Are Meal Kits Cheaper Than Grocery Shopping in 2024? Let’s Crunch the Numbers!

Selecting the Correct Recipes Makes Blue Apron and Other Meal Kits a More Affordable Option Compared to Inflated Grocery Store Prices

We crunched the numbers and discovered that 2 out of 3 Blue Apron meal kits are actually more cost-effective than buying the ingredients separately at the grocery store.

📢 Hey there, foodies and budget-conscious folks! 💰 Have you ever wondered if meal kits are more affordable than going to the grocery store? 💭 I know I have! With skyrocketing grocery prices these days, it’s time to put meal kits to the test. 🧪 Let’s dive into the delicious details and find out if meal kits are truly the budget-friendly option they claim to be. 💰💪

The Tasty Truth about Meal Kit Prices

🍽️ Blue Apron, one of the OGs in the meal kit game, has stepped up its affordability game in 2024. Don’t worry, they still pack in premium recipes like mouthwatering steaks and delightful seafood options. That’s why Blue Apron is my top pick for most people looking for a reasonably priced meal kit. 🥩🍤

💡I did some math (don’t worry, nothing too complicated), and here’s what I uncovered. I compared the cost of three standard Blue Apron recipes: one steak, one seafood, and one chicken, with the cost of buying the ingredients separately at the grocery store. 📊

🔍 The results varied, but guess what? Two out of three Blue Apron meals were actually cheaper than buying the groceries at a midrange grocery store. 🛒💥 So, let’s break it down and see if meal kits really make cents (get it?). 😉

How Much Do Blue Apron Meal Kits Cost?

📦 Blue Apron offers various meal plan options, and the more meals and servings you order per week, the more affordable it becomes. For families requiring four-serving meals and ordering four meals per week, you’re looking at $8 per serving. But if you prefer smaller two-serving meals only twice per week, the price jumps to $12 per serving. Keep in mind that Blue Apron charges a flat $10 for shipping. 🚚

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Here’s a breakdown of the cost per serving for Blue Apron’s different plans, including the shipping cost spread out across the number of servings:

💡 Pro tip: Ordering more servings per week and meals for four people will give you the best bang for your buck! 🤑

How Much Do Blue Apron Recipes Cost to Make from Scratch?

🧾 Let’s dive into the thrilling world of grocery store expenses! I priced out the cost of three Blue Apron meal kits if you were to buy the exact ingredients yourself. Here’s what I discovered:

1. Trout with Feta, Couscous, and Vegetables:
   • 🎣 2 skin-on steelhead trout fillets: $11.50
   • 🍚 ½ cup pearl couscous: $2
   • 🍅 4 oz. grape tomatoes: $1.25
   • 🧅 1 red onion: $1.29
   • 🔥 ¼ tsp crushed pepper flakes: $0.10
   • 🧀 1½ oz. feta cheese: $2
   • 🧂 1 tbsp spice blend: $0.25
   • 🥦 6 oz. green beans: $3
   • 🌻 2 tbsp roasted sunflower seeds: $0.50
   • 🍸 1 oz. pitted niçoise olives: $0.64
   • 💰 Total: $22.53
   • 💸 Cost per serving: $11.26
2. Mexican-style Steak with Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes:
   • 🥩 2 sirloin steaks (5.5 oz. each): $7
   • 🌶️ ⅓ cup guajillo chile pepper sauce: $1
   • 🍋 1 lime: $0.50
   • 🌰 2 tbsp raw pepitas: $0.59
   • 🧀 2 tbsp cotija cheese: $0.60
   • 🍠 1 lb. sweet potatoes: $3
   • 🥦 6 oz. green beans: $3
   • 🌶️ 1 tbsp smoky spice blend: $0.25
   • 🧄 2 cloves garlic: $0.15
   • 🌊 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce: $0.46
   • 💰 Total cost: $16.55
   • 💸 Price per serving: $8.23
3. Chicken with Cream Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, and Vegetables:
   • 🍗 2 boneless chicken breasts: $6.50
   • 🍅 4 oz. grape tomatoes: $1.25
   • 🍯 1 tbsp Dijon mustard: $0.35
   • 🥔 ¾ pound potatoes: $1.00
   • 🌿 1 tbsp Italian seasoning: $0.15
   • 🥒 1 zucchini: $1.00
   • 🧀 ¼ cup grated parmesan: $2.00
   • 🍷 1 tbsp red wine vinegar: $0.50
   • 🥄 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese: $0.50
   • 🧄 2 cloves garlic: $0.15
   • 💰 Total cost: $13.40
   • 💸 Price per serving: $6.70

How Does Blue Apron Compare to Buying Groceries?

🔎 Now, let’s add up the numbers and see if cooking at home is truly cheaper than using a meal kit. After averaging the costs per serving for the three recipes, we get a price of $8.73 per serving for Blue Apron meals when you buy the ingredients at the grocery store. 😮 That’s only about 10 cents more expensive than Blue Apron’s cheapest meal plan and just 7% pricier than their middle-priced plan. Not too shabby, right? Plus, let’s not forget the convenience factor and the reduced food waste that comes with meal kits. 🌱

📊 Curious about my math skills? Here’s how I did it: I priced out the ingredients for the three recipes using the cheapest options available from Target, Fresh Direct, or Instacart. And just to clarify, Blue Apron doesn’t specify organic ingredients, so I went with non-organic options for the calculations. 🌿

⚠️ Oh, and a quick note: if you were to buy the ingredients yourself, chances are you’d end up spending more since some items, like oils or spices, can’t be bought in small quantities. So, keep that in mind too. 🧴🧂

My Take: Blue Apron Is a Tasty Bargain!

👩‍🍳 While not every recipe is necessarily cheaper to make at home, when you consider the convenience and lack of food waste, Blue Apron starts to look like a delicious deal. In most cases, it’s only a dollar or two more per serving compared to grocery shopping for the same meal. Sometimes, it’s even cheaper! 🎉

🥩 So, here’s a hot tip: if you’re looking to enjoy mouthwatering steaks and delightful seafood while saving some bucks, Blue Apron has got your back! Their seafood recipes, in particular, like salmon, shrimp, and trout, offer the best value for your money. 🐟💰

📢 What do you think? Are meal kits the future of affordable eating, or do you prefer the traditional grocery store? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get the foodie conversation started! 🗣️ And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow food lovers on social media. Bon appétit! 🍽️✨

🔍 Want to dig deeper into the world of meal kits, grocery shopping, and budget-friendly eating? Check out these links for more tasty insights:

1. The Best Meal Kit Services for 2024
2. 7 Best Grocery Delivery Services for 2024
3. Is Fever in Children a Reason to Rush to the Doctor?
4. Blue Ridge Beef Raw Pet Food Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
5. Does Pregnancy-Linked Depression Raise Odds of Suicide?

✨ Stay informed, stay healthy, and happy eating! 🥦🥗🍳

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