Hungryroot Review: Surviving Postpartum as a Vegetarian Home Cook

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I’ve been using Hungryroot consistently for a few weeks now since being postpartum, and I’ll say this: the second box was even better than the first.

Not because the first one was disappointing, but because I knew what to expect this time. I knew the timing estimates were accurate. I knew the ingredients would be good quality. And I knew that whatever landed on my doorstep was going to make weeknight dinner a lot less of a production.

A person holds a bowl of mixed vegetables, pineapple, and crumbled protein in front of a Hungryroot box, with various prepared food dishes on a table.

Disclosure

Hungryroot compensated me for this review, but (as always) all opinions are my own. I tested every recipe myself and I’ll tell you exactly what I thought, including the parts that could’ve been better.

If you want to try them, you can get 40% off your first delivery + a free gift here.

This week’s box had five recipes, a mushroom-based bacon that genuinely surprised me, two flatbreads, and a grain bowl that immediately became my new favorite thing. Here’s how it all went.

What Did It Cost?

Total order cost: $125.88
Number of recipes: 5
Total servings: 10
Cost per serving: ~$12.59
Average cost per meal (for 2): ~$25.18

Compared to ordering takeout for two, which in most cities runs $40–60 before tip, $25 for a home-cooked meal with quality ingredients is hard to argue with. Especially when most of these came together in under 12 minutes.

Five packaged food items on a wooden surface: fresh cut pineapple, savory spiced tofu bites, sweet chili lime sauce, brown rice quinoa blend, and a bag of bok choy veggies.

A white plate with cooked chicken, rice, steamed vegetables, pineapple chunks, and a drizzle of orange sauce, on a wooden surface with a fork and a hand holding the plate.

The Meals We Made

Sweet Chili Tofu Pineapple Grain Bowl

12 min · 790 cal · 2 servings

This was my favorite of the whole box, and I didn’t see it coming.

The combination of things going into this bowl: brown rice quinoa blend, sautéed bok choy, spiced tofu bites tossed in sweet chili lime sauce, and fresh cut pineapple on top. Sounds like a lot, but it all came together in one of those “oh, this just works” ways.

It felt light and healthy while also being filling.

Packaged flatbread, a whole zucchini, a lemon, and a container of organic tzatziki are arranged on a wooden surface.

A white plate with flatbread topped with white sauce and zucchini slices, cut into three triangles, on a wooden surface. A hand is holding one slice.

Lemony Zucchini + Tzatziki Flatbread

8 min · 680 cal · 2 servings

This one was a close second, and my fiancé agreed.

The concept is simple: wood-grilled pizza crusts topped with dairy-free tzatziki, sautéed zucchini, lemon zest, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. That’s it. And yet it was so good that we both kept going back for another slice before we’d even finished the first.

A package of plant-based bacon, grape tomatoes, a romaine lettuce heart, and a bag of sliced wheat sandwich buns on a wooden surface.

A stacked sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and bacon on toasted bread is served on a white plate, with a toothpick holding it together. A leafy plant and a Hungryroot box are in the background.

Zesty Classic BLT on Seven Grain Sprouted Wheat Bread

11 min · 280 cal · 4 servings

I’ll be honest, I almost didn’t expect much from this one. A sandwich felt like the least exciting recipe in the box. I was wrong.

The bacon here is MyBacon from MyForest Foods, and it’s made from mycelium (basically the root structure of mushrooms). I’d never tried anything like it before, and the texture surprised me. It’s smoky, it’s chewy in the right way, and it crisps up beautifully in a skillet.

A container of Lentiful Instant Lentils Homestyle Chili next to a bag of Taylor Farms Cauliflower Florets on a wooden surface.

A white plate with cooked lentils in sauce and steamed cauliflower, placed on a wooden surface. A metal spoon rests in the lentils.

Homestyle Lentil Chili with Cauliflower

8 min · 290 cal · 2 servings

This is the recipe I’d pull out on the most exhausted weeknight of the year.

The Lentiful instant lentils are essentially a packet of chili seasoning and lentils that you add hot water to and microwave for a couple of minutes. It sounds too simple to be good, but the result is hearty and warming/

I could see this becoming a go-to for the nights when cooking feels like too much!

A container of spinach artichoke dip, a package of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a package of traditional naan on a wooden surface.

A hand holds a slice of flatbread topped with melted cheese and pesto, cut into four pieces and served on a white plate.

Ooey-Gooey Spinach Artichoke Flatbread

10 min · 890 cal · 2 servings

This one was tasty, and also the most straightforward recipe of the week: naan, spinach artichoke spread, shredded mozzarella, oven at 425 for a few minutes. Done.

I don’t always love spinach artichoke dip, but this version was pretty good. My honest note: it felt like it needed a side. A simple salad, some extra vegetables, something to balance it out. On its own it was satisfying but a little rich.

What I Loved About This Box

The variety was really good. Two flatbreads, a grain bowl, a sandwich, and a chili. This box covered a lot of ground without feeling repetitive. Different flavors, different textures, different levels of effort.

The ingredient quality held up. Fabalish tzatziki, MyForest MyBacon, Lentiful lentils. These are products I’d seek out on their own.

The calorie range works for different needs. This box went from 280 calories (the BLT) to 890 (the spinach artichoke flatbread), which means there’s flexibility depending on what your day looked like.

The timing is still accurate. Every recipe came in at or under the stated cook time. That continues to be one of Hungryroot’s most underrated strengths.

What Could Be Better

The spinach artichoke flatbread needs a companion. At 890 calories and very rich, it works better as part of a bigger spread than as a standalone dinner for two. A simple side salad would go a long way.

Some recipes skew very simple. The lentil chili is essentially add-hot-water-and-stir, which is great when you’re exhausted but might feel underwhelming if you’re looking for something that feels like actual cooking.