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Blue Apron Review: Is it Really Worth all the Hype?

Written By: Paul

Last Updated on February 22, 2023

Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that wants to make cooking fun again! Did you know that the name Blue Apron is a tribute to the blue aprons chefs around the world wear while in training, as a celebration to lifelong learning? With their meal kit service, Blue Apron invites you to be part of the team and discover and explore new ways to create taste sensations on the daily!

Pick and choose from a selection of chef-designed meals, get the super-fresh ingredients and recipes delivered to your door, and do your magic. No need to be a master home chef – the colorful, easy-to-follow recipe cards with clear instructions has anyone wing a dinner under 30 minutes!

In this review, we'll cover the deets of Blue Apron, so that you have all the info to decide if this is the perfect match for your dinner table. There's plenty to cover, so let's dive in!

Blue Apron At A Glance

  • Best Match For: People wanting to up their cooking game with chef-designed recipes and meal kits with pre-measured responsibly sourced non-GMO ingredients.
  • Commitment Level: Subscription with weekly delivery
  • Availability: The contiguous US (No Alaska or Hawaii)
  • Value: $8.99-$9.99/serving; Free shipping for orders of 3 recipes per week (each serves 2 people) or 2 recipes for Signature for 4 meal plan (each serves 4 people); $7.99 shipping fee for orders that don't match the criteria.
  • Type: Meal kits with responsibly sourced fresh ingredients (needs to be cooked), delicious wines paired with selected recipes, exotic spice blends, and top-quality cookware

How Blue Apron Works

Like other food subscription services, this meal delivery service lets you subscribe to recipes and high-quality ingredients delivered to your house – so that no matter your kitchen skills, you can join their passionate home chefs! Receive fresh, locally sourced products in the exact quantities – no more planning and standing in queues in the grocery store. 

Choose your menu on Blue Apron’s website for up to 3 weeks in advance. Their Signature option serves two or four people. In fact, it's one of the most popular family food subscription programs out there.

You can select two or three dinners per week out of a total of 11 unique recipes to choose from each week, created by their culinary team. If you don't want to decide for yourself, no problem – Blue Apron is happy to surprise you with a selection of recipes you might have never tried before!

Go for the vegetarian option if you want more greens per serving! Blue Apron offers seasonal produce that's good both for your plate and for the planet. Note that as for now, the vegetarian plan is only available for two people and not as a family option.

Blue Apron also offers monthly wine subscriptions if you feel like enhancing your delicious dishes with the finest flavors from the grapevines.

See why Blue Apron made our list of the top eco friendly meal kits.

Market

Blue Apron has a concept called Market, where you can find tools recommended and used by their culinary team. Perfect if you wanna elevate your cooking experience! In fact, we ranked the service as one of the best cooking subscription box options.

Head to Blue Apron Market on their site to review the tools and equipment, taking your kitchen skills from trial and error to top-notch! Market is also open to those without a Blue Apron subscription.

What About Diets and Food Allergies?

Blue Apron has recipes without red meat, fish, shellfish, pork, or lamb. Change diet from week to week if you wish to try several alternatives.

Regarding allergies, there are no specific categories catering to common food intolerance. That said, many of the recipes are made to be easily customizable by avoiding certain ingredients. The recipes are marked with common allergens.

Vegetarian Kits

You can choose dishes suitable for vegetarians and pescetarians. Each week, there are 3-4 delicious, plant-based meals to choose from. Since a while back, Blue Apron – as one of the top meal kit delivery subscription programs – also offers recipes with the popular meat substitute Beyond Meat! Beyond Meat burgers provide 20 grams of protein per serving.

Carb Conscious

With the weight loss meal delivery plan, at least one recipe per week contains less than 48 grams net carbs per serving. Currently, these meals are available in the Signature 2-serving plan.

Blue Apron Wine

The Blue Apron Wine program gives you wines of the highest quality to an excellent price since there's no middleman.

In general, Blue Apron is one of the best meal services to get on a budget.

In every shipment, choose the ones you love from their curated selection of reds and whites. The perfect partner to your Blue Apron meals!

Plus, you get a booklet with each wine delivery describing the ultimate food pairings, taste notes, and the story behind each bottle.

If you want just the right amount of wine for two people, go for a 2/3 bottle. Wines are delivered to your doorstep each month with six bottles per delivery.

Your wines come in a separate delivery from your food.

What You Can Expect From Your Meal

Blue Apron is a meal delivery service that cares about the quality and freshness of their ingredients. When you buy from them, you get top-notch products from artisanal purveyors and hundreds of family-run farms employing sustainable practices. Every meal is non-GMO.

Each box comes with detailed recipe cards with easy-to-follow instructions. You just need to bring salt, pepper, olive oil, and a huge appetite!

Blue Apron and Animal Welfare

Blue Apron only works with partners having high standards for animal welfare. That also means no growth hormones or antibiotics in the meats. They have developed an animal welfare policy, mentioning the following five freedoms:

  • Freedom from hunger, malnutrition, and thirst
  • Freedom from fear and distress
  • Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
  • Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
  • Freedom to express normal patterns of behavior

Recipe Creation

Blue Apron works with trusted suppliers and artisans to put the best seasonal ingredients on your table. When you support Blue Apron, you also support small farmers – the partnership with Blue Apron allows farmers a guaranteed demand for their products allowing for better economy and planning.

Recipes are made to suit both total kitchen beginners as well as higher-level home chefs. The culinary team delivers new, innovative recipes each week – say goodbye to being stuck in a food rut! They continually review client feedback from the customer service and adapt recipes to include seasonal produce.

Detailed Nutrition Information

To make it easier for you to make informed food choices and know what goes onto your plate and into your body, each of the recipes has a list with nutritional information, nutrient breakdowns, daily values, and allergen information.

Note that the exact caloric value for each recipe depends on the home chef's unique cooking style – such as how much olive oil you add.

Premium Recipes

Premium Recipes is a unique and enticing feature of Blue Apron. The Premium Recipes are for those who wanna take their kitchen skills to the next level.

Expect to find more advanced techniques, unusual protein combinations, and unique flavor twists leading you to explore a whole new dimension of the culinary universe! They are part of the four-serving menu.

Freshness Guarantee

All Blue Apron’s deliveries come with a freshness guarantee. If you're not satisfied with the quality of the ingredients and are unable to cook with them, reach out to customer service within seven days to get a full refund or a credit to use for your next order.

Thanks to food quality being high on the list for this meal delivery service, the risk that you need to use this guarantee is minimal – just make sure to put your purchases in the refrigerator as soon as you get home.

Sample Meals

When you subscribe to Blue Apron, you get a constantly changing menu of meals to choose from.

Ideal for a busy lifestyle where you wanna skip the effort of making a weekly meal plan and go grocery shopping – all while learning new cooking techniques and experiencing the joy of making your own meals!

With Blue Apron, you can choose meals with less calories per serving that are approved by Weight Watchers, health-conscious meals for those who don’t want to think about restrictions, diabetes-friendly recipes, responsibly sourced meats and fish, and meals with the delicious, plant-based Beyond Meat. Something for almost every diet!

  • Premium Recipes
    * Salmon & Shrimp in Calabrian-Tomato Sauce with Sautéed Vegetables & Basil Pesto
  • Vegetarian
    * General Tso's-Style Tofu with Snap Peas & White Rice
  • Weight Watchers-Approved
    * Waldorf-Style Chicken Salad with Walnuts, Nectarine & Marinated Grapes
  • Carb-Conscious
    * Garlic Shrimp & Spanish-Style Potatoes with Peppers & Shallot

Delivery

If you're at work during the day, rest assured that your food will stay fresh until you get home and put on your apron!

The Blue Apron meal kits arrive in refrigerated boxes with ice packs and insulated liners.

You can easily skip weeks of delivery from your Blue Apron account, or cancel anytime.

There’s no minimum commitment required, and all orders can be skipped or canceled if you do it before the deadline, as indicated on your Upcoming page and your Account Settings.

Free Shipping

If you order at least three meals, you always get free shipping!

Skip a Delivery

You can skip upcoming deliveries up to 5 weeks in advance! A practical feature if you're going on vacation. Just make sure to do it before the deadline, as indicated above.
To skip a delivery:

  1. Head to your Upcoming page
  2. Scroll down to the delivery date you wish to skip. Click Manage Delivery
  3. A pop-up window lets you choose between changing your delivery day for the week, change your delivery address, or skip the order. To skip, select Skip This Delivery
  4. Confirm your choice by selecting Skip one more time. Upon saving, you’ll see a red cross next to the delivery date.

Blue Apron delivers to all locations in continental US. When you first sign up, you can choose between a number of delivery days. You'll then automatically receive your order on that same weekday for the coming weeks unless you change in your Account Settings.

Note that if an order is marked as Order Processed or Shipped, it's too late to skip it.

You can also skip a delivery or review your future deliveries using the Blue Apron app.

Recycle your Packaging

Blue Apron is committed to contributing to a more sustainable society. Over 85% of their materials are recyclable, and they have a handy guide on their website helping you review what to put where. We say yes to more taste and less trash per serving!

FAQS

Is Blue Apron any good?

Blue Apron is a great choice if you want healthy, home cooked meals. While maybe not as tasty as going out to a restaurant, the Blue Apron meals are simple and quick to prepare. 

Which is better – Blue Apron or Hello Fresh?

When it comes to Blue Apron vs HelloFresh, Blue Apron wins for the variety of flavors and the creativity of the meals. HelloFresh, however, is better for convenience, speed, and simplicity. 

How much per month is Blue Apron?

Blue Apron has different subscription types at different prices currently starting at $8.74 for the family plan. For anything related to Blue Apron pricing, have a look at their website under the section Pricing where the current cost for each dish is listed. The price also varies depending on if you want one box per week or less frequent.

A lot of times, a subscription lets you save money since it prevents you from grabbing those snacks on your way to the checkout. Plus, ingredients reach you directly from the farmers and suppliers, without commission being added.

Is Blue Apron good for weight loss?

Yes, Blue Apron offers a Weight Watchers meal delivery service where you can order three WW-approved meals per week. It’s a perfect way to enjoy healthy meals at home and to add variety to your diet with fun and flavorful recipes.

Is Blue Apron cheaper than grocery shopping?

No, Blue Apron is not necessarily cheaper than grocery shopping. However, if you consider the interesting recipes, pre-portioned ingredients, and ease of meal delivery, Blue Apron can be worth the cost.

Is Blue Apron good for beginners?

Yes, Blue Apron is good for beginners. The recipes are extremely simple and easy-to-follow, so even someone with no kitchen experience could make them. The cook times are typically right on target, but sometimes I finish in less time than the recipe states.

Can I cancel Blue Apron after a free trial?

Yes, when your free trial expires, you can cancel your Blue Apron membership at no charge.

Does Blue Apron work with Weight Watchers?

Yes, Blue Apron has collaborated with WW to bring WW-Approved recipes created by chefs. The ingredients come pre-portioned, and the meals are healthy, high-quality, and flavorful.

How many meals do you get a week with Blue Apron?

Blue Apron offers different plans to meet your needs. You can choose from 2, 3, or 4 weekly recipes. Each meal kit has enough portions for two people or four people.

Is it hard to cancel Blue Apron?

No, it’s not hard to cancel Blue Apron. You can cancel your subscription by emailing cancellations@blueapron.com before your “Changeable By” date. The customer service team will reach out with further instructions.

Why do people use Blue Apron?

Blue Apron is perhaps the most notable meal kit delivery service today. With the service, you get a shipment of recipes and the pre-portioned ingredients you need to make meals every week. One of the significant advantages of Blue Apron is that it saves you time on shopping for food and meal prep.

Does Blue Apron teach you to cook?

Yes, Blue Apron can help you learn to cook. In fact, the name Blue Apron is a tribute to chefs all throughout the globe who wear blue aprons while figuring out how to cook. Today, the blue apron is an image of deep rooted learning inside the culinary field.

Can you order just one Blue Apron meal?

No, you cannot order just one Blue Apron meal. To get Blue Apron meals, you have to choose a subscription plan and order at least two recipes per week.

Is there a cancellation fee for Blue Apron?

No, there is no cancellation fee for Blue Apron. You can pause, skip, or cancel your deliveries at any time with no fee.

Can you skip a week with Blue Apron?

Yes, you can skip Blue Apron orders up to five weeks ahead of time. To skip, sign in to your account, head to your Upcoming page, and find the order you'd prefer to skip. Then, hit 'Manage Delivery,’ and select 'Skip This Delivery.'

How many days do Blue Apron meals last?

Blue Apron meals last about a week in the fridge. However, the company recommends you cook seafood dishes first to enjoy them as fresh as possible.

How many WW points are Blue Apron meals?

Blue Apron has a partnership with WW, so they have a line of WW-approved meal options. Each meal has a SmartPoints score of about 4 to 5 points. You can scan the barcode for each meal to easily track your points in the WW app.

How often do you pay for Blue Apron?

Blue Apron members pay weekly. Unless you skip an order, you will be charged 3 to 5 days before your next shipment.

Does Blue Apron provide all ingredients?

Blue Apron provides all of the ingredients you’ll need to make your recipes, including produce, meats, and sauces. You’ll only need to provide pantry staples such as olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Can I cancel Blue Apron anytime?

Yes, you can cancel Blue Apron any time. There is no minimum commitment for a subscription.

Can I freeze my Blue Apron meals?

Yes, you can freeze the ingredients in your Blue Apron meals until you are ready to cook them.

Can you gift Blue Apron?

Yes, you can buy gift cards for Blue Apron meals or wine. You can have your gift card emailed or print it out at home.

What is Blue Apron and how does it work?

Blue Apron is a service that sends you the entirety of the ingredients and guidelines to prepare a meal (that their culinary specialists plan for you) at home. You browse their meals for the week, and you get all the ingredients required for that meal delivered to your door.

Does Blue Apron have healthy meals?

Blue Apron offers low-calorie and WW-approved meals for people looking to lose weight. Generally, it is also a healthier alternative to eating take out or other quick meals.

How can I get Blue Apron for free?

Many Blue Apron partners offer promo codes for a free trial of Blue Apron. Check the Blue Apron site to find current offers.

How do I get a refund from Blue Apron?

If you are missing or cannot use an ingredient, you can report an issue online and the Blue Apron team will issue you a credit. If you need a refund for a market item, email market@blueapron.com.

How long do Blue Apron meals last in the fridge?

Your Blue Apron ingredients can last up to 7 days in the fridge, but I prefer to eat mine within 4 or 5 days for optimum freshness.

What happens if Blue Apron is late?

Blue Apron does its best to send you updated information about your delivery. If you do not know where your order is, contact the customer service team.

Does Blue Apron require a subscription?

Yes, you have to sign up for a subscription to use Blue Apron. However, there is no minimum commitment. You can cancel your account any time.

Where does Blue Apron get their meat from?

Blue Apron gets ingredients from their network of ranchers, fisheries, and farmers. The animals raised for meat consume vegetarian diets and have no added hormones.

How do Blue Apron free boxes work?

Sometimes, Blue Apron offers promotions or referral credits that you can use to redeem free boxes. You can get referral credits when you invite someone to Blue Apron using the Referral Program.

Is Blue Apron packaging recyclable?

Blue Apron has made strides to improve the recyclability of their packaging. Presently, more than 85% of Blue Apron packaging is recyclable through store drop-off or curbside recycling.

How long can my blue apron box sit outside?

Blue Apron boxes are made to stay fresh up to 24 hours post your scheduled delivery day, so you don’t have to be home to get your package.

Is Blue Apron worth the price?

Blue Apron can be worth the price if you don’t have time to grocery shop or meal plan, want to learn to cook, or want to try new foods. If you dine-out often, Blue Apron may even save you money by helping you cook at home. 

Blue Apron Costs

You can select one of four weekly meal plans that bring you 4-16 meal kits per week at $8.99-$9.99 per serving. You receive free shipping for orders of three recipes per week (each serves two people) or two recipes for Signature for 4 meal plan (each serves four people). Otherwise, there is a $7.99 shipping fee for orders that don’t match the criteria.

Pros & Cons

Blue Apron is a meal delivery service with an intention: to build a better food system.

Choose between the family plan serving four, with the possibility to get leftovers to bring in the lunchbox the following day, or the 2-serving plan ideal for couples or friends sharing an apartment. No need to plan, make a food schedule, or shop for groceries – get the luxury of focusing on preparation and eating!

The for Blue Apron unique concept Premium Recipes is for those who wish to learn the more challenging parts of the cooking process and see a rapid improvement in their cooking skills.

Blue Apron also has a well-written blog teaching you things such as how to cut corn off the cob, make the perfect tofu, and bake with frozen berries. That is – both recipes and parts of the cooking process that might require a little extra presence and attention to detail.

They also have featured articles such as "Get to know your pantry" and "Make the most of summer produce", and a section dedicated to all things drinks.

The Cookbook section of the website gives you recipes for all meals. Since it's open for everyone, you can try to make a meal even before your first box arrives!

Blue Apron also has an affiliate program. It lets you share affiliate links on social media and among friends and get compensation for each person who signs up through your link.

Bear in mind that Blue Apron does not cater to allergies or vegans, as is the case for many meal delivery services. The possibility of choosing your own meals from different categories makes it easier to prepare something that suits you. Each recipe card comes with indications of common allergens to help you omit or replace them.

Also, the maximum number of meals per week is four, meaning you'll still need to go to the supermarket every now and then. Worth mentioning is that this is the case for many other meal delivery services too.

Food for Thought

The flexible plans are made to help customers create a winning combination of meals. Starting at two meals per week, making a Blue Apron meal for dinner soon becomes something to look forward to even more than going to the restaurants! Get inspiration and new suggestions, and test recipes and meals you didn't know you loved.

Thanks to the packaging and insulation used, designed to keep your food cold, you don't need to be at home to receive your meal deliveries. Try out one of the premium recipes to learn how to cook meals worthy of a top restaurant.

And for those days when you're on the go, but still wanna keep the integrity of your plate and don't wanna compromise with nutrition and taste, review the labels on the recipes before ordering. Some dishes are ready to eat in as little as 20 minutes!

Blue Apron wants to make a difference in the way people relate to food, and take out the prestige of cooking by making it available to anyone.

So whether you're an A-level home chef wanting to take your skills to the next level, or a complete novice behind the pots and pans, Blue Apron has something for you. So put on your blue apron and get cooking – your biggest risk is to make your friends green of envy with your new chef-level meals!

Blue Apron's food delivery services

Blue Apron

  • Suitable for anyone – choose between simple or more advanced recipes 
  • Online cookbook lets you try meals before signing up
  • Flexible meal plans
  • Affiliate program to get compensated for referring friends

Hi, I'm Paul. Welcome to my website! I, along with my cronies, are leveraging our years of working in the food industry to review meal and drink delivery services. We review. You eat happily ever after.

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