One of the best ways to make your meals easier and less stressful on busy weekdays is to get better at meal prep. We teamed up with Top Chef contestant and James Beard award-winning chef, Kwame Onwuachi, to learn some…
One of the best ways to make your meals easier and less stressful on busy weekdays is to get better at meal prep. We teamed up with Top Chef contestant and James Beard award-winning chef, Kwame Onwuachi, to learn some…
Reducing food waste starts in your kitchen and we’re here to help you do your part! We teamed up with James Beard award-winning chef and author of Notes From a Young Black Chef Kwame Onwuachi to share practical tips for…
Have you ever wondered how you can make cooking faster and easier? We teamed up with James Beard award-winning chef (and lover of wonky carrots!) Kwame Onwuachi in our quest to help you make the most of your groceries, fight…
The pursuit of perfection can make the holidays stressful, so we’re here to help check one thing off your list with our zero-waste gift guide. Making small changes during the holidays, like giving low-waste gifts, using less wrapping paper, and…
You can check “making a list” off your list. Our Thanksgiving Shopping List can help you find what you need when you’re looking for your holiday essentials. Whether you’re going all out this year or staying in with a store-bought…
With our mission to grow the movement to eliminate food waste and build a business that can change our food system, today it is our great honor to share that Imperfect Foods is officially a Certified B Corporation™!
This story was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. As usual, we’re baffled to see the epic bounties of perfectly delicious produce that grocery stores deem undesirable. But thankfully at Imperfect, our produce buyers can see past imperfections to spot sunburned…
https://thewholecarrot.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Imperfect-Almanac-Header_1.mp4 Learn Eat & Drink Celebrate Ahhh, fall The sound of wood crackling in the fireplace, the sight of sweaters unpacked for the season, and the scent of pumpkin spice literally everywhere. The next three months are about to be…
This story was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Fall weather can be unpredictable. But thankfully, our food forecasters at Imperfect have been carefully observing incoming “whether” patterns to see whether our new seasonally-inspired groceries will be delicious or whether they…
In our quest to become the most sustainable grocer, we’re always looking for ways to extend the life of our packaging materials. That’s why we take back your insulated liners and refrigerated gel packs. But besides recycling them, have you…
A lot of folks think of Imperfect as the spot to gather offbeat groceries like quirky-looking cherries and absolutely enormous potatoes. We are, but we’ve been busy over the last couple of years. We’ve added everything from sustainably sourced soap…
We’ve got a big wave of new arrivals coming soon to shore at Imperfect this summer. So drop anchor, swim-up in your pool floaties, and join us as we open the treasure chest of items we’re stoked about. Totally tube-ular …
Since our founding in 2015, one of the most common questions we’ve gotten from our customers has been “Why can’t I buy bananas from Imperfect?” While most modern Americans can spell bananas thanks to the hard work of Gwen Stefani,…
It’s not just the wonkiest, weirdly formed, most “this came out of the earth?” produce items that get to be called “imperfect.” There are a lot of reasons delicious fruits and vegetables get rejected by grocery stores or end up…
Protecting our environment and building a kinder, less wasteful food system is no joke. But we can still have fun and share some laughs while doing it, right? We think so and that’s why we teamed up with our friends…
You make an impact with every order you get from us, but there are so many nonsensical reasons why food gets deemed undesirable that even we have a hard time keeping track sometimes. Since we get so many great questions…
At last, the sun is sticking around a little longer, and tasty things like spring onions and asparagus are peeking their little heads out of the ground to say, “What’s up? It’s been a minute!” So hang in there while…
We share why we’re so passionate about composting as a way to reduce food waste at every one of our Imperfect facilities.
We’re sharing our New Year’s Resolutions so you can see what we’re planning for 2021 and beyond and get as excited as we are!
Did you know that Americans generate 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of the year? The good news is that there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season and show your loved ones…
This winter, we’ll have plenty of festive fare you can share with friends and family, as well as seasonal snacks you can save for yourself. Let’s take a peek under the tree and see what’s coming in our long-anticipated winter…
‘Tis the season for frosting cookies in the kitchen, pulling out old recipes handwritten by your grandma’s grandma, and enjoying a warm mug of something cozy by the fire. We’re here to help sweeten the season with gift-ready treats, limited-edition…
Zero Waste Tips Our Grocery Storage Guide tells you how to store all of your favorite foods. The Save the Food Guestimator can help you plan how much to cook for a group. Food storage products that help reduce waste. …
Learn how our new My Food Preferences feature makes grocery shopping with Imperfect easier, faster, more fun, and less wasteful!
Whip out your oven mitts, because we’ve got all things fall coming in hot in our fall grocery preview! We’re talking autumnal treats like Pumpkin Spice Coffee and cozy weather goodness like Butternut Squash Soup. So gather around the fire…
Hear a word from from our CEO as we celebrate our fifth birthday!
To address issues of racial injustice, we all need to take collective action to build the type of systems we want to see. Words mean nothing unless we change our behavior. We commit to progress, action, and accountability. We commit…
Storing your groceries properly is one of the best ways to make them last and stop food waste before it starts. If you store things intentionally and do some meal planning around the shelf-life of your favorite ingredients, you’ll find…
See the wide variety of grocery items in our spring grocery preview we’ll have available in our Imperfect boxes across the country!
Learn what items you should always have in your fridge and pantry to make cooking easy no matter what else is going on in your life.
Learn how we’re working with olive growers in California to source delicious and nutritious olive oil that otherwise would have been undervalued.
Learn 4 fun and creative ways to reuse your Imperfect box so it doesn’t go to waste!
We created a fund to invest in innovators who are working to build a better food system. Want to meet our first round of winners?
We’re proudly partnering with local chefs across NYC to host the first-ever Imperfect’s Food Waste Week to raise awareness and help combat the 650,000 tons of food waste NYC businesses send to landfill every year.
We share the inspiring story of what happens to your Imperfect box after you leave it out for us to pick up.
We share the positive impact that our community has had on our food system so far.
Learn what delicious surprises are coming to your Imperfect box this September!
Supporting farmers means more than buying their produce. It means building empathy. We can do this by understanding what it takes to farm economically and sustainably in an industry that’s both unpredictable and demands perfection. To deepen our understanding and…
Did someone say $0.01 pasta? Learn all about our exciting new partnership with Barilla!
A heartfelt thank you from Ben Simon, Co-founder of Imperfect.
Learn what August has in store for Imperfect boxes!
Learn about all of the delicious things coming to Imperfect boxes this June!
Learn all about the berries, peaches, lettuces & more that May has in store for your Imperfect box.
Learn more about our exciting Twin Cities launch!
Learn why March means transition, tasty citrus, and adorable asparagus & artichokes in your Imperfect box!
Learn all about the special sour beer that our friends at Rare Barrel brewed with our ugly nectarines.
CEO Ben Simon digs into Imperfect impact and would otherwise happen to imperfect produce.
Learn why February is a surprisingly exciting month in the world of produce!
Our co-founders share some highlights from this past year and a look at what we’ve got planned for 2019.
Learn about our commitment to providing good jobs for all of our employees.
Imperfect partners with Renewal Mill in the Bay Area to bring okara flour to your box! Find out more.
A delicious preview of all of the fruits and vegetables that will be in our produce boxes in December.
Learn all about our partnership with Bob’s Red Mill and see what delicious goodies you could be baking up with the goodies in your next box.
Kevin Durant joins the Imperfect team to help us grow roots on the East coast!
Learn what delicious surprises your November Imperfect box has in store for you!
We’ve got sweet, smoky news for you, San Francisco! We’ve partnered with chef Nick Balla (of Bar Tartine, Duna, and Smokebread) to offer you a one-of-a-kind bread in your next box! You can now get chef Balla’s signature smoked potato…
Learn how the Imperfect community donated 600 meals to four awesome Chicago food banks in honor of our third birthday!
In honor of our 3rd birthday, we’re sharing how you can help us make an even bigger impact with us this August by being a part of #giveimperfect!
How Imperfect celebrates Pride, this month and always.
We’re teaming up with Redhook Brewery in Seattle to turn ugly citrus into a delicious summer beer!
Imperfect customers can start adding chocolate and coffee to their weekly boxes. How sweet is that?
We spent an afternoon at the Oregon Food Bank and learned a lot about hunger, pears, and the joy of volunteering!
We teamed up with a talented Bay Area chef to create a wholesome dinner, support racial equity, and provide food-for-thought for our community.
Our guide to all of the innovative Bay Area breweries making beer with our produce!
Learn which restaurants are using our produce so that you can help reduce food waste even when you go out to eat!
When in doubt about how to help our planet this April, look for ways to learn more and waste less!
We're not crying-- we've just been cutting onions while reviewing our favorite moments from this past year.
We're proud to support community food banks all over the country. Now, thanks to your generosity, we're able to support them on an entirely new level!
Fresh herbs are essential to cooking delicious meals with seasonal produce. Here's the down low on four of our favorite herbs to cook with!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so we're sharing some of our principles for a joyful, generous, and waste-free celebration!
When wildfires hit close to home, Imperfect pitched in to help nourish the recovery effort.
We visited Jacobs Del Cabo farm in Pescadero, California, to learn more about our organic pumpkins and herbs!
We asked our employees to share their favorite songs right now and the playlist that resulted is as remarkably eclectic as the produce in an Imperfect box.
Learn what books about food we are devouring right now!
Falling out of love with common vegetables doesn't have to be inevitable and we're here to show you how to rekindle your passion for some Imperfect staples.
Where we take you behind the glamorous kale exterior and show you what it's really like to work at an ugly produce company.
We take a closer look about what the heavy winter rains have meant for produce in California.
Valentine's Day is around the corner so we're sharing our top tips to make a romantic dinner with less stress and more fun!
This week we answer your burning questions about how and why we source ugly produce from out of the country.
Waste less time on your holiday shopping with our nifty gift guide, sure to please every type of person in your life from the budding chef to the eco-friendly outdoors lover.
Waste less time on your holiday shopping with our nifty gift guide, sure to please every type of person in your life from the budding chef to the eco-friendly outdoors lover.
Dear Imperfect Family, Today is an exciting day — today, Imperfect turns 1! Last summer, my co-founders and I were putting together the pieces for our first delivery. We were racing around town getting licenses for our warehouse, setting up grower…
While visiting a friend living in Hip House, a UC Berkeley housing cooperative, Ben Simon met Anna Thompson, a Master’s student in Landscape Architecture.
Would you like to know more about why Imperfect fights to end food waste? Because it's the right thing to do.
In cooking as in life, knowledge is power. We want you to feel as empowered as possible in the kitchen, so we invited chef Joel Gamoran to be a guest instructor on Imperfect U. Chef Joel has been dishing game-changing…
They don’t teach cooking tips in school, but they really should! That’s why we teamed up with scrappy chef and food waste warrior Joel Gamoran to be a guest teacher at Imperfect U, a fun and educational series that will…
How can you get the most out of your groceries? Our next Imperfect U lesson comes from Chef Joel Gamoran. He shares tips and tricks that will help make your cooking faster, less stressful, and more fun. Joel has ideas…
Don’t be fooled by the lentil’s unassuming form. There’s more to these sneaky little morsels than meets the eye, and they’re precisely what should meet your mouth. Speaking of meat, lentils are an unmatched climate-friendly plant protein. Swapping out meat…
Choosing the right oil when you’re cooking can be a struggle, full of jargon like “smoke point” and confusing terms (what’s the difference between “virgin” and “extra virgin” anyway?). We’re here to demystify four of our favorite cooking oils. Extra…
If you ask the team at Imperfect, now is the time to really get excited about summer fruits and veggies. And while it was hard for us to pick our favorites from such a bounty of delicious options, here are…
See what goes into calculating our environmental impact stats and learn what your impact is each week as an Imperfect customer.
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We started Imperfect Foods to save ugly produce from going to waste. It felt wrong, and even a little bit silly, that fruits and veggies were getting tossed aside because they looked a little different. It also felt wrong because…
What better way to celebrate B Corp month than with cake? We made our delicious Chocolate Carrot Cake in the shape of a “B”, which you can make too with the template provided. Because who knows, you might know someone…
When we look at food waste in our homes, the two main causes of waste are buying and cooking more food than we can finish, and uncertainty over what foods are still good to eat. While the first one is…
We’ve all been there: you order all the veggies but can’t figure out how to rescue them from crisper purgatory. One way to save them: savory pancakes! In honor of the Mardi Gras tradition of making pancakes before Lent, we want…
Learn when avocados are in season so you can know where your current batch is likely coming from!
Let’s not limit eggs to just breakfast! This easy sheet pan eggs and hash recipe is simple to put together, requires minimal cleanup and therefore, a weekday’s best friend. Feel free to swap peppers or potatoes with whatever veggie you…
When you’re hungry and in a pinch, fried rice is always a good idea. This recipe makes an already easy dish even easier because everything is cooked in a single sheet pan. Fried rice is perfectly versatile and you can…
Learn how buying ugly produce helps make family farming more sustainable.
Learn about how we’ve partnered with Homegrown Organic Farms to find a sustainable home for small blueberries.
Beet greens can be a little coarse on their own, but you can harness their mildly sweet and earthy flavor. Cook them in a little garlic and olive oil and they become silky and flavored with all the delicious things…
With a little imagination and creativity, we can all prevent waste in our kitchens. One way to do so is to use more of your groceries in your cooking and baking. This Lemon Sugar Loaf Cake uses nearly two whole…
Leftover parmesan rinds still have a lot to offer to your cooking. Next time you’re grating a little parmesan into your pasta, why not throw the rest of the rind in there too? Not only will it prevent waste, it’ll…
Learn how buying ugly produce helps make family farming more sustainable.
Our friends at The Spare Food Co. know that reducing food waste can also be fun. And what better way to make an impact than with a few celebratory New Year’s Eve drinks? Spare incorporates upcycled whey into their probiotic…
These No Bake Candy Cane Chocolate Truffles are delightfully pepperminty, extra chocolatey, and super easy to make vegan. Actually, they’re super easy to make in general as they don’t even require an oven. Save this recipe for after the holidays…
A solid plan for leftovers is a great way to prevent food waste. This recipe is a particularly good way to plan ahead for a lot of leftover turkey because curry is one of those magical dishes that somehow tastes…
Bubble and Squeak is a classic British do-it-all dish made from cooked potatoes and cabbage, mixed together and fried until it “bubbles and squeaks.” When it comes to leftovers, it’s one of the great go-to dishes to keep them from…
It can be hard to predict just how much mashed potatoes to make. And if it’s the holidays, there’s a good chance your mash is also competing with roasted potatoes and candied yams. Luckily, there’s a delicious solution for times…
Did you know that Americans generate 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of the year? And leftovers are definitely part of the problem as they tend to pile up right about now. Seriously, you…
Seeeee. You were right to hold on to that cranberry sauce leftover from Thanksgiving. Thankfully, cranberry sauce goes great with cheese and cheese is one of the main food groups during the holidays (along with cookies, chocolate, and bread). Serve…
While they’re a little too hard to eat as is, leftover parmesan rinds still have a lot to offer to your cooking. Put them to good use in creamy soups, vegetarian broths, and cheesy pastas like this Lasagna. The rind…
Not all the best presents arrive via the chimney. This holiday, you can get sweet treats for neighbors, tasty tidbits for stockings, and last-minute odds and ends delivered to your doorstep. Sleighs-full of our gifts and seasonal items are currently…
Nothing perks up a humdrum party like a plentiful cheese plate or charcuterie board. But there’s more to it than just throwing a few crackers at a wood cutting board and slicing some cheese (though admittedly not much more). Make…
The chewy texture and light almond flavor are just right in these cookies. In Chinese culture, Almond Cookies are a classic treat enjoyed during the Chinese New Year, but also during the holidays. Wondering what to do with the rest…
Chocolate and matcha are a match made in dessert heaven. These Chocolate-Dipped Matcha Shortbread Cookies are tender with a perfect balance of sweetness and earthiness. Plus, they’re naturally green, so they’re already dressed up for the holidays! You can find…
These Persian Raisin Cookies officially settle one of the biggest cookie debates of all time: whether raisins in cookies is a good idea or a bad idea. The ruling? It’s a great idea! Shirini Keshmeshi are typically eaten during Persian…
Nankhatai are Indian shortbread cookies typically made with semolina, spices, and butter or ghee. They’re tender, slightly sweet, and easy enough for beginner bakers to make. We top ours with some chopped pistachios, but they can also be sprinkled with…
Hamantaschen are traditionally enjoyed during the Jewish holiday of Purim. How to make them just right is widely debated, so we decided to veer away from the classic prune and poppy seed filling to please chocolate-lovers and hamantaschen-lovers alike. Our…
Maamoul are Middle Eastern shortbread cookies usually filled with a delicious date paste or chopped nuts and then often dusted with powdered sugar. These delightfully buttery cookies are traditionally eaten at night after fasting all day during Ramadan, in the…
We were curious to see how our beloved Imperfect Foods Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries would fare in the classic Italian twice-baked treat. To our delight, they’re delicious! These Chocolate and Cherry Biscotti are the perfect crispy, crunchy accompaniment to coffee…
Ghriba are Moroccan cookies baked all year round. They can vary in flavor but their defining trait is a crackly outside and a chewy inside. Enjoy these chocolate-y coconut cookies with a big mug of hot tea and your favorite…
Rich, chewy, and snow-dusted with lots of powdered sugar to make them extra festive, these Kourabiedes are a recipe you’ll want to make over and over. Butter takes center stage in the flavor of these cookies, so we recommend reaching…
Our Alfajores Cookies consist of dulce de leche sandwiched between two buttery shortbreads. We added some fresh rosemary to the shortbread dough to add a little extra kick of flavor to these classic Spanish cookies. Our photographer John said these…
Lebkuchen are German Christmas cookies that are pillow-y soft and full of all those special holiday flavors – imagine gingerbread but amped up with a hint of spice and chewiness. Be sure not to skimp on the orange peel! The…
Tim Tams are one of Australia’s most popular exports so we recommend making a double batch of these cookies accordingly. Two crispy chocolate biscuits are filled with a spread of malted chocolate cream, sandwiched together, and then dipped in melted…
‘Tis the season of sweets! To celebrate, we’ve gathered a wanderlust-inspiring collection of cookies from around the world. Some of these recipes will be familiar and maybe even nostalgic, and others will transport you to places you’ve only dreamt of…
About Chef Analise Analise Roland is a regenerative farming activist, speaker, and self-taught chef whose passion for food is rooted in her belief that food grown with intention can heal our soil and communities. Over the last ten years, she…
Thanksgiving can be a big day for food waste – but it doesn’t have to be! To help you make the most of Thanksgiving leftovers and stave off potential potato fatigue, try getting creative with these Leftover Cheesy Mashed Potato Waffles.…
A good leftover plan is the best way to prevent food waste, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the usual suspects of stir-frys or frittatas. Noodles and garlic can help bring together all the flavors and meat and veggie…
Sea beans are the succulent seaside dwellers your cooking has been missing. These veggies are naturally salty thanks to the environment they grow in, and taste sort of like pickles, or asparagus, or asparagus if you pickled it. They have…
Goldenberries, the bright orange fruits that look like little paper lanterns, have just landed at Imperfect! Goldenberries are tart and sweet with a flavor our team would describe as “slightly tropical like a mango and yet somewhat tomato-y.” Sound interesting?…
Time to gobble gobble-up these easy and delicious Pumpkin Spice Parfaits from Petit Pot. Fun and super easy to make, this dessert is the perfect activity to keep the kids busy this Thanksgiving. This recipe also doubles as a great…
Right now at Imperfect, we have slightly undersized pomegranates that almost went to waste. To give these ruby-hued fruits the love they deserve, we recommend whipping up this simple ricotta that feels extra special with the addition of toasted rosemary…
It’s no secret that the holidays are stressful, and yet for some reason, we all love to pile on the tasks in an effort to make every meal perfect. But why not just pick out the parts we love and…
This Thanksgiving, we’re reminding ourselves not to stress. Things don’t have to look perfect or be incredibly complicated to taste delicious. So we’re going back to basics, with a few simple, no-stress appetizers, sides, and most importantly, pie. These Thanksgiving…
In this simple recipe for Sautéed Green Beans and Mushrooms, we go back to basics, because not everything at the holiday table needs to have a long list of hard-to-find ingredients to be delicious! We learned from our produce buyer…
In this recipe, we go back to basics, because not everything at the holiday table needs to have a long list of hard-to-find ingredients to be delicious! With a smattering of crumbled creamy cheese, these roasted carrots and candied nuts…
This holiday we’re reminding ourselves that things don’t have to look “perfect” to taste delicious. Sweet potatoes and stuffing come together for a side dish that can easily compete with the main. Try to use stale bread for this recipe…
These Mac and Cheese Muffins are easy to stack and store in the fridge and are a delicious way to use your leftover parmesan rinds. The parmesan rinds help thicken the cheesy mixture and impart a beautiful parmesan flavor. You…
Richly chocolatey and generously spiced, our Mexican Spiced Chocolate Pumpkin Pie is the perfect pie for when you want to impress people, but also not work that hard. On second thought, it might just be the perfect pie. Because the…
Are you the type of person who believes all burgers are incomplete without pickles? If you are, this burger is for you. With the addition of kimchi and gochujang mayo, these burgers are bursting with flavor and just the right…
This Hawaiian Pasta Salad is perfect for making ahead of time to make hosting easier and is a particularly delicious way to keep those last few carrots and green onions rolling around in your refrigerator drawer from going to waste. …
We’re proud to share that Imperfect Foods is officially a Certified B Corporation™! In order to become a B Corp™ you must undergo a rigorous third-party audit of all your practices to ensure your business benefits not just shareholders, but…
Right when you think you know everything about how to make delicious roasted veggies, a recipe like this comes along. Roasted acorn squash is already a favorite of ours, but the Balsamic Chile Vinaigrette takes the flavor up to 11.…
Announce your commitment to squash season by putting a ring on it. A Beer Battered Delicata Squash Ring that is. You can use any beer you like for this recipe, including a non-alcoholic variety or even carbonated water. The most…
Like butternut squash but better, cuter, and easier to cut, honeynuts are perhaps the most underappreciated squash of all time. While they’re great as a side dish, the herby cashews, and tahini drizzle really make these roasted honeynuts a show-stealer.…
Photo and epic carving skills by Antonio Wothe, Imperfect produce buyer. Welcome to your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about everyone’s favorite spooky gourd! We’re dropping all the pumpkin knowledge: how to cook with them, what to…
This spooooky Halloween treat will have you trembling with fright and delight! Especially when they all suddenly and suspiciously disappear. Our Cookies and Cream Ghost Tarts are made extra hauntingly delicious with the addition of our Upcycled Double Chocolate Chip…
Recreate restaurant-style pizza at home with this cast iron classic from Seemore Meats! For this recipe, you can of course, make your own dough from scratch, but we certainly won’t judge anyone who prefers premade pizza dough from the store.…
If your kitchen isn’t swirling with the intoxicating aroma of pumpkin spice every morning, is it even autumn? While you might already know and love our Pumpkin Spice Coffee, let us introduce you to our other cozy drinks that are…
When the air swirls with the first crisp autumn wind and a pumpkin patch sprouts out of nowhere in the mall parking lot, you know what season it is. The season of eating! But even if you aren’t living somewhere…
You can make this DIY Coffee Candle about as upcycled as you want by using spent coffee grounds, the leftover odds and ends of wax from used candles, and an old mug no one uses because it’s chipped or simply…
Too many carrots? This recipe makes that a great problem to have. Just in time for soup season, this Thai Carrot Soup is creamy, savory, and coconutty. Which is to say, it’s everything you’re looking for in a soup. For…
Irene here 👋, I’m part of the creative team at Imperfect Foods! As a Taiwanese-American, my family celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival each Fall. Mooncakes are most frequently eaten during this time, as they symbolize the beautiful full moon and the…
This story was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Rich, smooth, and creamy, our scrumptious Pumpkin Butter adds a smattering of instant autumn to baked goods, buttery pasta, and tart and cheesy sandwiches. Since it’s only at Imperfect for the season,…
This recipe was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Mahshi is an Egyptian dish of vegetables stuffed with rice and cooked in a spiced tomato sauce and it’s one of the coziest ways to eat your veggies. Mahshi can be made…
This recipe was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Thai green curry is one of the most comforting meals to enjoy on a fall evening. Though the flavors are complex, this recipe is easy enough to whip together on a weeknight.…
This recipe was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Lucious pumpkin butter, tart green apples, and lots of melty cheese. It’s the festive fall trio you didn’t know you needed in your life. Our recipe for Pumpkin Butter Grilled Cheese is…
This recipe was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Go ahead and pinch yourself because the recipe of your dreams is finally a reality. Say it with us: Pumpkin 👏 Brown 👏 Butter 👏 Pasta 👏. Super simple to make and…
This recipe was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Make the most of kabocha squash season with this hearty, gingery, and delicious Miso Ramen. For the best slurp-worthy umami broth, try making your own veggie stock. It’s super easy and worth…
This recipe was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Scoops of nutty, crunchy, all-around pumpkin goodness, perfect for a little fall indulgence. Our Spiced Pumpkin Butter Granola is insanely good. You might want to make 2 batches and don’t be surprised if…
This story is part of the Elbows on the Table Essay Series and featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Illustration by Irene Lee. Every year around September and October, when the moon is looking incredibly full and bright, many East Asian cultures celebrate a…
This story is part of the Elbows on the Table Essay Series and was featured in our Imperfect Almanac. Illustration by Tegan Harmonay, Imperfect’s Senior Graphic Designer. My college roommate and I weren’t super close. But we both transferred to this school…
Fresh peaches are a great snack on their own, but also shine in simple salads. Padma Lakshmi’s Kale Salad is peachy, summery, and durable enough to make ahead of time. Make this for a friend who thinks kale salads are…
If you’re in a pinch, on a budget, or just rushing to get dinner on the table, the four ingredient meal is your weeknight hero. Sure, this Easy Pad Thai technically has 7 ingredients but 3 of them are optional.…
Elegant and easy, this Pudding and Berry Parfait from Petit Pot is the ideal dessert for when you want to impress but not try that hard. It also doubles as a sweet treat for kids. But maybe don’t serve it…
If you’re in a pinch, on a budget, or just rushing to get dinner on the table, the four ingredient meal is your weeknight hero. These Chimichurri Chicken Tacos are on the table in a jiffy and bound to be…
If you’re in a pinch, on a budget, or just rushing to get dinner on the table, the four ingredient meal is your weeknight hero. This Chicken Tikka Masala is fragrant, full of flavor, and ready in under an hour.…
If you’re in a pinch, on a budget, or just rushing to get dinner on the table, a recipe with a minimal ingredient list is your weeknight hero. And let’s be real, you can’t go wrong with pizza. This easy…
If you’re in a pinch, on a budget, or just rushing to get dinner on the table, the four ingredient meal is your weeknight hero. Our Baked Miso Salmon is delicious, ready in under 20 minutes, and super easy to…
If you’re in a pinch, on a budget, or just rushing to get dinner on the table, the four ingredient meal is your weeknight hero. You can grab all the ingredients at Imperfect Foods during your shopping window and then…
This story is part of the Elbows on the Table Essay Series. Illustration by Irene Lee. By Becka Chambliss, Imperfect’s Merchandise Marketing Manager It all started with The Great British Bake Off. As a parent who is reasonably responsible when it comes…
Don’t be fooled by how adorable this kid-friendly Flower Power Bento Box Lunch is. It was seriously easy to prepare. It’s amazing how far a few sprinkles and a cookie-cutter can get you when you’ve got a picky eater on…
Fact: a lot of kids go through an odd phase where they’re fascinated by insects. Some kids never grow out of it and that’s how we get entomologists. This fun and adorable Caterpillar Bento Box Lunch is for that kid.…
This Bento Box Lunch is out-of-this-world adorable. If you’ve got picky eaters, Starlord-obsessed kids, or just some very lucky little ones who get to benefit from your generous creativity, this Outer Space Bento Box Sandwich is for you. But also…
It’s amazing how far a few sprinkles and a cookie-cutter can get you when you’ve got a picky eater on your hands. But to be honest, even as an adult the delicious charms of rainbow sprinkles continue to mystify us.…
With fall comes cozy feelings of…wait a second, it’s still August. Let’s start again. With late summer to early fall comes feelings of confusion. Just what is in season and what even is the season? We’re there with you. But…
Warm, delicious, and bursting with blueberries– these healthy Baked Berry Oatmeal Cups make for an easy, on-the-go breakfast or packable snack. What’s extra great about recipes like this is that you can easily prevent food waste. Make as many as…
One member of the Imperfect team recently admitted that her favorite thing to eat for breakfast is surprisingly salad. That’s great for her, and probably very healthy too, but according to our very sophisticated data *types slowly with two fingers*…
Together the Imperfect community has rescued over 139 million pounds of food from going to waste. Wow! And the new items worth saving just keep on coming. Oranges from a creamery, lavender left without a home, and award-winning cheese that…
Gazpacho is one of those dishes that looks odd on paper but makes a lot of delicious sense as soon as you taste it. Imagine if your favorite salad and your favorite smoothie did a collaborative album. See? We told…
Side salad who? To celebrate the arrival of our long-anticipated Imperfect Foods Salad Kits, we’ve put together a round-up of our tastiest, roastiest, most refreshing salads that take center plate. Here are a few of the salads we’re looking forward…
There are few summer desserts as satisfying and nostalgic as a creamsicle. Beat the heat in style by making your own Peaches n’ Coconut Creamsicles at home with fresh fruit! Summer refreshment doesn’t get much simpler or better than this. …
Swap out the graham crackers for ice cream cones in this camping classic. Enjoy this twist on s’mores in the great outdoors with this tasty recipe for Campfire* Cones by Tony’s Chocolonely. We used Dandie’s All Natural Vanilla Marshmallows which…
Plastic Free July is here! We’re passionate about reducing waste, so we’re big fans of this global movement to refuse single-use plastics. While we have a long way to go to entirely eliminate plastic in our own business, we’re actively…
New cookbook alert! Our friend Samah Dada from NBC’s #Cooking is launching her first cookbook packed with her favorite plant-based recipes for sharing with friends and family. We love her delightful recipe for Masala Popcorn, which is perfect for your…
Learn about our 5 favorite things to grill and then get fired up to grill everything in your next box.
This super easy-to-make summer salad is more than just patriotic, it’s refreshing! Grilled Watermelon, Blueberry, and Mozzarella sound delicious enough on their own but are made surprisingly bold with the rich addition of balsamic vinegar and the bold flavors released…
If you ask our produce buyers, now is the time to really get excited about summer fruits and veggies. And while it was hard for them to pick their favorites from such a bounty of delicious options, there were a…
Overflowing with all your favorite berries, tangy scoops of yogurt, and mouthfuls of crunchy granola, these fruity Breakfast Boats make for a healthy breakfast that tastes like vacation. We used deliciously ripe cantaloupe as our vessel, but papaya or pineapple…
We’re sharing an update about the progress we’ve made on our commitment to being an actively anti-racist company.
Use up that last bit of strawberry jam in the fridge (we all have it) the classiest way possible. In a Strawberry Jam Cake! Topped with cut strawberries for freshness and swirls of creaminess from the greek yogurt– this simple…
Classic Japanese fruit sandwiches are typically made with soft, fluffy milk bread and any variety of colorful fruits like grapes, melon, or mango. But as any true sandwich artist knows, the sandwich does not choose the ingredients, the wand chooses…
Packing for a waste-free summer picnic is easier than you think. The hardest part may actually be finding a basket or bag that’s big enough to hold all your goodies! We’re sharing small steps you can take to make your…
Learn how we built our first-of-its-kind Packaging Return Program from our sustainability manager.
If you’re a vegan or vegetarian at a family gathering, you tend to think of sides as your friend. Who needs a burger when you’ve got grilled veggies, pickles, bread rolls, and corn on the cob? But then there’s the…
Go inside the world of professional taste testing and product development with Imperfect’s Product and Private Label Specialist, Elliot Drucker. “Food is such an interesting vehicle for so much more than just eating.” When your fancy mustard zigzags smoothly across…
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Olympians and Salt Lake City natives, Sarah Hendrickson and Brittany Bowe! Right now at Imperfect, you can eat like an Olympian when you stock your box with the same snacks, staples, and sweets these…
“Tablescaping” is a real word, it’s a verb, and more importantly, it’s all the rage right now. We decided to put a sustainable and edible spin on ours because what’s more fun than ending the day with a bouquet you…
This story is part of the Elbows on the Table Essay Series. Illustrations by Tegan Harmonay. 2020 was the year my dishwasher was constantly running and my knives were always dull. My dishwasher, thrummed dramatically in the background of every…
This classic summertime recipe is so easy, it’s barely a recipe. But drizzled with honey and thyme, these grilled peaches are a real treat. We made ours extra special with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, but they would…
Grilling season? Wasn’t it snowing like five days ago? We can’t remember because these Grilled Pineapple and Tofu Skewers are summer on a stick. The rich sweetness released on the grill makes these skewers so delicious and taste way more…
Help your flowers live stronger for longer with the help of bouquet queen, Jackie Alpers. Preservation Cut the stems Cut about 1” from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle every few days. This will help more water…
Who knows better about what to get mom than actual moms? Get the inside scoop on our best items and gifts for Mother’s Day according to the moms at Imperfect. Saved Stems Flower Bouquets I love surprises, and flowers always…
Illustration by Tegan Harmonay It’s been a weird year. Or has it been a decade? Elbows on the Table is an essay series from Imperfect where we look back on what it’s been like– the tasty parts and the not-so-tasty…
Pizza is always in season. It can be as healthy or as indulgent as you want. It can be simple, or a tasty way to use up leftovers. And while perfecting homemade pizza is tricky (since most home ovens aren’t equipped…
A note from our CEO about the recent union vote by our Northern California delivery drivers.
These Broccoli Burgers are the perfect way to make a healthy, fresh veggie burger on the grill. The trick is to pan-fry the patties over the stove first, before transferring them to finish on the grill. If you look out…
One of our newest offerings at Imperfect, Adda Veggie, comes to us from our friend Trishna at Down to Cook Foods. It’s a simple protein mix made from whole, ethically sourced ingredients. You can turn that random veggie rolling around…
Small swaps add up to big change, so consider trading your plastic wrap or aluminum foil for a DIY beeswax wrap! For this “recipe,” you can upcycle old (but clean) dishcloths, go to the thrift store and pick out a…
Reducing food waste is one of the top three most impactful ways to fight climate change. And it just so happens to be the most delicious! So to help you get in the spirit for Earth Month, we rounded up…
At Imperfect, we believe that a healthy, happy planet starts at home. This Earth Month, we’re teaming up with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day to help you take small steps on your journey to a kinder, less wasteful home. To help…
Your coffee grounds have more to offer than you might think. In this recipe for mocha brownies, melting your butter with spent coffee grounds will imbue the butter with a delicious and aromatic coffee flavor. The addition of your grounds…
Swirly, sprinkly, and seriously addicting– break yourself off a piece of this Chocolate Bark. We topped ours with vanilla cookie crumbles and pastel sprinkles for an easy Easter treat but if you’re looking for a more Passover friendly sweet, we…
Never throw out your day-olds again. For bread that’s lost some of its “fresh from the oven” springiness, our food waste solution is a bit of a boozy one. After a dip in this orange-infused bourbon bath, slightly stale Cinnamon…
Ahhhh spring. The sound of birds chirping in the morning, the sight of bees buzzing around newly flowering trees, and the scent of asparagus gently floating in the air. Yes, we said asparagus. While we’ll have showy newcomers like ramps…
With Earth Month on the horizon and the fight against climate change more pressing than ever, Imperfect Foods is proud to announce we will be a net-zero carbon operation by 2030.
See the positive impact our community had in 2020 and celebrate what we accomplished, together.
Learn about our partnership with Feeding America to make a bigger impact on food insecurity on a national level.
There are many reasons why one might want to make green popcorn. St. Patrick’s Day, Earth Month, National Shrek Appreciation Day, a green movie marathon to name a few. But what no one wants are unnecessary chemicals or suspicious green…
Straight out of a 90’s dinner party, this recipe for roasted artichokes is ready for entertaining! When choosing the right artichokes to roast, look for tightly-packed leaves but don’t worry if there are a few brown spots. Makes 8 servings…
These chocolatey banana oat muffins are warm and delicious fresh out of the oven, but also perfect for a week of ready-to-eat breakfasts. They’re healthy, but not too healthy, free of flour, and easy to make vegan. Let this be…
Shepherd’s pie is a classic English dish served alongside cozy weather. And since it’s pretty much always drizzling over there, shepherd’s pie is a favorite. While a classic shepherd’s pie is cooked with lamb (or beef, if you’re American) we…
We sat down with farmer Joel Gindo of Free Happy Farm to learn about him and his approach to farming. He’s a member of Niman Ranch, a community of independent family farmers, whose products you can get from Imperfect Foods.…
The Lunar New Year is one of the most vibrant holidays celebrated around the world. While the way it’s celebrated differs depending on who you are and where you are, the sentiments remain the same. Families reunite and celebrate with…
Longevity noodles are one of the most popular dishes enjoyed during the Lunar New Year. Traditionally, the dish was prepared as a single very long noodle in broth or sauce to symbolize a long life and bring you luck in…
Dumplings are considered to be just about anything that’s a bite-sized dough pocket stuffed with a delicious filling. Potstickers, wontons, and gyoza are the most common. They often take different shapes, are made in specific wrappers, and have unique preparations.…
This summery and delicious Mexican corn salad is reminiscent of esquites, a popular street snack or a cob-free version of elotes. Corn kernels are sautéed in butter until they’re just the right amount of charred and then mixed in a…
Holy guacamole, this guac is good. Creamy, zesty, and just the right amount of spice, this guacamole is about a classic as it gets. But feel free to switch things up and make it your own. For instance, add a…
Taco ’bout a healthy and delicious meal. Topped with melty cheese and served with corn tortilla chips, these taco stuffed peppers make for an easy-to-assemble side dish or a beautiful weekend lunch or dinner. Make it feel like an occasion…
We share how our mission to eliminate food waste and build a better food system comes to life every day at Imperfect Foods.
Here’s a bold stance: healthy shouldn’t mean monotonous or lacking in flavor. We love these healthy chicken recipes because they’re simple, perfect for one person or the whole family, and they keep things interesting. We recommend trying out Cooks Venture…
We’ve teamed up with Lauren Singer, founder of the zero-waste blog Trash Is For Tossers and the zero-waste shop Package Free, to share a waste-free, plant-based recipe perfect for putting your Imperfect Foods order to good use.
Learn how you can donate your order this holiday season if you’re heading out of town.
Lettuce take a walk down memory lane and revisit some highlights of 2020 at Imperfect Foods in our 2020 year in review!
Chocolate truffles are a decadent treat that are actually surprisingly simple to make – this recipe only requires four ingredients! These make an indulgent dessert or a fun homemade gift.
When life gives you lemons, juice them, and make cocktails. Such has been our motto for 2020! Since we should all avoid celebrating the holiday season out and about, let’s mix up a silver lining by indulging in a fancy…
A pound of cheese takes hundreds of gallons of water to produce, making cheese waste one of the true kitchen tragedies. So here are Roth Cheese’s seven top tips for storing cheese so it lasts longer and doesn’t go to…