Beef lovers and home cooks often wonder – how many pounds of meat can you get from a side of beef? The answer varies depending on the size of the animal and the specific cuts you want. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly what to expect when purchasing a half or quarter of a cow.
What is a Side of Beef?
A side of beef refers to half of a slaughtered cow, split lengthwise. The other half is called the “off side.” Together, both sides make up an entire cow.
When you buy a side of beef from a farmer or rancher, you’ll receive a variety of cuts from that half of the animal. This includes roasts, steaks, brisket, ribs, ground beef and sometimes organs. It’s an economical way to purchase quality meat in bulk.
Average Weight of a Side of Beef
The hanging weight of a side of beef is typically 250-300 lbs This includes all bones and fat.
After processing, the take-home weight of packaged cuts will be lower, around 140-200 lbs. This is because the bones, excess fat and other waste are removed by the butcher.
So on average you can expect the following from a
- Half side of beef = 140-200 lbs
- Quarter side of beef = 70-100 lbs
However, weight varies dramatically between breeds, age, diet and size of each animal. Grass-fed cattle often produce lighter sides than grain-fed. Younger steers also tend to be smaller than mature cows.
Your butcher should be able to provide an estimated take-home weight before processing. But expect up to a 10% difference between estimated and final packaged weight.
Cuts to Expect
The cuts you’ll receive depends on how you customize the order with your butcher.
Typically, a side of beef can yield:
- Steaks: Filet, ribeye, sirloin, T-bone, flank, skirt
- Roasts: Chuck, arm, rump, sirloin tip
- Ground beef
- Brisket
- Short ribs
- Soup bones
You’ll get a similar variety of cuts from a quarter side, just less quantity of each. Keep in mind you can always request more of your favorites like ribeyes.
Cost Comparison
Purchasing beef in bulk from a ranch, farm or collective is almost always cheaper than buying individual cuts from the grocery store.
As an example, a quarter of grass-fed beef costs around $7-12 per pound including processing. Comparable cuts at retail would cost $15-25 per pound.
You can expect to save at least $2-5/lb buying directly from a producer. That adds up to over $1,000 in savings annually for the average family.
When pricing out sides of beef, some key terms to know are:
- Hanging weight – Weight of half the cow after harvest, before processing.
- Processing – Butchering fee charged by the processor.
- Take-home weight – Weight of packaged cuts after processing.
The price per pound is sometimes quoted based on the hanging weight. Make sure to calculate using the take-home weight to know your true per pound cost.
Freezer Space Needed
A full side of beef requires a stand-alone deep freezer to store. Here are the freezer size guidelines:
- Full side of beef: 16-20 cubic ft
- Half side: 8-10 cubic ft
- Quarter side: 4-5 cubic ft
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need about 1 cubic foot per 35 lbs of packaged beef. Grass-fed beef tends to require more space because less fat is trimmed away.
You can also split a full side with family or friends. This is a great way to cut down on the upfront costs and space required.
Ordering Your Beef Side
When sourcing beef directly from a farm or ranch, here are some helpful steps:
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Find a local producer – Ask at farmers markets, search online or contact agricultural extensions.
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Schedule processing – Work with your ranch and butcher to reserve a processing date. Peak season is fall.
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Customize cuts – Request your desired steak thickness and quantity of each cut.
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Transport and storage – Discuss delivery method and packaging. You may need a freezer truck for full sides.
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Price and payments – Get quoted price per pound based on hanging weight and processing fees. A deposit is usually required.
With some planning, purchasing a side or quarter of beef can save you considerable money compared to retail pricing. You’ll also get to know where your beef is coming from and customize the cuts to your cooking preferences. Follow these guidelines on average yield, cost, and freezer space to make the most of your bulk beef purchase!
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How Much Meat is a Half Beef? Explained in 3 Minutes!
FAQ
How much meat do you get from a side of beef?
A half cow yields about 65% finish-to-hang, meaning for a 375-pound hanging weight half cow, you can expect 243 pounds of finished meat (cut and wrapped and not counting bones, fat, and organs). We suggest around 11 cubic feet of freezer storage for this.
Is it worth it to buy a side of beef?
Buying a side of beef is a very economical way to purchase meats for a family. Depending on what cuts you select, you will end up with about 150 – 200lbs of beef that will last in the freezer for a year or more.
How much is a side of beef per pound?
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Reddit · r/homesteadhttps://www.reddit.comWhat is the going rate for a side (1/2 of cow) of a grass raised and finished …Nov 24, 2022 — That comes out to about $5/lb end product, no shipping though. … It’s 10/lb and that’s for the meat in the freezer. … Go direct to farmer and yo…
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Reddithttps://www.reddit.comHow much are you paying for half/full beef? : r/meat – RedditSep 8, 2023 — * milkandgin. • 2y ago. Depends on where you are. My farm is close to a major metropolitan area- we do 100% grass fed and finished. $9.50/# for 1/2 …
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Willow City Farmhttps://www.willowcityfarm.comHalf Steer – Side of Beef (Deposit Only) | Willow City Farm
What does the average side of beef weigh?
An average beef carcass weighs about 600 pounds. A side usually weighs slightly over 300 lbs. This refers to the hanging weight or the gross weight by which the carcass is sold. Remember: the price that one pays is based on the hanging weight.
How much does a side of beef cost?
Expect to pay $6.50 – $16 per pound for a side of beef depending on how it was raised: Organic and grass-fed beef is more expensive because of the higher cost of the cattle, feed, and land. But you’ll get superior flavor and health benefits. A 300 lb side of beef costs $1800-$5000 on average depending on the source.
How much does a beef side weigh?
A beef side weighs around 400 to 500 pounds in edible meat. How much beef there is in a beef side depends on how many unwanted parts are taken away. However, with the estimated price given above plus the butchering fee, we’re looking at around $2,700 to $3,250. If that’s a lot, you can buy a quarter of beef, which is around 200 to 250 pounds.
How much beef do you get with a side of beef?
You will receive around 220 pounds of beef with a side of beef. 100 pounds of the beef are made up of ground beef, and the remaining weight is made up of steaks, roasts, ribs, brisket, and soup bones. Please note, that these are approximates. All cattle are different.
What is the yield of a side of beef?
Generally, the yield from one side of beef is about 60% of the hanging weight, which includes all the usable meat and offal. For example, if you purchase a side of beef averaging 800 pounds, the yield might break down as follows:
What is a side of beef called?
The cuts from one side of a cow are known as a side of beef. This is also known as a “half beef. ”. How much beef comes with a side of beef? You will receive around 220 pounds of beef with a side of beef. 100 pounds of the beef are made up of ground beef, and the remaining weight is made up of steaks, roasts, ribs, brisket, and soup bones.
How much ground beef does a cow eat?
You determine what percentage you want ground, how thick the steaks are cut and how many servings per package. A whole cow yields about a 600-pound carcass and one side of the carcass provides around 225 pounds of cut meat, including approximately 30 pounds of ground beef.