About Your Beef
About Your BeefTell Us About Your Freezer
Select the type of freezer you have or plan to purchase:
Your Results
Beef Weight
125 lbs
Required Freezer Space
4.2 cu. ft.
Storage Duration
~7 months
Your Current Freezer Status:
You need a new or additional freezer for this purchase.
What We Recommend
Based on your needs, here’s what we recommend:
- Ideal 7 cu. ft. chest freezer – Perfect size with room for organization
- Good 5 cu. ft. chest freezer – Will fit with minimal extra space
- Vacuum-sealed packaging will maximize your freezer space
- Your beef purchase will last your family approximately 7 months
Note: Chest freezers provide the most efficient storage. If you prefer an upright freezer, add 10-15% more capacity to accommodate for less efficient storage.
How Much Freezer Space Do You Need?
Buying beef in bulk directly from farms saves money and gives you access to higher quality meat. But before you place that order, you need to know how much freezer space you’ll need and whether your current freezer is up to the task.
As a quick reference, a quarter cow (100-150 lbs) needs about 3-5 cubic feet of freezer space. A half cow (200-300 lbs) requires around 6-10 cubic feet, and a whole cow (400-600 lbs) takes up 12-20 cubic feet. These numbers vary depending on how the meat is packaged and your freezer type.
What You’ll Get From Your Beef Purchase
When you buy a portion of a cow, you’re getting a variety of cuts, not just ground beef. Here’s what you can typically expect:
| Portion | Typical Weight | Freezer Space | Good Freezer Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Cow | 400-600 lbs | 12-20 cu. ft. | Large chest or upright |
| Half Cow | 200-300 lbs | 6-10 cu. ft. | Medium chest or upright |
| Quarter Cow | 100-150 lbs | 3-5 cu. ft. | Small chest or medium upright |
| Eighth Cow | 50-75 lbs | 1.5-2.5 cu. ft. | Small freezer or refrigerator freezer |
Packaging Makes a Difference
Vacuum-Sealed vs. Butcher Paper
How your beef is packaged affects how much space it takes up. Vacuum-sealed packages remove all the air and create flat, compact packages that stack well. With vacuum sealing, you can fit 35-40 pounds of beef per cubic foot of freezer space.
Butcher paper wrapping, while traditional, creates bulkier packages with trapped air. This reduces your storage efficiency to about 25-30 pounds per cubic foot. If you have the option, vacuum sealing is worth the small extra cost for the space savings alone.
Bone-In or Boneless?
While bone-in cuts might add more total weight to your order, they take up more space in your freezer. The bones create irregular shapes that don’t stack as efficiently. If freezer space is tight, requesting more boneless cuts can help you fit more usable meat in the same space.
Choosing the Right Freezer
The type of freezer you use makes a big difference in how much beef you can store and how easy it is to access.
Chest Freezers
A chest freezer is your most efficient option for bulk beef storage. With no shelves in the way, you can fit 10-15% more meat compared to an upright freezer of the same size. They’re also more energy-efficient and keep food frozen longer during power outages.
The main downside? You’ll need to dig to find specific cuts at the bottom. Using bins or baskets can help keep things organized.
Upright Freezers
If you value organization and easy access, an upright freezer might be worth the slight loss in capacity. The shelves make it simple to categorize different cuts, and you won’t need to bend over to reach items at the bottom.
Just remember that you’ll need a slightly larger upright to hold the same amount of beef as a chest freezer.
Refrigerator Freezers
Trying to fit a quarter cow or more into your kitchen refrigerator’s freezer compartment? It’s probably not going to work. Most fridge freezers have only 5-9 cubic feet of total space and it’s already broken up by shelves and drawers.
These might work for an eighth cow or less, but for larger purchases, you’ll want a dedicated freezer.
Simple Organization Tips
Good organization means you’ll actually use all the beef you buy instead of forgetting about cuts buried at the bottom of the freezer.
- Use plastic bins or cardboard boxes to group similar cuts together
- Keep an inventory list on the freezer door to track what you have
- Place ground beef and frequently used cuts in the most accessible spots
- Store steaks vertically in bins, like files in a filing cabinet
- Label everything clearly with the cut name and date
How Long Will It Last?
Properly frozen beef stays safe indefinitely, but quality gradually declines. For best eating quality:
- Ground beef: Best used within 3-4 months
- Steaks and roasts: Best used within 6-12 months
- Vacuum-sealed cuts: Can maintain quality up to 2 years
- Paper-wrapped cuts: Try to use within a year
Always keep your freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below for best quality.
Matching Beef Amount to Your Family Size
Not sure how much beef to buy? The average person eats about 60 pounds of beef per year. Here’s a simple guide:
| Household | Annual Beef Usage | Good Purchase Size | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | ~60 lbs | Eighth Cow | ~12 months |
| 2 People | ~120 lbs | Quarter Cow | ~12 months |
| 4 People | ~240 lbs | Half Cow | ~12 months |
| 6+ People | ~360+ lbs | Whole Cow | ~12 months |
Is a New Freezer Worth It?
If you’re considering buying a dedicated freezer for your beef purchase, here’s a quick cost breakdown:
- A 7-10 cubic foot freezer costs about $250-$400
- Running it will add about $30-$60 to your annual electric bill
- Buying beef in bulk typically saves $2-$4 per pound
- For a half cow (250 lbs), that’s $500-$1,000 in savings
In most cases, the freezer pays for itself with your first bulk beef purchase. Plus, you can use it for other bulk food buys, seasonal produce, or batch cooking.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
What if the power goes out?
A full freezer will stay frozen for about 48 hours if you keep the door closed. Half-full freezers maintain temperature for about 24 hours. In extended outages, you can use dry ice to keep things cold or find a friend with power who has space in their freezer.
Can I split a cow with friends?
Absolutely! Many people split a half or whole cow between multiple families. This lets you get the bulk discount without needing as much freezer space. Just make sure to coordinate with the processor on how to divide the cuts fairly.
Where can I buy a cow?
Look for local farms that sell beef directly to consumers, local meat CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), or ask at your farmers market. Many farms have waiting lists, so plan ahead by ordering several months before you want the beef.