Millions of people across the globe are starting to try at-home food delivery kits for the first time. Meal delivery kits are the latest sensation, with Blue Apron setting the category standard.
A commonly held belief is that it's way too expensive to be practical. Will you actually save more money, or is it just as expensive as eating out? You may be surprised. In this article you will learn:
We tried Blue Apron for over a year and we loved it. We don't generally cook much due to our busy schedules. Somehow, the Blue Apron format seemed to help us fit it in - and we subscribed for quite a long time.
We documented some of our favorite dishes to try to give you a small glimpse into the experience. Check out some of our favorite gourmet dinners we made and the most popular recipes.
Below we'll break down the cost of Blue Apron meal kits.
The first factor in determining the price of your Blue Apron meal kit will be how many recipes you order each week (per person).
You can generally have meals sent for 2, 3, or 4 nights based on what's best for your situation. Then, you multiply that based on whether you're serving for two or four during each meal.
Generally, you'll get a better price per person if you're choosing four servings, twice weekly. Separately, you'll get a better price per meal when feeding a larger family or group of 4.
Blue Apron generally costs per meal $7.99 - $9.99 (on average).
However, flash sales happen frequently. If you're lucky, you may even get a gift card to Blue Apron.
Currently, new customers get their first six boxes for $150. That's as little as $5.12 per serving or 18 free meals compared to their non-promotional average.
That's hard to beat. We confirmed this flash sale is still active as of Friday December 2024.
Blue Apron deals with a number of factors in pricing their kits.
Each meal is comprised of several ingredients and, of course, prepared for between two-to-four people.
Your price will depend on the number of people you're feeding and the number of times per week. If you know those details, your costs will basically stay consistent week after week.
Of course, certain meals can cost you more than others if you select a premium upgrade or add-on.
With an average cost per meal somewhere around $8.
But it depends on how many people you're feeding + how many times per week you'll be eating.
If you're pitching in with a roommate or your spouse, working through the individual expense to see if it's justifiable is relatively simple.
It's about the price of cheap pub food and arguably as tasty as any $50-per-plate restaurant I've had a fraction of the price.
Plus, you'll be able to choose from a wide variety of delicious meals that you can repeat easily with easy-to-repeat techniques and recipes.
What’s the cost per month for Blue Apron, and – does it fit into my budget?
Blue Apron offers three menu plans, primarily based on the number of servings that each recipe makes.
The Signature plan offers two servings per recipe, the Vegetarian plan offers two servings per recipe, and the Signature for Four plan offers four servings per recipe.
Each menu plan has a slightly different price per serving, with the Signature for Four plan being the most expensive.
Here's a breakdown of the cost-per-meal when comparing the different serving sizes and quantities of meals you choose each month.
Blue Apron Family Plan costs $9 per person, per meal for a 2-serving plan when you get 3 or 4 meals per week. That's under $55 for two people eating three meals weekly.
Once you hit the threshold of twelve meals per month you'll also save on overall costs because of free shipping.
Here's a look a the different options you have for the total number of meals based on the frequency and how many people will be eating each meal.
If you’re cooking for two, your meals will be split between two people. If you’re cooking for four – it’s spread between four people.
Blue Apron’s Family Plan is $9.49 per person per meal for four people eating two meals per week or under $500 each month. That includes free shipping and there are no hidden fees and you’ll always know what to expect from your grocery bill.
With their current promo, it's actually only $5.12 per serving.
You're provided with all necessary cooking directions and ingredients to make each meal - no cooking experience is required.
The Blue Apron website offers recipes for each dish in their library or you can create your own unique meal combinations based on the recipes as well.
When comparing Blue Apron’s Pricing to other meal services (like Plated, Home Chef or Hello Fresh), you’ll find that Blue Apron’s plans generally cost about $1 less on average for both the family plan and 2-person plans.
So, for those who keep a tight ledger on a weekly basis, you are potentially able to save up to a couple of hundred dollars annually.
But overall, it’s probably not something so significant that it tips the balance heavily in the favor of Blue Apron’s plans. And since it’s only a few dollars difference per week, that gives you the freedom to base your decision on other factors when considering your meal planning (or grocery shopping).
The more food you receive in your package, the more expensive your subscription will be.
There are usually options to "upgrade" each delivery, which allows you the freedom to choose premium add-ons to your regular delivery.
They also sometimes offer premium options that are slightly more expensive than the other dishes.
Every week you'll have as many as 11 different options for choosing which dish to create.
That gives you a lot of flexibility – you have a lot of freedom to choose what you want. You can also adjust the amount you want to eat up to if you choose to.
Considering that eating at a restaurant costs about 5x as much as cooking from scratch, you're actually eating restaurant-caliber food for a fraction of the cost.
So – given the fact that families and individuals who are starting to eat at home more often can start saving, I’d recommend getting a Blue Apron Family Plan.
Or, if you’re into saving even more money, one-for-one – take the four-person plan and a whole family can share the cost.
Blue Apron’s Family Plan prices are the most efficient when ordering 3 meals on a weekly basis.
If you're looking to save, Blue Apron is better.
You can get two, two-serving meal kits for $47.95 per week - that's just $9.99 per serving.
Plus, shipping is only $7.99.
HelloFresh is more expensive, with the minimum spend being $54.95 per week.
That gets you two, two-serving meals at $11.49 per serving plus $8.99 shipping.
HelloFresh and Blue Apron are both popular meal delivery services.
You may find yourself loving them both.
Some say HelloFresh is probably better for larger families, while Blue Apron may be more suited for couples or single people.
But that will certainly change from person to person.
Both services have excellent quality standards and recipes - so it's definitely worth experiencing both!
Yes, it is a good idea. You don't have to put in much effort!
Blue Apron family plan is more convenient than shopping for groceries for a family of four. The taste and experience are also better. And, if you're cooking for 4 people, the per-person cost is cheaper.
It's also financially smart to cook for four instead of two people.
The family plan costs much less than going out to eat.
When looking at the average cost of Blue Apron we can see that it would be difficult to find the same quality of meals at a lower rate.
In fact - I challenge you to find the same value!
And when compared to restaurant meals, what you can save on an annual basis – while still eating restaurant-quality meals – can be dramatic, to say the least.
Check out the options with this healthy Roasted Veggie & Grain Bowl - available with or without meat.
For over a decade, Blue Apron has provided healthy, affordable cuisine; After all, Blue Apron perfects a new recipe every week!
If you’re looking for a meal service, this is, without a doubt, in the top tier of those available.
All of Blue Apron’s recipes are created by culinary specialists.
If you want good, healthy, and delicious food – plus the convenience of home delivery – Blue Apron might be the perfect fit.
You'd be hard-pressed to find the same quality of meals at a similar price point.
Blue Apron has a little bit of adventure in its menu while keeping the options surprisingly inviting to most diners - and most importantly - sparing little expense when it comes to sourcing high-quality foods.
We've been impressed by the number of off-the-beaten-path meals we've created and ended up loving, even though it wasn't something you'd normally find on your local favorite restaurant's menu.
If you feel so inspired to try it, make sure to take advantage of their current offer for 18 free meals and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that delivers fresh food from partnering farms to you, so you can cook gourmet meals - easily - in the comfort of your own home. Simply select the meals you'd like to receive, and all the ingredients you need will arrive neatly packaged and portioned for your cooking convenience.
Updated Friday December 2024: a two-person meal plan will start at about $7.99 per serving (there are 2 plates per meal), while four-person plans can cost as little as $5.12 per serving with their current promotion.
One of the best things about Blue Apron is that not only can you cancel anytime, but you can also simply delay or skip a weekly delivery when it's convenient. You don't have to worry about receiving unwanted deliveries or making arrangements when you're out of town.
Blue Apron deliveries come on a weekly basis, on the day of your choice. That makes it much easier to work around your schedule to ensure your ingredients are fresh and ready when you are.
Blue Apron has some great deals for all customers and you can even send them as gifts to friends, family and coworkers.
One of the best things about Blue Apron is that not only can you cancel anytime, but you can also simply delay or skip a weekly delivery when it's convenient. You don't have to worry about receiving unwanted deliveries or making arrangements when you're out of town.