Discover a better way to brunch. The Blue Apron Brunch box is here to bring a restaurant-quality meal to your table this spring. Skip the reservation and enjoy easy recipes that satisfy every craving. This limited-time box is perfect for celebrating spring holidays or just a weekend together. Let your oven do most of the work with these crowd-pleasing recipes.
Our avocado toast gets a lift from bright radishes and chives. The spiced, candied bacon is sweet, savory, and smoky all at once.
This cheesy quiche is easy to prepare at home with a pre-made crust. Add nutty romesco aioli or tangy marinated artichokes for a little extra kick.
Overnight French Toast Bake with Blueberries & Lemon Curd
Our French toast bake is the perfect dish for anyone with a sweet tooth—it’s packed with blueberries and drizzled with lemon curd for a tangy kick. This dish is assembled in advance; letting it rest overnight gives the challah buns time to soak up flavor and makes preparation easy on the big day.
Available to ship starting April 3 through Mother’s Day or while supplies last, the Brunch Box can be ordered as part of a subscription through Blue Apron’s website and mobile app, and without a subscription on the Blue Apron Market, Amazon.com, and Walmart.com.
Congratulations on your first Blue Apron order! When you see that blue cardboard box on your doorstep, you’ll know that a delicious meal is in your future. Making the most of your delivery is easy. All the instructions you need are in the box and on the app. We’re making things even easier with this guide to your first order. To learn what you need to make a Blue Apron meal, let’s start at the very beginning.
Unpacking a Blue Apron Box
After the box arrives at your door, it’s time to get everything into your refrigerator. Keep your protein and produce chilled before cooking. For best practices, store protein below produce or prepared foods. This will prevent any cross contamination in the case of unwanted drips. We recommend preparing all of your Blue Apron meals within a week of delivery.
After you unpack, recycle your box. The included ice pack is filled drain-safe gel. After it thaws, cut it open, drain the contents, and dispose of the lining.
Store your recipe cards for safe keeping. Don’t give up on dinner if they go missing. You can always find directions online in the cookbook or with the Blue Apron app.
What’s in a Blue Apron meal kit?
We supply the produce, protein, and all of the delicious condiments that you’ll need to make a special meal. The only things you’ll need to stock in your kitchen are salt, pepper, and olive oil.
What cookware do I need for Blue Apron?
The world of kitchen gadgets is thrilling. There’s always a new tool that promises exciting results, but to prepare a Blue Apron box you’ll just need the essentials. Don’t worry if you’re missing a few items, you can always stock up with the Blue Apron market. These are the tools that we recommend having on hand.
Knives
A chef’s knife is a must for every kitchen. A few other knives, like a small paring knife, can make tasks like peeling garlic easier.
Pots
We recommend a small pot for cooking grains, a medium saucepan, and a large pot for pasta.
Frying pans
For tasks like sautéing vegetables or searing chicken breasts, you’ll need a good frying pan. We stock our kitchens with a trusty nonstick and a heavy-duty cast iron.
Baking pans
A sheet pan is the best way to roast vegetables or bake cookies. We love lining ours with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. For dishes like enchiladas, we recommend a baking dish with sides approximately 2.5 inches tall.
A strainer
To strain noodles or steamed vegetables you’ll need a colander or wire mesh strainer.
Wooden spoons
Stir sauces or sauté vegetables with a wooden spoon. The soft edges won’t scratch your pan, and the handle is non-conductive, so it won’t get too hot to handle.
Cutting boards
We use wooden cutting boards for fruits and vegetables and silicone or plastic boards for protein.
A Spatula
Use a silicone or metal spatula for lifting, scooting, or flipping everything from fish to pancakes.
Mixing bowls
Use a set of mixing bowls to keep ingredients organized, mix batters, or assemble salads.
A ladle
A ladle is a simple way to transfer liquid from one vessel to another. You’ll use your ladle for serving dishes like soup or chili.
A whisk
A whisk is an essential tool for beating eggs and mixing salad dressing. Whisks mix ingredients thoroughly and incorporate air for a fluffy texture.
A Microplane or box grater
We love using a microplane to make garlic paste or zest citrus. A box grater is useful for shredding cheese, or taking the place of a microplane in a pinch.
This post was contributed by Gaurav Kale. Kale is the Director of Packaging with Blue Apron and leads the Blue Apron box design, development, strategy, testing and deployment of all packaging.
Times have changed since 2012, and so has the Blue Apron box. Over the past 10 years, our recipes, products, and packing have all evolved. Join us as we take a look back at how our design and packaging have developed since that first delivery.
Blue Apron Box Design Timeline
2012
Our first Blue Apron box was packed and shipped from Brooklyn, NY. It included three recipes—seared hanger steak, barbecue Cornish game hen, and lemongrass shrimp with soba noodles. Check out our original logo printed on the top flap!
2014
By 2014 the brand had grown to include a design team. As a result, the branding, packaging, and Blue Apron box design got an update.
2016
In 2016, Blue Apron partnered with GreenBlue, a non-profit organization and parent company to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, to understand our packaging baseline and analyze the impact our packaging has on the environment.
Blue Apron joined the How2Recycle® program, a respected standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. Through this partnership, we started working on designing custom recyclable plastic packaging for automation based on the organization’s guidance.
2017
In 2017 Blue Apron introduced new box packaging, reflective of its newest branding.
This is awarded to companies that “demonstrate the creative and significant work that our industry does to advance sustainability in packaging” according to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
In 2019, Blue Apron became the first meal kit company to introduce drain-safe, fully recyclable gel packs (developed in partnership with Nordic Ice). Our packs were so impressive that we received the 2019 Packaging Innovation Award from Dow.
These award-winning gel packs replaced our old polymer ice packs. The polymer version worked well, but it wasn’t recyclable. We’re always looking for opportunities to improve the sustainability of our product, and we knew the ice packs had to be tweaked. The current version of the ice packs can be safely drained down the sink. Once emptied, the plastic exterior can be recycled via in-store drop off.
2020
Blue Apron launched a dynamic packaging decision making system based on box contents and forecast weather. With the help of Blue Apron-designed technology, we optimize our packaging based on various attributes of a customer’s weekly meal kit order. This allows for the appropriate packaging configuration with the goal of ensuring safe delivery, while reducing the amount of packaging used.
Blue Apron became the first meal kit company to create custom packaging in accordance with How2Recycle program, a respected standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. Blue Apron partnered with How2Recycle to make it easier for customers to recycle the materials used in its packaging. The How2Recycle label includes clear and concise information on how to prepare materials for recycling, its classification, and guidance on accessibility, such as materials likely to be accepted curbside or through store drop-off.
2021
Blue Apron announced a new sustainable packaging goal for its meal kit boxes of 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2025. To achieve its new packaging goals for its meal kits, Blue Apron plans to continue to build on its progress by:
Using dynamic packaging: With the help of Blue Apron-designed technology, the company optimizes its packaging based on various attributes of a customer’s weekly meal kit order. This allows for the appropriate packaging configuration with the goal of ensuring safe delivery, while reducing the amount of packaging used.
Identifying new packaging opportunities: Blue Apron’s packaging engineering lab conducts regular tests on new materials and innovative solutions to identify opportunities to reduce environmental footprint, including improved recyclability and increased post-consumer recycled content. This lab facilitates collaboration between members of the Packaging Engineering, Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Operations, and Corporate Social Responsibility teams.
Engaging the right partners: To ensure accountability and support progress toward its goals, Blue Apron continues to engage reputable, third-party partners. This includes How2Recycle®, a respected standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public, and Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a leading voice in packaging sustainability.
Gaurav Kale was elected as an Executive Committee member at Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
2022
Blue Apron introduced paper-based liners in its boxes. These liners are 100% recyclable and are one step closer to meeting its sustainable packaging goal for the meal kit boxes of 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2025.
Blue Apron introduced new box packaging, including custom Blue Apron box design for its special occasion boxes. This new offering are limited-time, seasonal meal kits that will be available throughout the year to help bring special occasions to life. The options will include recipe formats that feature ‘best of the season’ proteins, produce and ingredients for a premium and memorable experience. The new category launched with a Summer Lobster Box and a Tailgating Box.
This fall, get ready for game day with Blue Apron. Host an at-home watch party or a family movie night with our new Tailgating box, inspired by classic game day treats. Recreate the ultimate viewing party experience at home with hearty, elevated party snacks.
Skip menu planning stress and last-minute trips to the grocery store with this party in a box. All the ingredients you need are delivered straight to your door. Our chefs designed this menu to be both satisfying and snackable. These crowd-pleasing dishes are finger-food friendly—forks and spoons are strictly optional.
The Menu
Queso Fundido with Chorizo & Fresh Tomato Salsa
A cheesy, meaty delight topped with fresh salsa for a refreshing kick.
Flavorful chicken gets a spicy kick from hot honey, all sandwiched between soft, fluffy buns.
BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa & Guacamole
Make your own tropical salsa for these satisfying pork tacos. Don’t worry about elaboration prep—we’re sending peeled and pitted mango and cooked pulled pork. Just chop, sauté, and go.
The Tailgating box is portioned to serve 8 people. It will be available on the menu and in the marketplace starting 9/5. With a menu like this, your party is sure to be a hit. Even if you’re not watching the game, you’ll want to come for the food.
This month marks 10 years since the founding of Blue Apron. To celebrate, we’re taking a look back at some memorable moments from our past. We’ve developed hundreds of recipes and spent countless hours in the kitchen together, all for the love of food.
From our very first meal to our latest menu additions, we’ve loved cooking with you. We can’t wait to see where the next ten years will take us.
Blue Apron is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, and this year is important to us and to you for a variety of reasons. Between gas prices, food inflation, and a volatile economic environment—bringing value, wellness, and human connection to people all over the country is more important than ever.
Throughout the past decade, we built a network where we source approximately 80% of what goes in the box directly from producers and farms, which in turn, allows us to bring quality ingredients to home cooks everywhere. Over the years, we have grown and scaled that network to play an even more important function today—bringing you value during a time where value is hard to find.
With our direct sourcing model, we are able to offer those quality ingredients at competitive pricing. We do so without compromising on quality of ingredients and still adhere to our animal welfare standards: no added hormones, no subtherapeutic antibiotics, seafood we seek to source sustainably, and quality produce, while keeping our pricing below the inflationary standard. In fact, we have even compared the prices of ingredients in select recipes to ingredients of similar quality in grocery stores across the US markets, and we offered lower cost.*
But cost isn’t the only benefit. Since our founding, we’ve worked to operate our business in a way that mitigates our impact on the world around us. We’ve limited our food and packaging waste, both within our operations and in your homes. And this year, we became a carbon-neutral company, offsetting estimated upstream and downstream emissions that range from sourcing, packaging, and transporting our products. Now you can confidently cook with us, knowing that we offset the impact of your box on our climate.
And finally, we’ve delivered on these benefits, while growing our product selection. Today, we have over 60 menu options for you to choose from each week, including easy breakfast and lunch meals to help you eat well throughout the day to Premium dishes to elevate any experience.
These past 10 years have taught us a lot—and many of those lessons came from you. Without your dedication and feedback, we could have never gotten to this place. I want to thank you for every single review you left, every #letsblueapron photo you shared, and for inviting us into your homes for moments both big and small.
All month long, we’ll be celebrating all that we do for the love of food—including sharing all-time top recipes, our favorite customer reviews, and a special first-of-its-kind sweepstakes. Make sure you’re following us on social media to take part in all the fun.
Thank you again for everything—here’s to the next 10 years.
Cheers,
Linda
Linda Findley, President and CEO, Blue Apron
*Internal research comparing sample Blue Apron Recipes to comparable groceries in Indiana and New York as well as San Francisco and Cincinnati
What’s better than a home-cooked meal after a busy day? It sounds delightful, but if you’re the one cooking, it can mean even more work. Blue Apron is here to lend a hand with new, Ready to Cook options that cut down on preparation and cleanup time.
Ready to Cook meals are as easy as combine, bake, and serve. Put down that knife and relax! Our chefs reduced preparation time by designing recipes that don’t require any chopping at all. Each dish is cooked entirely within the oven—there’s no need to fuss with multiple burners or a crowded stovetop. Ready to cook meals are combined and baked in an included aluminum tray that can be rinsed and recycled after use. Without sticky pots and pans, cleanup is a breeze.
These recipes include the same high-quality ingredients and sophisticated flavors that you expect from Blue Apron, but with less time spent in the kitchen. Try Ready to Cook options to enjoy homemade meals a fraction of the time, even on the busiest nights of the week.
Look for these Ready to Cook recipes (& more!) coming soon
Oven-Baked Cheesy Tomato Gnocchi with Calabrian Chile & Spinach
Oven-Baked Chorizo & Black Bean Tacos with Jalapeño & Monterey Jack
Oven-Baked Sweet Chili Udon & Vegetables with Coconut Chips & Sesame Seeds
Oven-Baked Pesto Chicken & Orzo with Spinach, Tomatoes & Ricotta
These recipes will be available on the 2-serving and 4-serving menus. Find them online or in the Blue Apron app alongside our core recipes. Recipes will rotate, bringing you fresh and exciting options on a weekly basis.
Ready to Cook options are arriving on the menu in time for fall, when schedules fill up, and easy meals become a true necessity. View options on the menu starting 7/29, in boxes by 8/29.
Everything you need for a seasonal celebration is now available through Blue Apron.
This special spread is designed to embody the spirit of summer—it’s effortless, indulgent, and fun! Whether hosting friends or making family dinner, you’ll be delighted by how easy it can be to prepare a memorable feast.
Our first-ever lobster box features traditional Maine-style lobster rolls and plenty of sides to fill out the table. Each box includes these recipes.
Lobster Rolls with Lemon & Chives
Creamy Potato Salad with Capers & Pickled Peppers
Corn on the Cob with Garlic & Herb Butter
Green Salad with Feta, Tomatoes & Radishes
To take your meal to the next level, we’re also including a few extras. Play lobster trivia with your friends or family, and use our bonus included recipe to create the perfect summer lemonade cocktail.
The limited-time Summer Lobster Box is available to ship starting the week of June 27 through August 29 (or while supplies last), and can be ordered through Blue Apron’s website and mobile app, as well as the Market with no subscription required.
If you spot the WW logo next to a Blue Apron recipe, get excited! These recipes are designed with your WW goals in mind. Our WW recommended dishes factor in calories, sugar, saturated fats, and protein to help guide you toward nutritious foods—while still keeping dinner satisfying and delicious. Points™ are assigned to recipes on an “as packaged” basis.
Try some of our favorite WW Recommended recipes to fill your week with nutritious meals, and check the Blue Apron menu for new meals added every week.
These vibrant bowls feature our citrusy tomatillo-poblano sauce in two ways: half is used to coat bites of chicken as they sear in the pan, while the rest is whisked together with sour cream for a cooling drizzle on top. It’s all served over a base of hearty brown rice studded with sweet golden raisins and crunchy toasted pepitas.
We’re serving this hearty chickpea and vegetable salad topped with an irresistibly creamy layer of tzatziki, or Greek cucumber-yogurt sauce. A duo of marinated bell pepper and tomatoes, plus crumbly feta cheese, add a bevy of vibrant flavors to the nutty farro served underneath.
To accompany our irresistibly spicy-sweet glazed pork, we’re whipping up a vibrant side of tomatoes and snap peas sautéed with just a touch of garlic and olive oil. An additional side of smooth mashed potatoes completes the dish on a hearty note and helps to soak up the flavorful glaze.
For a quick, crowd-pleasing variation on a takeout favorite, bites of hearty tofu and tender vegetables come together in a sweet and spicy sauce made from honey, hoisin, sambal oelek, and more.
The star of this wholesome salad is the rich, savory dressing (made with tahini, dijon mustard, parmesan, and more) that brings together tender kale, sweet pear, and roasted carrots—all topped with seared chicken and crunchy sesame seeds.
Here, meatballs get a tangy, salty lift from crumbly feta cheese mixed right into the turkey. You’ll serve them over a bed of nutty farro with olives and vegetables and top it all off with a touch of creamy labneh.
This hearty vegetarian dish showcases paneer—a type of firm, fresh cheese that holds up against heat—marinated in a creamy, shawarma-spiced yogurt, then roasted until beautifully golden brown. We’re serving it over a bountiful mix of brown rice, roasted tomatoes, onion, and carrots, and fresh arugula, then topping it all with a drizzle of cilantro sauce.
To bring together seared chicken and a hearty bed of kale and sweet potato, we’re topping it all with an irresistibly rich and creamy dressing of tahini, soy sauce, mayo, fresh lemon juice, and punchy garlic paste.
In this dish, flaky tilapia fillets are seared with a coating of earthy oregano, then served over a bed of barley tossed with brussels sprouts and juicy, blistered tomatoes. It’s all topped with a mix of creamy fromage blanc and bold romesco sauce (made with almonds, roasted red peppers, garlic, and more).
The star of this dish is our togarashi seasoning—a vibrant blend that highlights paprika, poppy seeds, dried orange peel, and more—which lends bold flavor to the medley of zucchini, carrots, and cabbage we’re serving underneath juicy seared chicken. We’re bringing it all together with a bright, savory mix of citrusy ponzu and creamy ranch dressing.
Here, aromatic turkey meatballs find sweet and savory complement from the vibrant curry served underneath, which features sweet potato, bok choy, and grated apple cooked with soy sauce and spicy yellow curry paste.
Check the Blue Apron menu for new WW Recommended meals added every week.
Blue Apron is here to make your mornings brighter. The chefs you trust are using the ingredients you love to bring breakfast to the Blue Apron menu.
Chef Ashley Giddens took the lead on developing breakfast recipes. As an adamant food lover, Ashley advocates for making every meal as delicious as possible. A quick breakfast of a protein bar or pre-packed pastry is a missed opportunity. She designed the Blue Apron breakfast menu to make thoughtful, delicious morning meals a little bit easier.
With Blue Apron, breakfast can be a lovely moment of indulgence before the day’s duties begin. Our dishes are created with busy mornings in mind. Each recipe is designed to be ready 15 minutes or less, and without creating a pile of dishes.
Take a look at the menu
Recipes like Fried Egg & Prosciutto Sandwiches with Smoked Gouda & Calabrian Mayo and Creamy Spinach & Egg Sandwiches with Parmesan Cheese elevate the classic egg sandwich with unexpected ingredients. You can tailor this recipe to your liking by cooking the eggs to your desired doneness. These sandwiches will be delicious with sunny-side up, over-easy, or over-medium eggs.
Homemade pancakes might seem like a weekend-only treat, but our pre-measured ingredients make it easy to throw together a batter in the morning. With recipes like Buttermilk-Cornmeal Pancakes with Maple-Fig Syrup & Pistachios,Sourdough French Toast with Cherry-Maple Syrup & Almonds there’s no need to fuss with measuring cups. Just combine, cook, and enjoy your short stack. Bring the leisure of a Sunday brunch to your Tuesday morning table.
Tacos don’t need dozens of salsas or garnishes to be special. Our Cheesy Egg & Bell Pepper Tacos with Chipotle Sour Cream are an easy and delicious breakfast treat that you can eat with your hands.
Find Blue Apron breakfast on the Add-ons menu. Our first recipe will be available to ship starting the week of April 18 through Blue Apron’s website and mobile app. Follow along for more breakfast dishes, coming soon to the menu.
What separates a restaurant-quality dish from homemade dinner? More often than not, it’s the ingredients. Restaurants tend to put extra effort into creating a luxurious sauce, garnishing with a crunchy topping, or finishing with decadent compound butter.
Garlic & herb butter make these scallops outstanding
John and Janey Hubschman founded Epicurean Butter with the goal of making these special restaurant touches achievable for home cooks. The company got its start in 2004 when the Hubschmans were looking for their next venture. After working in the fine dining industry for 20 years, John was looking for a way to bring restaurant-quality meals into peoples homes. Since its launch, Epicurean has expanded in ways the Hubschmans never imagined. Today, Epicurean Butter offers 14 different products, available in over 6,000 grocery stores. You can find their garlic & herb butter on the Blue Apron Menu.
These flavored butters are a quick and easy way to make almost any dish taste even better. Epicurean products are made with high-quality ingredients. For the butter with truffles, coming soon to the Blue Apron menu, white and black truffles are imported from Italy.
Garlic butter is a breeze with pre-made garlic & herb butter
In addition to adding flavor, compound butters save time while you’re cooking–there’s no need to measure out herbs and spices. Epicurean Butter can be used to sauté, cook, bake, or finish a dish. The right Epicurean product can transform anything from vegetables, pasta, meat, or seafood into a restaurant-quality dish in minutes.
The dedication to quality, ease, and flavor makes Epicurean butters right at home on the Blue Apron menu. With high-quality compound butter delivered to your door, it’s never been easier to make restaurant-quality meals at home.
This post was written by Heather Sachs. Heather is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition. She has more than 15 years of experience combining her knowledge in food, nutrition, and regulatory affairs as well as translating science into impactful brand communication. Heather is currently Blue Apron’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.
National Nutrition Month is a personal favorite for me, and not just because I am a Registered Dietitian. I believe in the power of food. Nutritious food supports good health, brings families and cultures together, and provides a mental break from our stressful lives. Of course, food also inspires moments of happiness.
This year in honor of National Nutrition Month I am pulling together some of my best tips on setting yourself up for success when it comes to your nutrition and wellness goals.
Flip your mindset
For many people, the word diet is associated with deprivation and elimination of their favorite foods. It doesn’t have to be that way, in fact it shouldn’t. Diet is what you eat, not what you don’t eat. If you focus on the nutritious foods you want to incorporate into your daily eating patterns–like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and heart healthy–there won’t be room left in your mind or your belly for those foods you try to consume in moderation.
Always have a plan of attack
You wouldn’t walk into a new job without preparing. Bring this same mentality to your meals! If you can meal prep even a couple lunches, that’s a great start. Investing as little as an hour on a Sunday can set you up for success during the week ahead. Start small. You can prep easy sandwiches and salads in containers to grab each day. To make it even easier, try Blue Apron’s Meal Prep Options (Wellness for me).
Don’t forget to prep snacks too! Snacks can help keep you satisfied throughout the day and prevent overeating at your next meal. Look for snack combos that provide both fiber and protein. Try packing apples and peanut butter, cut up veggies and hummus, cheese and whole grain crackers, or even granola bars.
Variety
No one wants to eat the same thing every day. Seeking out new foods, flavors, and combinations can bring enjoyment to your daily diet. Take a trip to the farmers’ market and check out the produce, proteins, and even spices available locally. In addition to supporting small businesses, you might be exposed to something you never would have seen at the supermarket.
Mental Health
Speaking from my own experience, making a meal does something for the mind and the soul. Whether I am cooking on my own, with my husband, or with my kids, something happens and I am transported. I have always loved to cook, but Blue Apron recipes have elevated our meals. We’ve discovered new ingredients, new flavors, and new skills. Creating a nutritious and flavorful dinner for my family makes me feel like a hero even on busy weeknights.
