Quarter Beef: What It Costs and What You Get
A quarter cow is the best entry point for buying grass-fed beef in bulk, enough to stock your freezer for months without requiring a full chest freezer or a four-figure upfront cost.
Front Quarter vs. Hind Quarter vs. Split Quarter
When you buy a quarter, you have options for which part of the animal you get, and this significantly affects your cut mix:
- · More ground beef
- · Chuck roasts
- · Short ribs
- · Brisket
- · More steaks
- · Sirloin, round
- · Flank & skirt
- · Lean roasts
- · Mix of front & hind
- · Most balanced
- · More variety
- · Best for most buyers
Quarter Beef Cost Breakdown
Quarter cow prices for 100% grass-fed beef typically run $400–$700 total, depending on the farm and whether processing is included.
How the numbers break down
- Hanging weight for a quarter: ~140–175 lbs
- Farm price: $3.50–$5.50/lb hanging weight = $490–$960 (varies widely by operation)
- Processing fee: $0.75–$1.25/lb HW = $105–$220, often billed directly by the butcher
- Take-home weight: 85–125 lbs of finished, vacuum-sealed beef
- Effective cost per pound take-home: ~$5.50–$9/lb all-in
Many online direct-to-consumer farms (like Crowd Cow and White Oak Pastures) also offer bulk boxes at competitive per-pound prices if a direct farm quarter isn't available in your area, worth comparing before committing.
What Cuts Come in a Quarter?
A typical split quarter (balanced front/hind) yields approximately 100 lbs of finished beef. Here's what to expect:
| Cut Category | Approx. Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | 35–45 lbs | The largest single portion of your quarter |
| Steaks | 12–18 lbs | Depends on which quarter, front vs. hind |
| Roasts | 12–18 lbs | Chuck, round, or sirloin tip depending on quarter |
| Short Ribs or Back Ribs | 4–8 lbs | Braising and smoking cuts |
| Brisket (hind quarter) | 3–5 lbs | Only if you take a hind quarter or split quarter |
| Stew Meat | 4–8 lbs | From the tougher braising sections |
| Soup Bones & Marrow | 4–8 lbs | Included on request; great for bone broth |
Freezer Space for a Quarter Cow
A quarter cow requires approximately 5–7 cubic feet of freezer space. A standard 7 cu ft chest freezer is perfect and typically costs $150–$200 new. You can also use the bottom of a large upright freezer if you have one.
Before ordering: measure your freezer's interior and remove existing items to visualize the space. Vacuum-sealed beef stacks efficiently, 100 lbs fits more neatly than you might expect.
Where to Buy Quarter Beef
These suppliers from our directory offer bulk purchasing options for 100% grass-fed beef.
White Oak Pastures
Bluffton, Georgia
Direct-to-consumer sales from one of America's most celebrated regenerative farms. 100% grass-fed, carbon-negative certified, on-farm processing. Ships nationwide; farm tours and on-site store also available.
Crowd Cow
USA, Uruguay & Japan (farm-specific)
Crowd Cow connects consumers directly to independent farms across the US and internationally, with each product listing showing the exact farm it came from. No subscription required. Carries 100% grass-fed beef, Wagyu, heritage pork, and wild seafood with full sourcing transparency.
US Wellness Meats
Missouri & Midwest USA
One of the original direct-to-consumer grass-fed beef companies in the US, operating since 2000. Offers an unmatched selection of specialty cuts, organ meats, bones, and tallow from Missouri and Midwest farms. The top choice for ancestral diet and carnivore community shoppers.
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed
Midwest, Northeast & West USA (50+ farms)
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed is one of the few brands to explicitly certify that cattle were never fed grain at any stage of life, not even in the feedlot before slaughter. AGA-certified and Audubon Bird-Friendly certified across all 50 ranches in their Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast network.