How Much Meat Do You Actually Get From an 1/8 Cow?
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
The Quick Answer: An 1/8 Share from Grounded Grassfed typically provides 60–80 pounds of 100% grass-fed and finished beef. Surprisingly, this bounty fits into just 2 cubic feet of freezer space—which is about half of a standard top-mount fridge freezer. It is the perfect amount for a household of 1–2 people to enjoy premium beef for months.
What is a cow share?
Buying a "share" means you are purchasing a portion of a single animal that is harvested locally and processed for you, rather than buying individual cuts at retail markup. It’s a return to the classic way of filling a pantry, often called "field-to-freezer."
Why should I buy a cow share instead of getting beef from the grocery store?
1. Ending the "Meat Counter Telephone" Game
We work in this industry, and one of our favorite things to do is stand at the grocery meat counter and listen to butchers describe ranching practices. They are doing their best, but here’s what usually happens: years ago, a rep from a big meat company told a story to a butcher. Since then, production practices have changed and suppliers have shifted, but the butcher’s story stays the same—it’s a game of "telephone."
The only way to truly know how your food was raised is to look the rancher in the eye. When friends ask us what label to buy in other states, our answer is always the same: skip the label and go to the ranch. Buying an ⅛ cow share is your direct connection to the source.
2. Significant Cost Savings
The industrial middleman marks up beef by 30% to 40%. By buying a cow share, you bypass that markup. You save an average of 35% compared to retail prices, getting high-end steaks and artisan roasts for the same average price as your ground beef.
How many pounds of meat do you get from an 1/8 cow?
We focus on the 1/8 Share for new customers, but we offer sizes for every need:
Share Size | Estimated Weight | Freezer Space | Best For... |
1/8 Share | 60–80 lbs | 2 cu. ft. | 1–2 People |
1/4 Share | 120–150 lbs | 4–5 cu. ft. | Small Family |
1/2 Share | 250–320 lbs | 8–10 cu. ft. | Large Family |
Whole Share | 500–600 lbs | 20 cu. ft. | The "Full Pantry" |
How long will grassfed beef last?
Vacuum-sealed and professionally frozen, our beef maintains its peak quality for over a year. For a household of two eating beef twice a week, an ⅛ share typically lasts 4–6 months.
What cuts typically come in an 1/8 cow share?
When you order an ⅛ beef share from Grounded Grassfed, you aren't just getting ground beef; you're getting a curated selection of the whole animal.
A typical ⅛ share includes:
Premium Steaks: 2x Ribeye, 2x New York, 1lb Top Sirloin, 1lb Filet Mignon.
Specialty Cuts: 3–4 Flat Iron/Hanger pieces, 1 Skirt steak.
Roasts & Slow Cooks: 2.5lb Chuck Roast, 2.5lb Cross Rib Roast, 2lb London Broil, 1 Brisket, 2x Korean Style Short Ribs, 1–2 pieces of Osso Bucco.
The Foundation: 24 lbs of our nutrient-dense Ground Beef.
The "Extras": 5 lbs of soup bones and 1 lb of offal (heart/liver) for high-integrity broths and nutrition.
How are Grounded’s cow shares packaged?
We keep the entire cattle production process within our local Bay-Area foodshed to ensure the highest quality. Our beef is locally harvested at Sonoma County facilities and expertly cut and wrapped by Sonoma County Meat Company. Their professional vacuum-sealing process preserves the meat's cellular integrity, ensuring it tastes just as fresh when you thaw it as the day it was butchered.
Meat with a mission
Our beef is managed in collaboration with the Sonoma Mountain Institute. While beef is the product you put on your table, our primary "crop" is biodiversity.
Through rigorous ecological monitoring and partnerships with organizations like Point Blue Conservation Science, we use Prescribed Herbivory to restore soil health. On the lands our cattle manage, we’ve seen an average 39% increase in biodiversity. When you buy a beef share from Grounded Grassfed, you aren't just buying food–you are funding the restoration of the California grasslands.
How do I order grass-fed beef?
Ready to skip the grocery store "telephone game" and stock your freezer with meat on a mission?
Select Your Share: Visit Our Shop to choose your beef share size.
Place Your Deposit: Secure your portion of this year’s upcoming harvest.
Ranch Pickup: Join us on pickup day to see the land and meet the people behind your food.
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