Blue Apron 2-Person Box Review

Blue Apron gave product (a courtesy 2-person box) in exchange for this unbiased review. Not a Boomerang's Readers are eligible for a limited-time special discount- receive two free meals by subscribing today!

Blue Apron "makes incredible home cooking accessible by delivering original recipes and fresh ingredients to customers nationwide. Launched in 2012, Blue Apron is the largest fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the United States and delivers over 5 million meals a month to its loyal following of home chefs, with delivery currently reaching 99 percent of the continental United States. By reinventing the grocery supply chain from the farm to the dinner table, Blue Apron is able to source the highest quality, seasonal ingredients, that are fresher and more affordable than customers can get on their own at their local supermarket. Chefs around the world wear blue aprons when learning to cook, and the blue apron has become a symbol of lifelong learning in cooking. Blue Apron encourages this lifelong learning by introducing customers to new ingredients, flavors and cooking techniques with every recipe it creates. For more information, visit: blueapron.com."

The box comes packed in insulated freezer bags resting on top of thick ice packs. This made the package much heavier than I anticipated, but is convenient because busy subscribers do not have to worry about food (including raw meat) spoiling if left out on a doorstep. In fact, this worked perfectly in my case because my husband had no idea what this was and left it out for hours. Everything was edible and refrigerated. I was relieved.

Here is what you see after opening up the box. Ooh...ahh...

And here is what all of the goodies look like unboxed. There was so much food!

Three meals, three reviews:

• Recipe: Seared Pork Chops & Plum Salsa
• Recipe: Lemongrass Chicken Burgers with Hoisin Mayo and Roasted Potato Wedges
• Recipe: Brown Butter Cod with Corn, Shishito Peppers, & Purple Potatoes

This isn't a food blog. This is a personal finance blog. How do the numbers pan out?

Most importantly, is it worth signing up for?

Pros: 

• You're paying for convenience and a self-led cooking lesson. I learned new techniques and tried ingredients I more than likely never would have otherwise. 
• Subscribers can skip weeks when needed; go ahead and take that vacation. You deserve it. Delicious food will be there when you return and help delay that inevitable post-vacay grocery shopping trip.
• All ingredients were notably fresh.
• The meat is the cream of the crop variety- antibiotic-free, hormone-free, sourced local(ish), cage-free, free-range, wild-caught, etc.; earthy crunchy ethical meat eaters rejoice. If you're not (like me), you'll think, "Nice! These better-treated animals are going to taste awesome!
• Great for gifting- This would make for a thoughtful present for the amateur chef in your life aka me.
• No thinking needed. I am creative in the kitchen, but get slogged down after a long day. I don't always want to rummage through cabinets and the refrigerator to toss together a meal. This takes away some of that stress.
• The recipes are unique and each dish tastes like something ordered from a restaurant, more or less. 
• You can choose between a mix of recipes (some with meat) or only vegetarian.
• The freezer packs included are durable and reusable. Tailgating season is approaching. Just saying.
• No food waste. Everything is measured out just so, including seasoning and condiments. You don't need to buy a whole bottle of sesame oil or sherry vinegar you'll barely use. You won't find unused kale in your produce drawer weeks from now. 
• Blue Apron started a wine subscription service. Their recipe cards include suggested wine pairings- a nice touch!
• There aren't any cancellation hassles or fees.

Cons: 

• If you read through my reviews of each meal, you will see it's always cheaper to buy the individual ingredients from the grocery store (if you can find them). 
• Leftover ingredients aren't always bad. Sometimes it's more cost-effective to buy in bulk.
• Currently, there is no way to let Blue Apron know if someone in your household has a food allergy or dietary restriction (low/no sugar, low sodium). I hope this will change in the future.
• So. much. packaging. True, the produce is mostly free from this, but everything is individually packaged, bottled. It makes for more garbage and recycling than I am used to.
• More dishes. I am a one-bowl, one-pan kind of cook. I like to keep clean-up to a minimum. I found myself using more plates, utensils, everything. It's not a big deal if you have a dishwasher, but I certainly didn't until recently. It's not a deal breaker, but is something to consider.
• This isn't exactly a con, but more prep is required with fresh produce. I tend to buy vegetables that are pre-washed, chopped, and frozen. They're at peak ripeness while easy to cook with- cut open the bag, empty into pan, cook. Certain items (like tomatoes) I always buy fresh. My cutting board got more use with this box. The extra work didn't make me into a raw foodie or improve my chopping skills.
• I wish it were possible to sign up for a monthly box as opposed to weekly. It would make it more affordable.

Overall, it costs a little under $10 per person, per meal. Subscribers can opt for a 2-person or family (4-person) plan, ranging between $59.94 - $139.84 respectively. Boxes are delivered weekly. First-time subscribers can receive a substantial discount, making the first box even more worthwhile price-wise. I may spend less than the average household on weekly groceries, only up to $80-$120, if that. I also rarely order food out. Therefore, Blue Apron may not be the best choice for me, but meets the needs of those who regularly pay more than that for dinner per week and would like excellent, healthier food. It can also be helpful to busy professionals who want to take the work out of figuring out what to eat. Even at full-price, this could help the average family eat better, for less, or impress guests (or a date) for a special occasion.

4.5 stars out of 5. Give it a try (with the discounts, at least). You'll love it.