If you’ve ever stood in the grocery store aisle comparing prices and wondering whether those meal kits you’ve seen online are really worth it, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions people ask before subscribing to Blue Apron is, “Do You Save Money with Blue Apron?” The answer isn’t a straight yes or no—it depends on your lifestyle, your cooking habits, and how you normally manage food and dining expenses. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Blue Apron’s pricing, how it compares to grocery shopping and takeout, and whether it’s a smart financial move for your household.
What Does Blue Apron Actually Cost?
Blue Apron offers a variety of plans based on the number of meals and servings you want each week. On average, the cost per serving is around $7.99 to $11.99, depending on your plan and menu choices. If you’re ordering three meals per week for two people, that works out to roughly $60–$70 a week, including shipping.
Now, compare that with a regular grocery store haul. If you’re cooking similar meals at home, you might spend $10 to $20 on each dish when buying full-size ingredients. Add on impulse buys, unused items that spoil in your fridge, or extra snacks and drinks, and your weekly spend might be more than you realize.
So right off the bat, Blue Apron makes it easy to see exactly what your food budget looks like each week. There’s no guesswork, no overbuying, and no waste if you stick to your meals.
Comparing to Grocery Store Shopping
Let’s say you plan to cook three dinners a week for two people. That’s six servings. At Blue Apron’s average rate, that might cost you $66.
To cook the same meals from scratch, you’d likely need:
- Multiple fresh vegetables
- Herbs and spices
- Quality protein (chicken, fish, steak, etc.)
- Specialty sauces or grains
You might spend $80–$100, especially if you’re buying items you don’t use frequently. And unless you’re meal planning meticulously, you may end up throwing out unused food. Blue Apron only gives you what you need—pre-portioned ingredients with no excess.
Where Blue Apron may not beat grocery shopping is when you cook simple meals or cook in bulk. If your regular dinners consist of pasta, beans, and stir-fry veggies, then your costs could be under $40 a week, and in that case, Blue Apron would likely be more expensive.
Comparing to Takeout and Dining Out
Here’s where Blue Apron shines in terms of savings. The average cost of takeout or delivery is around $15–$20 per meal, per person. That means dinner for two could easily cost you $40 or more with tips and delivery fees.
If you’re ordering out three times a week, you’re looking at $120+ weekly just for dinner. By switching to Blue Apron, you immediately save $50 or more a week, and you get healthier meals, cooking skills, and a more controlled diet.
Even if you’re someone who dines out once or twice a week and fills the rest of your meals with delivery apps, Blue Apron can bring some structure and cost-efficiency back into your routine.
Do You Save on Time and Waste?
Blue Apron isn’t just about dollars—it’s also about what your time is worth. Think about all the time spent planning meals, driving to the store, shopping, and prepping food. Blue Apron removes several of those steps.
If your time is valuable—say, you work full-time, have a family, or just dislike planning dinner—Blue Apron might not save you money directly, but it saves you mental energy and time, which is worth a lot.
Also, food waste is a hidden cost many don’t consider. According to the USDA, the average American family throws away over $1,500 worth of food every year. That’s around $30 per week in unused groceries. With Blue Apron, there’s little to no waste since everything is pre-measured.
Cooking Skills as a Hidden Investment
Another way Blue Apron helps save money over time is by improving your confidence in the kitchen. Each meal comes with step-by-step instructions and often introduces you to ingredients or techniques you might not otherwise use.
Over a few months, you’ll likely learn how to cook a wider range of meals and maybe even start meal planning more effectively on your own. In that way, Blue Apron acts as a low-pressure cooking class. If it helps you transition from relying on takeout to preparing more home-cooked meals, the long-term savings can be huge.
Who Really Saves Money with Blue Apron?
To be honest, Blue Apron isn’t for everyone. If you love cooking from scratch, shop sales, and batch cook your meals for the week, you’ll likely find traditional grocery shopping more economical. Likewise, if you mostly eat vegetarian meals, you can cook at home for significantly less than what Blue Apron charges.
However, Blue Apron does save money for:
- Busy professionals who rely heavily on takeout
- Couples or small families looking for dinner structure
- People trying to reduce food waste
- Beginners who want to learn to cook
- Anyone trying to avoid the “What’s for dinner?” question every day
If you’re in one of these categories, switching to Blue Apron could cut your food costs significantly and reduce overall stress around mealtime.
Subscription Flexibility and Promotions
Blue Apron also frequently offers introductory discounts, like $80–$100 off your first few boxes, which brings the cost even lower—sometimes to under $5 per meal. They also allow you to skip weeks, change meal preferences, and cancel any time, so you’re not locked in.
This kind of flexibility means you can strategically use Blue Apron when you need it most—like during a busy month or when you want to avoid grocery shopping—and pause it when you have more time or a tighter budget.
Real-World Scenario: A Cost Breakdown
Let’s look at an actual week for a two-person household:
Blue Apron Plan
- 3 meals/week, 2 servings each
- $66 total
Takeout Alternative
- 3 dinners x $40 (average for two people with delivery)
- $120 total
Grocery Alternative (with some waste)
- Fresh ingredients, sauces, herbs, proteins
- $90–$100 total
In this example, Blue Apron saves:
- $54/week over takeout
- $30+/week over grocery shopping when waste and time are factored in
Multiplied over a year, those savings become significant.
Final Thoughts: Is Blue Apron Worth It Financially?
So, do you save money with Blue Apron? In many situations—yes, you do. Especially if you’re currently spending a lot on takeout or find yourself throwing away groceries you never got around to using.
Blue Apron helps cut down on food waste, minimizes impulse purchases, reduces the temptation to order out, and provides high-quality, chef-designed meals that feel satisfying and cost-effective. While it might not always beat rock-bottom grocery budgeting, for the average person trying to eat well without overspending or overthinking, it’s a solid financial choice.
Ultimately, saving money isn’t just about the lowest cost—it’s about the value you get. If Blue Apron gives you consistent meals, fewer last-minute delivery charges, and a more enjoyable cooking experience, then yes—it absolutely helps you save money in the bigger picture.
