Curious about how the cost of Blue Apron compared to the grocery store? Read on to find out what it broke down as for me!
Most of you probably already know by now that Jay and I have been using Blue Apron for well over two years now. I’ve shared our meals with you a number of times, and I’m also lucky enough to be able to have the opportunity to work with them via the blog, too.
For the longest time, I always viewed our Blue Apron deliveries as somewhat of a “treat,” if you will. Most of the time, I monitor my account, check to see which new recipes are coming up, and choose to get them delivered or skip based on our preferences. I guess I just always assumed that using the service was likely more expensive than doing a regular grocery trip, which is why I always viewed them that way.
One of the biggest appeals for me with Blue Apron is the fact that everything comes in the exact proportions. Wasting food is a huuuuuge pet peeve of mine, so knowing that there is none of that from unused ingredients is probably my #1 favorite thing about the service. Coming up as a close #2 would probably be the fact that it’s pretty much the only time we try something new. These days, we’re usually so rushed to try and get food on the table that we simply stick with our easy, go-to recipes. I mean, those are good…don’t get me wrong. But there have been SO many Blue Apron meals where Jay and I find ourselves saying, “wow, that was awesome…I never would have thought to try that!”
So the more I got to thinking about it, the more I started wondering…is Blue Apron really that much more expensive than shopping at the grocery store?
I decided to use our latest delivery to price compare everything at our local grocery store (Market 32/Price Chopper, in case you’re interested). Obviously, I totally understand that some stores may have different prices than others. And I also know that there may be certain ingredients that I would have had to buy special, which some of you may already keep on hand. So for arguments sake, this is really just a rough breakdown of approximately what I would have had to purchase to make these exact same meals at home.
Meal #1: Mozzarella & Arugula Paninis with Marinated Summer Squash & Olive Salad
For this meal, there were a few ingredients that would have been tough for me to purchase in the same amounts needed. My grocery store doesn’t sell ciabatta rolls in quantities less than 4, I couldn’t find fresh mozzarella smaller than 8oz, and I also (for the life of me) cannot find 15oz cans of crushed tomatoes (only 28oz…and the other half almost always goes to waste!).
Meal #2: Chicken & Sweet Pepper Tostadas with Roasted Summer Squash
For this meal, there were a few items again that would have been tough to buy in the exact quantities (i.e., mini peppers, Monterey Jack cheese, flour tortillas, sour cream).
Meal #3: Beef Knockwurst & Sauerkraut with Potato Salad & Whole Grain Mustard
If I were to have gone and tried to cook this meal on my own, I would have wound up needing to buy a few new ingredients (which, who knows when I’d use them again) or just larger quantities than I actually needed. This is also a meal that I probably never would have cooked on my own but a) it was actually quite easy, and b) it was really, really good!
The Comparison/Breakdown
Adding up everything that I would have needed to purchase, my rough total came to $60.01. The cost for a 2-person delivery is $59.94 + free shipping. So honestly, I was shocked to see just how similar in price everything was. Not to forget, there was no hassle with having to run to the grocery store, either! The only thing I didn’t really account for was the spices, since Blue Apron usually sends spice blends and I’m not sure on the exact measurements of each. I’m 100% certain that they use spices that I don’t keep on hand, too, so that’s something else to consider.
Overall? I’ll admit that I was nervous about doing this cost breakdown, because I was certain that it would show that Blue Apron was that much more expensive. So honestly, I am totally pleased with the breakdown and it has solidified the fact that I will continue using the service. Will we use it more? I’m not sure, since the meals do take a little more time than what we’re throwing together these days and dinner time can get crazy. But if I see some meals coming up that look good, then I definitely think I’ll be more inclined to have them delivered!
ALSO, as an exciting side note, Blue Apron has also made a couple of NEW IMPROVEMENTS which I am super excited about. For each week, they now offer 8 meal choices instead of 6, AND you can choose from any combination of meals (previously, you could only choose certain combos).
FYI: This is actually still in the beta phase, so you can check to see if you have it available to you by entering in your zip code (if signing up for the first time) or logging into your account!
This is major for us, since those two things are both things that we’ve sort of complained about in the past. Awesome changes, Blue Apron!
Discount Offer!
Haven’t tried Blue Apron yet? Now’s the time! And the first 25 readers will get three free meals on their first Blue Apron order! Just CLICK HERE!
This post is sponsored by Blue Apron! Thank you, as always, for your continued support of STSL! <3
Juliette | Namastay Traveling says
I’ve always wondered this question myself! Thanks for doing that math part :-)
Angie N says
Did I miss the Pampers giveaway winner?
Courtney says
Hey Angie! You didn’t miss anything…it wasn’t a giveaway where I’m going to announce a winner. It was more of a behind-the-scenes surprise for someone ;)
Carrie this fit chick says
I literally just got some coupons from there and now Im sold to try it out finally!!
Melissa (fitnessnyc) says
Great post idea. Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, etc. are far less expensive for me, as I live in NYC where grocery prices are insane, but I always wondered how they compared in other places.
Sarah says
It also frustrates me that crushed tomatoes only come in 28oz cans. I always freeze what I have left for future use so it doesn’t go to waste!
Shaqueefa says
Ooof yikes saruh
Kate says
I think this is really interesting and I love Blue Apron, but I also use it as a “treat.” I think it ends up actually being more expensive because when you shop at the grocery store, you’re getting more items than what Blue Apron actually sends. For example, you listed flour tortillas for $3.29. I’m guessing that there are about 8 in a pack. Blue Apron probably sent 2-4. So you’d have 4 or so remaining from your grocery store haul.
I won’t stop using Blue Apron either, but I think to do a REAL comparison you’d have to break down that $3.29 into price per tortilla. And honestly, who has time for that? LOL
Courtney says
You make some great points, Kate! I guess it’s all in how you look at it, and I’m sure the cost breakdown would absolutely differ on a meal by meal basis, too. Plus, the convenience factor (for me) is worth a little extra ;)
Heather says
I really like using the various meal delivery plans. They are great like once a month or so, or for special occasions. (My husband and I treat them as date nights, where we get a nicer bottle of wine and cook together). I also feel like they constantly have deals and coupons to encourage repeat business.
I think if you have your heart set on cooking a specific meal, it can definitely be pricier. I typically shop the sales at stores, and cook meals based on what is on sale. For my husband and I , I usually try to make a dinner for $10 total, which is almost always possible. We are definitely not gourmet chefs, so that includes a meat, veggie, and starch. Although, there are times when we splurge and cook whatever we want. Everyone needs a filet now and again!
Overall, for special occasions or if you have a discount, I love the meal plans. If not, I feel like I can definitely cook a meal for less money.
Courtney says
Oh, I totally agree that you could make different meals for less money! We have a few staples we eat ourselves that are suuuuuper cheap. And heck YES to a filet now and again! ;)
Shaqueefa says
I hear ya girl! My man splurged on not one but too filet o fish from McDonald’s on our 2 year anniversary! You’d think he was kang of greendland or sumthin!
Christina @ Montessoriishmom.com says
I didn’t know they let you get any combination of meals now, that’s great! That always annoyed me since I could never seem to get all three that I wanted.
Shaqueefa says
Dang girl eeesh
Marielle says
I love Blue Apron! I typically use it once a month, just because it is so tedious & I have two little ones at home. But I get so excited when it is my week so that we can try something new and don’t have to worry about going to the grocery store!
Angie says
Kind of agree with Kate Courtney. Very cool that you did this, but a lot of the things looks a bit skewed, like the peppers at $3.99 jumped out at me. Usually a whole bag of those mini peppers is $1-3 but that is for waaaay more than 6 oz, and almost everywhere you can just buy a bell pepper for a buck. It’s a cool service, but def not cheaper that shopping.
Courtney says
Hey Angie! I want in on where you shop! Where do you get your peppers for so cheap?! Because an 8oz bag of mini peppers at my grocery store is definitely $4.99! Like I mentioned, I have no doubt that prices are different everywhere (and when things are on sale, etc.) but I just went based off of what things were priced at this week at my local store.
Tabitha says
I think your post is a bit misleading. You should have announced that it was sponsored from the beginning. That way your readers would know the opinion was biased (at least a little bit). Also, you can get a bell pepper from trader Joes for $1, Whole Foods for $2.50, etc. But, still cool to see the comparison!
Shaqueefa says
Hesh up girl ain’t nobody forcing you to read posts.
Shaqueefa says
Costco sams clurb and bjs ain’t spensive when you eat tha samples for free! Haaaaay
Shaqueefa says
My man got me a hello fresh 7 months ago and i placed the box in the shed forgetting to put it in tha house. Opened it last weekend and it was a hell no fresh! Tha worst chicken permission ever tasted.