Crossbreeding effects on beef production characteristics, growth, carcass and meat quality traits were registered on a total of 162 purebred Norwegian (NRF) dual‐purpose and crossbred bulls obtained from mating (AI) NRF dams with NRF, Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Charolais sires. The offspring were reared in commercial farms until slaughter. Data were analysed by mixed models and adjusted to either constant carcass weight (305 kg), slaughter age (19.5 mos.) or carcass fat level (6% fat) end points. Improvements in beef production traits obtained by crossbreeding were highly dependent on the choice of sire beef breed. NRF × Charolais crossbreds had the highest daily carcass gain and carcass quality (fleshiness grading) at all end points. Crossbreeding with Aberdeen Angus and Hereford gave no growth advantages, an intermediate increase in carcass fleshiness grading and an increase in weight constant carcass fat level compared to purebred NRF.