Best Meal Prep Services (2026): Blue Apron Named Top Weekly Meal Kit by Consumer365

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer365 has recognized Blue Apron as a top weekly meal kit service, citing the company's continued focus on flexibility, menu variety, and quality-driven meal solutions. The designation reflects shifting consumer expectations in the meal kit category, where convenience, choice, and transparency have become increasingly important.

Best Meal Prep Services

• Blue Apron - a meal delivery service that offers chef-designed meal kits and ready-to-prepare options, giving customers flexible ways to cook fresh, portioned meals at home without long-term subscription commitments.

As the meal prep market evolves, many consumers are moving away from rigid subscription commitments in favor of services that better accommodate changing schedules. Blue Apron's model, which allows customers to order meals without committing to recurring weekly deliveries, aligns with this broader trend toward on-demand food solutions.

Responding to Subscription Fatigue and Scheduling Challenges

Consumer365's evaluation found that flexibility remains a primary decision factor for households considering meal kits in 2026. While subscriptions once drove growth in the category, many consumers now prioritize control over delivery timing and order frequency.

Blue Apron addresses this shift by offering:

• The ability to place one-time orders without a subscription
• Options to skip, modify, or cancel deliveries at any time
• Autoship functionality that provides recurring deliveries while remaining optional and adjustable

This structure allows customers to plan meals around real-life constraints rather than fixed delivery cycles, a factor Consumer365 identified as increasingly relevant for long-term use.

Multiple Meal Formats for Different Time Needs

Another key area of evaluation was how services support varying levels of cooking time and effort. Blue Apron offers several meal formats designed to meet different household needs, including:

• Classic Meal Kits: Chef-designed recipes with pre-portioned ingredients
• Dish by Blue Apron: Pre-made meals designed for faster preparation
• Assemble & Bake: One-pan meals requiring minimal prep and cleanup

According to Consumer365, this tiered approach reflects a growing industry trend toward customizable effort levels, allowing customers to choose meals based on available time rather than committing to a single preparation style.

Menu Variety and Meal Planning Support

Consumer365's review also highlighted menu breadth as a differentiating factor. Blue Apron currently offers more than 100 chef-crafted meals across its rotating menus, supporting variety and reducing repetition for frequent users.

This range enables households to rotate proteins and cuisines more easily, balance familiar meals with new recipes, and adjust selections week to week without changing services

Menu variety was identified as a key driver of sustained engagement in the meal kit category, particularly among households using these services beyond short trial periods.

Ingredient Quality and Sourcing Practices

Ingredient sourcing and food quality were central to Consumer365's assessment. Blue Apron emphasizes curated ingredients sourced from established producers and maintains stated commitments around animal welfare and conscientious sourcing for meat, poultry, and seafood.

Additional quality-related considerations included:

• Ingredient freshness upon delivery
• Packaging designed to preserve quality during transit
• Clear expectations around food handling and storage

Consumer365 noted that transparency around sourcing and logistics continues to play a growing role in consumer trust within the meal delivery space.

Optional Membership Model and Added Value

The evaluation also examined how meal kit providers are experimenting with value-added programs. Blue Apron+ operates as an optional membership rather than a requirement, offering benefits such as free shipping and access to food and lifestyle content through Tastemade+.

Consumer365 identified this approach as part of a broader trend toward hybrid models that combine food delivery with digital content and perks, while still allowing customers to access core meal offerings without enrolling.

For a more detailed review, please visit the Consumer365 website.

About Blue Apron

Blue Apron is a mealtime brand that's been bringing chef-designed meals to kitchens across the country since 2012. Now reimagined for today's home cook, Blue Apron offers unmatched flexibility and convenience, with industry-leading quality. With no subscription required, customers can shop from a weekly rotating menu of 100+ meals, including pre-made options, one-pan dishes, and easy meal kits designed for busy lifestyles. From flavorful meals ready in as little as five minutes to customizable recipes and always-on favorites, Blue Apron delivers quality, variety, and convenience - on your terms.

Blue Apron is a Wonder company, joining a portfolio of category-defining brands committed to reinventing mealtime. Blue Apron has been recognized for its culinary innovation and premium ingredients, and has helped deliver more than 600 million meals nationwide. For more information, visit blueapron.com.

About Consumer365.org: Consumer365 provides consumer news and industry insights. As an affiliate, Consumer365 may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

SOURCE Consumer365.org