ButcherBox Review 2023: Your Meat and Seafood Provider

ButcherBox claims to provide better quality meat products than your local grocery store. Its humanely-raised beef, pork, chicken, and more are sourced responsibly, so you can trust the source of your proteins.

I set out to determine if the service is as good as it claims to be. I consulted with my expert colleagues, surveyed reviews, and more. I ultimately found that ButcherBox lives up to its promise of humane and sustainable meats.

I recommend ButcherBox for anyone who wants convenient, high quality proteins delivered straight to your door – with free shipping to boot! Keep reading for my detailed breakdown of ButcherBox’s strengths and shortcomings.

Pros

• Humanely- and ethically-sourced products 

• Access to a range of high-quality cuts

• Trustworthy suppliers that practice sustainable farming

• Current deal – $100 off ($20 off for 5 months) + 2 packs of ground beef FREE for 1 year

Cons

• Bulk meat takes a lot of freezer space

• You need to plan your deliveries ahead

• The company uses a lot of plastic for packaging

What’s on the ButcherBox Menu

ButcherBox’s meat delivery menu includes many different cuts of meat. The majority of the selection is made up of mainstays like beef, pork, and chicken, though there are also seafood options like salmon. 

The service offers everything from pre-breaded chicken strips to premium steaks. Most of the menu is basic cuts of meat like pork tenderloins or chicken thighs, but there are also flavored products like bacon and sausage.

Overall, I love the variety on ButcherBox’s menu. There’s also a good value to larger orders, especially when you consider the quality. You can get clear information on every cut of meat – just click on the little “i” icon in the lower-right corner.

Meal Options

ButcherBox offers 2 meal plans: the Custom Plan and the Curated Plan. Each gives you access to a wide variety of products. The only difference is how much you want to be able to customize the items that go into your order.

The Curated Plan lets you choose the combination of meats you want to receive. You can opt for beef and chicken, beef and pork, or a combination of beef, pork, and chicken. There’s no beef-free option, and seafood isn’t available on this plan – though there are some add-ons.

The Custom Plan gives you more control over your menu, but for a higher cost. This menu is divided into 6 sections: Popular Cuts, Beef, Chicken, Pork, Seafood, and More. The More section has unique offerings like Black Bean Burgers and Ground Bison.

ButcherBox’s beef is sourced from Australia and certified as pasture-raised. Compared to conventional grocery meat, expect a richer flavor and better nutrients from this premium grass-fed and grass-finished beef. 

The Pork section includes heritage breeds free from antibiotics and added hormones. All of ButcherBox’s premium pork products are raised using traditional, sustainable farming methods. This ensures a restaurant-quality dining experience.

ButcherBox also offers free-range organic chicken for those who prefer poultry. These humanely-raised chickens have access to outdoor space, resulting in better-tasting flesh from more active birds with less fat accumulation throughout their bodies. 

The chickens are never given antibiotics or added hormones. They’re fed USDA-certified organic feed providing exceptional nutrition with each bite.

The Seafood section is filled with wild-caught fish and shellfish. You’ll find whole filets of premium fish like cod and salmon. ButcherBox also has some more processed options like Salmon Burgers and Smoked Salmon.

Customization

Since ButcherBox sells meat and not complete meals, there isn’t much to customize. The Curated Plan limits you to selecting your preferred cuts of meat, and the service does the rest. You won’t know what’s in your shipment until you open it for yourself.

The Custom Plan gives you control over exactly what goes in your box. In practice, this is basically like shopping online: just add whatever meats you want to your cart.

You can also choose between Classic and Big Box sizes for either plan. The Classic Box has between 9 and 14 lbs of meat, making it suitable for individuals and small families. The Big Box includes 18-26 lbs of high-quality meat, making it perfect for larger families.

The most common cuts are pork tenderloin, flat iron steak, and bone-in chicken thighs. These will likely make up most of your shipment, but you’ll receive other cuts as well. I think the element of surprise is kind of fun, though many people will prefer to choose their own meats.

ButcherBox also offers add-ons and member deals. Add-ons are other cuts of meat or already cooked items, such as ground beef, bacon, pulled pork, chicken nuggets, and more. These are great to stock up on as they have a longer shelf life. Keep in mind that add-ons are recurring, so you’ll receive them in every box unless you change the order.

Member deals are special offers that give you opportunities to save money. These items are not recurring, and the same deal is not likely to show up for two orders in a row. Plus, they changed based on seasonality and inventory.

Unboxing

All ButcherBox items are individually wrapped and shipped frozen for optimal freshness. Every box is lined with dry ice to ensure the meat will stay chilled until you open the box. Even if you're not home to accept it, it’ll be safe on your doorstep for several hours.

Once you receive your box, transfer all the meat to the freezer as soon as possible. If there are products you want to enjoy right away, you can place them in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. 

ButcherBox uses minimal packaging and recyclable cardboard boxes. Unfortunately, each cut of meat is shrink-wrapped in plastic. This isn’t ideal, but it’s the best way to ensure food safety. I do appreciate that there’s no extra plastic besides what’s absolutely needed.

Cooking with ButcherBox

At first, I was worried about properly cooking all of ButcherBox’s products. The service puts so much care into its meat, but I’m not exactly a seasoned chef. It’d be a shame to ruin such high-quality ingredients.

Luckily, ButcherBox has helpful resources for cooking all its meat products. You’ll find original recipes for simple dishes as well as basic cooking instructions for all cuts of meat. The guides make it easier to craft meals worthy of your meat.

ButcherBox even has a YouTube channel about how to cook meat perfectly every time. You can learn how to season different cuts as well as how to cook them using various techniques like grilling or pan-frying. The helpful videos break things down step-by-step.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

I selected 3 of my favorite ButcherBox recipes. These are not available as ready-made menu items, but you can buy the meat you need for each from ButcherBox.

This savory, saucy Italian dish balances smoky bacon with rich ground beef and pork. The ButcherBox recipe combines 1 package of fine-chopped bacon with 1 lb of Ground Beef and 1 lb of Ground Pork for a 6-serving meal.

You can substitute meats to adjust the taste according to your preference. If you follow the ButcherBox recipe, you should allow 40 minutes for prep work and 1 hour and 45 minutes for cooking. This is a great recipe to cook in batches and store in the fridge/freezer for later.

The Brown Butter Seared Scallops recipe is a great entree into fine dining. These wild-caught scallops shine on their own, so they just need a simple sauce. Brown butter with capers, shallots, and lemon juice is all you need to bring this dish to the next level.

This meal is a good example of why you don’t need to be intimidated. ButcherBox provides you with the tips and tricks necessary to enjoy perfectly prepared meats. For example, patting the scallops dry before searing is the secret to that crispy, caramelized crust.

ButcherBox's Tomahawk Steak brings the luxury of a fancy steakhouse to your table. This dish is a perfect example of how you can turn one great piece of meat into a meal. 

The massive 30 ounce steak is obviously the star here. The simple recipe just calls for a few herbs and sides like sweet peppers and fingerling potatoes. Follow ButcherBox’s instructions to ensure you cook this expensive cut of meat to perfection.

Prices

ButcherBox’s prices depend on the box size and the meal plan (Custom or Curated). Boxes on the Custom Plan are more expensive since they have about 20% more meat than on the Curated Plan. Big Boxes cost more than Classic Boxes, as you might expect.

Add-ons always come with an additional charge. These prices vary and fluctuate but generally range from $12 to $52 per item. Shipping is always free, regardless of location, meal plan, and box size. 

If you want the best value ($146.00 per meal), you need to get the Big Box available on the Custom Plan. ButcherBox also offers several special deals ($100 off ($20 off for 5 months) + 2 packs of ground beef FREE for 1 year), but most of them are time-sensitive. If you find one that looks good, you have to act fast!

Shipping & Delivery

ButcherBox delivers to all 48 contiguous states, excluding Alaska, Canada, or Hawaii. Shipping is free, regardless of your location and box size, which I think is a great thing.

You can choose the delivery frequency – every 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or 6 weeks. You can also change the delivery date with every new order. Any changes on your delivery schedule are easy to operate from your online account. Still, you need to keep in mind that changes made in the delivery frequency become effective after your next scheduled order. 

Your order will ship within 1 to 2 days from the date you place it. This also becomes the date for your recurring orders. As soon as your box is shipped, you’ll receive tracking information for your package via email or SMS (depending on your preferences). 

Most orders will get to you within 1 or 2 days after shipping, between 8 am and 8 pm. There are a few deliveries that occur outside of these hours, but these are exceptions. 

How ButcherBox Works

ButcherBox is a subscription-based meat delivery service. It allows you to customize each order according to your needs and preferences. However, if you don’t change anything from your last order, and you don’t pause or cancel your subscription, ButcherBox will send you a new order similar to your previous options.

Once you place an order, it takes 1 to 2 days for ButcherBox to process and prepare it. You can also choose a delivery frequency of every 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Based on my research, most ButcherBox customers get a delivery every 4 weeks.

It’s easy to change your billing/shipping dates, the size of your box, and your meal plan. However, it’s important to keep in mind that changes in the delivery frequency will come into effect after your next scheduled order.

How to Sign Up

1. Click on the Choose Your Plan or Get Started button

2. Add your email address

3. Select your plan

4. Choose box size and delivery frequency

5. Choose your cuts or proteins (depending on the meal plan you selected)

6. Select deals (you can skip this step)

7. Proceed to checkout and add shipping information, discount codes, and payment information.

8. Wait for your shipping confirmation to arrive via email within 1 to 2 days.

Managing Your Subscription

You can easily manage your ButcherBox subscription using your online account. From here, you can pause or cancel a subscription at any time without worrying about extra fees or penalties.

Make sure you cancel your order before it gets processed. Otherwise, you’ll receive another box before the cancelation gets into effect.

You can easily put your subscription on pause whenever you want. If you ever decide to restart your subscription, simply log in again with your original details.

Customer Service

ButcherBox offers several channels of communication, including email, phone (Monday - Sunday from 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM EST), and live chat. The team is responsive and helpful, so you shouldn’t have to wait long to get in touch with one of ButcherBox’s representatives.

There’s also a comprehensive Help Center with FAQs, tips, and guides. Also, if you want to learn more about the brand or get more personal with the team, you can check the social media channels and the YouTube account.

How ButcherBox Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

ButcherBox vs. Blue Apron: Blue Apron offers a varied menu with plenty of options for meat-eaters, but unlike ButcherBox, this is a meal kit delivery service. This means that your box will include all the ingredients needed to cook a recipe, not just the high-quality meat. So, if you don’t feel like doing any shopping, Blue Apron may be a better option.

ButcherBox vs. Factor: Factor takes things up a notch with ready-made meals that only need a couple of minutes in the microwave. Most of the recipes available on the menu include meat and seafood, but there are also options for vegetarians and vegans.

ButcherBox vs. Green Chef: Green Chef is an organic-certified meal kit delivery service that caters to several popular diets, such as Keto, Low Calorie, or Gluten-Free. As such, the menu is varied and includes a wide range of high-quality ingredients, including different meats and seafood.

The Bottom Line: Is ButcherBox Worth It?

ButcherBox is a great service for people who enjoy the taste and flavor of high-quality meat cuts. The company makes sure all its products come from the best sources and only from humanely-raised animals.

The meat is cut and packed by professionals who know how to maintain it fresh and in optimal conditions until it reaches your freezer. If you’re not much of a meat eater or you’re only ordering for 1 or 2 people, a Classic Box may be a bit too big for your needs. If this is the case, check out our list of the 10 Best Meal Delivery Services.

FAQ

Is ButcherBox a subscription service?

Yes, ButcherBox is a subscription-based service. However, you have full control over the delivery frequency, and you can change your meal plan or cancel your subscription at any given time. 

Where does ButcherBox source from?

ButcherBox carefully selects its suppliers to ensure the meat only comes from trustworthy ranchers. The only exception is the beef, which comes from pasture-raised, 100% grass-fed & grass-finished beef from Australia.

What quality meat is ButcherBox?

ButcherBox delivers only high-quality meat cuts from humane suppliers. As such, the menu includes free-range-organic chicken, wild-caught seafood, 100% grass-fed beef, and heritage breed pork. All the meats on ButcherBox’s menu are free of added hormones or antibiotics and humanely raised.