For years, I’m a vegetarian, a few years ago I realized just how much better my body feels when I’m eating high-quality animal protein. While I understand why many people choose not to eat meat, I couldn’t ignore the positive impact it had on my energy, performance, and hormonal balance. However, finding consistently high-quality meat at local stores proved frustrating. That led me to investigate meat subscription boxes and ultimately, to Good Chop—a service that delivers responsibly sourced meat and seafood to your door. I tested Good Chop to assess its quality, taste, and overall service and whether it lives up to the hype.
What is Good Chop?
Good Chop is a meat delivery service offering customizable subscription boxes featuring a variety of responsibly sourced meat and seafood. The online butcher has over 50 cuts of raw meat and seafood to choose from, with a few fully cooked options also available. Good Chop sources meat and seafood from domestic family farms and independent ranchers committed to animal welfare and sustainability. This means the meat is raised without hormones or antibiotics, and many options are organic and grass-fed. The brand offers premium beef options, responsibly raised chicken, and vegetarian-fed pork, as well as wild-caught salmon, shrimp, and Alaskan halibut.
How Good Chop Works
Signing up for Good Chop is straightforward. You first select your desired box size:
- Medium boxes ($149) : Recommended for individuals or couples, offering up to 36 portions (14 pounds) with a choice of six cuts.
- Large boxes ($269) : Suitable for medium-sized families, with up to 72 portions (28 pounds) across 12 cuts.
- Extra Large boxes ($359) : Ideal for larger families and those with ample freezer space, featuring up to 36 portions (14 pounds) across 18 cuts.
Once you choose your box size and how often you want it delivered (every 4, 6, or 8 weeks), you can fill the box with your desired cuts. Options include thick-cut bacon, pork chops, ground beef, ground bison, chicken wings, and various seafood choices.
After filling your box, you’ll create an account with your email and password and provide your delivery address. Good Chop allows you to specify your preferred delivery day and add delivery instructions. Finally, you’ll enter your payment information and you’re all set. You’ll receive an email alert when your box ships, typically arriving one to two days after shipment. All meat and seafood is flash-frozen at peak freshness and arrives still frozen in an insulated box, requiring immediate transfer to the freezer. Subscriptions can be canceled or paused at any time, but you must cancel by the Sunday before the shipment date to avoid being charged.
My Experience Testing Good Chop
To get a comprehensive view of Good Chop, I tested some of the brand’s most popular cuts:
- Ground beef
- Beef ribeye steak
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Gulf shrimp
- Wild-caught Sockeye salmon
- Pork uncured bacon
I was pleased by Good Chop’s efficient delivery—the box arrived intact and the contents were still frozen. The amount of food in the medium box was impressive, although it did require some organization in my small New York City apartment freezer.
The meat tasted notably fresh. While I was slightly disappointed that some cuts weren’t organic or grass-fed, I did notice a clear difference in freshness and flavor compared to similar products from my local grocery store. My boyfriend immediately commented on the difference in the burgers I made using the Good Chop ground beef. The ribeye steak was tender and juicy, and the wild-caught Sockeye salmon, my favorite item, had vibrant color and delicious taste. The shrimp and chicken tasted great, and my boyfriend praised the rich and juicy bacon.
What I’d Change About Good Chop
While I enjoyed the quality of the meat and seafood, I was disappointed that the cuts I received weren’t consistently the highest quality offered by the brand. For instance, I received standard ground beef instead of the 100% grass-fed option, and standard chicken breasts instead of the free-range and organic cut.
I appreciate that Good Chop provides these premium options, but I question why they also offer less premium options at similar prices. I believe that all options on the site should reflect the brand’s high standards. Fortunately, you can easily fill your box with the more premium cuts by carefully browsing the site and selecting those marked as organic, grass-fed, free-range, USDA Choice, etc.
Is Good Chop Worth It?
The cost of meat subscription services initially deterred me, but I was surprised by the amount of food in the Good Chop box—even the smallest option! Realistically, you’re likely saving money compared to weekly grocery store trips. More importantly, the quality and freshness are superior to most cuts at my local store. While a specialty butcher might offer similar quality (depending on location), Good Chop’s convenience is a major advantage. I believe that Good Chop is a valuable option for families, couples, or individuals who regularly eat meat and want to keep their freezer stocked with high-quality options. Careful selection of cuts is crucial, as some are significantly better quality than others.
The Takeaway
Paying attention to the quality of our protein is just as important as the quantity. Good Chop simplifies stocking your freezer with high-quality, sustainably sourced meat and seafood options, allowing you to truly taste the difference.
