A beef box is the simplest way to try farm-direct beef without committing to the freezer space required for a quarter or half. The current BTC Beef box is $599 and contains a balanced mix of quick-cooking steaks, one roast, and ground beef for everyday meals.

The exact box contents

  • 2 T-bone steaks
  • 2 rib steaks
  • 2 sirloin steaks
  • 3 round steaks
  • 1 roast, approximately 3 lb
  • 16 lb ground beef

Availability can affect the final details, so confirm the current box when ordering. Either way, the idea stays the same: a mix of cuts that doesn't turn your freezer into a puzzle.

How to use each part of the box

T-bone and rib steaks

These are the premium grilling and cast-iron cuts. T-bone gives you strip steak and tenderloin on opposite sides of the bone. Rib steak has the rich flavour and marbling associated with the rib section. Keep the seasoning simple and use a thermometer so the centre lands where you want it.

Sirloin steaks

Sirloin is a versatile middle ground: beefy, relatively lean, and well suited to grilling or a hot skillet. Serve it whole, slice it for sandwiches, or cut it across the grain for bowls and salads.

Round steaks

Round is leaner and firmer than rib or loin steaks. It benefits from a marinade, mechanical tenderizing, or a lower-and-slower preparation. It is a useful cut for Swiss steak, braised dishes, or thin slices cooked quickly and served across the grain.

The roast

A 3 lb roast makes a straightforward family dinner and usually gives you a second meal. Cook it low and slow with stock, onions, and root vegetables, then use leftovers for sandwiches, soup, or tacos.

Ground beef

The 16 lb of ground beef is the working part of the box. Burgers, meatballs, chilli, cottage pie, tacos, pasta sauce, and skillet meals can all start here. Portioning it across several dependable meals makes the entire box easier to use.

A larger assortment of BTC Beef steaks, roasts, and ground beef
A quarter or half offers more total beef and a broader assortment, but it also requires considerably more freezer capacity.

A simple freezer plan

  1. Keep steaks together so you can see the premium cuts at a glance.
  2. Store ground beef in one section and rotate the oldest packages forward.
  3. Label a space for the roast and choose its cooking date before it disappears under smaller packages.
  4. Keep a short freezer list on the door or in your phone. Cross items off as you use them.

Beef box or quarter beef?

Choose the box if you want a manageable introduction, limited freezer commitment, and a familiar assortment. Consider a quarter or half when you cook beef frequently, want a wider selection, and have reliable freezer space.

BTC Beef lists quarter or half beef at $9.99 per pound, with a quarter weighing approximately 200–250 lb. Final weight varies. That is a materially larger purchase than the ready-made box, so measure your freezer and plan how the beef will be used before ordering.

Best starting point: choose the ready-made box if you are still learning which cuts your household uses most. Your cooking habits will tell you whether a quarter or half makes sense next time.

Need meal ideas? The BTC Beef recipe library is organized into steaks, roasts, and ground beef recipes built around these cuts.