Ordering meat online is brilliant, but the services on offer are genuinely different from one another, and the right one depends on what you actually want. We're an online butcher ourselves, so we've got a horse in this race, but a one-sided guide is no use to anyone. Here's an honest look at the main UK fresh meat delivery options, including where others beat us.
The main players at a glance
| Service | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Fat Butcher | Butcher quality at everyday prices, with a steakhouse behind it | Balancing quality and value, flexible boxes, bulk buys |
| Donald Russell | Premium, Royal Warrant, long-matured steaks | Special occasions and the finest dry-aged cuts |
| Farmison & Co | Premium, British heritage and native breeds (now part of Donald Russell) | Rare-breed, provenance-led shopping |
| Musclefood | Budget, high-protein, fitness-focused | Cheap bulk protein and meal prep |
Where each one wins
Donald Russell and Farmison: the premium end
If your priority is the absolute finest, long dry-aged steaks, heritage and native breeds, real provenance, these are hard to beat. Donald Russell holds a Royal Warrant and matures its beef for weeks; Farmison built its name on British native breeds (the two are now under the same ownership). You pay premium prices for it, and for a big celebration meal that can be exactly right.
Musclefood: the budget and fitness pick
If you want the lowest price per kilo and you're buying protein by the bulk hamper for meal prep, Musclefood is built for you. It leans into the fitness market with lean meats, ready meals and macros-first bundles. It's not trying to be a traditional craft butcher, and it's honest about that, some of its meat is sourced from across the UK and EU rather than being single-origin British.
The Fat Butcher: quality and value, with flexibility
Where we aim to land is the middle ground that suits most people: proper butcher-prepared meat (the same we serve in our own steakhouse), at everyday prices rather than special-occasion ones. Our strengths are flexibility and range, build-your-own boxes, daily deals, bulk options for the freezer, choose-your-day delivery and an app. If you want great meat for your normal weekly cooking, not just a treat, that's who we're for.
So which should you choose?
- A once-a-year showstopper steak? Donald Russell or Farmison.
- Cheapest bulk protein for the gym? Musclefood.
- Great everyday meat, flexible boxes and value? That's us, The Fat Butcher.
There's no single winner, only the right fit for what you're cooking and your budget.
Common questions about fresh meat delivery
Is delivered meat as fresh as a butcher's shop?
Yes, when it's done properly. Good services cut and pack to order and ship it chilled, so it often arrives fresher than meat that's sat on a supermarket shelf. Check the shelf life shown on each product.
How is the meat kept cold in transit?
Reputable butchers use insulated packaging with ice packs to hold temperature throughout the journey. Ours is packed to stay chilled from door to door, see how we deliver for the detail.
Is buying meat online cheaper than the supermarket?
It can be, especially if you buy in bulk and compare like-for-like quality. We break the maths down in this guide.
Can I choose my delivery day?
With most good services, yes, and you should, meat shouldn't turn up unannounced. At The Fat Butcher you pick your delivery day at checkout.
Which online butcher is best overall?
It depends on your priority: premium (Donald Russell/Farmison), budget bulk (Musclefood), or everyday quality and value (us). Match the service to the job.
Try us
See how we compare on your own terms, browse our meat boxes, build your own box, or read our guide to choosing an online butcher.
Prices, ranges and ownership can change, this reflects the market at the time of writing.