Sites Like Blue Apron: 12 Chef-Driven Meal Kit Alternatives
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About Blue Apron
Founded
2012
USA
Ships to
Continental US
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The thing Blue Apron pioneered — the ritual of unpacking a refrigerated box of pre-portioned ramekins, mincing your own shallots, and following a glossy recipe card to build a restaurant-grade sear on halibut — has quietly scattered across a dozen competitors that do individual pieces of it better. The ambitious, multi-step recipes that once felt like a cooking class in a box now read as a chore to a market that has largely decided it wants dinner in 20 minutes, not a knife-skills tutorial with fourteen components and three bowls to wash.
That tension is the whole story. Blue Apron built its name on teaching home cooks to braise, emulsify, and plate like someone who trained in a kitchen, and plenty of people genuinely leveled up because of those cards.
Then the Wonder acquisition landed, and longtime subscribers started watching for signs of the wind-down every meal-kit brand eventually faces.
What replaces Blue Apron depends entirely on which part you loved — the chef ambition, the wine pairings, the sustainability promise, or just a reliable box that shows up Thursday.
That tension is the whole story. Blue Apron built its name on teaching home cooks to braise, emulsify, and plate like someone who trained in a kitchen, and plenty of people genuinely leveled up because of those cards.
Then the Wonder acquisition landed, and longtime subscribers started watching for signs of the wind-down every meal-kit brand eventually faces.
What replaces Blue Apron depends entirely on which part you loved — the chef ambition, the wine pairings, the sustainability promise, or just a reliable box that shows up Thursday.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Blue Apron
1
HelloFresh
Est. 2011
Berlin, Germany
$
cheaper
People who want the meal-kit habit without the two-hour cleanup
Carbon Neutral
The market leader that ate Blue Apron's lunch by doing the same weekly-box model with simpler, faster recipes and far more menu choices per week.
Pros
- Up to 40+ recipes a week to pick from
- Recipes genuinely simpler and faster than Blue Apron
- Constant intro discounts make the first weeks cheap
Cons
- Portion sizes run small for big appetites
- Packaging waste is significant
- Recipes can feel repetitive over months
Visit HelloFresh
Full guide: Sites Like HelloFresh
2
Home Chef
Est. 2013
Chicago, USA
≈
similar
Families who want options between quick and involved
Same chef-inspired weekly kits but with flexible customization — swap proteins, upgrade cuts, or grab 15-minute Fresh Start meals.
Pros
- Protein swaps and premium upgrades on most meals
- Oven-ready and 15-minute options for busy nights
- Sold in Kroger stores for one-off buys
Cons
- Owned by Kroger, so less independent feel
- Customization costs extra fast
- Menu less adventurous than Blue Apron was
3
Marley Spoon
Est. 2014
Berlin, Germany
≈
similar
Cooks who actually liked the involved Blue Apron recipes
The closest spiritual match — Martha Stewart-backed kits with the same seasonal, cook-from-scratch ambition Blue Apron was built on.
Pros
- Martha Stewart recipe pedigree
- Seasonal, market-driven menus
- Genuinely satisfying from-scratch cooking
Cons
- Recipes can be as involved as Blue Apron's were
- Fewer ultra-quick options
- Delivery windows less reliable in some regions
4
Sunbasket
Est. 2014
San Francisco, USA
$$$
pricier
Diet-specific cooks who want organic ingredients
Organic
Organic-forward kits with paleo, keto, and Mediterranean plans — the health-conscious version of Blue Apron's chef ambition.
Pros
- Mostly organic and sustainably sourced proteins
- Strong support for paleo, keto, gluten-free
- Oven-ready and prepared options too
Cons
- Among the priciest kits
- Limited delivery in parts of the US
- Smaller weekly menu than HelloFresh
5
Green Chef
Est. 2014
Boulder, USA
$$$
pricier
Organic-first cooks with dietary restrictions
Organic
Carbon Neutral
USDA-certified organic meal kits built around keto, vegan, and gluten-free plans — the certified-clean alternative to Blue Apron's sourcing story.
Pros
- USDA-certified organic ingredients
- Strong keto, paleo, and vegan tracks
- Carbon-neutral shipping claim
Cons
- Pricier than mainstream kits
- Smaller portions on some plans
- Owned by HelloFresh, menus overlap
6
Factor
Est. 2013
Chicago, USA
≈
similar
People done with chopping who still want quality dinners
For former Blue Apron subscribers who loved the food but not the cooking — fully prepared, chef-designed meals that just need reheating.
Pros
- Zero cooking — heat and eat in minutes
- Dietitian-designed nutrition options
- High-protein and calorie-smart menus
Cons
- No cooking experience at all
- Per-meal cost adds up
- Not for people who enjoy the kitchen
Visit Factor
Full guide: Sites Like Factor
7
Purple Carrot
Est. 2014
Needham, USA
≈
similar
Plant-based cooks wanting inventive dinners
Entirely plant-based meal kits with the same chef-driven, recipe-card format — the vegan answer to Blue Apron's ambition.
Pros
- 100% plant-based, creative recipes
- Prepared meals and breakfast add-ons
- Good for reducing meat without effort
Cons
- Vegan-only won't suit mixed households
- Smaller menu rotation
- Some recipes still fairly involved
8
Gobble
Est. 2010
San Francisco, USA
≈
similar
Time-pressed cooks who found Blue Apron too fussy
Solves Blue Apron's biggest complaint directly — dinner in 15 minutes with pre-chopped ingredients and pre-made sauces, still chef-designed.
Pros
- Genuinely 15-minute dinners with one pan
- Pre-chopped ingredients and made sauces
- Chef-designed but shortcut-heavy
Cons
- Pricier per serving than HelloFresh
- Limited menu each week
- Less of a cooking challenge
9
CookUnity
Est. 2018
New York, USA
$$$
pricier
Foodies who want restaurant-chef meals without cooking
Prepared meals cooked by named, award-winning chefs — the chef-credential angle Blue Apron marketed, delivered fully cooked.
Pros
- Rotating menus from real named chefs
- Huge variety across cuisines
- Supports local chef talent
Cons
- Prepared only, no cooking
- Higher price point
- Limited to certain metro areas
10
EveryPlate
Est. 2018
New York, USA
$
cheaper
Cost-conscious households who want the cheapest real kit
The budget stripped-down meal kit — same weekly-box mechanics as Blue Apron at roughly half the per-serving cost.
Pros
- Among the cheapest meal kits available
- Simple, crowd-pleasing recipes
- No-fuss weekly ordering
Cons
- Basic ingredients, fewer premium proteins
- Less adventurous menu
- Owned by HelloFresh
11
Dinnerly
Est. 2017
Berlin, Germany
$
cheaper
Budget families wanting simple, kid-friendly meals
Marley Spoon's budget sibling — fewer ingredients, digital-only recipe cards, and a low price for straightforward family dinners.
Pros
- Very low per-serving price
- Simple recipes with few ingredients
- Good for picky eaters and kids
Cons
- Digital-only recipe cards
- Minimal variety and premium options
- No dietary-specific plans
12
Thistle
Est. 2013
San Francisco, USA
$$$
pricier
Health-focused people wanting ready-to-eat plant meals
Organic
Plant-forward, fully prepared meals and cold-pressed juices — the wellness-oriented exit for Blue Apron fans who wanted clean, not complex.
Pros
- Fully prepared, no cooking needed
- Plant-forward with organic produce
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks included
Cons
- Limited to West Coast and select regions
- Higher price point
- Not for meat-heavy eaters
If Blue Apron's recipes got too complicated
The single biggest reason people leave Blue Apron is recipe fatigue — too many steps, too many bowls. Gobble runs genuine 15-minute dinners with pre-chopped ingredients and pre-made sauces. EveryPlate and Dinnerly keep it simple and cheap. And if you're done cooking entirely, Factor and CookUnity send fully prepared meals that just reheat.
Cheapest credible kits
Blue Apron never competed on price, and its successors know it. EveryPlate and Dinnerly land at roughly half the per-serving cost while still shipping real, refrigerated ingredients. HelloFresh sits just above them with far more menu choice and near-constant intro discounts on the first several boxes.
Organic and diet-specific sourcing
If you valued Blue Apron's sustainability messaging, Sunbasket and Green Chef go further with certified-organic ingredients and dedicated keto, paleo, and Mediterranean tracks. Purple Carrot and Thistle cover plant-based eaters, with Thistle leaning fully prepared and wellness-focused.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
If your gripe was complexity, go straight to Gobble for 15-minute cooking or Factor if you want to skip the stove entirely. If it was price, EveryPlate and Dinnerly cut the per-serving cost roughly in half without abandoning the fresh-box model. Cooks who genuinely loved Blue Apron's ambitious, learn-something recipes should try Marley Spoon — it's the closest spiritual match, with Martha Stewart recipe pedigree and the same seasonal, cook-from-scratch energy. Diet-driven eaters get the most from Sunbasket and Green Chef for organic sourcing, or Purple Carrot for plant-based. And if you want restaurant-chef quality without lifting a knife, CookUnity delivers meals from named chefs. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Blue Apron shutting down after the Wonder acquisition?
Blue Apron continues to operate under Wonder's ownership, but longtime subscribers have flagged uncertainty about menu direction and long-term plans. If reliability matters to you, HelloFresh and Home Chef are the most stable, established alternatives with deeper operational track records.
QWhich meal kit has easier recipes than Blue Apron?
Gobble is the clearest fix — most meals come together in 15 minutes with pre-chopped ingredients and pre-made sauces. HelloFresh, EveryPlate, and Dinnerly also run noticeably simpler recipes than Blue Apron's multi-component cards.
QWhat is the cheapest alternative to Blue Apron?
EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the budget leaders, landing around half the per-serving price of Blue Apron. They use fewer premium proteins and simpler menus, but ship the same fresh, refrigerated ingredients on a weekly schedule.
QWhich meal kit is most like Blue Apron's chef-designed recipes?
Marley Spoon is the closest match — it's backed by Martha Stewart recipes and keeps the same seasonal, cook-from-scratch ambition Blue Apron was known for. CookUnity goes further on the chef angle but delivers fully prepared meals instead of kits.
QAre there organic meal kits like Blue Apron with diet plans?
Sunbasket and Green Chef both center organic sourcing with dedicated keto, paleo, gluten-free, and Mediterranean tracks. Green Chef is USDA-certified organic, and Purple Carrot covers the fully plant-based side.
Our Verdict
The Best Blue Apron Alternative For You
If your gripe was complexity, go straight to Gobble for 15-minute cooking or Factor if you want to skip the stove entirely. If it was price, EveryPlate and Dinnerly cut the per-serving cost roughly in half without abandoning the fresh-box model. Cooks who genuinely loved Blue Apron's ambitious, learn-something recipes should try Marley Spoon — it's the closest spiritual match, with Martha Stewart recipe pedigree and the same seasonal, cook-from-scratch energy. Diet-driven eaters get the most from Sunbasket and Green Chef for organic sourcing, or Purple Carrot for plant-based. And if you want restaurant-chef quality without lifting a knife, CookUnity delivers meals from named chefs.