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Home » Home

My First Butcher Box Unboxing + Honest Review: Is It Worth It?

Published: Dec 14, 2017 · Modified: Jan 8, 2026 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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🥩 Butcher Box Review: Is This Meat Delivery Service Worth Your Money?

If you've ever stood in the grocery store staring at the meat section wondering why the chicken breasts look suspiciously identical (almost too identical… 🤔), or if you've Googled "what does grass-fed actually mean?" while planning dinner, welcome. You are in good company.

ButcherBox unboxing pin

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This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting Explorer Momma!

Enter: Butcher Box, a meat delivery service promising high-quality, humanely raised, no-added-hormone, no-antibiotic meat shipped right to your doorstep in a glorious frozen treasure box. I ordered one, I unboxed it (dramatically, I might add), and today I'm reviewing it in full.

Jump to:
  • 🥩 Butcher Box Review: Is This Meat Delivery Service Worth Your Money?
  • 🧡 Introduction to Butcher Box
  • 📦 How Butcher Box Works (Quick Breakdown)
  • 🍖 Quality of Butcher Box Meat
  • 🥓 Butcher Box Meat Options
  • 📦 My First Butcher Box Unboxing
  • ⭐ Butcher Box Reviews: What Other Customers Are Saying
  • 🔍 Comparison to Other Meat Delivery Services
  • 🧰 Customization & Box Options
  • 💰 How Much Does Butcher Box Cost?
  • 🤔 Is Butcher Box Worth It? (My Honest Thoughts)
  • 🟢 Pros + Cons Summary
  • ❓ FAQ
  • 🍽 Explorer Momma Recipes That Are Perfect for Butcher Box Meat
  • 🏁 Conclusion: Who Should Consider Butcher Box
  • 📣 How do I get my Butcher Box?
  • How will you be healthier in the New Year?

🧡 Introduction to Butcher Box

At its core, Butcher Box is a subscription meat delivery service focused on:

✔ Grass-fed, grass-finished beef
✔ Heritage breed pork
✔ Organic chicken (USDA certified organic)
✔ Wild-caught seafood add-ons
✔ Sustainable + humane sourcing

Their organic chicken is USDA certified organic, and their chickens are fed organic chicken feed and certified organic feed to ensure quality and ethical standards.

Butcher Box also sources pasture raised meat and participates in certifying pasture raised meat to uphold animal welfare and sustainability.

Their entire brand mission is about helping everyday families have access to meat that isn't raised the industrial-factory-mystery-meat way.

What that means in practical human terms: food that tastes better, is better for you, and supports farming practices you don't have to feel bad about.

For busy families, foodies, meal preppers, keto/low-carbers (hi! 👋), or anyone trying to simplify grocery trips; this is a solid option.

📦 How Butcher Box Works (Quick Breakdown)

Getting started is simple:

Step 1 - Choose your box You can pick from curated boxes or build your own.

Step 2 - Pick your delivery schedule Monthly or every 6-8 weeks (I love this flexibility - more on that later). You can easily manage your next box by adjusting delivery dates, pausing your subscription, or making changes before it ships.

Step 3 - Customize with add-ons Think: uncured bacon, salmon, scallops, grass-fed burgers, etc.

Step 4 - Await the frozen meat treasure box delivered Your box is delivered right to your door on your chosen schedule.

Packages arrive with:

🧊 Dry ice 🧊 Insulation 🧊 Everything still frozen solid

Which, let's be honest, is the dream scenario compared to the infamous "my meal kit arrived lukewarm and sad" horror stories.

🍖 Quality of Butcher Box Meat

Now let's talk about the star of the show: the meat.

Butcher Box:

✔ Only offers 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef-this is high quality beef that is fed and grass finished for their entire lives, unlike conventionally raised beef
✔ Uses organic, free-range chicken
✔ Sources heritage breed pork (think better fat marbling & flavor)
✔ Refuses added hormones, antibiotics, or steroids
✔ Works with farms that care about animal welfare + sustainability

You might find the same quality of meat at select local sources, but Butcher Box stands out for its convenience and quality assurance.

As someone who cooks Brazilian-style steak, bone broth, meatballs, and keto recipes regularly, I can confidently say: there's a noticeable difference in flavor. Butcher Box meats, especially Butcher Box beef, taste good and are tender and flavorful when cooked properly. The variety of cuts of meat available makes it easy to fit into any meal plan.

Also: that bacon. Just trust me. Add it to your box.

🥓 Butcher Box Meat Options

One of the biggest perks of Butcher Box is the sheer variety and quality of meats you can get delivered right to your door. Whether you're a steak lover, a chicken enthusiast, or someone who can't resist a good pork chop, there's something for everyone, and it's all a major step up from what you'll find at most local grocery stores.

Butcher Box lets you choose between a curated box (where they pick a balanced selection for you) or a custom box (where you hand-pick every cut to fit your family's tastes and meal plans). This flexibility is perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions, picky eaters, or those who just want more control over what lands in their freezer.

📦 My First Butcher Box Unboxing

In the video I say you'll get $10 off and free ribeyes if you buy your box through my link; however, ButcherBox has already updated the offer. They update it often so you may get free ground beef for life, free Filet Mignons or New York Strip Steaks in each box for a year, or whatever the current promotion is.

When my first box arrived, the kids and my husband circled like it was Christmas morning. Inside my box were:

  • 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef
  • Top sirloin
  • Bone-in pork chops
  • Organic chicken breasts
  • Bacon (best decision ever)
  • A salmon add-on (chef's kiss)
  • Chicken drumsticks
  • Chicken thighs
  • Boneless skinless chicken
  • Flat iron steaks
  • Boneless pork chops
  • Boneless pork loin chops
  • Pork tenderloin
  • Wild salmon

Everything arrived frozen solid, no leaks, no drama. I appreciate that in a meat box.

My family loves to eat meat and eat pork, so having this kind of variety, especially cuts like boneless skinless chicken, chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, and wild salmon, makes the box extra appealing for all our meals.

ButcherBox unboxing bacon

⭐ Butcher Box Reviews: What Other Customers Are Saying

Across the board, I've found reviews highlight:

👍 Flavor difference vs grocery store
👍 ButcherBox meats taste good - customers consistently say the meats are more flavorful, tender, and a step above typical grocery store options
👍 Convenience (no store lines, no mystery meat)
👍 Variety (flat iron steak! pork butt! scallops!)
👍 Customization

Some customers did report:

⚠ Packaging mishaps
⚠ Carrier delays (not shocking… thank you, UPS)

But overall, the service earns consistently positive customer reviews.

ButcherBox unboxing chicken

🔍 Comparison to Other Meat Delivery Services

If you're shopping around, here's how Butcher Box compares (at the time of this writing - check individual websites for updated prices):

ServiceStrengthPricing (Average Price/lb)Flexibility
Butcher BoxQuality + animal welfare + variety$$ (average price: $6–$8/lb)High
Crowd CowTraceability$$–$$$ (average price: $7–$10/lb)High
Good ChopAmerican-raised meats$$ (average price: $6–$8/lb)Medium
Omaha SteaksGifting + bundles$$–$$$ (average price: $8–$12/lb)Low
Local GroceryConvenience$ (average price: $4–$6/lb for grocery store meat)High

Grocery store meat is usually less expensive, but it often doesn't offer the same quality or sourcing standards as Butcher Box or other specialty services. Some local stores may offer the same quality of meat, but you won't get the convenience of home delivery or the assurance of consistent sourcing.

If your priorities are:

🟧 price first → grocery store wins (grocery store meat is cheapest, but quality varies)
🟦 quality + sourcing → Butcher Box wins
🟩 sustainability + welfare transparency → Butcher Box wins

🧰 Customization & Box Options

Curated Boxes:

✔ Mixed Box (beef + chicken + pork)
✔ Beef & Chicken
✔ Beef & Pork
✔ All-Beef

You can select the box size that best fits your household, budget, and freezer space, with options like Classic or Big Box to suit different needs.

Custom Box:

Choose exactly what you want, ideal for picky eaters, meal planning, or specialty diets like low-carb or paleo. The custom box gives you more meat (about 20% more compared to curated boxes), making it a great value for larger families or those looking to stretch their monthly grocery budget. You can pick from a wide variety of cuts of meat, including beef, chicken, pork, and seafood, to match your preferences and meal plans.

Add-ons include:

  • Uncured bacon
  • Scallops
  • Ground turkey
  • Wild-caught salmon
  • Burgers
  • Breakfast sausage

💰 How Much Does Butcher Box Cost?

Prices can fluctuate, but generally (check the website for current costs):

✔ Classic Box (medium box size): around $146/month
✔ Big Box (large box size): around $269/month

The box size you choose affects the total amount of meat you receive, with the Big Box offering more meat, ideal for larger families or those wanting better value.

Breakdown example:

If you get 16-20 lbs of meat, the average price is about $7-$9/lb.

Which is actually competitive for:

🌱 grass-fed beef
🌱 organic chicken
🌱 heritage pork

Custom boxes can provide up to 20% more meat compared to curated boxes, giving you more meat for your money.

Not counting flash sales like free bacon/ground beef for life (yes, that's a thing and yes, we all fall for it happily). Check the Butcher Box website for current prices.

You're charged monthly, but you can always adjust, skip, or reschedule your next box as needed.

ButcherBox unboxing ground chicken, beef, ribeyes

🤔 Is Butcher Box Worth It? (My Honest Thoughts)

For my family? Yes, especially for:

✔ taste
✔ sourcing
✔ cooking inspiration
✔ convenience (the meat subscription service model makes it so much easier to source quality meat for your family)
✔ freezer stash security (keto moms, you know)

If you're comparing to conventional grocery meat, it feels pricier.

If you're comparing to grass-fed at Whole Foods, it often ends up cheaper.

If you're comparing to someone else doing your grocery errands for you? Priceless.

🟢 Pros + Cons Summary

PROS

  • High-quality meat
  • Sustainable + humane sourcing
  • Truly better flavor
  • Flexible subscription
  • Easy to pause/skip/cancel
  • Great for meal prep + families
  • Paleo/Whole30/keto-friendly

CONS

− Costs more than conventional grocery meat
− Requires freezer space
− Delivery hiccups exist (weather + carriers)

❓ FAQ

Do you need a subscription? Yes, Butcher Box is a subscription service with flexible options. You can pause, customize, or cancel at any time to fit your needs.

Does it stay frozen? Mine always has. Your box is delivered frozen to your door, and the dry ice works hard.

Is it good for keto/low carb? Absolutely. High-quality proteins, no hidden sugars.

Can you cancel anytime? Yep, no drama.

How do you manage your next box? Before your next box ships, you'll get an email notification. You can change your delivery date, skip a shipment, or adjust your order easily through your account.

ButcherBox unboxing pork

🍽 Explorer Momma Recipes That Are Perfect for Butcher Box Meat

Once you've filled your freezer with beautiful grass-fed beef, organic chicken, and heritage pork, the next question is: what do I actually cook with all this goodness? Here are a few family-approved Explorer Momma recipes that pair perfectly with Butcher Box cuts:

➡ Easy Keto Beef Tips with Gravy (sirloin tips or stew meat)
Tender, savory, and smothered in a rich low-carb gravy that tastes like Sunday dinner without the fuss.

➡ Buffalo Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes (ground chicken)
All the spicy buffalo flavor you love, packed into a saucy, protein-forward sloppy joe that's a total crowd-pleaser.

➡ Keto Chicken Legs (Air Fryer + Oven Baked) (chicken drumsticks)
Crispy skin, juicy meat, and an easy weeknight prep that works in both the air fryer and oven - choose your own adventure.

➡ Low Carb Keto Butter Chicken (chicken breasts or thighs)
Bold spices, creamy sauce, and surprisingly easy for busy nights.

➡ Instant Pot Keto Carnitas (pork butt or pork shoulder)
Tender, crispy-edged pork perfection that turns into tacos, bowls, salads, and leftovers that never disappoint.

If you're a meal prepper (or just appreciate not panicking at 5:27 pm when someone asks, "What's for dinner?"), Butcher Box + these recipes is a dream team.

🏁 Conclusion: Who Should Consider Butcher Box

Butcher Box is a great match if you:

✔ care about how your food was raised
✔ want high-quality meat without hunting for it
✔ enjoy meal prepping
✔ follow keto, paleo, or Whole30
✔ want fewer grocery store trips

It may not be a match if:

✘ price is your #1 factor
✘ you don't cook often
✘ your freezer is already aggressively full (no judgment)

For my family, we'll keep it. The flavor, convenience, and sourcing standards justify the cost, and I like knowing that our proteins have a story.

ButcherBox unboxing ground beef

📣 How do I get my Butcher Box?

If you'd like to give it a try, Butcher Box often runs generous sign-up bonuses:

👉 Free ground beef for life
👉 Free bacon for life
👉 $30 off your first box
👉 Holiday turkey promos

They update fairly often, so check out the current Butcher Box promotion.

Click here to order your own ButcherBox.

How will you be healthier in the New Year?

Like I said, this is my first step to healthier eating for my family in New Year. For myself, I'm already cutting out sugar and going low-carb with a ketogenic diet, but that doesn't always work for our entire family. I'll be exploring recipes, quality food, and fun ways to get the kids to be healthy, especially for the five-year-old who's become a stubborn goofy goose (his words) stuck in his ways!

Take care of yourself, and let's have an awesome New Year!

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Comments

  1. Mandi Em says

    December 15, 2017 at 9:12 am

    I kept hearing about butcher box but didn't really get what it was. Thanks for this! And best of luck with your health goals!

    Reply
  2. Ashley B says

    December 15, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    I have been thinking about trying the ButcherBoxes. So glad I stumbled across this post to get a little more first-hand information! Thanks for sharing your experience.

    Reply
  3. Allie Lavigueur says

    December 15, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    I've just recently heard of butcher box a few times. Thanks for showing so well what it is! Definitely not enough for my carnivore family (even with myself being 90%vegetarian) but the convenience and quality seems great

    Reply
  4. Jamie says

    December 15, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    This sounds totally healthy and convenient. I love the idea of getting fresh meat delivered. Sounds like a worthwhile box to order.

    Reply
  5. Brittany Ferrell says

    December 15, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    This sounds like a really easy and convenient way to meal plan for your family! We do not eat a lot meat either, so a box like this would definitely last us the entire month or longer! Meal planning is part of my health goals as well as remembering to drink enough water!

    Reply
    • ExplorerMomma says

      December 15, 2017 at 9:46 pm

      Water is a big one here too! I do pretty well drinking enough water, but I have the hardest time getting my daughter to drink much!

      Reply

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