This Butcher Box review contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
I always try to do the right thing for my family, but sometimes it can be hard. A while back, I learned that I was making a major mistake when buying beef.
Like many of you, it is important to me to feed my family right. Last year, I got off-track, but I have been working hard to right this ship this year.
So far I am doing pretty darn good.
We all know we should eat organic and non-GMO as much as possible, but sometimes that is easier said in done.
When it comes down to it, I often feel that it is a challenge to understand the quality of food that I am getting. Is it just me or are things getting more and more confusing?
Of all the things I struggle with, one of the most is finding high-quality meat that I feel good about serving my family.
Have you guys seen the video on Facebook about the quality of grocery store meat?
Um, yeah.
The reality is that the food system in this country is broken.
Animals are fed foods they shouldn’t be eating.
They are overfed and mistreated.
All of this, in the name of profits.
People outside of major metros often lack access to the right foods. And frankly, many aren’t sure how to eat at all!
With the increasing focus on the quality of our foods, it may shock you to learn that just 1 – 3 % of the beef produced in the United States is 100% grass-fed and finished. Unfortunately, this is inaccessible in many parts of the country.
My Big Mistake
For a long time, I thought that all I needed to worry about was if the meat was organic. Sadly, this is a big mistake when buying meat. Beef can be organic, but if it isn’t 100% grass-fed then you are eating meat that is not good for you. (FYI, beef can also be labeled grass-fed, but not be grass-finished. This means it isn’t 100% grass fed and is therefore not good for you.)
We travel a lot, and I can attest to the fact that there are MANY, MANY locations that I can’t find 100% grass-fed beef. And especially grass-fed beef where I can feel good about the sourcing.
Fortunately, there is ButcherBox.
Not only do they offer the healthiest and highest quality grass-fed beef, but they also offer organic pastured chicken (something else I have struggled to find) and heritage pork.
Their mission is simple: to make 100% grass-fed beef accessible throughout the United States in a convenient way that is ideally suited to our fast-paced, modern world. Ultimately, they are working to align all Americans back with nature.
Why Grass-Fed Beef?
For starters, grass-fed beef tastes better. If you don’t believe me, give it a try for yourself! You will be shocked at the difference.
(Moreover, the grass-fed beef from ButcherBox tastes SO MUCH better than any grass fed beef I have found locally. I didn’t say a word to my husband, and he noticed immediately.)
Beyond that, there are significant health benefits.
SPECIAL OFFER!!!
Anyone who buys their first ButcherBox through my link will get $10 off PLUS Free Burgers!
The Health Benefits of Grass Fed Beef
I can remember when I was growing up and I started hearing beef be touted as “grain-fed” as if that was a good thing. It isn’t. Cows are meant to eat grass, and when they do, they are healthier. When cows are fed corn (which is usually GMO) and grains, it increases the Omega-6’s in the resulting meat.
Our bodies rely on the correct balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats to regulate inflammation. Most of us get too many Omega-6’s, and beef that is not grass-fed can play a significant role in this. The result is internal inflammation that may lead to chronic disease.
Grass-Fed beef is also a great source of CLA. CLA helps the body convert fat into lean muscle. Research shows that CLA can decrease body fat, especially in the abdomen. It is believed to help improve the metabolism, help with insulin resistance and reduce adrenal imbalances. (Source: The Art of Healthy Eating.)
How Does ButcherBox Work?
Each month you will receive a box of curated cuts of meat. You can choose between an all beef box, a mixed box with beef, chicken and pork, beef and chicken, pork and chicken, or beef and pork. The cost each month is $129 and you will receive between eight and eleven pounds of meat. If you have a big family, you can get a double box for $238. Since the boys are getting so close to their teens, this is in my near future!
ButcherBox Meats
Beef
All ButcherBox meats are 100% Grass-fed and grass-finished. Their cattle spend their entire life on pasture land where they eat a natural diet of grass. In winter months where it is too cold to graze outside, they receive other grasses like silage and hay. The cattle are humanely raised and never given antibiotics or hormones.
Grass-fed beef is usually much leaner than conventional beef, but even mild ones like filet offer a pronounced flavor that is unmistakable.
Chicken
ButcherBox offers both free range organic and pastured chicken. This is important because pastured chickens spend their lives foraging in the fields and have a greater nutrient density than their cooped-up counterparts. It also tastes better! Think of the difference between a tomato in the dead of winter versus a juicy heirloom tomato at the peak of summer!
Pork
ButcherBox pork is heritage breed and free of antibiotics, hormones, and GMOs. The pork is either pastured or raised in open barns with space to engage in natural behaviors and given bedding.
My Thoughts – Butcher Box Review
In My First Box, I Received:
- 2 packages Organic Chicken Drumsticks
- 1 package Organic Chicken Tenders
- 4 Grass-Fed Ranch Steaks
- 2 packages Grass-Fed Ground Beef
- 2 Boneless Grass-Fed Ribeye Steaks
- 1 package Grass-Fed Beef Steak Tips
This felt like a lot of meat to me, and I was immediately thrilled with my full freezer. Given that it is already warm here, I was impressed with the packaging and the fact that the meat had not even begun to thaw.
As far as taste, we were blown away. My husband hates ground beef (he is a meat snob and usually only likes Ribeyes). He will eat beef tacos, but he is never happy with it.
He wasn’t home when the shipment arrived, and I hadn’t mentioned to him that I was getting it.
One bite of the tacos and he immediately stopped and said: “Wendy, where did you get this meat?”
I was alarmed that something was wrong and asked him why he was asking.
“Because it is the best ground beef I have had in years. It actually has flavor.”
I know you will love it as much as I do!
that box looks amazing. I love that they are sending out grass fed. it’s so much better for you. I’m off to check it out.
Butcher Box sounds great. You’re so right. Our food system has really gotten off track. That’s what greed will do.
Great information! When it comes to meat, I only want to buy the best. A subscription box like this would make a wonderful Father’s Day gift for my husband.
It makes complete sense that grass-fed is the best. Organic just means all-natural. You can feed a cow all-natural ground up beef and still have all-natural mad cow! That’s an exaggeration, but you get what I”m saying.
This is great information! I had no idea that grass fed and grass finished were different things.
Wow, this meat sounds like it is really high quality. I prefer grass-fed beef but I have to admit I don’t always buy it. It sounds like I should start.
Wow! This sounds like a great company! I love feeding grass feed beef to my family!
Isn’t it amazing what they do in the name of profits? They fill these cows up with corn which is not good for their digestive system, and therefore not good for us to eat!
ButcherBox sounds like something I would totally subscribe to! I like finding meats and poultry that are of high quality for me and my family – nothing but the best and ButcherBox sounds like they can totally deliver on this.
I’m very picky with my meat and usually go to the butcher but I will check Butcher Box out because I do want my meat to be the best quality. We put enough junk in our body
This looks like an interesting service, as well as a healthy.
My family already utilizes the prepped meal service, which has healthy dinner choices for some of the dinners.
So, I may look into this for the other times.
This is such a great and helpful post! I never thought of these things before but I think it’s really important to know! Thanks for sharing!
It’s frustrating that it’s so hard to buy healthy, great products for your family. I appreciate that there are options for taking some of the guess work out. Need to try the Butcher Box.
Beef can be pretty tricky to buy. I try not to eat too much of it though.
I get it, too. Great meat. I get the beef, pork and chicken box. In fact my box is coming today! Yay!
Wow. I did not even know there was a difference between grass fed and grass finished. I think we should really pay attention on the food we buy. I will check out Butcherbox too. At least with them I know I am getting better meat.
After reading your post, I will be more careful in picking my meat! Better yet, I will take advantage of Butcher box. I can be assured that the meat I will serve my family is safe and of good quality.
I love to cook, but definitely find it a challenge sometimes with what is on hand for recipes. This sounds like an amazing box! I would definitely love to check it out someday!