If you prioritize organic or pasture-raised meat in your diet, you probably know how difficult it can be to source it. I spent 12 years raising and eating our own beef, so I already struggle to buy meat at the grocery store, but when I started learning about the benefits of grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken and pork, I knew I had to up my game even more.
The problem was that I couldn't find a local producer who raised their animals on pasture. I live in the midwest, and almost no one questions the conventional method of raising livestock on grains. I know I didn't until just recently, but once I did, I tracked down a couple companies that can provide it.
Why Eat Pastured Meat?
Grass-fed beef is more nutrient dense than conventionally raised meat, including more healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and β-carotene. Pastured poultry contains 50% more vitamin A. Pastured pork has higher levels of omega-3s, vitamin E, iron, zinc, magnesium, and more.
The result is meat that is healthier for your heart, brain, eyes, immune system, and more.
About Wild Pastures
When I realized the benefits of pastured meat, I started looking for sources, and Wild Pastures was the first one I found.
Features:
- Their meat is raised entirely on pasture or grass by family farmers in the United States
- Flexible options for beef, chicken, and pork boxes or mixes of two or all three
- Two sizes of boxes – 15 pounds or 25 pounds
- Customizable with add-on items available
What I Like:
- It's simple to switch out cuts I don't care for – like chicken wings – with something I like better (although it can add to the cost)
- I can add on items like breakfast sausage (theirs is very good!) without switching to a box that includes more pork than I'd like
- We use a lot of ground beef, and it's easy to swap out items to get the amount of ground beef we need
What I Don't Like So Much:
- The base boxes are pretty basic, and any higher quality cuts, like steak, add significantly to the cost
About ButcherBox
After a couple of Wild Pastures boxes, I ran across ButcherBox and decided to try it out.
Features:
- Animals are humanely raised and free of antibiotics and hormones
- Options like grass-fed and finished or grass-fed and grain-finished
- Two box sizes - 6 or 12 cuts
- Customizable with add-ons available
- Seafood options are included in base box
What I Like:
- I can get more expensive cuts at the base box price
- More options of cuts
- Easier to navigate – I can choose any cuts I want instead of having to switch out the preset selections
What I Don't Like So Much:
- I'm limited in the amount of ground beef I can get in each box without adding on extra items
- Their meat isn't all raised in the U.S. (beef is from Australia)
Is ButcherBox or Wild Pastures Better?
I actually can't answer this question. Quality-wise, I haven't noticed a difference. I like each for different reasons, and I alternate between the two. I stock up on ground beef and chicken breasts from Wild Pastures and get steaks and roasts from ButcherBox.
If you want a wider variety and more expensive cuts without paying extra, ButcherBox might be the better option.
If you prefer all U.S.-raised meat and/or want to go heavy on common items like ground beef or chicken breast, Wild Pastures might be better.
Discounts
If you'd like to try either or both of these companies, using these links (or the ones above) will get you a discount on your first box.
Butcher Box – use this link for a $50 discount
Wild Pastures – use this link for a $20 discount
*This site may contain affiliate links, which means you pay the usual price, but a portion of it goes to me and supports my family and small business. I appreciate it and will only ever affiliate for products that I use and love.*
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