Most people overestimate how long cooking really takes. The fantasy of a quick weeknight dinner dissolves when you factor in grocery trips, ingredient hunting, and the inevitable “what should I make?” indecision. Meal delivery services like Blue Apron promise a solution, but do they actually deliver on time and money savings? A food editor decided to put it to the test.
The Experiment: Scratch Cooking vs. Blue Apron
For one week, the editor cooked seven dinners entirely from scratch, logging every minute spent prepping, cooking, and shopping. The next week, Blue Apron took over the planning and ingredient sourcing. The results were clear: outsourcing the process saves significant time.
How Blue Apron Works
Blue Apron delivers pre-portioned ingredients with step-by-step recipe cards. Everything is labeled, organized, and designed for efficiency. The instructions are clear, with photos to eliminate guesswork. No more wondering if cumin and coriander are interchangeable (they aren’t).
What Makes It Effective?
Regular home cooks often fall into meal rotations. Blue Apron breaks this cycle without demanding culinary expertise. The recipes introduce more complex flavors (romesco, tzatziki, harissa) that feel elevated but remain accessible. Portions are generous, and cleanup is minimal. You won’t be using every pan in the kitchen.
Who Benefits Most?
Busy families are an obvious fit. Blue Apron eliminates decision fatigue and ensures dinner happens predictably. However, it’s also ideal for singles or couples who want to cook more but default to takeout. The structure provides accountability, and the commitment is low (subscriptions are no longer required). Even microwaveable options from Blue Apron feel more intentional than a last-minute frozen meal.
The Numbers: Time and Cost Breakdown
Week One (Traditional Cooking):
- Cooking time: 12 hours, 29 minutes
- Grocery shopping: 37 minutes
- Grocery cost: $158.57 (including some non-dinner items)
Week Two (Blue Apron):
- Cooking time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Grocery shopping: 0 minutes
- Cost: $176.99 (including shipping)
Total Time Saved: 10 hours, 19 minutes.
The cost was slightly higher with Blue Apron, but this assumes the editor already had some pantry staples. Adding the cost of buying every ingredient for the scratch meals would likely narrow the price gap.
Is Blue Apron Worth It?
The editor concluded that Blue Apron is worth it. Saving over 10 hours in one week is a significant benefit, even after accounting for slow-cooked meals. The quality of the meals is also high. Many dishes felt restaurant-worthy, and cooking them took less time than waiting for delivery.
Areas for Improvement
One meal was a microwaveable dinner, which didn’t match the quality of the others. The editor also suggested pre-washed produce could save additional minutes per meal. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise effective service.
The experiment demonstrates that meal delivery services aren’t just about convenience; they can genuinely save time and improve meal quality without requiring extensive cooking skills.
Ultimately, Blue Apron is a valuable tool for overworked individuals and families seeking faster, more flavorful dinners.
