A side of beef refers to one half of a cow that has been slaughtered and butchered. It contains a variety of beef cuts including roasts, brisket, ground beef and popular steaks. If you are looking to buy beef in bulk or want to stock your freezer for months, purchasing a side of beef is an excellent option.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about sides of beef, including:
- What exactly is a side of beef
- Common names for a side of beef
- What cuts are included in a side of beef
- How much meat is in a side of beef
- Where to buy a side of beef
- How to order a side of beef
- What a side of beef costs
- How much freezer space is required
- How long a side of beef will last
- The benefits of buying a side of beef
What Exactly is a Side of Beef?
A side of beef refers to half of a cow that has been slaughtered and then split lengthwise from head to tail down the backbone into two sides.
The side consists of both the front and hind quarters and contains all the cuts from that half of the animal. It has not yet been broken down into smaller individual retail cuts by a butcher.
Once the side is divided from the carcass, a butcher will further fabricate it into smaller primals, subprimals and retail cuts such as steaks, roasts, brisket, ribs, etc.
A typical side of beef weighs 300-400 lbs before processing. The final packaged cuts will weigh around 15-20% less due to moisture loss during aging and trimming.
Common Names for a Side of Beef
A side of beef also goes by several other interchangeable names
- Half cow
- Half steer
- Beef half
- Beef bundle
- Locker beef
- CSA beef share
All these terms refer to the same thing – one half of a slaughtered bovine that will be further processed into cuts of beef.
What Cuts Are In a Side of Beef?
A whole side contains a variety of primal and subprimal cuts. The typical primals are:
- Chuck
- Rib
- Loin
- Round
- Brisket
- Shank
- Flank
- Plate
These primals are then broken down into subprimals and individual retail cuts. Here are some of the most popular retail cuts you will find in a side of beef:
- Ribeye steaks
- T-bone steaks
- Porterhouse steaks
- Strip steaks
- Filet mignon
- Top sirloin steaks
- Tri-tip roasts
- Brisket
- Chuck roasts
- Ground beef
- Short ribs
- Flank steak
You will get all the most valuable steaks as well as roasts, brisket, ribs and ground beef. A diverse range of high-quality cuts.
How Much Meat is in a Side of Beef?
A 300 lb side of beef will yield around 120-130 lbs of packaged boneless retail cuts.
This is enough red meat to supply a family of 4-5 people for 4-6 months. Of course, this depends on your family’s beef consumption
Buying a larger side in the 350-400 lb range will provide even more beef cuts to stock your freezer
Where to Buy a Side of Beef
You have a few options for sourcing a side of beef:
- Local cattle ranches
- Specialty butcher shops
- Online grass-fed beef companies like ButcherBox
Your best bet is to search for “buy a side of beef near me” and connect with local cattle farmers in your state.
Or work with a trusted online company that offers beef halves nationwide. Make sure the cattle are pasture-raised and grass-finished.
How to Order a Side of Beef
Follow these steps when purchasing a side of beef:
- Get a quote per pound based on hanging weight
- Select the cuts you want like roasts, ribs and ground beef
- Place a deposit to reserve your beef half
- Arrange for payment, processing and delivery
- Make room in your freezer for the beef
Be sure to communicate with the seller on how you want your side fabricated. Most companies will provide a beef cut list worksheet.
What Does a Side of Beef Cost?
A side of beef ranges from $3-7 per pound depending on the source. Expect to pay:
- Conventional grain-fed: $3-5 per lb
- Grass-fed: $6-8 per lb
- Organic grass-fed: $7-9 per lb
You can expect to pay $1500 – $3000 or more for a whole side depending on the type of beef. Buying in bulk results in big savings compared to buying individual cuts.
How Much Freezer Space Do You Need?
A good rule of thumb is you will need:
- 1 cubic foot of freezer space per 35-40 lbs of meat.
So for a 300 lb side, you will want a freezer that has at least 7-8 cubic feet of space.
Make sure you have enough room in a chest freezer or dedicated upright freezer before purchasing a large quantity of beef.
How Long Will a Side of Beef Last?
With proper packaging and storage at 0°F, the shelf life of beef cuts is:
- Steaks/roasts: 9-12 months
- Ground beef: 4-6 months
- Organ meats: 3-4 months
Most beef cuts will retain optimal freshness and quality for 6-9 months in a freezer. Make sure to wrap the meat tightly and eliminate air exposure.
Benefits of Buying a Side of Beef
Here are some excellent benefits of purchasing a side of beef:
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Cost savings – Bulk pricing results in the lowest price per pound. Buying a whole side saves money compared to purchasing individual cuts.
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Freezer stocked – You’ll have a 6+ month supply of beef on hand. Provides convenience and food security.
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Variety of cuts – You’ll receive steaks, roasts, brisket, ribs, ground beef and more.
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Custom fabrication – You choose exactly how you want the side processed.
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Supports local farms – Your money goes directly to regional cattle ranchers.
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Reduces waste – Freezing reduces spoilage, meat stays fresh, and none goes to waste.
Is Buying a Side of Beef Worth It?
For beef-loving families, investing in a whole side of beef is one of the smartest purchases you can make.
The upfront cost seems expensive, but the savings per pound make it worthwhile in the long run. You’ll save substantially on your grocery bills over time.
Consider going in on a side with another household to reduce costs. Or purchase a quarter side if you don’t need a full half cow.
With some planning, a side of beef provides amazing quality beef for months at an affordable price per pound. It’s a great way to offset rising grocery store meat prices.
In Summary
A side of beef is one half of a slaughtered cow that is further processed into steaks, roasts, ribs, brisket, ground beef and more. It contains a wide variety of high-demand cuts.
For families or individuals that consume a lot of beef, buying a whole side is an excellent way to stock up your freezer for months while saving substantially on costs. With some preparation, you’ll enjoy delicious craft beef for a fraction of the price of buying individual cuts at the store.
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How Much Meat is a Half Beef? Explained in 3 Minutes!
FAQ
Is it worth buying a side of beef?
Buying a side of beef is a good choice if you like to cook, you eat a lot of meat, you have storage space, and quality is important to you. The cost savings and peace of mind you’ll have from a full freezer are worth the investment. When we got our tax return, I planned on getting our side of beef for the year.
What cuts do you get out of a side of beef?
| Approximately How much beef should I get? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rib | Rib Roast, Ribs and Mince | 11.09% |
| Loin | Porterhouse Steak, Sirloin Steak and Ribs | 17.91% |
| Brisket | Brisket | 2.35% |
| Skirt | Stewing Steak, Short Ribs | 9.38% |
What is the average price for a side of beef?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? As mentioned above, at $6.00 per pound, a side of beef will cost between $1,200 and $1,800. (Quarter beef is $6.25 per pound, based on the hanging weight).
How many pounds is a side of beef?
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Oklahoma State University Extensionhttps://extension.okstate.eduBuying Beef for Home Freezers – Oklahoma State University ExtensionHow many Pounds of Meat are there in a Carcass, a Side, a Quarter or a Wholesale Cut? An average beef carcass weighs about 600 pounds. A side usually weighs sli…
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Heatherlea Farm Shoppehttps://heatherlea.caBuying a Side of Beef: Everything You Need to KnowA typical side of beef weighs around 300 – 400 lbs. Once the butcher ages, trims and cuts the meat, the final weight is reduced due to the loss of moisture and …
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Source Farmshttps://sourcefarms.loveBeef Breakdown: Half Beef – Source FarmsJan 24, 2023 — A half beef can range from 290-400 pounds, with most falling between 350-375 pounds. … A half cow yields about 65% finish-to-hang, meaning for a 3…
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Sinking Creek Meatshttps://sinkingcreekmeats.comBeef Cut Guide – Sinking Creek MeatsOur beef sides will typically weigh about 375 lbs hanging weight. We currently charge $4.75/lb* hanging weight which includes the meat and the processing (cut/w…
How much does a side of beef weigh?
A side of beef will weigh around 300-400 lbs. It will be further processed by a butcher into smaller cuts which are then vacuum sealed and frozen for delivery. A side of beef also goes by several other common names: All these terms refer to the same thing – one half of a butchered steer or heifer. What Cuts Are In a Side of Beef?
What is a side of beef?
A Complete Guide to Buying a Half Cow A side of beef, also known as a half cow, refers to one half of a butchered cow. It contains a variety of beef cuts including roasts, brisket, ground beef and popular steaks like ribeye and strip steaks. Read on to learn everything you need to know about buying a side of beef. What Exactly is a Side of Beef?
How do I order a side of beef?
Follow these steps when ordering your side of beef: 1. Get a Quote Contact suppliers and get a quote per pound based on the final packaged weight. Compare pricing between a few different sources. 2. Select Your Cuts Ask for a cut list. Select the cuts you want like roasts, ribs, brisket and ground beef. 3. Place Your Order
What is a side of a cow?
Breaking Down the Cow Into Two Sides The side of beef is exactly what it means. It’s the lateral or one-half of the animal cut transversely from the neck across the backbone to the rump. This is not entirely a biology class but we’ll deal a bit with the anatomy of the cow.
Should you buy a side of beef?
Here are some excellent benefits of purchasing a side of beef: Saves Money – Bulk pricing results in big savings compared to buying beef by the pound. Food Security – You’ll have a beef supply in your freezer for 6+ months. Wide Variety – You’ll get steaks, roasts, brisket, ribs, ground beef and more.
How long does a side of beef last?
A side of beef will supply your family with beef for 6 months or more. Here’s a rough estimate: This will supply a family of 4 with beef for 5-6 months. Of course this depends on how much beef your family eats per week. For maximum savings, look for a side of beef in the 300-400 lb range.