ButcherBox Review (2024) An Honest & Unbiased Take

Timothy Woods
Published by Timothy Woods
Last Updated On: January 26, 2024

As a team of carnivore lifestyle enthusiasts, chefs, and nutritionists with over a decade of learning about the ins and outs of meat, we were eager to give ButcherBox a try after reading dozens of rave reviews online.

To give you an honest and unbiased review, we subscribed to ButcherBox’s meat delivery plans and switched our boxes until we tried every possible cut they offered.

In this review, we’ll walk you through their subscription boxes and quality, but we’ll also look at their sourcing, affordability, and overall perks compared to other meat delivery alternatives.

Overall: 4.9/5
ButcherBox meat
5/5
Meat Quality
4.7/5
Menu Options
4.8/5
Shipping
5/5
Price
Quick Highlights
  • Sells sustainably sourced meats from local farm outlets
  • 100% grass-fed beef, pure quality
  • Offers five subscription boxes
  • Choose between a delivery every 4, 6, or 8 weeks
Brand information
  • Online quality meat delivery
  • Sells beef, ground pork, chicken, and seafood
  • Sells grass-fed meat sourced from the US, and beef from Australia
  • Offer a one-time purchase, or a subscription plan
Advantages
  • Free shipping on all orders, even for the classic box
  • Free ground beef for the duration of subscription
  • Flexible delivery options, customer-centric
  • Good pricing when buying in bulk
Click For Best Price

LIMITED-TIME OFFER FOR NEW BUTCHERBOX MEMBERS:
sign up now and get A BONUS PACKAGE OF MEAT absolutely FREE with your order!

What Is Butcher Box?

ButcherBox meats on kitchen top with transparent logo beside

ButcherBox is a premium meat delivery service headquartered in Boston, MA, that has been transforming the way people enjoy high-quality meat since 2015.

They offer a subscription service with carefully chosen boxes of top-notch beef, pork chops, sirloin steak, and chicken cuts.

ButcherBox is known for its tasty, nutritious meat, particularly its grass-finished beef and organic free-range options. Their selection also includes chicken, heritage pork, and wild seafood.

ButcherBox outshines typical grocery or farmers' market choices, delivering premium meats like pork box beef, boneless pork chops, and skinless chicken breasts. While pricier per pound, buying in bulk and subscribing can save you money, ensuring you get humanely raised, quality meat.

How Does Butcher Box Work?

ButcherBox works by sending meat boxes to their customers at a frequency of their choosing. Once you build your box, you can select to have it shipped every 4, 6, or 8 weeks. The boxes vary in size and cut.

Menu & Plans

Top view of different meats offered by ButcherBox

The first custom box we tried for this review had limited steaks, unlike their curated box.

But over the years, their excellent meat selection has improved based on demand, and if you select their big custom box, you have numerous options to choose from, aside from the steak.

Here are a few examples of their menu options:

  • Ribeyes
  • Pork loin roast
  • New York strip steaks
  • Chicken tenders
  • Organic chicken breast
  • Top sirloin steaks
  • Chuck roast
  • Lamb (seasonal)
  • Ground sirloin
  • Wild-Caught Salmon (Sockeye)
  • Uncured bacon
  • Whole Turkey (seasonal)
  • Boneless pork chop
  • Ground beef
  • Heritage pork chop and hormone-free bacon
  • Italian and Breakfast Sausage
  • Baby-back and St. Louis Style Ribs

The main thing a real carnivore might still be missing is grass-fed organ meat and a wider range of seafood you can find with other meat delivery companies, like US Wellness Meats and Chop Box.

Still, if you're someone who values high-quality meat, convenience, ethical practices, variety, and flexibility, this meat delivery company is a perfect fit.

Pros
  • Organic grass-finished beef
  • Humanely-raised heritage breed pork
  • Free-range chicken
  • Flexible proportion and delivery frequency
  • Good pricing when buying in bulk
Cons
  • No organ meat

Types of Meat Box You Can Have Delivered

ButcherBox meat delivery service products collage
  • Mixed Box - It can be a mix of grass-finished meat cuts, free-range heritage-breed pork, free-range organic chicken, and marine produce. If you wish to learn which meat delivery box we think is the best, visit this link.
  • Curated Box (Beef, Pork & Chicken) - This mixed ButcherBox beef option contains a varied selection from beef to pork chop and boneless skinless chicken.
  • Curated Box (Beef & Pork) - The combo provides about a 50/50 split in weight per pound between ground pork products and grain-fed beef cuts.
  • Curated Box (Beef & Chicken) - It provides about a 50/50 split in weight per pound between beef fed with grass, free-range organic meat, and chicken.
  • Large Custom Box - It allows you to handpick your cuts of meat and a couple of add-ons, like ButcherBox bacon, beef, and ground pork. Neat, isn’t it?
  • Gift Box - ButcherBox gift boxes include Game Day Box, Steak Lovers' Box, ButcherBox Favorites, Mixed Box, Wild-Caught Salmon Box, and ButcherBox Beef & Chicken.

The first 4 ButcherBox options are pre-selected, meaning you can’t pick the cuts of meat you’ll receive, especially for the pork-beef combo ones.

Custom boxes are the only alternative where you can make a selection to your liking, whether it's free-range chicken wings, a beef box, steak tips, or bottom-round roast meat.

We would get customized packaging each month at Carnivore Style because we like to prepare different steak or chicken breast recipes.

  1. 9 to 14 lbs box - Suitable for couples and small families.
  2. 18 to 26 lbs box - Suitable for families with 4-5 members or people with enough storage room in their freezer.

For big families or those needing a variety of meats like whole chicken, steaks, and pork chops, the Big ButcherBox is a smart pick.

We usually get a custom package monthly but sometimes grab a box of curated meats too. It's over $20 cheaper and still packs a great selection. Many curated picks, like the pork-beef combo, have become our go-to's.

Before you check out, you can tack on extras like ButcherBox bacon or ground turkey for an additional cost.

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How Much Does ButcherBox Cost?

ButcherBox costs $169 for a custom plan classic box. It contains 9 to 14 pounds for roughly 25 meal plans.

Or you could get one of the best ButcherBox deals - a big box that costs $306 and contains 18 to 26 pounds, equivalent to 49 meals. Here is an overview of all meal plans:

ButcherBox Prices

  1. Custom Small Box (9-14 lbs) - $6.30 average per meal - $169 per month
  2. Custom Box (18-26 lbs) - $6.10 average per meal - $306 per month
  3. Curated Box Classic (8-11 lbs) - $5.71 average per meal - $146 per month
  4. Curated Mixed Beef, Pork & Chicken Box (8.5-11 lbs) - $5.71 average per meal - $146 per month
  5. Curated Beef & Pork Box (8-11 lbs) - $5.71 average per meal - $146 per month
  6. Curated Beef & Chicken Box (8.5-11 lbs) - $5.71 average per meal - $146 per month

We chose to order a small custom box that included steak and steak tips, 100% grass-fed beef, and ground pork products to try ButcherBox for the first time.

The prices per cut were comparable to most local grocery stores near us, with a small difference of $1 to $2 per pound.

How to Afford ButcherBox on a Budget?

To afford ButcherBox on a budget, choose the right subscription plan, shop during sales, and make the most of every meat delivery.

Also, tailor your plan to your family's meat-eating habits. Frequent meat lovers? Go big for value. Not so much? The classic box is your friend.

When your box arrives, use every bit. Bones for broth, bacon grease for flavor, and leftovers for round two. Choose whole pieces and big roasts to stretch your dollar with more cuts.

Shipping

A man carrying a box full of ButcherBox products

The company offers a no-nonsense shipping plan for all boxes, reaching most US states, barring Alaska, Canada, and Hawaii.

Expect your top-notch meat cuts at your doorstep within 3-7 days after ordering, starting your first month. ButcherBox wowed us with its stellar service and product quality, surpassing our expectations.

We're big fans of their shipping policy; it lets us splurge on premium meats weekly.

How Does ButcherBox Arrive?

A ButcherBox food delivery package on the floor with an opened carton

ButcherBox shipments arrive in 100% recyclable cardboard insulated custom boxes, with vacuum-packed meat to maintain temperatures below 40°F during transit.

When our first classic box arrived at the office, we got an email from ButcherBox confirming the delivery.

Even after waiting an hour at ambient temperature, the packaging kept the cuts of meat partially frozen, so when I opened the classic custom box package, I immediately placed the meat inside the freezer.

How Long Does It Take to Ship Your ButcherBox Order?

ButcherBox orders usually ship in 3 to 6 business days, depending on your location and order volume.

This mainly depends on two things - your volume of orders and your location, especially with the custom box.

As long as you continue with your subscription, ButcherBox meat will immediately ship so that your next package arrives precisely when you want it to.

Our experience was extremely positive; our first classic box arrived three days after placing the order.

Delivery Frequency

You can set your ButcherBox delivery for every 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Feel free to change or cancel anytime.

Skip your monthly meat subscription by pausing or delaying it every other month or for up to six months, free of charge. Just remember to do it before your next order or billing cycle. We opted for a 4-week Custom Big Box, packed with our preferred choices and regular add-ons. The boxes always arrived on time, and the meat quality in each order was top-notch.

How Long Does Butcher Box Last?

Butcher Box lasts depending on the type of high-quality meat in question and the conditions it’s kept in, even within a big box.

Chicken stays fresh in the fridge for 3 to 5 days if the vacuum seal is intact; otherwise, stick to 1 to 2 days.

Sealed steaks and roasts last nearly two weeks in the fridge. Once opened or if the grass-fed beef is unpacked, it's good for 3 to 5 days defrosted. Ground beef is fresh for 1 to 2 days after defrosting. Vacuum-sealed larger pork cuts last up to two weeks defrosted. Smaller cuts stay fresh for 3 to 5 days if sealed, but only 1 to 2 days if opened or unpacked. Hormone-free bacon remains good for seven days defrosted.

Fish stays fresh for 1 to 2 days after defrosting in the fridge. Remove wild-caught seafood from its packaging before defrosting to dodge bacteria growth.

How to Get the Best Butcher Box Deals?

Two boxes of ButcherBox meat delivery brand

To get the best out of your Butcher Box package check our suggested strategies:

  1. Choose Your Big Box Wisely - Choose cuts of meat that can give you a great deal per pound, e.g., chicken breasts, chicken tenders, boneless pork butt, steak, and sausage. Custom boxes get you 9 to 14 pounds of meat that’s good for about 25 meals on average.
  2. Check Membership Deals - As members, we’ve had the chance to get several tasty promotions, like the Butcher Box beef for life. The deals in your cart will stay until your next box is billed, even if the deals are no longer showing as available when your box is billed.
  3. Check Your Email Before Your Bill Date -Three days before your bill date, Butcher Box will send you an email letting you know of available member deals, so don’t miss out on those.
  4. Use Add-Ons for Extra Savings - Sometimes, you can get quality meat for a lower price when you buy them as an add-on. Add whatever you use the most, whether it's chicken breasts or humanely-raised pork chop. Keep in mind that the add-ons change month to month.
  5. Use Discount Codes - Butcher Box offers discount codes that you can apply to your order if you refer someone to order from them. If you sign up for the email newsletter, you'll be at the front of the line for exclusive promotions, discounts, and perks.

6 Reasons Why Butcher Box Is Worth It

Two meat products from ButcherBox

After ordering from Butcher Box and reading countless customer reviews, we’ve boiled down all the benefits of using this high-quality meat delivery service.

1. Value For Money

The standout perk? ButcherBox's bang for your buck, thanks to its top-notch prime meat. Despite organic meat's usual steep cost, ButcherBox nails it by delivering deluxe cuts without breaking the bank. I've stuck with them for years for this reason. It's not just the fair prices; it's ditching the store runs, picky meat choices, and origin mysteries that seal the deal.

2. Convenience

ButcherBox food delivery package recently arrived

Most ButcherBox reviews highlight the convenience. Our first order arrived smoothly, treating us to endless grass-fed beef and hormone-free bacon. Periodically, we even snagged free burgers, breakfast sausage, and hotdogs. You'll receive a tracking email with an estimated delivery time. Depending on your location, FedEx or UPS will deliver your ButcherBox.

3. Customer Service

In our ButcherBox review, we're tossing in a bit about their customer service. We've chatted with their reps just twice. Once, to push a delivery back a day when we were outta town. The other time, to fix a small mix-up with our order, which they sorted out pronto. Both times, their team was on the ball and super helpful.

4. Sourcing

Butcher Box obtains its high-quality meat from trusted partners who show dedication and passion for farming.

The company's aim is to support local farmers who follow specific rules and regularly inspect their facilities by the USDA.

This way, only the best meat is shipped to you. This is another reason why I continue to be a loyal customer of ButcherBox.

5. Taste

I have tried almost all their hormone-free beef, whole chicken wings, pork butt, and seafood options, and every item was of the highest quality.

Although it is hard to pick out my favorites, I admit that the ButcherBox bacon was absolutely to die for. It had just the right salty flavor, fat, and leanness.

The sirloin was also impeccable and almost melted in my mouth. Although it had less fat than a conventionally raised steak, the flavor, and juiciness were beyond comparison.

6. Website Experience

man on a laptop searching for meat

When we first clicked on the ButcherBox website, we were met with an offer too good to refuse.

Our favorite words, “get them for free,” were highlighted in red. Once we clicked the button, we were redirected to a page that made my mouth water. If we signed up right there and then, we would get a pound of hormone-free ground beef for every order as long as we continue our membership, free of charge.

And they even added an extra pack of bacon on our first order.

BUTCHERBOX NUTRITION INFORMATION

ButcherBox specifically sources each type of high-quality meat to meet stringent criteria:

  • Beef - only 100% grass-fed beef cattle humanely and pasture-raised are approved. No hormones or antibiotics are given to these animals.
  • Pork - only pigs raised crate-free are accepted, and they must have been given only 100% vegetarian feed without antibiotics or hormones.
  • Chicken - all birds must be raised free-range with only USDA-certified organic feed. They must also be Global Animal Partnership (GAP 3) certified.
  • Seafood - must be wild-caught and sustainably harvested. No artificial additives or colorings are permitted.

Alternative Meat Delivery Services

There are some alternative options to Butcher Box that you may want to consider.

Costco vs. ButcherBox

Costco's a hit for its healthy staples and low prices, but its meat quality varies. ButcherBox, on the other hand, consistently offers 100% grass-fed beef, unlike Costco. Meat not fully grass-finished tends to pack unhealthy fats and filler grains like corn and soy, stripping away the superior health perks, proteins, and vitamins found in pasture-raised, free-range poultry and beef.

Whole Foods vs. ButcherBox

ButcherBox and Whole Foods differ in operation. ButcherBox, a subscription-based meat delivery, contrasts with Whole Foods' nationwide, hybrid online and in-store shopping.

Variety sets them apart too. ButcherBox specializes in meats like beef, pork, chicken, and seafood. Whole Foods, however, is a one-stop shop offering a wide range from produce to snacks.

Shopping experience is another distinction. ButcherBox operates online; you order from their site. Whole Foods offers the flexibility of online shopping or visiting their local stores across the US, letting you check out items firsthand.

Sam’s Club vs. ButcherBox

Sam's Club boasts a wide meat selection but falls short on sourcing clarity, unlike ButcherBox, which excels in delivering top-notch, ethically-sourced meat. Unlike ButcherBox's singular focus, Sam's Club juggles meat sales with an array of other products. Take Sam's Club's Member's Mark, for instance, which gets its meat from big names like Tyson. This nudges ButcherBox ahead, with its commitment to detail, quality, and openness.

Happy Butcher Box Reviews from Customers

Customer Reviews for ButcherBox

FAQs

How Long Can a Butcher Box Order Stay Outside on the Front Porch?

According to the company, your Butcher Box order can stay on the front porch for about 6 to 8 hours upon delivery, depending on the time of the year and direct sunlight exposure. It’s packaged using dry ice to maintain a constant temperature for the frozen meats.

Is ButcherBox Less Expensive Than The Local Grocery Stores?

No, Butcher Box is not less expensive than local grocery stores. However, given the product quality, texture, and convenience of having fresh organic meats delivered to your doorstep, it is worth it.

Does Butcher Box Accept EBT?

No, ButcherBox doesn’t accept EBT cards at this time. However, this could change at a later date.

Does Butcher Box Have Wagyu?

ButcherBox doesn’t have Wagyu. However, they offer other beef cuts such as bottom round roast, culotte, flat iron, filet mignon, beef, and ribeye steak.

Is ButcherBox Healthy?

ButcherBox is healthy. The company offers high-quality, organic meat that includes grass-fed beef, wild-caught seafood, heritage pork, and free-range chicken. All of their products are free of hormones and antibiotics.

How Many Calories Are in a Butcher Box Filet Mignon?

There are 150 calories in 4 ounces of ButcherBox filet mignon steak.

What Percent Fat Is Butcher Box Ground Turkey?

Every 4-ounce serving of ButcherBox ground turkey contains 8% (1 gram) fat.

Can You Gift Butcherbox?

Yes, you can gift ButcherBox. You can buy one-time boxes for someone else or purchase gifts for your clients or employees under their corporate gifting option.

What Are Butcherbox “for life” Deals?

ButcherBox “for life” deals are valid for the duration of your ButcherBox membership. That means you will continue to receive that product for free for every box you order. Once you stop your membership, your “for life” deal also stops automatically.

How Do I Track My Butcher Box Order?

You can track your Butcher Box order by visiting the Order History tab on your account page. Once your box has been shipped, you will receive an email from [email protected] detailing your tracking information.

Can You Cancel Butcher Box?

Yes, you can cancel the Butcher Box subscription provided that you unsubscribe before the bill date (your next month’s subscription). To cancel your subscription, log into your account or simply contact the support team at (855) 981-8568. Your request will be completed before the expiration of the next bill date.

What Source Does Butcher Box Use?

Butcher Box only uses certified sources of meat, including trusted ranches and dedicated local farmers with a focus on sustainability and raising the animals humanely. Their high-quality beef mostly hails from Australia while heritage-breed pork, wild-caught seafood, and free-range organic chicken are sourced from North America.

Who Is Butcher Box Good For?

Butcher Box is good for anyone looking for a customizable and steady intake of premium-quality meat and protein variety delivered straight to your door.

Is ButcherBox Worth Trying Out?

Yes, ButcherBox is definitely worth trying out, especially if you appreciate high-quality meat delivered to your door with a cost-effective subscription model.

The standout feature? Their top-notch meat selection. Good meat equals great taste, plain and simple. The real kicker is the cost-effective subscription. You get to pick your favorites, and they'll land at your doorstep, shipping on the house.

Skipping the grocery store for beef boxes? That's a major win in our book. We trust our Butcher Box rundown helps you make the call.

Let us know how ButcherBox worked out for you.

#1 Meat Delivery Services

ButcherBox

butcher box cta
Price
5.0
Meat Quality
5.0
Menu Options
4.7
Shipping
4.8
Overall Score
4.9
Pros
  • Beef fed with grass from a local farm delivered directly to your door
  • Without antibiotics or added hormones
  • Customizable boxes available
  • Select from up to 21 different cuts
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of March
Cons
  • No organ meat
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About the author

61 thoughts on “ButcherBox Review (2024) An Honest & Unbiased Take

  1. I agree with the others that it was quite pricey at first but once you taste the meat, you’ll understand why they say that it’s worth every penny. I also love that we can customize the cuts so it suits well with our needs.

  2. 5 stars for the service! I was worried that the meat will be of low quality by the time the package arrives at our home because that’s how it used to be for online delivery services. To my surprise, the meat arrived on time. It also tastes really really flavorful.

  3. I am obsessed with their custom box. My siblings are picky eaters and they only want to eat certain parts of meat so we really appreciate that we get to customize the meat as well as the cuts that we order.

    1. We are happy to hear that you and your siblings are loving the customized box of meat. This is one of the many ways ButcherBox aims to make the process of ordering and receiving less difficult for you.

  4. I absolutely love ButcherBox! Their pork and beef boxes are always fresh and delicious. I highly recommend trying them out for yourself!

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