Donald Russell Reviews 

2,941
TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.5

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 232 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many shoppers regularly buy a variety of items, noting that the meat quality remains consistently high and tastes amazing. Buyers also value the convenient delivery service, pointing out that boxes arrive well packed with dry ice on the scheduled date. However, some reviewers were not happy with occasional missing items in their orders and unexpected delivery delays. Consumers additionally described frustrating experiences trying to contact support, noting that emails and phone calls often went unanswered. A few buyers also experienced issues with product consistency, mentioning changes in recipes or unexpected gristle.

What people talk about most

Product

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with product quality, ranging from deep disappointment to... See more

Quality

Clients share ambiguous opinions on quality, highlighting both exceptional satisfaction and severe... See more

Delivery service

Consumers find delivery service to be ambiguous, reflecting a wide range of differing experiences. Many... See more

Order

People report ambiguous experiences with order, as opinions on delivery and packaging are highly divided.... See more

Customer service

Users describe ambiguous interactions with customer service, as experiences vary significantly. While many... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I've had many delicious meats, but, unfortunately, the two rib roast did not live up to expectations. Cooked as per instructions..looked delicious from outside..meat itself was excellent ..once... See more

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

First time ordering from them. The Christmas pudding was great but not sure it was worth £20. The pastry on the beef wellington was very chewy but the meat was good. The whole chicken was fine but... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I ordered meat regularly from D R before covid and wouldnt have gone anywhere else. Top quality, choice, price, delivery. This is my 3rd order since these days and i find some of the prices rathe... See more

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I buy beef and lamb products from Donald Russell and they are excellent and good value. It's unfortunate, however, that they have ceased to offer free-range pork and poultry products, so I have to go... See more


Company details

  1. Food, Beverages & Tobacco

Written by the company

Based in Aberdeenshire, a region renowned for its high quality produce, Donald Russell is an award-winning fine food specialist and supplier to some of the world’s top restaurants. Enjoyed by customers all over the UK, their passion for great-tasting food has earned them the status of Royal Warrant holder for almost 50 years and 34 Great Taste awards, as judged by discerning Food Critics. Their extensive range includes grass-fed British beef and lamb, locally landed seafood, fully prepared meals and much more.


Contact info

3.5

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3K reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 44% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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3.5

All reviews

(2,941)

229 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered 2 Cote de Beouf in December £26…

Ordered 2 Cote de Beouf in December £26 each, absolutely awful cuts, sinewy, tuff I have photos, phoned Donald Russell several times, kept waiting no answer, sent 3 emails with photo, no reply as of 14th Jan 26, all I can say is they seem not to care, this is one customer of many years who will never use them again, I can understand meat quality can be difficult to control all the time, but it is the customer service that is the issue, appalling.

8 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst company ever

Worst company ever ; never respond to ur emails my elderlery mum ordered her christmas dinner from them and they sent her a completely different order they said the labels got mixes up now they arent even responding there a joke

23 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great produce from Donald Russell

My second time ordering from DR but this time we pushed the boat out a little more and took advantage of some fantastic deals. 10 sirloin steaks for £70 was outrageous, we had the first one for dinner tonight and it was far 'beefier' than a steak from the high street. Absolutely delicious. We ordered some butchers sausages which were also lovely, meatier again than some from the high street but very smooth and easy to eat. Finally, mum loves calves liver so I cooked her some for a treat and it was absolutely beautiful. Tender and no gristle. If you get good deals, it's also not really that much more expensive than most supermarkets and you're getting great quality produce.

1 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

An Entirely Good Experience All Round.

I loved the packaging in big polystyrene trunks packed with dry ice. Beautifully packed btw. No damage at
all.
The food was all delicious and my daughter and l had the most wonderful Christmas Fayre.
('Special shout out for the red cabbage and the sprouts with walnuts - such a pleasure. Mine never tasted so yummy!)
We never got to the bottom of the missing parsnips but our order was put in late and it is entirely possible theyran out.
Despite this, so impressed were we, l have put in another order since Christmas.
Many thanks.

18 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don’t touch Donald Russell

Placed Christmas order on 21/09/25 for delivery on 20/12/25. Received notification from FedEx on 15/12/25 to say awaiting item from DR. Didn’t arrive on 20/12/25 and delivery date changed to 23/12/25. FedEx notification on 22/12/25 showed still waiting on item from DR. Phoned DR and assured item will be delivered 23/12/25. Waited in all day and surprise surprise no delivery. Phoned FedEx and according to them still waiting on order from DR. Phoned DR on 24/12/25 to be told they would need to check with FedEx and someone will phone back. Waited and waited no phone call. I eventually had to phone back to be told my order is lost but don’t worry we’ll refund your money (really) and a code for £20 off next order. Christmas dinner destroyed and they fob you off with peanuts. Still waiting on payment returned to my account. The £20 code if received will not be getting used as I’m now finished with DR after many years.

PS MANAGED TO BUY A TURKEY CROWN FROM A WELL KNOWN SUPERMARKET 60% CHEAPER THAN DR AND FAR SUPERIOR.

24 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I love Donald Russell food

I love Donald Russell food. I ordered Christmas dinner for 8 and it was superb. The pudding was also included and it was also superb. THANK YOU

25 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

follow up re last review - the meat was not edible. to-day to my recent review about awful…

further to my recent review about awful delivery we have now tried the large sirloin joint. Almost all was not eaten as the really thick gristle throughout the meat not only made it impossible to eat but was also off putting. So just over £80.00 worth of meat went in the bin. From start to finish this order has been mostly dreadful - the sausagemeat for stuffing and the red cabbage were ok. Your standards have dropped and whoever cut this piece of meat and bagged it up for sale needs to be educated as to what is acceptable.
Never again Donald Russell. Not only have I wasted money, wasted time and electricity, my family were left to eat veg and sausagement today for their Christmas lunch. I will not recommend, or use, you again.

25 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered from Donald Russell on 11th…

I ordered from Donald Russell on 11th October specifically for Christmas delivery, so I was very disappointed when my box arrived missing a leg of lamb.

I find it difficult to understand why there was no prior communication or heads-up, especially given how far in advance the order was placed and how important Christmas orders are to customers. Had I known earlier, I could have made alternative arrangements.

I phoned customer service, and while I appreciate that it may not have been the fault of the individual staff member, I was disappointed that the response was limited to an explanation rather than a goodwill gesture. For a premium brand, and particularly at Christmas, I would have expected at least some acknowledgment of the inconvenience caused.

Overall, it was a sad and frustrating experience, and not what I would expect from a company positioning itself as a high-quality Christmas food supplier.

23 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No Christmas lunch...

I ordered my Christmas lunch online on 19th September 2025. It was due for delivery on 23rd December 2025. The courier employed by Donald Russell is Fedex and they have failed to deliver my order. It is now Christmas eve and I have no Christmas lunch. I don't drive and have Osteoarthritis so am unable to go out and purchase any replacements. Although I appreciate that Donald Russell are not to blame for my lack of Christmas fayre this year they are the ones that employ these couriers and must take responsibility. They emailed me a little while ago to apologise and they have said they will refund my payment, but that does not compensate for my lack of lunch tomorrow. The half-hearted way they have handled this is quite frankly unbelievable and I would not recommend this company to anyone irrespective of the quality of the food.

23 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Completely unreliable

Ordered meats for our Christmas dinner and only half the order turned up (on 23rd December). I phoned customer services and they confirmed they were missing items so sent half the order (but didn't give us any advance warning so that we could save the Christmas dinner). There are so many online high quality butchers - just use another one and avoid risking your special event :)

23 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

First time have used this company but…

First time have used this company but they made my life so much easier. As a vegetarian I had to cook a lamb joint. I purchased a lamb shoulder. It arrived on time, beautifully packaged and was so easy and convenient to cook. All of my guests loved the quality of the meat and the marinade they used. Will definitely be using them again

20 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything great and arrived quickly!

Last minute decision to order the Beef Wellington for Christmas day. Ordered on Tuesday with discount as new Customer, delivered today (Thursday) exactly as promised. Well packaged, frozen with dry ice. Looks amazing but lets see on Christmas day once it's cooked. They came recommended by a friend that's had it before so I'm looking forward to it!

18 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

very unpleasant experience , avoid

ordered duck , pork , venison and beef filet. i arranged delivery for a specific day and it arrived 4 days later ( which meant it had been in transit for 5-6 days ). This sadly meant the meat was defrosted , definitely not chilled and oozing with blood. i did not feel comfortable cooking this for myself or guests as i could not be certain when it had defrosted and how much bacteria there was. The real fun is when you try and get a response from Donald Russell , you will wait days and if you are lucky they will respond , in my case ive had to open a chargeback with my bank to attempt to get a refund

5 December 2025
Unprompted review

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