10+ Carnivore Diet Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meat-Based Meals

The carnivore diet centers around animal-based foods—think meat, fish, eggs. It’s simple at its core, but honestly, eating the same steak every day gets old fast.

Finding easy, tasty recipes can make a huge difference. You’ll pick up some straightforward, satisfying dishes here that fit right into this way of eating.

This article brings you recipes for all sorts of meals and occasions. Whether you’re just starting out or need some new ideas, there’s something here that’s both delicious and quick to whip up.

1) Carnivore Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

If you’re craving a simple meal packed with flavor, these meatballs hit the spot. Just mix ground beef, chopped bacon, and cheese for a juicy, savory bite.

The cheese melts inside, so you get that gooey core. You can bake them or use the stove—either way, they’re quick.

This recipe works for keto and low-carb folks too. It’s a fun way to enjoy burger flavors without the bun.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound chopped bacon
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crushed pork rinds (optional)
• 1 egg
• Salt (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix beef, bacon, pork rinds, egg, and salt in a bowl.
3. Form meatballs, tucking cheese inside each one.
4. Place on a baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes.
5. Check they’re cooked through and dig in.

Want a visual? Here’s a carnivore bacon cheeseburger meatballs video.

2) Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter

Ribeye steak with garlic butter—hard to beat that combo. The garlic butter brings out the steak’s flavor, no need for fancy spices.

Sprinkle salt on your ribeye and cook it in beef tallow or any fat you like. Once it’s done, spoon melted garlic butter over the top.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try it with buttered bone marrow. That’s next-level richness.

Ingredients:

• Thick-cut ribeye steak
• Salt
• 2 tbsp beef tallow or fat
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season ribeye with salt on both sides.
2. Heat tallow in a pan over medium-high.
3. Cook steak 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
4. Melt butter in a small pan, add garlic, cook until fragrant.
5. Pour garlic butter over the steak and serve.

3) Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

Salmon’s a solid carnivore pick—full of healthy fats and protein. Lemon and dill give it a fresh, light flavor, no carbs needed.

This dish is fast. Drizzle butter and lemon juice on the salmon, then sprinkle with dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12 to 15 minutes. The salmon should flake easily when it’s done.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Set salmon on a baking sheet.
3. Mix butter and lemon juice, drizzle over salmon.
4. Sprinkle with dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes, until fish flakes with a fork.

4) Beef Short Ribs Slow-Cooked

Slow-cooked beef short ribs are pure comfort food. Season with salt and let them cook low and slow until they’re fall-apart tender.

Use a slow cooker or braise them in bone broth. Butter or tallow adds even more flavor and richness.

You don’t have to babysit this one—just set it and forget it.

Ingredients

• 1 kg beef short ribs
• 40 g butter or tallow
• Salt, to taste
• 1 liter chicken bone broth (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Salt the ribs.
2. Brown them in butter or tallow over medium-high heat.
3. Place ribs in slow cooker or heavy pot.
4. Pour in bone broth if using.
5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or in oven at 225°F (107°C).
6. Serve hot.

5) Pork Belly Crispy Roast

Pork belly’s a fatty, flavorful choice for carnivore eaters. To get that crispy skin, roast it slow, then crank up the heat at the end.

Score the skin with a sharp knife and dry it really well. Season with salt—pepper’s optional. Roast at 300°F (150°C) for about 2 hours.

After that, turn the oven up to 425°F (220°C) for 20-30 minutes to crisp the skin. Don’t walk away—it can burn fast. Let it rest before slicing.

Ingredients

• 1 pork belly (1.5 to 3 lbs)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Score and dry the skin.
3. Rub salt and pepper into the pork.
4. Roast skin-side up for 2 hours.
5. Increase oven to 425°F (220°C).
6. Roast 20-30 minutes more to crisp the skin.
7. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

6) Duck Breast Pan-Seared

Pan-searing duck breast is surprisingly easy and feels fancy. Score the skin in a crisscross pattern to help the fat render out.

Put the duck breast skin-side down in a cold pan. Cook slowly on medium-low so the fat melts and the skin gets crispy.

Once it’s golden, flip and cook the other side until your preferred doneness. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing.

Don’t toss the duck fat—it’s gold for cooking other dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 duck breast
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Score the skin in a crisscross pattern.
2. Place skin-side down in a cold pan.
3. Cook on medium-low until skin is crispy and fat renders (8-12 minutes).
4. Flip and cook the other side for 3-5 minutes.
5. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

7) Carnivore Cloud Bread Pizza

Cloud bread pizza is a clever way to get your pizza fix without grains. The crust is light and fluffy, and you can pile on cheese and meat.

You need just a few ingredients for the cloud bread. It’s quick, and you can top it with whatever cooked meats or cheeses you like.

Perfect for when you want something fun and pizza-ish, but still carnivore.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 3 oz cream cheese or mascarpone
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• Toppings: shredded cheese, cooked bacon, or any meat

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Separate eggs. Whip whites until stiff peaks form.
3. In another bowl, mix yolks with cream cheese and salt.
4. Gently fold whites into yolk mixture.
5. Spoon onto parchment-lined baking sheet as 2-3 rounds.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden and firm.
7. Add toppings, then bake 5-7 minutes more until cheese melts.

8) Egg and Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Egg and cheese breakfast muffins are a lifesaver on busy mornings. You only need a handful of ingredients, and they come together fast.

They’re fluffy, packed with protein and fat, and you can tweak them with salt or a sprinkle of spices. Make a batch ahead and grab them during the week.

They’re a good pick if you want a dairy-based option on carnivore. Plus, you can eat them on the go.

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Raw cheese
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat eggs in a bowl.
3. Stir in grated cheese and salt.
4. Pour into muffin tin or silicone molds.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes until set and lightly golden.
6. Let cool a bit before removing from tin.

Want more ideas? Check out these Carnivore Fat Bomb Fluffy Egg & Cheese Muffins.

9) Organ Meat Stew

Organ meat stew is a solid way to sneak more nutrients into your carnivore diet. You’ll use beef heart, kidney, and maybe a bit of liver if you’re feeling adventurous.

Slow cooking turns the tough cuts tender and surprisingly tasty. Stick with simple seasonings—salt and garlic work well, or just let the meat shine.

Cooking it low and slow really brings out the flavors. Plus, you can make a big batch and stash leftovers for a few days.

If you want to give this a shot, prep the meat and toss everything in a slow cooker or pot. Let it bubble away for a couple of hours, and you’ll end up with a hearty, carnivore-friendly stew.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef heart
• 1 pound beef kidney
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Dice the beef heart and kidney into bite-sized pieces.
2. Place the meat, onion, and garlic in a slow cooker.
3. Add salt and stir to mix evenly.
4. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until meat is tender.
5. Serve warm and enjoy.

You can find more tips for slow cooked organ meat stew here.

10) Simple Grilled Lamb Chops

Grilled lamb chops are honestly one of the easiest carnivore meals out there. Just a handful of ingredients make the flavors pop.

Marinate the chops for a bit if you want them extra juicy. Grill over medium-high heat for a good sear, but keep an eye out—lamb cooks fast.

Let the chops rest a few minutes after grilling so they stay nice and juicy. Salt, pepper, and garlic are all you really need, though oregano is a nice touch if you’re in the mood.

It’s quick, satisfying, and fits any carnivore meal plan. Sometimes simple really is best.

Ingredients

• Lamb chops
• Garlic cloves
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried oregano (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a bowl and mix together olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano.

2. Take the lamb chops and coat them well with this marinade. Let them sit for about 30 minutes.

3. Fire up your grill to medium-high—shoot for around 400°F (200°C).

4. Toss the chops on the grill. Give them 3-4 minutes per side if you want that perfect medium-rare.

5. Pull the chops off and let them rest for 5 minutes. Then, they’re ready to serve.