This article is sponsored by Blue Apron. All opinions expressed are the author’s own.
Meal planning often sounds easier than it is. Between busy work days, limited time to cook, and wanting meals that feel both satisfying and balanced, it’s easy to fall into the same routine. To see how a meal kit could realistically fit into everyday life, I spent a week cooking with Blue Apron.
To set the stage – I want to clarify that this was my first time trying Blue Apron. I approached the week as both a home cook and a registered dietitian, paying attention to the details that tend to matter most day-to-day—prep time, balanced nutrition, portioning, flexibility, and of course, overall enjoyment.
Here’s what stood out.
Why I tried blue apron
When I was asked to review a week’s worth of meals from Blue Apron, I was curious to see how a meal kit would fare against the traditional recipes I love to make at home. I love to cook and I am always ready to try a new recipe, but I am quite particular about the quality of products and meat that I bring into my home. I had heard good things about their meal kits, but wanted to evaluate the food through my personal and professional lens as a registered dietitian.
What made it particularly accessible was that Blue Apron no longer requires a subscription. Being able to sample the meals without committing to weekly deliveries made it feel like a low-pressure way to experiment with something new—especially for anyone looking to make more sustainable, long-term changes rather than jumping into an all-or-nothing plan.
I chose a variety of meals with different proteins and cooking styles, including traditional meal kits and build-and-bake options. The delivery was smooth and the ingredients arrived fresh. Some proteins were partially frozen, which actually made it easier to decide which meals to cook first and which proteins to keep frozen until I had time to prepare that particular meal kit.
Each meal came packaged as a set for two servings, making portioning straightforward and predictable. I’m highlighting this because if you order a meal kit with four servings – it will still arrive in a serving pack for two people, so you can choose to cook the four servings to feed your whole family or just cook two servings if you’re not feeding a group and save the other meal kit for later.
No Guesswork, No Chaos: How It Actually Cooked
During the week, prep and cooking times matched what the recipe cards promised, making planning my evenings much easier. If you are quick to chop produce, you may even find that your preparation time is reduced, so you can get dinner on the table even earlier than planned.
Knowing exactly what I had to do from night to night made the whole process feel organized instead of chaotic. Their recipes are chef made, yet extremely accommodating. The instructions were clear and included helpful pictures that streamlined the process – especially if you’re not a keen cook or if you’re a visual learner. Pre-measured sauces, spices and seasonings cut down on prep work and meant fewer dishes to wash up afterwards. I loved not having tons of measuring cups and spoons along with multiple cutting boards, bowls, and more to wash after every meal like I traditionally do when making recipes from scratch at home. But I will note that many recipes use similar cooking tools – think pot, knife, cutting board, frying pan – so if you’re making a new recipe every night, don’t leave the dishes sitting around as you’ll need them for the next recipe.
If you tend to drop the last-minute, “What’s for dinner?” habit – having structured meal kits that are easy to put together can help you stay more consistent with your nutrition and meal plan each week.
Did it deliver? My Nutritional Observations
Overall, the meals I ordered felt balanced and satisfying with the recipes I chose containing 40 grams of protein or more per serving. serving, which helped me make progress toward my daily protein goals. Another nutrient I prioritize when meal planning, fiber, came through in the vegetables, whole grains, and thoughtful combinations like side salads—something I usually enjoy for dinner—and I could easily add more produce to any meal I wanted.
I paid close attention to protein sources, especially ground beef, as small differences there can affect total calorie and fat intake. Blue Apron doesn’t show the lean percentage when you order, so I contacted their customer support team. They responded quickly, explaining that their standard ground beef is typically a higher fat blend, while the premium option is leaner. You can’t choose an exact lean percentage at checkout, but choosing the premium blend when it’s available gives you a way to get leaner if you’re watching your total calorie or fat intake while tracking in MyFitnessPal.
Knowing that information made it easier to make informed choices while still enjoying meals that highlighted intended portions, leaving me full while providing vibrant flavors I loved.
The Blue Apron Meal Lineup: Hits, Tweaks & Takeaways
Za’atar crusted salmon and vegetables offered a well-balanced and colorful combination of protein, grains and vegetables. The flavors worked well together and preparing the components at the same time helped everything come together smoothly. I cooked the salmon in the air fryer instead of on the stove so I could cook the couscous and vegetables at the same time without having to keep anything warm until all the components were ready. This cuts down on cooking time and, in my opinion, air-fryer salmon creates the perfect crispy outer texture while remaining juicy on the inside – my personal favorite way to cook salmon at home.
Calabrian prawns & Orzo with tomatoes and parmesan stood out for its balance between taste and simplicity. Shrimp cooks quickly, making this a convenient option for busy evenings. The preparation was minimal and the timing was spot on. I added a leafy green salad on the side for a satisfying crunch along with fiber, vitamins and minerals on the side.
Honey mustard Chicken & Farro salad combined whole grains, leafy greens and chicken for a satisfying meal. The flavors were bright and it tasted best fresh – which worked perfectly for a planned dinner.
Some meals were sweeter, saltier or richer than I normally prefer, but adjusting sauces or seasonings made it easy to tailor dishes to my taste. I enjoyed the Orange Beef & Wonton Noodles with Bok Choy, for example, but used a little less sauce to make it my own. Don’t be afraid to modify a recipe if you have a preferred cooking oil, sauce, or seasoning (I personally cook with less salt or switch to low-sodium alternatives when possible) on hand that you know you or your family will love. For example, I know my family likes a little heat, so we always opted to use all the crushed red pepper flakes or chili crisps when provided, or even add a dash of hot sauce to the finished dish like Peanut Udon Stir-Fry to make it our own!
Real Life, Real Meals: Why This Actually Works
Meal planning and home cooking have been shown to offer numerous benefits to your health, overall well-being and your wallet. According to recent studies, it can improve diet quality, portion control and support weight management, while providing cost savings and opportunities to improve family relationships. (1,2,3)
And in today’s busy landscape, we need practical solutions to get a home-cooked meal on the table without the risk of forgetting the most important ingredient at the grocery store or the ever-popular take-away on the way home from work. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. And don’t get me wrong – take-out can be fun from time to time, but there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal.
Meal kits fall into that category of practical solutions, when life gets busy between changing schedules and shuffling kids to and from practice, a meal that can be made in 30 minutes or less with pre-portioned ingredients becomes even more magical.
During the week, Blue Apron felt adaptable rather than rigid. Being able to choose from a wide menu, cook on a flexible schedule, and customize the final dishes to taste made it easy to fit into my existing routine.
The blue apron meal sets struck a good balance, providing enough structure to reduce decision fatigue but still plenty of room for personal touches. They made cooking feel manageable, even during a busy stretch, and allowed me to try new recipes and flavor combinations to mix up my traditional everyday meals.
So whether you want to focus on fresh, portion-balanced meals or are just looking for new recipe ideas without the hassle or shopping, consider trying Blue Apron meal kits.
Frequently asked questions
How long do the meals take to prepare?
The prep times for the meals I chose ranged from 20 to 40 minutes. Once I got the hang of the instructions and organized my steps, some meals came together even faster. Plus, if you’re a more advanced cook – I think you’ll find the recipes together pretty quickly.
Are the portions filling?
Yes – the portions felt satisfying and well balanced, especially with the forward protein options. I also chose to add protein to recipes such as ground beef, ground pork, or you have the option of ordering additional proteins on the side. This can help you make progress toward your protein goals when tracking in MyFitnessPal.
Can meals support protein and fiber goals?
As a dietitian, I prioritize hitting my daily protein and fiber goals in MyFitnessPal, so those are two key nutrients I paid special attention to when ordering my meals. The meals I chose had at least 40g of protein per serving. portion and between 4 – 8 g of fiber per portion. You can easily boost fiber by adding extra vegetables either to the recipe or by serving a salad on the side.
How flexible is the menu?
The menu includes a variety of meal styles, from faster options to assemble-and-bake meals that can fit different schedules. There are all kinds of proteins (fish, chicken, beef, pork, etc.) as well as vegetarian options.
Bottom line
After a week of cooking with Blue Apron, the experience felt practical and flexible. The meals were tasty, well balanced and designed with nutrition in mind.
Overall, Blue Apron delivered flavorful meals that fit into everyday routines—making it a realistic option well beyond January.
If you want to try Blue Apron meals at home use code MFP50 for 50% off your first two orders and free shipping. The promotional code is valid until and including 12.31.26. Blue Apron is solely responsible for its products and services, and MyFitnessPal makes no representations or warranties and disclaims any liability regarding the Blue Apron Offerings.
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