¼ Cow (Quarter Beef)
Approx. 120 lbs packaged
- Freezer space needed: 4–5 cubic feet
- Fits in a small chest freezer or about half of a standard upright freezer.
How Much Freezer Space For Beef?
How Much Freezer Space Do You Need?
Buying beef in bulk is a great way to save money and keep your family stocked with local, grass-fed beef. Here’s a simple guide to how much freezer space you’ll need for a quarter, half, or whole cow.
General Rule of Thumb
Plan for about 1 cubic foot of freezer space for every 30–35 lb of packaged beef.
½ Cow (Half Beef)
Approx. 240 lbs packaged
- Freezer space needed: 8–10 cubic feet
- Fits in a medium chest freezer or a full upright freezer.
Whole Cow
Approx. 480 lbs packaged
- Freezer space needed: 16–20 cubic feet
- Fits in a large chest freezer (around 20 cu. ft.).
Freezer Size Quick Guide
- 5 cu. ft. freezer: suitable for a ¼ cow.
- 7–10 cu. ft. freezer: suitable for a ½ cow.
- 15–20+ cu. ft. freezer: suitable for a whole cow.
Storage Tips
- All beef is frozen and individually packaged for easy stacking and organizing.
- Keep a simple inventory list on the freezer door so you know what you have at a glance.
- A fuller freezer runs more efficiently than an almost-empty one.