How Much Freezer Space Does a Quarter Beef Need?

A quarter beef from Dot Seven Ranch is 150 pounds of beef, and it fits in about 4 to 5 cubic feet of freezer space. A 5 cubic foot chest freezer holds it with a little room left over. The freezer on top of your fridge won't come close.

The math is simple. Plan on about one cubic foot for every 35 to 40 pounds of packaged beef. That puts 150 pounds right around 4 cubic feet, and we always tell people to give themselves a little extra so you're not playing Tetris every time you want a roast.

What's in a quarter beef

About 50 pounds of steaks and roasts:

• 8 bone-in ribeye steaks
• 8 New York strip steaks
• 8 filet mignons
• 8 top sirloin steaks
• 2 chuck roasts
• 1 brisket (2 to 3 pounds)

Plus 100 pounds of everyday cuts:

• 70 pounds of ground beef
• 10 pounds of stew meat
• 10 pounds of kabob meat
• 10 pounds of short ribs

Want patties, sausage, or chorizo? Each upgrade swaps 10 pounds of your ground beef for that item, for $25.

Packing tips from our freezer to yours

Ground beef is most of the volume, so put it in first. Stack it flat on the bottom and save the top layer for steaks, since those are the packages you'll dig for on a Friday night. A couple of plastic bins or baskets make a chest freezer way easier to live with. One for ground beef, one for steaks, one for roasts and everything else.

Tape a list to the lid and cross things off as you go. Future you will be thankful.

Good to know

Right now the quarter share is for local customers only. After you order, we'll reach out to set up pickup or delivery.

Not quite ready for 150 pounds? The Ground Beef Stock Up Special gets you 11 or 22 pounds of ground beef, and it ships.