ButcherBox is a popular meat delivery service that provides high-quality cuts of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood directly to your door. Many people wonder if ButcherBox is only available through a subscription service or if you can make one-time purchases without signing up for regular deliveries.
What is ButcherBox?
ButcherBox is an online meat delivery service that partners with local farms and ranches across the United States to provide humanely raised, grass-fed, and sustainably caught meat. Their meat selection includes beef, chicken, pork, salmon, and seafood that is free of antibiotics, added hormones, and other nasty stuff you find in industrialized factory farm meat.
Some key things to know about ButcherBox:
- ButcherBox works directly with suppliers, cutting out the grocery store middleman to offer meat at lower prices than typical supermarkets.
- All animals are humanely raised and never given antibiotics or added hormones.
- Beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished.
- Chicken is organic and free-range.
- Pork is heritage-breed.
- Seafood is wild-caught or sustainably farmed.
- Shipping is free nationwide.
ButcherBox offers a variety of curated subscription boxes or the ability to customize your own box. Boxes ship every 30 days with 9-14 pounds of meat, depending on box size. This makes it easy to stock up your freezer with high-quality proteins.
ButcherBox Subscription Options
ButcherBox mainly operates on a subscription-based service. When you sign up, you choose one of several curated box options depending on your household size and preferences. ButcherBox then ships a box filled with a variety of meat cuts and proteins every 30 days.
Here are the ButcherBox subscription options:
| Box | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Box | 9-11 lbs of beef, chicken, and pork | $136/box |
| Custom Box | Pick your own meat selection and cuts | $149+/box |
| Beef & Pork Box | 10-14 lbs of beef and pork | $129/box |
| Beef & Chicken Box | 9-11 lbs of beef and chicken | $129/box |
| All Beef Box | 10-14 lbs of beef | $149/box |
As you can see, subscription pricing ranges from $129-$149 per monthly box depending on contents. The more customization and meat choice, the higher the price.
Can You Buy ButcherBox Without a Subscription?
While ButcherBox mainly operates around a subscription-based service, they do offer the ability to purchase meat without signing up for a monthly delivery. There are a couple ways to get ButcherBox meat without a subscription:
One-Time Purchases
ButcherBox allows you to make a one-time meat purchase without committing to an ongoing subscription. This functions like placing any other online order – you add cuts of meat to your cart, check out, and get a single delivery.
One-time order pricing is generally a little higher than subscription costs per pound, but can still save money compared to grocery store prices. You also have to pay a flat $19.95 shipping fee on single orders under $159.
The downside of one-time ordering is that selection is more limited compared to subscription boxes. You can only choose from a set menu of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood options currently available.
Gift Cards
Another way to buy from ButcherBox without subscribing is to purchase a ButcherBox gift card. E-gift cards come in denominations from $50 to $500.
Gift card recipients can use their balance to create a Custom Box order or add funds towards a subscription. So while you have to pre-pay a set amount, the recipient can essentially shop the full ButcherBox selection of meats a la carte.
Pros and Cons of Purchasing Without a Subscription
Here are some key pros and cons of buying ButcherBox meat without an ongoing subscription:
Pros:
- No commitment or recurring charges
- Purchase one-time only quantities you need
- Try out ButcherBox with lower risk
- Flexibility to switch up meat selection
- Skip months or pause deliveries as desired
Cons:
- Higher per pound prices compared to subscription
- Flat-rate shipping fees on small orders
- Less selection available for one-time purchases
- Miss out on subscription discounts and rewards
- Less ability to customize cuts and quantities
The main trade-off is paying a little more for full flexibility and control over your order quantity and timing. Subscriptions offer better prices, customization, and incentives if you want regular monthly deliveries.
Tips for Buying Without a Subscription
Here are some tips to get the most out of buying ButcherBox meat without a subscription:
- Stick to one-time orders over $159 to avoid shipping fees
- Combine gift card funds with one-time orders to maximize value
- Split larger one-time orders with friends or family to save on costs
- Freeze portions to make meat last longer after one-time deliveries
- Review current meat selection online before ordering to maximize choices
- Consider adding on extras like bones, broths, rubs, and bacon to increase order value
Conclusion
Although designed around subscriptions, ButcherBox does give you the ability to purchase high-quality meat without an ongoing commitment. One-time a la carte orders and gift cards provide more flexibility for those who want to try ButcherBox or buy in smaller quantities.
Keep in mind that per pound pricing and total selection will be a little more limited compared to subscribing. But you’ll gain the ability to fully control order timing and quantities. If you’re looking for humanely raised proteins from small farms, ButcherBox can still be a great source without locking in a monthly delivery schedule.