Navigating the world of direct-from-ranch beef purchases might seem daunting if you're used to grocery store shopping. This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process of buying premium Nebraska beef from KL Beef Co.—from selecting the right quantity for your family to understanding dry-aging and ensuring your beef arrives in perfect condition.
Rebecca Walsh was skeptical when her neighbor first suggested buying beef directly from a Nebraska ranch. "I thought it would be complicated," the Omaha resident admits. "But once I tried it, I realized it's actually simpler than regular grocery shopping—and the quality difference is remarkable."
Like many KL Beef Co. customers, Rebecca has discovered what northeastern Nebraskans have known for generations: there's something special about knowing exactly where your beef comes from, who raised it, and how it made its way to your table.
"The first time I cooked a ribeye from KL Beef, my husband asked what I'd done differently," she laughs. "The only difference was the quality of the meat itself."
If you're considering making the switch to ranch-direct beef, this guide will answer all your questions and walk you through the process from start to finish.
Why Buy Directly from a Rancher?
Before diving into the how, let's talk about why buying directly from KL Beef Co. makes sense for so many Nebraska families:
Superior Quality and Flavor
KL Beef Co.'s cattle are raised with care from birth to harvest, with genetics selected for ideal marbling and flavor. Their beef is dry-aged for a minimum of 14 days—a process that enhances tenderness and develops the rich, complex flavors that have become increasingly rare in mass-produced meat.
Complete Transparency
"People want to know where their food comes from," explains Kyle Lammers, sixth-generation rancher and owner of KL Beef Co. "When you buy from us, you can trace that steak or roast right back to our ranch in Hartington. There's no mystery about how the animal was raised or what it was fed."
Better Value
While the per-pound price might initially seem higher than supermarket specials, the value becomes clear when you compare apples to apples—or in this case, steaks to steaks.
"Our dry-aged steaks rival what you'd find in high-end restaurants," Kyle notes. "When you factor in the quality, buying in bulk especially becomes an incredible value."
Supporting Local Agriculture
Your purchase directly supports a Nebraska family that's been ranching for six generations. Instead of your food dollars being divided among numerous middlemen, they go directly to the people raising the cattle and caring for the land.
Understanding Your Buying Options
KL Beef Co. offers several ways to purchase their premium Black Angus beef, accommodating different family sizes, budgets, and storage capacities.
Bulk Beef: The Complete Experience
Buying beef in bulk—whether a whole, half, quarter, or eighth share—offers the best value and a true nose-to-tail experience. Here's what you need to know about bulk beef options:
What's Included: Each bulk order provides a comprehensive selection of cuts from a single animal, including ground beef, steaks (ribeyes, sirloins, New York strips, filet mignons), roasts (chuck, rump, and arm), and a brisket. Roasts are typically cut around 4 pounds, and steaks at 1¼ inch thick—the perfect thickness for optimal cooking.
Sizing Guidelines:
- Whole Beef: Yields approximately 400-500 pounds of finished cuts, ideal for large families or several households sharing
- Half Beef: Yields 200-250 pounds, perfect for families of 4+ or smaller households that eat beef frequently
- Quarter Beef: Yields 100-125 pounds, suitable for families of 2-4 with standard freezer space
- Eighth Beef: Yields 50-60 pounds, great for couples, singles, or those with limited freezer space
The Process: When you reserve bulk beef, you pay a deposit to secure your order. When the livestock is delivered to the USDA-inspected locker, you'll receive an invoice for the final amount based on hanging weight (the weight after butchering but before cutting into finished products).
"People sometimes get confused about hanging weight," Morgan Rhea, who handles marketing for KL Beef Co., explains. "You'll receive approximately 55-60% of the carcass weight in beef. The difference isn't waste—it accounts for bones, fat trimming, and natural moisture loss during the dry-aging process."
Timeline: Expect to have beef in your freezer approximately one month after livestock is delivered to the processor. This time allows for proper dry-aging (minimum 14 days) and processing.
Freezer Space: A quarter beef typically requires 4-5 cubic feet of freezer space—about half of a standard chest freezer.
Individual Cuts: Flexibility and Convenience
For those not ready to commit to bulk purchasing or with limited freezer space, KL Beef Co. offers individual steaks and other cuts that deliver the same exceptional quality in smaller quantities.
"We understand not everyone has room for a quarter beef," Kyle notes. "Our individual cuts give you the chance to experience our dry-aged beef without the larger commitment."
Individual options include:
- Premium steaks (ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, filet mignon)
- Ground beef packages
- Specialty items like beef sticks and jerky
- Seasonal offerings such as prime rib and tenderloin (typically available in late fall for holidays)
Specialty Requests
KL Beef Co. prides itself on accommodating special requests whenever possible.
"If there's something specific you're looking for, just ask," Kyle encourages. "We regularly process beef for stew, fajita, and kabob meat at specific times of the year. We can also work with our meat market to get specialty cuts."
For those interested in nose-to-tail eating, organ meats (offal) are available upon request with bulk orders—just another benefit of working directly with the ranch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, the KL Beef Co. team has fielded countless questions from new customers. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries:
About the Cattle
What breed of cattle do you raise? "We raise purebred Black Angus beef cattle," Kyle explains. "We source our replacement heifers from Pearl Creek Ranch in Montana and our bulls from Wagon Hammer Ranch in Nebraska. The genetics matter tremendously for both flavor and consistency."
Do you use hormones? KL Beef Co. chooses not to implant their cattle with hormones. For those interested in learning more about hormones in beef production, the FDA provides comprehensive information.
What about antibiotics? "Our cattle are only administered antibiotics when they're sick or injured," Kyle emphasizes. "Very few of our cattle ever receive antibiotics. Their health is our top priority, and we treat each animal humanely to provide the best possible care."
About the Beef
What's the blend on your ground beef? All ground beef from KL Beef Co. is single-animal sourced 80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat)—including their ground beef patties. This ratio provides ideal flavor and juiciness. Leaner ground beef can be requested, though processing time may vary.
How long can I keep my beef in the freezer? "Beef sealed in Cryovac bags can be safely frozen for use up to 2-3 years," Morgan notes. "When the beef arrives, it has been maintained frozen from the time of harvest."
What makes your beef different from grocery store beef? The differences are numerous, but the three most significant are:
- Dry-aging: KL Beef Co. dry-ages their beef for a minimum of 14 days, enhancing tenderness and developing complex flavors. Most supermarket beef isn't aged at all.
- Single-animal sourcing: Unlike ground beef at grocery stores, which often combines meat from dozens or even hundreds of animals, KL Beef Co.'s ground beef comes from a single animal, ensuring consistency and traceability.
- Complete control from birth to harvest: As a sixth-generation ranch, KL Beef Co. oversees the entire process, from breeding and calving to feeding and processing—all within two hours of their Hartington ranch.
Ordering and Shipping
How does shipping work? For orders requiring shipping, KL Beef Co. packs each box with dry ice and insulation to ensure beef arrives cold. They ship orders twice monthly—the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month (unless it falls on a holiday, then shipping occurs the next day).
"If you need your order shipped sooner, just send us an email," Morgan suggests. "We're always happy to accommodate when possible."
What should I do when my package arrives? Your products should be frozen, partially frozen, or cool to the touch when you open the package. Partially thawed products can be safely refrozen.
"Packages may contain partially-dissipated dry ice or gel packs," Morgan explains. "This is common in the shipping process. Avoid touching any remaining dry ice with bare skin."
Dry ice can be left inside the cooler to evaporate or removed with gloves and disposed of in a well-ventilated outdoor location, safely away from children and pets.
Where do you ship? KL Beef Co. ships throughout the continental United States but does not ship internationally.
From Ordering to Enjoying: The Complete Process
Now that we've covered the basics, let's walk through the entire process from placing your order to enjoying your first perfectly cooked steak.
Step 1: Choose Your Purchase Option
Decide whether bulk beef or individual cuts make more sense for your needs. Consider your family size, freezer space, and how frequently you enjoy beef meals.
First-time customers often start with individual cuts to experience the quality before committing to a larger purchase, though bulk offers the best overall value.
Step 2: Place Your Order
For bulk beef, visit the bulk beef page and select your preferred option. You'll pay a deposit to secure your reservation.
For individual cuts, browse the steaks collection and add your selections to cart.
Step 3: Processing and Preparation
For bulk orders, your beef will be processed at a local USDA-inspected facility. After dry-aging for a minimum of 14 days, it will be cut to specification, vacuum-sealed, labeled, and frozen.
Individual cut orders are prepared for immediate shipment from KL Beef Co.'s existing inventory of premium cuts.
Step 4: Delivery or Shipping
Local customers within Nebraska often receive hand delivery, while those further away receive carefully packaged shipments with dry ice to maintain proper temperature.
"We're meticulous about our packaging," Kyle notes. "Even in summer months, your beef will arrive in perfect condition."
Step 5: Storage and Enjoyment
Once your beef arrives, transfer it promptly to your freezer. When ready to cook, thaw individual packages in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours, depending on size.
"The beauty of having a freezer full of premium beef is the convenience," says Morgan. "You always have the foundation for an exceptional meal on hand, whether it's a special occasion calling for ribeyes or a busy weeknight solved with ground beef."
Tips for Making the Most of Your KL Beef Co. Purchase
Having invested in premium Nebraska beef, you'll want to ensure you're getting the most flavor and value from every cut.
Storage Recommendations
- Keep beef frozen until ready to use
- Thaw in refrigerator, not at room temperature
- Once thawed, cook ground beef within 1-2 days and steaks/roasts within 3-5 days
- Organize your freezer by cut type for easy access
Cooking Tips from the Ranch
The Lammers family has been cooking their own beef for generations. Here are some of their tried-and-true techniques:
For Steaks:
- Bring to room temperature before cooking
- Season simply with salt and pepper to let the beef's natural flavor shine
- Use high heat to develop a flavorful crust
- For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F internal temperature
- Always rest steaks for 5-10 minutes before cutting
For Roasts:
- Brown on all sides before slow cooking
- Cook low and slow (325°F for oven roasting)
- Use a meat thermometer for precision
- Consider seasoning with KL Beef Co.'s complementary One Hand Man Seasoning
For Ground Beef:
- No need to drain the fat—the 80/20 ratio is designed for optimal flavor
- Form patties with minimal handling for the best burger texture
- Try mixing in minced onions or garlic for enhanced flavor
The KL Beef Co. Difference: Beyond the Product
What truly sets KL Beef Co. apart isn't just their exceptional beef—it's the relationship they build with their customers.
"We truly enjoy connecting with people, sharing our story, letting others experience our ranch and allowing them to know exactly where their beef comes from," Kyle explains.
This connection extends beyond the transaction. The Lammers family welcomes questions about their practices, offers cooking advice, and even opens their ranch to visitors who want to see firsthand how their beef is raised.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
Now that you understand how the process works, you're ready to taste the difference that six generations of ranching expertise makes in every bite.
To start your journey with KL Beef Co.'s premium Black Angus beef:
- Explore bulk beef options for the best value
- Browse individual steaks for flexibility and convenience
- Contact the KL Beef Co. team with any additional questions
Still have questions not answered here? Email hello@klbeefco.com for personalized assistance.
KL Beef Co.: From our Nebraska ranch to your table—premium beef raised with pride and delivered with care.