The Cow In Our Freezer

If you’ve followed my weekly trips to Meijer and Kroger you may have read at the bottom of each post :

We have a cow in our freezer.

I originally had written about our experience here when the cow had just arrived and my mind was awed and amazed at how much meat 1/2 a cow really is.  Having come down from said shock and lived the life with a cow in our freezer I can tell you that, it is awesome.

But I wouldn’t be sold without looking at the numbers. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it really costs to have a cow in your freezer, here’s our experience. In numbers.

Cost of 1/2 a cow: $451
Cost of butchering 1/2 cow: $165.57 {to be exact}

What do we get for $616?

5 pkg. T-Bone Steaks
4 pkg. Porterhouse Steaks
7 pkg. Sirloin
3 pkg. Sirloin Tip Roast
3 pkg. Rolled Rump Roast
2 pkg. Round Steak
9 pkg. Cubed Steak

7 pkg. Rib Steaks
9 pkg. Chuck Roast
3 pkg. Arm Roast
2 pkg. Rolled English Roast
4 pkg. Boneless Stew Meat

54 lb. Ground Beef
18 lb. Beef Patties

Total Weight: 198.6 lb.

When you crunch the numbers, we’ll have paid $3.10 per lb.  While that’s a little higher than the clearance price on ground beef, it’s much lower than the per lb price of Porterhouse.  The added bonus is that we’re eating from one cow that’s been grass fed with no hormones.  You really can taste the difference.

My personal favorite reason: we’re supporting our local farmer and butcher.

Cleverly Simple Tips:

• Know what cuts of beef you’ll want.  You can personalize your order with your local butcher.  {That is, within reason.  A 1/2 cow doesn’t come with 200 lbs. of Porterhouse steaks.
• 1/2 a cow is even too much for our family of 3.  We split the 1/2 with my brother and his wife.   Split a cow with friends or family.  If you buy the entire cow together you can cut costs.
• You need to have a deep freezer to store the paper wrapped meat.
• Speaking of paper, it’s wrapped in it.  It’s amazing how it’s not freezer burnt.
• Have a generator ready to go.  Although having the largest BBQ on the block during the local loss of electricity will make you popular, it will also “cook” your investment.
• To find a local farmer or butcher try searching for “freezer beef” on Craigslist in your area.

PS.  My brother informs that we really bought a feeder Holstein steer, and not a cow.  I think “cow in my freezer” has a better “ring” to it.