How Much Meat Do You Get from a Whole Hog Share?
- Stacie Edwards
- Nov 6, 2025
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever wondered what “a whole hog” actually means when it shows up in your freezer... grab your coffee, because we’re about to break it down together.
When you buy a whole hog from the farm, you’re not just getting a random pile of pork. You’re getting a freezer full of variety.
Cuts for grilling, roasting, smoking, frying, slow cooking... you name it. It’s the kind of purchase that makes you feel like you’ve got dinner handled for months.
Here’s what typically comes with a whole hog from Edwards Family Farms:
16-18 bone-in chops (1" thick) — perfect for grilling, pan-searing, or those “I forgot to plan dinner” nights.
18-20 boneless chops (1" thick) — lean, tender, and easy to season however you like.
4-5 shoulder roasts — hello, pulled pork sandwiches, Sunday dinners, and crockpot magic.
2-3 packs of sliced jowls — rich, flavorful, and nostalgic (like bacon’s country cousin).
2 spareribs and 1 baby back rib — ideal for backyard BBQs or impressing guests.
4 shanks — slow-cooked to fall-apart perfection for soups or stews.
7-8 packs of bacon — thick, smoky, and the kind that makes you peek in the pan to “check” it three times.
2 tenderloins — the filet mignon of pork.
roughly 20 pounds of sausage — breakfast links, patties, or Italian-style… versatility at its best.
10-15 pounds of bones — golden broth material (and your secret weapon for soups).
2-3 pounds of leaf fat — the good stuff for making pie crusts, biscuits, or rendering into the cleanest lard.
2-3 pounds of fatback — old-fashioned frying, seasoning, or adding depth to beans and greens. Some customers add this when grinding their venison.
Whole hog share in the freezer
When it’s all said and done, that’s a lot of meals. From weekday sausage scrambles to slow-smoked ribs on the weekend, every bit of that hog gets put to good use.
And here’s my favorite part... nothing’s wasted. You’re getting the full value of an animal raised right, on pasture, with fresh air, sunshine, and good forage. You taste the difference in every bite.
So, if you’ve been thinking about going “whole hog,” now you know exactly what that means. A stocked freezer, endless meal options, and the peace of mind that your meat came from a farmer you know and trust.
Want to get on the list for our next whole hog availability?
Click HERE to join our email list so you don’t miss out!
NOTE: We only offer whole hog shares.
Edwards Family Farms NC | McDowell County's favorite pasture-raised meats. Serving western NC with the best pasture-raised meats straight from the farm. Local pick up only.
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