Carnivore Recipes Ideas for Meat Lovers and Keto Fans

Carnivore Recipes Ideas – Carnivore recipes are built around the philosophy of eating primarily (or exclusively) animal-based foods, focusing heavily on meat, fish, eggs, and animal fats. These recipes are designed to be high in protein and fat while eliminating plant-based ingredients like grains, vegetables, and fruits. Classic carnivore-friendly meals include juicy ribeye steaks seasoned simply with salt, slow-braised short ribs that fall off the bone, roasted chicken thighs with crispy skin, and pan-seared salmon topped with melted butter. Ground beef patties with melted cheese, lamb chops with rosemary butter, and beef liver sautéed in animal fat are also popular options.

For variety, many carnivore recipes incorporate different cooking techniques such as smoking, grilling, braising, or roasting to enhance flavor and texture. Eggs prepared in countless ways—scrambled, poached, fried in ghee, or baked with cheese—serve as staples. Bone broth, made from simmering marrow-rich bones, is also a nourishing base for soups or sipping. These recipes emphasize simplicity, allowing the natural flavors of meat and fat to shine, while also providing hearty, satisfying meals for those following a zero-carb or carnivore lifestyle.

Carnivore Recipes Ideas

Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter

Credit @steakoninsta

A juicy, well-marbled ribeye seared to perfection and basted with butter for a rich, indulgent carnivore treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 large ribeye steak (1–1.5 inches thick)

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or beef tallow)

• Salt (optional, depending on carnivore preference)

• 1 garlic clove (optional – can omit for strict carnivore)

Steps:

• Step 1: Preparing the Steak

  • Pat the ribeye dry with a paper towel. This removes excess moisture, helping you achieve a deep golden-brown crust when searing.

  • Let the steak sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes to ensure even cooking.

• Step 2: Preheating the Pan

  • Place a cast iron skillet on high heat. Allow it to heat until it begins to slightly smoke. A hot pan ensures a proper sear.

• Step 3: Initial Sear

  • Place the ribeye onto the skillet without moving it for at least 2–3 minutes. This develops a crisp seared crust.

  • Flip the steak and sear the other side for the same amount of time.

• Step 4: Basting with Butter

  • Lower the heat slightly and add butter to the pan.

  • Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter over the steak repeatedly to enhance flavor and tenderness.

• Step 5: Resting and Serving

  • Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest on a plate for 5–7 minutes to retain juices.

  • Slice against the grain and serve with any pan juices poured over the top.

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs

Credit @grillhunters

Tender chicken thighs wrapped in crispy bacon, juicy on the inside and smoky outside.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)

• 8–10 strips of thick-cut bacon

• Salt (optional)

Steps:

• Step 1: Prepping Chicken

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season lightly with salt if desired.

  • This helps the bacon wrap stick better.

• Step 2: Wrapping with Bacon

  • Lay out 2–3 strips of bacon slightly overlapping.

  • Place one thigh in the center and roll tightly until the bacon fully encases the chicken.

• Step 3: Cooking in Oven

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  • Place bacon-wrapped thighs seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a rack.

• Step 4: Baking and Crisping

  • Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.

  • If bacon needs extra crisp, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.

• Step 5: Rest and Serve

  • Allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into them to avoid juice loss.

Beef Short Ribs (Slow-Cooked)

Credit @chef_zouheir

Rich, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs slow-cooked until tender and juicy.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs

• 2 tbsp beef tallow or butter

• Salt

Steps:

• Step 1: Preparing the Ribs

  • Pat ribs dry and season with salt.

  • Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.

• Step 2: Browning the Meat

  • Heat beef tallow in a Dutch oven.

  • Sear ribs on all sides until a brown crust forms. This adds flavor depth.

• Step 3: Slow Cooking

  • Cover Dutch oven with a lid.

  • Cook at 275°F (135°C) for 4–5 hours until the ribs are fork-tender.

• Step 4: Resting

  • Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

Crispy Pork Belly

Credit @nuocmamafoods

A crunchy, golden pork belly with soft, melt-in-your-mouth layers of fat.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork belly

• Salt

Steps:

• Step 1: Preparing Skin

  • Score the pork skin with a sharp knife (small slits, not too deep).

  • Pat completely dry with paper towels.

• Step 2: Drying for Crispiness

  • Leave uncovered in fridge overnight to dry skin fully.

• Step 3: Roasting

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  • Place pork belly on a rack over a tray.

  • Roast for 40 minutes until skin is puffed and crispy.

• Step 4: Resting

  • Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.

Carnivore Meatballs

Credit @harperrecipes2024

Simple beef meatballs cooked in their own juices, no fillers.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)

• 1 egg (optional, as binder)

• Salt

Steps:

• Step 1: Mixing Meat

  • Place ground beef in a bowl, mix with egg if desired.

  • Form into 8–10 small round meatballs.

• Step 2: Cooking

  • Heat a skillet on medium-high.

  • Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and cooked through (8–10 minutes).

• Step 3: Serving

  • Serve as-is, or with melted cheese on top.

Lamb Chops Seared in Butter

Credit @boydbrown3

Ingredients:

• 6 lamb chops

• 3 tbsp butter

• Salt

Steps:

• Step 1: Preparing Chops

  • Pat chops dry and season lightly with salt.

• Step 2: Searing

  • Heat butter in skillet until bubbling.

  • Place chops in pan, cook 3–4 minutes per side.

• Step 3: Resting

  • Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Egg & Cheese Omelette (Carnivore Style)

Credit @wwesheamus

Fluffy eggs folded with gooey cheese for a protein-rich breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs

• 2 tbsp butter

• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or any carnivore-approved cheese)

Steps:

• Step 1: Whisking Eggs

  • Crack eggs into bowl and whisk until smooth.

• Step 2: Cooking Base

  • Heat butter in skillet until melted.

  • Pour in eggs, tilt pan for even spread.

• Step 3: Adding Cheese

  • Sprinkle cheese across center when eggs are half-set.

• Step 4: Folding

  • Gently fold omelette in half and cook another 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

Duck Breast with Crispy Skin

Credit @lalasocialhouse

Tender duck breast with golden-brown, crunchy skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 duck breasts

• Salt

Steps:

• Step 1: Preparing Skin

  • Score duck skin in crisscross pattern.

  • Pat dry thoroughly.

• Step 2: Cooking

  • Place duck skin-side down in a cold skillet.

  • Slowly heat on medium until fat renders and skin crisps (10 minutes).

  • Flip and cook 3–4 minutes more.

• Step 3: Resting

  • Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Carnivore Burgers with Cheese

Credit @carnieatsdxb

Thick, juicy beef patties topped with melted cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 4 slices cheddar cheese

• Butter

Steps:

• Step 1: Form Patties

  • Shape beef into 4 patties without overworking meat.

• Step 2: Cooking

  • Heat butter in skillet.

  • Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side.

• Step 3: Melting Cheese

  • Place cheese slice on top in final minute, cover pan so it melts.

Carnivore Egg Muffins

Credit @ashrothstein

Mini egg bites baked with bacon and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs

• 6 bacon slices

• 1 cup shredded cheese

Steps:

• Step 1: Preparing Muffin Tin

  • Grease muffin tin with butter.

  • Line each slot with a bacon slice.

• Step 2: Mixing Eggs

  • Whisk eggs, pour into bacon cups.

  • Sprinkle cheese on top.

• Step 3: Baking

  • Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until eggs set.