Mosaic Foods Review 2023: Can Frozen Food Ever Be Healthy?

Overview

I value healthy, whole ingredients, so I’m usually hesitant about pre-made frozen meals. But when I heard about Mosaic Foods, a company that claims to make healthy and delicious plant-based dishes, I was intrigued. Maybe Mosaic Foods' meals can live up to the hype. 

In this review, I'll share everything I've learned about Mosaic Foods, including how it works, the quality of the ingredients, and nutritional information. Whether you're a busy professional looking for a healthy meal option or just someone who's curious about the frozen food craze, read on to find out if Mosaic Foods is worth a try.

Overall, I’m a fan of this service. In addition to offering an exciting take on frozen meals, it’s committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It sources its ingredients locally and donates profits to environmental causes. Read on for my in-depth opinions.

What’s on the Mosaic Foods Menu

Meal Options

All of Mosaic Foods' meals are either vegetarian or vegan, which means there aren’t any meat options on the menu. Some of the recipes include dairy products, but vegan meals are clearly marked with a green V.

Mosaic Foods offers a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most meals can be prepared in around 5 minutes, making them a great option for busy individuals or those who want to save time in the kitchen. 

On the current menu, you can expect to find a range of meal types:

• Veggie Bowls

• Mosaic + Meals

• Family Meals

• Veggie Crust Pizzas

• Soups

• Oat Bowls

• Smoothies

The Mosaic + collection is a collaboration with top New York City chefs. This exclusive collection takes your meal delivery experience to a new level with a fine dining experience in the comfort of your own home. It features unique flavor combinations and high-end ingredients that you might not find in the regular Mosaic Foods menu. 

Mosaic’s soups and smoothies make a great lighter lunch or snack option. I also like the look of the Oat Bowls. These make a quick and nutritious breakfast option and there’s even a savory option, Veggie Sausage & Gouda Oats, which is an interesting take on regular breakfast recipes.

In terms of cuisine, I love the diversity of the menu. Mosaic Foods offers a range of options to choose from, including American, Asian, Italian, North African, and more. There’s also diversity in terms of ingredients – jackfruit, tofu, tempeh, lentils, and beans feature more heavily than processed protein sources.

All meals are nutritionally balanced and provide all the nutrients your body needs. I like that nutritional information is easy to see at a glance when you click on a meal. The following image shows the nutritional information for the Spicy Dan Dan Noodles Veggie Bowl.

The family meals make a great alternative to takeout or fast food when you want a hot, wholesome meal. Most take around an hour in the oven. But they are a convenient, no-prep option that can be served alongside a salad and a side for bigger appetites. Expect to find kid-friendly pasta bakes, lasagne, and pot pies.

Mosaic Foods has recently added pizzas to its menu, which are a great option for those who are looking for a quick and easy meal. What makes these pizzas unique is they feature a cauliflower crust, which is a great alternative for those who follow a wheat-free diet. However, it's important to note that these pizzas are not vegan as they all contain dairy. 

While there are over 70 options, the fixed menu may start to feel repetitive. I contacted customer services to check this out and was told that new dishes are being developed and added to the menu each season, which is good to know.

Mosaic Foods has a useful blog with information on different diets. This means that if plant-based or vegan is new to you – and yes, there’s a difference! – you can learn all about them. You can find out about the benefits of a plant-forward diet, how to get started, and even get some easy-to-make recipes. 

Meals are made with natural whole foods and no artificial ingredients. These are officially on Mosaic Food’s “naughty list” and not invited to the recipe party. I was surprised to learn, though, that most ingredients aren’t organic. You need to read individual recipes to see if any ingredients are certified organic.

Customization

You won't be able to customize individual recipes as each meal is pre-made. However, you can filter the menu by vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, wheat-free, and high protein to choose meals that suit your specific dietary needs without having to search through the entire menu. 

If you have severe food allergies, you should exercise caution. Mosaic Foods prepares its meals in a kitchen that also handles peanuts, soy, fish, meat, and wheat. I recommend Green Chef as an alternative as it has a specific gluten-free plan and caters to many other common allergies.

Low-carb options are in short supply, with most dishes averaging around 60 grams per serving. The lowest carb offerings are the Oat Bowls and the Spinach Saag & Tofu Veggie Bowl, which contains 37 grams per serving. If you follow a low-carb diet, HelloFresh has a dedicated Fit and Healthy Plan with meals containing less than 40 grams of carbs. 

Unboxing

Mosaic Foods is committed to reducing its environmental impact, and one way it achieves this is through its sustainable packaging. All of its packaging is made with either curbside recyclable materials or post-consumer recycled fiber, ensuring that it can be reused or repurposed rather than ending up in a landfill. 

Don’t worry about being at home when your delivery arrives. Just pop your meals straight in the freezer when you do. They last in there for at least 3 months just keep an eye on the dates on the packaging. 

Your delivery box stays nice and chilled thanks to the dry ice. Dry ice is used instead of wasteful gel packs as a more eco-friendly option. It evaporates, leaving no waste behind. This means you can enjoy your meals while feeling good about reducing your carbon footprint.

Meals are guaranteed to stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months, and the service says most dishes will be good for much longer. You can move your dishes to the fridge, but without preservatives, they’ll only last up to 3 days.

Mosaic Foods runs several recycling initiatives. You can find detailed information online on how to recycle each component of its packaging, including the cardboard boxes, insulation liners, and dry ice packs.

Cooking with Mosaic Foods

Cooking times for Mosaic Foods meals vary depending on the dish. Most meals can be heated up in the microwave in just a few minutes, or cooked on the stovetop for a slightly longer time. Family meals, on the other hand, take about an hour to cook in the oven. Cooking instructions are included with each meal, making preparation a breeze. 

You'll need a blender to enjoy the delicious fruit smoothies. Simply add the milk or alternative of your choice to the packet and blend. It's a quick and easy way to enjoy a healthy and tasty drink any time of the day.

If you choose to refrigerate your meals instead of keeping them frozen, you need to reduce the cooking time by half. This is because the meals are already defrosted slightly, so they won't need as long to heat up in the microwave or on the stovetop. 

As the family meals take around an hour in the oven, they aren’t a quick meal option. Veggie Bowls take less than 5 minutes, so are a much faster choice. The Pizzas take around 15 to 20 minutes in the oven, plus a minute to cool if you can resist it!

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Let’s take a look at some of the most tempting dishes that caught my eye. I looked through the whole menu to decide which recipes are my top ones to try.

First up is the Tangy Thai Stir Fry, which is Mosaic Food’s take on the classic Pad Thai. This dish features rice noodles, so is perfect if you want a wheat-free takeout alternative. The crisp bean sprouts, crunchy peanuts, and baked tofu look delicious.

From the Mosaic + menu, I like the sound of the Black-Eyed Pea & Sweet Potato Ndambe. This is a traditional Senegalese stew featuring a West African super-grain called jollof fonio. It’s definitely a dish for a special treat.

I had to pick a favorite from the pizza menu – Roasted Grape & Butternut Squash Pizza. The quirky toppings are what drew me to this recipe. It’s certainly not something I would think to combine. If you’ve got an adventurous palate, it could be your new favorite too.

Prices

Prices start at $5.99 per serving for the family meals and Oat Bowls. Other meal types are more expensive. For example, Veggie Bowls are $10.99 per serving. For the best value on whatever you order, you can use our coupon code and save: Get 15$ off with code: THEGLOW15.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Mosaic + meals are only $11.99. Considering these are chef-created, gourmet selections, I was impressed that they weren’t significantly more expensive than the standard recipes. 

I was also impressed that Mosaic Foods has a 100% guarantee. So if you aren't happy with your meals for any reason, you can request a refund with no questions asked.

Shipping & Delivery

Mosaic Foods delivers to most major metro areas in the Eastern and Western US. If you aren’t sure, it’s easy to confirm by entering your zip code before you place an order.   

Shipping is free if you order 12 or 18 items, but it’s $9.99 for 6 items. The more meals you order, the more savings you make. You just need to clear some space in your freezer for storage. 

With your first order, you select the frequency of your future deliveries. You can decide between weekly, every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks, or every 4 weeks. But don't worry, you can easily edit this and change the delivery date in your Customer Portal. 

When orders are processed and dispatched, this is updated in your account. You’ll also be given a tracking number so you can keep an eye on when to expect your box. 

How Mosaic Foods Works

Mosaic Foods is a flexible, subscription-based delivery service. You can easily skip a delivery or cancel your subscription anytime without penalties. 

Plus, you can try its meals without committing to a subscription. Simply reach out via email and order a one-time pack of meals. Keep in mind that one-time orders are not yet available on the website. 

How to Sign Up

1. Enter your zip code and email to check if you’re eligible for delivery.

2. Choose the plan size for your first box – 6, 12, or 18 items.

3. Choose your meals. Filter by dietary requirements or opt for the customer favorites selection.

4. Select your delivery date and how often you want to receive a fresh box.

5. Create an account by entering your email, password, and address details.

6. Enter your payment details and billing information to complete your checkout.

Managing Your Subscription

Access the Customer Portal by entering your email and password on the website. This is where you can view upcoming orders, make changes, edit your payment details, and skip or cancel your subscription. 

To change your meals, use the Swap Meals button. Then choose the meals you want to include instead. 

To cancel your subscription, email Mosaic Foods at support@mosaicfoods.com. This must be before the cutoff limit for your next delivery, just check online before so you don’t get charged for an additional delivery. You can also click Cancel on your subscription page and follow the prompts. 

Managing your Mosaic Foods subscription is straightforward and done entirely online. If you have any questions or need assistance, its customer service team is available to help.

Customer Service

You can contact customer service in 3 different ways:

• By submitting a help request

• By email at support@mosaicfoods.com

• By phone on (317) 597-6409

Emails are answered between 9am and 6pm EST, and phone lines operate between 10am to 4pm EST. Emails are typically replied to within 1 working day. 

You can also send a help request on the website. I thought this was a chat function at first, but when I typed my message I was told I’d get an email. The response came in less than a day and was friendly and helpful, but it would be better to have a real chat option.

If you have any general questions, be sure to read the FAQs as there is a lot of information in there. 

How Mosaic Foods Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

Mosaic Foods vs HelloFresh: HelloFresh provides fresh ingredients and recipes to prepare meals at home, whereas Mosaic Foods delivers meals that can be heated up in minutes. If you're looking for convenience and time-saving, Mosaic Foods might be best, but if you enjoy the process of cooking and experimenting with new recipes, HelloFresh could be a better fit.

Mosaic Foods vs Blue Apron: If you want more affordable options and greater flexibility with meat-based meals, Blue Apron is a better choice for you. While both services offer high-quality, pre-portioned ingredients, Blue Apron has a larger selection of menu options and is generally more budget-friendly than Mosaic Foods.

The Bottom Line: Is Mosaic Foods Worth It?

I think Mosaic Foods is worth it for its plant-based, chef-prepared meals designed to make healthy eating easy and accessible. One of the standout features of Mosaic Foods is its commitment to minimizing its environmental impact with recyclable packaging and dry ice instead of gel packs.

I like that I can filter the menu by dietary preferences such as vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, and high protein. This made choosing my meals much less overwhelming, and I love the variety on the menu itself. 

One potential downside of Mosaic Foods is that meals may not be as affordable as some other meal delivery services, particularly for those who are not strictly plant-based. However, for those who are committed to a plant-based diet and appreciate the convenience and sustainability of low-prep meal delivery, Mosaic Foods is a great option. 

FAQ

Is Mosaic Foods organic?

Mosaic Foods uses organic produce whenever possible. It does not claim to be entirely organic, but it emphasizes the use of whole, natural ingredients in its meals. If you are specifically looking for organic meals, it's worth checking the ingredients list for each meal.

How does Mosaic Foods work?

Mosaic Foods' service is designed to be convenient and flexible, allowing you to order the meals you want on your own schedule. This means you can enjoy delicious, healthy meals without having to spend time shopping and cooking yourself. Simply choose your foods, place your order and frequency, and wait for your delivery.  

How long do Mosaic Foods' meals stay fresh?

Mosaic Foods' meals are designed to be kept in the freezer and can be stored for up to 3 months. Once thawed, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezer storage is recommended and cooking times must be halved if defrosted in the fridge.