Meal kit delivery services are wonderful for people who either have little time for shopping or simply loathe it. They are also awesome for discovering new meals without needing dozens of different cookbooks.
But the cost is often an important factor. You know how much you spend on grocery shopping, but what about meal kits?
Is Blue Apron cheaper than grocery shopping?
It depends on the meals you order and how many. Overall, Blue Apron’s meals are similar in pricing to grocery shopping – with exceptions.
To learn details about how Blue Apron compares to grocery shopping and other meal kits, keep reading as I will answer some common questions.
What Does Blue Apron Offer?
Blue Apron was founded in 2012 and calls itself the “original American meal kit delivery service” (compared to other meal kits that either entered the market later or were founded overseas).
Blue Apron delivers fresh ingredients that come in just the right amount for their recipes. This means no food waste, no measuring, and, best of all: no trips to the grocery store.
You can choose from over 60 options each week. You have to order a minimum of 2 meals for 2 people and can order a maximum of 4 meals for 4 people.
If you are just one person, you could eat the same meal two days in a row or freeze half of each meal, so you have some quick “ready meals” in your freezer for another time.
How Much Does Blue Apron Cost?
Before we can compare Blue Apron against the grocery store, let’s look at how much each of Blue Apron’s meal kit plans costs per serving.
| Meals | Cost per serving for 2 people | Cost per serving for 4 people |
| 2 | $11.99 | $9.49 |
| 3 | $9.99 | $8.49 |
| 4 | $9.49 | $7.99 |
This means the most expensive cost per portion is $11.99, and the cheapest cost is $7.99. This makes Blue Apron cheaper than Hello Fresh but more expensive than Dinnerly and Everyplate.
How Much Would It Cost To Buy Blue Apron Ingredients In A Grocery Store?
For this comparison, I am looking at the ingredients you need to buy one of Blue Apron’s popular dishes the Seared Hanger Steak.
For two servings, Blue Apron’s delivery includes
- 2 Hanger steaks
- 6 oz fingerling potatoes
- 6 oz green beans
- 1 small bunch of rosemary
- 1 small bunch of tarragon
- 1 shallot
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Remember, one serving would cost between $7.99 and $11.99.
If you bought these ingredients in a grocery store, you’d spend, on average
- $10 for two Hanger steaks (or buy cheaper steaks)
- $1 for 6 oz fingerling potatoes
- $2 for a packet of fresh green beans
- $1.50 for a small bunch of rosemary
- $1.50 for a small bunch of tarragon
- $0.45 for 1 shallot
- $2.50 for a jar or bottle of Dijon mustard
That’s a total of $17.95 for two servings, which means one serving costs $8.98. You could also spend a lot less if you buy cheaper steaks. You might not even get Hanger steaks in your local grocery store.
So, let’s compare: the cheapest option at Blue Apron costs $7.99 per portion. If you order four meals per week for four people, then you save money – until you factor in the delivery costs ($9.99 per week).
You would see bigger differences when you look at vegetarian meals and meals without expensive Hanger steaks.
Overall, Blue Apron is only sometimes cheaper than a grocery store. In many cases, Blue Apron’s meals are similar in pricing compared to buying ingredients in a grocery store.
Other Savings If You Use Blue Apron
While it doesn’t look like you can make impressive savings by opting for Blue Apron, you need to consider the following
- You don’t need to spend money on petrol, taxis, Uber, or public transport to get to the grocery store.
- You’re not throwing away extra food because you get just what you need for each meal.
- You save a lot of time.
Who Is Blue Apron Suitable For?
While Blue Apron seems like a reasonably priced meal kit delivery service, it does not suit everyone. If you have particular dietary needs, you might find it challenging to fill up a weekly box if you want four different meals.
Blue Apron is great for meat eaters and vegetarians (vegans, not so much). While you can find allergen information for each meal, it might be a little hassle for people with allergies and intolerance.
Blue Apron is great for busy people or people who want to simplify their daily routines. It is suitable for customers who do not mind paying a little more than in the grocery store for some of the meal options.
Families can also benefit from using Blue Apron, as the plan for 4 is ideal for two adults and two children.
Are Blue Apron Meal Kits Healthy And Filling?
Blue Apron meals are supposed to make you feel satisfied and full after one portion. Of course, you might want a bit more if you are working hard or working out a lot. The average adult, however, will find one portion filling enough. For a child, one portion might be a little too much.
Regarding nutrition and health, Blue Apron offers a great balance. Most meals offer plenty of vitamins and minerals, while a smaller number is meant to be comfort food whose aim isn’t to be healthy. None of the meals on Blue Apron’s menu could be classified as proper junk food, though.
Final Thoughts
Blue Apron offers a great selection of meals unless you have special dietary needs or are vegan. While Blue Apron, overall, isn’t cheaper than grocery shopping, it also isn’t that much more expensive.
Blue Apron would be cheaper if you’d only eat steak-based meals, but if you’re vegetarian, shopping in the grocery store would cost less.
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