Freshly review: Does their new plant-based menu hit the spot?

When I tried Freshly the first time around, I was pleasantly surprised at how the convenient delivery service managed to create such uniquely gourmet and fresh-tasting meals in such portable packaging. They recently reached back out to offer up samples of their new plant-based menu (many items gluten-free as well!) and, as someone who loves incorporating meat-free meals into my diet where possible, I was thrilled to try them.

The packaging on this batch of Freshly meals was even better than before. Meals were sandwiched between large ice packs, which were then wrapped in a thick but lightweight insulating material so they arrived perfectly chilled. Freshly works hard on sustainability as well, as per their website:

“Our boxes, plastic meal containers, and cardboard sleeves are all recyclable. The recycled denim insulation is largely biodegradable, at roughly 85%! The gel ice packs are non-toxic, and their plastic bags around the gel packs and denim are recyclable too.”

The meals inside looked delicious, and I immediately tore into the Buffalo Cauliflower Mac & Cheeze with Garlicky Broccoli. Name-wise, it’s right on the money and that’s a great thing because I love garlic. It was hearty, flavorful, and came in a surprisingly large portion considering it only clocks in at 390 calories. Nutritional yeast is used to create the “cheesy” sauce, and I think I actually prefer the texture and taste to the “real” cheese-based sauces you’d find in standard brands.

Buffalo Cauliflower Mac & Cheeze with Garlicky BroccoliFreshly

Over the next few days, my husband and I subbed in the remaining meals where we’d otherwise order GrubHub and end up spending $50 or more for two meals. Freshly suggests microwaving their meals, but we can’t fit a microwave in our teensy Brooklyn kitchen so we simply dumped the contents into a skillet and stirred until warm.

The Farmstead Baked Lentil Pasta with Seasonal Veggies & Creamy Marinara was a big hit with the husband, who downed it for lunch while working from home one day. As a sturdy, meat-loving 6’3” man who mostly does physical labor at his job, I was impressed it was able to satisfy his healthy appetite!

My personal favorite was far and away the Middle Eastern Falafel Bowl with Garlicky Tahini Sauce & Whole Grains, a substantial meal that saved my life one morning when I woke up after a night of too many drinks with friends and needed serious sustenance. The typical New Yorker bacon, egg, and cheese hangover cure always makes me feel even more gross after eating it, but downing the delicious falafel with flavorful tahini sauce was the perfect solution to stave off any further suffering without feeling bogged down all day (Advil helped, too).

Other fantastic meals included were the Indian-Spiced Chickpea Curry Bowl with Basmati Rice, Lentils & Veggies and the Unwrapped Salsa Verde Burrito with Purely Plant Crumbles. Both hit the spot for savory, flavorful dinners, especially when paired with a green salad on the side. There are plenty of vegetables included in most meals, but it does feel nice to have some sort of fresh produce on hand to give your palate some variety to explore. Despite feeling like a lot of food, the nutritional breakdown was always on point–all dinners stuck around the 400 to 600 calorie mark and contained a great mix of carbs, fat, and protein for a well-rounded experience.

Unwrapped Salsa Verde Burrito with Purely Plant CrumblesFreshly

If you’re looking for something quick, easy, delicious, filling, and affordable, you’d be a fool to not give Freshly a shot. It tastes great, helped us save money on takeout without having to make multiple trips to the store for ingredients then spending hours in the kitchen, and it encouraged me personally to explore more plant-based options when I do decide to cook.

Freshly plans average $9 or$10 per meal, with theses options available:

4 meals a week is $47.16 + $6.99 shipping = $54.15

6 meals a week is $59.94 + $6.99 shipping = $66.93

8 meals a week is $75.92 + $8.99 shipping = $84.91

10 meals a week is $92.90 + $10.99 shipping = $103.89

12 meals a week is $107.88 + $11.99 shipping = $119.87

You can customize what you receive based on dietary restrictions and taste, so click through to see their current menu here and try Freshly now!

Freshly Meal Plans

Click through to see all available meal plans and Freshly’s full menu.

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