Shopping and eating habits have changed significantly over the years, and these days, more people turn to meat delivery services to stock their kitchens with high-quality cuts without the hassle of grocery shopping. Whether you’re looking for premium grass-fed beef, heritage pork or organic chicken, online meat delivery services offer many benefits.
What is a meat delivery service?
Meat delivery services ship fresh or frozen meats directly to your doorstep. Many companies work directly with farmers and ranchers, ensuring better sourcing and transparency than traditional supermarkets. Some services offer subscription boxes with a curated selection, while others allow you to customize your order.
While butcher shops have existed for centuries, meat delivery services are a relatively new innovation. The concept gained traction in the early 2000s but saw a major boom in the past few years, especially during the pandemic. In 2021 alone, the global online meat market was valued at over $9 billion, according to a study by Grand View Research, and it continues to grow as more people shift to online grocery shopping.
The increased knowledge about farming practices and the desire for more sustainable proteins are also behind the rise. Companies like Force of Nature focus on regenerative agriculture that’s better for the planet. They also provide meat higher in omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients due to the 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised meat they produce.
“Eating sustainable meat that has been raised the way nature intended is extremely important to me and my family. It’s not always easy to find regenerative, organic and pasture-raised sources locally, so I often order online in bulk. I love the variety available, especially for game meats, which are impossible to find in a regular grocery store, and feel great about supporting farming I believe in.”
— Gina Matsoukas, Running to the Kitchen
What kinds of meat can you get?
One of the biggest benefits of a meat delivery service is the variety available. Grocery stores often have a limited selection, but online services give you access to a broader range of meats. Many companies offer high-quality beef, pork, chicken and seafood, but some — like Force of Nature Meats — go even further with specialty options.
Beef lovers can find everything from grain-fed to grass-fed, wagyu and dry-aged cuts. Some services even provide lesser-known cuts like bavette, picanha or hanger steak, which are harder to find at a typical grocery store.
If you want to explore beyond the basics, many services offer lamb, bison, venison and even wild game, including boar. For cuts of meat and varieties you may not be familiar with, the company websites and packaging typically suggest how to cook them and what recipes you can use them with to give you a head start.
Seafood lovers can also find responsibly sourced fish and shellfish from companies like Vital Choice. That includes more varieties of salmon than you probably knew existed, in addition to everything from black cod to calamari and even canned tuna and salmon that follow the same wild-caught and sustainably farmed fishing practices.
“As someone who loves to experiment with food, I use mail-order meat services to procure cuts that are difficult for me to find locally. Last year, I ordered Brazilian picanha roast, sablefish, Chilean sea bass, beef cheeks and oxtail online.”
— Michelle Goth, Blackberry Babe
Why delivery services are better than grocery store meat
Many people assume fresh meats from the grocery store are always the best choice, but that’s not necessarily true. Most grocery store meat has already been frozen and thawed before it reaches the shelves. If you freeze it again at home, the quality can suffer due to moisture loss and texture changes.
Meat delivery services generally flash-freeze their products immediately after processing, locking freshness at its peak. This helps preserve the flavor, texture and nutrients, providing you with a product that is fresher than what’s available at most stores.
Since the meat arrives frozen, you can store it in your freezer until you’re ready to use it, reducing waste and allowing you to plan meals without worrying about spoilage. It is often frozen in individual servings, making it easy to meal prep.
Most services offer flexible delivery schedules, allowing you to set up recurring shipments or order on demand. This is especially useful if you live in an area with limited butcher options, follow a ketovore diet requiring high-quality meats or prefer to plan your meals ahead of time.
Because these companies often work directly with farmers, there’s better transparency about where your meat comes from. Unlike mass-produced grocery store meat, which usually goes through multiple suppliers before reaching shelves, many delivery services have a shorter supply chain.
This means fresher, better-tasting meat. This makes a difference when you cook dishes where the flavor of the meat is a focus, especially grilled dishes, but even pot roasts and other slow-cooked meals simply have a better flavor with higher-quality meat you can get from a delivery service.
Cost and value: Is it worth the price?
While meat delivery services sometimes cost more than grocery store options, many customers find the value worth it. You’re paying for higher-quality meat, better sourcing and the convenience of home delivery.
Some companies also offer bulk discounts, making it more affordable than buying premium cuts at a high-end butcher. Additionally, you can often find coupons online to reduce the cost.
When factoring in the time and effort saved by skipping the store, the cost often balances out. Couple that with the fact that the prices are also much less than the cost of dining at a restaurant, and meat delivery services quickly become your go-to option.
What to expect from your first order
It can feel somewhat intimidating if you’ve never ordered from a meat delivery service before. However, the websites of reputable companies like Force of Nature and Vital Choice make it easy to determine what and how to order.
Decide what best fits your needs, whether that’s a subscription-based box or a one-time order. With either choice, select your meats with the understanding that some services provide pre-set options while others allow you to choose the exact items and quantity you want each time.
Once you order, the meat arrives frozen or fresh in insulated packaging. The companies use dry ice or gel packs to keep everything at the right temperature. Be sure to bring your boxes inside as quickly as possible to store the meat properly, and remember to follow any safety warnings on the packaging.
Join the trend and upgrade the meat you enjoy at home
Meat delivery services offer a hassle-free way to get high-quality, ethically sourced meat delivered straight to your house. Whether you’re looking for grass-fed beef, heritage pork or organic chicken, these services provide convenience, customization and often better quality than traditional grocery stores.
Michelle Price is a food and travel writer at Honest and Truly who almost has an empty nest. She loves to provide both the inspiration and the confidence you need to help get you into the kitchen and on the road to enjoy new flavors and experiences.