+ perfect timing for me! Meet the new blue apron with more flexibility and an a la carte model that is so convenient! This post is sponsored by Blue apron. Use it code KATHEATS to get 50% off your first two orders
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I’ve used Blue Apron since 2020. Over the years, it’s been one of those services I come back to during especially busy times or when I need to outsource the meal planning to someone else’s brain! We’ve been regular subscribers for years, and I’ve always liked Blue Apron as the best balance of gourmet, portion size, and recipe types. With my recent life change, I stopped my subscription and have been making dinners a bit more – until recently when I found out about a la carte ordering!
What changed with the new blue apron?
Last year Blue Apron quietly released one major re-brand — and honestly, the timing couldn’t be better for my life right now. The biggest change? Blue Apron is no longer subscription-only!
Can you order blue apron without a subscription?
Instead of having to sign up for weekly boxes, you can now order meals à la carte, whenever you want them. This means there’s no pressure to get a box every week — you can order for the weeks you really want need help with dinner.
For me this is huge. Cooking for one looks very different than cooking for a family, and my weeks aren’t always predictable. On the weeks I have the boys all weekend, we definitely consume a lot more food! Mazen and I have started cooking more together and the Blue Apron recipes are so easy for both of us to follow. When I’m alone, I tend to eat simpler dinners. Sixth I have friends and then Blue Apron made cooking for four using an Assemble & Bake recipe so easy!
You can still save by signing up
If you do Like the rate of a membership, Blue Apron still offers one — and you’ll get a discount when you sign up, which makes meals cheaper overall.
I appreciate that this is now optional rather than required. You can:
- Order individual meals when you need flexibility
- Or set up a subscription for months you know you’ll be busy and save money by doing so
It feels much more customizable than it has been in the past.
More meal options (and less prep when you want it)
Another thing that has changed with the re-brand is the variety of meals available. Blue Apron has expanded far beyond the classic cook-from-scratch meal kits.
Now you will find:
- Traditional meal kits – pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipes
- Assembling & Cooking meals – recipes that come together quickly with very little prep (MY FAVORITE KIND!)
- Dish – ready meals that are ready to heat up and enjoy on evenings when cooking just won’t do
I love being able to mix and match depending on my week. Some nights I want to cook and relax in the kitchen. other nights I want dinner for one on the table quickly.
How I’m using the new blue apron right now
One of the first times I really appreciated this new flexibility was when I hosted a dinner party with friends. I ordered Blue Apron for that particular week, so I didn’t have to stress about how many servings to plan, a gamble with a recipe, or adding more shopping. The Assemble & Bake meals are so great and I just did an easy prep and popped them in the oven when the guests arrived.
Some of my past blue apron posts
Final Thoughts
If you tried Blue Apron years ago and bounced because the subscription was too much, this new version is worth another look. The recipes still look thoughtful and elevated, but the way you order is much more relaxed and down-to-earth.
For where I am in life right now – cooking for one, balancing versatility with convenience – this rebrand is just what I need. And I love that I can keep it in my back pocket for the weeks when I want dinner to be a little easier.
Want to try the new blue apron?
If you’re curious to try Blue Apron’s new, more flexible approach, you can use the code KATHEATS to get 50% off your first two orders. It’s a great way to try out a few meals – whether it’s a busy work week, hosting an event or just trying something new – without committing to anything long term.
