16 Carnivore Diet Foods: What To Eat On An All-Meat Diet

Ever wish you could just eat bacon, steak, and grilled chicken without a side of guilt—or, you know, a salad? Enter the carnivore diet, where veggies take a backseat (or are kicked out of the car entirely), and animal-based foods take center stage. 

This all-meat lifestyle isn’t just a dream for meat lovers—it’s a growing health trend with claims of reducing inflammation, boosting energy, and scorching unwanted pounds. 

Curious what’s on the menu of carnivores? This guide will walk you through the foods you can eat on an all-meat diet. But first, let’s cover some basics, like what exactly the carnivore diet is, its benefits, and some important caveats. 

What Is the Carnivore Diet? 

The carnivore diet is a more extreme version of the ketogenic diet. It’s a very low-carb, high-fat dietary approach centered around animal protein, including meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs. 

All plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant-based oils (i.e., olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, etc.) are off-limits. Most processed foods (except a select few clean options like carnivore-friendly Keto Bricks) are also no-nos. 

The philosophy behind the carnivore diet is based on the belief that animal products supply all the essential nutrients your body needs, while avoiding the sugars, fibers, and plant compounds in non-animal foods that can sometimes cause issues for some people. 

The Benefits of the Carnivore Diet

In the landmark Harvard Carnivore Diet Study, over 2,000 participants eating a carnivore diet were surveyed to uncover the benefits they experienced.[*] The results? Over 95% reported improved overall health, and up to 91% experienced enhanced well-being. They cited several improvements, including:

• Improved diabetes and insulin resistance 

• Weight loss 

• Increased satiety 

• Improved mental clarity, focus, and memory 

• Improved digestion 

• Improved or resolved autoimmune conditions 

That said, it’s important to keep in mind that this study was observational and not controlled. Currently, there are no controlled studies confirming the carnivore diet’s ability to effectively address health issues. While future research may validate some of its potential benefits, the diet remains relatively new, and the evidence is too limited to draw definitive conclusions.

What’s more, most people don’t need to cut out healthy food groups like vegetables, which are rich in essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Cutting out all plant-based foods could also lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients like vitamin C. Before starting this diet, talk with your doctor or a dietitian who can help you weigh the potential benefits against the risks.

🫛Psst! Keto Brick also offers plant-based bricks for those following a plant-based diet!

Carnivore Diet Foods 

On the carnivore diet, your menu will be filled with animal-based foods. Here’s a list of staples you can enjoy:

1. Beef

From ribeyes to sirloins, steak is the carnivore diet poster child. But don’t stop there—ground beef, ribs, and roasts are just as worthy of a spot on your plate. Packed with essential nutrients like B12, iron, and zinc, beef is as nourishing as it is satisfying.[*]

2. Pork

Pork-based products like bacon, pork chops, and sausage are all carnivore staples (just avoid products with added fillers like cereal binder, maltodestrine, and sugar). Pork is also an excellent source of iron, zinc, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12.[*]

3. Chicken

Wings, thighs, drumsticks, and breasts make excellent protein options, especially when you’re looking for an option that’s less fat-dense than beef. It also provides a good dose of vitamins like niacin, selenium, and phosphorus.[*]

4. Duck and Other Poultry

Expand beyond chicken with options like duck, turkey, or goose for added variety and nutrients.

5. Lamb

Whether it’s lamb chops, shanks, or ground lamb, this is another flavorful meat option that’s rich in iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. 

6. Game Meat

Further embrace your primal side with options like venison, bison, elk, or fowl. These meats, often wild-caught or responsibly raised, offer diversity in terms of flavor and nutrients. They’re typically leaner and rich in essential vitamins and minerals that may be less abundant in domesticated meats.

7. Fish 

From the omega-3-packed salmon to lean tilapia, fish provides a lighter option compared to land-based meats. Plus, it’s an excellent source of vital nutrients like iodine.[*]

8. Shellfish 

Shrimp, crab, and lobster bring variety to your carnivore menu while delivering a healthy dose of essential nutrients like zinc, iodine, and B12.[*]

9. Mollusks 

Oysters, clams, and mussels may not always take center stage, but they’re delicious and powerhouses of nutrition, rich in iron and vitamin B12.

10. Eggs

Scrambled, fried, boiled, or poached—eggs are a versatile and nutrient-packed staple on this diet. They’re loaded with vitamins A, D, E, and K and essential fatty acids and antioxidants like lutein.[*]

11. Organ Meats

Don’t knock ’em ‘til you try ’em! Liver, kidney, heart, and other offal are incredibly nutrient-dense and often hailed as "nature's multi-vitamin." They're loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, copper, and folate, which muscle meats often lack.[*]

12. Bone Marrow 

Bone marrow is rich in fat, which gives it a creamy, buttery texture. When cooked, it develops a deliciously sweet and savory flavor, making it a popular butter alternative.

13. Bone Broth

While not a solid food, bone broth is rich in collagen and nutrients and can make a comforting addition to your diet. You can also get creative with this ingredient by whipping up your own carnivore-friendly versions of your favorite sauces—think bone broth-based gravy. 

14. Animal-Based Fats

Most people use plant-based fats, such as olive, avocado, or coconut oil, for cooking. 

On the carnivore diet, however, only animal-based fats should be used. This means swapping those oils for options like butter, lard, ghee, or tallow. 

Tallow, in particular, is highly nutritious. Beef tallow is the second-highest dietary source of stearic acid after cacao butter (the main ingredient in many Keto Brick flavors). This saturated fat has been shown to improve cholesterol levels, decrease insulin resistance, and lower inflammation, just to name a few benefits.[*][*][*]

15. Low-Lactose Dairy (Optional)

While dairy is an animal product, not all dairy items are suitable for the carnivore diet due to their high lactose content. Lactose is a type of sugar, which is restricted on this diet. 

High-lactose options to avoid include milk, ice cream, hot chocolate, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, half-and-half cream, cream cheese, sharp cheddar, American cheese, and mozzarella cheese.

Low-lactose options like butter, sour cream, hard cheeses, and plain yogurt are acceptable because they contain minimal sugar. These ingredients can add different textures and tastes to a meal, and can be used to make creamy sauces. 

16. Carnivore-friendly Keto Bricks 

For convenience, turn to the Primal Fudge Keto Brick or the Carnivore Cake Pop Keto Brick. These tallow-based bricks are fully carnivore and free from all common allergens. 

Here’s why these bars can be an invaluable part of your carnivore diet food list:

• Carnivore-friendly macros: Our tallow-based Keto Bricks contain 80-81% fat, 16-18% protein, and 1-3% carbohydrates—perfect for this ultra-low-carb way of eating. 

• Calorie dense: With 1,000 calories per bar, these performance bars can be used as a meal replacement, or you can slice them into smaller portions for on-the-go snacks. 

• Nutrient-dense ingredients: Made with a focus on carnivore nutrition, these bricks feature grass-fed beef tallow and a Total Carnivore Protein Blend. This blend includes beef protein isolate, hydrolyzed beef collagen, and a desiccated beef organ mix with kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, spleen, bone, and marrow powders. 

• Clean ingredients: We take pride in using only clean-label, high-quality ingredients. And by producing everything in-house, we maintain complete quality control, ensuring no corners are cut in the pursuit of profit.

• Delicious taste: Available in Primal Fudge and Carnivore Cake Pop flavors, these carnivore-friendly bricks provide a tasty break from the usual rotation of meat, fish, and eggs.

With its nutrient-dense, carnivore-friendly ingredients and convenience, Keto Brick is a game-changer for go-getters looking to embrace a primal diet in a modern world. 

Ready to Bite Into the Carnivore Diet? 

The carnivore diet isn’t the right fit for everyone—just like other dietary approaches. But if you’re ready to take on the challenge, stock up on canivore-friendly Keto Bricks to kick off your meat-based journey with ease!