8 Things Your Whole Foods Market Butcher Can Do For You

Get insider tips for shopping our Meat department from our Global Meat Buyer.

When you visit our Meat department, you know you’re in good hands. And I’m not just talking about our high-quality cuts and industry-leading standards. I’m talking about our butchers. As the Global Meat Buyer for Whole Foods Market and a third-generation butcher, there's nothing I love more than helping our customers find the perfect cut — and teaching them something new in the process. Rest assured, our butchers are at your service to make weeknight dinners or special occasions easier. Keep reading to learn about the special services and expertise they offer.

We’ll custom cut any roast or steak.

We have butchers in every store, and most stores also have an apprentice who knows how to cut meat. If you want a roast, we’ll tie it by hand. And we can also cut steaks to order.

We can cut or debone poultry for you.

Pick out a whole chicken from behind our case — and we’ll handle the prep work for you. If you want it broken down into breasts and thighs, we can do that. If you want it spatchcocked, where the backbone is removed and chicken is flattened, we can do that. Just ask!

We’ll tell how to cook a certain cut of meat.

Whether a particular cut catches your eye or is on sale, ask your butcher how to cook it. They’re happy to offer ideas. For example, if you’re buying flat-iron steaks, we’d suggest braising or grilling opens in a new tab it for the best flavor.

Or we'll suggest which one is the best for any occasion.

Tell us the occasion and the number of guests, and we’ll tell you exactly what and how much to buy. If you’re hosting a crowd, don’t try cooking steak for every single person at your party! Try a flat iron steak or a tri-tip roast instead. Just season, grill and slice thinly for fajitas or a salad.

We can season or marinate any cut of meat or poultry.

Most stores have plenty of seasonings and marinades in the back, and our butchers are happy to break them out for you. Just tell us what you want in the meat case, and we’ll take care of the rest. All you need to do is cook and enjoy. If you’re in a hurry, we sell meat that’s already marinated and seasoned.

We love helping you learn about our meat.

You’ve probably heard the terms grass-fed, dry-aged and prime. But what do they all mean? Just ask our butchers. They’re happy to break down all of these terms, and more, so you can feel good about the variety you’re buying.

We make our sausages in-house.

Our butchers are also sausage-meisters! Through the Global Animal Partnership Animal Welfare Certified program and whole animal sourcing, we often have extra trim meat. We use it to make high-quality, fresh sausages in a variety of unique flavors that change throughout the seasons.

We’ll get you ready for the holidays.

Preorder your holiday turkey with us — we have plenty of them! We offer fresh, frozen, organic, and kosher turkeys. For Christmas, we’ll even cut standing rib roast to any size you need. Also ask about butterflied leg of lamb, too. It looks impressive and is relatively quick to cook. Above all, don’t be afraid to ask our butchers questions. That’s why we’re here.

Explore More