ButcherBox Review: Is This Popular Meat Subscription Worth It?

If you‘re a carnivore who cares about how your meat was raised, you‘ve likely heard of ButcherBox. This popular meat subscription service delivers grass-fed beef, organic free-range chicken, heritage-breed pork, and wild-caught seafood right to your door. But is the quality and convenience worth the price?

I ordered ButcherBox for several months to find out. In this honest, in-depth ButcherBox review, I break down how it works, the pros and cons, actual customer reviews, and how it compares to the competition. By the end, you‘ll know if this subscription is the right fit for your meat-loving lifestyle.

What Is ButcherBox? Behind the Brand

ButcherBox was founded in 2015 by Mike Salguero, who first discovered his love for grass-fed beef through a cow share. Surprised that only 1% of beef consumed in the U.S. is 100% grass-fed, he wanted to make this premium, humanely raised meat more accessible.

ButcherBox‘s core mission is to bring "transparency and trust back into the food system and deliver healthy, humanely raised meat directly to your table." To fulfill this, they work with a collective of small farms and fisheries that follow strict animal welfare standards:

• 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef
• Organic, free-range chicken
• Crate-free, heritage-breed pork
• Wild-caught seafood

All ButcherBox products contain no antibiotics, added hormones, or animal by-products. The company also has strong relationships with its farmers and fishermen, many of whom they visit in person, to ensure ethical and sustainable practices.

ButcherBox has grown rapidly thanks to this commitment to quality. They now deliver to all 48 contiguous U.S. states, with free shipping. In 2020, they expanded operations with a new 90,000 square foot headquarters in Boston to keep up with demand.

How Does ButcherBox Work?

The ButcherBox subscription model is straightforward. Here‘s how it works:

Pick Your Box: Choose from 5 different curated or custom boxes in two sizes:

• Mixed Box (beef, chicken, pork)
• Beef & Chicken Box
• Beef & Pork Box
• All Beef Box
• Custom Box (hand pick any cuts you want)

Classic Box Size (8-11 lbs): $129 per month
Big Box Size (16-22 lbs): $238 per month

Set Frequency: Decide if you want monthly or bi-monthly deliveries. You can change this anytime.

Customize Cuts: For an extra $20, you can select the exact cuts that go into your curated box that month. With the Custom Box, you have total control from the start.

Get Free Gifts: ButcherBox always has promos for free items in your first few boxes, like 2 lbs of ground beef or wild Alaskan salmon.

Schedule & Wait: All boxes ship frozen in an insulated, recyclable container with dry ice. You get tracking info to know exactly when it will arrive.

That‘s it! You can log into your account anytime to change your upcoming box, see your next bill date, update delivery frequency, pause, or cancel.

One thing I appreciate is ButcherBox‘s flexibility – you can easily swap out cuts you don‘t want for ones you do right up until your next invoice date. The custom box is definitely the way to go if you‘re particular about what lands in your box.

ButcherBox Meat Quality & Sourcing

Now for the meat of the matter (pun intended) – how does ButcherBox‘s product quality stack up? I‘ll go through each category:

100% Grass-Fed Beef:
All of ButcherBox‘s beef comes from cattle that spend their entire lives grazing on pasture, the way nature intended. Grass-fed beef is not only more ethical and environmentally sustainable than feedlot beef – studies have found it‘s also:

• Lower in calories and fat
• Higher in omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, and antioxidants
• Richer in vitamins A and E

I definitely noticed an enhanced flavor and tenderness in ButcherBox‘s grass-fed steaks and ground beef compared to grain-finished. The fat has a pleasant yellow tinge, an indicator of nutrient density.

Free-Range Organic Chicken:
Certified-organic and USDA-certified, ButcherBox‘s chickens live in spacious, sunlit coops with daily outdoor access. They‘re fed an all-vegetarian, non-GMO diet and are never given antibiotics or growth enhancers.

I could taste the difference versus conventionally-raised chicken – firmer, "meatier" texture and more natural, less rubbery skin. Happy, active chickens simply yield better-tasting meat.

Heritage-Breed Pork:
ButcherBox‘s pork chops, ribs and bacon come from heritage-breed pigs like Berkshire and Duroc, prized for their marbling and old-world flavor. They‘re raised crate-free with ample space to root, play and socialize.

Both the bacon and pork chops cooked up beautifully – plenty of fat without being greasy, and a cleaner, less muddled taste. No "mystery meat" vibes here.

Wild-Caught Seafood:
Though only available as an add-on, ButcherBox‘s wild Alaskan sockeye salmon deserve a mention. Sourced from Bristol Bay, one of the most pristine and productive salmon fisheries, this rich red fish is flash-frozen at peak freshness.

Texture-wise, it flaked perfectly with a big dose of healthy omega-3s. Exactly what you want from wild salmon.

Is ButcherBox Cheaper Than the Grocery Store?

On the surface, ButcherBox costs more per pound than factory-farmed supermarket meat. For example, a pound of 80/20 ground beef goes for about $5.50 in my mixed box, compared to $3-$4 on average at my local grocer.

However, that‘s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. For my money, the benefits of ButcherBox‘s grass-fed, ethical meat are well worth the upgrade:

• Humanely raised meats are scientifically proven to be more nutritious, flavorful, and less likely to contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria and contaminants
• I can feel good knowing my dollars support small family farms, not industrial feedlots
• Items arrive frozen and vacuum-sealed at peak quality – they last for months in the freezer
• The convenience factor of delivery saves me a trip to the store or butcher

So while I may pay more upfront, I‘m ultimately getting superior quality, peace of mind, and convenience. For me, that adds up to a very fair value.

Of course, your mileage may vary. If your main priority is volume and low prices, buying meat in bulk at a wholesaler may be more economical. But in my experience, ButcherBox is quite competitively priced for the premium caliber of meats they deliver.

Reviews From Real ButcherBox Customers

It‘s one thing to read a single ButcherBox review (even a super in-depth one like this). But what are subscribers at large saying? I combed through hundreds of reviews on Trustpilot, Influenster, Reddit and the BBB to find out.

The consensus? ButcherBox gets solidly positive feedback, earning a 3.7 out of 5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from nearly 1,800 reviews. The vast majority praised the quality, flavor and texture of the meats, especially the grass-fed beef.

Take this review titled "The Search for the BEST Steak Has Ended!":

"I can‘t say enough GREAT things about ButcherBox! I was tired of spending a small fortune at Whole Foods for sub-par meat. My ButcherBox order came today and we cooked up the Ribeyes….un-freakin-believable! Hands down the very BEST beef we‘ve ever eaten. We‘re ButcherBox customers for life!"

Many also complimented the customer service and how easy it was to pause or adjust their box frequency as needed. Negative reviews tended to focus on frustrations with shipping delays, thawed items, or difficulty getting in touch with support.

To be fair, those are outlier experiences based on the overall ratings. And to ButcherBox‘s credit, their team actively responds to complaints and works to make things right. As one reviewer put it:

"Had a few shipping issues in the beginning but customer service was excellent. They always either replaced the box or refunded my card, no questions asked. We‘ve been happy campers for over a year now – the quality is off the charts!"

In my dealings with ButcherBox‘s support (I had one box arrive partially thawed), I also found them responsive, personable and solution-oriented. They immediately sent out a replacement at no cost.

All told, ButcherBox scores high marks from myself and the vast majority of their 10,000+ customers for quality, service, and convenience. Of course, everyone‘s tastes and standards differ. But if you value humanely-raised, transparently-sourced meat, chances are good you‘ll be satisfied.

ButcherBox vs. The Competition: How Does It Compare?

ButcherBox isn‘t the only meat subscription on the block these days. Other notable players include:

• Crowd Cow
• FarmFoods
• Moink
• Wellness Meats
• Snake River Farms (for premium beef)
• Omaha Steaks

How does ButcherBox measure up? In my analysis, very favorably – especially on mission and meat quality.

Crowd Cow is probably the closest comparison, with a similar emphasis on independent farmers and regeneratively-raised meats. However, ButcherBox beats them on price per pound across the board. You can also get more variety, like lamb and bison, with Crowd Cow if that‘s important to you.

FarmFoods and Moink are also solid options for ethically-sourced, high-quality meats. But they don‘t offer seafood and have a smaller selection than ButcherBox overall. Wellness Meats is great for organ meats and harder-to-find cuts.

Where ButcherBox really shines is its unmatched level of sourcing transparency, which no other subscription quite compares to. They provide detailed information on every farm they partner with and the exact standards each animal was raised under.

This fanatical commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing, combined with the widest selection of any meat subscription I‘ve seen, puts ButcherBox at the top of the pack for me.

Of course, the "best" meat subscription ultimately depends on your preferences and priorities. But you can‘t go wrong with ButcherBox, which scores top marks in the areas that matter most.

ButcherBox FAQs

Before we wrap up this beastly ButcherBox review, let‘s answer some common questions about how the subscription works:

How do I cancel ButcherBox?
Login to your account and go to "Manage Subscription". Under "Cancel Subscription", click "Confirm Cancellation". You can cancel anytime before your next order is billed.

How long does ButcherBox last?
All ButcherBox meats are blast frozen at peak freshness and can last 6+ months in your freezer. Once thawed, the beef, pork and chicken stay fresh for 3-5 days in the fridge. Salmon is best within 1-2 days thawed.

Do you have to cook ButcherBox right away?
Nope! Items are safe to refreeze if needed. I routinely thaw only what I need for the week and save the rest for later. Just be sure to use freezer-safe bags or containers to avoid freezer burn.

Can you choose what comes in your ButcherBox?
Yes – you can either pick a curated box and swap out cuts before delivery, or customize your own box from scratch with anything you want. This flexibility is a big plus.

Does ButcherBox have organ meats?
Not currently. They‘re considering it based on subscriber feedback, but for now they only offer muscle meats and seafood. Check out Wellness Meats or US Wellness Meats if you want organ variety.

Does ButcherBox have lamb or game meats?
Occasionally they‘ll offer ground lamb or bison as an add-on, but it‘s not a regular option. Crowd Cow is probably your best bet for consistently getting wild game in your box.

The Verdict: Should You Try ButcherBox?

If you‘ve made it this far, you know I‘m a big advocate of ButcherBox for anyone who values ethically-sourced, high-quality meat and seafood delivered on their schedule.

In truth, I was skeptical before I tried it that it could live up to the hype. But I‘ve been won over by the undeniable quality of every grass-fed steak, pasture-raised pork chop, and wild-caught salmon fillet in my custom box. My taste buds, conscience, and schedule all thank me.

While no service is perfect, I believe ButcherBox is the cream of the crop when it comes to meat subscriptions. Their unparalleled commitment to transparent sourcing from small family farms and fisheries is truly admirable – and you can taste the difference.

Yes, you‘ll generally pay more than supermarket prices. But in exchange, you‘re getting meat you can feel great about on every level – nutritionally, ethically, environmentally.

If that‘s important to you, I think you‘ll find ButcherBox to be an outstanding value and worthy investment in your wellbeing. Just be prepared to get hooked on some of the best-tasting meats and seafood out there!

Hopefully this ButcherBox review has given you the key info and hands-on insights needed to decide if this meat subscription is right for you. Questions or firsthand experiences with ButcherBox? Don‘t hesitate to reach out.

To healthier, happier, and more humane eating,

Your Trusted ButcherBox Reviewer

Note: Always cook meats to safe internal temperature and consume seafood within recommended time after thawing. Consult ButcherBox‘s instructions for details.

ButcherBox Review Summary

Quality 4.5/5
Taste 5/5
Variety 4.5/5
Value 4/5
Sourcing 5/5
Customer Service 4.5/5
Average Score: 4.6/5