Blue Apron Review

This recipe and ingredient delivery service peeked my interest a few months back.  I love to cook, but I was tired of grocery shopping and finding recipes.  First world problems, right? I'm sure you can all relate at one time or another. 

I finally signed up for a plan with Blue Apron and wanted to share my experience online.  We've used the service for 10 weeks.  So I feel like this gives me a fair idea of what to expect and how the program works best for us. 

When I read some details about Blue Apron, I thought this was actually a great solution to my complaint about grocery shopping.  BA does all the legwork when it comes to meal planning. 



The subscription service sends out weekly meals in refrigerated boxes.  The meal plans includes 3 meals for two, four, or six adult servings.  Meals are customized for vegetarian, no pork, no fish, no shellfish, or no red meat.  We ordered up the meal plan for two who eat all food - and at $10 per person per meal ($60 per week), we felt this was fair for the variety and high quality of ingredients we receive.  The meals are designed to take approximately 30-45 minutes to prepare.  All you have to provide is olive oil, salt, and a few pots and pans... Blue Apron provides everything else.



Justin started his work season where he's working 2 or 3 nights per week (in addition to his normal workday), so I'm only cooking for both of us 4 or 5 nights per week.  Three meals are already planned thanks to BA, so this still gives us the flexibility to order up Mr. Pizza on the nights we have contractors over.



Here's what is great about Blue Apron...

1) Pre-portioned ingredients.  Less food waste... if you only need a teaspoon of Cardamom, that's all you get.  No need to purchase a $13 bottle for one recipe.  Justin and I were looking forward to less food waste.   We have a Monday night ritual (the night before garbage day), which includes us ransacking and sniffing various science experiments in the refrigerator and tossing the old stuff.  This ritual has been eliminated since we began BA.

2) Unique recipes.  I would consider myself open minded when it comes to food.  There are several times I raised my brows when I saw a recipe, but I was mostly surprised at how good it was. Most recipes were delicious...some more than others.  One meal didn't make the cut and ended up in the trash.

3) High Quality Ingredients.  BA focuses on locally grown and organic produce and the meats are raised antibiotic and hormone free.  I try to purchase mostly organic produce and meats that are antibiotic free anyway, so this was a big bonus for us.  And produce is in season.  We're receiving a lot of root and leafy green vegetables now that we're in late fall.



4) Fresh, handmade ingredients - BA works with bakers, artisan noodle makers, and pasta makers who create fresh and original products.  You're not getting Top Ramen. 

5) Easy to read recipes.  They show every step of the process, so even if I'm working late, Justin can make dinner and know exactly what to do.

6) Delivery - One refrigerated box was delivered each Saturday to my doorstep (usually between 9am and noon).  The box is well insulated on all sides, and includes 2 freezer packs to help keep the contents fresh and safe.  The box does include a lot of packaging, but the website lays out how to break it down for recycling.  Quite honestly, most of us grab those plastic bags in the produce section to weigh out 2 lemons, so I don't see much difference there.  However, the meats are all vacuum packed in a plastic package.  The meat we buy from the grocery store is often packed on styrofoam plates - no styrofoam plates here!



7) Flexiblility - There is no commitment once you sign up for Blue Apron.  We skipped one week when we were out of town, and we can cancel at any time.  There is no activation or cancellation fee! 

8) Outstanding Customer Service - One box was shipped with out one of the meat packages, and BA credited me back for the entire meal ($20).  I went to the grocery store and bought the lamb myself and was still able to make the meal.  In another instance, I called to cancel the shipment two days before we were to receive it since we had to unexpectedly leave town on a weekend.  BA credited me for the entire box and suggested I make my neighbor happy by gifting them the box.  (They were happy!)

The only downside that I have found with this service is that we no longer have leftovers.  All meals are pretty spot on with serving two people (except for casseroles, stews and soups - we served 3-4 with these).

{Chicken & Snow Pea-Radish Saute}

We don't go out to dinner anymore...ever. We have a list of restaurants that we'd like to try, so we make a point to go out at least one night a week.

As with any recipe I make, I rate it so I can remember for the future.  Here's what we thought of each meal..
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{Chicken Banh Mi}

Excellent

*would make it again and again*

Rice Flake-Crusted Salmon (w/Miso Smashed Japenese Sweet Potatoes & Mustard Greens)

Chicken Banh Mi (w/Pickled Vegetables & Sesame Cabbage Salad)

Lamb & Beef Sliders (w/Harissa-Labneh Sauce & Cucumber Salad)

{Blackened Chile-Dusted Chicken}

Really Good

*enjoyed the meal thoroughly*

Cheddar Biscuit-Topped Chicken Casserole (w/Green Tomato & Collard Greens)

Cuban Sandwiches (w/Sweet Plantain & Kale Salad) --> Kale salad was excellent!

Chicken & Snow Pea-Radish Saute (w/ Candied Pistachios)

Seared Cod Piperade (w/Roasted Blue Potatoes and Parsley Almond Sauce)

Blackened Chile-Dusted Chicken (w/Zucchini Rice Pilaf & Corn Tomato Salsa)

Beef Meatloaf & Roasted Potatoes (w/Lemon Horseradish Green Beans)

Turkey Meatballs & Linguine (w/Fresh Tomato Sauce & Pecorino Cheese)

Moussaka-Style Lasagna (w/Eggplant & Spinach)

Pan-Roasted Chicken (w/Saba-Grape Sauce, Roasted Fennel & Sunchokes)

Parmesan Crusted Chicken (w/Kale Caesar Salad & Toasted Hazelnuts)

Lamb Ragu (w/Rigatoni & Purple Topped Turnips)

{Seared Salmon & Tomato Chutney}

Good

*enjoyed the meal...but probably wouldn't make it again*

Southwestern Style Beef-Stuffed Peppers (w/Chipotle Pepper & Monterey Jack Cheese)

Chicken Hiyashi Chuka (w/Fresh Ramen Noodles & Summer Vegetables)

Seared Salmon & Tomato Chutney (w/Cranberry Bean & Spinach Stew)

Crispy Fish Sandwiches (w/Coleslaw & Homemade Tartar Sauce)

Crispy Fish Tacos (w/Salsa Verde & Red Cabbage Slaw)

Southern Style Shrimp & Grits

{Southern Style Shrimp and Grits}

{Chicken Hiyashi Chuka}

One meal didnt' make the cut...

Trashed

*yuck - we went to Arby's instead*

Grains of Paradise-Crusted Steak (w/Preserved Lemon, Eggplant & Israeli Couscous Salad)

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Overall, we are really impressed with Blue Apron and will continue using their services.  We may switch to every other week so I can still make dinner and have leftovers (which is great for lunches the following day).  It's great knowing exactly what's for dinner and that the ingredients are waiting for us in the refrigerator.