The 10 Best Cuts Of Meat For Carnivore Dieters

You'll see many meats and other animal-based foods on any carnivore diet food list. There are several meats to choose from on the carnivore diet, both red meats and white meats. But what are the best cuts of meat for the carnivore diet, and why? 

Find out in this guide to the 10 best cuts of meat for carnivore dieters. 

​Best Cuts Of Red Meat 

Red meat is high in protein. It’s a great source of creatine, which boosts muscle growth and may play a role in reducing blood sugar. But which are the best cuts of red meat for carnivore diet meal plans? 

1. ​Ribeye Steak

Ribeye steak is a cut of beef from muscle linked to a steer’s back, commonly referred to as the rib. It can be boneless or bone-in. Ribeye is tender and juicy, full of flavor, with just the right amount of fat.

Cooking tip: Cook your rib-eye quickly over high heat, in a cast-iron skillet, under the broiler, or on the grill for a tasty brown crust.

2. ​Beef Chuck 

Beef chuck roast is cut from the cow’s shoulder. It is rich in flavor, thanks to its fat content. Look for a well-marbled roast for moist, tender meat with a pronounced beefy flavor. 

Cooking tip: Set aside enough time to prepare a chuck roast, as a roast beef shoulder takes about three hours to cook.

3. ​Ground Beef 

Ground beef is technically not a meat cut, but rather minced cuts. Ground chuck’s ratio of 80% lean meat and 20% fat is ideal for the carnivore diet. It’s cheaper than specific beef cuts and suitable for carnivore dieters on a budget.

Cooking tip: Browning enhances its flavor. Place minced beef in the pan only once it's searing hot, and allow it to develop a brown crust. Flip over and repeat on the other side. Don’t place a lid on the pan. ‌

​4. Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is a definite winner on the carnivore diet food list. This is one of the best cuts of meat for the carnivore diet because it has no bones, so you can use it all, and stretch your meals further. 

Cooking tip: Use leftover fat for frying other foods. Leftover skin is just as versatile. Use it to make fried pork rinds (the outer layer) or cracklins (the fatty layer) for tasty carnivore diet snacks. 

5. ​Lamb Chops

Loin lamb chops are cut from the back of the animal between the ribs and the hip, with a thin fat covering to the outside edge. Concerned about fatty cuts of meat? Don’t be. Fat is what gives you energy on the carnivore diet. Different lamb cuts each have their own fat content. 

Cooking tip: Pan-searing locks in the meat’s juices. Sear lamb chops in a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan. It will caramelize the exterior, but the inner meat will remain tender. 

​Best Cuts Of White Meat 

If you suffer from heart disease and worry about saturated fat, white meats typically contain less saturated fat than red meats. But which are the best cuts of white meat for the carnivore diet? ​

6. ​Chicken Thighs 

Chicken is an economical and versatile choice for the carnivore diet. Chicken thighs are cut from the top sections of a chicken’s legs. They are easily prepared in a pan or cast-iron skillet, in an oven, or on the grill. 

Cooking tip: Cooking chicken thighs with the skin on locks in moisture and flavor, protects the chicken from burning, and adds crunch to every mouthful. ​

7. ​Duck Breast

A duck breast is a cut taken from the chest area of a duck. The taste is unique, somewhere between red meat and chicken, but with a distinctive gamey flavor.

Cooking tip: If you’re preparing your duck breasts in an oven, place the rack on the middle shelf so the duck breasts cook evenly. Cook for 8-12 minutes (longer if you prefer your meat well done). ​

8. ​Turkey Drumsticks

Forget fad diets in your bid to lose weight. Poultry meat is your weight loss friend. Turkey drumsticks are taken from the lower, meatier portion of a turkey’s legs. It has a slightly more intense and gamey flavor than chicken but is just as versatile.  

Cooking tip: Butter-roasted turkey drumsticks are the perfect choice for a weekend lunch. Leftovers can be kept as carnivore snacks during the week. 

​Best Carnivore Diet Organ Meats 

Sometimes, the best cuts of meat for the carnivore diet are organ meats. Organ meats are encouraged due to their nutrient density. They are delicious, nutritious, and best of all, budget-friendly. 

9. Beef Liver​

Beef liver is one of the most nutrient-dense organ meats. Chicken liver is another popular choice, but its bovine counterpart has a richer flavor. Liver chips are a nutrient-rich alternative snack option.

Cooking tip: Soak the beef liver in milk for 1-2 hours before cooking to tenderize it and improve the flavor. 

2. ​Pork Kidney

Pork kidneys have a sweet but nutty flavor and a buttery texture, unlike beef kidneys and their decidedly earthy, gamey taste. 

Cooking tip: Pork kidneys and other organ meats are great on their own or added to other meat dishes for extra depth of flavor.

Nutritional Benefits Of These Carnivore Diet Foods

Rib-eye steak, beef chuck, and ground beef are excellent sources of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and healthy fats. Pork tenderloin is a fantastic source of protein, B vitamins, and selenium. Lamb provides protein, iron, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and vitamin B3 (niacin). 

You can also use any leftover bones to make delicious bone broth. Unsure of how to make and use it? Check out our tips and recipes. Want to know what it does for your health? Our bone broth benefits guide is a must-read.  

Chicken thighs, turkey drumsticks, and duck breasts contain protein, iron, and other essential nutrients like selenium, niacin, and essential vitamins. White meats generally contain less saturated fat than red meats. 

Organ meats are extremely nutrient-dense. Beef liver and pork kidneys contain protein and iron and are especially good sources of vitamins A and B12.

​Final Thoughts

These 10 best cuts of meat for the carnivore diet are delicious and easy to prepare. They provide protein,  essential fats, and other nutritional benefits. Add as many as you can to your carnivore foods shopping list. 

The carnivore diet also includes several tasty and nutritious non-meat animal products. Add them to your meals for more versatility.