Seeking top-tier meat quality and eager to experience the distinctive taste of wagyu necessitates a particular expertise. This prompted us to conduct a three-month trial to ascertain if this service meets our high standards.
As a supporter of the carnivore diet, I recognize the significance of sourcing meat that excels in nutrition. This is why we focused closely on Wagyu beef from [Snake River Farms].
Here is our candid review.
Snake River Farms Snake River Farms
Quality
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for consumers seeking USDA Prime beef and a variety of premium meats.
Who is it not for?
- Not ideal for budget-conscious consumers.
Final Verdict
Kansas City Steak provides USDA Prime beef and a variety of premium meats, ideal for steak enthusiasts. Its higher pricing may not suit budget-conscious consumers.
What Is Snake River Farms Wagyu?
Snake River Farms Wagyu is a premium brand that offers American Wagyu beef.
It stands out for mixing Japanese Wagyu with Angus cattle, creating beef with top-notch marbling, flavor, and tenderness. Snake River Farms offers American Wagyu, prime rib, fancy pork chops, and Kurobuta pork. Founded in 1968, the company grew from a small ranch into a leading, eco-friendly beef supplier, boasting products that outshine the competition in texture and taste.
Our Rating
Snake River Farms Wagyu
- High-quality American Wagyu beef & Kurobuta Pork
- Friendly customer support
- Slow-fed cattle for richer flavor
- Snake River Farms website is easy to navigate
- Gold Grade, while superior, is pricier
Black vs. Gold - What Should You Choose?
Whichever you choose, both Black and Gold Grades beat grocery store meats.
Crave a luxury steak? Go Gold. It's 25% pricier but rivals fancy restaurant quality. I tried both; Gold's ribeye wins on tenderness but honestly, they're both top-notch and way above USDA Prime. Side note: Without a direct comparison, spotting the difference is tough. But yes, Gold's ribeye is a bit fattier.
Snake River Farms: Black vs. Gold Grade Steaks
Snake River Farms meat has two grades of American Wagyu beef. It’s the same as buying various USDA beef grades. However, they use the Japanese Beef Marbling Score (BMS) on a scale of 1 to 12.
Black Grade
The Black Grade steaks from Snake River Farms have a rating of 6 or above on the BMS scale. It isn’t the best, but it’s higher than the most high-quality USDA Prime beef. The average weight of the Black Grade Ribeye is around 15 ounces, with cuts about 1.5 inches thick.
Gold Grade
This grade is the cream of the crop since it’s the highest grade of American Wagyu beef available. Its Japanese Beef Marbling Score can go from 9 to 12. For this reason, a 1.5-inch thick cut of a Gold Grade ribeye costs much higher [1].
Snake River Meat Choices & Selection
Snake River Farms is a bit different from other online mail-order delivery services you'll find. They specialize in two main products:
American Wagyu Beef
If you're a steak enthusiast, Snake River Farms American Wagyu, or American Kobe, will likely thrill you on special occasions. This extraordinary Japanese-origin beef boasts exceptional intramuscular fat, yielding tender, buttery steaks with a juicy flavor.
For aficionados, Snake River Farms' Wagyu ranks among the globe's premium, priciest meats. They present elite gold and black grade Wagyu cuts, eclipsing the USDA Prime standard. You can choose from an array of top-tier cuts:
- Ribeye
- New York strip
- Flank
- Brisket
- Picanha steaks, and more
You can even go for ground beef or filet mignon with this level of quality.
Last but not least, they offer fantastic Teres Major steaks. If you are not familiar with this delicious and high-quality beef cut, be sure to read this article.
"Wagyu fat melts at a lower temperature than other stakes, resulting in a rich, buttery flavor."
- Alicia Rooker, Editor of Taste at Home Magazine
Snake River Farms Kurobuta Pork
If you're in the market for pork, consider Kurobuta, a restaurant favorite from the UK's Berkshire pigs – hence the steeper price. Alternatively, there's Modern Kurobuta, a unique blend of Berkshire and Japanese domestic black pigs.
This pork scores good on the marbling scale, which means that it has a more tender texture. It is also very juicy, which means it could really make a tasty pork belly roast recipe. It is better for cooking longer at higher temperatures than other pork cuts [2]. We have another article dedicated to Kurobuta pork so check it out to learn more.
You can still get various gold or black grade cuts of this pork like pork chops, ribs, pork tomahawk steak, and others.
Recommended meat delivery articles:
Snake River Farms Hot Dog Products
Aside from steak cuts, Snake River Farms Wagyu meat offers hot dog products. Here are two types:
American Wagyu Hot Dogs
American Wagyu Hot Dogs are crafted from American Wagyu beef. These hot dogs are infused with special spices and slow cooked over hardwood, resulting in a distinct and delectable flavor.
Premium Style Hot Dog Products
Snake River Farms has Double R Ranch hot dogs made in the Northwest. They use their old family recipe, smoking the Double R Ranch products in a blend of hardwood to give a unique taste.
Testimonial from Amazon:
'' - Exceptionally delicious hot dogs, ranking on par with Prather Ranch. Additionally, Snake River Farms' corned beef is truly delightful! - Chandler Mahal''
Snake River Beef Production Process
Snake River beef production process is shaped in a manner that supports and delivers the utmost quality standards.
Snake River Farms says its goal is to make its standards one of the industry's best for American Wagyu beef. Its parent company, Agri Beef Inc., controls the entire production process to maintain the highest quality standards for American Wagyu beef.
"Wagyu beef isn't just a meal; it's an experience. Its rich marbling and depth of flavor tell a story of meticulous care and tradition. Every bite speaks to the art of fine dining." - Chef Gordon Ramsay
When we first tested the services, we ordered various cuts like filet mignon steaks, brisket, and two packs of American Wagyu beef hot dog options. And even during the subsequent times we ordered, we can always see that every product's quality was consistent and better than the traditional ones we see from a grocery store or butcher.
Family-Owned Farm Sourcing
Each of their meat products comes straight from their ranch or chosen family-owned farms in the Northwest US.
Per the Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef site, they pick ranches that strictly follow their tight rules for animal care and eco-friendly farming. They also assert that their animals get proper feed and upbringing, sticking to these high standards.
Quality
Snake River Farms products are some of the best high-quality meats that we’ve tried.
The American Wagyu steaks have a gold or black grade rating, which is superior to some prime Japanese Wagyu beef products. Every time we cook them, we become excited about how rich the beef's flavoring and marbling are.
"It exceeds the quality of the other companies I have used."
We are also impressed with Snake River Farms gourmet hot dog options and brisket made from their Prime meats. They're not like any items we see in a grocery store. They taste great, and we would love to share them as a hearty meal with our friends and family. We can see that the packaging and how they ship their steaks ensure freshness.
How Is Customer Service?
The customer service provided by Snake River Farms impressed us with quick responses, great product knowledge, and positive reviews from other customers. After receiving our purchase, we called someone from Snake River Farms to ask questions about the meats' proper storage. The representatives were quick to respond to our queries. Overall, we found more positive than negative reviews with each order.
Sustainable Packaging & Delivery
Sustainable packaging ensures this brand delivers fresh meat fast.
Your order arrives frozen, packed in a recyclable thermal bag, insulated foam liner, and plenty of dry ice. No sweat about spoilage—your American Wagyu Beef box can handle a few hours outside.
Even after hours on our porch, our Snake River Farms box's contents were perfectly frozen. It's hands down one of the best meat delivery boxes out there.
Shipping
Unlike most, Snake River Farms ships their Wagyu beef to Hawaii and Alaska. Thanks to FEDEX, even remote spots get speedy deliveries. You can choose express or overnight shipping. I was impressed; my order landed just three days later, perfectly fresh. But a heads-up: they don't waive shipping fees. Given the price tag on their hot dogs and such, that might sting a bit.
Most other brands I used offered free shipment if the meat order surpassed a certain price. But Snake River Farms still required a fee for shipment regardless of the money I spent.
According to the Snake River Farms website, there are four shipping options, including:
- $9.99 Standard Shipping (Ground)
- $39.99 Express Shipping (2-Day Air)
- $79.99 Overnight Shipping (1-Day Air)
- $49.99 Expedited Dry-Aged Shipping
Drawbacks We Noticed
One of the most significant drawbacks we noticed was the lack of choices. There are only two main Snake River Farms meats you can buy. It would be nice to have a selection of other meats like seafood and chicken aside from the Wagyu beef.
At the same time, it seems natural for us to offer free delivery when you buy a certain amount of prime-quality beef. The brisket and filet mignon we ordered would have easily pushed us to the free shipment threshold in many other delivery stores.
Comparing With Other Meat Delivery Services
Here’s how Snake River Farms compares to other meat deliveries I most frequently use, including ButcherBox, Omaha Steaks, and Harry and David.
Snake River Farms vs. ButcherBox
ButcherBox is best known for sourcing grass-fed and organic meats, while Snake River Farms specializes in premium American Wagyu and Angus beef.
Although ButcherBox is much celebrated for its subscription-based model, Snake River Farms prides itself on sustainable practices, which might lead to slightly higher prices when compared to the competition.
Snake River Farms is often lauded for the exceptional marbling and tenderness of their steaks, contributing to a top-notch flavor experience. However, if you are looking for a wider range of options, ButcherBox comes out on top.
Snake River Farms vs. Omaha Steaks
Compared to Omaha Steaks, Snake River Farms will have a higher price justified by its premium products and high-end selection.
Their marbling and tenderness are not qualities that can be equally seen in Omaha's products. However, Omaha Steaks offer a diverse range of meat products, including steaks, burgers, and more.
Moreover, they are often appreciated for the convenience and variety of packages available for different occasions.
Snake River Farms vs. Harry and David
Harry & David is a suitable option for those seeking a selection of gourmet products. The variety of their offerings makes their products suitable for gifting.
Price-wise, Harry & David is much more budget-friendly, while Snake River Farms still comes with a higher price. Snake River Farms' products are praised for their exceptional marbling and tenderness, resulting in a higher price range.
What Snake River Customers Are Saying?
Most Snake River Farms reviews in Yelp are good and 5-star ratings. Here are some examples:
“We have ordered products from Snake River Farms about seven times over the last 2 years. Their meats never fail to delight our palates.” - SC C.
“This was my first time ordering from them and I feel it won't be the last. I purchased the American Wagyu Beef Rib and I was seriously impressed by the taste of the meat.” - Kevin P.
“The quality of the meat was not much higher than I can probably encounter, way cheaper at decent, local butcher shops.” - Jim G.
FAQs
Can I Have My Snake River Farms Product Shipped At A Later Date?
You can have your Snake River Farms product shipped at a later date, as they have an option for a pre-arranged delivery for Wagyu beef. You can have your package shipped on any day for up to 21 days after you placed an order.
Can I Refreeze My Snake River Farms Meats?
You can refreeze your Snake River Farms meats, but only if a cut has not been entirely defrosted. Flavor remains if not fully thawed. Complete thawing may compromise taste; refreezing then is discouraged. Keep thawed meat in original packaging for up to 12 days in the fridge. Ground beef should not be refrozen.
Does Snake River Farms Accept Refunds?
Snake River Farms accept refunds, and you can file for a refund or replacement. The customer support team will assist with any report made on damaged or defective goods.
Is Snake River Farms Beef Grass-fed?
Snake River Farms beef is grass-fed for the first year. Subsequently, sustainably fed with grains, forages, hay, and potatoes. It doesn't contain any sort of growth hormone.
Is Snake River Farms Steak More Expensive Than Supermarket Meat?
Snake River Farms Steak is more expensive than supermarket meat. Despite its pricey cut, you'll see and taste the difference in flavor and tenderness. If you want good and tender cuts, the prices are worth it.
Is Snake River Farms Worth It?
Snake River Farms is worth it.
It did offer a decent value for our money as we received unique and good quality meat properly packaged and delivered on time.
However, given that Snake River Farms prices are really high and the meat options quite limited, we can’t wholeheartedly recommend this subscription service.
We would recommend ButcherBox, which in our opinion, covers all important advantages a meal delivery service should have. They continually provided a very reasonably priced high-quality meat with above-average delivery options.
Snake River Farms might be the only option for states like Hawaii, and kudos for that, but for the past two years ButcherBox has proven to be the best overall choice for our team.
#1 Meat Delivery Service
ButcherBox
- Grass-fed and grass-finished beef 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 November
- No organ meat
References:
- https://kitchenteller.com/beef-grading-systems-chart/
- https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/know-your-pork-mangalica-kurobuta-and-more
I recently ordered Kobe beef from Snake River Farms online and was blown away by the quality and taste. Highly recommend for anyone considering ordering meat online!