What to look for, how to choose cuts, and how shipping works

Buying beef online can feel like a big step if you have only ever grabbed a pack from the grocery store. But once you know what to look for, it’s pretty easy!

Here’s how we think about it on our Nebraska family farm, and how to build an order you will feel good about!

What to look for when buying beef online

1) A real source you can trace

The best online beef comes with a clear answer to one question: where did this animal come from?

GoodLife Beef comes from animals raised right here at Double O Farms, our family farm that is five generations strong. We raise our herd from birth to harvest on the same farm our family has stewarded since our ancestors immigrated from Germany in 1885. We are not middlemen, we care for the animals every single day. 

2) A raising program you actually understand

Buzzwords are easy. Details matter.

Here are a few specifics we always suggest looking for:

• No growth hormones

• No routine antibiotics, and if an animal needs treatment, that beef is removed from the direct to consumer program

• A finishing plan built for flavor. Our cattle spend most of their lives on pasture, then we finish on a balanced ration to build the marbling our customers love.

3) Aging that delivers on tenderness and flavor

If you have ever had a bite of steak that made you pause and really savor, aging is usually part of the why.

We dry age every carcass at least 28 days, which tenderize the beef and creates a rich, melt in your mouth flavor.

4) Safe processing and packaging

Online beef should arrive ready for your freezer and not cause you any more stress!

Look for:

• USDA inspected processing

• Vacuum sealed cuts that are labeled and flash frozen before shipping

Those details protect quality during delivery and make freezer storage easy.

How to choose cuts (without overthinking it)

Start with one question: How do you cook most nights? Then build from there.

If you love steak nights and grilling

Choose a mix of “main event” steaks plus a couple easy wins.

• Ribeye or New York strip for classic steak night

• Sirloin or flat iron for weeknight steaks

• Burgers or brats for quick grilling nights

If you want a ready-made starting point, our Steaks + More Box is built exactly for that: ribeye, New York strip, two sirloins or flat irons, plus brats and burgers.

If you cook fast and want flexible meals

Ground beef is the workhorse. It turns into burgers, tacos, chili, meatballs, casseroles, spaghetti, and more.  Sometimes we just brown up ground beef and add a little butter and salt and call it “Beef and Butter.” Our kids love Beef and Butter nights!

Our Ground Beef Boxes are dry aged, single animal ground beef, naturally 93%+ lean, and packaged in one pound packages to make for easy thawing.  Did you know that one pound of ground beef from the grocery store can oftentimes be traced back to 1,000 different animals? Once you taste single animal ground beef, you’ll never go back!

If you are feeding a family and want comfort food

Look for cuts that get better the longer they cook:

• Roasts for Sunday dinners and leftovers

• Stew meat for soups and hearty winter meals

• Jumbo skirt steaks for steak strips, fajitas and steak salads

If you want to stock the freezer and save

Bulk beef is hard to beat if you have the space. We offer whole, half, and quarter beef options, with pricing based on hanging weight and processing fees paid directly to the butcher.  This is mostly reserved for local customers. However, shipping a 1/16th or 1/8th share is a possibility.  Please email Jena to inquire!

How shipping works (step by step)

This is the part most people worry about. It is also the part we have dialed in.

1) We pack it to stay frozen

Every cut is vacuum sealed, labeled, and flash frozen before shipping. Our freezers keep the beef around -10 degrees fahrenheit. Orders are packed in an insulated box with dry ice so they arrive cold and ready for your freezer.  IF your beef arrives partially thawed, do not worry! Although thawing is rare during shipment, as long as the beef is still cold to the touch, it is safe to consume!

2) We ship early in the week on purpose

We generally ship on Mondays and Tuesdays so there is time for your box to arrive before the weekend and help avoid weekend delays.

3) Your checkout options depend on where you live

Perishable orders ship by overnight, second day air, or 2 to 3 day ground, depending on your location and carrier timing. Shipping rates vary by region and are calculated at checkout.

4) We ship within the United States

Due to the perishable nature of beef and the risk of customs delays, we only ship within the United States.

When your box arrives: the simple checklist

1. Bring it inside right away

2. Move everything straight to the freezer

3. If you are cooking soon, thaw in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours
   Quick option: keep it sealed and place in cold water

4. If something looks off because of a shipping delay, email us so we can make it right

A few quick questions we hear all the time

Do you ship nationwide?
Yes, we ship to all 50 states.

Can I pick up locally?
Yes. If you are near Sutton, Nebraska, you can select local pickup at checkout and we will coordinate a pickup time at the farm.

How long will it last in the freezer?
Vacuum sealed beef maintains peak quality for about 12 months in a deep freeze.  Once we found a roast in the bottom of our freezer that looked freezer burnt and was about 3 years old. We rolled the dice and put it in the crockpot and it tasted wonderful! Do that at your own discretion, just letting you know that freezer beef really does last a long time!

One last tip from our farm kitchen

Great beef does not need much. Salt, heat, and paying attention to temperature go a long way.

If you love having a go to “grab and season” option, keep an eye out for our new seasoning, Beefs Best Friend, coming soon.

From our family to yours, thank you for trusting us to feed yours.