How to Plan Ahead for Your Processing Date

Plan Ahead On Your Custom Processing

How to Plan Ahead for Your Processing Date

Planning ahead can make custom meat processing much easier, whether you’ve done it many times or you’re preparing for your first animal. Processing is handled by appointment, and there are several decisions you’ll want to make before your scheduled date.

Preparing early also gives you time to think about cutting instructions, freezer space, pickup, and how you want to use the finished meat.

  • TL;DR
  • Schedule processing ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute.
  • Review your cutting options before your processing date.
  • Consider how your family cooks when making processing decisions.
  • Prepare adequate freezer space before your finished meat is ready.
A Guide to Preparing for

Custom Meat Processing

Preparing for custom meat processing involves more than scheduling an appointment. Turk Brothers Custom Meats helps you plan your cutting instructions, freezer space, and pickup arrangements so you know what to expect throughout the process.

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When Should You Schedule Custom Meat Processing?

Our custom processing is handled by appointment. Contacting us ahead of time allows you to discuss scheduling and receive any instructions you may need before bringing in an animal.

Don’t assume that an animal can simply be brought in without prior arrangements. Confirm your processing date and any applicable requirements beforehand.

What Should You Decide Before Your Processing Date?

Start thinking about your cutting instructions. For beef, this can mean deciding how you want steaks, roasts, ground beef, ribs, brisket, stew meat, and other cuts prepared.

For hogs, consider your preferences for chops, roasts, ribs, ham, bacon, sausage, brats, and other available products. Making these decisions before the last minute gives you more time to consider what your household will actually use.

How Can Your Cooking Habits Help You Plan Your Order?

Look at the meals you prepare regularly. A household that grills frequently may want to prioritize different cuts than one that relies heavily on slow cookers, roasting, soups, or ground-meat recipes.

You can also think about portion sizes. Choosing package quantities and sizes that match your household can make your finished order more convenient to use throughout the year.

Why Should You Plan Your Freezer Space Early?

Large custom processing orders require significant freezer space. Waiting until pickup day to discover that your freezer is full can create an unnecessary problem.

Clean and organize your freezer ahead of time. Remove old or unwanted items and make sure the freezer is operating properly before your order is ready.

What Should You Expect After the Processing Date?

The animal will still need to go through the necessary processing steps before your finished order is ready. Beef may be aged before it is cut, and we generally recommend approximately 7–14 days of aging.

After the appropriate processing is completed, your meat is cut according to your instructions, vacuum sealed, and prepared for freezer storage.

Organizing Your Meat Packages

What Should You Do Before Picking Up Your Finished Meat?

Make sure you have enough freezer space and a plan for transporting the order home. For larger orders, having adequate room in your vehicle and being prepared to move the packages into frozen storage promptly can make pickup easier. Once home, organizing packages by type can also save time later. Keeping steaks, roasts, ground meat, and specialty products grouped together makes it easier to know what you have available.

Have A Question? We Are Here To Help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing for custom meat processing starts with proper planning. Turk Brothers Custom Meats answers common questions about scheduling appointments, choosing cuts, and organizing freezer space to help make your processing experience easier.

Do I need an appointment for custom processing?

Yes. Custom processing is handled by appointment, so contact us ahead of time to schedule and receive any necessary instructions.

When should I start thinking about my cutting instructions?

It's helpful to begin before your processing date rather than waiting until the finished meat is ready to be cut. This gives you time to consider cuts, portion sizes, and how your household typically cooks.

What is one of the most important things to prepare before pickup?

Freezer space. Make sure you have adequate, organized freezer capacity for the amount of meat you're expecting before your order is ready.