Build a Cow
Buy the beef your family actually wants
For years, customers have asked about buying a side or half-side of beef. But not every family wants every cut that comes with the traditional package.
Why should everybody have to buy the same cow?
You Do Not Have to Know the Names of the Primals
Start by telling the butcher what your family likes to eat — the steaks you enjoy, the roasts you cook, how many people you usually feed and the meals you make most often. Our butchers can then recommend the whole section of beef that will give you the cuts you want.
SAVE BY BUYING LIKE A BUTCHER DOES
Buy the whole primal. We cut it your way. Because the entire piece is sold at once, we can offer better whole-primal pricing and pass the value along to you.
Instead of paying for individual retail cuts one package at a time, you can choose the whole sections that match the way your family eats, have them custom cut, and stock up on the cuts you actually use.
Choose the Whole Sections That Fit Your Family
Butchers call these larger sections primals or sub-primals. You do not need to memorize those names. Once you tell us what your family likes, we can help you choose the sections that will give you the steaks, roasts and other cuts you want.
Choose several. Choose one. Come back later for another. Build a Cow is meant to fit your family, not force your family into a fixed package.
Then tell the butcher how you want it cut
Want 1-inch steaks? Tell us. Want 1½-inch steaks for the grill? Tell us. Want part of the primal left as a roast? Tell us. Want smaller roasts that fit two people? Tell us.
Premium Steaks — Custom Thickness
Bulk Wrapped for You to Take Home
After your meat is custom cut, it is bulk wrapped for you to take home. You can then divide, label or portion it for your freezer in the way that works best for your household.
What can each primal become?
Starting at the front of the animal and working toward the rear, these are the larger beef sections butchers work with. Use the list as a guide — or simply tell us the cuts your family likes and let our butchers help you choose.
Click any video button below to play the original HSTB video here without leaving the page.
Whole Boneless Chuck
Can yield: boneless chuck pot roasts, boneless chuck steaks, stew meat and ground beef.
Watch: Boneless Chuck RollBone-In Export Rib / Prime Rib
Can yield: bone-in prime rib roasts and/or bone-in prime rib steaks.
Watch: Export RibWhole Tenderloin / Butt Tender
Can yield: filet mignon steaks and/or tenderloin roasts.
Watch the Whole Tenderloin VideoWhole Boneless New York Strip
Can yield: boneless New York strip steaks and/or strip roasts.
Watch the Whole New York Strip VideoBoneless Top Sirloin
Can yield: boneless sirloin steaks and/or roasts, plus petite sirloin steaks depending on how you want it cut.
Watch the Whole Top Sirloin VideoWhole Eye Round
Can yield: eye round steaks, eye round roasts and/or sandwich steaks.
Whole Bottom Round
Can yield: bottom round roasts, back roasts, oven roasts, round stew meat and round cube steaks.
Watch: Bottom Round FlatWhole Sirloin Tip
Can yield: sirloin tip steaks, sirloin tip roasts, stew meat and, depending on how you want it cut, sandwich steaks or stir-fry steaks.
Watch: Sirloin Tip KnuckleBeef Shank
Can yield: beef shanks for soup.
Short Ribs
Can yield: flanken-style short ribs and/or traditional short ribs.
See where the cuts come from
Use the Whole-Cut Guide and original HSTB videos to see how rib eyes, strips, tenderloins and top sirloins are broken down before you place your order.
Explore Whole Primals