HelloFresh vs Blue Apron: The Ultimate Meal Kit Showdown

The Bottom Line

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron are excellent meal kit services, but they cater to different types of home cooks:

• Choose HelloFresh if you want quick, easy meals with more variety and family-friendly options
• Choose Blue Apron if you enjoy learning cooking techniques and prefer premium, chef-designed recipes

Quick Comparison

Menu & Variety

HelloFresh

HelloFresh offers the widest selection of any major meal kit, with 50+ recipes weekly across multiple meal plans:

• Quick & Easy (under 20 min)
• Family-Friendly
• Fit & Wholesome
• Vegetarian
• Pescatarian

Blue Apron

Blue Apron focuses on quality over quantity with 30+ recipes weekly:

• Signature (chef-designed)
• Wellness (WW-approved)
• Vegetarian
• Premium (with specialty ingredients)

Winner: HelloFresh for variety, but Blue Apron’s curated selection may suit those who prefer fewer choices.

Cooking Experience

HelloFresh

• Simple, clear recipe cards
• Most meals ready in 20-40 minutes
• Pre-portioned ingredients reduce prep work
• Great for cooking beginners

Blue Apron

• Educational cooking notes included
• More complex techniques taught
• Longer cook times (35-55 minutes)
• Better for learning new skills

Winner: Depends on your goals. HelloFresh for speed, Blue Apron for skill-building.

Pricing Comparison

Both services offer competitive pricing with discounts for larger plans:

Both regularly offer 50%+ off first boxes for new subscribers.

Who Should Choose HelloFresh?

Choose HelloFresh if you:

• Have a busy schedule and need quick meals
• Cook for a family with picky eaters
• Want maximum variety each week
• Prefer simple, approachable recipes
• Are new to cooking or meal kits

Who Should Choose Blue Apron?

Choose Blue Apron if you:

• Want to improve your cooking skills
• Enjoy more complex, restaurant-quality meals
• Prioritize sustainability (carbon-neutral shipping)
• Like learning new techniques
• Don’t mind longer cook times

Final Recommendation

For most people: HelloFresh is the safer choice with its wider variety, quicker meals, and beginner-friendly approach.

For food enthusiasts: Blue Apron delivers a more elevated cooking experience with chef-designed recipes and learning opportunities.

Both services let you skip weeks or cancel anytime, so there’s no risk in trying both to see which fits your lifestyle.