How much freezer space do I need for my beef?

There is no better way to purchase beef than to order a quarter, half, or whole beef. You are able to fill your freezer with high-quality, locally-raised beef and have it at your disposal all times of the year. The downside to ordering beef in bulk is you have to have a freezer large enough to hold all of the cuts. So how much freezer room do you really need for your beef?

Note: The suggested freezer size does not account for using it for any additional products.

Split-Side (S/S) / Quarter Beef

Suggested Freezer Size: 5-7 cu feet [2-3 laundry baskets]

Approximate Take Home Weight: 100 – 130 lbs

Best For: Families with 1-2 adults and 1-2 kids

When we process a quarter beef, we process it into what we call a “split side”. This means you aren’t just getting the front quarter or hind quarter, instead you take home a little bit of each part. When we cut the beef carcass, we cut two quarters at the same time and divide the meat cuts equally.

Half Beef

Suggested Freezer Size: 8-10 cu feet [5-6 laundry baskets]

Approximate Take Home Weight: 210 – 250 lbs

Best For: Families with 2 adults and hungry kids

With a half beef, we process a whole half down to its respective cuts. We cut everything to the specified size and thickness.

Whole Beef

Suggested Freezer Size: 16-200 cu feet [10-12 laundry baskets]

Approximate Take Home Weight: 420-500 lbs

Best For: Large families with 2 adults and hungry kids, one of whom is clearly bound for professional sports (or families who are splitting a beef)

A whole beef is a lot of meat! If you have a large family that eat lots of beef you can't go wrong.

Interested in a quarter, half, or whole beef through Hansen's?

Check out more information about ordering a quarter, half, or whole beef through Hansen's on our Custom Beef Processing page!