Looking for Butchers in Denver? As Denver’s culinary scene continues to flourish, so does the city’s appetite for high-quality, locally sourced meats. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook, a BBQ enthusiast, or simply a carnivorous food lover, finding the right butcher can elevate your culinary creations to another level.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect cut of meat or simply want to understand more about the farm-to-fork journey of your dinner, our guide to the best butchers in and around Denver will provide you with all the insights you need.
What to Look For When Choosing a Butcher in Denver
When choosing a butcher, knowing what sets the best ones apart is essential. Here are some top factors to consider:
- Quality and Variety of Products: An excellent butcher shop offers a wide range of high-quality, fresh meats, including cuts you might not find in your average grocery store. The meats should look and smell fresh, with a vibrant color.
- Knowledge and Service: The staff should be knowledgeable and approachable, ready to answer any questions about their products, recommend specific cuts, and provide advice on cooking methods.
- Local Sourcing and Sustainability: With the growing awareness of the environmental impact of food, a good butcher shop should prioritize locally sourced and sustainably raised meat. Choosing the best options supports local farmers and ensures the meat is as fresh as possible.
- Sourcing Transparency: The butcher should be able to tell you where the meat comes from and how the animals were raised and processed. Transparency gives you peace of mind about the food you’re consuming.
- Education: Top-notch butcher shops are also educators. They will take the time to share their knowledge about the products and inspire you to try new cuts and cooking methods.
Now that you know more about what to look for in a good butcher shop, it’s time to start shopping. Here’s our list of the top butchers around Denver – each offering unique cuts, specialty meats, and friendly customer service.
The Butcher’s Hook
Location: 3719 Evergreen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439.
At The Butcher’s Hook, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality Colorado-raised meat products. Our commitment extends beyond offering excellent meats – we believe in providing a personalized shopping experience.
Cora Gains, our lead butcher, is one of the only female butchers in the state and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her previous career as a cook and chef in many Denver restaurants.
We take pride in our whole animal butchery, using every part of the animal, from the hide to the bones, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Our approach allows us to dedicate the time and care necessary to achieve a superior end product. At The Butcher’s Hook, we aim to set a sustainable, community-oriented, and high-quality butchery standard.
Oliver’s Meat Market
Location: 1718 E 6th Ave., Denver
Oliver’s Meat Market has a rich history spanning over a century, solidifying its status as a culinary cornerstone of Denver. As a cherished family-owned establishment, it has provided Denverites with locally sourced, corn-fed beef, and an array of other meats.
Most of Oliver’s products are sourced right within Colorado, including pork from Brush, lamb from the western portions of the state, and beef from eastern Colorado.
But Oliver’s is not just about providing exceptional products. What sets them apart is their commitment to customer service and education. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice home cook, the knowledgeable staff at Oliver’s is always ready to guide you in the right direction.
The Local Butcher
Location: 2669 Larimer St., Denver
Housed in the bustling Denver Central Market, The Local Butcher prides itself on serving a remarkable selection of meats, including aged beef, pork, lamb, bison, and poultry.
Their strong commitment to local sourcing means that 80 percent of their meats come from Colorado’s own farms and ranches, fostering a close connection to the local community and economy.
Owner Justin Herd and his team don’t just sell meat; they provide their customers with a comprehensive experience. Their guidance on preparing recipes and cooking various cuts is invaluable to patrons, helping to demystify the world of butchery and enabling customers to explore new culinary possibilities.
Edwards Meats
Location: 12280 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO
Edwards Meats, located in Wheat Ridge, is more than just a butcher shop – a culinary landmark serving the local community since its establishment. Edwards Meets is renowned for its exceptional selection of meats, accompanied by top-notch customer service that is both friendly and informative.
Known for its dedication to quality and variety, Edwards Meats provides an array of products, from locally sourced cuts to imported delicacies.
The team at Edwards takes great pride in offering traditional cuts of beef, pork, and poultry and an expansive selection of exotic meats and games, catering to the tastes of even the most adventurous eaters.
Chihuas Carniceria
Location: 4660 Peoria St, Denver
For fresh, high-quality meats with a flair in Denver, Chihuas Carniceria is the go-to destination for many local residents. This reliable and esteemed butcher shop takes immense pride in offering a variety of selections, catering to everyday needs as well as special occasions.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect cut for a holiday feast, a family dinner, or a casual lunch, the professional butchers at Chihuas Carniceria have got you covered. Their extensive range of specialty meats includes everything from beef shank and round steak to pork loin and chicken legs.
Chihuahuas Carniceria takes a Latin approach to the classic butcher shop. Experience the authentic flavors and aromas from their selection of imported Latin spices, seasonings, and sauces.
Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats
Location: 650 W 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats was founded in the early 1940s as an egg and poultry farm. Since then, their customer service and excellence have helped them become a go-to destination for quality meats. Their commitment to local sourcing is strong, and they work with local providers to offer the best cuts of meat.
While not all their meat is locally sourced, they take pride in supporting the local community by offering other locally produced items like dairy products, pies, pickles, and tamales.
Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats is family-owned – offering a friendly, community-centric feel, making every shopping experience a pleasure.
Blackbelly
Location: 1606 Conestoga St #3, Boulder
Blackbelly is a beloved market and butcher shop in Boulder, pioneering as the city’s first independent whole-animal butchery. Renowned for their commitment to sustainability, they constantly innovate sustainable feeding practices for livestock.
Head butcher Nate Singer takes pride in using beef sourced from his home region of Carter County in Wyoming. Pork and lamb are also locally sourced from McDonald Family Farm in Brush, Colorado, and Boulder Lamb & Meats, respectively, ensuring that each cut served at Blackbelly contributes to local farming communities.
Other butchers to check out in Denver:
Gourmet Meat and Sausages
Location: 9168 W Jewell Ave #2, Lakewood, CO 80232
Tony’s Meats & Market
Location: 991 E Dry Creek Rd, Centennial, CO 80122
Marczyk Fine Foods
Locations:
- 770 E. 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
- 5100 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
A World of Carnivorous Delights Awaits in Denver
The Denver region is truly a meat lover’s paradise, home to many top-quality butchers. Each brings its unique flair and specialty to the table, but they all share a common thread – a deep commitment to quality, local sourcing, and the art of butchery.
At The Butcher’s Hook, we value your curiosity and are always ready to guide you through our selection, share our expertise, and help you make the best choice for your culinary endeavors. We are committed to elevating your home dining experience with personalized service and exceptional products.
Come visit The Butcher’s Hook today to experience a unique blend of tradition, quality, and customer service. Your journey to exploring Colorado’s finest meats starts here.