This post is sponsored by Blue Apron!
I’m sure this is no secret to you guys by now…and maybe you’re even sick of hearing me say it, but…we love Blue Apron over here.
Seriously. We’ve been ordering from them for probably a year and a half now (?) and it’s always such a treat when a new delivery arrives. For example, I had already been excited about getting this past week’s delivery because of the recipe for Spiced Pork Chops & Mashed Potatoes with Kale, English Peas & Goat Cheese.
We don’t cook pork chops all that often, but this dish made me think that we should. They were just SO GOOD!
So I got to thinking a bit more about why we love Blue Apron so much, and here’s my Top 5 list I was able to come up with:
1. It makes meal prepping and shopping SO much easier
Whenever we have a week of Blue Apron meals on the way, it’s sort of like I get a nice mini reprieve from the full out grocery shop. Because we choose to do their 2-Person Plan still (as opposed to their Family Plan), that gives us three days worth of dinners for the week. As for the rest of the days, I usually try to do at least 1-2 days using something we already have at home, or do some simple dinners like breakfast for dinner, soups and sandwiches, or leftovers. It just makes things easy, and I love how we can skip weeks if/when we need to so it’s convenient for us.
2. We waste less ingredients
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s wasting food. I get so annoyed when I have to throw away produce or meat that has gone bad (I had to throw away a whole pound of ground beef last week and it killed me!) because that’s basically money down the drain. With Blue Apron, we get all of the ingredients we need, in exactly the right proportions. So there’s no extra waste AND there’s no last-minute trips to the grocery store to pick up something we may have forgotten.
3. It gets BOTH of us to try new cuisines, recipes, and cooking techniques that we’d never end up making on our own.
Whether it’s because we wouldn’t have the ingredients typically on hand, or just because it’s outside of our “safe” meals, there is almost always a meal in each of our deliveries that is different, unique (to us), and fun. This past week, we had Spring Gemelli Pasta with Garlic Sugar Snap Peas, Crispy Capers & Soft-Boiled Eggs (which I hardboiled because soft boiled isn’t our thing), and I’d have never thought of putting an egg on my pasta. It was a totally fun and different way to incorporate some protein into a pasta dish, and I loved it.
Then there’s these Roasted Poblano Chilaquiles with Sunny Side-Up Eggs and Avocado that we had last year…I’d never think to cook something like this on my own.
Or Spicy Korean Chicken Wings with Rice Cakes and Baby Bok Choy? Again, something else I’d never put on my meal planning list, but it made the husband QUITE happy this past fall and was something we both totally enjoyed.
4. It gets Jay to eat kale. And other veggies he wouldn’t eat if I bought them on my own.
Anytime I tell him there’s a recipe with kale in it, his immediate instinct is to turn up his nose. See, he thinks he hates kale, but in actuality, pretty much any Blue Apron recipe we’ve had that incorporates kale has been a winner, and he winds up declaring it delicious. But if I had come up with a recipe on my own for us to try that involved kale (or another foreign food), he’d be less inclined to want to try it.
And not every recipe winds up being a winner for the both of us (he wasn’t really a fan of the mushrooms or collard greens from this week’s Roasted Chicken & Mixed Mushrooms with Crispy Rosemary-Orange Salad & Chipotle Pan Sauce recipe, but I still give him props for trying it because he totally wouldn’t otherwise!
5. We’re able to share the cooking duties by either splitting them or cooking together.
Jay is a very literal cooker.
If he’s going to make a recipe, he needs the exact recipe in front of him, and will make sure he uses the exact ingredients for everything (except when he’s seasoning meat…he’ll usually wing that on his own).
Having the Blue Apron recipe cards makes things so much easier because everything is laid out right there for you.
Bonus #6: They have SO many awesome recipes!!
Blue Apron has a ton of awesome recipes, many of which we’ve saved recipe cards for so we could make on our own. A couple favorites that stand out and quickly come to mind? The Rigatoni Puttanesca with Eggplant pictured above, as well as the Seared Salmon and Tomato Chutney with Cranberry Bean and Spinach Stew.
That was one of the first recipes we ever tried with Blue Apron, too!
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Discount Offer and GIVEAWAY!
So if you haven’t already caught wind of it, we love Blue Apron. And if you haven’t already given it a try, I’ve got a little something for you.
First, as a little incentive, Blue Apron is offering a special discount offer: The first 25 readers will get two free meals on their first Blue Apron order! Just CLICK HERE!
And even better? I recently got some more new invitations added to my personal account to give away a week of free meals. So I’m offering to give away TWO of them to you guys once again!
To enter for a week of free meals from Blue Apron (no commitment!), just leave a comment below saying a meal/recipe from Blue Apron you’d love to try (you’ll love ‘em if you haven’t tried them already!).
I’ll choose a random winner on Sunday, April 24th. Good Luck!
Kylee says
The Korean Bao Sliders look so yummy and like something I would never try on my own!
Melissa says
The Spring Gemelli Pasta looks great!
Kristen says
Roasted chicken with mixed mushrooms looks delicious! My husband is a very literal cook as well;)
Kara says
They all look so delicious, but I’d say the Seared Chicken with Sautéed purple potatoes, kale & apple that’s on the menu this week!
Allison says
I’d love to try the Gnocchi Caprese!
Danielle says
The pork chop recipe sounds and looks delicious and I rarely cook pork!
deb fann says
Wow, everything looks great but I’d like to try the Crispy Cod with Yuzu-Shoya Soba! Love your blog!
Tara says
I would love to try the Korean Bao Sliders or Asparagus Fontina Quiche! Yum!
Sarah says
I’d love to try their creamy lemon pasta…yum!!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
I’d love to try the Crispy Cod!
Maggie says
Id love to try the gnocchi capRese
Krissy says
I would love to try the zucchini and Parmesan quiche .
Kelly says
Its hard to pick a recipe I want to try because they all look good! But the crispy brown butter gnocchi definitely caught my eye.
Liz K says
I am dying to the the sumac spiced salmon and labneh!
Amanda M says
The Mexican Pozole looks so yummy!!! Thanks for having another giveaway!! :-)
Linz @ Itz Linz says
spicy noodles sound really good and something i’d have no idea how to make otherwise!
JOCELYN says
Oh my gosh those chilaquilas look amazing!
Nikki says
The salmo N
Kristen says
Oh my goodness! The grains of paradise steaks look AMAZING!!
Amy says
THose Korean bao sliders look awesome…actually everything does! Thanks Courtney!
Alyssa D. says
I’d love to try the grilled brie cheese and strawnerry jam sandwiches mmmmmm
Rachel says
I want to try that Salmon it looks soooo good.
Lori L. says
That salmon looks amazing. Pick me!!!
Katie R. says
The Soy-Glazed Chicken sounds delicious!
Jackie s says
They all look so good! I would really like to try all of their meals but anything chicken or salmon would be my first pick! The spicy Korean chicken wigs you made last fall would be my very first pick!! Yum! I would love to try blue apron!
Nicole H says
The Vadouvan chickpea burgers look really interesting! My hubs is (somewhat surprisingly) really into vegetarian dishes so I would love to try them!
Em @ Love A Latte says
What a cute photo of you and your son in the kitchen. I meant to order Blue Apron after you last talked about it. I think it would help me do a lot better at getting meals on the table during the workweek. The Spicy Peanut Noodles look so good! Do you think the proportions are pretty accurate? Are two meals really two meals, or do you get a meal for your son out of it to? Thanks for sharing this giveaway!
Kaylin@EnticingHealthyEating says
The spiced salmon po’ boy sandwiches!
Marielle says
I’ve always wanted to try Blue Apron, I think it will be helpful for us to give it a go with baby #2 arriving soon.
The salmon po boy sandwiches sound pretty excellent!
Julie D. says
My family and I would love to try the eggplant pasta-one of your favorite dishes! Looks yummy!
Raelena P says
I’d like to try the Cuban sandwiches.
Kim says
The Rigatoni Puttanesca with Eggplant looks awesome!
Laura says
I would love to try the Rigatoni Puttanesca with Eggplant!
Ashley B. says
I have been wanting to try Blue Apron for awhile. I have read about it on your blog, as well as PbFingers and Fitnessista. I would love to try the Macadamia-Crusted Cod with Black Rice, Golden Beet & Avocado Salad, the Summer Squash & Squash Blossom Quesadillas with Mexican-Style Corn on the Cob, or the Peperonata Pizza
with Broccolini & Fresh Mozzarella. I love looking through all of their recipes..bad idea when you haven’t had breakfast yet though!
Erin says
I’d like to try the Jamaican Curry Chili- it’s so outside of what I’d normally make so it would be a great way to get our family to try something new- without a ton of leftover spices and ingredients.
Susan says
My sister just made the Bao bun sliders with sweet potato tempura last night and they looked incredible!
Kristin says
I’ve always wante dto try Blue Apron! The Korean Bao Sliders look amazing, along with almost everything else, ha.
Gitisha says
Roasted chicken with mixed mushrooms! Delish!
Kristin says
The Asparagus & Arugula Pesto Pizza looks awesome!
Ashley S says
I’d love to try the fish and chips!
Emily G says
I would love to try the Rigatoni Puttanesca with Eggplant because #1 it looks delicious but #2 it’s something “safe” with new vegetable that I think I could sneak in without too much disagreement. We haven’t tried eggplant so this would be a good way to start off with it suddenly instead of trying to put something completely new/strange in front of my 1.5 year old and hoping for the best :)
Britt B. says
The Spicy Peanut Noodles sound amazing! I’d love to try that dish!
Kyra says
The chilaquilles sound amazing!
Rachel Martin says
I would love to try their chickpea burgers! I’ve tried to cook with chickpeas (made my own falafel) and failed miserably. Hopefully it would show me how to season them and give me new hope that chickpeas can be delicious!
Lindsay says
The seared chicken with kale and potatoes. I’ve been wanting to try blue apron forever but just need to take the plunge!
Jess P says
I want to try the provencal chicken and potato stew . All of the recipes look soooo yummy!
Kristin says
Anything with noodles! And I love all the dishes incorporating spring veggies like asparagus and peas.
shannon says
Everything looks amazing! I would try the salmon burgers or the meatball ragout! Also any of the pasta dishes!
Emily H says
The Korean Bao Sliders look amazing!
julie says
I think i’d try one of the seared salmon recipes, like the one with asparagus & potatoes. Like many people, i’m terrible at making fish on my own and would love to get over that someday. (So weird, is fish like one of the most feared of all the main dish meat options?)
Kristin says
The chickpea burgers look so good
Nicole says
The Vadouvan chickpea burgers look amazing!!
Molly says
Everything looks amazing! I’ve been wanting to try Blue Apron for a while now after seeing it featured on so many blogs. Would love to win this!
Kalena says
Hands down the Korean chicken wings! They look amazing!
Holly says
The gnocchi caprese sounds amazing!
Tricia says
That poblano pepper recipe looks interesting! Definitely not something I would think of on my own but looks so nomm!
Keely says
The Moo Shu Vegetable! I always order it out but have never attempted it at home.
melissa c. says
I would love to try the chilequiles….they look incredible!!
Avery says
I’d love to try the seared salmon recipe that you pictured. That looks gourmet!
Layla says
The creamy lemon pasta looks really good.
Jackie says
I’d love to try the Jamaican Curry Chili! sounds delish!
Temi says
I’d love to try the falafel pitas and tzatiki!! Yum!!!
LaTanya says
Seared Salmon & “Green” Potato Salad
with Pickled Mustard Seeds
Sarah says
Spicy peanut noodles is something I KNOW we would never try on our own at my house, but it sounds great and I’m sure we would enjoy it!
Julie says
The stovetop mac and cheese looks delish! And there’s a salad to balance it out ;)
Katie says
The gnocchi caprese and crispy cod meals both look delicious!
Tara says
The salmon looks great!
Michelle says
The Grains of Paradise-Crusted Steaks in next week’s order looks so intriguing and I am sure delicious!
Kaitlin G says
I am so hungry after browsing through their recipe page!!! I’d love to try the Crispy Cod and Yuzu Shoyu Soba
Jessica C says
That salmon recipe looks amazing!!
Su Chintala says
All the recipes look so wholesome and delicious! I’d love to try the Seared Salmon and Tomato Chutney with Cranberry Bean and Spinach Stew.
Tori says
The creamy lemon pasta sounds good!
Claire says
I keep saying I have to try Blue Apron. The spicy peanut noodles look AMAZING!
april says
BBQ-Spiced Salmon & Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds :)
Laura G says
The chickpea burgers with yogurt sauce!
Cara says
Id love to try Seared Salmon and Tomato Chutney with Cranberry Bean and Spinach Stew :)
Lauren M. says
I’d LOVE to try the rigatoni puttanesca with eggplant! Looks so delicious! I’ve tried blue apron in the past and have only had positive things to say :) would love the chance to get a free week of meals!
Serena Kirkpatrick says
Gnocci caprese! Yum!
Jill @ RunEatSnap says
BBQ Spiced Salmon & Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds!! Yum!
Erin m. says
The rigatoni puttanesca with eggplant sounds great!
Sara says
The spicy peanut noodles look awesome!
Brittany says
The seared salmon with green potato salad looks so yummy and perfect for the warmer weather!
Rena says
The Spring Gemelli Pasta looks delicious!
Rachel says
I’d love to try the Italian beef grinders!
Christy says
Seriously, everything looks so GOOD! I’ve heard such good things about the Blue Apron. It might be time to bite the bullet and sign on especially since my dinner game has been a lot of misses. The Thai spiced salmon sounds amazing!
paige c says
the honey garlic cod sounds so good!
Ann Fisher says
I’d love to try the Spring Gemelli Pasta! It is something I would never try on my own and looks delicious.
Amy says
Definitely the chickpea burgers! My husband would even try them if it meant that I cooked-it’s kind of fallen by the wayside since having my daughter!
natasha says
Would love to try the Vandouvan Chickpea burgers
Geneva says
The stovetop mac-n-cheese looks amazing! I would love to try that!
Anna says
Would love to try the seared chicken with purple potatoes, kale & apple! Cooking for one can sometimes be so difficult so I love the idea of not wasting food!
Julie says
Oh, I would love to try the zucchini and Parmesan quiche!
Hilary says
I think the fontina and pesto grilled cheese sound amazing!
Chelsea says
The crispy cod with soba noodles sounds delicious!
Ashley says
The baked spinach and mozzarella rigatoni sounds and looks delish!
natalie says
I would love to try the korean bao sliders.
Megan says
The Spiced Pork Chops & Mashed Potatoes you made look awesome! I’d love to give them a try!
Laura says
The rigatoni and eggplant looks delicious to this pregnant lady!!
Kelly Tschida says
I would LOVE to try the Squid Ink Linguine Pasta!
Katie says
I’d love to make the Roasted Pork & Spinach-Farro Salad!
Sarah B says
I would love to try the soy glazed chicken!
rick says
I would love to try the Korean chicken wings
Kristen Z says
The spicy peanut noodles sound good! They are definitely something I wouldn’t normally make, but I’d love to try something new!
Madeline says
I’d like to try their Shitake and Hoisin burgers with Sweet potatoes!
Tyler Soj says
The salmon and soup dish at the end of your post looks super delicious! My husband and I would love to try it!
Giovonne says
Vadouvan chickpea burgers! I think my meat-loving BF might even like them!
Tara says
I’d love to try the spring gemelli pasta with the soft-boiled egg – I love eggs and usually only think of them as a “breakfast” food.
Carolsue says
I’d like to try the Jamaican Curry Chili
Ellen Casper says
The zucchini Parmesan quiche sounds yummy!
Jaime D says
That roasted poblano meal looks sooo good! Would love to try that!
Katrina says
What a great giveaway! I would love to try the crispy cod and soba noodles!
Melissa H. says
I’d love to try the spiced pork chops with cheesy mashed potatoes and garlic spinach! I need to get better at cooking for my husband and me, and this could be a great way to start!
Karen says
I would try the Lebanese beef kabobs…I think, it’s had to decide there are so many choices!
Erin says
Wow! All of those meals look amazing and something we would love as a busy newlywed couple! With these warm spring temps coming, that lemon creamy pasta looks perfect!
Jen W. says
I would LOVE to try the Korean Sliders as I am lovin’ sliders lately!
Melissa says
I’d try the gnocchi caprese!
Jessica w says
I would love to try their Gnocchi Caprese with Garlic Toasts & Butter Lettuce Salad, but honestly they have SOOOO many that look tasty!
ashley says
zucchini quiche!
ERIN says
Ha – my husband was NOT a fan of the chicken with the collard greens and mushrooms dish from last week either. Not my favorite either, a miss. The pork chop dish was great though.
Coco says
I would love the gnocchi!!!
Melinda says
The gnocchi caprese looks awesome as does the quiche!
Nancy says
Gnocchi caprese sounds so good!
Mary says
The grilled Brie cheese and strawberry sandwiches look amazing .. Sweet and savory all in one!
Jennifer says
Grilled brie & strawberry jam sandwiches!
Julie says
Soy glazed chicken looks delish!
Tracie Cooper says
I would love to make the Italian Beef Grinders! traciemichelle0515@gmail.com
Lisa Reed says
Creamy lemon pasta please
Mary Burns says
I’d love to try the Salmon Po Boys or the Gnocchi Caprese.
Jennifer says
Wow I’d love to try the Rigatoni Puttanesca with Eggplant – especially since pregnant – pasta is a go to!
Gabby says
The spicy peanut noodles sound absolutely amazing!!
April V says
I would love to try the Soy-Glazed Chicken!
Angela says
The rigatoni and eggplant pasta in your post looks SO good. They have a lot of tasty looking shrimp recipes too.
Rosario Infante says
Seared Chicken
with Sautéed Purple Potatoes, Kale & Apple
I’ve never eaten purple potatoes!
Laura B says
I would love to try the Rigatoni Puttanesca with Eggplant. I think my son would love it too!
Kim says
We’re getting our first shipment next week, and I’m so excited to try them out! I think the honey garlic cod sounds really good.
Kasondra says
The grilled bre cheese and strawberry jam sandwiches for sure!
Jena says
I’d love to try the Sumac-Spiced Salmon & Labneh! Delicious! I have heard the best things about Blue Apron.
Jen says
The Kale one looked amazing as well as anything with poblano in it!
Jennifer L. says
I’d like to try Korean Tteok & Spicy Pork “Ragù”
Erin says
Ooh — the Jamaican Curry Chili looks really good (although hopefully it will be too warm out to make it for a while!).
R says
Korean Bao sliders.
Melissa says
Any of the fish dishes look amazing! Especially the fish and chips. Mmmm… And the seared salmon.
Josie says
That rigatoni puttanesca with eggplant looks amazing. And I spelled it right – bonus points!
Maia says
I’d love to try the thyme roasted carrots!
jessica jam says
There are so many delicious choices on Blue Apron! I think I would absolutely love to try the Braised Tandoori Cauliflower!
Nicole says
The grains of paradise crusted steaks!
Christy says
We did blue apron in the past and those pork chops w kale are making me want to start it up again! It looks so yummy! The salmon with the cranberries also looks delicious!!
Diana says
Oh my goodness, the sumac spiced salmon with labneh sounds amazing!
Debbie says
Blue Apron is one of those things that I KNOW I would love but can never justify getting. It’s like that pair of shoes that you need but do you REALLY need it. Haha. I would love to try it, I have only heard amazing things about it. The creamy lemon pasta looks delicious! I always resort to plain spaghetti when I make pasta, it would be nice to make something “fancier”
Kristen says
Spiced salmon looks delish!
Amanda L says
Crispy Cod Tacos!
Denisse says
The quiche please!
Kendra says
It’s so hard to choose! I’d say the seared steak & peanut noodles. :)
Christine says
Rigatoni puttanesca with eggplant looks yummy. I have been wanting to try Blue Apron but am worried because we aren’t exactly adventurous eaters over here. A week of free meals might give me the nudge I need to try it