Frequently Asked Questions
About Donegal Dexter
Who are Donegal Dexter?
We’re a farmer-owned group of Dexter cattle farmers based in County Donegal. We work together to bring our locally reared, native Irish Dexter beef directly from our farms to your table.
What makes Dexter beef different?
Dexter cattle are a native Irish breed, smaller than most commercial beef breeds. They’re naturally hardy and well suited to Donegal’s landscape.
Their beef is known for its rich flavour, beautiful marbling and tenderness. While the cuts may be smaller, Dexter beef delivers exceptional quality and flavour.
Where does your beef come from?
All our beef comes from Dexter cattle reared by farmers within our Donegal Dexter group. Our cattle are raised on a grass-based diet, with our farmers committed to high standards of animal welfare and producing quality Irish beef.
Where is your beef processed?
Our beef is professionally butchered and packaged by Brendan Gallagher’s Quality Butchers in Castlefin, County Donegal.
Orders are then carefully packed at our HSE approved distribution facility in Letterkenny, ready for nationwide delivery via courier.Â
Are your farms Bord Bia Quality Assured?
Our participating farms are Bord Bia Quality Assured, and our beef is professionally processed, packaged and handled in accordance with Irish food safety regulations.
Ordering & Delivery
When do I need to place my order?
Orders close every Tuesday at 8pm for delivery that Friday.
Orders placed after the Tuesday 8pm cut-off will be scheduled for the following Friday.
You can also select your preferred Friday delivery date at checkout.
How much does delivery cost?
We deliver fresh Dexter beef throughout Ireland.
Nationwide delivery: €10
Donegal delivery: €5
Free delivery: Orders over €150
Free collection: Letterkenny
Delivery options and charges are displayed at checkout.
How is my beef packaged for delivery?
All our beef is vacuum-packed for freshness and carefully packed into insulated Woolcool boxes with ice packs to help maintain the correct temperature during transport.
Our packaging is designed to keep your beef chilled and protected throughout its journey from Donegal to your door.
Our Wool packaging is made from natural sheep’s wool, making it a more sustainable alternative to traditional insulation. The wool can also be reused around your home or garden, including as mulch around plants or added to your compost.
How will I know when my order is on its way?
We dispatch our beef orders every Thursday for delivery on Friday.
Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive tracking information from our courier, DPD, so you can follow your delivery.
As our beef is fresh and perishable, we recommend having someone available to receive it and refrigerate it as soon as possible.
Can I collect my order instead of having it delivered?
Yes! We offer free collection from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Simply select Local Collection at checkout, and we’ll provide you with the collection details once your order is ready.
Our Beef
Is your beef fresh or frozen?
Our Dexter beef is delivered fresh, never frozen, and vacuum-packed to maintain its quality and freshness.
It’s ready to cook when it arrives or can be frozen at home for another day.
Can I freeze the beef?
Absolutely! Our Dexter beef is delivered fresh and vacuum-packed, making it ideal for freezing at home.
For best results, freeze your beef as soon as possible after delivery and always before the use-by date shown on the packaging.
When you’re ready to use it, defrost it thoroughly in the fridge before cooking.
How long will my beef keep in the fridge?
Our beef is delivered fresh and vacuum-packed to maintain its quality and freshness.
Always check the use-by date on each pack and keep your beef refrigerated at the temperature stated on the label.
Once opened, use within 2 days and always before the original use-by date.
If you don’t plan to use your beef before the use-by date, we recommend freezing it as soon as possible after delivery.
Are Dexter beef cuts smaller than regular beef?
Dexter cattle are naturally smaller than most commercial beef breeds, which means individual steaks and roasting joints can be smaller in size.
However, all our products are sold according to the weights or quantities specified on our website, so you know exactly what you’re ordering.
What makes Dexter beef special is its spider beautiful marbling, tenderness and rich, distinctive flavour.
What's the best way to cook Dexter beef?
Dexter beef is naturally tender and full of flavour, and different cuts benefit from different cooking methods.
Our steaks are excellent pan-seared or grilled, while cuts such as chuck, shin, brisket and oxtail are perfect for slow cooking.
For more advice on getting the best from your Dexter beef, take a look at our Cooking Guide.
Payments & Customer Support
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, through our secure online checkout.
All payments are processed securely through Stripe.
Can I change my order after placing it?
If you need to make a change to your order, please email us at info@donegaldexter.ie as soon as possible, quoting your order number.
We’ll do our best to accommodate any changes before your order has been prepared for dispatch.
What if there's a problem with my order?
We’re a small farmer-owned business, and every order matters to us.
If something isn’t right with your order, please email us at info@donegaldexter.ie with your order number and details of the issue.
We’ll do our best to resolve it as quickly as possible.
Can I return or exchange my order?
As our beef is a fresh, perishable product, we cannot accept returns or exchanges for a change of mind.
However, if your order arrives damaged, incorrect or there is an issue with the quality of your beef, please contact us at info@donegaldexter.ie as soon as possible.
We’ll work with you to resolve the issue promptly, in accordance with your consumer rights.