How to Divide a Side of Beef

Divide a side of beef with a pal and have juicy, grass-fed beef for the next year.

Where's the beef? Right in your freezer, if you buy a quarter of beef from a local farmer or butcher. A side of beef ranges in weight, but can be up to 200 lb. So if you want grass-fed beef, but don't have a family of eight to help you eat it, find a partner willing to split the side of beef. The butcher won't divide the cow into a front and back half, so dividing the side fairly can be tricky. After some negotiation, you'll be grilling up steaks and simmering stews from your freezer full of beef.

Instructions

1. Find a partner who's willing to buy a half side of beef. You'll need to collaborate with this person to divide the beef satisfactorily. Find a farmer or butcher who is selling sides of beef for the price per pound you're willing to pay.

2. Make a list of the cuts that are most important to you. List those that you don't have any interest in, as well. One hundred lb. of beef won't turn out to be 100 steaks, so be flexible in the cuts that you're willing to give and take. There will probably be roughly 60 lb. of ground beef to divide between the two of you.

3. Meet with your partner and negotiate the division of beef. For fairness, you may want to have everything divided equally so each party receives the same number of steaks, rounds and loin cuts. However, some beef buyers have more need for ground beef or roasts, and they might trade some of their steaks and loins for parts you might find less desirable. Negotiate who gets the organ meats.

4. Meet with or phone your farmer and/or butcher. This may be the same person, but if not, speak with them both. Give them the exact information about what you and your partner decided. You won't know exact numbers, so you can't necessarily ask for 14 sirloins or five roasts. However, giving projected numbers and percentages will help your butcher package the quarters to your liking. Specify along the lines of, "I want 2/3 of the ground beef; I was hoping that would be at least 40 lb."

5. Ask the butcher if there are any special requirements for pick up or delivery, such as time of day or payment via check. Inform the butcher if you do not want the tongue, heart or liver, as some people prefer these organs left out of their order. Inform the butcher at this time if you would like any beef bones, and specify which bones you are hoping for or expecting.

References

• Hollin Farms: Beef Cutting
• Chow: 100 Pounds of Leftovers
• Get Rich Slowly: How to Buy a Side of Beef

Resources

• Eat Wild: Grass-Fed Food and Facts