Omaha Steaks Review: Variety and Quality Delivered to Your Door

Omaha Steaks is the original online meat delivery service. With humble beginnings as a Midwestern butcher shop, it has expanded into a behemoth that ships nationwide. I’ve heard of Omaha Steaks for years and even given it as a Father’s Day gift. But I’ve never tried it for myself until now.

I cook with meat four to five nights a week, and, like most Americans, it tends to be the centerpiece of those meals. To be responsible in my carnivorism, I look for sustainably sourced meats and make a concerted effort not to waste any meat I purchase. In testing this service, I wanted to see how the quality of the meat would stand up against its competitors. I tried Omaha Steaks for a month, and here’s what I thought.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Huge selection of proteins
• Offers side dishes, desserts, and wine
• Expedited shipping available

Cons

• Very little packaging is recyclable
• Sourcing for meats is not always clear
  

What Is Omaha Steaks?

Omaha Steaks may have started as a small-scale butcher shop, but the nearly 100-year-old company has since become one of the most recognizable names in the meat industry. Today, customers can find beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and less common proteins such as lamb and bison. Omaha Steaks has almost every cut of meat you can think of, along with premade meals, side dishes, desserts, and even wine. You could conceivably have your entire meal delivered right to your door with minimal effort. 

How Does It Work?

One advantage you’ll find when browsing Omaha Steaks’ website is that you don’t need to create an account to see what the company offers; you only need to create an account to place an order. The hardest part may be placing your order; the website is so extensive it’s hard to know where to start. You can filter by protein and cut and select based on cooking method (grill, bake, boil, thaw & serve, to name a few) or dietary needs (ketogenic diet, paleo diet, low sodium, gluten-free). You don’t have to enter your shipping or payment information until you’re ready to purchase. Omaha Steaks delivers to all 50 states (though Alaska and Hawaii have an additional $45 shipping charge).

Pricing

You can order as little as a few hamburger patties or an entire deluxe steak box. Omaha Steaks does offer a steak subscription in one-, two- and three-month increments, which starts at $140 per month and goes up to $170 for the quarterly option. But since so much of the company’s offerings are à la carte, pricing is basically a “choose your own adventure” situation. Shipping is free for orders over $169, and the company offers express and rush shipping for an added $25 to $55, depending on how quickly you want your order.

Meal Choices

To get a good sampling of what Omaha Steaks has to offer, I browsed the company’s “value bundles” to find a box that included at least three different kinds of protein in several different cuts. The “Value Assortments” had an option for a “Value Freezer Filler,” which included:

• 4 (6 oz.) Filet Mignons
• 4 (5 oz.) Butcher's Cut Top Sirloins
• 4 (5 oz.) Air-Chilled Boneless Chicken Breasts
• 4 (6 oz.) Ground Beef
• 4 (3 oz.) Gourmet Jumbo Franks
• 4 (6 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers
• 1 (3.1-oz. jar) Omaha Steaks Seasoning

When this article was written, the Value Freezer Filler cost $144, with a promotional $30 off a first-time order and free shipping.

Packaging

My shipment arrived in a white polystyrene container with the contents frozen solid, making it easy to transfer to my freezer. The container was full of individual cardboard boxes, which contained frozen, vacuum-sealed meats. Everything was packed tightly and neatly, and I was surprised that everything remained frozen despite the lack of dry ice or gel packs. Though most of the packaging was not recyclable (except for the cardboard), the foam container is reusable; I’m saving it for when I need to transport food or drinks without worrying about reclaiming my cooler.

Cooking Process and Taste

Overall, I found the flavors and textures of the meats I purchased from Omaha Steaks to be excellent. I tried various cooking methods, including a charcoal grill, a pellet grill, pan-searing, and roasting. The first items I cooked in the box were the beef franks, which I grilled. They were of excellent quality but lacked the “snap” you find with a really good casing. The filet mignons were small but very thick, which made it easy to grill them to a lovely medium-rare; these proved tender and easy to cut. The chicken breasts, though thin, were still juicy after a stint in my air fryer. 

I should note that I did not choose any of Omaha Steaks’ heat-and-eat prepared meals, though the company does offer those. These could be a good option for busy home cooks who want to get a meal on the table with minimal fuss.

Who Should Use Omaha Steaks?

Omaha Steaks is a great option if you want to forgo the butcher counter or grocery store and have your meat sent directly to you. It has a truly impressive selection, and if you’re going to put on a full meal without much effort, the company has options for that, too. The bulk options are also convenient if you have a deep freezer that you want to keep stocked. Remember that you’d have to balance convenience against the shipping costs you’d incur (though getting over $169 worth of meat and sides wouldn’t be difficult); at a minimum, you’d be paying $10. 

Final Thoughts

If you occasionally want high-quality meat delivered directly, Omaha Steaks is an excellent option. However, its lack of sourcing transparency and a subscription option means that those who wish for more detail about their proteins’ provenance may want to look elsewhere, as will those who prefer the convenience of having a monthly delivery (with Omaha Steaks’ Steak Lovers subscription being a notable exception). Still, the sheer variety is unparalleled, and the convenience of having an entire meal arrive ready to cook is a tough proposition to beat. I could see myself using Omaha Steaks again for special occasions, gifting, or to find a specific cut of meat that would be difficult to find locally; I don’t see it entirely replacing my local grocers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Sets Omaha Steaks Apart from Other Brands?

Omaha Steaks stands out from other meat delivery services due to its long-standing history and the sheer variety of food that it offers. The option for express shipping is incredibly convenient; if you’re willing to pay the additional fee, you could have your order on your doorstep in as few as one to two days, and that order could consist of anything from chicken nuggets to wagyu beef.

How Long Will Omaha Steaks Last in the Refrigerator?

The USDA recommends keeping thawed beef, pork, and poultry in your refrigerator for no more than three to five days before cooking. After the meat has been cooked, it can be safely stored in your refrigerator for three to four days.Frozen meats can be stored for more extended periods; based on the protein and cut, this can vary between four and 12 months. It’s always best to check the packaging for recommendations.

Are Omaha Steaks Prime or Choice Beef?

The terms “prime” and “choice” come from the USDA’s system of grading beef. This system has three tiers: Prime, Choice, and Select (from highest to lowest rating). Omaha Steaks doesn’t grade its steaks based on the USDA grading system; it uses its own method based on factors such as tenderness, consistency, and marbling. 

Are Omaha Steaks Products Frozen When You Get Them?

For the most part, yes. Omaha Steaks ships its meat frozen, though some sides and desserts will arrive chilled to avoid altering the texture. The company recommends thawing your meat using one of two methods: letting it thaw in the refrigerator or running the frozen meat under cold running water. The former takes more time (12 to 24 hours, depending on the meat’s thickness) but helps preserve the meat’s texture better than the rapid-thaw method.