If you’re looking for carnivore recipes to spruce up your diet for the new year, this list will guide you. The carnivore diet is a restrictive dietary approach that primarily emphasizes the consumption of animal products while excluding most plant-based foods. Avid carnivore diet users suggest there are two main benefits of this way of eating- weight loss and reduced inflammation.

By eliminating carbohydrates and focusing on protein and fat from animal sources, the body may enter a state of ketosis, where it burns stored fat for energy. This can lead to initial weight loss. The diet typically includes meat, fish, eggs, and certain animal-derived fats while avoiding fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant-based sources of nutrients. If you’re used to eating plenty of fruits, veggies, and grains on a diet, you may not be used to this way of cooking. These 25 carnivore recipes will get you started, and will cover at least a month of eating! 

1. Carnivore Recipes: Waffles

Waffles are probably not the first thing you think of when you hear “carnivore diet.” With this recipe, you can still incorporate them into weekend breakfasts! This waffle is made with eggs and sausage, so it can be savory. However, it’s still good with a bit of monk fruit syrup which you can have on the carnivore diet. 

2. Carnivore Meatloaf Muffins

Meatloaf is a fantastic carnivore recipe because it’s mainly meat! By skipping the oats (grain) that are typically in meatloaf, you have a carnivore-friendly meatloaf. This recipe makes the meatloaf into muffins so they are easy to take on the go and they’re already portioned for easy measuring. It’s also got sugar-free ketchup added, so you get the real meatloaf taste. 

3. Carnivore Recipes: Sandwich Bread

Eggs are an amazing ingredient because you can whip up a bread-like loaf with just eggs, ground beef, and a bit of butter. Sounds crazy, right? Once the egg whites are whipped into foam, they allow this sandwich bread to keep a light and fluffy texture. This carnivore recipe for bread will get you through those carb cravings. 

4. Carnivore Recipes: Easy and Delicious Salmon Patties

Not only are these salmon patties packed with tons of flavor, but they’re super easy to make too. These carnivore salmon patties are made with salmon, pork rinds, eggs, pulled pork, and bacon. It’s like a “surf and turf” meat patty! They work great for meal prep lunches or easy weeknight dinners. 

5. Carnivore Diet Mac and Cheese

I bet you didn’t think a bit of scrambled eggs and sausage could turn into mac and cheese! This carnivore recipe will leave you confused because it’s packed with mac and cheese flavor without any carbs at all. It’s even got a delicious crispy topping, like traditional baked mac and cheese. 

6. Meaty Calzones

These meaty carnivore calzones are packed with pepperoni and cheese with absolutely no carbs. They may remind you of a handheld meatloaf or carnivore hot pocket. One of the best things about these calzones is you can choose your method of cooking. Smoking works great for infusing more flavor, but they can be baked in the oven as well. 

7. Carnivore Recipes: Fried Rice

There is no actual rice in this carnivore recipe (grains are off limits) but it is protein-packed! If you think of it more like meaty, scrambled eggs it might be more appetizing. But either way, with just a few ingredients like eggs, white fish, ground beef, and prawns you can have a fried rice-like meal. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/736268239103962423/

8. Carnivore Recipes: Meaty Pizza

This meaty pizza is right up your alley if you’re a meat lovers type of person. The toppings are packed onto this personal pizza, and it will fill you up. It’s hearty and comforting and perfect for a movie night in. You might even convert a few friends with this carnivore recipe! 

9. Pork Belly Chips

Pork belly chips are an amazing afternoon snack or appetizer. These would even be perfect for a tailgating party or get-together because everyone will love them – not just people on a carnivore diet. With the homemade honey mustard to dip the chips in, this turns into one of the most flavorful snacks you can make while still on track with your goals. 

10. Carnivore Recipes: Ground Beef Frittatas

This cheesy, ground beef frittata is simple and so easy to make. It’s a great meal prep breakfast because it works well with reheated and can be eaten on the go. It requires just three ingredients – eggs, beef, and cream cheese. The flavor you get from these mixed is delectable. 

11. Ravioli with Ground Beef and Parmesan

With this popular carnivore recipe, you can make delicious ravioli using cheese slices! Sandwich a moist meat filling between two slices of either provolone or mozzarella and bake. The result is a crispy, meaty piece of “ravioli.” You won’t even miss the tomato sauce! This recipe is fantastic for trying different meat fillings. Use your favorite and see how it goes! 

12. Delicious and Creamy Quiche

This carnivore quiche is divine and works perfectly for a weekend brunch or even weekly breakfast meal prep. It’s creamy thanks to the heavy cream in the filling. And the crust is savory and melts in your mouth good. It’s made with ground pork rinds so you get a texture that’s close to a real pie crust. 

13. Carnivore Recipes: Eggs Benedict

This Carnivore Eggs Benedict is so easy to make and you won’t believe it’s carnivore-friendly. A quick and easy Hollandaise sauce and cloud bread (or the previous carnivore sandwich bread) are all you need. The eggs can be topped with ham, bacon, or a personal favorite, smoked salmon. Just skip the capers and you’re good to go. 

14. Creamy Baked Egg Custard

Baked custard is a great addition to your weekly carnivore menu. This recipe for creamy baked egg custard is made with milk, cream, eggs, honey, and bacon. You can leave the honey out if you prefer it to be sugar-free. However, a bit of honey helps bring out the flavor of this baked custard. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/951948439960944467/

15. Game Day Queso Dip

If you’re like most people (who aren’t lactose intolerant) you love queso. With this recipe, it’s easy to make a delicious queso dip fit into the carnivore lifestyle. Chorizo added to this melted cheese dip adds flavor, texture, and a bit of heat. Serve with pork rinds rather than chips to keep it carnivore-friendly. 

16. Carnivore Tortillas: Quick and Easy

Or you could make these carnivore tortillas and cook them in an air fryer to make chips for the queso dip! This carnivore recipe requires five ingredients, and the result is fluffy, soft, carnivore-friendly tortillas. These are fantastic when paired with seasoned taco meat and served on Taco Tuesday! 

17. Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Bacon wrapped scallops are decadent and definitely moreish, so plan to make a big batch. Scallops are often seen as fancy or divine, so if you’ve got a date night in planned, you can serve these and still stick with your carnivore goals. Pair them with a steak for a “surf and turf” type of menu, and you’ll wow your guest without much effort. 

18. Carnivore Recipes: Five Ingredient Baguettes

Five Ingredient baguettes are so good, you’ll be making them again as soon as you run out. These are amazing if you’re missing bread in your life. Once a few of these are baked up, slice them and serve alongside any carnivore meal to make it feel complete. These also would be great with the queso dip. 

19. Seafood Alfredo

There is no need for noodles to enjoy alfredo! It can also be thickened without flour or other high-carb ingredients. The classic combination of Alfredo and seafood works well, but you can also use it as a creamy, Parmesan sauce for any fish filet or steak. This is another carnivore recipe that’s perfect for a date night in. 

20. Zero Carb Meatballs

These zero carb meatballs are the type of food you should make in large batches and freeze for a rainy day. They stay fresh when frozen, and you can pull out as many as you need for the meal, so it’s worth the effort to make quite a few. 

21. Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

In the cold months, you’re going to need a carnivore recipe that hits the spot. That’s where this slow cooker hamburger soup comes in. Throw it together in the crockpot and it’ll be waiting for you, ready to eat, once you arrive home from the long work day. Food that cooks while you are busy is the key to staying on track! 

22. Carnivore Chili

Another cold month recipe that will hit the spot is this carnivore chili. It’s a blend of textures that melt in your mouth. The apple cider vinegar is the secret ingredient. It helps bring out the flavor in the meat so that you’re hit with fall aromas and tastes. 

23. Carnivore Recipes: Air Fryer Scotch Eggs

Why not have a Scotch egg while on the carnivore diet?! It’s very fitting. This version is made with sausage and parmesan cheese rather than breadcrumbs, and the air fryer gives it an amazing crispy texture on the outside. Make these as an appetizer for your next get-together, and you’ll have a few of your friends leaning towards your carnivore ways. 

24. Pork Belly Fries

Pork belly fries is another recipe that you can use to convert friends. All you need is pork belly, salt, and “not ketchup.” The “not ketchup” recipe is a paleo BBQ sauce that is perfect for dipping these “not fries” in! The two together bring out the perfect snacking flavor. 

25. Carnivore Recipes: Lasagna 

Lasagna is the ultra comfort food and this carnivore lasagna is no different. The noodles are simply made with mozzarella and egg yolks. Once those are made and ready to use, the rest is easy to assemble. Because you can still use ricotta, it makes this lasagna very close to the real thing. It’s delicious! 

No more wondering about what to make for dinner while on the carnivore diet. This list of carnivore recipes will give you a month’s worth of ideas and will keep all taste buds satisfied!

And I’ll leave you with our famous smoked chicken legs recipe!

2 from 1 vote

25 Recipes Every Carnivore Diet Follower Must Know

Servings: 5
Prep: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 30 minutes
five smoked chicken legs on a white plate
Smoked chicken legs—the epitome of bold flavor, tender juiciness, and that irresistible smoky allure. This recipe is simple, delicious, and sure to be the star of any potluck (if you feel like sharing).

Equipment

  • Smoker
  • Wood chips or pellets

Ingredients 

  • 5-6 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
  • BBQ sauce for brushing, optional

Instructions 

  • Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. This helps create crispy skin during smoking.
  • Remove excess skin and trim any loose bits for even cooking.
  • Place the chicken legs in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, mix the neutral oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper until they form a paste. Add in a bit of cayenne pepper if you like your chicken spicy. 
  • Rub the mixture generously over each chicken leg, ensuring they are well coated. For an extra burst of flavor, gently lift the skin and apply some rub underneath.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat thoroughly.
  • If your smoker has a water pan, fill it to the appropriate line now. This will help maintain a more even temperature. Fill the hopper with pellets (cherry or hickory work well), then set the temperature to 225° close it, and leave it for 15 minutes to come up to temperature. 
  • Place the marinated chicken legs onto the smoker grates, leaving space between each leg for even smoking.
  • Close the smoker's lid or door and let the legs smoke for approximately 2-2.5 hours, flipping them every 30-45 minutes. The exact time may vary based on your smoker and the size of the legs.
  • (Optional) After 90 minutes, apply a layer of your favorite barbecue sauce to the legs with a brush. Repeat every 30 minutes until the legs are done. 
  • To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a leg without touching the bone. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  • Once done, remove the smoked chicken legs from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Only 6 WW points according to the WW app.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 14gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1010mgPotassium: 206mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 403IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @drizzlemeskinny or tag #drizzlemeskinny!

About Meag

Health and Wellness Writer. B.S. Dietetics. Le Cordon Bleu Graduate. 10+ years of experience in the fitness and nutrition industry!

2 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating