Whole, Half or Quarter Beef: Which Is Right for You?

Buying a share of beef is a big decision, and the size matters. Here is how to think about it.

Quarter beef: about 90 pounds

A quarter is a good place to start. It fits in a smaller freezer (about 3 cubic feet) and gives you a real mix of steaks, roasts and ground beef. Because it is a smaller portion, your cut choices are more limited than with a half.

Half beef: about 180 pounds

A half is the most popular size, and it gives you the best balance. It includes cuts from both the front and hind quarters, so there is more variety. A typical household of three to five can eat through it in six months to a year. You'll need 6 to 8 cubic feet of freezer space.

Whole beef: about 360 pounds

A whole beef gives you the widest range of cuts and the lowest price per pound of packaged meat. It needs 12 to 16 cubic feet of freezer space, so it makes sense for big families, or two or three households going in together.

A quick way to decide

• How many people eat beef regularly? Plan for roughly 60 to 80 pounds per person per year, and adjust for your habits.
• How much freezer space do you have? A half needs 6 to 8 cubic feet.
• Can you split it? Two families can share a half and each take a quarter.

Every share is a portion of a live animal that you own before processing, and the final price depends on hanging weight.