ButcherBox is a popular meat delivery subscription service that provides high-quality, humanely raised meat and seafood directly to consumers’ doors. With ButcherBox, customers can choose from curated or custom boxes packed with an assortment of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood cuts.
How does ButcherBox work?
ButcherBox offers subscription plans that deliver a curated or custom box of meat and seafood on a frequency of your choosing – either every 2, 4, or 8 weeks. All the meat comes frozen and packaged in recyclable EPS cooler boxes. The curated boxes contain an assortment of cuts hand-picked by ButcherBox’s expert butchers. Alternatively, you can choose your own cuts with a custom box. ButcherBox sources all of its meat and seafood from animals that are grass-fed and finished, free-range, wild-caught, and humanely raised without antibiotics or added hormones.
ButcherBox Subscription Plans
ButcherBox has a few different curated box options to choose from:
- The Mixed Box is the most popular option which includes an assortment of beef, chicken, and pork. It comes with 6-14 pounds of meat depending on your box size.
- The Custom Box allows you to hand select exactly which cuts and quantities you want.
- The Beef and Pork Box features 100% grass-fed and finished beef and Heritage breed pork.
- The Beef and Chicken Box comes with 100% grass-fed beef and free-range chicken.
- The All Beef Box contains 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
You can choose from box sizes ranging from 4-26 pounds of meat, with options for 2, 4 or 8-week deliveries. Prices range from $129-$270 depending on your plan.
What Cuts Are Typically Included in a ButcherBox?
The specific cuts included in your ButcherBox will vary depending on whether you choose a curated or custom box. However, here are some of the most common cuts found in ButcherBox deliveries:
Beef Cuts
- Ground beef
- Sirloin steak
- Ribeye steak
- New York strip steak
- Filet mignon
- Top sirloin
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
- Brisket
- Roasts like chuck roast, rump roast, and arm roast
Pork Cuts
- Bacon
- Pork chops
- Sausages like bratwurst, Italian sausage, chorizo
- Ham
- Pork tenderloin
- Ground pork
- Pork roasts likeBoston butt roast, shoulder roast, loin roast
Chicken Cuts
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Bone-in chicken breasts
- Chicken thighs
- Drumsticks
- Whole chickens
- Ground chicken
Seafood
If you opt for a box that includes seafood, you’ll typically receive a selection of:
- Salmon fillets
- Shrimp
- Mahi mahi fillets
- Ahi tuna steaks
- Scallops
- Cod fillets
- Crab cakes
Typical Quantities of Each Cut in a ButcherBox
The exact quantity of each cut in your box will vary. But here is an overview of the average amount of each meat you can expect based on the total weight of your box:
| Cut | Average Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1-3 lbs |
| Bacon | 1 lb |
| Steaks (NY strip, ribeye, etc) | 4-8 oz each (2-3 steaks) |
| Chicken breasts | 1.5-3 lbs |
| Pork chops | 1-2 chops |
| Sausage | 1 lb |
| Salmon fillets | 4-6 oz each (2 fillets) |
| Shrimp | 1/2 lb |
Keep in mind portions will be larger for bigger box sizes and may also vary each month depending on availability.
Typical Cost Breakdown of a ButcherBox
The overall cost of your ButcherBox will vary based on the size, frequency, and specific cuts you choose. However, here is an approximate value breakdown for a typical 8-10 lb curated box:
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 NY strip steaks (8 oz each) | $7 |
| 2 lb chicken breasts | $6 |
| 1 lb ground beef | $6 |
| 4 oz salmon fillet | $3 |
| 1 lb bacon | $6 |
| 1 lb pork chops | $4 |
| 1 lb sausages | $5 |
| Total | $37 |
This breaks down to around $4-5 per pound of high-quality, sustainably raised meat delivered to your door!
How Much Does a ButcherBox Subscription Cost?
ButcherBox offers a few different subscription options at varying price points:
| Box | Pounds | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Medium box | 8-11 lbs | $129/month |
| Large box | 12-15 lbs | $149/month |
| X-Large Box | 16-19 lbs | $175/month |
| Custom Box | Varies | $149+ |
The more you order, the lower the per pound cost. You can also save more by subscribing to 4 week or 8 week deliveries rather than 2 weeks.
How to Get Started with ButcherBox
Getting started with ButcherBox is simple! Just visit their website and follow these steps:
- Select your box size and frequency.
- Browse curated boxes or build a custom box.
- Enter your delivery zip code.
- Select any add-ons like bacon or seafood.
- Enter your payment and shipping details.
- Place your order and receive your first delivery!
ButcherBox also offers gifting options if you want to send a box to someone else. Plus, shipping is free nationwide.
Can You Pause or Cancel ButcherBox?
Yes, you can easily pause, skip, cancel, or modify your ButcherBox subscription at any time. Simply log into your online account to make adjustments or contact ButcherBox’s customer service team.
Pros and Cons of ButcherBox
Here are some of the main advantages and potential drawbacks of ButcherBox:
Pros
- High-quality meat from humanely raised animals
- Convenient subscriptions with flexible delivery options
- Good value per pound compared to grocery stores
- Easy to skip, pause or cancel orders
- Wide selection of curated or custom box options
- Vacuum-sealed portions for freshness
- Free shipping nationwide
Cons
- Upfront commitment to a subscription
- No brick-and-mortar stores for immediate purchases or returns
- Shipping only available in the contiguous US
- Frozen meat, so you need freezer space to store it
- May get cuts you don’t want if not ordering a custom box
Conclusion
ButcherBox provides a convenient, customizable way to get high-quality, humanely raised meat delivered right to your door. With options like curated boxes or fully custom orders, ButcherBox takes the guesswork out of buying quality meat and seafood. While it does require some freezer space and an upfront subscription commitment, overall it offers good value and flexibility. The variety of cuts and quantities make it easy to stock up your freezer with premium proteins or order for just specific meals.