Buying beef in bulk, whether it’s a eighth, quarter, half, or whole animal, is one of the best ways to stock your freezer with high-quality, locally raised meat.
But we get it… it can also feel a little intimidating.
How much space do you need?
What is a cut sheet?
Will you actually use everything?
At Yankee Flats Meats, these are questions we hear every day. So we’ve put together a simple Q&A guide to walk you through it.
What Does “Custom Cut” Actually Mean?
When you order a quarter, half, or whole beef, you’ll fill out what’s called a cut sheet.
This is where you tell our butchers exactly how you want your beef prepared.
You’ll choose things like:
- Steaks vs. roasts for certain cuts
- Thickness of your steaks
- Size of your roasts
- How many pieces per package
- What kind of sausages you'd like
It might sound complicated, but don’t worry.
We can help guide you through it every step of the way, and we even offer pre-filled options if you’d rather keep things simple.
What If I Order Too Much?
No problem at all. All of your beef is vacuum sealed, which keeps it fresh for well over a year as long as the seal stays intact.
So even if you feel like you’ve stocked up a bit more than expected, your freezer is working in your favour.
How Much Freezer Space Do I Need?
This is one of the most common questions, and an important one.
Here’s a general guideline:
- Half beef: 10–14 cubic foot freezer (medium-sized deep freeze)
- Quarter beef: 5–7 cubic foot freezer (small deep freeze)
If you’re tight on space, a quarter is often the perfect place to start.
Do All Orders Require a Cut Sheet?
Not all. And it's optional!
- Whole, half, and quarter beef → require a custom cut sheet - BUT, if you don't want to fill one out, you can opt for our pre-filled 'butchers cut' cut sheet
- Eighth beef → comes as a pre-set box
Eighths are a great option if you:
- Want less decision-making
- No deposit, just a set price
- Are newer to buying bulk
- Don’t want to worry about customization
The trade-off is less flexibility in how cuts are prepared.
How much meat will I get?
With buying bulk, it's helpful to do a little math to see which portion size is right for your family. Typically, people eat on average 1/2lb of beef per serving. So depending on how many people are around your table and how many meals each week will include beef, you can determine how much you need.
- Eighth: 50lbs
- Quarter: 125-155lbs
- Half: 250-310lbs
- Whole: 500-620lbs
Why is there a range? As animals vary in size, so will yields, but you’re charged based on hanging weight the carcass weight in our cooler, meaning you are paying only for your specific animal.
How Will My Beef Be Packaged?
All of your beef will be:
- Vacuum sealed for freshness
- Clearly labeled with cut and weight
- Fully frozen
- Packed neatly into boxes for pickup or delivery
Vacuum sealing also lets you see exactly what you’re getting before you even open it.
How Long Does the Meat Last?
- Vacuum-sealed beef: well over 1 year
- If a seal breaks: use within ~1 month
- Once thawed: use within 7–10 days
Pro tip: handle packages gently when unpacking to avoid breaking seals.
How Much Ground Beef Will I Get?
This depends on:
- Your cut sheet
- The size of the animal
Ground beef is made from everything that isn’t turned into steaks or roasts.
On average:
- Half beef: ~ 90-120 lbs of ground beef
- Quarter beef: ~ 45-60 lbs
If you love ground beef, you can absolutely request more on your cut sheet.
What About Cuts I’ve Never Cooked Before?
That’s part of the fun.
Every cut we include is there for a reason, if it wasn’t worth it, we’d turn it into ground beef.
To help you feel confident, we're working on a “Half Beef Owner’s Manual”, which will include things like:
- Cut descriptions
- Cooking methods
- Recipe ideas
Plus, we’re always here to help answer questions, whether in-store, online, or through our content.
Can I Split a Beef Order with Someone?
Absolutely, and it’s very common.
We can:
- Split your order into separate boxes
- Pack portions individually for easy sharing
If you’re splitting more than two ways, there may be slight differences between portions, but we always do our best to keep things as even as possible.
Pro Tip:
If you and a friend both want a quarter, consider buying a half beef together, you’ll save money per pound.
When Will My Order Be Ready?
After placing your order:
- We’ll contact you about your cut sheet
- Provide an estimated completion date
- The typical turnaround is 4-8 weeks
- Schedule pick up or delivery (if applicable)
We’re happy to work around your schedule, whether it’s freezer space, travel, or timing.
How Much Do You Actually Save?
On average: ~12% savings on a half beef (~$500)
When you include:
- Offal
- Suet
- Dog food
Your total value can increase to: 17%+ savings (~$700)
Beyond savings, you’re also getting:
- Consistent quality
- Full transparency
- A direct connection to your food
Is Buying Bulk Beef Worth It?
We won’t sugarcoat it, buying a portion of beef is a commitment.
There’s cost, freezer space, and new cuts to learn.
But it’s also:
- One of the most rewarding ways to eat
- A way to support local farmers directly
- A chance to understand your food on a deeper level
And you’re not doing it alone.
At Yankee Flats Meats, we walk with you through the entire process to help make the process as seamless as possible.
Ready to Fill Your Freezer?
If you’re thinking about buying a quarter, half, or whole beef, we’d love to help you get started.
Stop by the shop, send us a message, or explore your options online, we’re always happy to talk it through.
Download a beef cut sheet HERE!