Maybe you’re a fan of the late world-traveling chef Anthony Bourdain, or want to cook a beef bourguignon like Julia Child. What do you need? Quality ingredients. A meat delivery box may help take some pressure off your grocery shopping and meal planning.
We reviewed seven meat delivery boxes to see which companies partner with local farmers, which offer curated boxes, and what additional products they sell. Whether you’re a gourmet chef, avid griller, or leaning into the keto diet, these meat delivery boxes offer something for everyone. Read our review of the best keto meal delivery service for more information.
Editor’s choice: ButcherBox
Our team likes ButcherBox as the best frozen meat delivery service. ButcherBox offers high-quality, sustainably-sourced chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and seafood. We also appreciate that they offer free shipping!
Our picks for the best meat delivery box
- Best frozen: ButcherBox
- Best steak: Snake River Farms
- Best organic: Misfits Market
- Best subscription: Porter Road
- Best gift: Crowd Cow
- Best chicken: Farm Foods
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| ButcherBox | Snake River Farms | Misfits Market | Porter Road | Crowd Cow | Farm Foods | |
| Rating | ||||||
| Starting price | $146 | $14 | $30 | $45 | $149 | $99 |
| Delivery | Continental US | Continental US, Hawaii and Alaska require express shipping | Continental US | Continental US | Continental US | All 50 states |
| Meat options | Chicken, beef, lamb, pork, seafood | Wagyu beef, USDA beef, Kurobuta pork, seafood, BBQ | Beef, chicken, seafood | Beef, chicken, pork, sausage | Wagyu beef, chicken, pork, seafood, game | Beef, chicken, pork, turkey, seafood |
Best frozen meat delivery service: ButcherBox
Key product features
What you should know
ButcherBox offers a mix of high-quality meats along with pre-prepared items like frozen meatballs and diced chicken to whip up quick meals. You can choose from organic free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, lamb, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, wild-caught cod, wild-cause sea scallops, pork, and bacon.
- Our team likes how ButcherBox allows you to curate a mix of proteins best to suit your preferences on meat and cuts of meat.
- The curated Classic Box costs $146 a month for 8–11 pounds of meat, and the custom Classic Box is $169 a month for 9-14 pounds of meat, similar to other companies.
- Butcher Box is great for people who prioritize meat from sustainable sources and ethically-raised animals.
Why we like ButcherBox as best frozen
Our team likes ButcherBox as the best frozen meat delivery service because of its mission to provide sustainably-sourced and ethically-raised chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and seafood.
None of ButcherBox’s animals are given antibiotics, which is also a plus. The chickens are organic, which means they are not fed genetically modified foods or food products. Most of the meat is sourced in the United States and Canada, except beef, which is mainly sourced and shipped from Australia. The cows are pasture-fed and free to roam.
Research on grass-fed cows shows that their meat is higher in omega-3 and alpha-linolenic acid than that of grain-fed cattle. (1) “Neither grain nor grass-fed cattle are a great source of omega-3 fats, so it’s a moot comparison,” adds Chris Mohr, PhD, RD. The best source of omega-3 fats is seafood. Omega-3 fats are important as they reduce the risk of high cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation, and brain health.”
A ButcherBox subscription gives you a choice between curated boxes and custom boxes. The custom plan comes in two sizes and has more meat than the curated box. You can choose to have your delivery ship every two weeks, every month, every six weeks, or every two months. ButcherBox’s curated boxes cost $146 per month (8-11 pounds) or $269 per month (16-22 pounds) and come with meat that they personally select. A custom box will cost you either $169 a month (9-14 pounds) or $306 a month (18-26 pounds) and come with meat that you have specifically chosen that month.
To keep foods frozen, ButcherBox uses dry ice in insulated boxes. The company has some helpful advice on safely handling and disposing of dry ice: let dry ice evaporate in a well-ventilated area that is not near children or pets. Just let it evaporate on its own. You can also throw it in the garbage. Don’t dispose of dry ice in a sink or toilet.
If you’re looking for new ways to use the meat you receive, ButcherBox’s website includes a large recipe library and tips for cooking delicious meals.
What customers are saying
With 298 reviews on Trustpilot , ButcherBox has received plenty of positive feedback from customers.
“I’ve received one box and am expecting another soon. The quality of the food was excellent. The only complaint I have is the chicken breasts are packaged with two servings, I wish they’d package them in singles for one person. I will review again when I receive another box but expect it to be as good as the first. I would love to see bay scallops on the list.”
RM Thompson, verified Trustpilot reviewer
Another verified customer, Callie D., also enjoyed her ButcherBox subscription.
“I love ButcherBox! I don’t have access to a lot of high-quality meat near me so it’s so convenient to have it shipped to my door,” she writes.
But, some customers have not had great experiences with the meat delivery service, with some complaining about a lack of customer service and communication.
“I was a loyal customer at ButcherBox for years,” writes verified customer Matthew. “Delayed the next shipment out a bit in January for dietary issues. Received a confirmation of the next order and immediately went online to cancel and noticed the website has changed and you cannot do that anymore. So I was notified by email to cancel this account and had to go back and forth several times, to no avail. So I outright canceled my account and am disputing the charge with AMEX.”
Check out our full ButcherBox review to learn more.
Specs
| Starting price | $146 per box |
| Shipping cost | Free shipping |
| Area | Continental United States |
| Meat options | Chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and seafood |
| Organic | Chicken |
| Fresh or frozen | Frozen |
| Subscription | Yes, required. You can choose between a curated or custom box in two different sizes. |
Best steak delivery service: Snake River Farms
Key product features
What you should know
Snake River Farms started breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle with American cattle in the 1980s to create a new hybrid of high-quality beef.
- Our team appreciates how Snake River Farms allows us to know exactly where our beef is sourced from.
- A box from Snake River Farms ranges from $14 for a USDA Prime top sirloin to $158 for a Wagyu tomahawk steak, which is less than some more expensive options we’ve seen on the market.
- Snake River Farms is great for avid grillers who can get a good sear on their meat.
Why we like Snake River Farms as best steak delivery
Snake River Farms earns our pick as the best steak delivery option. We like being able to select from a variety of high-quality cuts of beef, including American Wagyu, a hybrid of purebred Japanese Wagyu with traditional American cattle that produces marbled beef a gourmet chef will appreciate. With Snake River Farms, you can choose from a tomahawk, ribeye, New York Strip, or filet mignon, as well as steaks and beef roasts from Double R Ranch, a network of family ranchers in the Northwest United States.
If you’re looking for an extra special dinner, you can opt for one of Snake River Farms’ classic surf and turf combinations, which pairs steak with lobster tails.
Snake River Farms lets you know exactly where your steak is sourced from. You can read about the network of family ranchers who supply Snake River Farms boxes. These ranchers care for their cattle stock humanely and feed them a nutrient-rich diet with few ingredients to create a tasty steak for your delivery box.
Snake River Farms American Wagyu are grass fed for their first year. As they grow, they are fed locally-sourced hay, grains, potatoes, vitamins, and minerals—no antibiotics or growth hormones here.
Research shows that Wagyu has lower amounts of saturated fatty acid than traditional cattle, which is more heart-healthy for people who enjoy beef. (2)
“Beef is a fantastic source of nutrition; rich in iron, zinc, protein, and many other nutrients,” adds Mohr. “While some cuts may be higher in saturated fat than others, it’s important to understand the balance of where beef and other foods fit on a plate and in a diet. Choosing cuts that do offer less saturated fat more often than not and balancing a plate with other nutrient-dense food is a fantastic choice for those looking to improve their overall health.”
That said, Wagyu beef is more expensive than other types of beef—the 2.5-pound Wagyu cowboy steak costs $158. But if it’s good enough for Wakuriya, a Michelin-star restaurant in San Mateo, California, it’s probably good enough for the home chef.
“I’d rather have people spend more of their disposable income on high-quality food, less often, than lower-quality choices more regularly. Enjoy smaller portions of great, high-quality, nutrient-dense foods vs. overeating lower-nutrient-dense options. Unfortunately, Americans are overfed yet undernourished.”
Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor
Snake River Farms packs its insulated boxes with dry ice to keep steaks frozen. You should receive your order one to three days after placing it, or you can schedule a future delivery date if you’re worried about being away when your order is delivered. Snake River Farms does not provide a subscription option, but you can choose to purchase items a la carte or create a customizable, one-off bundle.
What customers are saying
Snake River Farms only has 7 reviews on Trustpilot, but the majority of them are positive.
“I’ve never had any problems getting my shipment on time. The quality is always consistent. This is the only place I’d get my filet mignon as my child is a bit picky.”
Judy, verified Trustpilot reviewer
Another verified customer, TJBev, also likes the meat they’ve received from Snake River Farms.
“Love this place,” they write. “No more grocery store meat!”
That said, not every customer has been satisfied. Verified customer, John B., had an issue with his order.
“Snake River Farms will not replace steaks that come in warm. We received unusable steaks because they came in warm. Apparently when I ordered from their website they dropped the number off my address. Because I’ve ordered from them many times and have an account saved I didn’t think to double check the address so it sat at FedEx for three days. I’m blamed for ordering with an incomplete address. What company lets you order anything with an incomplete address?”
Specs
| Starting price | $14 |
| Shipping cost | Shipping will cost $24.99 to ship to Hawaii or Alaska; all other states cost between $9.99 and $49.99. |
| Area | All 50 states |
| Meat options | Steak, pork, seafood, pre-smoked BBQ, salami |
| Organic | No |
| Fresh or frozen | Frozen |
| Subscription | No |
Best organic meat delivery service: Misfits Market
Key product features
What you should know
Misfits Market offers butcher-quality organic meats as well as a la carte grocery staples.
- Our team loves that Misfits Market lets us order all meat and grocery items in one convenient online option.
- Misfits Market charges a minimum of $45 for ala carte items and $30 for a weekly subscription, which is in line with similar services.
- Misfits Market is great for people who value reducing food waste and want a healthier environment.
Why we like Misfits Market for best organic
The mission of Misfits Market is to cut down on food waste by providing surplus organic meat, and slightly damaged or “funny-looking” fruits and veggies that might otherwise get tossed into a waste heap.
One of our team members placed a Misfits Market order for meat, dairy, fruit, veggies, and eggs. Everything arrived on time in a recyclable, insulated box cooled with four large ice packs. Ice packs still can keep foods cold, although only for a short time, and they are much easier to dispose of than dry ice, where you have to take extra precautions. She was pleasantly surprised by how good everything looked and how fresh it smelled. The strawberries and apples were a little smaller than what she usually finds at her local grocery store, but that can be common for organic produce. While she didn’t see an expiration date on the organic filet mignon, it appeared fresh. She cooked it right away and paired it with garlicky roasted broccoli, which was a winner with her family.
Our tester also liked the Misfits Market prepared meal she ate for lunch—a chimichurri shrimp dish. However, the small portion left her hungry.
We love that Misfits Market allows consumers to order organic, seasonal food from the convenience of home. For the $68 our tester paid, the service seems worth it to support the mission to reduce food waste. The minimum you have to spend to use the service is $30, and there’s no subscription fee. Shipping is a flat rate by zip code that starts at $6.99 per order, and orders over $70 ship for free.
An organic diet is a great option for people who feel better about avoiding foods with pesticides. Some, but not all, studies show that organic produce may be higher in some nutrients, like vitamin C, iron, and magnesium, when compared to conventionally-grown produce, which are essential for a robust immune system and overall health. Additionally, one review found a diet low or without pesticides can reduce your risk of diseases like non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that affects the immune system and lymph system, and colorectal cancer. (3) According to Mohr, “it cannot be concluded that the organic diet provides any health benefits due to study limitations, duration, and biases.”
To sign up for Misfits Market on its website, you enter your zip code and email address to get started. You’ll then work through a questionnaire about how many people you are shopping for. You can select which day of the week you prefer to get your first box. Based on your answers about the types of food you like to eat, Misfits Market will pre-fill your basket. Our tester didn’t find that helpful and she took extra steps to remove unwanted items.
What customers are saying
Misfits Markets has 866 reviews on Trustpilot. Customers have mixed reviews about the service.
One verified customer loves the service so far.
“I ordered some produce I can’t get locally and some I haven’t heard of before but looked interesting, along with some packaged foods that looked good. It arrived just as expected and my husband was even impressed with the packaging and the quality of the food. It’s all been delicious and we’re eating a bigger variety of plants and loving it!”
Gretchen, verified Trustpilot reviewer
Another verified customer with the username Marshlover, is also happy with the food they’ve received from Misfits Market.
“I order about quarterly to fill my freezer with meat and fish. Otherwise, I order mostly produce and it arrives fresh. Some are smaller than what we find in a supermarket but I live alone so that is fine with me. The ease of delivery and allowing me to order whenever I need to is appreciated (I don’t have to cancel my account or remember to skip weekly auto-orders). I’ve referred friends and neighbors!”
One thing customers complained about is having to set up a subscription in order to browse. Others were confused that Misfits Market pre-fills your basket without explaining why they select items for you. But it is very easy to clear the cart and only order the items you want to buy.
One verified customer, M. Spence, was disappointed in the service.
“When I first started using Misfits Markets a year ago it was a dream come true! Disabled and unable to go to stores for fresh food it was cheap and easy, but due to a shipping and handling increase I was ordering less to save money. The service started slipping, shipments came late, and were not well packaged. Logging [in] to my account was nearly impossible, and there is no customer service offered outside of the website, so there was no one to talk to about issues.”
Specs
| Starting price | $5 minimum for ala carte items |
| Shipping cost | $6.99 |
| Area | Continental United States |
| Meat options | Beef, pork, chicken, seafood |
| Organic | Yes |
| Fresh or frozen | Frozen |
| Subscription | Yes |
Best subscription meat delivery service: Porter Road
Key product features
What you should know
Porter Road offers a variety of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb sourced from Tennessee and Kentucky. The beef cattle are grass-fed and grain-finished and are not given hormones or antibiotics.
- Our team appreciates the variety of customizable meat boxes Porter Road provides.
- Boxes from Porter Road start at $45 for beef sticks, which seems kind of expensive, $65 for a breakfast box, and $165 for a butcher’s choice box.
- Porter Road is great for holiday and corporate gift-giving if you’re looking for a unique gift for someone who likes specialty meats.
Why we like Porter Road for best subscription
Porter Road offers meat from small farms and independent producers. This Nashville-based company sources its meat from Tennessee and Kentucky and ships everywhere in the United States, except Hawaii and Alaska. You can choose to have your box delivered every two, four, or eight weeks.
Porter Road packages its meat in insulated cardboard boxes that are kept cold using gel packs. The fresh meat is vacuum sealed, which means that if you don’t plan to use your meat right away, you can easily freeze it. Depending on the type and cut of meat, it can be safely stored and enjoyed for up to 12 months after freezing.
You can choose between the Butcher’s Choice Box for $165, which provides 8-10 lbs of a variety of meat options, the Dry Aged Beef box, for $140, which provides 7 lbs of meat, or the Best Seller’s box, for $128, which includes other cuts of meat. It’s essential to review the well-rounded (and delicious) meat options before deciding. They also offer a breakfast box for $65 or a beef stick bundle to round out the choices. You can do that if you want to purchase individual add-ons like hot dogs, bacon, pork tenderloin, bone broth, or a single bone-in pork chop. Then, you choose how often to get your delivery—every two, four, or eight weeks. After that, you can choose add-ons like ground beef, steaks, hot dogs, and spices. At checkout, you can add special instructions or a note for the recipient if it’s a gift. The goal is to customize the offerings to provide well-rounded, high-quality meats to the customer.
On each product page, Porter Road offers some basic cooking instructions, like whether the meat would be tasty roasted or cooked in a smoker. However, we’d like to see more detailed recipes and meal ideas for pairing the meat with other side dishes.
What customers are saying
Porter Road doesn’t have any reviews on Trustpilot or Amazon, but we were able to find a few Yelp reviews.
One verified Yelp customer, Kristen D., had a good experience ordering from Porter Road for a get-together.
“I recently ordered multiple filet mignon cuts for a dinner party from Porter Road. We had never ordered from there before so I wasn’t sure what to expect but everything arrived on time and the meat was absolutely delicious. We will definitely be ordering from Porter Road again.”
Kristen D., verified Yelp review
Kevin R. was also pleased by the gift box he received.
“Got a Christmas package containing steaks, chicken, pork, bacon and breakfast links. Everything was fantastic, so flavorful and delicious. Will definitely order in the future,” he writes.
But some customers, like Scott N., had complaints about Porter Road packaging.
“My first order came with the vacuum bag seal broken on one of my two pork bellies,” he writes. “I ordered the frozen pork belly with the intent to keep it in the freezer until it was time to use them, but with the seal broken and now in contact with the meat, the clock is ticking. I reached out to support who said, put it in a ziploc and put it in the freezer, it’ll be fine. No, it won’t. If it’s fine to put in a ziplock and not vacuum seal it, then why go through that step yourselves? It keeps out the air and prevents freezer burn.”
Specs
| Starting price | $45 for beef sticks and $65 for breakfast box |
| Shipping cost | Varies by location |
| Area | Continental United States |
| Meat options | Beef, pork, lamb, and chicken |
| Organic | No |
| Fresh or frozen | Mostly fresh |
| Subscription | Yes |
Best gift meat delivery service: Crowd Cow
Key product features
What you should know
Crowd Cow offers dozens of meats sourced from both Montana and Japanese farms and seafood from Panama, New Zealand, Thailand, Iceland, and Vietnam.
- Crowd Cow is the only company in our review that offers Japanese Wagyu.
- The minimum cost to get started with Crowd Cow is $99, which is more expensive than some of its competitors.
- Crowd Cow is great for people who are shopping for people in their lives who appreciate high-end cuts of meat.
Why we like Crowd Cow for best gift meat delivery service
If you’re shopping for the gourmet chef or avid griller in your life, Crowd Cow might be the meat delivery service for you. On the Crowd Cow website, there is a gift guide featuring premium Japanese A5 Wagyu filet mignon, the highest Japanese Wagyu rating, as well as ribeye and New York strip steaks. Other options include Wild Atlantic sea scallops, steak-tasting samplers, Wild Maine lobster tail, rack of lamb, and classic surf and turf.
And, if you’re looking for something within a specific budget, Crowd Cow’s got you covered. Choose gifts under $99, $149, and $199 with their convenient website filtering system. Some gifts like the Steak Lover Box for $191.96 or Grill Master’s Paradise set for $218.44 get free shipping. If you’re shopping for someone and unsure about their eating preferences, you can also just purchase an e-gift card. If you’re interested in other options, check out our article on cheapest meal delivery services.
Crowd Cow also offers unique types and cuts of meat, including oxtail, Kurobuta pork, bison steaks, thick-cut bacon, organic mussels, and wild Alaskan halibut. Meat is kept cold using dry ice and styrofoam coolers during shipping.
What customers are saying
Crowd Cow has 122 reviews on Trustpilot.
Verified customer, Henri M., took a chance on the company despite seeing some negative comments.
“I was a little worried after seeing the low ratings on Trustpilot after I placed my order. BUT I have to say that my order was perfect. So much so that I placed a second order (again Japanese A5 Wagyu) and this order was also fine. I have not had a reason to contact customer support which seems to be where much of the negativity is being directed at.”
Henri M, verified Trustpilot reviewer
Another verified customer, Karthik P. was pleased by their beef and pork.
“Some of the best grain-finished steaks, wagyu burgers and heritage pork tenderloins I have found online,” they write. “I live in a bit of a food desert so it’s awesome I can get access to these high quality products whenever I like. No need to subscribe either, appreciate the freedom! Loved how they give you tracking info every step of the way as well.”
However, Tim L., a former customer, reports receiving thawing meat.
“Ordered $150 worth of meat to get the free shipping,” he writes. “Order arrived timely, however there wasn’t any dry ice left in the box. Meat had started to thaw, even though outside temps were in the low 20 degrees.”
Specs
| Starting price | $149 |
| Shipping cost | Orders of $149 or more qualify for free shipping. For orders under $149, shipping costs $24.99. Priority shipping is available for $29.99. |
| Area | Continental United States |
| Meat options | Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and seafood |
| Organic | Some, yes |
| Fresh or frozen | Frozen |
| Subscription | Yes |
Best chicken delivery service: Farm Foods
Key product features
What you should know
If you’re looking for chicken allowed to roam in relative freedom, Farm Foods might be right for you.
- Our team appreciates how Farm Foods lets customers know what their chickens eat and how they are raised on a range-free pasture.
- A Farm Foods box starts as low as $15.95 for chicken drumsticks, which is a little more expensive than drumsticks we’ve seen elsewhere.
- Farm Foods is great for people who want to eat ethically-sourced chicken.
Why we like FarmFoods as best chicken delivery service
We like Farm Foods for the best chicken delivery service because their chickens are raised on a free-range pasture; they live outside all day and are free to roam. According to Farm Foods, the chickens eat a natural diet of grasses, seeds, bugs, and worms and are not debeaked, so they can forage for food and groom themselves.
Free-range means chickens are given access to outdoor time for over 51% of the animal’s lives, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). (5) In addition, Farm Foods doesn’t give the chickens antibiotics or any other medications and provides access to outdoor time all with the intention of allowing the farm to produce a better-quality end product.
One study of 400 free-range hens showed that these practices may result in just that, as chickens raised in this manner had higher amounts of beneficial gut bacteria and better meat quality than conventionally-raised hens. (6)
Farm Foods offers whole chickens, chicken breasts, wings, and drumsticks. Farm Fresh is a subscription service, but you have the option to make one-time purchases as well.
Farm Foods shipping costs $30.99 for orders under $125 and $59.99 for orders under $99. Orders over $125 get free shipping except for Hawaii and Alaska. Most orders are shipped between one and four days after purchase.
What customers are saying
FarmFoods has earned 539 reviews on Trustpilot.
Lynne W., a verified Trustpilot reviewer has had a great experience.
“I’ve ordered two times so far and will continue. I first tried the chicken drumsticks and they were delicious, reminding me of what chicken tasted like when I was a child. I used the beef bones to make the tastiest bone broth I’ve ever had. Both shipments arrived still frozen (rock hard) along with useful reading material on how to handle the dry ice and how to cook various cuts of meat. I also appreciated reading about the farms that raise this delicious meat.”
Lynne W., verified Trustpilot reviewer
Kamisha D., another verified customer, also likes FarmFoods.
“I trust their meat sources and am very confident that what my family eats from the farmers that they use is very nutritional and healthy, she writes. “I prefer to shop from FarmFoods than the grocery for meat. It tastes better, the portions are more than enough, it always arrives frozen, and on schedule sometimes before schedule. I cannot thank them enough.”
But not all customers have had a great experience.
“I received my order yesterday consisting of beef, fish, and chicken breasts,” writes Lenny F. “When I received the order, only the beef was still frozen. The fish which consisted of only fish tail and the chicken breasts were mostly defrosted. The dry ice was totally melted, and the food was sitting in a hot truck all day. I’m completely unsatisfied with Farm Foods.”
Specs
| Starting price | $99 |
| Shipping cost | Free shipping for orders over $125 |
| Area | All 50 states |
| Meat options | Chicken, pork, beef, turkey |
| Pasture-raised | Chicken |
| Fresh or frozen | Frozen |
| Subscription | Yes |
How we test meat delivery boxes
Signing up for a meat delivery service can make it easier to eat delicious meals when you’re busy. Not every meat delivery service is a great fit for every person or scenario. Our goal is to provide unbiased, honest feedback to help you pick the right service for you.
Here’s why you can trust our meal delivery reviews.
Every Fortune meal delivery review features:
- In-depth analysis by testers and/or authors who are certified nutritionists and/or registered dietitians
- Testing for portion, taste, and freshness
- Fact-checking and reviewing by qualified experts
At times, we may feature meat delivery services we haven’t yet tested. Until we can try them, we examine each service’s cost, meat variety, sourcing, and customization options. We then update our reviews once we’ve tested them to highlight everything we liked and didn’t like.
Learn how we test all product categories here.
Testing criteria
Meat choices—30%
A meat delivery service should provide numerous options. It should also give you as much authority as you want over what you order. Here’s what we take into account in our meat choices rating:
- Multiple options
- Sourcing transparency
- Cooking guidance
Food quality—30%
We aim to match you with companies that ethically source free-range and pasture-raised meat.
- Flavor
- Healthiness
- Freshness
Value—20%
Meat delivery services run the gamut in price, but what you receive should feel reasonable for what you’re paying. Here’s what we factor into a program’s value rating:
- Fair price
- Multiple quantity options
- Customization
Customer experience—20%
The overall purchasing of a product can significantly impact satisfaction with a food delivery service. This category focuses on consumers’ journeys, from initial interest to post-purchase support.
- Packaging
- Reviews
- Customer service
What to consider when picking a meat delivery box
Humane practices
When shopping around for a meat delivery box, it’s important to consider how the food is sourced. It’s nice to know the animals raised for meat are humanely raised by ranchers who know how to care for them in a safe and healthy environment. Also, it’s worth looking into what the animals eat throughout their lifetime, and whether they are given growth hormones or antibiotics, as some data suggest this may affect the quality of the end product.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approves some hormone use in some animals to increase their growth potential, excluding chickens. However, how that affects human health remains unclear, and more research is needed. (7) When antibiotics are given to animals raised for food, they are at an increased risk for growing antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their intestines, which can contaminate food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (8)
“Having visited many farms across the country and after discussions with all types of farmers, from organic and conventional livestock to dairy farmers and produce, it is clear to me that farmers are concerned about their consumers,” Mohr suggests. “Like a sick child, if an animal is sick, it might receive antibiotics to treat the illness. During this process, that animal must be removed from the herd until the illness and antibiotics are cleared from the system.”
Quality and cost
Before committing to a meat delivery box, it’s important to ensure the cut of meat you’re looking for is offered—not every service will offer the same things. Cost is a key consideration, too, as some of these services have high-end meats like American Wagyu you’d find at a fine dining restaurant while others are more affordable. If you’re looking to round out your meal planning for home cooking, you may choose a budget-friendly service. It’s also essential to consider shipping costs. Some services offer free shipping after you reach a specific price point.
Customer service
Sometimes, things can go wrong with your order. You might be missing an ingredient, or the packaging is damaged. How customer service responds to these issues is important. Is customer service responsive to your questions while shopping? The best way to assess this before purchasing is to look up other customers’ reviews. That might indicate how the company will respond if you have issues upon delivery.
Who are meat delivery boxes good for?
Meat delivery services are good for people who want to know where their meat is sourced from and appreciate the convenience of having it delivered from the ranch to your door. These boxes are also good for people who have mobility issues and for whom getting around a grocery store is a burden.
Additionally, meat delivery boxes make great holiday and special occasion gifts.
Who are meat delivery boxes not recommended for?
If you need meat or groceries immediately, a meat delivery box may not be optimal. Also, depending on where you live, the temperature of the meat delivered may be a concern. If you work outside the home and have your box delivered to your front door on a hot day, the meat may not stay frozen or cold enough to safely eat once you arrive home to unpack it.
A study out of North Carolina State University looked at direct-to-consumer meal delivery services from 12 companies. Of the many boxes ordered, 55 of the 72 boxes had at least one product over 40 degrees F. This is when food starts to spoil. Six vendors shipped boxes with at least one meat or poultry product over 40 degrees. (9) Before you buy, find out how much transit time it takes for your box to get delivered by contacting customer service.
FAQs
Is it easier to order meat online using a meat delivery box?
From what we have seen, ordering a meat delivery box online is very easy to do. The websites we looked at were very user-friendly, and included detailed descriptions of the meat and pictures of specified meat cuts, which helps customers decide which meats look good.
What kinds of meat delivery boxes are there?
Some meat delivery boxes are protein only, while others provide add-ons like bone broth, spices, or side dishes. Some meat delivery boxes also source wild seafood from around the globe. Not every service offers all organic meats, but some may offer some organic chicken, for example.
Which meat boxes are best?
The best meat delivery box for you depends on which proteins you prefer and your budget. If you are a gourmet chef who is not on a budget looking for Japanese A5 Wagyu or a wide variety of proteins and cuts of meat, Crowd Cow might be for you. If you are looking for locally-sourced meat, Snake River Farms might be a better choice. And, if you’d like to get meat delivery as part of your grocery buying, try Misfits Market.
Is it safe to order meat online?
It can be safe to order meat online—the key is keeping the food cold enough to prevent spoilage. Meat should be kept below 40 degrees to be safe for cooking and eating. We recommend using a food thermometer to check the temperature of delivered meat as you unpack it.
How much meat comes in ButcherBox?
A regular ButcherBox subscription box contains 8 to 11 pounds of meat, which makes approximately 24 meals, depending on how many people you may be feeding. The larger boxes could 16 to 22 pounds, which makes about 48 meals. You can choose between curated boxes where ButcherBox chooses the meat and the cuts of meat, or custom boxes, where you choose the meat.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Our experts
Christopher Mohr, Ph.D., RD
Dr. Chris Mohr is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and speaker and performance coach. Through his facilitation and online resources, he works closely with some of the largest corporations in the world including Deloitte, Delta Airlines, Johnson & Johnson and more to help busy executives all over the world, develop the energy to thrive personally and professionally.
Victoria Burgess, Ph.D., CSCS, CISSN
Victoria Burgess earned her Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance from Concordia University Chicago and holds her NSCA CSCS and Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). She is an adjunct professor in the Human Performance and Nutrition department at Concordia University Chicago & Parker University, where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level courses.
Lily Moe
Lily is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor with over seven years of experience in health media. As a former Fitness Coach, Lily’s editorial prowess has largely focused on fitness, nutrition, and weight management. She has also spent a fair share of time in testing labs, analyzing everything from protein powders to yoga mats. Her work has appeared in Verywell Fit, Verywell Mind, Health, and more.
Joana Neziri, M.S., NASM CPT
Joana is a writer, editor, and content strategist focusing on nutrition, fitness, and all things health. After earning a master’s degree in business from the University of North Florida, she began a career in research and digital marketing.
Kelly Uhler
Kelly has a multifaceted background in elder care, health care, and copywriting. She has worked for organizations such as A Place For Mom and Homecare.com, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with families, providing reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their loved one’s health, safety, and quality of life
Lauren Envoy Davis
Fortune Recommends Staff Writer
About Author
Lauren Evoy Davis is a health journalist with expertise in cancer and other chronic conditions. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from American University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Elon University. Her work has been published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Council on Aging, HelpGuide WebMD, Everyday Health and Verizon. She tests meal kits, meal delivery services, and fitness apps. When not writing or reading, Lauren enjoys paddle boarding on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, weightlifting, and gardening.