Wagyu beef entered the United States market in the 1970s and became more and more popular as the years went on.
However, not every grocery store or butchery sells this upscale and tender meat.
That means your options are limited. While there are very few places that are strictly wagyu shops, our expert butchers have compiled a list of the top ten places to get your fill of wagyu beef.
Quick Summary
- Top places to buy Wagyu beef online include Crowd Cow, Snake River Farms, and Chicago Steak, each providing unique options and quality assurance.
- Wagyu beef refers to any of the four kinds of Japanese cattle, known for its marbling effect and high quality.
- A 2016 study in the National Library of Medicine highlighted the health benefits of highly marbled Wagyu beef, noting its higher proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, which may reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease without increasing LDL-cholesterol [1].
- Wagyu beef offers health benefits like lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart attack.
What is Wagyu Beef?
Wagyu is a reference for any of the four kinds of Japanese cattle. These breeds were originally used as draft animals to help cultivate rice farms in Kobe, Japan.
Wagyu are thought of as having long physical endurance traits.
According to a 2016 study in the National Library of Medicine, since farmers like their animals to be extremely fit, they have more intramuscular cells than other breeds because they provide tons of energy [2].
Those unique cells give the Japanese Wagyu the famous marbling effect which means it's of the highest quality.
Japanese Wagyu is also very healthy and delicious. You can trace your wagyu cut from farm to fork.
Besides, eating wagyu helps lower your cholesterol and reduces your risk of having a heart attack.
“Wagyu is something that every meat lover should experience at least once.”
- Robb Walsh, Food Writer
Wagyu’s health benefits make it hard to beat, especially compared to other protein sources.
With more monounsaturated fat, less salt, and lower cholesterol, you’ll never return to the traditional kind after trying Japanese Wagyu.
10 Best Places to Buy Wagyu Beef Online
Now that you understand wagyu beef and how it compares to other forms of meat. Let’s talk about where you can find and buy delicious Wagyu beef online.
Flying to Japan isn’t always an option, so our picks are the top ten best places to buy Wagyu beef online.
1. Crowd Cow
Crowd Cow is extremely popular for its high-standard American Wagyu beef that comes from farms worldwide.
They only work with farmers they know, which means you can feel confident in your purchases.
It was founded by Ethan and Joe, two friends who believed that people should know where their meat comes from.
Within twenty-four hours of launching, the Crowd Cow service had sold its first product.
With over 50 American Wagyu beef options, you can’t go wrong. They even have plenty of pre-seasoned options to help you get the best-tasting Wagyu beef on your kitchen table.
Here are just a few of the cuts they sell:
- Dry-aged
- Bone-in and Boneless Ribeye
- New York Strip
- Filet Mignon
- And many more options
- Best Wagyu beef
- Great flavor
- Passionate about how ranchers raise their cows
- Don’t source wagyu or Kobe from Japan
2. Snake River Farms
Snake River Farms was one of the first meat companies to produce high-quality Wagyu beef in the US. The owner and his team started crossing Japanese Wagyu with quality breeds, which created American Wagyu cattle.
They’ve been continually refining their beef since then, so it offers a lot of marbling and flavor.
The cattle come from the Okanogan region of Washington, and they are moved from meadow to meadow so they don’t over-graze the land.
Snake River Farms offers a wide selection of Wagyu cuts. For example, you can get Japanese Wagyu filet mignon, sirloin, ribeye, top sirloin, and many other cuts.
- Large selection of American Wagyu cuts
- Source from family farms
- Reliable delivery
- Expensive
3. My Chicago Steak
Chicago Steak has been around since 1865, making it one of the longest-running butchers in the United States.
This company specializes in hand-cut prime beef, and the best steaks money can buy.
The cattle are raised humanely, and they only pick the best of the best for your table.
They even offer you recipes so you can elevate your cooking and not mess up your prime beef cuts.
They have the best customer service that will make you keep coming back for more.
This online outlet sells six different American Wagyu options ranging from Kobe beef to wagyu filet mignon.
All of these are sourced from the highest quality farms and flash-frozen to preserve flavor. You don't have to worry about how they are raised when buying from Chicago Steak.
- Been around since 1865
- Great customer service
- No grass-fed farm-raised options
4. Meat N’ Bone
Live in Florida? Then you could get your full-blood wagyu beef delivered right to your door through this online business based in the Florida area.
Anywhere else in the country, there is a 48-hour turnaround time from order to delivery.
Like some purveyors, you can have Meat N' Bone cater an event or hire someone to come out and do the grilling.
Either of these options means you are getting flavor-packed meals cooked directly for you.
Many meat lovers buy Wagyu beef online from Meat N’ Bone because of the standard of their stock.
Their small team means they put the best care into raising their cows and getting orders out. They also have a selection of over 90 Kobe beef and American Wagyu to pick from.
- Catering options
- Great deals on products
- Quick delivery times
- A small team means less experience
- A limited number of products
5. Carnivore Club
Looking to get American Wagyu shipped annually to your door? Then Carnivore Club is the right store for you.
The first subtraction service offers premium meat delivered monthly to your front door.
Each box comes with unique meats and gifts that fit a particular theme.
For example, they’ve offered a wild game box and regional steak box with Kobe beef, Wagyu beef, and other types of cuts.
Take a look at their page to pick the right box for you.
Carnivore Club meat delivery is most popular with its air-dried meat. So if you love jerky, then this is the place for you.
- Air-dried products
- Special variety boxes
- Can’t purchase a singular product
- Hard to find the exact meat you want
6. Holy Grail Steak
Overall, Holy Grail Steak has some of the best wagyu and Kobe in the world. It is the only Japanese and American Wagyu shop that sources and sells authentic Japanese Kobe Beef.
It also lives by the golden rule of a steak only tastes as good as it was raised.
Holy Grail Steak has you covered whether you are looking for Japanese Wagyu, American Wagyu, or spiced burgers and steaks.
With a variety of options, all at a reasonable price, you’ll find the prices are reasonable for the quality.
It’s important to note that Holy Grail Steak only delivers within the lower 48 of the United States.
You have plenty of options, including getting your order overnight or on a Saturday for some occasions. Holy Grail Steak is meticulous with how they package and track their orders, so it gets to your family in the freshest way possible.
- An overall high quality
- Goods shipped in a way to keep fresh
- Variety of wagyu and Kobe options to choose from
- Holy Grail Steak sources from Japan
- Doesn’t deliver Wagyu beef to Alaska or Hawaii
7. D'Artagnan
D’Artagnan has been committed to free-range, natural production and sustainable, humane farming practices since before it was the cool thing to do.
Their goal is to provide the best ground beef, hot dogs, and wagyu that are all raised on small farms.
This dedication has led to several successes over time, one of which is why they sell like crazy all year.
D’Artagnan meat delivery offers 26 different American wagyu and Kobe items. including wagyu beef.
Their steak deals are a great way of keeping the cost down but still getting the specialty wagyu options.
- A whole page dedicated to wagyu and Kobe steak
- Plenty of wagyu options including short ribs
- Bundle options
- Can’t identify the source of wagyu or Kobe
- American and Japanese wagyu beef choices are limited
8. Fossil Farms
Fossil Farms is dedicated to providing wild game meat and American wagyu to home chefs and restaurants.
You'll even see some of their wagyu and Kobe being sold in local grocery stores.
What sets Fossil Farms' meat service apart from other butchers is that it isn't just an online location;
You can visit its physical location in New Jersey and see what they are all about. Go and ask them in person how their food has been raised.
While this outlet isn’t strictly a wagyu shop, it does sell delicious wagyu steak and Kobe at an ideal cost.
The marbling in their Japanese and American Wagyu comes from the breed being appropriately raised.
- Great domestic quality
- Worth the pricing
- Not the best customer service follow up
- Limited options for Kobe
9. Thrive Market
You’ve probably heard of Thrive Market as it has been showcased in magazines and on television.
This online outlet offers healthy groceries straight to your door through a subscription service. A healthy life shouldn't be hard, and it isn’t with Thrive Market.
You can even buy ground beef and hot dogs right from the comfort of your home.
Thrive Market is dedicated to giving you the best deals on top-quality wagyu beef and Kobe beef all while you earn rewards and save money.
Most customers have found the shipping experience through Thrive Market to be one of the best. If you ever have questions, the customer service team is right there to help.
- Shipped right to your home
- Great customer service
- Can’t identify the source of Kobe
- Only one page of American Wagyu and Japanese Wagyu choices
10. Allen Brothers
The Allen Brothers online outlet slogan is ‘The Great Steakhouse Steaks,’ which should give you some confidence about their goods.
They provide a selection ranging from fish to wild game and everything in between.
This place has been around since 1893, providing the best Kobe steaks to cooks around the nation.
They focus on selling USDA prime, which is the premier grade of beef [3].
Many customers love the transparency Allen Brothers delivery places on sourcing. All Kobe beef is sourced from the U.S. outside of Japanese beef.
But on top of just sourcing the U.S., they only pick breeds from the mid and middle-northern states because that is where the best climate and land is for cows.
- Pages of options to pick from
- Follow strict sourcing guidelines
- Ideal marbling in wagyu beef
- Great deals
- Mainly used by chefs
- Longer order times
BONUS: A Delicious Recipe Using Wagyu Beef
Now that you know the best places to get your Japanese wagyu, you are going to need some options on how to cook them up. Here is a recipe that you can use to help you get started.
Pan Seared Wagyu Steak & Red Wine Sauce
You’ll need:
- American Wagyu steaks
- Shallot
- Garlic
- Butter
- Red wine
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
With these simple ingredients, you’ll get a delicious steak.
First, let the steak sit until it comes to room temperature before adding the seasoning. Put the pan on medium/high heat, then sear the steak until you think it is ready.
To make the sauce, simply add the shallot, garlic, and thyme to the now empty wagyu pan.
Sear these ingredients until they are golden brown, then add the wine and bring the entire sauce to a boil. Finally, remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.
Read More:
What to Look for in Wagyu Beef Providers
To make the most out of your search, consider learning what makes a Wagyu beef product suitable. Here are some factors to look out for:
1. Transparency
Wagyu beef symbolizes luxury, and tradition surrounds this product. Customers also feel confused about what constitutes Wagyu and other types of beef products. When you’re looking for a place to buy wagyu beef online, ensure they make you understand what you’re getting.
Ideally, the website should have information on grading and ways to cook your meat. Many options will have a certificate of authenticity.
2. Shipping
The best company should provide comprehensive information about how they ship your meat. It includes the methods and how they ensure it is safe during transit. If you spend money on Wagyu beef, focus on ensuring it arrives in prime condition.
3. Selection
There are many meat options with Wagyu beef. Our favorite providers have a wide range of offerings. The best part is they provide plenty of information on what makes every selection unique.
4. Price
Never empty your bank account when buying premium Wagyu beef. Regardless, it’s an expensive endeavor since the beef takes more effort to raise. You can’t get these products at bargain prices due to their premium nature.
Do you want to be able to say you tasted Wagyu beef? Consider buying hot dogs, burgers, or sausages made from this meat instead. You still have a premium experience despite the lack of Japanese Wagyu marbling.
Where Should You Buy Wagyu Beef Online?
While all of the above stores are great places to buy wagyu beef online, our top recommendation is Crowd Cow.
Crowd Cow offers special deals which make it the best bang for your buck.
But they also care about how ranchers raise their beef and only pick those that are raising them right. You’ll see that the flavor of the Wagyu beef and its firmness are a step above everything else.
However, you won’t go wrong by buying premium quality food from any of these places which are all purveyors of well-cooked steak.
Our #1 Recommendation
Crowd Cow
- 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised meat
- Humanely-raised without added hormones
- Wide menu selection
- Flexible shipping options
- Customizable meat orders available
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of November
- A little pricey
References
1.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28115881/
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5243954/
3.https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/01/28/whats-your-beef-prime-choice-or-select