Soupergirl vs Splendid Spoon 2023: Which is Right for You?

Are you frustrated by the lack of good vegan meal delivery services on the market? I feel you! Whenever I get my hopes up with a new brand, I’m disappointed by its menu – who can be satisfied with just four vegan options per week?

But brands like Soupergirl and Splendid Spoon bring hope to vegans and those on a plant-based diet. Of course, I did my due diligence and researched both companies fully to make sure their claims are true.

Overall, I think Splendid Spoon is the winner because it has a more diverse offer. Still, I don’t expect it’ll fit everyone’s needs, so if you want to learn more, make sure to read on for my Soupergirl vs Splendid Spoon comparison.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Menu Variety

Winner: Splendid Spoon

Splendid Spoon wins this round on the basis of the number of meals available – 50+ weekly options on the menu vs. 16+ monthly options for Soupergirl (including the extras). Plus, Splendid Spoon also has a diverse selection of smoothies, which Soupergirl doesn’t. 

In terms of dietary variety, both services offer vegan, ready-to-eat dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Soupergirl doesn’t have many diet-specific options, but the company is strictly supervised by the Star-K and makes sure all the food is kosher. 

Soupergirl only uses ingredients freshly sourced from local farms with sustainable growing practices. This means that the menu changes according to the season, and meals like the Spring Vegetable soup won’t be available all year round. The menu is on a monthly rotation, so if you miss your favorite soup or bowl, you may find them again in a few months.

The Splendid Spoon menu changes every week and only contains vegan and gluten-free meals, made with GMO-free ingredients. The offer includes smoothies, soup, and grain bowls (such as the Black Bean & Plantain Grain Bowl), noodles, light soups, and extras (cold-pressed juices and immune-boosting shots).

Even though the menu rotates every week, the offer is similar in terms of the type of foods from which you can choose. The things that change are the available flavors for smoothies and the combination of veggies and grains or noodles.

Both services provide healthy and delicious meals, but I tend to lean more towards Splendid Spoon because the offer is more diverse. Plus, the menu is designed in collaboration with chefs and nutritionists to create well-balanced meals that have the right mix of protein, fiber-rich complex carbs, and healthy fats.

Meal Customization

Winner: Splendid Spoon

When it comes to specific dietary needs and allergens, Splendid Spoon’s comprehensive filtering system makes it easy to browse the menu. However, it’s still a good idea to check the list of ingredients for each recipe if you have any serious allergies.

Soupergirl doesn’t have any filters, but the menu isn’t as big so it’s easier to browse. Plus, since the food is 100% vegan, you won’t find many of the common allergens (such as dairy, eggs, fish, and shellfish) in its meals. Still, if you have an allergy or a sensitivity, you’ll have to check the ingredients in each recipe. 

Also, neither of these companies allows you to swap or remove ingredients from existing recipes. You do, however, have the freedom to choose your own meals and you aren’t restricted by a specific meal plan. 

Ordering, Delivery, Unboxing

Winner: It’s a tie

The ordering experience is quite different between the two companies. For instance, with Soupergirl there aren’t any pre-defined meal plans or recurring subscriptions. You just add to your cart until you reach or surpass the required minimum order of eight items and move to checkout when you’re done. 

The soups are delivered frozen and you can refrigerate or freeze the ones you’re not going to consume right away. All the soups and foods are stored in sealed, plastic containers that are microwave-safe, so it’s easy to store them.

Soupergirl uses different types of packaging to keep the food fresh during transit. For shorter distances, you’ll get an insulated reusable bag, and for the rest, the food will be packed in a recyclable box with compostable insulation.

Soupergirl uses courier services for the DC area and UPS for other locations. The company only delivers to 24 states east of the Mississippi river but you can also find the Soupergirl brand across the country in stores such as Whole Foods Market. 

Splendid Spoon is a bit different when it comes to ordering. The company has four meal plans plus two options for breakfasts and On-Demand Boxes. The meal plans allow you to choose whether you want just the lunches, breakfasts and lunches (with or without the 1-day Reset program), or the full course with the Reset program. 

Each of these plans is built to last you five days and features a combination of smoothies (breakfast), veggie bowls (lunch), and noodles (dinner), plus extras (optional). Every meal is individually packed in microwave-safe containers (if it needs heating) and the smoothies come in plastic bottles that you can easily carry around. 

All the containers and packaging are 100% recyclable and Splendid Spoon uses Climacell insulation to keep everything fresh. The soups and bowls are frozen for delivery, while the smoothies, wellness shots, and cold-pressed juices are chilled. 

The meals can be refrigerated (for one to two weeks) or frozen (for one to three months). And you’ll see an “Enjoy by” date on the containers. I like that you have the option to skip an order any time you want and that you can choose the On-Demand Box if you’re not ready to commit to weekly deliveries. 

For now, Splendid Spoon only delivers on Wednesdays and Fridays, and it ships to all lower 48 states. Once an order is placed, you’ll receive a tracking number and information regarding the delivery. Splendid Spoon works with FedEx, Ontrac, CDL, and AxleHire. 

Meal Prep

Winner: It’s a tie

Both services deliver ready-to-eat food that doesn’t need much prepping. However, since the meals arrive frozen, you’ll have to include the time it takes for soups, noodles, and grain bowls to thaw before you can enjoy them.

Splendid Spoon doesn’t freeze the smoothies, wellness shots, and cold-pressed juices, so you can enjoy those right away. Also, both brands deliver the soups and grain bowls in individual containers that you can enjoy at home, at work, or while traveling.

Customer Support

Winner: Splendid Spoon

Both services offer a comprehensive FAQ section where you can easily find the answers to common questions. However, if you need to contact the customer service team, Splendid Spoon is faster in replying.

Besides the FAQ section, Soupergirl offers two extra contact channels – live chat (available 24/7) and email. The company also has a Facebook page where you can send messages, but it may take up to a day to receive a reply.

Splendid Spoon offers three channels (phone, email, and Facebook messages). The team tries to reply by email within two hours, and to avoid wasting your time trying to get a hold of a representative on the phone, the system will schedule a time when someone will call you back. 

Splendid Spoon is available Monday to Friday, 9 am - 9 pm EST, and during weekends, 9 am - 6 pm EST.

Pricing

Winner: It’s a tie

Soupergirl doesn’t have a meal plan or a subscription, but you do have to order at least eight items. Most foods are packed in containers big enough for two or three servings, so you can easily order for two people or for multiple meals. It’s a bit more difficult if you want single-serving meals.

The lowest price for a two-serving container of soup (16 oz) is $7.49 and the bowls start at $9.49. The treats vary in price, but most of them stay under the $9 price tag. Therefore, if you were to place a minimum order of eight soups, you’d pay $59.92 plus shipping.

The shipping fee depends on your zip code. Deliveries in and around the Washington, DC area will cost $5 and for every other location east of the Mississippi, the delivery will cost $12. 

Splendid Spoon’s price per serving can go as low as $6.50 and the brand has excellent discounts, so there’s a good chance you’ll pay even less. Still, if you only order the Lunch plan, you’ll pay $14 per meal, which is quite steep considering there’s no meat or fish involved. 

You can also order an On-Demand Box, where you get to choose which bundle works best for you. At the time of writing, the cheapest bundle was $65 and contained 10 cold-pressed juices (you can choose the flavors).

In all honesty, I think Splendid Spoon is a bit pricey, but I do like that delivery is free for all orders (meal plans and On-Demand Boxes). Also, it’s one of the most varied gluten-free vegan menus on the market, so it’s at least worth a try. On the other hand, Soupergirl may be cheaper, but the offer is limited and the brand doesn’t deliver all over the country. 

Features Comparison: Soupergirl vs. Splendid Spoon

And The Winner Is: Splendid Spoon

Both brands focus on creating healthy, ready-made meals for people who follow a plant-based diet, but Splendid Spoon offers more menu variety and a better delivery system. Plus, the Splendid Spoon menu isn’t just about soups and grain bowls – it also includes smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and noodles. 

Soupergirl is also a great brand, but it needs to work a bit more on the menu and delivery flexibility. However, if you have access to a Whole Foods Market that carries the brand, I recommend giving it a try.  

FAQ

Do Splendid Spoon’s meals contain a lot of sodium?

Splendid Spoon’s bowls and drinkable soups usually have around 300mg of sodium per serving. This is to make sure the flavor is rich and satisfying. However, if you’re sensitive to sodium, there are several low-sodium options.

Can you choose your meals for Splendid Spoon?

Yes. As soon as you place an order, you’ll be directed to the meal selection page where you can choose the flavor and meal types. The same is true for the On-Demand Box category, where you can place a one-time order. 

Is Soupergirl vegan?

Yes. All Soupergirl meals are 100% vegan and kosher, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Plus, the menu changes once a month, and all the foods are made with ingredients that are in season, which guarantees the best taste and maximum nutritional value.