Blue Apron vs Purple Carrot (2026): Meal Kits for All vs Vegan Kits

Updated June 2026

Blue Apron vs Purple Carrot: The Short Version

Blue Apron and Purple Carrot are both premium meal kits, but they split immediately on one fundamental question: are you a vegan household or not? Purple Carrot is 100% plant-based with no exceptions. Blue Apron is an omnivore-first service with vegetarian options that include eggs and dairy. If your household is fully vegan, the choice is clear: Purple Carrot is designed specifically for you. If your household eats meat, Blue Apron offers far more menu variety. The services are comparable on price and cook time, so the diet decision drives almost everything else.

Menu Selection

Blue Apron offers 20+ recipes per week across standard, vegetarian, wellness, and WW-approved menus. The variety is broad enough that most households find choices they are excited about each week. The recipes lean toward technique-forward cooking with longer cook times (30-50 minutes) and restaurant-style results.

Purple Carrot offers 8-10 plant-based recipes per week. The smaller menu is a function of the specialized focus - every recipe is designed around vegetables, legumes, grains, and plant proteins. The recipes are creative and often impressive, but the weekly selection is genuinely narrower than Blue Apron's. Long-term subscribers occasionally report menu fatigue.

Price Comparison

Purple Carrot is slightly cheaper per serving: $9-$12 vs Blue Apron's $10-$13. Both charge $9.99 shipping per box. For a couple ordering four meals per week, Purple Carrot saves roughly $8-$12 per week. The price gap is real but not dramatic - both services position themselves as premium offerings.

The Wine Add-On

Blue Apron's optional wine subscription adds 6 sommelier-curated bottles paired to the week's recipes for a monthly fee. For wine-drinking households who want a guided discovery experience with dinner, this is a genuine differentiator. Purple Carrot has no equivalent add-on.

Bottom Line

If your household eats vegan, Purple Carrot wins. If you eat meat or want more menu variety, Blue Apron wins. Both are high-quality services at comparable prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Apron or Purple Carrot better?

It depends entirely on diet. Purple Carrot (7.2/10) is better for vegan households - 100% plant-based, slightly cheaper at $9-$12/serving. Blue Apron (8.1/10) is better for omnivore households - broader menu with 20+ recipes/week, wine pairings available. Both are premium services at similar price points.

Is Purple Carrot completely vegan and Blue Apron isn't?

Yes. Every Purple Carrot recipe is 100% plant-based with no animal products. Blue Apron is primarily omnivore with vegetarian options that include dairy and eggs. Fully vegan households should choose Purple Carrot to avoid label-checking each week.

Does Blue Apron have more recipes than Purple Carrot?

Yes. Blue Apron offers 20+ recipes per week across multiple menus (standard, vegetarian, WW). Purple Carrot offers 8-10 plant-based recipes per week. The narrower menu is a trade-off for Purple Carrot's specialized vegan focus.

Cancel Guide Links

• How to Cancel Blue Apron
• How to Cancel Purple Carrot

Browse Meals from Each Service

• Browse All Meals on MealFan

Looking for Alternatives?

• Blue Apron Alternatives
• Purple Carrot Alternatives