ButcherBox review: A subscription service that delivers flavorful, humanely raised meat

ButcherBox is a subscription service for grass-fed, hormone-free, and humanely raised meat. It's one of our favorite meat delivery services.

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Unabashed carnivores would agree that nothing quite compares to a juicy, hearty steak. If the thought of one is making your mouth water right now, then do yourself a favor and check out ButcherBox, the online company that delivers delicious, grass-fed, and humanely-raised meat to you for a competitive price. 

ButcherBox calls itself the "friendly neighborhood butcher." Since not everyone has access to a local butcher who really cares about meat, ButcherBox brings the experience online so you can let the pros fill a box with your favorite proteins (or choose them yourself) and get them delivered to your door. In addition to beef, the company also sells cuts of chicken and pork.

If you're interested in à la carte ordering, check out the best meat delivery services for all tastes and needs.

How ButcherBox works

1. Choose your plan.

There are four different ButcherBox subscriptions: beef and chicken, beef and pork, a mixed box of all three types and wild-caught seafood, and a custom box. All pre-curated boxes contain eight to 11 pounds of meat and cost $146, while the custom box contains nine to 14 pounds of meat and costs $169. 

2. Receive your ButcherBox at your door every month or every other month. 

The meat comes either refrigerator cold (40 degrees F or below) or frozen, vacuum-packed in a cardboard box with an insulated liner and dry ice. My box arrived at my apartment at 3 p.m., and all the meat was still frozen once I came home and opened the package at 9 p.m. I like variety and rarely discriminate when it comes to food, so I opted for the mixed box and was excited to see the spread.

I received two 10 oz. strip steaks, two 6 oz. tenderloin steaks, four boneless pork chops, four skinless and boneless chicken breasts, two pounds of ground beef, and uncured smoked bacon. I was basically set for dinner for the next month. 

3. Refrigerate the cuts you're going to eat in the next few days and freeze the rest. 

Since all the meat is vacuum-packed, it'll stay fresh for a while. Now, just cook and enjoy. Your taste buds are going to thank you once you experience these delicious cuts. 

ButcherBox meat selection

ButcherBox offers two types of chicken. The free-range, organic chickens are pasture-raised and certified level-three with the Global Animal Partnership. The heirloom chickens are pasture-raised and Better Chicken Project verified. All this means that the ButcherBox chickens have access to the outdoors, enriched environments, seasonal outdoor access, and more.

The difference in taste and texture — a direct result of how the animals are raised — is huge. When cattle eat grass and get exercise, their meat has less fat, more healthy omega-3s, and more vitamins. Humane and ethical practices translate into better meat, which means both parties benefit.

ButcherBox review

The beef, chicken, and pork I tried from ButcherBox were considerably juicier and more tender than the average cuts I get from the market, and they were all delicious. It's like eating fresh, melt-in-your-mouth sushi for the first time after only eating $10 pre-packed rolls your whole life. In case you want to pause or adjust your subscription, you can easily do so from your account page. While I personally didn't have problems with delivery or account settings, other customers have experienced issues, and ButcherBox's BBB accreditation was previously removed due to unanswered customer reviews on its page. However, it appears the company has resolved these problems and now has an A+ rating. 

The bottom line

ButcherBox does the tough work for you — curating, selecting, and delivering good meat — so you can focus on enjoying it. The value, quality, and convenience of the service are excellent, and my meals have never tasted better. You can immediately taste the difference in the quality of meat, and once you do, we seriously doubt you could ever go back.