How to Buy Half a Beef
Buying a half of beef is an economical way to purchase a range of fresh beef cuts. Many small local ranchers and butchers will sell a half of beef directly to customers. Customers must expect to acquire from 200 to 300 lbs. of beef. Each cut will be pre-wrapped in butcher's paper for customer convenience. Steaks, roasts, ribs and organs can be stored in a deep freezer for 9 to 12 months. Any ground beef requested by the customer can be stored for 3 to 4 months.
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Instructions
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Visit your local farmer's market to meet local cattle ranchers who sell their beef cuts directly. Alternatively, contact local ranches via their websites. Look for ranches that process their beef through USDA inspected facilities. Ask whether they sell halves of beef directly to customers. If not, contact your local meat market butcher to ask after a half of beef. Meat markets are not as prevalent as they once were, but can often still be found in ethnic enclaves in most towns.
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Place an order. Indicate which cuts of meat you prefer and which cuts to turn into hamburger. Typical cuts of steak include filet, rib eye and prime rib steaks. Ribs can be rib roasts or racks. Each side of beef comes with a rump roast. Don't leave out stew meat and chuck roast for those savory pot roast meals.
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Pick up your order from the butcher or the rancher with whom you placed your order. You may have to drive several miles to the ranch to collect your beef, but the result will be the freshest tastiest beef you have had.
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Tips & Warnings
Pool your money with another family to split the side of beef.
References
- Photo Credit steaks image by Silvia Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
