HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron: A Dietitian’s Honest Review

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HelloFresh and Blue Apron are among the most popular meal kit delivery services on the market.

They both offer a rotating selection of weekly recipes with step-by-step instructions and preportioned ingredients. However, there are also some differences to consider.

This article takes a closer look at HelloFresh and Blue Apron and how they compare.

Basics

HelloFresh and Blue Apron are two meal kit companies that make it easier to enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals.

HelloFreshBlue ApronBasics2–6 recipes per week, with 2 or 4 servings each2–4 recipes per week, with 2 or 4 servings eachCost• starts at $7.99 per serving
• shipping determined by location• starts at $7.99 per serving
• $9.99 delivery feeAvailability throughout the contiguous United Statesthroughout the contiguous United StatesIngredientsvariety of seasonal ingredients, sustainably sourced from trusted suppliersdiverse selection of non-GMO ingredients, free of hormones and antibiotics, sustainably sourced seafoodCustomization • 30+ meals per week on the full menu
• vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, family-friendly, low calorie, and quick and easy options
• allows you to change, swap, or upgrade sides or proteins in select meals each week
• optional add-ons, including breakfast items, sides, desserts, and snacks• 19 meals per week on the Signature plan
• Vegetarian, Wellness, and Signature menus
• Family-Friendly and Quick & Easy options
• no substitution options
• optional add-ons, including breakfast dishes, proteins, sides, wines, and desserts Diet friendliness• caters to vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, and low calorie diets
• options are limited for certain dietary patterns
• allergens labeled on the menu• offers Weight Watchers (WW)-approved meals and some vegetarian options
• options are limited for certain dietary patterns
• allergens labeled on the menuPackaging• most packaging is recyclable
• details on recycling are available online• 85% of packaging is recyclable
• details on recycling are available onlineCustomer service• phone or live chat
• FAQs on website• email, phone, or help ticket
• FAQs on website

With both companies, you choose from a selection of meals each week. Then, all the ingredients you need to prepare those meals are delivered to your door alongside recipe cards.

HelloFresh lets you select 2–6 recipes per week, with two or four servings each. While selecting your meals, you can also order additional sides and add-ons from the HelloFresh Market.

Similarly, Blue Apron allows you to select 2–4 recipes per week, with either two or four servings in each recipe.

For an additional charge, you can also order add-ons from Blue Apron, including breakfast dishes, proteins, sides, desserts, or wines.

Pros and cons at a glance

HelloFreshBlue ApronPros• large menu with 30+ options to choose from
• customization options available for certain meals
• offers choices for various eating patterns, including vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, and low calorie diets
• allows you to order up to 6 recipes per week• provides selection of WW-approved meals
• offers meal kits and prepared meals
• includes variety of optional add-ons
• uses non-GMO ingredients and sources meat, fish, and poultry from suppliers that adhere to strict animal welfare standards
• fish is vacuum-sealed for optimal freshnessCons• doesn’t offer prepared meals
• uses mostly conventional ingredients
• not suitable for those with certain dietary restrictions or food allergies• provides fewer options on Signature menu
• uses mostly conventional ingredients
• not suitable for those with certain dietary restrictions or food allergies
• only allows you to order up to 4 recipes per week

Who tried it?

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Getting started

HelloFresh

When signing up with HelloFresh, you can select your food preferences from six available plans. Then, you can select the number of meals and servings you’d like to order.

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Though you can view and order meals from the full menu, your selections will determine which recipes HelloFresh displays first.

After selecting your plan, you’ll be asked to enter your shipping address and payment details. You can also choose which date you’d like to receive your first delivery and enter any delivery instructions, if applicable.

Once you’ve finished checkout, you can select the meals you’d like to receive in your first order. Alternatively, you can allow HelloFresh to select recipes for you based on your preferences.

You can skip weeks, adjust your preferences, or cancel your subscription if necessary.

Blue Apron

To sign up for Blue Apron, you’ll choose from five meal preferences, including a mix of meal kits and heat-and-eat meals. Then you can decide how many recipes and servings you’d like to receive each week.

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During this step, you can choose whether you’d like to receive two, three, or four meals per week. Each meal contains two or four servings.

Once you’ve selected your plan, you can input your delivery address and payment information. You can also select your first delivery date after entering your zip code.

After checkout, you can choose your meals from the specific menu you selected. You can change your preferences, skip a week, or cancel your subscription anytime.

Types of meals

HelloFresh

HelloFresh features a rotating menu with over 30 meals each week and provides options for different dietary needs, including vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, family-friendly, lower calorie, lower carb, or quick and easy meals.

They have multiple plans to choose from, including:

• Veggie: plant-based meals, including vegan and vegetarian options
• Pescatarian: meals that are plant-based or contain seafood
• Family Friendly: kid-friendly recipes that are easy to prepare
• Meat & Veggies: meals that include meat and vegetables
• Fit & Wholesome: meals contain 650 calories or fewer per serving
• Quick and Easy: meals that require less preparation and are ready in 30 minutes or less

Note that you can still select meals from the full menu each week even if you choose one of the preferences listed above.

HelloFresh also labels certain items on their menu to help you find suitable options, including meals that are:

• calorie smart
• carb smart
• easy cleanup
• easy prep
• quick
• Mediterranean
• spicy
• vegan

Additionally, HelloFresh allows you to indicate certain protein types you’d like to avoid, including beef, pork, and seafood.

You can also change, swap, or upgrade your proteins and sides for select meals from HelloFresh. However, this is not available for all plans or recipes.

Blue Apron

Blue Apron offers both prepared meals and meal kits and has five preferences to choose from, including:

• Chef Favorites: favorite recipes from Blue Apron’s chefs
• Wellness: nutritionist-approved, including WW-recommended and carb-conscious recipes
• Family Friendly: meals designed to be kid-friendly
• Fast & Easy: Quick Prep and Heat & Eat meals
• Veggies: plant-based dishes

When you browse the menu, you’ll see four categories:

• Signature: includes meat- and plant-based items, WW-approved meals, and diabetes-friendly recipes
• Signature for 4: includes most recipes from the Signature menu, with four servings each
• Wellness for 2: nutritionist-approved recipes, including several that are WW-approved and carb-conscious
• Vegetarian for 2: meat-free dishes that feature seasonal produce

Vegetarian and WW-approved meals are also labeled on their menu. Additionally, Blue Apron labels items that are:

• chef favorites
• family-friendly
• ready to cook
• heat & eat
• premium
• craft

Like with HelloFresh, you can choose your favorite recipes from their weekly menu. Optionally, you can choose from a variety of add-ons, including side dishes, breakfasts, and desserts. You can also order meal kit bundles, holiday boxes, and wines in the Blue Apron Market.

Blue Apron allows you to indicate certain protein types you’d prefer to avoid, though the service doesn’t currently allow you to make changes to the proteins or sides included in any recipes.

Compared to HelloFresh, Blue Apron has slightly fewer options overall, with around 19 recipes on the Signature menu each week.

Diet friendliness

HelloFresh caters to several eating patterns, including vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, and low calorie diets. They also offer a few items that are vegan and carb smart, which are labeled on their menu.

Although each recipe’s nutritional information and ingredients are available online, options may still be limited for more restrictive diet plans, including paleo, ketogenic, or vegan diets.

For comparison, Blue Apron offers vegetarian dishes and features several Wellness recipes in their weekly menu. A few of the Wellness recipes are also plant-based.

According to the company, Wellness menu items are nutritionist-approved and designed to promote holistic health. Some of these recipes are also WW-approved, which may benefit those managing their weight.

That said, Blue Apron also has slightly less variety, with just 4–5 vegetarian recipes available each week and limited options for other dietary restrictions like pescatarian, vegan, paleo, low carb, or ketogenic diets.

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron label recipes that contain allergens on their menus, which can be helpful for those with a food allergy.

However, because ingredients are processed in a facility that also processes major allergens, there is a risk of cross-contamination. Those with severe allergies or intolerances should exercise caution when using either service.

Cost and shipping

The prices for both Blue Apron and HelloFresh depend on the plan and number of meals that you select, with both starting at $7.99 per serving.

HelloFresh also charges a shipping fee applied during checkout based on your location.

Blue Apron charges a $9.99 shipping fee for all orders, regardless of which plan you select.

HelloFresh and Blue Apron are available in most areas, offering shipping throughout the contiguous United States. Delivery is not currently available in Hawaii or Alaska for either service.

Packaging and sustainability

HelloFresh

One of my favorite aspects of HelloFresh’s packaging was that the ingredients were grouped by recipe in brown paper bags. Not only did this help keep my fridge organized, but it also made preparing the meals even easier as I didn’t have to search for each item.

HelloFresh uses insulated liners, gel packs, and meal kit bags that are mostly recyclable, depending on your local recycling program.

Share on PinterestPhotography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

I also appreciated that the company offers detailed information on its website and app with recycling instructions for each part of its packaging to promote sustainability.

Blue Apron

Unlike HelloFresh, Blue Apron’s ingredients arrive loose in the delivery box. While slightly less convenient, all my items still appeared fresh and in good condition.

Share on PinterestPhotography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

One of my favorite aspects of Blue Apron’s packaging was that the salmon was vacuum-sealed for freshness and the chicken was wrapped in two layers of plastic to prevent any juices from seeping out — an issue I’ve experienced twice with HelloFresh.

According to Blue Apron, over 85% of their packaging is recyclable, including plastic materials, metal cans, glass bottles, boxes, and inserts.

As with HelloFresh, Blue Apron’s website includes recycling instructions for each part of its packaging.

Ingredient quality

HelloFresh

HelloFresh’s weekly menus feature a variety of protein sources and seasonal ingredients to help add diversity to your diet.

They also prioritize animal welfare and sustainability by sourcing meat, fish, and poultry from trusted suppliers.

Although most produce is not organic, they focus on providing high quality fresh fruits and vegetables that look and taste good.

During my taste test, I found most of the ingredients to be fresh and in good condition upon arrival. However, the garlic for one of my recipes was rotten — luckily I keep a stash of pre-minced garlic in my fridge.

I’ve since tried HelloFresh several times, and while I’ve received chicken that’s gone bad twice, most of the time I don’t have any issues with ingredient freshness.

Blue Apron

While Blue Apron offers a slightly smaller weekly menu, their recipes still feature a good variety of grains, proteins, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Blue Apron sources ingredients from trusted farmers, ranchers, and fisheries that prioritize sustainability. Plus, all ingredients are free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, and hormones.

In fact, except for Sunbasket, I found Blue Apron’s fish to be the freshest and highest quality out of more than 25 meal delivery services I’ve tried.

Meal preparation and taste

HelloFresh

I’ve tried HelloFresh several times, once as a taste test for Healthline and another through my own subscription. During the taste test, I tried the following entrees:

• Turkish-Spiced Chicken in Apricot Pan Sauce
• Thai Shrimp with Candied Peanuts
• Pan-Fried Garlic Herb Gnocchi

The meals were easy to make, with the Thai Shrimp and Pan-Fried Gnocchi recipes taking fewer than 30 minutes to prepare.

My family — including a picky toddler — enjoyed the flavors of each dish. In particular, I loved how fresh and colorful the Thai Shrimp with Candied Peanuts was.

Share on PinterestPhotography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

I added more vegetables to the Turkish-Spiced Chicken and the Pan-Fried Gnocchi dishes to make the meals more balanced. I also used pre-minced garlic from my fridge to replace the rotten garlic I received with the Thai Shrimp recipe.

While I’ve experienced occasional issues with ingredient freshness, and there are meal kits that I like better for their creative ingredient combinations, HelloFresh is one I keep coming back to, as it’s more affordable and offers family-friendly flavors that my toddler enjoys.

Blue Apron

During my taste test for Healthline, I tried two meals from Blue Apron:

• Spanish-Spiced Salmon and Veggie Quinoa with Almond-Date Topping
• Seared Chicken and Creamy Italian Dressing with Mashed Potatoes and Glazed Vegetables

The salmon was incredibly fresh and not at all fishy, which I attribute to its vacuum-sealed packaging. I also really enjoyed the variety of flavors and textures in the dish. In fact, I saved the recipe card and have since made the recipe on my own several times.

Share on PinterestPhotography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

It’s worth noting that while it took fewer than 30 minutes to prepare, the recipe did involve quite a bit of multitasking.

The chicken recipe was a bit of a mixed bag compared to the salmon dish. On one hand, the dressing was wonderfully tangy and creamy, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly and had a nice sweetness.

However, because you prepare the mashed potatoes first, they were cold by the time the rest of the food was cooked. I also added Greek yogurt to the potatoes to make them a bit creamier.

The chicken turned out juicy, though I wished it had been a bit more flavorful without needing to salt it heavily.

How do customers feel about HelloFresh and Blue Apron?

HelloFresh

At the time of publication, HelloFresh is not currently accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but holds an A rating. This is determined by factors like the company’s business practices and complaint history.

On Trustpilot, HelloFresh has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, which is based on 39,364 customer reviews.

Positive reviews on Trustpilot note that the service is convenient and tasty, with many reviewers stating that the preportioned meals can benefit weight management.

On the other hand, less favorable reviews report experiencing issues with late shipments, spoiled or low quality ingredients, and wasteful packaging.

A few also note that some recipes can seem repetitive, especially if you’re using the service for a long time.

Blue Apron

Blue Apron is also not accredited by the BBB and currently holds a B- rating.

On Trustpilot, the company has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, which is based on 5,541 customer reviews.

Many customers on Trustpilot note that the service is consistent and offers a diverse selection of menu options, most of which are easy to prepare.

However, several reviews also mention poor quality produce and missing ingredients in multiple deliveries.

Some customers also state that there are often packaging issues. One review notes that the ingredients are not separated by recipe, making it more challenging to organize and store items.

Customer service

If you have any issues with your HelloFresh order, you can contact a customer service representative by phone or use the live chat on their website for easy assistance.

Meanwhile, Blue Apron customers can submit a help ticket online or contact customer service by phone or email.

Blue Apron and HelloFresh also present an extensive section of frequently asked questions on their website with information about common issues related to orders and deliveries.

Are HelloFresh and Blue Apron worth trying?

Whether you’re looking to enjoy more healthy, high quality meals at home or want to brush up on your cooking skills, HelloFresh and Blue Apron are both great options.

Not only are both services available throughout the United States, but they’re also similar in terms of price, packaging, and sustainability.

HelloFresh boasts a larger menu and caters to several diets, so it may be more suitable for those with specific dietary restrictions or food preferences. It also offers more kid-friendly recipes, making it a better option for families.

On the other hand, those following Weight Watchers (WW) may prefer the WW-approved meals provided by Blue Apron.

Blue Apron also offers add-ons like desserts and a la carte proteins plus pantry items like meal kit bundles, wines, spices, and cooking tools in the Blue Apron Market.

Therefore, the best way to decide which service is right for you is to look at each menu to determine which is a better fit for your taste buds.

How do HelloFresh and Blue Apron compare to other meal delivery services?

HelloFresh and Blue Apron are far from the only meal delivery services available. Here’s a quick look at how they compare to Home Chef, EveryPlate, and Green Chef.

BasicsPriceShippingIngredient qualityDiet typesHelloFreshlarge rotating menu of meal kits with various customization options$7.99–$9.99depends on location• mostly conventional produce
• hormone-free chicken and pork
• sustainably sourced seafood•vegetarian
• low calorie
•Mediterranean
• low carb
•pescatarianBlue Apronmeal kits and prepared meals, including a variety of WW-approved options$7.99–$11.99$9.99• non-GMO ingredients
• antibiotic- and hormone-free meat and poultry
• sustainably sourced seafood•vegetarian
• low carb
• WW-approvedHome Chefcustomizable meal kits and oven-ready meals$9.99$10.99–$15.99• some organic ingredients
• humanely sourced meat, fish, and poultry
• option to select organic chicken• low calorie
• low carbEveryPlatemeal kits that are budget-friendly and easy to prepare$4.99–$6.49$10.99conventional ingredientsvegetarianGreen Chefcertified organic meal delivery service with options for multiple dietary restrictions$11.99–$13.49$9.99• organic produce and eggs
• adheres to strict animal welfare standards for meat, fish, and poultry•Mediterranean
•gluten-free
• keto
• paleo
• vegan
•vegetarian
• low calorie
• low carb

Frequently asked questions

Are HelloFresh and Blue Apron the same?

Though HelloFresh and Blue Apron share several similarities, there are also many key differences.

For instance, HelloFresh boasts a larger menu with more customization options than Blue Apron. However, while HelloFresh only offers meal kits and market add-ons, Blue Apron also provides several fully prepared meals ready to reheat and enjoy along with some unique market items like wines and cooking tools.

What makes Blue Apron different?

Blue Apron is a budget-friendly service that offers a variety of WW-approved options, including an assortment of meal kits and prepared meals.

The service also provides many add-ons such as breakfasts, side dishes, and desserts. Plus, you can order meal kit bundles, holiday boxes, wines, and pantry items through the Blue Apron Market.

What company is better than HelloFresh?

Finding the best meal delivery service depends on your needs and preferences.

For example, if you’re looking for a meal delivery service that uses high quality, organic ingredients and caters to a wider range of dietary restrictions, you may want to consider trying Green Chef.

If price is a concern, a budget-friendly alternative like EveryPlate might be a better option.

Additionally, services like Home Chef or Blue Apron may be a better fit if you’re interested in trying a mix of meal kits and ready-made meals.

The bottom line

HelloFresh and Blue Apron are two popular meal kit delivery services that make it easy to prepare healthy meals at home.

Both services are similar in terms of availability, price, and sustainability.

However, while some may enjoy HelloFresh’s larger, more diverse menu, others might prefer the selection of WW-approved meals from Blue Apron.

Be sure to consider all the factors listed above and check out each menu to determine which service is right for you.