The Ultimate Carnivore Diet Food List (What to Eat & Avoid) [2025 Guide]

Feeling overwhelmed by the apparent simplicity yet underlying confusion of what to eat on the carnivore diet? You’re not alone. While the basic premise seems straightforward—eat only animal products—many questions quickly arise: Which meats are best? Are organs necessary? What about dairy and eggs? And what exactly is off-limits?

This comprehensive guide serves as your definitive carnivore diet food list. We’ll cover everything that’s allowed (and forbidden), provide insights on food quality, explain the different levels of strictness, and give you the confidence to shop and eat with complete clarity on your carnivore journey.

Why This Carnivore Food List Matters

Understanding exactly what to eat on the carnivore diet isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for several key reasons:

• Clarity & Confidence: Eliminates confusion about what to purchase and consume
• Focus on Nutrient Density: Helps you prioritize the most nutritionally valuable animal foods
• Avoid Hidden Pitfalls: Identifies unwanted ingredients in seemingly “carnivore-friendly” products
• Foundation for Success: Knowing what to eat is the critical first step to experiencing the diet’s benefits
• Adaptability: Understand the different carnivore diet levels to find what works for your body

The Core Principle: What Defines the Carnivore Diet List?

Before diving into specific foods, let’s clarify the fundamental principle behind the carnivore diet food list:

• Animal Products ONLY: The foundation is exclusively animal-sourced foods—meat, fish, eggs, and animal fats
• Elimination Focus: Zero plant foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, vegetable oils)
• Goal: Simplification, inflammation reduction, and nutrient-dense eating

The carnivore diet represents perhaps the ultimate elimination diet—removing all potential plant-based irritants and focusing solely on highly bioavailable animal nutrition.

The Official Carnivore Diet Food List: Foods to Prioritize

Ruminant Meats (The Gold Standard)

Ruminant animals (those with four-chambered stomachs that eat grass) provide the nutritional cornerstone of the carnivore diet:

• Beef: Ribeye, New York strip, chuck roast, brisket, ground beef (preferably 80/20 or fattier)
• Lamb: Chops, shoulder, leg, ground
• Bison/Buffalo: Steaks, roasts, ground meat
• Venison: Steaks, roasts, ground (excellent lean option when paired with added fat)
• Goat: A leaner option that works well in slow-cooked dishes

Quality Tip: Prioritize grass-fed and grass-finished options when possible for optimal Omega-3 content and nutrient profiles. Even conventional ruminant meats, however, remain excellent choices.

Other Red Meats

While ruminants are ideal, other red meats can certainly feature in your carnivore meal plan:

• Pork: Chops, shoulder, belly, ribs, bacon (without sugar/additives)
• Wild Boar: A more nutrient-dense alternative to commercial pork
• Game Meats: Elk, moose, and other wild game (when available)

Quality Tip: Look for pasture-raised pork to avoid the poorer fatty acid profile of conventionally raised pork.

Poultry (Use Wisely)

Poultry can be included in a carnivore diet but is generally considered less nutritionally optimal than red meat:

• Chicken: Thighs, wings, and legs preferred (higher fat content), breasts (need added fat)
• Turkey: Dark meat preferred for better fat content
• Duck: Higher fat content makes it superior to chicken and turkey
• Other Poultry: Quail, pheasant, goose

Quality Tip: Pasture-raised is ideal. Poultry is less nutritionally dense than red meat, so consider it as a complement rather than your primary protein. Learn more about why chicken isn’t ideal on the carnivore diet.

Fish & Seafood (Omega-3 Powerhouse)

Marine foods offer valuable nutrients and beneficial fatty acids:

• Fatty Fish (ideal): Wild-caught salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, anchovies
• Other Fish: Cod, halibut, trout, bass
• Shellfish: Shrimp, oysters, mussels, crab, lobster, clams, scallops

Quality Tip: Prioritize wild-caught over farmed when possible. Be mindful of mercury content in larger predatory fish like tuna and swordfish.

Eggs (Nutrient Bombs)

Eggs provide exceptional nutrition and versatility:

• Chicken eggs
• Duck eggs (higher fat content than chicken eggs)
• Quail eggs
• Goose eggs

Quality Tip: Pasture-raised eggs are nutritionally superior, with deeper-colored yolks indicating higher nutrient content.

Animal Fats (Your Primary Fuel)

Fat should comprise a significant portion of your caloric intake on a carnivore diet:

• Beef tallow: Excellent for cooking with high smoke point
• Lard: Rendered pork fat
• Duck fat: Luxurious flavor for cooking
• Butter (grass-fed if tolerated): Rich in fat-soluble vitamins
• Ghee: Clarified butter with milk solids removed (often better tolerated than butter)
• Bone marrow: Nutrient-dense fat source (check out our bone marrow recipe)

Emphasis: Don’t fear fat—it’s essential on this diet and should be embraced as your primary energy source.

Dairy (Strictness Level Dependent)

Dairy tolerance varies widely among individuals following a carnivore diet:

Less Problematic Options:

• Butter and ghee (highest fat, lowest lactose/casein)
• Aged hard cheeses (parmesan, pecorino)
• Heavy cream
• Full-fat hard cheeses

More Problematic Options (often avoided):

• Milk (even whole)
• Yogurt
• Fresh/soft cheeses
• Low-fat dairy products

Tolerance Tip: Introduce cautiously and observe individual tolerance. Some carnivore purists avoid all dairy, while others include certain types with good results.

Organ Meats (Nature’s Multivitamin)

While not mandatory, organ meats offer exceptional nutrient density:

• Liver: Nutritional powerhouse rich in vitamins A, B, iron, and copper
• Heart: Excellent source of CoQ10 and highly bioavailable protein
• Kidneys: Rich in B vitamins, selenium, and iron
• Tongue: Technically a muscle meat, but often grouped with organs
• Brain: Source of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA

Introduction Tip: Start with small amounts if you’re new to organs. Many find them acquired tastes. Try our 10 keto-carnivore brain foods guide for more information.

Connective Tissue & Extras

These provide beneficial compounds like collagen and glycine:

• Bone Broth: Rich in minerals and collagen (try our carnivore bone broth recipe or beef bone broth recipe)
• Meat Stock: Similar to bone broth but cooked for less time (carnivore meat stock recipe)
• Crispy Skin: From chicken, fish, pork (pork rinds without additives)
• Tendons, Tripe, and other “odd bits”: Traditional cultures prized these parts

Levels of Strictness Explained

The carnivore diet exists on a spectrum, with varying levels of strictness:

Level 1: Strict/Lion Diet

The most restrictive approach:

• Ruminant meat only (beef, lamb, etc.)
• Salt
• Water

Used primarily for maximum elimination and troubleshooting severe health issues.

Level 2: Standard Carnivore

The typical approach:

• All meats, fish, eggs, animal fats
• Low-lactose dairy optional
• Salt
• Water

This level works well for most people seeking the benefits of a carnivore diet.

Level 3: Relaxed/Carnivore-ish

A more flexible approach that may include:

• All animal foods
• Limited coffee/tea
• Basic spices
• Some dairy
• Very occasional honey/fruit (not strictly carnivore)

For those using carnivore as a baseline with strategic additions. Learn more about alcohol on the carnivore diet if you’re considering this level.

Foods to COMPLETELY Avoid (The No-Go List)

To maintain a true carnivore diet, these foods should be eliminated:

ALL Plants

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Grains and cereals
• Legumes (beans, lentils, peanuts)
• Nuts and seeds
• All plant oils

Sugars & Sweeteners

• All forms of sugar (table sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.)
• Artificial sweeteners
• Natural non-sugar sweeteners

Processed Meats (with Additives)

• Commercial bacon with sugar/preservatives
• Sausages with fillers/additives
• Deli meats with additives

Label Tip: Always read ingredient lists carefully—many processed meats contain hidden sugars, starches, and plant additives.

Plant Oils

• All vegetable, seed, and nut oils (soybean, canola, sunflower, corn, etc.)
• Use animal fats exclusively for cooking and flavoring

Most Beverages

• Soda and juice
• Plant milks
• Beer and most alcoholic beverages
• Coffee and tea (for strict adherents)

Quality Over Quantity: Tips for Sourcing

While any animal food is technically “carnivore,” quality matters:

• Prioritize grass-fed, pasture-raised, and wild-caught whenever possible and affordable
• Seek out local butchers or direct-from-farm sources
• Read labels carefully on packaged products (bacon, pork rinds, etc.)
• Budget-friendly tip: You don’t need expensive cuts—chuck roasts, ground beef, and organ meats are nutritional powerhouses at lower price points

Check out these carnivore ground beef recipes for affordable meal options.

Don’t Forget Salt & Water!

Two non-animal essentials for carnivore success:

• Hydration remains critical—water intake should be according to thirst
• Salt/electrolyte needs increase significantly when eliminating carbohydrates
• Consider our guide to carnivore diet electrolytes for detailed information

Carnivore Diet Food List FAQ

Q: Can I have spices on the carnivore diet?
A: Strict carnivore eliminates all plant products, including spices. However, many people at Level 2-3 include salt and sometimes limited spices, especially if they don’t trigger symptoms.

Q: Is coffee allowed on the carnivore diet?
A: Purists avoid coffee as it’s plant-derived. Those at Level 3 may include it if well-tolerated. Many find eliminating coffee temporarily beneficial for assessing its effects.

Q: What about cheese? Which types are best?
A: If dairy is tolerated, aged hard cheeses tend to work better as they contain less lactose and casein. Start with small amounts and monitor your response.

Q: Where do I get Vitamin C on this diet?
A: Fresh meat, particularly organ meats, contains vitamin C. Many carnivores report no signs of deficiency, likely due to reduced requirements when carbohydrate intake is minimal.

Q: Isn’t this diet expensive?
A: While high-quality animal foods can be costly, carnivore can be budget-friendly by focusing on ground meat, cheaper cuts, organs, and buying in bulk. For budget ideas, check our carnivore diet recipes for cost-effective meal options.

Conclusion & Printable List

The carnivore diet food list centers on nutrient-dense animal foods while eliminating everything else. This approach focuses on simplicity, nutrient density, and the elimination of potential inflammatory foods.

Start with the basics, prioritize quality when possible, and most importantly—listen to your body’s response. The carnivore diet is highly individual, and your optimal version may include or exclude certain animal foods based on your specific needs and goals.

Ready to get started? Download our FREE Carnivore Diet Food List PDF to take with you to the grocery store!

Have questions about specific foods? Ask in the comments below!

Now that you know exactly what to eat, check out our Easy Carnivore Diet Recipes to put your new knowledge into delicious practice. For breakfast inspiration, our carnivore breakfast ideas will get your day started right!

External Resources:

• PubMed Research on Low-Carb Diets
• American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Animal vs Plant Protein Quality
• Harvard Health: Vitamin B12 Sources