This ‘Takeaway’ Quality Meal Kit Made Me Excited For Weeknight Meals Again

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Is it just me, or are weeknight meals the bane of our existence? Call me lazy, but the last thing I want to do after a long day of work is to think, really critically, about what I want to feed myself.

Thus, I end up eating the same four meals on repeat. They’re so dull, I don’t even want to tell you what they are. The point is, I’m sick of them.

Although I make a point to eat healthily, as an occasional pescatarian (but mostly veggie) finding a way to eat as much protein as I’m supposed to and meet my five a day often feels unreachable. Okay, it always feels unreachable.

So when I heard about Grubby, a plant-based meal kit that prioritises fibre and protein, I was hooked to say the least.

I’ll do pretty much anything at this point to not have to think about dinner (okay, late-stage capitalism vibes) so the thought of having the ingredients for a selection of high-quality, and most importantly healthy, meals waiting for me at home was almost like Christmas Day.

I have to admit, I have been pretty sceptical about meal kits as a whole. Because I consider myself a good cook, I fall into the fatal error of thinking I can make that better. But when it came to Grubby, I am humbled (and pleasantly surprised) to admit that I couldn’t.

First up, I’m quite sickened by the amount of rubbish I produce as an individual (I am a Shopping Writer, so I get a lot of packages). So it was an immediate plus that the meal kit and ready meal selection I chose showed up in completely recyclable and compostable packaging.

Having tested a few meal kits before, I don’t like that some of the ingredients come in tiny 5ml or 2g sachets – but there was none of that with Grubby.

It’s not just environmental good Grubby prides itself on – for each meal kit purchased, it donates a meal to a child living in poverty through 1morechild.org.

As well as making you feel like you’re giving back, Grubby claims that each recipe uses an average of six varieties of fresh veg. I have to say, I was immediately impressed by the variety of recipes available.

I received a creamy cashew carbonara, beetroot hummus bowl, and red shakshuka, as well as a selection of five freezer-safe ready meals.

I’m a busy gal, so I was excited by the prospect of chucking a ready meal in the microwave on my lunch break (words I never thought I’d say). The first one I tried was a tofu buddha bowl, which despite sitting in my freezer overnight felt extremely fresh and filling.

Of course, I then had to give one of the meal kits a whirl. Considering I used to dream about carbonara when I first became a vegetarian, I was thrilled at the prospect of a meal kit that nailed a vegan take on the (so far) unbeaten meaty alternative.

Because I was feeling brave, I decided to cook the mushroom cashew version for myself and a meat-loving friend, who was naturally sceptical at first. “How can it be a carbonara, doesn’t that have eggs in it?” I believe were her exact words.

But as soon as the creamy cashew sauce was simmering on the stove (in my new Hexclad pan, I might add) even she had to admit it smelled good.

By the time we tucked in (less than 30 minutes later), she was eating her words and a delicious, salty, mushroom pasta.

I’ve tried other meal kits, but the final result is never quite as good as I imagine it’s going to be.

It’s safe to say that Grubby is the best one I’ve tried yet – and it’s plant-based. Not only does the fact I’m not using hundreds of tiny plastic sachets leave me feeling smug, but the meals themselves are truly restaurant (or rather, takeaway) quality that I can see myself coming back to time and time again.

Plus, now I have a whole load of recipe inspiration, thanks to the free Grubby recipe book you’ll get with your first order. Obsessed.