Marley Spoon vs. Blue Apron Comparison
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Want to take the planning and prep work that comes with cooking off the table with a weekly meal subscription kit? Then seriously consider these two top contenders that millions of Americans rely on to help them simplify or switch things up in the kitchen. In this review, we’ll break down all the need-to-know info so you can decide if Blue Apron or Martha and Marley Spoon is the right choice to help you create the home-cooked meals you crave.
Blue Apron vs Marley Spoon: Overview
When it comes to meal kit delivery services, industry veteran Blue Apron and relative newcomer Marley Spoon are two of the most popular companies on the market, known for their high-quality, fresh ingredients and vast recipe catalog that can impress even the pickiest eaters.
Known for their inventive recipes and interesting mix of flavors you may not have thought to try, Blue Apron is the go-to for many people looking to break out of a recipe rut. Featuring both easy-to-follow recipes with pre-prepped ingredients or fully-made meals that are ready to heat and eat, Blue Apron makes it easy to test and hone your skills in the kitchen without all the extra planning and prep work.
Imagine having the queen of homemade done right, Martha Stewart, on hand to help you plan and prep incredible meals every night. Marley Spoon is the next best thing, blending Martha’s expertise in the kitchen with chef-inspired recipes, including some of her own favorites, to help you create wow-worthy meals in minutes.
Blue Apron Menu vs. Marley Spoon: The Menu
With similar meal kit styles featuring fresh, pre-prepped ingredients and step-by-step instructions, both Blue Apron and Marley Spoon earn rave reviews for their menu variety and overall recipe selection.
But the best part is that the heavy lifting of planning and meal prep is already handled for you, with some fun and unique options mixed in that may encourage you to expand your culinary horizons.
Blue Apron Meals
With a reputation for providing globally inspired dishes and a more eclectic mix of ingredients than your typical fare, Blue Apron caters to a diverse audience with some simpler recipes in the mix to make sure everyone’s tastes are covered.
You have a choice between ordering their popular meal kits, which feature inspired recipes and all the perfectly portioned ingredients you need, or Blue Apron prepared meals, which come fresh and ready to just need to heat and eat—you can even order a combo of both! Simply select the amount of servings you want per recipe (two or four), plus how many Blue Apron meals you want per week, and have fun filling your order with delicious favorites. Blue Apron makes it easy to filter your options based on preferences like Family-Friendly, Calorie or Carb Conscious, Keto and Vegetarian, 15-Minute Meals and more.
In addition to complete meals, Blue Apron also offers a variety of delicious add-ons for purchase, including appetizers, sides, salads and even desserts, making choosing just a few favorites the biggest challenge.
Marley Spoon Meals
Featuring exclusive access to Martha Stewart’s favorite recipes and famed kitchen expertise, Marley Spoon is aimed at anyone looking to up their cooking game with the added bonus of having Martha as their guide.
The menu features high-quality ingredients and proteins, vegetarian options, plus helpful tags to identify meals based on popular categories like Kid-Friendly, Low-Carb, Ready in Under 30 Minutes, Dairy-Free and more. Marley Spoon’s menu also often features delicious side dishes, desserts, breakfasts and more to include in your order.
Customers select whether they want their recipes to feed two or four people, and how many meals per week they want to receive in their Marley Spoon box. You also have the option to stick with a preselected assortment of recipes based on your preferences, or choose your own favorites from their extensive list.
Blue Apron Recipes vs. Marley Spoon Recipes
Both companies emphasize premium, seasonal ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, with extensive menus that make sure that everyone—from foodies to picky eaters—can find something they love.
While Blue Apron offers an ever-changing mix of more than 80 recipes to choose from, Marley Spoon has a slight edge when it comes to menu variety with over 100 weekly recipes that feature some of the tried-and-true home-cooking favorites Martha is known for.
Here’s just a taste of what you can cook up from both companies:
| Blue Apron Recipes | Marley Spoon Recipes |
|---|---|
| Hoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen | Seared Steak & Rosemary Garlic Pan Sauce |
| Sheet Pan Rosemary-Walnut Crusted Cod | Chicken Buddha Bowl |
| Smothered Tomatillo Burritos | Martha’s Best Pork Tenderloin Marabella |
| Pesto Gnocchi | Shrimp Scampi |
| Bacon & Gouda Cheeseburgers | Vegan Spinach Tostadas |
Blue Apron vs. Marley Spoon: Cost
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a meal kit delivery service is your budget. Fortunately, Marley Spoon and Blue Apron both offer a range of pricing options, with costs fluctuating depending on the number of servings and meals you choose per week. Generally, the more servings or meals you choose, the lower the cost per serving.
Both companies are very closely matched when it comes to cost, with Marley Spoon’s pricing ranging from around $8.99 to $13 per serving, while Blue Apron comes in at about $7.99 to $12.49 per serving (Blue Apron prepared meals start at $9.99). Prices can also fluctuate based on your specific recipe selection, with both Blue Apron and Marley Spoon Spoon offering the option to swap proteins or select premium recipes featuring elevated ingredients that cost extra.
Free shipping is usually included on the first order, with Blue Apron charging $10.99 and Marley Spoon charging $11.99 shipping per box after that. It’s easy to pause, skip, edit or cancel your order from either company, and both Blue Apron and Marley Spoon currently only ship within the contiguous United States.
Blue Apron Coupons and Deals
Blue Apron helps customers offset costs by running promotional savings directly on their website. Since these discounts can vary by season and change frequently, it’s best to check BlueApron.com to find the best deal.
Certain groups, including active military members, veterans, students, teachers, seniors, medical staff and first responders can also qualify for special savings on Blue Apron. Plus, you can also purchase or use a Blue Apron gift card for any order through their site.
Marley Spoon Promo Code
As with Blue Apron, new customers can often find an enticing Marley Spoon coupon or promotional discount directly on the brand website, MarleySpoon.com. Marley Spoon also offers a Community Heroes Discount Program with special savings for military members, medical personnel, first responders and more.
Bottom Line
When it comes to saving you time—and your sanity—by taking the question of “what’s for dinner” off the table, both Blue Apron and Marley Spoon deliver. Both companies are known for their high-quality, responsibility-sourced ingredients that are prepped and ready to be incorporated into their easy-to-follow recipes, helping anyone look like a pro in the kitchen. Blue Apron tends to appeal to people with a more adventurous palate, featuring globally-inspired recipes and unique flavors that you may not have thought to incorporate on your own. While Blue Apron does offer comforting favorites as well, Martha and Marley Spoon has the edge on homestyle cooking done right, while still incorporating diverse dishes to expand your recipe repertoire. With similar kit setups, serving size pricing, and subscription flexibility, choosing between the two really comes down to a matter of personal taste.
FAQs
While Marley Spoon and Blue Apron offer similar meal kits that feature high-quality, pre-prepped ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to make delicious meals at home, there are slight nuances that may make one service better suited for certain needs.
Marley Spoon offers greater menu variety than Blue Apron, but their dishes tend to be more in the style of familiar favorites done well that Martha Stewart is famous for. On the other hand, Blue Apron is known for including unique twists on recipes and a more eclectic menu overall. Only Blue Apron offers the option of ordering completely prepared meals that are ready to enjoy in just a few minutes in the microwave, which can be a huge benefit on those time-crunched weeknights.
Some customers prefer the packaging of Marley Spoon, which is clearly labeled and sectioned to preserve quality. Martha and Marley Spoon also have a clear focus on sustainability, which earns high praise from eco-conscious shoppers.
Overall, both services have wonderful offerings tailored toward different types of consumers—those who are busy but want delicious home-cooked food enjoy using Marley Spoon, while those who prefer exploring new cuisines often opt for Blue Apron’s offerings instead.
When it comes to meal delivery services, Marley Spoon and Blue Apron are two of the most popular brands. Both offer pre-measured ingredients, a wide selection of recipes to choose from, and convenient delivery options.
In terms of sustainability efforts, both companies are doing their part by using packaging that’s recyclable and compostable whenever possible; minimizing food waste by only including exactly what’s needed in each box; and sourcing fresh ingredients from sustainable suppliers when available too.
Overall, choosing which service works best for you depends on your own dietary preferences, budgeting needs and sustainability values.
When deciding between Marley Spoon and Blue Apron, it’s important to consider a variety of factors. Both companies offer quality meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients that simplify the process of cooking at home.
Pros:
- Variety: Both Marley Spoon and Blue Apron offer a wide array of meal options catering to different dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, etc.
- Quality Ingredients: Both companies source fresh and sustainable ingredients from local farms for their recipes so diners can enjoy healthy dishes made from high-quality produce that are delivered straight to their doorstep each week.
- Convenience: Meal kits make it easy for people who don’t have enough time or energy to plan meals and shop for groceries every day since everything is already portioned out in one package with recipes provided as well!
- Cost Effective: It’s less expensive than eating out since you only pay for the necessary groceries while avoiding waste by using just what’s needed—plus getting discounts on certain products helps, too!
Cons:
- Portion Size Variations: Because all the ingredients are pre-measured, meal kits may not be suitable for larger groups or families as some portions might be too small while other portions may be too large depending on who is eating the food; otherwise diners have to adjust accordingly by adding more ingredients themselves, which defeats the purpose of ordering a meal kit in the first place.
- Limited Availability/Shipping Area Coverage: Shipping and delivery satisfaction can vary greatly depending on your location and the delivery partner. Also, customers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are out of luck since both companies currently only deliver to the contiguous United States.
Methodology
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