional meal kits or low prep options, and you can order meals for two people or sign up for a family plan.
• You can add lunch, breakfast, pantry staples, and additional protein to your weekly order.
• It's easy to pause or cancel your subscription online.

Sunbasket Cons

• Sunbasket's recipes tend to feature global flavors and adventurous flavor combinations. It may not the best pick for kids.
• Sunbasket is not the cheapest meal kit around. If affordability is a top priority, another box might be a better fit.

All About Sunbasket

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How did Sunbasket get started?

Sunbasket was founded in 2014 by chef Justine Kelly, Adam Zbar, Tyler MacNiven, and George Nachtrieb. The company started in San Francisco, but in the years since its launch, it has expanded to serve diners nationwide. Sunbasket is closely tied to its California roots. The style of cooking is influenced by Kelly's decades of experience cooking in SanFran restaurants, and ingredients are sourced from California farmers. Fun fact: two of Sunbasket's founders have been featured on reality TV shows. Kelly appeared on Iron Chef America, and Tyler MacNiven is the 2006 winner of The Amazing Race. Tyler Florence, celebrity chef and host of The Great Food Truck Race, sits on Sunbasket's board.

At MSA, we’ve been tracking Sunbasket's progress every step of the way and reviewing Sunbasket from almost the very beginning. Our very first Sunbasket review was written way back in 2016, and we've since published dozens of Sunbasket reviews.

How does Sunbasket work?

In this Sunbasket review, we'll go over all the things you need to know about this meal kit delivery service, but in case you're new to meal kits, let's start with a quick overview of how Sunbasket works. The first thing to know is that Sunbasket is a recurring subscription. When you sign up, you're agreeing to receive meal kits on an ongoing basis. You'll enter your credit card information when you join, and you'll continue to be charged until you decide to cancel. Here are the steps you can expect to follow when you sign up for Sunbasket:

• Choose your plan and personalize it: when you join Sunbasket, you'll set up the details of your subscription. How many people do you need to feed? Do you have any special dietary restrictions? Would you like meal kits or prepared meals? You're invited to personalize your plan to make sure it works for you.
• Set your weekly delivery day: most subscribers will have several different delivery days to choose from. Some people prefer to receive meals at the very start of the week, while others like to receive deliveries mid-week. You can select your preferred weekly delivery day when you join.
• Pick your meals for the upcoming week: after you enter your dining preferences, Sunbasket will automatically pick meals for you each week that fit your style of eating. However, you can always log in, override the auto-picks, and hand-select your own meals.
• Check back regularly to skip weeks or set your menu for upcoming deliveries: don't want to receive a box every single week? No problem. Log into your account to manage your upcoming deliveries. In your account portal, you'll be able to skip shipments, pick out what meals you'd like to receive, or cancel your subscription.

How much does Sunbasket cost? 

When you sign up for a subscription to Sunbasket, you'll first need to decide how many people you want to serve with each meal and how many meals you'd like to receive each week. The cost of your subscription will vary depending on how many meals you order each week. Meal kits start at $10.99 per serving. Let's take a closer look at the pricing for meal kits:

• 2 Person Plans:
  • 2 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $51.96 + $7.99 shipping
  • 3 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $71.94 + $7.99 shipping
  • 4 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $87.92 + $7.99 shipping
• 4 Person Family Plans:
  • 2 meals per week, 4 servings each, for $103.92 + $7.99 shipping
  • 3 meals per week, 4 servings each, for $143.88 + $7.99 shipping
  • 4 meals per week, 4 servings each, for $175.84 + $7.99 shipping

If you'd rather order prepared meals that are ready to heat and eat, Sunbasket's line of Fresh & Ready meals might be a better choice. Each Fresh & Ready meal serves one, and you can order as many as you need to feed your whole family. Fresh & Ready meals start at $8.99 each.

ACTIVE DEAL: Get $90 off and 4 free gifts on first-time order of $65 or more. No coupon needed - just use this link.

Does Sunbasket have different plans available? 

With Sunbasket, there are two main plans to choose from. Depending on how much time you have for dinner prep, you can set up your subscription to include traditional meal kits or easy prep meals that help minimize cooking time. At signup, you can choose from the following plans:

• Sunbasket Meal Kits- this plan includes the ingredients and recipes you need to cook Sunbasket's standard recipes. It's great for those who love to cook but want to streamline the process.
• Sunbasket Fresh & Ready- this plan features low and no prep options that are best for those who want fresh meals that are on the table as fast as possible.

The full Sunbasket menu features around 40 recipes each week, and usually around half are Fresh & Ready options. Once you've selected your plan, you can further customize your subscription by requesting meals that are paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, or diabetes-friendly. You can also let Sunbasket know if you prefer recipes that are high protein, high fiber, low carb, low calorie, low in added sugar, low in sodium, dairy-free, or soy-free, and also if you'd prefer to avoid lamb, pork, beef, shellfish, fish, poultry, or grains.

Where and how does Sunbasket ship?

Sunbasket currently ships to most zip codes in the United States, with the exception of AK, HI, MT, ND, and parts of NM. You can check to see if Sunbasket delivers to your zip code while signing up.

Good to know:

• Delivery days vary by area, but most subscribers will have several options to choose from. You can change your preferred delivery day at any time.
• A signature is not required, and you don't have to be home to accept the box.
• Food is kept cold in transit with insulated liners and frozen gel packs.

How is a Sunbasket delivery packaged?

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Shipments from Sunbasket come packed in a brown cardboard box with ingredients for each meal kit separated in a paper bag, and Fresh & Ready meals packed in individual cardboard trays. Sunbasket's packaging materials are innovative and largely recyclable. In the height of summer, expect your box to be protected with insulation made from 100% reclaimed denim. Curious about how best to dispose of your box? There’s an entire page on the Sunbasket site dedicated to advising subscribers on how to reuse, compost, recycle, or dispose of packing materials.

What are Sunbasket's recipes like?

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Sunbasket offers a large number of options when it comes to choosing meals. Every week, there are around 40 recipes to choose from! Depending on which plan you choose, the selection may be narrowed down to feature recipes that will work for you. Recipes are ingredient-driven, and feature global flavors and exciting flavor combinations. Many of the dishes would be right at home on the menu of a quirky bistro.

Want some specific examples? Here are some recent meals we've spotted at Sunbasket:

• Italian Sausages and Broccoli with Mushroom Ragù
• Pastrami-Spiced Steak Salad with Pickled Vegetables and Rémoulade
• Chicken and Mozzarella Burgers with Seared Caesar Salad
• Pork Chops with Ginger-Nectarine Pan Sauce and Kale Salad
• Chicken Kiev and Salad with Hard-Cooked Eggs and Russian Dressing
• Hominy Fritters with Shrimp and smashed Cucumber Salad
• Chicken Panang Curry
• Turkey Bolognese over Spaghetti
• Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini with Braised Kale

Are Sunbasket's recipes hard?

Sunbasket's recipe cards provide cooking instructions, detailed nutrition, and allergy information. The recipes are detailed, clearly outlined, and easy to follow. It's important to note that while the recipes often feel adventurous, the cooking instructions are surprisingly straightforward.

How does Sunbasket source ingredients?

Sunbasket takes a thorough and detailed approach to quality and sustainability. This begins with a focus on seasonality, and carries through every step of the ingredient sourcing process. Impressively, they claim that their standards meet or exceed those of most natural grocery stores! Produce is organic whenever possible, meats are raised responsibly (and free of antibiotics and added hormones), and seafood is all wild-caught and sustainably sourced. Their website outlines the company’s animal welfare standards in great detail. Here are a few highlights:

• 100% of Sunbasket’s eggs are organic and pasture-raised (free-range when pasture-raised eggs are not available).
• 100% of chicken is fed a vegetarian diet and given the ability to roam freely.
• 100% of beef is humanely raised, grass-fed, and antibiotic-free.
• 100% of pork is from ethically-run family farms, antibiotic and hormone-free, and raised in open, group environments.
• 100% of lamb is pasture-raised and antibiotic-free.
• 100% of seafood is wild-caught or sustainably farmed.

Is Sunbasket's food tasty?

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The recipes included in meal kits can vary from "solid home cooking" all the way to "restaurant quality," and Sunbasket knows how to deliver food that tastes like it was prepared by a real chef. Sunbasket takes a serious approach to ingredients, and that comes across in the food. The produce and proteins are delicious and high-quality, and the meals are crafted with care. The recipes build flavor in interesting ways, often feature seasonal ingredients, regularly reference global dishes, and showcase international flavors.

What ingredients and tools does Sunbasket NOT provide?

When you sign up for a Sunbasket subscription, you'll receive most of what you need to get dinner on the table. Meal kits include produce, meat, spices, and sauces; however, there are a few things you'll be expected to provide yourself. Salt, pepper, water, and oil are not provided, and we recommend checking recipes after ordering to check for additional items you may need to provide yourself. In addition to these basic ingredients, you'll also be expected to have essential kitchen tools available like cutting boards, knives, bowls, baking trays, vegetable peelers and zesters, measuring cups, and pots and pans. Sunbasket also assumes subscribers have access to disposable items like aluminum foil and paper towels.

What are Sunbasket Fresh & Ready meals?

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Sunbasket's selection of Fresh & Ready meals are designed for those who don't have time to cook and need meals that are quick and easy. Each meal is prepared in advance and packed in a cardboard tray. The meals resemble those you'll find in the frozen section of your grocery store, but Sunbasket's Fresh & Ready meals are fresh and never frozen. They're ready in as little as 3 minutes, and just like the meal kits, the recipes are made with high-quality, organic ingredients that are sustainably sourced. Compared to the meal kits, the recipes tend to skew more towards comfort foods, and since everything gets heated, you shouldn't expect to see any salads on the menu. That said, the food is delicious and super convenient. 

Does Sunbasket accommodate dietary restrictions like allergies?

As we looked at previously in this Sunbasket review, there are a number of different customization options available: paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, or diabetes-friendly. (Plus, you can also sort recipes to see which options are high protein, high fiber, low carb, low calorie, low in added sugar, low in sodium, dairy-free, or soy-free, and also if you'd prefer to avoid lamb, pork, beef, shellfish, fish, poultry, or grains.) While certainly impressive, it’s worth noting that there may not always be a ton of choice for each plan. If you’re looking for Diabetes-Friendly meals, for example, you may only have a handful of options.

Sunbasket does not recommend subscribing if you have severe food allergies, as their recipes are packed in a facility that handles gluten, milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.

Is Sunbasket convenient?

Sunbasket is extremely convenient. When you receive meals from Sunbasket, you'll save time meal planning and grocery shopping, and picking meals from an online selection helps streamline the weeknight dinner process. If you ever struggle to plan a menu for the week, feel like you need new recipe inspiration, or don't feel like hitting up the grocery store, Sunbasket will most certainly add convenience to your routine. Most meal delivery services offer either meal kits OR prepared meals, and Sunbasket's menu is packed full of both. You can mix and match each delivery to feature meal kits, prepared meals, or a mix of the two, which is great for those who want to cook sometimes but not always. Without a doubt, Sunbasket is convenient.

Does Sunbasket have an app?

Sunbasket has an app that allows you to manage your account on the go. You can browse upcoming menus, lock in your recipe choices, and skip deliveries. Recipes are also available through the app.

What do MSA reviewers say about Sunbasket?

We've had a variety of different writers step in to review Sunbasket over the years, each with a different set of preferences and level of cooking experience. Curious about what they have to say? Let's take a quick peek back at some past Sunbasket reviews.

Bekki's Sunbasket Reviews

• Review expertise: Bekki was a prominent MSA reviewer several years ago, and Sunbasket was in her regular lineup. She reviewed Sunbasket's meal kits nearly a dozen times.
• Eating profile: Bekki is an adventurous eater, but she's also a vegetarian. She signed up for Sunbasket's vegetarian plan, and all of the meals she reviewed were meat-free.
• Thoughts on Sunbasket meals: In her first Sunbasket review from 2016, Bekki picked out meals that appealed to her love of veggies. Let's take a look at what she had to say about them.
  • Mujadara with Chard and Crisp Garlic Flatbread- This was the standout meal for Bekki, and she really enjoyed it. There were a couple of small discrepancies with the cooking instructions, but they didn't impact Bekki's happiness with the finished product. "I think next time I would let the lentils cook for longer, and maybe not add as much chard as the recipe called for.  The flavors were interesting, and I would have appreciated more of the mujadara spices, but this worked really well with the yogurt, crispy shallots, and garlic lavash!"
  • Braised Tofu with Turnips, Spring Onions, and Green Garlic- Sadly, this recipe didn't quite live up to expectations. Bekki says, "This was my least favorite meal of the week.  The Bhutan red rice they included didn’t cook in the time they stated, and it needed more liquid.  Even after that, it never really softened.  The tofu and vegetables kind of seemed just thrown together, with no real thought to how it would all go.  I’m sure there was thought behind it, but it wasn’t my thing."
  • Red-Pepper Marinara on Polenta with Eggs - Back in Sunbasket's early days, the menu was far more limited than it is today. As such, vegetarians will find a lot more variety than Bekki did back when she reviewed this Sunbasket box. Bekki didn't seem super excited about this menu offering, and it didn't quite dazzle her. "At best I would say this is sautéd vegetables with an egg and polenta – the flavors worked well together, and the texture was different," she writes. " I am not sure I would make this one again, but I did like it enough to eat it twice!"
• Verdict: Bekki's early reviews of Sunbasket really show how far the subscription has come. The selection has increased, the recipes are clearer, and the food seems a little bit more exciting. Still, even in its early days, Bekki enjoyed Sunbasket and enjoyed reviewing the meals.

Laine's Sunbasket Reviews

• Review expertise: Laine wrote for MSA for years, and she covered everything from food and beer to pet products and socks. She took over reviewing Sunbasket from Bekki, and showed the community what Sunbasket's meat-centric meals were all about.
• Eating profile: Laine is comfortable in the kitchen and always up for a challenge. She chooses all kinds of different meals in her reviews of meal subscription boxes.
• Thoughts on Sunbasket's meals: Let's take a closer look at some of the meals Laine reviewed:
  • Mexican Meatball Soup with Butternut Squash and Cilantro- This is one of the first meals Laine reviewed from Sunbasket, and it absolutely set things off on the right foot. She says, "The whole meal took about 30 minutes to make, and I couldn’t believe the depth of flavor the soup reached in such a short amount of time! The spices in the meatballs married with the rest of the soup and it tasted like it cooked much longer. I also attribute the bone broth for the richness of flavor – I was super-happy it ended up in my basket. This recipe included some lime for squeezing over the soup, and a bag of pre-sliced cabbage to top the dish off, which added a satisfying crunch!"
  • Shrimp Fettuccine with Broccoli and Parsley-Pecan Pesto- Laine tried a box focused on Sunbasket's Mediterranean meals, and this was one of the featured recipes. She cooked the shrimp and pasta separately and was impressed with the size of the portions once the dish was assembled. Says Laine, "Once the pasta was tossed with the pesto and included organic basil, I added the shrimp!  It created a really generous portion – there were two huge servings that fed my husband and me comfortably. It was a fantastic dish – I actually forgot there wasn’t any dairy in this. Most pesto does include parmesan, but this sure didn’t need it, and I didn’t miss it!"
  • Salmon and Quinoa Bowls with Wilted Greens and Citrus Dressing- Laine was blown away by how quickly this dish came together, and she was again impressed by the portion size. "There’s nothing better than super-crispy kale! The chickpeas in this made the meal hearty, and as always, I felt the portions were more than generous – both salmon filets were huge."
• Verdict: Over the course of her time reviewing Sunbasket, it's clear Laine enjoyed the meal kits. She voiced a sentiment in one of her early reviews that proved true box after box: "This basket was a great value for the money – these recipes fed me and my husband comfortably for dinner with a solid leftover portion for lunch the next day. Based on the carefully-planned packaging, quality of ingredients, and the design of recipes to use as few pans as possible, it’s clear that Sun Basket keeps all aspects of being in the kitchen in mind when engineering these recipes."

Anna's Sunbasket Reviews

• Review expertise: Anna has reviewed all kinds of different subscriptions for MSA, and she frequently shared her love of food and beverage with the MSA community. She reviewed Sunbasket a couple of times.
• Eating profile: She's an open-minded eater who likes to show off the best of what meal kits have to offer. Anna often orders meals that skew healthy, but she's not afraid to go all-in on comfort foods, either. She prefers vegetarian meals.
• Thoughts on Home Chef's meals: Let's take a closer look at some of the meals Anna reviewed:
  • Vegetables in Parchment with Green Goddess Dressing and Soft Poached Eggs- In her first review of Sunbasket, Anna lamented that all of the vegetarian meals were a little egg-heavy, and due to a small cooking mishap, she ended up omitting the egg in this dish. But it didn't matter. It was a winner! Anna writes, "I destroyed this dish in a matter of minutes. Who needs the egg? This dish is incredible as is!"
  • Quinoa and White Bean Burgers with Roasted Sweet Potato Fries- Despite initially catching her eye, this recipe was a wee bit of a letdown. The fries were great, but the veggie burger was way too dry. Says Anna, "There’s no doubt this is a healthful, hearty recipe—it’s all plant-based, packed with natural proteins, and super filling. But I’ll be honest… It tasted a little too healthy. Y’know what I mean? The burger was filling, but really dry, even with the cucumber salad topping added to the sandwich."
  • Pappardelle with Artichokes, Butter Beans, and Pistou- Again, Anna found this dish a little ho-hum: "The pre-made pistou (essentially pesto) that came with the recipe adds some tasty flavor, but I think the mildness of the pistou, along with the creaminess of the beans and a generous amount of noodles, neutralizes the pop I expected to get from the artichokes and peppers. Instead, everything’s a little bit oily and a little bit mild. I couldn’t eat a whole plate—I got really full really fast, which I suppose is a good thing. And while the leftovers are pretty good, this dish didn’t wow me as much as I had anticipated it would."
• Verdict: Anna didn't have the best of luck with her Sunbasket deliveries, and it seems like she was a bit underwhelmed by a number of the meals she received. (In one review, she describes the food as "good, but not great.") She says, "I like that this box supplies its customers with pre-made sauces for lots of their recipes, and the general convenience of having a subscription box handle your meals is awesome. But these aren’t recipes I’m super eager to try again. (...) I will say, the value of this box is pretty on par with other popular subscriptions, so I’ll have to keep an eye out for what they offer on their subsequent menus. Maybe these recipes just weren’t the right thing for my palate."

What do MSA readers say about Sunbasket in their reviews?

At MSA, we don't just publish our own in-house reviews. We also invite our readers to rate and review the meal kits they've tried. Sunbasket currently has a rating of 4.4/5 from the MSA community. There are no community reviews yet. If you'd like to learn more about Sunbasket or be the first to leave a community review, you can do so here.

Are there alternatives to Sunbasket?

If you like the idea of a meal kit delivery service, but you're not sure Sunbasket is the right subscription for you, there are a few competitors that might be a better fit.

Sunbasket vs. HelloFresh

Like Sunbasket, HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery subscription that provides delicious, crowd-pleasing meal kits to cook at home. It's one of the most popular meal subscription services out there, and the weekly menu is large. Let's outline some of the key differences between these two subscriptions:

• Menu size: Overall, Sunbasket's menu is larger than HelloFresh's, but Sunbasket's menu features both meal kits and prepared meals. If it's meal kits you're after, you'll have the biggest selection with HelloFresh. There are 27+ meal kits to choose from every week. If you want to be able to select both meal kits and prepared meals, stick with Sunbasket.
• Price: Sunbasket's meal kits start at $10.99 each. HelloFresh is a bit less expensive. Meal kits start at $7.49 per serving. (Of course, Sunbasket features organic produce and sustainably sourced meats, so you may find it's worth the splurge.)
• The food: Both companies send tasty meals that our reviewers love, but the "vibe" is a little bit different. Both menus will often feature global flavors, but Sunbasket is slightly more adventurous and skews more towards "California cuisine."

Sunbasket vs. Green Chef

Like Sunbasket, Green Chef is an organic meal delivery service with a lot of options for those on special diets. Let's take a closer look at the differences between these meal kit subscriptions:

• Special diets: Do you eat keto, paleo, or vegan? Green Chef has dedicated menu plans to support these diets. If you're looking for diabetic-friendly or Mediterranean cuisine, Sunbasket might be a better fit.
• Prepared meals: If you're looking for meal kits, both Green Chef and Sunbasket have you covered. Only Sunbasket offers a selection of prepared meals.
• Price: Green Chef offers high-quality ingredients that come at a premium price. Green Chef meals start at $11.49 per serving. Sunbasket is slightly less expensive.

Sunbasket vs. EveryPlate

Looking for a meal kit that's tasty AND super affordable? EveryPlate is a wallet-friendly meal kit delivery service with crowd-pleasing meal options and kid-friendly entrees. EveryPlate cuts out unnecessary expenses to keep their per-meal price low, and it's a great choice for those on a budget. Let's see how these two subscriptions stack up:

• Price: EveryPlate meals cost $4.99 per serving, so it's more affordable than Sunbasket.
• Menu size: With only 14 items on each EveryPlate menu, the selection is smaller than what you'll find at Sunbasket.
• Family friendly: If you're serving kids or picky eaters, EveryPlate's simple fare might be a better fit.
• Ingredient quality: EveryPlate meals are tasty, but low-cost ingredients are often included to keep costs down. Expect to see lots of rice, potatoes, and carrots on the menu. By comparison, Sunbasket offers a wider variety of recipes with higher-quality, organic ingredients.

Is Sunbasket worth it?

We've covered a lot of info in this Sunbasket review, but one big question remains: is Sunbasket worth it?

Looking at what our writers have to say about Sunbasket, it's clear there's a lot to like about Sunbasket. The menu is huge, and it's one of the few meal kit delivery services that offers both meal kits and prepared meals. For those who want to cook (but not all the time), Sunbasket really does offer the best of both worlds. The meals are tasty, but looking back at past reviews, it is worth pointing out that Sunbasket may have had some growing pains in the early days. In recent years, however, it's pretty clear that Sunbasket has grown into one of the best and most popular meal subscriptions around.

These days, Sunbasket tends to get very positive reviews. Subscribers occasionally report issues with ingredients being damaged in transit, but Sunbasket customer service can be relied on to step in and make things right. Sunbasket helps streamline weeknight dinners, and the Fresh & Ready meals are great for both lunch and dinnertime. The quality of ingredients is excellent, and given the dedication to organic produce and high-quality meats, we think the price point is competitive. If you're ready to sign up, just make sure you understand that you're signing up for a subscription. You'll be charged every week (unless you skip) until you decide to cancel.

Ready to subscribe? Make sure to sign up using our coupon below to ensure you get the best deal.

You can try Sunbasket for yourself here:

ACTIVE DEAL: Get $90 off and 4 free gifts on first-time order of $65 or more. No coupon needed - just use this link.

Have you tried Sunbasket? Head to the comments section and let us know!