Kate has nearly two decades of experience working in both the fitness and content industries. Personally, Kate enjoys competing in weightlifting and doing burpees.
On the content side, Kate’s background is in newspaper journalism. She branched into public relations for the American Red Cross for about five years and then moving into content marketing. Today, her work at Garage Gym Reviews blends her excitement for fitness and love of writing. If she isn’t reviewing fitness equipment, you can find her working out or spending time with her two children.
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
If you’ve ever taken a look at the best meal delivery services, there’s a chance you’ve taken a look at subscription services for meat boxes as well. With butchers being rare and local grocery stores not supplying quality or unique cuts of meat, a meat delivery service can be a viable option to find humanely raised grass-fed beef and high-quality meat.
With small-batch sourcing from family farms, many of the best meat subscription boxes do more than deliver convenient curated boxes; they follow sustainable practices and humanely raise their animals—from free range organic chickens to pasture-raised cattle.
Some studies also suggest that organic livestock production and humanely raising animals can lead to a more desirable fatty acid profile, such as a higher content of polyunsaturated fats—although this 2016 review1 also admits that more research and studies are needed to confirm this.
Our testers—certified nutrition coaches, personal trainers, and lifelong competitive athletes—tried out some of the top meat and beef boxes. We used a multifaceted approach in our methodology, scoring the delivery services as 1 through 5 across different categories and features, including:
Price and value
Taste and quality
Variety and customization
Sustainability and sourcing
Packaging and shipping
Full disclosure: This isn’t a list for non-meat eaters. (For that, I’d recommend taking a look at the plant-based proteins we suggest in our list of high protein foods.) For those who eat meat, however, read on to see why we think these meat subscription boxes are a cut above the rest.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
Grass-fed beef, wild-caught seafood, responsibly raised chickens, and more
Fully Customizable
Choose your own cuts or let ButcherBox pick
Subscription Perks
Loyalty deals and member-only offers
Families
With loyalty rewards and competitive pricing, ButcherBox provides great value for feeding a household
Health-Conscious
ButcherBox provides clean meats with no added hormones or antibiotics
Bulk Buyers
Meats are delivered frozen and vacuum-sealed, ideal for buying in bulk
Meal Preppers
Buying a ButcherBox simplifies weekly menu planning, providing you with a variety of meats for different meals
Pros
Rewards program and members-only deals
Fully customizable or curated boxes
Grass-fed, wild-caught, and organic options
Free shipping
Cons
Subscription only
Not many specialty meats available
May need extra freezer space depending on order
Meat Available
Beef, chicken, pork, seafood, lamb, bison
Box Sizes
Classic Box, Big Box
Shipping Costs
Free
Subscription Options
2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks
When it comes to meat subscription boxes, ButcherBox is one of the most well-rounded options for quality, convenience, and value. It covers all your protein needs with consistent, clean meat you can count on, including grass-fed and pasture-raised beef, responsibly raised chicken, and wild-caught seafood. You can choose the frequency of deliveries, between two weeks and two months, to match your household’s size and needs.
Topping our list of the best meat subscription boxes is ButcherBox, one of the more well-known brands on our list. We like it for its overall value, which GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier rates a 5 out of 5. Curated boxes are under $150 and provide 8 to 11 pounds of meat each box. For about $20 more, you can fully customize your box, choosing what cuts of meat you get delivered.
Subscribing also nets you free shipping and enrolls you into their loyalty program. “I’ve been using ButcherBox for two years now, and in that time I’ve earned free bacon and ground beef for life,” adds Kate. “So each box I get an additional pack of bacon and 2 pounds of ground beef—all for free.”
Kate also rates the taste of the meat a 5 out of 5. “My family loves everything we’ve gotten from ButcherBox,” she adds. “My favorite is the filet mignon, but everything is tasty from the chicken thighs to the wild-caught salmon.” Even after being frozen and thawed, she swears their steaks are some of the best she’s had.
ButcherBox also gets top marks for sustainability practices, as their food subscription boxes are now 100% recyclable and made from recycled materials—including the insulation. Additionally, ButcherBox claims their shipping is carbon neutral, meaning that the carbon emitted to ship deliveries is equal to the amount of carbon ButcherBox helps absorb back into the earth and out of the atmosphere.
While Kate has had no issues with her shipments over the past two years, some customers have complained on Trustpilot on the quality of meats received: Mostly, some of the meat packaging has been damaged or punctured. Some of those customers also say customer service is a hassle to deal with. Despite those negative reviews, ButcherBox still earns an impressive 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
That said, the quality of humanely raised meats is great with ButcherBox. Also, Kate notes that scheduling deliveries is very flexible. “I can change around delivery and billing dates whenever I want, pause and skip boxes. It’s so flexible and easy,” she adds.
Meats come from small farms in Tennessee and Kentucky that emphasize humane practices, including pasture-raised beef
No Subscription
Order curated boxes or cuts of meat once or subscribe for recurring deliveries
Subscription Perks
Subscribe and save 15% on deliveries
Home Cooks
Those who enjoy cooking meals will enjoy the high-quality meats delivered to their home
Ethical Shoppers
Meats included are humanely raised and free of hormones or antibiotics
Foodies
You’ll be able to try out unique, small-batch cuts of meat like Korean short ribs and oxtail
Pros
Butcher-trimmed and dry-aged beef
No subscription required
Great variety and seasonal items
Ethically sourced
Cons
Pricier than supermarket meats
Limited seafood options
Curated boxes aren’t customizable
Shipping rates dependent on location
Meat Available
Beef, chicken, pork, seafood
Boxes Available
7 options, including Best Of Porter Road Box and Butcher’s Choice Box
Shipping Costs
Flat-rate shipping on orders over $125 ($0 to $25, depending on your location)
Subscription Options
One-time order or every 2, 4, or 8 weeks
Porter Road offers a high-end, craft butcher experience with high-quality, hand-cut meats delivered to your door. It’s ideal for people seeking quality meats sourced from sustainable farms. Meats are humanely raised to provide flavorful meals free of hormones and antibiotics.
Pasture-raised beef differs from grass-fed beef in that pasture-raised cattle have a diet consisting of grass for most of their lives, and then are introduced a bit of grain later in life. This process helps add marbling to meats and enhances the flavor. Our favorite subscription box for pasture-raised meat is Porter Road, which also dry ages their beef to further improve the flavor.
GGR Senior Staff Writer Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC, tried the “Best of Porter Road” Box and rated the taste a 5 out of 5. “Everything from the box was high-quality and had excellent flavor,” says Stephen. “The dry-aged ribeyes were juicy and tender, the pork chops were lean but flavorful, and the ground beef crisped up nicely into a delicious burger.”
The “Best Of” box comes out to $155, which earns the subscription service a 4 out of 5 for value. There are other boxes available with varying prices, including a breakfast box and a burger patty box.
Porter Road has a diverse selection of add-ons available, especially with their pasture-raised beef. From ribeye steaks and top sirloins to brisket and oxtail, there’s a lot of cuts of meat for any home cook to experiment with. However, curated boxes can’t be customized, earning the company a 2 out of 5 for customization. “You’re free to add on additional meats, but can’t swap out cuts of meats in the box you purchase,” says Stephen.
You don’t have to subscribe to Porter Road to try them out; one-time orders are perfectly fine. However, those who want the best deal should consider subscribing, as it can take 15% off the price. You can schedule deliveries for every two, four, or eight weeks, and can cancel at any time.
Box Price
$55-$185, depending on box
Amount of meat
Starts at 5 lbs, but varies depending on box
Boxes available
Burger Box, Breakfast Box, Basics Box, Grilling Heroes Box, Bachan’s BBQ Bundle, Best of Porter Road Box, Butcher’s Choice Box
Order boxes and a-la-carte items one time or subscribe for savings
Subscription Perks
Subscribe and save $25 on your curated box, as well as free meat for life
Family Grillers
There are plenty of staples for small and large families, including chicken breasts, ground beef, and hot dogs
Ethical Shoppers
All meats are sourced from American farms and contain no added hormones or antibiotics
Freezer Stockers
Individually sealed cuts and meats make storing these meats a breeze
Meal Preppers
Steaks are portioned out to make measuring for meals in advanced simple and easy
Pros
Meats are sourced from the United States
Individually sealed portions
Flexible delivery frequency
Subscribe-and-save options
Cons
Pricier than supermarket meats
Limited seafood options
Curated boxes aren’t customizable
Meat Available
Beef, chicken, pork, seafood
Boxes Available
18 options, including Essentials Box, Home Cook Box, and Ranchers Classic
Shipping Costs
Free express shipping to Contiguous U.S.
Subscription Options
One-time order or every 2, 4, or 6 weeks
Good Ranchers delivers great-tasting, American-only meat straight to your freezer. With individually wrapped items, it’s the ideal pick for families who want to support U.S. farms and fill up their freezer chest. The beef and chicken used are also free of added hormones and antibiotics.
Families looking for quality meat with great value should take a look at Good Ranchers. Their Essentials Box provides 33 servings of meat in 5-ounce portions for $149 with a subscription. Larger families can take a look at their Family Feast Bundle for $249, providing 66 servings. Costing less than $5 a portion, they earn a 4.5 out of 5; I took away a half-point because you have to subscribe to get the best savings.
I tried out Good Ranchers and ordered their Home Cook Box—mostly because I wanted to try out their steaks, and the Essentials Box only comes with ground beef, sirloin steak tips, and chicken breast.
After trying it out, I rate the taste a solid 4.5 out of 5. I don’t consider myself a cook by any means, but with these cuts of meat, I almost believed it. The chicken, ground beef and flat iron steaks were all top-notch, crisping up nicely on the stovetop or in my air fryer. I didn’t give it full marks, however, as one of the steaks had a considerable bit of gristle in it that I had to work around.
There are a massive 18 curated boxes to choose from, which earns the company a 4 out of 5 on their variety and selection. Many of the boxes are chicken and beef, but pork and wild-caught seafood options are available as well.
Most boxes have a variety of cuts of meat, but some are themed, like the Tailgate Box, filled with hot dogs, Wagyu beef and Angus burgers, and chicken wings. Unfortunately, the boxes aren’t customizable; at best, you can add on cuts of meat or their seed oil-free chicken nuggets. I rate the customization a 2 out of 5.
While the individual packaging of cuts of meat is convenient for stocking up your freezer, it also uses a lot of plastic. Good Ranchers doesn’t provide a lot of information on sustainable practices in their packaging or shipments, but they do take pride in how they source their meats.
All meats from Good Ranchers are sourced from American farms and are humanely raised, free of antibiotics or added hormones. Not only does this help support family farms across the United States, but Good Ranchers guarantees “tariff-proof” pricing. With the threat of price hikes due to tariffs, Good Ranchers’ pricing will remain consistent and stable—a huge perk for families who rely on consistent pricing in their budget.
Box Price
Starts at $139 with a subscription
Amount of meat
Varies by box, starts around 10 lbs
Boxes available
18 options, including Essentials Box, Home Cook Box, and Ranchers Classic
Taste of Crowd Cow: Steak Adventure, Taste of Crowd Cow: Wagyu Delight, Create Your Own Box
Shipping Costs
Free shipping for orders over $149 in the Contiguous U.S.
Subscription Options
One-time order or customizable subscription frequency (default is monthly)
Crowd Cow offers an elevated meat experience for steak connoisseurs. ALong with quality steaks, Crowd Cow also offers poultry, pork, seafood, and game which can be purchased in a completely customizable box. If you want gourmet cuts from trusted farms across the world, this box delivers.
If you’re looking for a meat delivery service that prioritizes quality beef, Crowd Cow is the service for you. They only have two curated boxes and both showcase cuts of steak, but the beef is high-quality, including A5 Japanese Wagyu. “I got the Steak Adventure box,” says GGR Staff Writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, “which only has four steaks; they’re all very high-quality, though.” He rates the value a 4 out of 5.
Matt rates the taste a 4 out of 5 as well. “I simply used salt, pepper, and oil while searing it in a cast iron skillet,” he adds. “It was very flavorful and tender.” His only minor complaint was that he prefers thicker cuts of meat and the box had only thinner cuts.
The real highlight of the service is the variety available, which earns a 5 out of 5. There are plenty of various cuts of beef: New York strip steak, filet mignon, flank steaks, and more. You can also choose between pasture-raised or grass-finished beef. Beyond beef, they also offer chicken, pork, seafood, and wild game—even sides and seasonings.
“While you can’t customize the curated boxes, you can build your own box, picking specific cuts of meat you want,” says Matt. “I thought of this less as a subscription box and more of an online meat retailer that has a couple of sampler boxes.” He rates the customization a 5 out of 5.
You can order when needed or subscribe to deliveries. Crowd Cow says you can pick the delivery date and frequency, but the default is once a month. Matt also warns that customer service information is a little difficult to find on the site, and all that’s offered is an email address and chat bot. Still, these cuts of beef are worth a gander.
Box Price
Varies by cuts chosen
Amount of meat
Varies by cuts chosen (Steak Adventure Box is 2 lbs)
Boxes available
Taste of Crowd Cow: Steak Adventure, Taste of Crowd Cow: Wagyu Delight, or create your own box
Meats available
Beef, chicken, seafood, pork, lamb, bison, turkey, duck, wild game
Customizable?
Yes
Delivery area
Contiguous U.S.
Subscription options
One-time order or choose your frequency (default is monthly)
Free shipping $50 in shelf stable items or $150 in perishable items
Subscription Options
One-time order or delivery every 1, 2, or 3 months
Carnivore Club is your go-to for charcuterie lovers and grillers alike. Although some beef and cuts of meat are available, this subscription box is a specialty pick for those who want unique meats, including jerky and other meat snacks.
Do you like having guests over? Then more than likely, you’re either grilling for parties or laying out some cured meats on a charcuterie board. If you’re looking for a subscription service for grilled goods and cured meats, Carnivore Club is our pick. With various sausages and grillable meats, they also provide charcuterie meats and jerky snacks—and they taste great, according to GGR editorial team member Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1.
After trying the Grillmaster’s Bundle, Kate rates Carnivore Club’s taste a 4 out of 5. “The beer brats were the best,” she says, adding, “The flavor is rich without being overpowering.” The other brats—ghost pepper and jalapeno cheddar—were tasty as well, although the jalapeno cheddar brats fell apart while grilling. The hamburger patties and beef hot dogs were also packed with flavor.
As far as variety goes, Kate likes that they offer charcuterie and jerky. “I think it’s really cool to have these because sometimes, you just don’t want to cook,” she adds. They also have several cuts of meat; Kate notes that it’s not a wide variety of cuts, however. That with a lack of specialty meats earns Carnivore Club a 3.5 out of 5 for variety.
You’re unable to customize the curated boxes, too. Boxes will vary from month to month, as they’ll showcase different meats and cuts for each box…but what you see is what you get. It earns a 2 out of 5 for customization.
Pricewise, Kate rates the value a 4 out of 5. The Grillmaster’s Bundle costs around $109, which is around what you’d pay for at a local grocer or butcher. The difference is that Carnivore Club is a 9Strong company, which means they’re committed to sustainable practices, although there isn’t much information on how they’re committed. “The packaging is mostly recyclable, aside from the plastic around the meats,” Kate adds.
Wild Fork is an online meat delivery service that gives you ultimate control over your cart. No subscription is required, and you can order cuts of meat you want—as long as you meet the minimum requirement of $35, you can order it. With wild game and common meats alike, it’s perfect for people who want variety, value, and freezer-ready meats without any commitment to subscriptions.
Specialty and game meat can be especially challenging to find locally, depending on where you live. For some unique meats to try out, I suggest Wild Fork. Not only do they offer typical meats like ground beef or ground turkey, but they also have more exotic meats—lamb, rabbit, kangaroo, alligator, ostrich, and more—as well as premium cuts of meat like filet mignon and Wagyu steaks. They earn a 5 out of 5 for variety..
If you’re new to exotic and game meats, the nice thing is that Wild Fork doesn’t make you subscribe to a “game meat only” box; instead, users can order any cuts of meat they want for each box. As long as the price exceeds $35, Wild Fork will send it your way, no subscription required.
You do need to order at least $200 to qualify for free ground shipping, though, which cuts into the value of Wild Fork a little bit. GGR product tester Tatum McKee rates the price and value a 3 out of 5, adding, “The price varies depending on what you order, but the shipping costs add to the price of the box pretty quickly.” Based on some customer reviews, these shipping costs can get pretty wild, depending on your location.
Meats from Wild Fork are flash frozen, a method to help preserve freshness and flavor while freezing. This method did work on this frozen meal delivery according to Tatum, who rated the taste and flavor a 4 out of 5.
“The steak specifically was a thick cut and it still maintained a flavorful profile after thawing out and cooking it,” she adds. While she didn’t order any exotic meats, all the meats she did order—chicken, salmon, beef, and pork—all thawed nicely and were flavorful despite the freezing.
Customer reviews on Trustpilot are rough, averaging out to 2.7 stars out of 5. The majority of negative complaints dealt with the high shipping costs, or that the boxes were delivered outside the designated window of time. Tatum remarks that her box came an hour outside the window, although the meat was still frozen and fine. She rates the shipping a 4 out of 5.
Meats are high-quality, free of antibiotics and hormones
Fully Customizable
You’re able to choose cuts of meat specific to your taste for every box
Subscription Options
Deliver every 4, 6, or 8 weeks
Fans of Variety
Along with some unique cuts of meat, Good Chop provides sweets, rolls, and other foods to add to your order
Flexible Shoppers
You have full control over the meats you choose for each box, meaning you can try different meats each box
Bulk Buyers
Depending on the box size you order, you can get up to 42 lbs of meat, plenty to stock up in your freezer
Pros
Fully customizable boxes
Great variety of cuts and proteins
Free shipping
No antibiotics or added hormones
Cons
Subscription only
No physical retail
Limited exotic and specialty meats
Meat Available
Beef, poultry, seafood, pork, specialty meats
Boxes Available
Medium, Large, Extra Large
Shipping Costs
Free shipping
Subscription Options
Every 4, 6, or 8 weeks
Good Chop is a great meat subscription box for those who want to customize their box from a selection of various meats and other foods. With high-sourcing standards and hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, you can get quality cuts for the whole family.
Good Chop is our favorite subscription box for variety, not only because it provides a nice variety of meats, but because you can also add on sides, sweets, butters, and seasonings to your order. GGR Director of Content Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, rates the variety a 4 out of 5. “They don’t have many premium cuts of steak, but they do have a porterhouse and T-bone steak, along with some unique options, like black cod and rockfish,” says Nicole.
Along with the cuts of meat including beef, poultry, pork, and seafood, there are many sides and sweets to add on, everything from pies to mashed potatoes. Boxes are fully customizable from Good Chop. “You just pick your box size and select your meats and sides from there,” adds Nicole, who rates the customization a 5 out of 5.
The meats that Nicole tried were mostly better than average, especially considering the price. She ordered quite a variety, including ground bison, beef hot dogs, chicken wings, bavette steaks, and uncured bacon. “The bacon was the star of the box; it was the best bacon I’ve ever made at home,” Nicole recalls. “The hot dogs were dynamite as well, and getting them from a quality source made me feel better about eating a hot dog,” she jokes.
The steaks were also good, but Nicole says the chicken wings are just average, so the taste overall gets a 4 out of 5.
The only real complaint Nicole has with Good Chop is the delivery, which Nicole rates a 1 out of 5. “I set a delivery date as you’re able to, but it showed up four days late,” Nicole explains. “I was out of town when it was finally delivered, but fortunately my husband was home to pick it up.” She contacted the company through a feedback form but has yet to hear anything back from them.
That said, this seems to be a less common occurrence, as customer reviews on Trustpilot average out to 4.4 stars, with a majority of reviews being 5-star ratings.
Our testers have tried over 50 meal kit services and prepared meal deliveries, including several meat subscription boxes. Not every one can make the list, though. Here are any boxes we thought were worth an honorable mention:
Walden Local: While GGR Managing Editor Amanda Dvorak thought Walden Local has decent quality and excellent variety, the company currently serves only a few states in the Northeast United States. It won’t be a viable choice to anyone outside of that area.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Meat Subscription Boxes
You could say our team of product testers were like a team of artisan butchers when creating our list of the top meat subscription companies. We did our due diligence in researching top companies and brands—like picking premium cuts of meat—and if any brand didn’t make the cut, we trimmed the fat. What you see before you is a lean look at what we found to be the best of the best.
In testing out our subscription boxes, our team of certified nutrition coaches and trainers rated the following categories from 1 to 5, also accounting for customer reviews where we could find them.
Price and value: Because many companies use premium-grade meat, a meat delivery service typically will be a bit pricier than your average grocery store or supermarket. So we account for the value of the subscription box; does the cost of the service match the quality and volume of food you’re getting?
Taste: This is a subjective score, but our testers rated the flavor and taste of the meats, especially if they seemed flavorful even after being frozen in delivery. To fully assess the taste, we kept seasonings to a minimum on cuts of meat, using just salt, pepper, and oil.
Variety: This score was based on the variety of cuts of meat, as well as the types of protein available. Top scores were awarded both to services that provided premium cuts of beef or pork, as well as those companies that offered exotic and game meats.
Customization: Can the subscription box be customized? If the box can’t be, is there an option to add on extra cuts of meat?
Shipping and delivery: Because this is a perishable item, the timing of deliveries is vital. We noted if there weren’t any notifications on delivery times or windows, as well as any delays in shipments.
Sustainability and sourcing: Shipping boxes across the nation can impact your carbon footprint, so we awarded points to companies that minimized their impact on the environment. Also, we gave top scores to brands who prioritized sourcing humanely raised meats.
Customer service: We scored this based on the flexibility in your subscription order: skipping boxes, pausing deliveries, or canceling your membership. Loyalty and rewards programs were also accounted for, as well as how easily you can contact customer service.
After scoring these factors, we averaged them out to give each subscription service an overall score, helping determine our final list of the best meat subscription boxes out today.
Benefits of Meat Subscription Boxes
There are plenty of reasons for people to use meat subscription boxes over a nearby supermarket. Here are a few benefits to using this unique delivery service.
Quality Source of Protein
Animal protein is one of the best sources of protein you can incorporate into your diet, unless you’re following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Active people and gym goers need to prioritize protein for muscle recovery and athletic performance—about 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day, according to reputable nutrition organizations2 like the International Society for Sports Nutrition.
Using a meat subscription service ensures that you can get enough protein for your daily routine delivered to your door to help you meet your protein goals as well as your fitness goals.
Time-Saving Convenience
Trips to the grocery store can be time consuming, especially if you’re needing to plan out every single meal. A meat subscription service can help cut down time and confusion at the grocer, as now you can fit your groceries around your choice of protein. This will reduce the amount of trips to the market and time in the store, too.
Ethically Sourced Meats
One of the biggest complaints about the meat industry as a whole is how many farms and companies don’t treat animals humanely. With many meat delivery services, however, brands prioritize ethical sourcing of their protein. Beef is grass-fed and/or pasture-raised, chicken and pork are raised cruelty-free, and seafood is ensured to be caught in the wild.
Not only can you rest assured that the meat delivered to you was raised humanely and properly, but the quality of the meat is better, free of antibiotics and hormones.
For example, a study from 20213 showed that there were stark differences between organic and conventional pork meat. Research showed that organic pork meat tends to have higher protein content and more favorable fatty profile than conventional meat. There was also higher concentrations of minerals, including calcium, iron, and zinc—although the organic pork also had lower levels of vitamin E.
That said, not every brand prioritizes their sourcing the same way, so it’s smart to do a bit of research, as well as checking out their sustainability practices in shipping out deliveries.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Meat Subscription Boxes
So you’re ready to subscribe to a meat delivery service. What do you need to prioritize? A lot of it will depend on your specific needs, but here are a few factors to consider.
Variety and Customization
How much variety do you need in the meats that you buy? If you keep your protein to beef and chicken mostly, there are quite a few services to choose from. However, if you’re wanting different proteins—like seafood or wild game—you’ll want a service with a bit more variety. Also, the cuts of meat can vary depending on the brand; some can offer ground beef and a few cuts of steak, while others may serve premium cuts of beef, like Wagyu steaks for example.
Some services have curated boxes that choose cuts of meat for you, while others have fully customizable boxes, where you pick the size of the box and then fill it up with your desired cuts and meats. Depending on what you’re looking for, the level of customization can be vital in deciding the best box for you.
Box Size
How much meat do you want delivered every month or few weeks? Depending on the size of your household, you may want a larger or smaller box. Many brands offer different sizes in their boxes—whether curated or customized—but the value can vary. Larger families or people looking to stock up their freezer may consider a larger order, which single people or couples may wish for a smaller box.
Value
Because the quality of the meat in many subscription boxes is higher, most boxes are going to be a bit more expensive than just going to a local butcher. However, many of these services provide value in their convenience and the variety of meats they offer. It’s difficult to find higher-quality meats at a supermarket, so meat subscription boxes can fill that void in your meals.
Also look for brands that provide membership programs or loyalty rewards. Earning points in some services can earn you perks like a free cut of meat for a year, or for life (the duration of your subscription).
The best meat subscription box for people will vary based on your budget, the cuts of meat you’re looking for, and the level of customization or variety of meats you’d like. With that in mind, after testing several meat subscription options, we think ButcherBox will be the best service for most people, as the pricing is competitive, there’s solid variety of cuts and types of meats, and you can fully customize your box—or choose from a short list of curated boxes if you’re feeling indecisive.
Is ButcherBox high-quality?
ButcherBox sources their meats from premium sources. Beef is either 100% grass-fed or pasture-raised grain-finished, and sourced from Australian or American farms. Meats are also humanely raised, with crate-free pork, free-range USDA-certified organic chicken, and wild-caught seafood. Meats are also free of antibiotics or added hormones, making ButcherBox a great source of high-quality, humanely raised meats.
What is grass-fed beef?
Grass-fed beef means that the cattle are raised on pastures on a diet consisting only of grass. This differs from grain-finished pasture-raised cows, as these cows are given some grain in their diet later in life to help enhance flavor and marbling.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
Średnicka-Tober, D., Barański, M., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., Benbrook, C., Steinshamn, H., Gromadzka-Ostrowska, J., Rembiałkowska, E., Skwarło-Sońta, K., Eyre, M., Cozzi, G., Krogh Larsen, M., Jordon, T., Niggli, U., Sakowski, T., Calder, P. C., Burdge, G. C., Sotiraki, S., Stefanakis, A., Yolcu, H., … Leifert, C. (2016). Composition differences between organic and conventional meat: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The British journal of nutrition, 115(6), 994–1011. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515005073
Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.
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On This Page
The 7 Best Meat Subscription Boxes
Best Overall Meat Subscription Box: ButcherBox
Best Subscription Box for Pasture-Raised Meat: Porter Road
Best Meat Subscription Box for Families: Good Ranchers
Best Meat Subscription Box for Beef: Crowd Cow
Best Meat Subscription Box for Grilling and Charcuterie: Carnivore Club
Best Meat Subscription Box for Game Meat: Wild Fork
Best Meat Subscription Box for Variety: Good Chop
Other Meat Subscription Boxes We Researched
How We Picked and Tested the Best Meat Subscription Boxes
Benefits of Meat Subscription Boxes
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Meat Subscription Boxes