Overview

Hungryroot combines grocery shopping with meal kit convenience to simplify meal prep and encourage healthier eating. The experience begins with a detailed quiz to determine dietary preferences, health goals, and household needs. Hungryroot then comes up with a list of groceries and recipes you can customize. 

When I tried Hungryroot, I was impressed by the menu variety and the ability to filter for dietary restrictions like gluten-free or vegan. Unlike traditional meal kits, Hungryroot adds ingredients for each recipe to your cart, but you can swap items and add extras as needed.

My delivery was smooth, with well-insulated packaging, though the use of extra plastic, like individually wrapped potatoes, felt unnecessary. The ingredients were fresh, and the focus on balanced, wholesome meals was clear.

I found the recipes simple and beginner-friendly, perfect for quick, stress-free cooking. However, the meals might feel overly basic for those seeking gourmet or adventurous options. While the convenience suited my busy schedule, it might not appeal to more experienced cooks or those looking for authentic flavors.

The pricing is less straightforward than other services, and costs can feel premium compared to regular grocery shopping. It’s ideal for smaller households or individuals but may be less cost-effective for larger families. Overall, Hungryroot excels at offering convenient, basic, health-conscious meals. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to streamline grocery shopping and enjoy easy, home-cooked meals with minimal effort.

Hungryroot’s Menu: Easy-to-Prepare Healthy Meals & Groceries

Hungryroot is a meal kit and grocery delivery service. It simplifies healthy eating with personalized recommendations. Offering quick recipes and clean, minimally processed ingredients, it caters to various diets like vegan, keto, and gluten-free, making wholesome eating convenient and customizable.

Menu Options: You Choose the Recipes, Hungryroot Does the Rest 

Every week, choose from a selection of Hungryroot recipes. When you select a recipe, Hungryroot adds all the required ingredients to your cart. You never again need to worry about starting supper and then realizing you forgot to buy something.

Hungryroot offers over 100 meal options, though I couldn’t find an exact count on the website. The combinations seem almost endless since meals are made from 4-6 grocery items, and there’s a huge range of groceries to choose from.

Hungryroot also offers extra protein, vegetables, sauces, and snacks. These cost extra but make it possible to enjoy Hungryroot meals 3 times a day with desserts thrown in.

The Menu Is Large but Organized, With Lots of Filters

The menu is essentially 1 giant list with a lot of filters. You can filter by protein, cook time, spiciness, nutrition, diet, and more. There are also categories like:

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Kid’s Meals

• Tacos

• Pastas

• Main + Sides

Your personal preferences also play a role. Foods you "liked" during the initial questionnaire appear higher on the list, while "disliked" foods are hidden or moved to the bottom.

You’re not restricted to 1 menu, as you can mix and match freely, and you can choose your meals or even individual ingredients. If you don’t like what Hungryroot picks for you, it’s easy to make changes.

The menu includes a variety of cuisines, but they aren’t particularly authentic. For example, the Paneer Tikka Masala uses premade masala sauce, paneer, cauliflower rice, and chives. It’s a simple, fast version inspired by Indian cuisine. If you’re after authentic flavors, this might not be the best fit.

Choose From Meal Kits, Groceries, & Add-Ons

Most of the offerings are easy-prep meals. There are no fully prepared meals, and the focus is on simple recipes you can cook quickly. In many cases, it feels more like a grocery service than a traditional meal kit provider. Hungryroot gives you a total points value based on the number of meals you wish to purchase, and each grocery item has points assigned to it rather than a price.

The menu stays consistent, with some customer favorites always available. While the service claims to mix in new recipes, the simplicity of the meals makes them all feel somewhat similar.

Hungryroot blurs the line between meals and extras. Unlike other services, where meal kits are required, you can replace all your meals with groceries or add-ons without affecting the cost. Seasonal or special items seem limited – there wasn’t much for Thanksgiving when I ordered.

You can view all recipes ahead of time, and they’re labeled with time estimates. However, they don’t indicate experience level (everything is “Easy”) and the recipes only call for common kitchen basics. The menu’s simplicity and grocery-focused design might appeal more to those looking for convenience over culinary adventure.

Customization: Decent Selection of Recipes for Special Diets

Hungryroot’s filters let you sort for vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian ingredients. You can also search for items free of dairy, gluten, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, or shellfish. You can even dial in your preferred spice levels.

Hungryroot has an especially strong selection of vegan and vegetarian ingredients. Precut vegetables make plant-based eating a lot easier, as do cashew-based prepared sauces and pasta made with healthier ingredients like chickpea flour. Precooked proteins and grains make things even simpler.

There are some organic offerings at Hungryroot, but not all items are certified organic. If eating organic is important to you, I recommend you take a look at our list of the best organic meal delivery services.

You can find many gluten-free ingredients and recipes at Hungryroot. But many are stored in spaces with gluten, so they may not be suitable for celiacs or those with serious gluten sensitivities. Check out our list of the best gluten-free meal delivery services for other options.

Dish-Level Editing Makes the Menu Endlessly Customizable

Hungryroot allows you to edit the ingredients for each dish in your order. You can omit items or swap them for alternatives, with the options and costs varying by ingredient. 

Here’s 2 examples from my order:

• Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad: The recipe uses precooked chicken nuggets (4 points). Swap options included grilled chicken breast pieces (4 points), mahi mahi filets (6 points), or a smaller package of nuggets (2 points). I kept the original nuggets.

• Paneer Tikka Masala: The recipe included cauliflower rice, which I decided to remove entirely because I couldn’t swap it for regular rice. Instead, I added a separate rice product from the grocery menu.

The price of swaps or exclusions is adjusted automatically, so you can see how changes impact your total.

Allergens & Nutritional Information Are Clearly Marked

Allergens are clearly marked on every ingredient and recipe. This makes it easy to identify potential issues. Hungryroot’s grocery-style setup can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs. However, due to the variety of suppliers, cross-contamination remains a possibility. While I don’t have allergies myself, I found the labeling to be clear and thorough.

You can exclude any ingredient from your recipes, which adds flexibility. However, some recipes rely on pre-made components. In these cases, you’ll need to check the sub-items for full ingredient details. Nutritional information is provided on each recipe card, but you may need to look up additional details for certain premade items.

Hungryroot’s Menu at a Glance

My Unboxing Experience With Hungryroot: Simple, Fresh, & Minimalistic

The box arrived in great condition – no scuffs, dents, or signs of wear. It was clean and sturdy, which gave me a good first impression. Inside, the packaging was simple and minimal, which I appreciated. There were no ads, flyers, or unnecessary extras cluttering the box, unlike other services that tend to overdo it.

Hungryroot uses mostly recyclable materials. The cardboard is easy to recycle, and the ice packs are eco-friendly and drain-safe, which is a plus. However, the plastic packaging for some items was excessive. For instance, my mashed potatoes came as 4 individually plastic-wrapped potatoes. This is a feature intended for microwave convenience, but I think it’s an unnecessary use of plastic.

The box was neatly packed with no leakage or mess. Everything was in its place, and the chilled items were still cool to the touch. The ingredients were a mix of Hungryroot’s own brand and well-known commercial brands like Kite Hill and Organic Valley.

The produce was fresh and vibrant. Even items like romaine lettuce and baby broccoli were crisp and ready to use. Most of the ingredients were prepackaged, but they maintained excellent quality. Labels on the ingredients provided all the standard information, including clear storage instructions and best-before dates.

Cooking & Eating With Hungryroot: Effortless Meals in Minutes! 

The cooking process with Hungryroot meal kits is streamlined and straightforward. Most meals can be cooked in less than 15 minutes, making it a convenient option. While the ingredients aren’t pre-sorted by recipe, finding what you need is easy. Mainly because there are only a few items per dish. 

No specialist utensils or pantry items are required – just basic kitchen tools and staples you likely already have. Don’t expect the colorful images of a HelloFresh recipe card. Hungryroot recipes are pared down, making them quick and easy for those comfortable in the kitchen. 

They might not suit beginners. They lack step-by-step visuals or detailed instructions, like precise amounts of oil or seasoning. If you’re more experienced, you can adapt recipes to suit your preferences. For example, I roasted vegetables instead of pan-frying them to enhance flavor.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Making Hungryroot’s meals is simple and flexible. The cooking times are usually accurate, but adding a few extra minutes for prep and cleanup is helpful. Portion sizes are pretty standard for meal kits. However, Hungryroot lets you adjust portions easily by swapping proteins or doubling ingredients. 

I usually enjoy cooking complex recipes, but I appreciated the quick convenience of these meals. There’s a small trade-off in flavor compared to fully homemade dishes. The meals are similar to other meal kit companies like Home Chef. However, Hungryroot stands out if you value its grocery options alongside the recipes.

Lemony Italian Sausage & Broccoli Pasta 

This dish was simple yet satisfying. It brings together the bright flavors of lemon, the richness of Italian sausage, and the freshness of roasted broccoli. While it wasn’t the quickest recipe of the week, it was certainly one of the most enjoyable. 

I made a small change by roasting the broccoli instead of sautéing it. Without pre-prepped ingredients, it was the most hands-on recipe of the week. But in the end, the combination of fresh lemon and savory sausage made it a standout dish.

Green Machine Pesto Ravioli

This veggie dish features butternut squash ravioli in pesto sauce. It’s paired with baby broccoli. It’s a quick and easy meal with just 3 main components. I swapped the stovetop method for roasting the broccoli, and I added leftover parmesan for extra flavor. 

The ravioli is vegan, so with a different sauce, this could easily be made plant-based. Although tasty, I felt it was a little light, especially after eating meatier meals for a week. At 610 calories per serving, it’s a nice option for a lighter dinner.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Shawarma Wrap

This is a simplified take on a street cart classic. It uses just 4 ingredients: pre-cooked chicken, a rainbow veggie blend, naan bread, and garlic sauce. It's a quick and flavorful dish that impressed me more than expected for its simplicity.

The pre-sliced veggie mix saved me time, and the chicken, although a bit unappetizing at first, turned out delicious once heated. The naan was a solid choice, even if it's not exactly traditional. The garlic sauce mimicked the classic street cart white sauce. It’s a great example of how a few ingredients work together to create a satisfying, flavorful meal.

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad

This salad is super simple, with just 4 ingredients: romaine lettuce, chicken nuggets, buffalo sauce, and Caesar dressing. It’s more of a salad-meets-wrap combo, but it feels too imbalanced for my taste.

The chicken nuggets were dry and crumbly, and they didn't improve after heating. The lettuce was too soft and mild to support the tough nuggets. I saved some points by using my own buffalo sauce. My girlfriend made it into a wrap, which made it easier to eat, but overall, it just didn’t work for me.

Creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

This dish is a classic, made better with crème fraîche and roasted garlic. While it’s just a side, it was a great way to use up some points and add extra flavor to my meal.

The plastic-wrapped potatoes microwaved just fine. The roasted garlic added a nice punch of flavor, and even though the recipe suggests using a fork to mash, I found a wooden spoon worked just fine. Overall, these mashed potatoes were simple but delicious and a great complement to my meal.

Recipes Summary

Prices: Hungryroot’s Pricing Structure Can Be Confusing

Hungryroot advertises dinners starting at $8.99 per serving, though this is somewhat vague. For my order, I received 6 dinners with 2 servings each and paid $96 after a 30% discount, which works out to about $8 per serving. Without the discount, the total would have exceeded $130, bringing the average price to $11 per serving.

Your weekly total varies depending on the servings you choose and the extras you order. Shipping is free for all plans, apart from a 4-serving plan. I didn’t encounter any unexpected costs like taxes. Customizations and upgrades do come with additional costs. These are managed through Hungryroot’s points system. The final dollar amount is clearly displayed before checkout.

Hungryroot offers a Happiness Guarantee for first-time orders, allowing you to request a refund within 7 days if you're dissatisfied. Refunds are decided on a case-by-case basis. There aren’t any special discounts for groups like students or veterans.

Shipping & Delivery: Streamlined & Flexible

Hungryroot ships groceries to the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C. I was offered 4 delivery days per week, which I think is plenty, even living in a big city. Some services provide 6 or 7 days, but 4 feels practical and sufficient. My box arrived on time within the usual "all day" delivery window, so there were no surprises there.

The final delivery leg was handled by a small independent courier, which seems standard for meal services. Tracking updates were minimal – just 2 email notifications – but I found it refreshing not to be bombarded with reminders. The website made it easy to track my order when needed, and everything arrived in great condition.

How Hungryroot Works (Step by Step Guide)

The Hungryroot sign-up process is more involved than other meal kit services. This is primarily due to its lengthy questionnaire. While this approach has potential for personalization, it can feel over-engineered and time-consuming. However, the process is user-friendly and flexible, especially if you want to mix groceries with meal kits.

How to Sign Up (5 Simple Steps)

1. Start the questionnaire: Signing up begins with an introductory questionnaire. While you can technically skip it, the whole point is to tailor your experience. 

2. State your tastes and preferences: Next, you’ll specify your likes, dislikes, and any dietary restrictions. This step helps Hungryroot recommend meals and grocery items.

3. Create an account and choose a free gift: Before you can see your recommendations or plans, you’ll need to create an account using your email address. At this stage, you’re also offered a free gift, such as an extra snack or protein with every delivery.

4. See your recommendations and check out: Once logged in, you’ll be shown meal and grocery recommendations based on your responses. You can review and adjust your order breakdown (e.g., how many servings of breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.) before heading to checkout.

5. Add address and payment details: Finally, you’ll input your delivery address and payment details. Hungryroot confirms delivery availability for your area at this stage, and the payment is taken when your order ships.

If the suggested meals or groceries don’t appeal to you, you can easily make changes. Hungryroot’s menu is highly customizable, allowing you to swap, remove, or add items as long as you meet the minimum point threshold for your order.

Managing Your Subscription

Hungryroot’s subscription management is straightforward. But it’s less polished than Green Chef, for example. The main page is focused on the menu rather than a central account hub, with navigation to key details handled through a simple dropdown menu. While functional, the design could be more intuitive, as it sometimes takes a few clicks to find what you need.

Despite this, it’s easy to manage your subscription. You can update your plan, dietary preferences, address, or delivery date directly from your account. Skipping weeks or pausing for up to 8 weeks is seamless. Deadlines for edits are clear, but communication about them is minimal, with no push notifications or email reminders unless you’re using the app.

Customer Service: Hungryroot’s Support Is Excellent

Hungryroot’s customer support is accessible through its Help Center. This has an FAQ section, a chatbot, and a Contact Us link. The FAQ section is well-organized, up-to-date, and includes a search function that makes finding information on topics like recycling and dietary filters straightforward. 

Support is available via a contact form (with impressively fast response times) or a text-only phone line operating from 10 am-6 pm ET. The chatbot is functional for basic queries but directs more complex issues to the contact form. Overall, I found the support team responsive and solutions-oriented.

Canceling your Hungryroot subscription is refreshingly simple and entirely online. From your account settings, you select Cancel Account, confirm your choice, answer a quick 1-question survey, and receive confirmation via the website and email. Unlike pausing, which is limited to 8 weeks, canceling stops orders indefinitely. 

Hungryroot doesn’t push upsells or retention deals during this process, and while the refund policies could be clearer, the overall experience is straightforward, transparent, and hassle-free. Refer to my guide to canceling your Hungryroot subscription for more details.

How Hungryroot Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

• Hungryroot vs. Green Chef: While Hungryroot has a larger selection of groceries, Green Chef offers certified organic meal kits and a broad selection of certified gluten-free recipes in addition to the items in its Green Market. For more information, check out our detailed comparison of Hungryroot and Green Chef.

• Hungryroot vs. HelloFresh: While Hungryroot offers many light and healthy recipes, HelloFresh offers a family-friendly menu with filling comfort foods your kids will love as well as protein bundles and desserts. 

• Hungryroot vs. Marley Spoon: While Hungryroot provides you with simple recipes for fast nutritious meals, Marley Spoon offers sophisticated recipes with clear instructions that will help you master new cooking techniques and introduce you to new ingredients.

• Hungryroot vs. Purple Carrot: If you're still not sure what option is best for you, you can also compare Hungryroot with Purple Carrot before making your final decision.

The Bottom Line: Is Hungryroot Worth It?

Hungryroot is an innovative blend of meal and grocery delivery. It offers flexibility and variety that caters to modern lifestyles. With options that span breakfast, snacks, and full dinners, it’s ideal for people who want more control over their weekly meals. The focus on customization and dietary preferences also makes it a strong choice for those with specific needs or goals.

That said, Hungryroot’s pricing can be higher than some traditional meal kits. The points-based system for choosing meals and extras also feels unnecessarily complex if you’re used to straightforward meal kit models. While it works well for those seeking a hybrid of meal delivery and grocery shopping, it might not appeal to those looking for a simple, no-fuss meal kit experience.

On the plus side, Hungryroot’s straightforward cancellation policy, solid customer support, and flexibility in managing orders make it user-friendly. The ability to easily swap out or customize your weekly dishes ensures you’ll never get stuck with meals that don’t suit your tastes or schedule.

If Hungryroot doesn’t tick all your boxes, consider exploring our top-rated meal delivery services for comparison. Companies like HelloFresh and Factor excel in delivering expertly curated meals with clear pricing and simplified user experiences, providing great alternatives for those still searching for the perfect fit.

FAQ

Does Hungryroot have meat? 

Hungryroot has a number of excellent meat and seafood offerings on its protein menu. Many of its Meat+Seafood proteins are fully prepared with sauce included, while others are pre-chopped and thinly sliced, so you can cook them in minutes.

Is Hungryroot expensive?

Hungryroot’s grocery prices are comparable to what you would pay in a specialty grocery store, and all orders over $70 come with free shipping. Also, Hungryroot’s prices per serving are lower than most other meal delivery services offering health-conscious recipes.

Is Hungryroot vegan?

With Hungryroot’s filters, it is easy to sort for 100% vegan recipes and ingredients. Hungryroot offers a large selection of plant-based proteins, and many of its superb prepared sauces are made with vegan substitutes like cashews and almonds in place of dairy.