Cooking dinner every night can feel like a chore, but meal delivery kits promise to make life a whole lot easier. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent on the go or simply someone who loves the idea of cooking but hates the hassle, these kits claim to be the solution. With pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipes, meal kits aim to take the stress out of meal prep and get dinner on the table in no time. The catch? Not all kits are created equal.
Blue Apron promises a convenient, high-quality meal experience with fresh ingredients and creative recipes delivered straight to your door. But does it actually deliver? Can it truly make dinnertime easier without sacrificing flavor? I tested four of Blue Apron's meal kits and two of their premade meals, comparing them to over 50 other meal services tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab. With insights from home cooks and experts in our Lab, we’ll help you determine if Blue Apron is the right fit for you.
What is Blue Apron?
Pros
- Suitable for all cooking levels
- Exceptional seasonal boxes
- Easy-to-follow recipe cards
- Offers a wide variety of plans, including premade meals
- High-quality ingredients compared to many other meal services
Cons
- Limited options for certain dietary restrictions
- Some meals are high in sodium
Founded in 2012, Blue Apron is a meal delivery service that simplifies home cooking by providing portioned ingredients along with easy-to-follow recipes. Each week, their culinary team creates new, seasonal menus with choices for two or four servings, plus microwave-ready meals for busy days.
What sets Blue Apron apart is its focus on sustainability, flexibility and culinary variety. Their commitment to quality ingredients, unique seasonal menus and flexible delivery options makes it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy fresh meals without the hassle.
How do Blue Apron meals work?
Blue Apron makes mealtime easier with fresh ingredients and simple recipes. You can choose meals based on your preferences whether that's family-friendly, quick and easy, wellness-focused or veggie-forward. Flexibility is key, allowing you to skip a week or cancel your subscription whenever needed. You can customize your plan with dietary preferences like vegetarian options or specific protein choices, and Blue Apron offers nutritionist-approved meals that fit lifestyles like low-carb or 600 calories or less.
With a focus on sustainability, over 85% of their packaging is recyclable. Their menu changes weekly with seasonal dishes for both beginner and experienced cooks. Blue Apron also offers add-ons like appetizers, sides and desserts, and for a unique experience, you can buy select meal kits without a subscription through the Blue Apron Market.
How much does Blue Apron cost?
Blue Apron offers flexible meal plan options with discounts and free shipping to suit different needs and budgets. For prepared meals, a four-meal pack (two servings each) costs $27.96, or a 10-meal pack is available for $74.90. For meal kits, you can choose two servings per meal with two meals per week for $27.96, or four servings per meal with five meals per week for $139.80. Prices may vary based on servings, menu selections, taxes and promotions, but the more items you add, the lower the price per serving.
My experience testing Blue Apron
Ordering and meal selection
Ordering from Blue Apron was such a pleasant surprise: The website is super easy to navigate, and it’s actually kind of fun to scroll through all the meal options — everything looks so vibrant and mouthwatering. I spent way more time than I expected just picking meals because everything looked so good. Whether you’re someone who loves cooking or just needs something quick and convenient, Blue Apron really covers all the bases.
One thing that really stood out to me was how customizable everything is. Blue Apron lets you choose from different meal preferences, which made it easy for me to find something I liked. You can go with Chef Favorites, Wellness (healthy, nutritionist-approved meals), Family-Friendly, Fast & Easy (quick meals for busy nights) or Veggies (meat-free dishes loaded with seasonal produce). There’s also flexibility with how many meals you get each week, from two to five, and you can pick either two or four servings per meal. It’s nice to have that flexibility, especially when life can get a little unpredictable.
Once I created my account, I was able to choose my preferred delivery day, which made it easy to plan ahead. I also found it super helpful that you can adjust your delivery date if something comes up. They deliver Monday through Saturday in most areas, and once your order ships, you get an email with tracking info, which is always nice to have. What I really appreciated, though, was the option to skip a week (or even a few) if I was busy. It’s nice not to feel locked into something, and the reminder emails before an order processes really kept me on track.
Something I didn’t expect but really loved was Blue Apron’s blog. It’s full of fun, useful cooking tips and recipes, and I found myself actually using them. I came across a great guide for making fresh spring rolls, which was a fun project. They also include recipes from their cookbook, which was a cool touch if I wanted to try something a little more ambitious. The step-by-step instructions for preparing a whole half chicken were awesome and totally boosted my confidence in the kitchen.
For my delivery, I went with a variety of meals: Sheet Pan Cajun Salmon, New York Strip Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce, Hand-Cut Pappardelle and Pork and Curry-Spiced Rice. I also grabbed some premade meals like Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Orzo for those days when I wasn’t in the mood to cook. The flexibility and variety in meal choices, along with the ease of ordering, definitely made Blue Apron a standout experience.
Unboxing and condition of food on arrival
When my Blue Apron delivery arrived, I was honestly impressed with how well it was packaged. The food came in a refrigerated box with frozen gel packs and insulated liners, keeping everything cool even though I wasn’t home to accept the delivery right away. I didn’t get to the package until about five hours after it arrived, but when I opened it up, the ingredients were still cool to the touch, which was reassuring. One tester noted, “The condition of the ingredients was surprisingly great. Nothing was damaged, and all of the ingredients were well-packaged.”
The quality of the ingredients really stood out. I’ve had experiences with other meal services where greens and herbs arrived wilted or sad-looking, but this time everything was fresh and vibrant, plus nothing was damaged. The veggies were crisp, and the herbs were fragrant and bright, which made me excited to get cooking. According to Blue Apron, they focus on using sustainable farming practices, and their meat, poultry and eggs are fresh and carefully selected, with no added hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics. I could really see the difference in the freshness of the ingredients, which made me feel confident in the food I was about to cook.
I really loved the recipe cards. They’re clear and easy to follow, and they highlight the estimated time it would take to make the meal. This was super helpful to know in advance, especially on busy days when I was trying to plan my schedule. One tester said, “The instructions are clear with the right balance of details and great photos. The meals are adventurous but not too out-there, so it’s fun but still relevant for traditional palates.” Every recipe card also included a chef’s note that featured a special ingredient or technique like the chile paste from Calabria in the Hand-Cut Pappardelle recipe which added an extra layer of excitement to the cooking process.
The ingredients were grouped by meal in convenient bags (though I'm not a fan of the plastic), which saved me time and made meal prep feel manageable.
If you're not home when your delivery arrives, Blue Apron recommends refrigerating all perishable items as soon as you get back to keep them fresh. The portion sizes were perfect for me, though one tester mentioned that the quantity might not be enough for bigger appetites: “The food was good but the amount of food wasn’t enough, so I’d definitely tell anyone who was going to order from here to think about how hungry the people in their house might be and probably increase the quantity.”
Recipes and nutrition
The recipes I tried from Blue Apron ranged from around 500 to 700 calories per serving. The protein portions were satisfying, paired with a balanced mix of carbs, fats and fiber. However, one drawback was the elevated sodium content in most of the meals. That said, I was pleasantly surprised that they didn’t taste overly salty, which is often a concern with pre-prepped or packaged meals.
I sampled a variety of dishes, including Sheet Pan Cajun Salmon, New York Strip Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce, Hand Cut Pappardelle and Pork and Curry Spiced Rice. I also tried a couple of their premade meals like Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Orzo and Veggie Chili with Cheddar Cheese. The portion sizes were satisfying for me, though the premade meals were on the lighter side, making them perfect for quick lunches or post-workout meals.
One thing I appreciated was how the meals featured fresh, vibrant ingredients that added nutritional value. For example, the Hand Cut Pappardelle included hearty kale, boosting the fiber content of the dish. The premade meals were also clearly labeled with nutritional information, which made it easy to keep track of calories and macros. You can find all the nutrition facts online in your Blue Apron account, but I would’ve personally loved to see them printed on the recipe cards for easier reference.
You can also share your cooking experience with the Blue Apron online community by snapping photos of your meals and posting them on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #blueapron. It’s a fun way to engage with other home cooks and get meal inspiration.
Taste
The flavors and overall taste of the meals were impressive. The Hand Cut Pappardelle was a standout dish. It featured hearty kale, juicy tomatoes and Calabrian chile paste for a subtle kick, all tossed with wide pappardelle pasta. The combination of rich tomato sauce and fresh, earthy kale made it both hearty and satisfying.
My favorite meal, though, was the Sheet Pan Cajun Salmon. I’m a big salmon fan, and this dish did not disappoint. The fish was incredibly fresh, and the bold Cajun seasoning gave it just the right amount of heat and flavor. The side was quick and easy to prep: Just chop the sweet potatoes, pop them in the oven and you’re good to go. I even added extra sweet potato from my pantry to have leftovers for the next day.
The New York Strip Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce was another winner. The steak was tender, and the creamy mushroom sauce added richness and depth, making the dish feel restaurant quality. On the other hand, the Pork and Curry Spiced Rice wasn’t really my style. I’m not usually a fan of so many bold flavors and textures in one dish, but if you enjoy Indian inspired cuisine, this could be a hit. The cilantro sauce, however, was a bright, tangy touch that I did enjoy.
I also tried the premade Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Orzo, which was surprisingly delicious. It was ready in under five minutes and still tasted fresh. The Veggie Chili with Cheddar Cheese wasn’t really my thing, but if you’re a chili lover, you might enjoy it more.
One of the experts in our Lab noted: "We tested Blue Apron's ready-to-heat meals initially when they launched and the meals were so-so. We tried them again recently and quality has improved," which is reassuring if you’ve tried Blue Apron before and weren’t blown away.
Who should order Blue Apron?
Blue Apron is a great option if you love fresh, flavorful meals but want to skip the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home cook, their easy-to-follow recipes and pre-measured ingredients make cooking simple and enjoyable. Lab experts agreed that Blue Apron is ideal for home cooks at every level, and if you don’t have a ton of dietary preferences or restrictions, it’s an excellent option.
The rotating menu offers a great variety of meals with innovative flavor profiles and unique twists, so every meal feels elevated without being overwhelming. Blue Apron’s generous portions and restaurant-quality recipes are a win for couples and families of four. The flexible serving sizes and globally-inspired flavors kept dinner interesting, while the convenience of pre-prepped ingredients made mealtime stress-free.
The bottom line: Is Blue Apron worth it?
Blue Apron is a solid choice if you're after convenience and variety in your meals. The service provides fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, making home cooking simple and fun. It’s a great option for anyone wanting to save time on meal planning and shopping, all while enjoying flavorful dishes. While it’s pricier than traditional grocery shopping, you can take advantage of regular discounts on their site, making it more affordable. It's definitely worth considering if you want to cut down on food waste and try new meals without the hassle.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we rigorously test a variety of food products and services, from healthy snacks and supplements to meal delivery services. For our latest study, we evaluated over 50 meal delivery services, including traditional kits with pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards, as well as fully-prepared options. We recruited more than 300 at-home chefs nationwide and had our in-house experts test the services in our Lab. Over the course of three months, we assessed each service on key factors like overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, sustainability efforts and availability to provide you with the most comprehensive results.
Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian with over 10 years of experience in nutrition and wellness, has reviewed various meal delivery services, including Gobble, Factor, HelloFresh and Thistle and Sakara Life in the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab. This included testing the meals for taste, convenience and how well they fit into a healthy lifestyle. She also evaluated ingredient freshness, portion size, ease of preparation and how these services help make healthy eating easier for busy people.
Valerie Agyeman (she/her) is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of combined nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert in the media, regularly appearing on networks such as Fox 5 DC, PIX-11, and ABC’s Good Morning Washington. She is also a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health Magazine, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, and The Everygirl.
