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No disrespect to vegans and vegetarians, but I’m definitely on team #carnivore. Put a perfectly grilled NY strip (medium, please!) or a pair of boneless pork chops in front of me and I’m happier than a kid on Christmas.
That said, as I’ve gotten deeper into my fitness journey, I’ve become more committed to sourcing higher-quality meat. After all, you can’t always trust what’s on the shelves when you’re buying in bulk or searching the limited selection at your local grocery store. Meanwhile, shopping at organic stories isn’t exactly budget-friendly.
However, if you’re on the hunt for grass-finished beef, organic chicken, wild-caught seafood, and pasture-raised proteins, you don’t even need to leave your house to catch your prey. Thankfully, the best meat subscription boxes allow you to stay well-stocked with high-quality meat all year round.
While there are several delectable options we’d recommend, one stands above the pack. In this ButcherBox review, I’ll take the tail-to-snout approach to give a full evaluation of the most popular meat delivery service on the market. From the cost of building a custom box to the different cuts available to the perks you get with this subscription service, you’ll be armed with all the knowledge you need to decide if it’s time to make your carnivore dream come true.
Grills On, Gloves Off: A Bite-by-Bite Breakdown of the Best Boxes
The Garage Gym Reviews team consists of certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, CrossFit competitors, and an Olympian weightlifter. As experienced athletes and health and fitness enthusiasts, we understand consuming high-quality proteins is just as important as what workout split you follow or which cardiovascular exercises you pencil into your routine.
I’ll admit that assessing meat delivery services has been one of the most fun aspects of the job, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lowered our thresholds. To help steer our community in the right direction, we take an unbiased, systematic approach with our product testing process. Just like we use our fitness equipment testing methodology to evaluate the best squat racks and best adjustable dumbbells, we use a 1-5 scoring system to assess meat subscription boxes like ButcherBox on a number of factors, including:
- Price
- Taste and quality of the meat
- Selection
- Customization
- Packaging and shipping
- Sustainability
RELATED: Best Food Subscription Boxes
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.
A Quick Look at ButcherBox
Founded in 2015 by Mike Salguero, ButcherBox has become arguably the most well-known meat delivery service in the United States. The company collaborates with third-party organizations such as the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals—placing an emphasis on high-quality, sustainably-sourced meats. Originally focused on making grass-fed beef more accessible, it features an expansive lineup that includes free-range organic chicken, crate-free pork, and wild-caught seafood.
Unlike some of its competitors, ButcherBox works as a subscription-only service. You can choose from curated boxes and custom boxes, with prices starting around $146 per month. In addition to receiving high-quality meats at your door, a ButcherBox subscription includes access to the brand’s rewards program, the “Sizzle Society,” which allows you to earn exclusive perks such as free ground beef for life (sign me up!).
Before You Buy
- ButcherBox offers customizable and curated boxes, giving you ample flexibility based on your budget and needs. The custom plan allows you to choose specific cuts of meat and also comes with 20% more meat than the curated plan.
- A ButcherBox subscription unlocks free shipping and enrolls you in their loyalty program. Over time, you can earn perks such as free bacon and ground beef for life.
- Unlike some other meat delivery services, ButcherBox works as a subscription-only service. However, it’s easy to pause, skip, change, or cancel your order at any time.
- ButcherBox earned top marks from our team for their commitment to sustainability, which includes using 100% recyclable materials and a carbon-neutral shipping process.
Is ButcherBox Worth It?
Starting at around $150 per month, let’s not pretend that a ButcherBox subscription is something to scoff at. However, if you care about giving your body the raw materials it needs to survive and thrive, you shouldn’t have any reservations about paying that price for high-quality proteins.
With the custom box, you can assemble the ultimate carnivore feast with ribeye, top sirloin, pork loin, and the ultra-tender filet mignon. Or, you can go with a more affordable curated box, which includes a mixture of different cuts. No matter which route you go, you can expect excellent flavor, stress-free shipping, and top-notch customer service. So, even though this subscription is far more expensive than Netflix or Spotify, we believe it’s well worth it.
Great for:
- Health-conscious folks who want clean meats with no added hormones or antibiotics
- Adding high-quality protein to your weekly meal prep
- Anyone looking for grass-fed, wild-caught, and organic options
- Value-focused consumers, as ButcherBox has a great rewards program and members-only deals
Not recommended for:
- Those who want a variety of specialty meats
- Households with limited freezer space
- Anyone who doesn’t want to add another monthly subscription to their budget
ButcherBox Specs
| Box Price | Starts at $146 |
| Amount of meat | Starts at 8 lbs |
| Boxes available | Classic Box, Big Box |
| Meats available | Beef, chicken, seafood, pork, specialty meats |
| Customizable? | Yes |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. |
| Subscription options | Every 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks |
Experience Using ButcherBox
Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, has been around the block with ButcherBox. In fact, this busy mom has been a subscriber for two years — which means she’s tried enough chicken thighs and pork tenderloins to give us a complete picture of what to expect.
Let’s dive right in to this review of ButcherBox so you can learn more about the pricing, taste, customization, and more.
Pricing and Value
In the case of ButcherBox, you get what you pay for. Earning a perfect 5-out-of-5 rating for value, Kate likes that you have several options to choose from at around the $150 price point. The curated box (where ButcherBox selects different cuts for you) starts at $146. Kate opts for the slightly more expensive custom box, which costs $169.
“All the meat is one or more: grass-fed/finished, organic, humanely raised, and free range. That’s why I use this service — it’s high-quality meat!” Kate explains.
Furthermore, ButcherBox has an unparalleled rewards program that can literally put more food on your table.
“Over time, I earned free bacon for life and free ground beef for life! So with every box I get, I get two pounds of ground beef and a pack of bacon,” Kate says. “They also have the “Sizzle Society” where it shows all your rewards as you go. I’m currently just one box away from getting to the “Executive Chef” top tier.”
Taste and Quality
ButcherBox also stands out in the all-important taste category. Kate rated it a 5 out of 5, noting that her family enjoys everything that arrives in their monthly box. She sticks with a few staples, including ground beef, chicken breasts, hamburger patties, and filet mignon (plus the free bacon, of course).
“Our favorite is the filet. Even after being frozen and thawed, it’s the best steak we’ve ever had. It’s better than what I pick up at the grocery store for sure!” Kate says.
Although Kate no longer gets salmon from ButcherBox, seafood lovers shouldn’t shy away from ordering it.
“I found it was a better value to get the grass-fed/organic meat from ButcherBox and just buy wild-caught salmon in the grocery store. However, the salmon was also fantastic,” she explains. “I’ve never had any issues with anything from ButcherBox.”
As for the quality? It’s top notch since ButcherBox ensures all its products are third-party animal welfare certified. From responsibly raised chicken to wild-caught and sustainably sourced seafood to pasture-raised, grass-finished beef (as well as 100% grass-fed beef), you’ll be hard pressed to find that type of selection at your local grocery store.
Selection and Customization
Surprise, surprise: ButcherBox received perfect 5-out-of-5 ratings from Kate for both selection and customization.
“Everything is customizable, from what’s in your next box to when it gets delivered. I personally do the custom box because it works best, but I used to do the curated plan where I just said I wanted chicken and beef and they would send me stuff,” she explains.
The curated box costs about $20 less, but you can’t choose specific cuts. That may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, but Kate found it’s worth paying extra to pick “exactly what I want every month.” Plus, the custom plan provides 20% more meat per box than curated plans — a nice bonus that your whole family will enjoy.
Here’s an overview of just some of the different types of products you can select from:
- Filet mignon
- Ground beef
- Ground bison
- Sirloin tips
- Chicken wings and drumsticks
- Skinless chicken breast
- Bone-in chicken thighs
- Bacon
- Pork tenderloin
- Boneless pork chops
- Alaskan salmon
- Atlantic salmon
- Gulf shrimp
- Sea scallops
- Cod
Another reason ButcherBox earned a perfect score for customization is that you can pick between a “Classic” size and “Big Box” size.
“We currently do the smaller version because we don’t have the freezer space, but the bigger box is a better value if you have the room,” Kate says. “There are always add-ons available, always freebies, always deals. They even have ButcherBox for pets!”
Packaging, Shipping, and Sustainability
At GGR, we take a close look at the types of sustainability practices companies use with packaging and shipping. ButcherBox earned excellent marks across the board from Kate, who rated the packaging and shipping a 5 out of 5.
“In the two years I’ve been subscribed to ButcherBox, I’ve never had an issue with packaging or delivery. Not once!” she reports.
Each box is packed with the optimal amount of dry ice so that your meat arrives cold. When delivered on time and retrieved within six to eight hours of delivery, your products should arrive below 40°F and may be partly frozen.
According to the company website, ButcherBox uses a 100% recyclable box made from recycled materials. It features built-in insulation specifically designed to keep your meat within the optimal temperature range. Furthermore, ButcherBox uses a carbon-neutral shipping process, meaning the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere from transporting your box from a fulfillment center to your doorstep is equal to the amount of carbon ButcherBox has helped to absorb back into the earth and out of the atmosphere.
As a result, ButcherBox easily earns a 5-out-of-5 rating for sustainability.
ButcherBox vs Porter Road
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.
If you’re a meat lover like myself, the idea of having several pounds of meat delivered to your doorstep every month sounds like a dream come true. While Kate has been a longtime ButcherBox subscriber, I can also vouch for one of its competitors: Porter Road.
Unlike ButcherBox, Porter Road allows for one-time purchases, meaning you don’t have to get locked into a monthly subscription. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer customizable boxes. So, if you want the most flexibility, ButcherBox is the best choice.
From a meat quality perspective, I enjoyed everything I tried in my “Best of Porter Road” box, which included dry-aged ribeyes, country breakfast sausage, chorizo, dry-aged ground beef, bacon, and pork chops. Ultimately, you’ll want to compare ButcherBox prices to Porter Road’s to see which service best fits your budget. You can also explore other options by checking out our comprehensive breakdown of the best meat subscription boxes.
| ButcherBox | Porter Road | |
| Box Price | Starts at $146 | $55-$185, depending on box |
| Amount of meat | Starts at 8 lbs | Starts at 5 lbs, but varies depending on box |
| Boxes available | Classic Box, Big Box | Burger Box, Breakfast Box, Basics Box, Grilling Heroes Box, Bachan’s BBQ Bundle, Best of Porter Road Box, Butcher’s Choice Box |
| Meats available | Beef, chicken, seafood, pork, specialty meats | Beef, chicken, pork, seafood |
| Customizable? | Yes | No, but can order different meats as add-ons |
| Delivery area | Contiguous U.S. | Contiguous U.S. |
| Subscription options | Every 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks | One-time order or every 2, 4, or 8 weeks |
Customer Experience
As mentioned earlier, Kate has been a ButcherBox subscriber for two years. Expect her to remain loyal for years to come if things continue the way they have thus far.
“I’d give this a 10 if I could,” Kate says about the customer experience. “I can change around billing dates and delivery dates whenever I want. I can pause boxes, skip ‘em, etc. So flexible and easy!”
That flexibility with making changes to your order helped ButcherBox earn another perfect rating of 5 out of 5.
Ordering ButcherBox
Ordering from ButcherBox is straightforward and designed to give you full control over what shows up at your door. First, you must choose between a curated box or a custom box. Then, you select your box size (Classic for smaller households or Big Box for families or those who prefer buying in bulk).
Next, you can browse available cuts of meat, which include grass-fed beef, organic chicken, and wild-caught seafood. You can also take a look at add-ons like bacon, breakfast sausage, or seasonal items and sides.
Once you’ve figured out what’s in your box, you choose your delivery frequency. You can choose between every four, six, or eight weeks. You don’t have to worry about shipping costs, either, as it’s always free.
Customer Reviews
ButcherBox has earned an average rating of 4.7 stars based on 103 Google store reviews. on Google. Customers praise the wide variety of high-quality, sustainably sourced meats and animal products. In addition, they speak highly of the company’s no-hassle delivery process.
Final Verdict of Our ButcherBox Review
From scallops to sirloin, a ButcherBox subscription opens up a world of tasty possibilities. Considering protein is the most important macronutrient, why not invest in your own health and vitality by getting high-quality meats delivered to your door every few weeks? This can help you stay on track with meal prepping, allowing you to flex your culinary muscles and expand your recipe repertoire.
Although you’ll need to budget around $150 for a box, our squad believes you get great value because of ButcherBox’s excellent customer service and commitment to providing high-quality pasture-raised meat and wild-caught seafood. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you to take your carnivore game to the next level, who doesn’t want to get free bacon or ground beef for life?
Full Rating
ButcherBox
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.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 146
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.9
ButcherBox Review: FAQs
How much is a ButcherBox per month?
ButcherBox pricing varies depending on the box type and size. The curated box starts at $146 per month, and the custom box starts at $169 per month.
Is ButcherBox meat organic?
While many of ButcherBox’s offerings are organic, not every product has a USDA organic label. The company specializes in high-quality, responsibly sourced meats that include 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, crate-free pork, and wild-caught seafood.
What is the difference between grass-fed beef and conventionally raised beef?
Grass-fed beef comes from cattle that eat a natural diet of grass throughout their lives. Typically, this leads to leaner meat with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids1 and antioxidants. Conventionally raised beef involves grain-finishing and may include added hormones or antibiotics.
References
- Daley, C. A., Abbott, A., Doyle, P. S., Nader, G. A., & Larson, S. (2010). A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutrition journal, 9, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-9-10
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