How Much Meat is in a Quarter Cow? Complete Breakdown
Get the exact breakdown of how much meat you'll receive from a quarter cow - from steaks to ground beef, we'll show you exactly what to expect in your beef share.
Quick Answer: How Much Meat in a Quarter Cow?
A quarter cow typically yields 100-125 pounds of meat, depending on the size of the animal and how it's processed. This includes a variety of cuts from steaks to ground beef.
Detailed Quarter Cow Meat Breakdown
Premium Steaks (15-20 lbs)
- Ribeye steaks (4-6 steaks)
- Strip steaks (4-6 steaks)
- Filet mignon (2-3 steaks)
- T-bone steaks (2-3 steaks)
- Porterhouse steaks (1-2 steaks)
Roasts (10-15 lbs)
- Chuck roast (2-3 lbs)
- Rump roast (2-3 lbs)
- Sirloin tip roast (2-3 lbs)
- Arm roast (2-3 lbs)
- Round roast (2-3 lbs)
Ground Beef (70-80 lbs)
- Ground beef (80/20 lean)
- Ground beef (85/15 lean)
- Ground beef (90/10 lean)
- Ground beef patties
Specialty Cuts (5-10 lbs)
- Short ribs
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
- Brisket
- Soup bones
Factors That Affect Quarter Cow Meat Yield
Animal Size
Larger animals naturally yield more meat. A 1,400-pound steer will produce more meat than a 1,200-pound steer. Most quarter cows come from animals weighing 1,200-1,400 pounds.
Processing Options
How you choose to have your meat processed affects yield. Bone-in cuts weigh more but have less edible meat. Boneless cuts provide more usable meat but weigh less.
Fat Content
Grass-fed beef typically has less fat than grain-finished beef, which can affect the total weight. However, grass-fed beef often has better flavor and nutritional benefits.
Cut Preferences
Your cutting preferences can affect yield. More steaks mean less ground beef, and vice versa. Most processors can accommodate your preferences.
Storage Requirements for a Quarter Cow
Freezer Space Needed
A quarter cow requires approximately 5-7 cubic feet of freezer space. This is roughly the size of a small chest freezer or half of a standard refrigerator freezer.
- Chest freezer: 5-7 cubic feet
- Upright freezer: 5-7 cubic feet
- Refrigerator freezer: 10-12 cubic feet
Storage Tips
- Keep freezer at 0°F or below
- Use airtight packaging
- Label packages with dates
- Rotate meat regularly
- Avoid freezer burn
Quarter Cow Cost Comparison
Quarter Cow Cost
Total cost for 100-125 lbs of meat
Average cost per pound
Grocery Store Comparison
Savings: Buying a quarter cow can save you 30-50% compared to buying individual cuts at the grocery store, especially on premium cuts like steaks.
Ready to Order Your Quarter Cow?
Now that you know exactly how much meat you'll get from a quarter cow, join our buyer list to be notified when shares become available from trusted Pennsylvania farmers in your area.