Butcher Box Review

Butcher Box Review and quick introduction to their wide range of meats!

When you’re hosting a BBQ, one of the most important elements is definitely the meat. Sure, you can visit the nearest grocery store and purchase different meats for the grill, but there’s nothing like savoring the grass-fed kind. The problem, however, is access - it’s not easy for everyone to get the “good stuff”.

Jump to:

• What is ButcherBox?
• How ButcherBox Started
• Is the Meat of High Quality?
• B Corp Certification
• Available ButcherBox Subscriptions
• Added Value with Every Box
• Which Box is Right for You?
• Frequency
• Review of the Packaging
• Is Butcher Box Worth the Money?
• The ButcherBox Subscription Is Not for Everyone
• Review Summary
• Common Questions

Only about 1% of the total beef that’s eaten by Americans is 100% grass-fed. And that is the very reason why ButcherBox was created.

If you are not yet familiar with ButcherBox yet or you have always wondered how they work, how much it costs, and what the story behind the brand is, this ButcherBox review is for you.

I'm going to do a deep-dive into the popular subscription based meat delivery service and talk about it all:

• the meat selection
• available cuts
• quality and taste
• shipping details
• cost vs. value (is ButcherBox worth it?)
• Etc. etc.

What is ButcherBox?

Basically, ButcherBox is a delivery service for meats. You choose the box you want to be delivered, and you just wait for it to arrive at your doorstep. You get containers that have an assortment of the following: chicken, pork, and beef.

Most recently, ButcherBox added a few seafood options, but we will get to that later. As mentioned, these are not just ordinary meats that you will receive:

• Beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished
• Chicken is free-range
• Pork is of heritage breed
• Seafood is wild-caught

How ButcherBox Started

Just like most great ideas, the creation of ButcherBox came to, owner and founder, Mike Salguero unexpectedly. One night, he found himself picking out meat from a cow share in someone’s living room. The cow was 100% grass-fed. Instantly, he became hooked on the flavor and wholesome taste but wondered why not more people opt for grass-fed or organic meat. The answer is simple - it just wasn’t that accessible to most Americans.

He thought of a way to get past that obstacle. But, just like most startups, the ButcherBox initial operations consisted of one or two people hanging out in cafés around Cambridge to work. Eventually, the team grew and the company was able to get their own shop at Harvard Square. Today, ButcherBox is one of the leading online sources for grass-fed beef.

Is the Meat of High Quality?

I’m happy to say that ButcherBox is very transparent about their sourcing and partnerships. I saw a video before writing this article about how companies try to “mislead” consumers by labeling their beef as grass-fed. Grass-fed doesn’t always mean grass-finished.

What most of us don’t realize, it is possible for meat to be labeled as grass-fed, but the animal may not have eaten just grass - especially in the later months of its life. Oftentimes it was grass-fed most of its life, but in the last few months, it could have been fed grain or corn to fatten it up.

As for Butcher Box, you can be sure that the cattle is pasture-raised and free to roam. Each pack is confidently labeled as 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. Each pig is a heritage breed and has full outdoor access, free to forage. Lastly, the organic chicken is also free-range and non-GMO verified.

Additionally, with ButcherBox, all of the meats are humanely raised with no antibiotics or added hormones. The company believes that the quality of the meat (and its taste and flavor) is influenced by how well the animal has lived, so they partner with companies and farmers who focus on sustainable practices without cutting corners. If you want to read more about the sourcing process for ButcherBox, you can do so here.

B Corp Certification

ButcherBox has always been dedicated to providing high-quality, humanely raised meat. And now this commitment is confirmed with their B Corp certification. ButcherBox became a B Corp in 2021. B Corps are companies who are raising the standards when it comes to social and environmental performance. An easy way it once was explained to me is this: people & planet before profit!

Available ButcherBox Subscriptions

So, how do you get a ButcherBox subscription? During the sign-up process on the ButcherBox website you get to choose from the different box options - each containing different meat selections. You can choose from the following:

The Mixed Box

With this specially curated box, you get about 8.5-11 lbs of the following meats:

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
• 1 lb Pork Tenderloin
• 3 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
• $129/month which equals to $5.38 per meal

The Beef and Pork Box

The meat you get inside the Beef and Pork box totals to about 8-11 lbs of the following:

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
• 4 Boneless Pork Chops
• 2 lbs Whole Pork Tenderloin
• $129/month which equals to $5.38 per meal

The Beef and Chicken Box

If you're just into eating beef and chicken, then this box is for you. You get about 8.5-11 lbs of the following:

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 4 Sirloin Steaks
• 3 lbs Boneless Skinless Organic Chicken Breast
• 3 lbs Chicken Drumsticks
• $129/month which equals to $5.38 per meal

The "All Beef" Box

Steak and burger eaters will love this box. It's nothing but beef for about a month or so! What you get in this box is 8-10 lbs of the following cuts of meat:

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 1 lb Premium Steak Tips
• 2+ lbs Chuck Roast
• 4 Sirloin Steaks
• $129/month which equals to $5.38 per meal

NOTE: It’s important to take note that specific cuts may vary by region and availability.

The boxes listed above will give you about 24 servings. If you take a look at the prices, they’re very reasonable, especially when you break it down to the price per meal. These are premium and organic pieces that can last up to a month, depending on how big your family is or how often you eat meat.

If your family members love to eat meat all the time or if you have a big family, you can always go for the Big Box which is $238/month. With 16-22 lbs of meat, you get 48 servings. If you review and break the price down per meal, you get about $4.96/meal.

Custom Box

If none of the above choices seem like quite the right fit, you can always go for the Custom Box. You have more control over the meat you put in. You can select from 21 different cuts. So if you are looking for cuts that aren't listed in any of the curated boxes above, check out the custom box selections. The Classic Custom Box is $149/month which equals $4.97 per meal. It's going to give you 9-14 lbs of meat (30 servings).

You can always upgrade to the Big Custom Box if you need more meat. The price is $270/month which equals $4.50 per meal and gives you 18-26 lbs of meat (60 servings).

Hooray for Add-Ons

There are add-ons available for all box types. For sure, there will be times when you feel like the Classic Boxes will not be enough, but the Big Boxes may be too much for your family. To give Classic Boxes an extra oomph, you can order add-ons. Just select whatever is available (like a whole turkey or the breakfast bundle) to add to your Butcher Box subscription and make your meat choices more personal.

Seafood Options

Recently, ButcherBox has added some seafood – great news for those who love to eat fish or shellfish. The seafood selections are available a part of the CustomBox subscription. The options are still limited, but it’s possible that they may be adding more options in slowly.

Right now, the following seafood is available: salmon, scallops, and cod. All are wild-caught, sustainably harvested, with NO additives, and have not been given any antibiotics or hormones.

Added Value with Every Box

When you subscribe to Butcher Box, you don’t just get a box of high quality meat every month. You also gain access to the following exclusive extras:

• Butcher Box Member Deals
• Referral Perks
• Cut Library and 300+ Recipes
• YouTube Tutorials
• Butcher Box Roam Blog

Which Box is Right for You?

Choosing which ButcherBox subscription works for you is a matter of need and personal choice. If you’re having a big party, then you may want to consider getting the Big Box in advance. But, if it’s just you and your family whipping up meaty, home-cooked meals, the regular Curated or CustomBox options might be more ideal.

For me, I’m using ButcherBox meat for my recipes. My family isn’t too big, so, although I am cooking a lot, the CustomBox is the right amount for us. I like having control over the included meats & cuts.

Frequency

You also have control over how often you want to receive a delivery. If don't need a fresh meat box every month, you can also change the frequency from every 4 weeks to either every 6 or every 8 weeks. This is fantastic for smaller families or individuals, as it gives you more time to use up the contents of 1 box before the next arrives.

Review of the Packaging

Your box should arrive in good condition. The meats will be enclosed with a wall of dry ice so they don't spoil during transit. Dry ice doesn't melt easily so it's most likely that everything will arrive frozen (frozen solid at that). Each piece is vacuum sealed (wrapped securely). You simply put everything inside your freezer when it arrives and let thaw the piece you plan on using that day.

Is Butcher Box Worth the Money?

In my own opinion, I would say YES. Aside from getting quality meat, you don’t have to pay extra for shipping because it's already part of the monthly price. ButcherBox saves me the effort of sourcing quality meats and time spent on trips to the store.

I have not dealt with customer service yet, but most people who have had ButcherBox subscriptions say that "customer service is excellent" and "very responsive".

There was one person who shared her experience with damaged meat. She said that the customer service processed the replacement to be included in her next box. As such, should a similar situation arise, I am certain customer support will go the extra mile.

The ButcherBox Subscription Is Not for Everyone

Although I am pretty excited about the recipes that I am going to make, it’s important to remember that the subscription is not for everyone.  It is an ideal deal for meat lovers or those who do not have easy access to grass-fed or quality meats. After all, that is the ultimate goal of the service – for everyone to try grass-fed or grass-finished beef and organic meats. But, if you already have access to these, then ButcherBox may not be that appealing to you.

It’s also on the pricey side compared to non-grass-fed meat, so if your focus is budget over quality, then the boxes may not be a good fit either. Additionally, if you’re meal planning, you might not get the specific cuts of meat you want except when you go for the custom box (which I highly recommend).

Review Summary

In conclusion, I am giving ButcherBox two thumbs up. I like their options for subscription boxes. You get to choose from curated boxes, but you also have the freedom to make a custom one. You even have the option for add-ons if you need a bit of extra meat without getting the big box.

The price tag is completely justified for the quality of meat that you get (though it may - understandably - not be affordable for everyone). Shipping is included and you don’t have to do grocery trips for meat anymore. In the current health-climate we live it, this fact alone is invaluable to me.

Another plus point for me, aside from quality and convenience, is their sustainable sourcing practices. ButcherBox makes it a point to only partner with farms or companies whose practices are ethical. It is believed that the taste of the meat is affected by the quality of life the animal has lived, so natural practices such as foraging and grazing are a must.

If you are looking for a convenient source of quality, grass-fed meats, then ButcherBox is definitely right for you!!

Ps: I just check, and for a very limited time (ends November 15) ButcherBox is offering you a FREE Thanksgiving turkey with your first box! That is an amazing deal!

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Common Questions

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Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links, meaning that I might earn a small commission when you decide to sign up for a ButcherBox subscription. Nevertheless, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.