ButcherBox Subscription Review

About ButcherBox

More and more meat lovers are gravitating toward ButcherBox, a convenient and flexible meat subscription service. Subscribers can choose between curated and customized boxes of protein featuring grass fed and finished beef, pork raised crate free, wild caught seafood, and organic chicken, delivered right to their door on their schedule. 

Ethically sourced produce is the best way to ensure that we are benefitting both the environment and our health. This study^[1], which was a cross-sectional survey, revealed that consumers are willing to buy ethically and humanely raised animal products provided that the claims are trustworthy and legitimate.

Food & Wine, The New York Times, and Forbes have all praised this brand and it has become a popular and safe choice among keto and paleo eaters. The ButcherBox Instagram also boasts over 500K followers  while the brand’s Facebook page has over 250k followers. 

In this ButcherBox review, we will provide a complete rundown of this brand, the products offered, the prices, and customer feedback so that you can decide if this subscription is right for you.

Overview of ButcherBox

ButcherBox has pretty humble and back-to-nature beginnings. Founder Mike Salguero ended up in a living room picking out his own $400 pile of meat from a cow share. 

From there, Mike became intrigued by the pure and wholesome taste of 100% grass-fed beef. He also discovered the varying health benefits of consuming grass-fed versus grain-fed cows.

So naturally Mike wondered, why wasn’t everyone eating it? Today, only 1% of the beef consumed in the US is 100% grass-fed.

But, ButcherBox was born with the goal to make grass-fed beef more accessible than ever, and has since expanded to pork raised crate free, wild-caught seafood, and organic chicken. 

Wild caught seafood is caught in natural habitats, meaning these products are not raised in captivity. Using methods that do not destroy^[3] the natural microbiology of the habitat while also taking appropriate numbers from the population is essential to caring for the environment. 

Mike’s start-up went from a handful of seats at cafes to at one point a closet, before setting up its headquarters in Harvard Square, Cambridge in 2015.

If you’re not up for reading the full ButcherBox review, check out a few important highlights. 

Highlights

• High quality, sustainably sourced meat
• Reasonably priced in light of quality and ethical sourcing
• Recommended by reputable health and nutrition sources
• Free delivery within the United States
• Can pause, adjust the frequency, or cancel subscription at any time

How Does ButcherBox Work?

ButcherBox delivers meat to your doorstep monthly or on a schedule that best suits the subscribers needs.

ButcherBox encourages subscribers to learn all about the sourcing of their meats. That’s why every piece of meat in a ButcherBox is: 

• Humanely raised^[4] 
• Free of antibiotics^[5]
• Contains no added hormones^[6] 

If you are worried about freshness, each piece of poultry, meat, pork, or seafood comes in frozen, vacuum sealed containers so that every item is fresh upon arrival. When delivered, all produce is stored in an insulated box and eco-friendly packaging, which is either biodegradable or recyclable^[7].

But what is in the boxes from this brand? When you sign up, you have 5 box types to choose from. With each of these boxes, you will have the option of a Classic or Big Box, with all of the quantities of each listed below: 

• Custom Box
  • Classic Box: 9-14 lbs. of meat 
  • Big Box: 18-26 lbs. of meat 
• Mixed Box, Beef & Chicken Box, Beef & Pork Box, and All Beef Box
  • Classic Box: 8-11 lbs. of meat 
  • Big Box: 16-22 lbs. of meat  

You can pause or cancel your ButcherBox subscription at any time, with no commitment to future orders. But please note that subscriptions automatically renew each month or every other month. So, unless you change your box type you will receive the same items in every shipment. You should also note that all ButcherBox products are subject to availability, meaning that there may be quantity limits on orders, all or parts of orders may be rejected, or certain meats may be discontinued or substituted.

What Comes In A ButcherBox?

Every piece of meat in a ButcherBox is humanely raised, free of antibiotics and added hormones. ButcherBox encourages subscribers to learn all about the sourcing of their meats. Quality is largely influenced by how the animal lived: how healthy and content it was, and how humanely it was raised on a farm with sustainable practices.

Beef

ButcherBox cattle are happily free to range on grassy pastures all their lives. The cows eat a natural diet of grass, and thanks to the climate, can graze all year round. Subscribers can feel good about consuming ButcherBox beef for these reasons: 

• 100% grass-fed and grass-finished
• Pasture-raised and free to roam
• Source of Omega-3’s, vitamins, and minerals
  • Omega 3 fatty acids are essential in building and maintaining a healthy body. They are key to every structured wall within the body which includes muscles such as the heart. They’re also an energy source, which encourages consistent maintenance of the immune system, organ system, and blood vessels, explained in this study^[8].

Pork

ButcherBox believes in better from the ground up—and that means reducing slatted floors and eliminating gestation crates and farrowing crates for hogs. ButcherBox hogs are raised on pastures or in hoop barns, with their natural tendencies, safety, and comfort in mind. Many of their pork products are sourced from pigs with heritage-breed lineage. These breeds include (but are not limited to) Duroc, Berkshire, and Chester White. Their natural, “old-world” genetics mean that during their slow maturation process, they develop the fine marbling and great marbling that mother nature intended them to have. Their hogs are fed an all-vegetarian diet and are raised with traditional, sustainable farming methods.” Mmm, now I’m fantasizing about some crispy ButcherBox bacon.

These pigs lead some pretty great lives:

• Bedding in open barns
• Outdoor access
• Nutritional diet (forage + all-vegetarian feed)
  • Foraging and all-vegetarian feed is beneficial to all animals, as they are able to roam and maintain a healthy diet at their own pace. This allows for higher quality meats and less greenhouse gas emissions from farms, which is further explored in this study^[9].

Chicken

ButcherBox offers two types of chicken: free-range organic, and pasture-raised heirloom. Their free-range organic chickens have a GAP 3 certification, which means they meet all the criteria needed for GAP 1, 2, and 3. Their pasture-raised heirloom chickens have a GAP 4 certification, which means they meet all the criteria for GAP 1, 2, 3, and 4. 

• GAP 1: No cages, no crates, no crowding. Chickens live in a stationary housing structure, are provided space to express natural behavior and are given access to added enrichments.
• GAP 2: Everything in GAP 1 + Enriched environment. Chickens live in an indoor environment with at least two different types of added enrichments as well as natural light.
• GAP 3: Everything in GAP 1 & 2 + Outdoor access. Chickens have seasonal outdoor access, more space requirements (in and out), and outdoor shade and enrichments.
• GAP 4: Everything GAP 1-3 + Pasture Raised.  Chickens have daily access to pasture with a minimum of 50% vegetative cover and are specialty breeds for outdoor production.

My takeaway while writing this ButcherBox subscription review: if reincarnation is real and I come back as a cow, pig, or chicken in the next life, I hope I end up on a ButcherBox farm.

Seafood

ButcherBox seafood is sustainably harvested or responsibly farmed. Their wild-caught seafood spends their entire life in the ocean where they can exhibit their natural behaviors. Their farm-raised seafood is raised with room to swim and is raised in a way that minimizes impact on the environment.  Fishermen uphold strict sustainable harvesting practices to ensure long-term sustainability of wild fish stocks and the overall ocean ecosystem. Practices include careful monitoring and management of wild fish stock numbers, environmental monitoring of the ocean environment, and using certain equipment to minimize environmental impact.  ButcherBox verifies these sustainable production practices by certifying their products through third-party organizations such as Responsibly Fisheries Management, Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture Stewardship Council, and Best Aquaculture Practices.  They source a wide range of wild-caught seafood options sustainably harvested from oceans bordering North America. 

• Their wild caught salmon, cod, halibut and sablefish are sustainably harvested from Gulf of Alaksa and Bering Sea, Alaska. 
• Their wild-caught scallops are sustainably harvested from Georges Bank, Massachusetts.  
• Their wild caught shrimp is sustainably harvested from the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana. 
• The wild-caught lobster is sustainably harvested from Atlantic Ocean, Canada. 

They source their farm-raised salmon from a family-owned salmon farm on Kvaroy Island, Norway.  Next up in this ButcherBox subscription review, we’ll get into all of the ButcherBox plans.

How Much is ButcherBox? 

ButcherBox pricing depends on the box you choose and its size. They have 5 different boxes: 4 curated options and their most popular Custom Box, either in Classic or Big Box size. ButcherBox offers a range of add-ons and monthly specials, so even if you choose the curated boxes, you do still have freedom of choice. 

We show you the full range of options in this ButcherBox subscription review:

Butcherbox Review 

Next in this ButcherBox review, we will go over what is in each of the boxes offered. Whether you love a great New York Strip Steak, Whole Pork Tenderloin, or even good, old-fashioned Chicken Drumsticks, there is definitely a box for you. 

First up, the Custom Box. This brand consistently strives for you to feel comfortable with what you are receiving, and that is why they have created a customizable box option for you to build your own box based on your preferences. 

As stated, the Custom Box comes with 9-14 lbs. to 18-26 lbs. of meat which includes beef, seafood, pork, and chicken options

Next, the Mixed Box. This is one of the most diverse, fixed subscriptions the brand offers with 8-11 lbs. to 16-22 lbs. of chicken, pork, seafood, and/or beef. When it comes to seafood, the brand is known for its wild sockeye salmon. Make sure you add this to your cart and stock up on some lemons and dill! 

This ButcherBox review suggests this box for those that also love homemade burgers, beef bourguignon, or a classic pork tenderloin with honey sauce. Including all of the different types of meat offered, a sample Mixed Box that the brand provides includes: 

• 2 lbs of Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
• 1 lb of Whole Pork Tenderloin
• 3 lbs of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 

Then, the Beef & Chicken Box. The name says it all, the brand offers it’s grass-fed beef and organic chicken in this box, ranging from: 

• 2 lbs of Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
• 3 lbs Drumsticks
• 3 lbs of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

For a total of 8-11 lbs. to 16-22 lbs. of meat, this box is made for those that love a classic Bolognese sauce, stuffed chicken breasts, and the classic steak and eggs on Sunday, this box is definitely one to look into.  

Second to last, the Beef & Pork Box is for those that only want the hearty meats. Coming with 8-11 lbs. to 16-22 lbs. of meat, this ensemble is perfect for anyone looking for crate-free pork options. 

Here is the sample menu currently advertised by the brand:

• 2 lbs of Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
• 1 lb of Whole Pork Tenderloin
• 4 Boneless Pork Chops

Finally, the All Beef Box. Designed for those that love ground beef fajitas, a steak and potato combo, or a stew using chuck roasts. All of these options come with the benefit of healthy Omega 3’s, vitamins, and minerals so don’t feel bad when you chow down. 

Coming with 8-11 lbs. to 16-22 lbs of pure, grass-fed and grass finished beef, you can expect options like: 

• 2 lbs of Ground Beef
• 2 New York Strip Steaks
• 1 lb Premium Steak Tips
• 2 lbs Chuck Roast
• 4 Top Sirloin Steaks

Based on these ButcherBox options, a family or small group can enjoy all of the best cuts with the highest quality without breaking the bank. Plus, need we remind you, that all of the options on these menus are made to be paleo and keto friendly. 

Before we get into customer feedback, shipping options, etc., we would like to show you some of our favorites from this brand. 

Our Favorites From The Menu

Filet Mignons 

Need we say more? Filet Mignons are one of the most popular and delicious cuts of meat from any butcher. Made to melt in your mouth, this meat is one of the softer cuts on the market as it is sourced from the tenderloin of the cow which also adds its delicious flavor. 

ButcherBox suggests that you pan-sear and then heat in the oven to contain the natural juices and flavors, and, as usual, season with salt and pepper before cooking. 

Boneless Skinless Breasts 

A classic staple of any family kitchen, Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts are easy to make into soups, sandwiches, entrees, and even kebabs. 

ButcherBox suggests a pan or the oven to cook, or even stuff with some cheese and spinach for a new twist on this classic favorite. 

Pork Tenderloin 

We all had or seen Pork Tenderloin at some point in our lives as it is an excellent source of protein and nutrients. Soft and delicious, ButcherBox’s Pork Tenderloins are lean and easy to cook for those with tight schedules in need of an easy fix. 

Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon 

There is nothing more pleasing than a perfectly cooked salmon fillet. ButcherBox’s Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is sourced from Bristol Bay, Alaska which according to World Wildlife is the “most productive salmon ecosystem in North America.” 

Fresh, supple, and delicious, the brand suggests pan-searing or grilling to cook. Or, oven-bake to seal in all of that flavor. 

Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is very high in omega 3 fatty acids and rich in vitamin B, which also makes it a great source of protein. In turn, it’s great for heart health and lowers the risk of heart disease according to this study^[11].

Ground Bison 

Burgers, meatballs, and meatloaf done differently with fresh Ground Bison that is 100% grass-fed. Though it tastes like beef, the brand warns of its “umami flavor,” which roughly means ‘savoriness’. 

Ground bison, when ethically and humanely sourced, is high in iron, selenium and zinc. This combination encourages better heart health and omega-3 fatty acids according to this study^[12].

Use it as an alternative to your average meaty pasta, chili, or protein bowl for something new, interesting, and packed with protein. 

Are There Any ButcherBox Recipes? 

A ButcherBox subscription review found a ton of delicious-looking meat recipes on their website. Seriously, my mouth is watering going through these. They don’t look overly complicated and there are different cuisines to choose from. ButcherBox also has video tutorials, guides, and a blog that can help you brush up your chef skills.

How Long Does ButcherBox Last? 

ButcherBox meat is meant to last as long as possible in the freezer, each piece of meat from this brand is tightly sealed.

Can You Skip Months With ButcherBox? 

When you log into your account page, you can adjust or cancel your shipments before your next billing date. Plus, the brand also allows you to change your subscription box at any time before the next billing period begins. 

Who Is ButcherBox for? 

ButcherBox is made for those that love quality meats at discounted prices. Since the box sizes can be quite large, this subscription is best for families or large groups. For those on a budget, ButcherBox is the best option for quality meats as the subscription costs a fraction of the retail price for quality cuts at your local butcher. 

Comparison: ButcherBox vs. Crowd Cow

Though ButcherBox is a great option for a quality meat subscription, there are a few other brands that you should consider before buying. 

Crowd Cow is another great meat subscription box option that carries beef, chicken, seafood, wagyu, pork, and lamb for competitive prices. Founded in 2015, this brand has dedication to their ranches and the animals that are raised there as they only source their meat from local, US ranches, giving back to the community. 

But, who has the better offer? Let’s find out. 

Firstly, ButcherBox has many promotions and discounts that keep customers coming back. Including the Free Bacon For Life promotion where a free package of bacon is added to every subscription shipment. Crowd Cow has participated in this trend and offers the same promotion, but it is on a limited time basis. 

Crowd Cow may offer the same meats as ButcherBox, but this competitor also carries desserts, wagyu, and family packs that have more options and personalization in their custom subscriptions. 

Much like ButcherBox, this brand ships across the entire US except for Alaska and Hawaii. But, one big difference is that ButcherBox ships free on all orders, whereas Crowd Cow only ships meat for free with purchases over $99. 

So, both of these brands have an amazing reputation when it comes to making sure that their meat is responsibly raised, providing the same range of meats, and having reasonable shipping methods. But, which of the two has what it takes to be our #1 pick? 

Well, that brings us to the price. With ButcherBox, you have an average of $129-$147 per month for a range of 8.5lbs-14lbs of your selected meats. With Crowd Cow, the price starts at $99 for the smallest custom box, and up to $249 per month for the most expensive subscription of the Japanese wagyu steaks. 

With so many boxes offered, it was hard to narrow down who had the better bang for your buck. So, after building a custom box on the Crowd Cow site that had the same quantity as ButcherBox’s All Beef Box, the cost came to a total of $200+. So, for the quantity you get, ButcherBox is definitely the better deal.

Want to learn more about Crowd Cow? Check out the full Crowd Cow Review.

ButcherBox Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

ButcherBox showcases some impressive praise on their website, though there isn’t an option to leave a ButcherBox review. A few notable sources have left their thoughts: 

“It is important to me and my community that our animal protein sources are naturally and responsibly raised and fed. For this reason, I trust and recommend ButcherBox.” – Melissa Urban, Whole30 Co-Founder and CEO

“This is meat as nature intended that truly emulates the diet of our ancestors. These folks are doing a terrific job and you can be sure that they get my support.” – Dr. David Perlmutter, Board-Certified Neurologist

I did some digging for this ButcherBox subscription review to get at what customers are really thinking. ButcherBox has a 3.6/5 star rating on Influenster. Many reviewers left positive feedback on the quality of the meat and its price point.

Others received their orders completely thawed, with freezer burn, or in some cases, rancid meat (yikes). There were also quite a few complaints about inaccessible customer service and difficulty canceling the subscription.

ButcherBox Reddit reviews are also mixed. Lovers of the service agree that the meat is cheaper and tastes better than grass-fed beef that can be found at the grocery store.Other users complained about ButcherBox cost. When it comes to ButcherBox price points, most of the complaints came from reviewers who are accustomed to grocery store prices and bulk-buying meat at places like Costco.

Is ButcherBox Worth It? 

ButcherBox will almost always be pricier compared to grocery stores, the trade off being better quality and ethically sourced meat. Some of us just want a good quality steak, or none at all. If you’ve ever seen documentaries like Food, Inc. on the horrors of the meat industry, you’ll recognize how badly these animals are treated and the environmental damage that goes along with it. 

It’s like drinking fair trade coffee over regular coffee—it tends to be more expensive, and though it’s possible to find coffee that tastes just as good by unethical means, it’s the principle that counts.

All this being said, the negative ratings that turned up in this ButcherBox subscription review are troubling. I definitely wouldn’t want rotten meat to show up on my doorstep, but honestly, mistakes and shipping issues do happen.The consensus is that the meat is high quality and good-tasting. Since there’s no commitment to the subscription, there’s no harm in trying it out. In light of the customer service issues, if you do decide to cancel, contact the team as early as possible.  

ButcherBox Promotions & Discounts

ButcherBox has had some sweet promotions in the past, like Free Bacon For Life (cue the heavenly harp music). ButcherBox groupon deals are also offered intermittently. A ButcherBox subscription review found no sign up deals at the moment, but those come up as well. Plus ButcherBox members have access to exclusive deals and flash sales every month. 

ButcherBox FAQ

Pause Or Cancel ButcherBox

ButcherBox allows subscription pauses for up to 6 months or cancellation at any time before the next order is billed. Enter your ButcherBox login and visit the account page.

The page opens on the Your Box tab, where you’ll see your next bill date at the top. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Pause or Stop Subscription. You can also adjust the frequency of your deliveries under Box Settings.

Cancellations can be completed any time before the next order is billed. If you cancel after the billing but before delivery, the cancellation will only be processed for the next scheduled billing date. 

ButcherBox Shipping Policy

Your ButcherBox is delivered within approximately 7 business days from your bill date, or the first time you place an order. If your orders are recurring, the date you first purchased a subscription will be your bill date each month, or every 2 months. Subscribers can change their bill date any time by accessing the account page. 

Major points given in this ButcherBox subscription review: shipping is free within the United States. 

Contact ButcherBox

For questions not answered in this ButcherBox subscription review, you can contact the team through:

• ButcherBox Customer Service Email: [email protected]
• Live Chat available on butcherbox.com
• ButcherBox Phone Number: 1-855-981-8568

ButcherBox customer service hours are from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST.

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Feeling adventurous? Check out The Honest Bison for grass fed, non-processed bison, elk, and venison.