Sunbasket Review

Tuesday, May 13th

2025 Mediterranean Meal Delivery Reviews

Sunbasket

• Price per serving: Starts at $9.99
• Shipment frequency: Weekly
• Daily meals: All 3, plus add-ons
• Calories per meal: 400-800
• Number of recipes: 4 a week
• Prep time: 3-4 or 15-40

Sunbasket, started in 2014 in San Francisco, is not just another meal delivery service. Created by Adam Zbar and Chef Justine Kelly, it's known for its focus on healthy, organic, and eco-friendly food. The name "Sunbasket” comes from the founders' love for the morning sun during their mountain runs, showing their passion for nature and health.

Fun and educational content about the Mediterranean diet

Sunbasket shines not only in its meal delivery but also in its educational content. We like the informational section about the Mediterranean diet in particular. All of Sunbasket's plans have these info sections, and they are fun to read through even if you're not planning on eating that way. The Mediterranean Meal Plan info section is an engaging mix of historical context, dietary principles, and light-hearted commentary. You'll find details about the diet's emphasis on fresh, plant-based foods, olive oil, and seafood, along with occasional poultry, dairy, and red meat. It's a mini-lesson in nutrition and culture, sprinkled with humor (like comparing the diet's pillars to the Parthenon's and a quip about olives being "sexy"). The sign-up button is playfully labeled "If I Can't Be a Yogi on Mykonos at Least Let Me Eat Like One”.

See the weekly menus without signing up

In our experience with Sunbasket, setting up a meal plan is straightforward and highly customizable. We appreciated the choice between Meal Kits or Fresh & Ready options, and the ability to tailor the plan to specific dietary preferences, such as a Mediterranean diet, or to exclude certain ingredients like dairy, sesame, or added sugar. The flexibility really stood out to us; we could choose for how many people (2 or 4) and the number of dinners per week (ranging from 2 to 5). We also found it convenient that we could browse Sunbasket's weekly menu without creating an account, filtering by calorie count and cooking time. However, you should note that while the menu accommodates several different diets, it doesn't specifically cater to any of them, including Mediterranean diets. That means only a handful of recipes in the entire catalog will fit any particular diet.

You decide if you're cooking today

Sunbasket offers two meal options to accommodate different dining preferences: Fresh & Ready and Meal Kits. The Fresh & Ready meals, priced at $9.99 per serving, are perfect for those times when you need a quick bite, as they can be heated up in just 3-4 minutes. On the other hand, the Meal Kits, starting at $11.49 per serving, offer a more hands-on cooking experience. They can be prepared in 15-40 minutes and come with easy-to-follow instructions. We appreciate having the flexibility to choose between the convenience of a quick meal and the pleasure of cooking a meal from scratch.

Good savings with Sunbasket

Sunbasket offers a really good deal for new customers. When you sign up, you get $90 worth of discounts on your first four boxes - $40 off the first, then $20 off the next two, and $10 off the fourth. Plus, they don't charge for shipping, which is a nice bonus that not all other meal services offer.

What's on the menu?

Sunbasket's Mediterranean offerings are pretty good in terms of variety. These meals are both healthy and tasty, approved by their dietitians. You can expect meals with around 400-800 calories each, at least 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and good fats from things like olives and nuts. Something we appreciate about Sunbasket is that customers review each meal, and you can see how many people would order it again. This helps you decide what you might like to try. However, we did find a slight hitch in the menu browsing process: there's no specific filter for Mediterranean meals on the main menu page. Though you can use the "Ctrl+F” method to find Mediterranean options, it's a bit cumbersome.

Choose Mediterranean dishes from the whole catalog

In a typical week, you might find four Mediterranean dishes, like couscous salad with chicken or Mediterranean-style halibut with artichoke hearts and Kalamata olives. Plus, you're not just stuck with Mediterranean options; you can pick from the whole menu. Sunbasket also has a lot of extra items you can add to your order. This includes breakfast foods like eggs and oatmeal, lunch choices like pizza and soup, sides, snacks like nuts and treats, and different kinds of proteins such as seafood and plant-based options.

Ingredients you can feel good about

Sunbasket focuses on providing really fresh and mostly organic ingredients in their meal kits. They aim for 98% organic produce, and they're certified by the USDA, which is a big deal. If they ever have to use something that's not organic, they let you know. We were particularly impressed with Sunbasket's transparency in sourcing ingredients. They work with reputable suppliers, like Lakeside Organic Gardens, and openly share information about their suppliers on their "Meet Our Favorite Farmers and Producers" page. Knowing about their suppliers, like the Peixoto family of Lakeside Organic Gardens, who have been farming since the 1800s and are dedicated to biodiversity and sustainability, makes us feel good about what we're eating.

Stays fresh for 5 days

Sunbasket's delivery comes in a bright yellow box with a cheerful sun design, which we found inviting. They are big on eco-friendliness, as the boxes and insulation materials can be repurposed for various uses like pet beds, art projects, or even yoga bolsters. When you get your Sunbasket box, you should put the food in the fridge right away. Things like greens and mushrooms should be eaten within five days to stay fresh. It's recommended to start with their Fresh & Ready meals and then move onto the ones you need to prepare. Some of the ready-to-eat meals can be frozen for later if needed.

Shipping is per-box

Sunbasket offers flexible delivery days, from Sunday to Thursday, catering to most U.S. zip codes. However, they do charge a shipping fee of $9.99 per box. If your order requires multiple boxes, each box incurs its own shipping charge. One thing to note is that they don't make it super easy to find out about the shipping cost on their website.

Sunbasket cares about customer complaints

When it comes to customer service and satisfaction, Sunbasket stands head and shoulders above the rest. They offer a reassuring "100% Mouthwatering Guarantee” which means that if you're not head over heels with your order, just let them know within 7 days, and they'll make things right. However, they don't explain what "making it right” entails. Is it a refund? A replacement box? We're left wondering. Nevertheless, customers are singing praises about Sunbasket's customer service and refund policy. It appears they don't just talk the talk; they walk the walk. Any minor issues, like an occasional subpar vegetable, are quickly and efficiently resolved with customer service. This approach is refreshingly different from some competitors who, let's be honest, sometimes seem to be playing a game of hot potato with customer complaints.

Dietary diversity and health benefits

One couple needed a Mediterranean, gluten-friendly diet to manage cholesterol and A1C levels. Sunbasket didn't just meet this challenge, it surpassed it. Their meals, described as healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare, played a pivotal role in improving the couple's health. The slightly higher price point than other meal plans seems a small trade-off for the extensive choice of diets and the health benefits they experienced.

Flavor and convenience

Another customer gives Sunbasket a full five stars, particularly praising the Mediterranean flavors and delicious curries. The convenience of ready-made meals that require minimal preparation time was a huge win for this customer's busy schedule. The reviewer does point out the variable nature of the meals - some they loved, some were okay, and a few didn't hit the mark. However, they really appreciated the add-on market. If you're worried the portion sizes won't be large enough for you, throwing a couple of snacks into your order can give you peace of mind (and a full stomach).

The best choice

Sunbasket stands out as the top Mediterranean meal delivery service, especially for its unmatched customer service and the way it handles complaints. It's pretty rare to find a service in this industry that consistently keeps customers happy when issues arise, like receiving spoiled produce or facing delivery problems. But Sunbasket really steps up, taking responsibility where others might not. We've noticed that their food quality is reliably higher than their competitors, and we really appreciate their openness about where they get their ingredients from. While we do think Sunbasket could improve by adding a filter for Mediterranean meals and including more of these options on their menu, they're still our top pick among Mediterranean meal delivery services.