
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.
Still waiting for your delivery? Get excited with our top 10 Blue Apron recipes of all time.