How Much Should I Buy? Choosing the Right Share for Your Needs

Deciding how much meat to purchase can be overwhelming, especially when buying in bulk. Whether you're considering a lamb or goat share from Halal-N-Tayyib Meats, it's important to choose the right amount for your household size, freezer space, and cooking habits.

To make it easier, we’ve created a quick reference guide--"Which Share Is Right for Me?"—that outlines the approximate sizes of our lamb and goat shares, helping you determine the best option for your needs. This guide takes into account:

✅ Household size – How many people you’ll be feeding regularly.
✅ Consumption habits – How often you prepare meat-based meals.
✅ Freezer space – How much storage you have available.
✅ Budget – How much you can invest upfront for long-term savings.
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Buying in bulk not only ensures you always have premium-quality, pasture-raised Halal meat on hand but also offers better value, convenience, and a deeper connection to where your food comes from.
Explore our share options and find the perfect fit for your family! 🥩🍖

​The amount of meat you need for a year depends on your household size and eating habits. Do you have a family of six who enjoys meat at every meal? Are you a couple that primarily eats chicken and beef? Do you love grilling kebabs and burgers in the summer but prefer slow-cooked stews and roasts in the winter?
Understanding your household’s meat consumption is key when buying in bulk. If this is your first time, it’s wise to start with a smaller quantity to avoid excess. It’s better to run out than to have more meat than you can use!

Questions to Consider

To estimate how much meat your household needs, follow these steps:

1. How many people in your household eat meat?
2. What’s the average portion size per person?
   • A meat-focused meal (e.g., steak or grilled chicken) might require 6 to 8 ounces per person.
   • A meal where meat is an ingredient (e.g., stews or curries) may require less.
3. How many meals per week include meat?
   • Your meat consumption might vary between beef, lamb, goat, and chicken.

Now, multiply:
(Number of Meat-Eaters) × (Average Portion Size) × (Meals Per Week) = Weekly Meat Consumption
To determine your annual needs, multiply your weekly total by 52 (weeks in a year).
This estimate will help you determine the right size for a meat share. Keep in mind that you’ll refine these numbers over time as you learn more about your household’s preferences.

Understanding Meat Shares: Key Terms

Carcass Weight

Livestock weight is measured at two key points:

• Live weight – The weight of the animal before slaughter.
• Carcass weight – The weight after slaughter, once the hide, blood, head, feet, and organs are removed. This is typically 50%–70% of the live weight, depending on the species, age, and other factors.

If you're buying meat based on carcass weight, the price per pound will be higher than if you were charged based on live weight.

Edible Meat Yield

The weight of the meat you take home is less than the carcass weight due to trimming during the butchering process. Inedible parts—such as bones, fat, and glands—are removed. On average, the boneless meat yield is about 65% of the carcass weight.

If you choose bone-in cuts (e.g., steaks or shanks), your take-home weight will be higher, but the edible portion remains the same since bones are not consumed.

Which Meat Share Is Right for You?

Now that you have an estimate of your household’s meat needs, it’s time to choose the right meat share. Make sure to check with your farmer or supplier about specific weight ranges before purchasing.

Complete Lamb & Goat Bulk Buying Guide