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Beef Cutting

Beef Primal Overview

Understanding the primal cuts helps you get the most from your Quarter, Side, or Whole Beef order. Each primal offers different flavours, textures, and uses in the kitchen.

Our Quarter beef shares come with standard cuts; slight variations are available,  each front or hind quarter cut consistently based on the primal breakdown.
Sides (Half Beef) and Whole Beef orders offer full customization of steak thickness, roast size, ground beef options, ribs, brisket, and more.

 

Sharing a Side or Whole Beef? 

Here’s How Quarter Splits Work

When a Side or Whole Beef is shared among multiple families and divided into four Quarters, the primal cutting must remain consistent across all portions. This keeps the division fair, and every customer receives the same quantity.

Why Cuts Must Match

  • An equal quantity of beef for every family.

  • Matching steaks and roasts

  • Fair distribution of high-value cuts

  • Balanced ground beef amounts

Customization:

Choose options beyond standard cutting, such as:

  • Thicker or thinner steaks

  • Grinding certain primals to increase ground beef

  • Larger or smaller roast sizes

  • Adjusting brisket options or choosing alternate loin cutting styles

All four Quarters must follow the same primal-cut decisions.

Suggested cutting – side share for a family of four

A Side of Beef gives you full flexibility—steak thickness, roast size, brisket, ribs, soup bones, and how much becomes ground beef. Choose cuts that work hard for busy families and freezer meal planning.

Best Cuts for Hungry Families

  • Thicker steaks (1–1.25″) for tenderness + leftovers

  • Large roasts (3–4 lb) for hearty multi-day meals

  • Grind the Round for burger lovers—perfect for burgers, tacos & casseroles

  • Chuck Roast for your favourite pot roast night

  • Cutlets into 1 lb stir-fry packs for steak sandwiches or beef-and-broccoli nights

  • Keep brisket, ribs, shank & soup bones for slow-cooker meals + rich bone broth

  • 1 lb ground beef packs for quick, weeknight convenience

  • 2-per-package steaks for easy portioning

  • Offal (optional): heart, tongue, oxtail & beef liver

  • Use every primal for the best value and maximum yield

Beef Primals Cutting Description

Below is a simple overview of the beef primals and where your favourite steaks and roasts come from.

 

Chuck – Flavourful & Versatile

The chuck comes from the front shoulder and is known for its rich, beefy flavour.
It’s ideal for:

  • Pot roasts

  • Pulled beef

  • Stew meat

  • Ground beef

This primal shines in slow-cooking methods that break down its natural marbling.

Rib – Premium Primal

Home to Prime Rib Roast and Ribeye Steaks, the rib section is famous for exceptional marbling and tenderness.
Whether cut into steaks or kept as a roast, this primal consistently produces the highest-quality eating experience on the entire beef.

Loin – Tender & Popular

The loin contains the Short Loin and Tenderloin, producing:

  • T-Bone

  • Striploin

  • Filet Mignon

These cuts are naturally tender and excellent for grilling or pan-searing.

Note:
You may choose T-Bones OR Filet Mignon + Striploin, but not both, as they come from the same tenderloin section.
(Quarter customers receive standard loin cutting.)

Sirloin – Lean, Tender, and Full of Flavour

Located just behind the loin, the sirloin offers:

  • Sirloin steaks

  • Sirloin tip roasts

Some customers choose to grind sirloin to add rich beef flavour to their ground mixture.

Round – Lean & Economical

From the hind leg, this is the leanest primal and one of the most versatile.
Common options include:

  • Eye of Round Roast

  • Rump Roast

  • Tip Roast/Steak

  • Round Steak

  • Increase ground beef or stir fry packages

Perfect for families who use a lot of hamburger or prepare freezer meals.

Brisket – Ideal for Slow Cooking and Smoking

From the lower chest, brisket is a favourite for:

  • Smoking

  • Marinating

  • Long, slow cooking

Available on Side and Whole orders (not standard on Quarters).

Shank – Soup Bones & Osso Buco

The shank is from the lower leg and is typically cut into:

  • Cross-cut soup bones

  • Shank slices for Osso Buco or slow braising

  • Clean Shank is used for bone broth or to share with a furry friend.

A deeply flavoured cut when cooked low and slow.

Short Ribs – Rich & Hearty

Taken from the lower rib area, short ribs are meaty and full-flavoured.
They are excellent for braising, smoking, or slow-cooking.
(Quarter customers receive standard rib options.)

Blade – Great for Roasts & Steaks

Part of the shoulder, the blade primal produces:

  • Blade roasts

  • Blade steaks

  • Boneless shoulder roasts

Great for slow roasting, slicing for stir-fries, or grinding.

Stew Meat – Lean, Convenient Cubes

Trimmed from various primals, stew meat is perfect for:

  • Soups

  • Stews

  • Kabobs 

  • Crockpot meals

If not selected, these pieces can be added to your ground beef.

Offal – For Traditional Use or Pets

Optional items include:

  • Heart

  • Tongue

  • Liver (1 lb sliced packs)

  • Oxtail (cut between vertebrae)

Excellent for nutrient-dense meals or raw-feeding diets for pets.

Beef Tallow – Cooking & Skincare Uses

Beef tallow is available upon request and can be used for cooking, frying, baking, natural skincare, soaps, or homemade creams.
Note: Tallow for creams must be rendered first.

 

Custom Cut and Wrapped Beef 

Custom-cut beef is available on bulk orders of sides and whole beef. All our beef is fast-frozen and wrapped in butcher paper for optimal freshness.

Quanity of product

Cut requests do not need to include quantities—only roast size, steak thickness, and the number of steaks per package. The total amount will vary based on your cutting choices.

Need Help

If you haven’t ordered directly from the farm before, we prefer to schedule a time to review your cutting options together. The process usually takes 15–20 minutes.

Steak Thickness

Steak thickness on quarters must match the partnering quarter. A thickness of 1–1½ inches is often the best choice for quality and cooking consistency.

View a sample cut sheet here.

Custom cutting is available on Sides and Whole orders.

Sample cut sheet