Medically reviewed by 
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 simplify meal prep and get dinner on the table in no time. The catch? Not all kits are created equal.
Blue Apron promises a convenient and high-quality meal experience with fresh ingredients and creative recipes, delivered straight to your door. Recently, the meal kit service updated its model, so we put it to the test to see what's changed. 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 that the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab has tested. 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 options for two or four servings, as well as microwave-ready meals for busy days.
Blue Apron has recently changed its approach, introducing a new brand identity and expanding its menu to include both traditional meal kits and heat-and-eat options. It also now allows customers to shop without a subscription, offering greater flexibility for different lifestyles. These changes aim to reflect how people cook and eat today, but the real question is whether or not the updates improve the experience for home cooks who have relied on Blue Apron for years.
How do Blue Apron meals work?
Blue Apron aims to simplify mealtime by providing fresh ingredients paired with easy-to-follow recipes. The service offers a high level of customization, allowing customers to tailor their orders based on dietary preferences, such as vegetarian options or specific proteins like poultry, fish, or beef. Cook time preferences are also available, and Blue Apron includes nutritionist-approved meals designed for specific lifestyles, such as carb-conscious (45 grams or less net carbs per serving), reduced sodium, or meals with 600 calories or fewer. Beyond main meals, customers can add extras such as soups, salads, breakfast items like egg bites or smoothies, pizzas, calzones, and additional proteins.
Traditionally, meal kit services have been built around fixed plans, typically serving two or four people with limited flexibility. Blue Apron has shifted away from this model with a new à la carte system that allows customers to order meals individually without a subscription.
The menu has expanded significantly, now offering more than 100 options each week, over twice its previous range. Blue Apron organizes its offerings into three main categories:
- Dish by Blue Apron: Fully prepared meals designed to meet specific nutrition standards, including at least 20 grams of protein, a source of fiber, and no artificial flavors or colors. With approximately 40 rotating choices each week, these meals can be ready in about five minutes, requiring no preparation or cleanup.
- Assemble & Bake: One-pan, family-friendly dishes that use pre-prepped ingredients, needing five minutes or less of hands-on time. This category offers 15 rotating weekly recipes plus 10 always-available staples, making it a practical option for busy nights.
- Meal Kits: The company’s original offering, now streamlined for speed and flexibility. Recipes range from simple weeknight dinners to more elevated, chef-inspired dishes, crafted for a variety of cooking skill levels.
How much does Blue Apron cost?
Blue Apron’s pricing varies by meal type, with all options offered à la carte. Prepared meals average around $10 per serving. Assemble & Bake options run about $12, and Meal Kits range from $10 to $14, depending on the ingredients and complexity.
For regular customers, Blue Apron+ is a $9.99 monthly membership that offers free shipping, exclusive perks, and access to Tastemade+, a curated collection of recipes and culinary content. For many, the benefits outweigh the cost with just one order.
Blue Apron also offers Autoship & Save, allowing customers to set delivery schedules on a weekly, biweekly, or custom basis while earning a 5% discount on each order, making meal planning easier and more affordable.
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 caught my attention was just how customizable everything is. I liked that I could choose exactly what I wanted without feeling locked into a set plan. The menu offered a wide variety, ranging from fully prepared heat-and-eat meals to one-pan dishes and traditional meal kits, making it easy to find something that fit my mood and schedule.
I also appreciated being able to decide how many meals I wanted each week and how many servings per meal. That level of flexibility meant I could adapt my orders to match a busy week or a quieter one, without feeling like I was paying for meals I wouldn’t use. It made the whole experience feel much more tailored and personal.
Once I created my account, I was able to select my preferred delivery day, making 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.
One pleasant surprise was how much I enjoyed 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 opted for 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 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 immediately. 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.”
What I noticed about Blue Apron’s new packaging is how much more streamlined it feels. The produce is now grouped by recipe instead of coming in separate bags, which makes it so much easier to keep track of what goes with what. I also like that the “Dish by Blue Apron” meals come in trays that are both microwave- and oven-safe, adding a level of convenience that makes the cooking process feel smoother from start to finish.
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 with Blue Apron, everything was fresh and vibrant, and 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.
I appreciated how the meals featured fresh, vibrant ingredients that added nutritional value. For example, the Hand-Cut Pappardelle features hearty kale, which boosts the fiber content of the dish. The premade meals were also clearly labeled with nutritional information, making it easy to track 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 prepare: Just chop the sweet potatoes, pop them in the oven, and you’re good to go. I even added an 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 like a restaurant-quality experience. 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. You can even choose pre-cooked or one-pan meals for added convenience when time is tight. 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-prepared 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 looking to save time on meal planning and shopping, while still 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.
With recent updates, Blue Apron now offers over 100 weekly menu options, including prepared meals, one-pan recipes, and classic meal kits, all available à la carte with no subscription required. This expanded selection makes it even easier to tailor your orders to your lifestyle and schedule. It's definitely worth considering if you want to reduce 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 snacks and supplements to meal delivery services. For our latest comprehensive evaluation, we tested 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. Each service was carefully analyzed based on key factors like overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, sustainability efforts and availability.
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 Institute Nutrition Lab. This included testing the meals for taste, convenience, and how well they fit into a healthy lifestyle.
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.
Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.
