Blue Apron
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Blue Apron started shipping boxes in 2012 and helped define what a meal kit even was before HelloFresh and Home Chef entered the US market. The recipes still carry that original identity: more knife work, more from-scratch sauces, and a wider range of cuisines than the average 20-minute weeknight kit. That makes it a better fit for someone who already owns a decent knife and wants to get better in the kitchen, not someone hunting for the fastest possible dinner.
The company has changed hands and cut costs over the past few years, and portion sizes on some proteins have shrunk compared to its early days, a common complaint in recent reviews. Wine Direct, its by-the-bottle pairing add-on, ships separately and needs an adult signature on delivery. Skipping and cancellation both run through the online account, with a weekly cutoff, and the menu updates every Monday for the following week.