Blue Apron Review
Everything You Need to Know About This Meal Kit Delivery Service
We've been eating and reviewing meal kits here at My Subscription Addiction for over 7 years, and we've tried hundreds of them. Over the years, we've seen oodles of new kits launch each year and a few shutter. The meal kit space is always changing, but one thing has remained constant: Blue Apron. Blue Apron has been delivering tasty meals to diners since 2012, and it first crossed our radar not long after launch. From the very beginning, our reviewers were drawn to the adventurous menu items, incorporation of seasonal produce, chef-designed recipes, and easy-to-follow instructions. (The fact that Blue Apron offers a companion wine subscription that's designed to pair with the meal kits is also enticing.)
The world of meal kits is large, and if you're looking for the best one to suit your dining preferences and lifestyle, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. We're here to help! You can start by browsing our list of The Best Meal Delivery Services or by taking our meal kit quiz, but if you're considering a Blue Apron subscription you've come to the right place. In this Blue Apron review, we'll look at the cost, recipes, difficulty level, convenience, and taste to help you decide if Blue Apron is the right meal kit for you. We'll check out Blue Apron's pros and cons, and we'll even look at Blue Apron's competitors to see if another meal kit might be a better choice for you.
Now, let's dive into this Blue Apron review!
MSA paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Blue Apron Pros & Cons
Blue Apron Pros
- Blue Apron sends you all of the recipes and portioned ingredients you need to streamline your dinner routine.
- The recipes are chef-designed and quick-and-easy to make.
- Meals feature fresh seasonal ingredients that are utilized in exciting ways.
- High-quality ingredients are sustainably-sourced.
- Blue Apron meals start at $7.49 per serving.
- Different plans are available that focus on traditional meal kits or vegetarian options, and you can order meals for two people or sign up for a family plan.
Blue Apron Cons
- You can cancel online, but the link is hard to find, and you may need to email customer service to point you in the right direction.
- Each weekly menu from Blue Apron features approximately 14 recipes to choose from; however, those with dietary restrictions may find the selection a bit limited.
All About Blue Apron
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How did Blue Apron get started?
Blue Apron started back in 2012, and it was founded in New York by Matt Salzberg, Ilia Papas, and Matt Wadiak. The trio started out in a commercial kitchen, hand-packing all of their meal kits themselves, but the company grew quickly. Blue Apron now ships nationwide, and you may have even spotted the meal kits at your local Costco. At MSA, we’ve been tracking Blue Apron's progress every step of the way and reviewing Blue Apron from almost the very beginning.
How does Blue Apron work?
In this Blue Apron review, we'll go over all the things you need to know about this meal kit delivery service, but in case you're new to meal kits, let's start with a quick overview of how Blue Apron works. The first thing to know is that Blue Apron is a recurring subscription. When you sign up, you're agreeing to receive meal kits on an ongoing basis. You'll enter your credit card information when you join, and you'll continue to be charged until you decide to cancel. Here are the steps you can expect to follow when you sign up for Blue Apron:
- Choose your plan and personalize it: when you join Blue Apron, you'll set up the details of your subscription. How many people do you need to feed? Do you have any special dietary restrictions? Are you a vegetarian? You're invited to personalize your plan to make sure it works for you.
- Set your weekly delivery day: most subscribers will have several different delivery days to choose from. Some people prefer to receive meals at the very start of the week, while others like to receive deliveries mid-week. You can select your preferred weekly delivery day when you join.
- Pick your meals for the upcoming week: after you enter your dining preferences, Blue Apron will automatically pick meals for you each week that fit your plan. However, you can always log in, override the auto-picks, and hand-select your own meals.
- Check back regularly to skip weeks or set your menu for upcoming deliveries: don't want to receive a box every single week? No problem. Log into your account to manage your upcoming deliveries. In your account portal, you'll be able to skip shipments, pick out what meals you'd like to receive, or cancel your subscription.
How much does Blue Apron cost?
When you sign up for a subscription to Blue Apron, you'll first need to decide how many people you want to serve with each meal and how many meals you'd like to receive each week. The cost of your subscription will vary. Meal kits start at $7.49 per serving. Let's take a closer look at the pricing for meal kits:
- Signature Plan for 2:
- 2 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $9.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- 3 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $8.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- 4 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $8.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- Signature Plan for 4:
- 2 meals per week, 4 servings each, for $8.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- 3 meals per week, 4 servings each, for $7.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- 4 meals per week, 4 servings each, for $7.49 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- Vegetarian Plan for 2:
- 2 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $9.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- 3 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $8.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- Wellness Plan for 2:
- 2 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $9.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
- 3 meals per week, 2 servings each, for $8.99 per serving + $9.99 shipping
Does Blue Apron have different plans available?
Yes! Blue Apron has four different plans available:
- Signature for 2 People
- Signature for 4 People
- Vegetarian for 2 People
- Wellness for 2 People
The Signature meal plans feature a wide selection of meals designed to suit a number of different diets. You'll see balanced meals that feature a variety of different proteins, and the menu includes vegetarian meals, plant-based meats, diabetes-friendly recipes, WW-approved dishes, and healthy options. Vegetarians can sign up for the Vegetarian plan, which automatically filters out recipes that include meat. Wellness plan subscribers will be matched with lower-carb meals, WW options, and dishes that are balanced and nutritionist-approved.
Where and how does Blue Apron ship?
Blue Apron ships all across the contiguous United States. They do not currently deliver to Hawaii or Alaska.
Good to know:
- Delivery days vary by area, but most subscribers will have several options to choose from. You can change your preferred delivery day at any time.
- A signature is not required, and you don't have to be home to accept the box.
- Food is kept cold in transit with insulated liners and frozen gel packs.
How is a Blue Apron delivery packaged?
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Shipments from Blue Apron come packed in a brown cardboard box, and the ingredients are individually packaged. "Knick Knacks" for each recipe are bundled together in a plastic bag. Ingredients are kept cold in transit with ice packs, and most of the packaging is recyclable. Rigid plastics, metal cans, glass bottles, plastic bags and film, and the cardboard box and separators can all be recycled. Want more detailed information? There’s an entire page on the Blue Apron site dedicated to advising subscribers on how to reuse, compost, recycle, or dispose of packing materials.
What are Blue Apron's meals like?
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Blue Apron offers a large number of options when it comes to choosing meals. Every week, there are around 14 recipes to choose from! Depending on which plan you choose, the selection may be narrowed down to feature recipes that fit your preferences. Recipes are ingredient-driven, and feature global flavors and exciting flavor combinations. Many of the dishes would be right at home on the menu of a trendy neighborhood cafe or quirky bistro.
Want some specific examples? Here are some recent meals we've spotted at Blue Apron:
- Mozzarella & Tomato Jam Burgers with Balsamic Onion, Radish & Arugula Salad
- Seared Yellowtail Fillets & Salsa with Cilantro-Vegetable Rice & Lime Sour Cream
- Seared Chicken & Kale Salad with Peach & Sesame-Dijon Dressing
- Black Bean-Chile Tofu with Brown Rice & Furikake Peanuts
- Garlic-Caper Chicken with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts
- Seared Steaks & Mushroom Agrodolce with Roasted Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts
- Grilled BBQ Pork & Pimento Cheese Burgers with Coleslaw
Are Blue Apron's recipes hard?
Blue Apron's recipe cards list ingredients, provide time estimates, and outline step-by-step instructions. The recipes are detailed, clearly outlined, and easy-to-follow. It's important to note that while the recipes often feel adventurous, the cooking instructions are surprisingly straightforward.
How does Blue Apron source ingredients?
Blue Apron takes a thorough and detailed approach to quality and animal welfare. This begins with a focus on seasonality, and carries through every step of the ingredient sourcing process. Blue Apron's ingredients are non-GMO and some are organic, and the company only partners with meat producers who meet certain standards for animal welfare. Animals must be treated well and can not be fed animal by-products, antibiotics, or hormones.
Is Blue Apron's food tasty?
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The recipes included in meal kits can vary from "solid home cooking" all the way to "restaurant quality," and Blue Apron's meals often have that extra special something that elevates them above your average home cooked meal. Blue Apron's meals are designed around the ingredients they feature, and that comes across in the food. The recipes are ingredient-driven, the meals taste fresh, and the flavor combinations work well. If you like cooking with seasonal ingredients and enjoy trying new dishes, you're likely to enjoy the way Blue Apron crafts their menu.
What ingredients and tools does Blue Apron NOT provide?
When you sign up for a Blue Apron subscription, you'll receive most of what you need to get dinner on the table. Meal kits include produce, meat, spices, and sauces; however, there are a few things you'll be expected to provide yourself. Salt, pepper, water, and oil are not provided, and we recommend checking recipes after ordering to check for additional items you may need to provide yourself. In addition to these basic ingredients, you'll also be expected to have essential kitchen tools available like cutting boards, knives, bowls, baking trays, vegetable peelers and zesters, measuring cups, and pots and pans. Blue Apron also assumes subscribers have access to disposable items like aluminum foil and paper towels.
Does Blue Apron accommodate dietary restrictions like allergies?
Blue Apron outlines allergen information in their recipes, and you should also check the individual ingredient labels in the box in case of a last-minute ingredient substitution. Recipes are posted online 1.5 weeks in advance of shipping, so you can check to confirm which recipes might work for you. If you have a severe food allergy, however, Blue Apron does not recommend subscribing. Here's more information from blueapron.com:
All of our ingredients are packaged in a facility that also processes milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy. Because of this, we don’t recommend ordering Blue Apron if you have a severe food allergy.
Does Blue Apron also sell wine?
If you like to enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner, you can also sign up for Blue Apron Wine, a companion subscription that sends bottles of wine selected to work well with Blue Apron meal kits. The wines are sourced from top vineyards, and at 500 ml, each bottle is perfectly sized for two to share.
Is Blue Apron convenient?
Blue Apron is extremely convenient. When you receive meals from Blue Apron, you'll save time meal planning and grocery shopping, and picking meals from an online selection helps streamline the weeknight dinner process. If you ever struggle to plan a menu for the week, feel like you need new recipe inspiration, or don't feel like hitting up the grocery store, Blue Apron will most certainly add convenience to your routine. Without a doubt, Blue Apron is convenient.
Does Blue Apron have an app?
Blue Apron has an app that allows you to manage your account on the go. You can browse upcoming menus, lock in your recipe choices, and skip deliveries. You can even watch cooking videos! Recipes are also available through the app.
What do MSA reviewers say about Blue Apron?
We've had a variety of different writers step in to review Blue Apron over the years, each with a different set of preferences and level of cooking experience. Curious about what they have to say? Let's take a quick peek back at some past Blue Apron reviews.
Marne's Blue Apron Reviews
- Review expertise: Marne is a writer and esthetician who’s written a lot of beauty reviews for MSA, but she’s also something of a foodie. As an adventurous eater, she’s always happy to step in and cook up a meal kit, and she’s certainly tried her share of them. She’s reviewed dozens of meal kits for MSA.
- Eating profile: Marne eats anything and everything. She writes, “since I have an unrestricted diet (meat & veggies), I am lucky to all menu choices offered to me from vegetarian, fish, pork, chicken, beef, and more.” Her food choices tend to skew towards comfort foods. She says, “I tend to eat a lot of heavy foods like lasagna, pizza, hoagies, etc so the idea of eating meals that are created by a company with “fresh” in their name makes me feel healthy.”
- Thoughts on Blue Apron's meals: Let's take a closer look at a couple of the meals Marne reviewed in one of her past Blue Apron shipments:
- Seared Chicken & Brown Rice Bowl with Kale, Beets, & Goat Cheese: For this meal, Marne found the cooking process straightforward, but wasn't ultimately a fan of the meal. Says Marne, "This meal turned out really well but honestly just wasn’t a taste I personally enjoyed. I liked the kale and rice but don’t love beets and the spice used with the chicken wasn’t my fave."
- Pesto & Zucchini Paninis with Tangy Roasted Romanesco: These sandwiches were served with a side of cauliflower, and Marne was a little split on how she felt about the meal as a whole. "This panini was really really delicious! I thought the cauliflower was just ok. It was roasted well but I didn’t love the vinegar taste of it. Next time, I’d maybe skip it or not use as much. I wouldn’t think to use parmesan cheese in a sandwich like this since it isn’t very melty, but it worked out well. I also really enjoyed the zucchini and pesto together!"
- Verdict: Over the course of her time reviewing Blue Apron, it's clear Marne had a lot of meals she enjoyed, but she tended to have a love/hate relationship with the style of the meals. As someone who prefers comfort foods, a lot of the vegetable-forward recipes didn't land for her. With that in mind, this subscription is probably best suited for those who enjoy a wide range of veggies and are open-minded about seasonality.
My Blue Apron Review
- Review Expertise: I’ve been writing food reviews for My Subscription Addiction since 2014, and I’ve reviewed Blue Apron several times. Most recently, in preparation for this review, I was sent a selection of meals to try. I’m a professional baker, so I know my way around the kitchen, and I tend to approach meal kits with a critical eye.
- Eating Profile: I eat anything and everything, though my favorite meals tend to feature global flavors and interesting techniques. I’m also a sucker for comfort foods like pizza and tacos.
- Thoughts on Blue Apron Meals: I love cooking with seasonal ingredients, so Blue Apron has always been appealing to me in that regard. If you were to show me a random menu, I could probably guess roughly what month it's from because of the produce utilized, and I think that's really great. I also don't shy away from new foods and dishes, so I appreciate the wide selection of adventurous meals Blue Apron offers. For this review, I selected three different meals to try. Let's take a look at them:
- Creamy Pesto Chicken & Orzo with Capers & Currants: Pesto chicken with orzo is a meal you're likely see on menus across the country, but the addition of capers and currants takes this dish to the next level! I love comfort foods, but rich dark meat chicken, pasta, and peso sauce can often feel quite heavy. By adding some salty capers and sweet currants, Blue Apron upped the complexity to this old standard. If I had any reservations about capers and currants working well together, my first bite set any concerns aside. This recipe was a winner!
- Honey-Ginger Shrimp with Soy Marinated Cucumber & Radishes: Honey and ginger is one of my favorite flavor combinations, so this was the first recipe that I added into my box. The shrimp was delicious, and I loved the addition of the marinated cucumbers. This dish was big on flavor and very satisfying.
- Hoisin Pork Bao with Sesame Zucchini: I will never turn down bao buns, and I don't often make them at home, so this recipe pushed me a little bit outside of my comfort zone. The flavors were on point, and I enjoyed the jalapeños and sesame zucchini. My one complaint? They could have done with a bit more sauce.
- Verdict: I’ve tried A LOT of meal kits in my day, and I really like Blue Apron. I enjoy cooking with seasonal produce, so Blue Apron's ethos there really speaks to me. I find the recipes appealing, and I think Blue Apron does a great job of offering exciting and high-quality meals at competitive prices.
What do MSA readers say about Blue Apron in their reviews?
At MSA, we don't just publish our own in-house reviews. We also invite our readers to rate and review the meal kits they've tried. Blue Apron currently has a rating of 4.5/5 from the MSA community. Let's take a look at what some readers have to say about this subscription:
Kaylee is a huge fan:
I highly recommend this box, it is fantastic. Everything has arrives fresh and the recipes are so easy. My 15 yr old is learning to cook so this is perfect for her. You get to pick your recipes and they make provisions for allergies! Which is awesome! Customer service is fast and friendly. -Kaylee
Unicorn Kisses (shout out to this user for the great username) was impressed with the holiday options:
I got their special one off box for christmas dinner. I was amazing! I didn't need to run around getting food. It fed all 10 of us. And was so easy to make! Seriously, it was good food and saved me time. I will do it for Thanksgiving and Christmas next year! I got to enjoy my family and not slave around. It was awesome! -UnicornKisses
Jessvii is a fan of the food, but struggles with the selection of available options:
My only complaint is that it's too hard to find weeks when I want to make and eat all of the meals. For example, if you choose the steak meal, then you can't pick two vegetarian dishes. You are kind of locked into picking either meat or vegetarian meals without being able to mix and match. This is annoying since there are some meats that my house doesn't eat, even though we're not vegetarians and do enjoy meat sometimes. Other than that, I think Blue Apron has a nice website (easy-to-use for planning purposes), and provides a decent value. The food is usually tasty, but a little bit complicated and time-consuming for novice chefs like me. So far, I like Blue Apron better than Hello Fresh (because Hello Fresh has forgotten ingredients and sent me expired produce a few times). -Jessvii
If you'd like to learn more about Blue Apron or leave a community review, you can do so here.
Are there alternatives to Blue Apron?
If you like the idea of a meal kit delivery service, but you're not sure Blue Apron is the right subscription for you, there are a few competitors that might be a better fit.
Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh
Like Blue Apron, HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery subscription that provides delicious, crowd-pleasing meal kits to cook at home. It's one of the most popular meal subscription services out there, and the weekly menu is large. Let's outline some of the key differences between these two subscriptions:
- Menu size: HelloFresh has 27+ meal kits to choose from every week, so the selection is almost twice the size of Blue Apron's menu.
- Price: Price wise, these meal kits are right on par. They both start at $7.49 per serving.
- The food: Both companies send tasty meals that our reviewers love, but the "vibe" is a little bit different. Both menus will often feature global flavors, but Blue Apron is slightly more adventurous and skews more seasonal.
Blue Apron vs. Green Chef
Green Chef is an organic meal delivery service with a lot of options for those on special diets. Let's take a closer look at the differences between Blue Apron and Green Chef:
- Special diets: Do you eat keto, paleo, or vegan? Green Chef has dedicated menu plans to support these diets. Blue Apron supports a vegetarian diet as well as those looking for a wellness plan.
- Organic ingredients: Blue Apron will sometimes feature organic ingredients, but if eating organic is a priority, go with Green Chef.
- Price: Green Chef offers high-quality ingredients that come at a premium price. Green Chef meals start at $11.49 per serving. Blue Apron is less expensive.
Blue Apron vs. EveryPlate
Looking for a meal kit that's tasty AND super affordable? EveryPlate is a wallet-friendly meal kit delivery service with crowd-pleasing meal options and kid-friendly entrees. EveryPlate cuts out unnecessary expenses to keep their per-meal price low, and it's a great choice for those on a budget. Let's see how these two subscriptions stack up:
- Price: EveryPlate meals cost $4.99 per serving, so it's more affordable than Blue Apron.
- Menu size: Both of these meal kits offer about the same size menu each week.
- Family friendly: If you're serving kids or picky eaters, EveryPlate's simple fare might be a better fit.
- Ingredient quality: EveryPlate meals are tasty, but low-cost ingredients are often included to keep costs down. Expect to see lots of rice, potatoes, and carrots on the menu. By comparison, Blue Apron offers a wider variety of recipes with higher-quality, seasonal ingredients.
Is Blue Apron worth it?
We've covered a lot of info in this Blue Apron review, but one big question remains: is Blue Apron worth it?
Blue Apron has been sending out meal kits to subscribers for many years, so they've had a lot of experience and the process is streamlined. The website is easy to use, and it's simple to manage your account online and lock in recipes for upcoming weeks. The menu is large, and the food is tasty. Over the years, Blue Apron has won fans on our review team and in the community at large.
The biggest standout about Blue Apron is the commitment to seasonality. Meals often feature seasonal ingredients, and the menu always feels appropriate for the time of year. Blue Apron also opts for non-GMO ingredients and is committed to animal welfare. As for the food? The recipes skew adventurous, which is great for open-minded eaters but might not always be the best choice for families with picky kids. If you don't mind trying new dishes and flavor combinations, we think you'll be impressed with the quality and taste of the recipes. Looking at how Blue Apron fits into the larger meal kit space, the price point is competitive. It's not the cheapest meal kit available, but Blue Apron offers a great balance of quality and value.
If you're ready to sign up, just make sure you understand that you're signing up for a subscription. You'll be charged every week (unless you skip) until you decide to cancel.
Ready to subscribe? Make sure to sign up using our coupon below to ensure you get the best deal.
You can try Blue Apron for yourself here:
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