I Tried Blue Apron Meal Kits for a Week—Right here’s How They Match Into Actual Life
This text is sponsored by Blue Apron. All opinions introduced are the creator’s personal.
Meal planning typically sounds simpler than it’s. Between busy workdays, restricted time to prepare dinner, and wanting meals that really feel each satisfying and balanced, it’s simple to fall into the identical routine. To see how a meal package would possibly realistically match into on a regular basis life, I spent every week cooking with Blue Apron.
To set the stage – I wish to make clear this was my first time attempting Blue Apron. I approached the week each as a house prepare dinner and as a registered dietitian, listening to the small print that are likely to matter most each day—prep time, balanced diet, portioning, flexibility, and naturally, total enjoyment.
Right here’s what stood out.
Why I Tried Blue Apron
Once I was requested to evaluation every week’s price of meals from Blue Apron, I used to be curious to see how a set of meal kits would stack up in opposition to the standard recipes I like to make at dwelling. I like to prepare dinner and I’m at all times up for attempting a brand new recipe however I’m fairly specific concerning the high quality of produce and meat that I carry into my dwelling. I’d heard good issues about their meal kits however needed to guage the meals by my private {and professional} lens as a registered dietitian.
What made it particularly approachable was that Blue Apron not requires a subscription. Having the ability to strive the meals with out committing to weekly deliveries made it really feel like a low-pressure option to experiment with one thing new—notably for anybody trying to make extra sustainable, long-term adjustments reasonably than leaping into an all-or-nothing plan.
I picked a spread of meals with totally different proteins and preparation kinds, together with conventional meal kits and assemble-and-bake choices. Supply went easily, and elements arrived contemporary. Some proteins have been partially frozen, which really made it simpler to resolve which meals to prepare dinner first and which proteins to retailer frozen till I had time to organize that individual meal package.
Every meal got here packaged as a two-serving package, which made portioning simple and predictable. I flag this as a result of if you happen to order a meal package with 4 servings – it is going to nonetheless arrive in a two-person serving package deal so you’ll be able to decide to prepare dinner the 4 servings to feed your complete household or just prepare dinner two servings if you happen to’re not feeding a gaggle and save the second meal package for later.
No Guesswork, No Chaos: How It Really Cooked
All through the week, prep and prepare dinner instances matched what the recipe playing cards promised, which made planning my evenings a lot simpler. In the event you’re quick at chopping produce you could even discover your prep time diminished permitting you to get dinner on the desk even sooner than estimated.
Understanding precisely what I wanted to do from night time to nighttime made the entire course of really feel organized as an alternative of chaotic. Their recipes are chef-crafted but extraordinarily approachable. Directions have been clear and included useful visuals that streamlined the method – particularly if you happen to’re not an avid prepare dinner or if you happen to’re a visible learner. Pre-measured sauces, spices, and seasonings lower down on prep work and meant fewer dishes to scrub afterward. I beloved not having tons of measuring cups and spoons together with a number of slicing boards, bowls and extra to scrub after every meal as I historically do when cooking recipes from scratch at dwelling. However I’ll word, many recipes use related cooking instruments – assume saucepot, knife, slicing board, skillet – so if you happen to’re making a brand new recipe every night time don’t go away the dishes sitting round as you’ll want them for the subsequent recipe.
In the event you are likely to fall in to the final minute, “What’s for dinner?” behavior – having structured, easy-to-assemble meal kits, might enable you to keep extra constant along with your diet and your meal plan every week.
Did it Ship? My Diet Observations
Total, the meals I ordered felt balanced and satisfying with the recipes I chosen containing 40 grams of protein or extra per serving serving to me make progress in the direction of my every day protein objectives. One other nutrient I prioritize when meal planning, fiber, got here by within the greens, complete grains, and considerate pairings like facet salads – one thing I generally get pleasure from at dinner —and I may simply add extra produce into any meal I needed.
I paid shut consideration to protein sourcing, notably floor beef, since small variations there can influence total calorie and fats consumption. Blue Apron doesn’t checklist the lean proportion while you order, so I reached out to their buyer assist staff. They responded rapidly and defined that their customary floor beef is often a higher-fat mix, whereas the premium possibility is leaner. You possibly can’t choose a precise lean proportion at checkout, however selecting the premium mix when out there, offers you a option to go leaner if you happen to’re watching your complete calorie or fats consumption whereas monitoring in MyFitnessPal.
Understanding that info made it simpler to make knowledgeable decisions whereas nonetheless having fun with meals that highlighted intentional parts leaving me feeling full whereas offering vibrant flavors I beloved.
The Blue Apron Meal Lineup: Hits, Tweaks & Takeaways
Za’atar-Crusted Salmon & Veggies provided a well-balanced and colourful mixture of protein, grains, and greens. The flavors labored effectively collectively, and getting ready elements on the identical time helped every thing come collectively easily. I cooked the salmon within the air fryer as an alternative on the range high so I may concurrently prep the couscous and the greens with out having to maintain something heat till all elements have been prepared. This in the reduction of on cooking time and for my part, air-fryer salmon creates the right crispy outdoors texture whereas remaining juicy on the within – my private most popular option to prep salmon at dwelling.
Calabrian Shrimp & Orzo with Tomatoes & Parmesan stood out for its steadiness of taste and ease. Shrimp cooks rapidly, making this a sensible possibility for busy evenings. Prep was minimal, and the timing was correct. I added a leafy inexperienced salad on the facet for a satisfying crunch together with fiber, nutritional vitamins and minerals on the facet.
Honey Mustard Hen & Farro Salad mixed complete grains, leafy greens, and hen for a satisfying meal. The flavors have been brilliant, and it tasted greatest contemporary—which labored completely for a deliberate dinner.
Some meals leaned sweeter, saltier or richer than I usually desire, however adjusting the sauces or seasonings made it simple to tailor dishes to my liking. I loved the Orange Beef & Wonton Noodles with Bok Choy, for instance, however used rather less sauce to make it my very own. Don’t be afraid to switch a recipe you probably have a most popular cooking oil, sauce or seasoning (I personally prepare dinner with much less salt or swap for low sodium options at any time when doable) readily available you or your loved ones will love. As an example, I do know my household enjoys a bit of kick of warmth so we opted to at all times use all of the crushed pink pepper flakes or chili crisp when offered and even add a splash of scorching sauce to the completed dish just like the Peanut Udon Stir-Fry to make it our personal!
Actual Life, Actual Meals: Why This Really Works
Meal planning and residential cooking have been proven to supply quite a few advantages to your well being, total well-being and your pockets. Based on latest research it may possibly enhance eating regimen high quality, portion management and assist weight administration, whereas additionally providing price financial savings and alternatives to boost household relationships. (1,2,3)
And in at this time’s busy panorama we want sensible options to get a house cooked meal on the desk with out the chance of forgetting that key ingredient on the grocery retailer or the ever common grabbing takeout on the way in which dwelling from work. Belief me, I’ve been there, carried out that. And don’t get me flawed – take out could be enjoyable on occasion however there’s nothing fairly like a house cooked meal.
Meal kits fall into that class of sensible options for when life will get busy between altering schedules and shuffling children to and from observe a meal that may be made in half-hour or much less with pre-portioned elements turns into much more magical.
Over the course of the week, Blue Apron felt adaptable reasonably than inflexible. Having the ability to select from a broad menu, prepare dinner on a versatile schedule, and regulate last dishes to style made it simple to suit into my current routine.
The Blue Apron meal kits struck a pleasant steadiness offering sufficient construction to cut back choice fatigue, however nonetheless loads of room for private touches. They made weeknight cooking really feel manageable, even throughout a busy stretch and allowed me to strive new recipes and taste mixtures to mix-up my conventional go-to weeknight meals.
So whether or not you’re trying to give attention to contemporary, portion balanced meals or just on the lookout for new recipe concepts with out the effort or procuring take into account attempting Blue Apron meal kits.
Often Requested Questions
How lengthy do the meals take to organize?
Prep instances for the meals I selected various from 20 to 40 minutes. As soon as I bought the grasp of the directions and arranged my steps, some meals got here collectively even quicker. Plus, if you happen to’re a extra superior prepare dinner – I believe you’ll discover the recipes come collectively fairly rapidly.
Are the parts filling?
Sure—parts felt satisfying and well-balanced, notably with the protein-forward choices. I additionally opted so as to add protein to recipes resembling floor beef, floor pork or you’ve gotten the choice to order further proteins on the facet. This may also help you make progress in the direction of your protein objectives when monitoring in MyFitnessPal.
Can meals assist protein and fiber objectives?
As a dietitian, I prioritize hitting my every day protein and fiber objectives in MyFitnessPal so these are two key vitamins I paid particular consideration to when ordering my meals. The meals I selected had at the very least 40g of protein per serving and between 4 – 8g of fiber per serving. You possibly can simply increase fiber by including additional greens both to the recipe or by serving a salad on the facet.
How versatile is the menu?
The menu features a vary of meal kinds, from faster choices to assemble-and-bake meals, which might go well with totally different schedules. There are all kinds of proteins (fish, hen, beef, pork, and so on.) in addition to vegetarian choices.
The Backside Line
After every week of cooking with Blue Apron, the expertise felt sensible and versatile. The meals have been tasty, well-balanced and designed with diet in thoughts.
Total, Blue Apron delivered flavorful meals that match into on a regular basis routines—making it a sensible possibility effectively past January.
If you want to strive Blue Apron meals at dwelling use the code MFP50 for 50% off your first two orders and free delivery. Promotional code is legitimate by 12.31.26. Blue Apron is solely liable for its services and MyFitnessPal makes no representations or warranties, and disclaims any legal responsibility, concerning the Blue Apron choices.
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