Carnivore ice cream is a delicious snack you can easily make at home using the following recipes. With the right animal-based ingredients, you can make different Carnivore-friendly ice creams at home. Even if you are on a zero-carb Carnivore and are worried about trace carbohydrates, there are zero-carb ice cream recipes for you. So, let’s make some yummy Carnivore ice creams with special tips and tricks!
You might think ice cream contains sugar, so it is not Carnivore. However, if made with the right ingredients, you can make yummy and nutritious Carnivore ice cream.
Regular ice cream contains sugar, emulsifiers, and plant-based additives, but a Carnivore ice cream removes all these and focuses on nutritious fats and proteins from cream, egg yolks, butter, and sometimes tallow.
These ingredients not only increase satiety and help hormonal balance but also provide fat and protein to meet your daily macros.
Carnivore ice cream has a cold, creamy texture without plant-based ingredients, which makes a satisfying treat that doesn’t break Carnivore Diet rules, helping you stay on track and achieve your health and fitness goals.
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One of the goals of the Carnivore Diet is simplicity in food choices, but sometimes simplicity equals monotony, and your meals may become boring.
Making Carnivore ice cream with only animal-based ingredients is one of the best ways to bring variety to your diet without consuming carbohydrates.
From a macronutrient perspective, Carnivore ice cream is high in fat, moderate in protein, and nearly zero carb, depending on the ingredients. This means it is a smart choice for those following high-fat versions of Carnivore or similar animal-based diets.
Fat helps boost satiety, increases ketone production, and supports hormonal stability. So, if you are struggling to hit your fat macros, Carnivore ice cream is a delicious way to source the missing macronutrients.
There is also a neurological benefit: fat and cold together activate the brain’s reward centers without relying on sugar.
Many people report that Carnivore Diet ice cream satisfies cravings they didn’t even realize they had, making the diet more enjoyable and sustainable in the long term.
The important point, however, is the ingredients you use to make a Carnivore ice cream. Let’s learn about the ingredients and instructions.
Learn More: 30-Day Carnivore Diet Meal Plan PDF Free Download
Below are three simple Carnivore ice cream recipes: classic, no-churn, and ultra-simple, which you can choose from depending on your goals.
You can also check these Carnivore Diet Recipes to find more Carnivore desserts, snacks, and meal ideas.
Please note that the following 3 Carnivore ice cream recipes contain only animal products. The small amount of carbohydrates shown in their nutrient list comes naturally from lactose in heavy cream, which is normal.
However, if you are looking for zero-carb ice creams, scroll and find them in the zero-carb Carnivore ice cream section.
This recipe creates the creamiest, most scoopable ice cream on Carnivore Diet. Egg yolks act as a natural emulsifier, creating a yummy custard base.
Heavy cream provides the fat needed for mouthfeel, while a pinch of salt improves the flavor without adding non-Carnivore ingredients.
If you have an ice-cream maker, this will give you the most professional texture. To make 3 cups or 6 servings of this ice cream, you need 20 minutes for preparing and cooking, and about 2 hours for chilling.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrients per Serving:
The table below shows the nutrients per serving of this delicious classic Carnivore custard ice cream:
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If you don’t have an ice-cream maker, you can use this method to get surprisingly good results. No-Churn simply means you can make ice cream without an ice cream maker.
The trick is to include air by whisking the cream until slightly thickened before freezing. Egg yolks help prevent large ice crystals, improving the texture even in a basic freezer environment.
To make 6 servings or 3 cups of this ice cream, you need 10 minutes for preparation, 4-6 hours for freezing.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrients per Serving:
The following table shows the nutrients found in each serving of this yummy ice cream:
This version is perfect when you don’t have much time or want the fastest possible dessert. It may not be as creamy as the custard version, but it is incredibly satisfying and takes less than 2 minutes of preparation.
The total time to make 3 cups or 6 servings of this simple Carnivore ice cream is about 3-4 hours because you should freeze it.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrients per Serving:
The table below shows the nutrition profile of one serving of this simple Carnivore Diet ice cream:
Learn More: Carnivore Cheesecake Recipe: Yummy Zero- & Low-Carb Desserts
The above recipes all provide animal based ice cream and are totally Carnivore-friendly, but with minimal carbohydrates from lactose.
However, if you are looking for zero-carb Carnivore ice cream, try the following recipes.
To make 4 servings of this dairy-free, lactose-free, and zero-carb Carnivore ice cream with perfect scoopability, you need about 3 hours and the following ingredients and instructions.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition per Serving:
Calories: 365kcal | Fat: 40g | Protein: 3.5g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Sodium: 40mg
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You need about 4 hours and the following ingredients and instructions to make 4 servings of this zero-carb and Carnivore-friendly butter gelato ice cream.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition per Serving:
Calories: 540kcal | Fat: 58g | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Sodium: 60mg
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To make 4 servings of this light and fluffy, mousse-like, airy Carnivore ice cream that stays softer than tallow-based recipes, you need 3-4 hours and the ingredients and instructions given below.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrients per Serving:
Calories: 240kcal | Fat: 21g | Protein: 7g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Sodium: 45mg
While each of the above recipes has its special ingredients, understanding the purpose of each ingredient helps you troubleshoot and customize your recipe.
You can add or remove ingredients based on your taste or needs, and make a special Carnivore ice cream, specifically designed for you!
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The basic ingredients to make a Carnivore ice cream include a dairy product, egg yolks, salt, flavorings, and optional add-ins. Let’s find out what role each one plays in the ice cream.
Heavy cream is the main ingredient in almost every carnivore ice cream recipe because its high fat content minimizes iciness and maximizes smoothness [1].
A2 cream, grass-fed cream, or raw cream each has special flavors and nutrients. Butter and tallow can be melted into the mix to increase fat percentage, which can benefit those on high-fat Carnivore diets [2].
Egg yolks act as a natural emulsifier, binding fat and water while creating a custard-like texture. They also contain micronutrients such as choline, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids [3] [4].
If you don’t like to include raw eggs, you can pasteurize yolks by heating them gently with the cream.
Learn More: 20 Best Grass Fed Butter Brands and Why They Are the Best
A small amount of salt boosts sweetness and balances the heavy cream flavor [5]. Many of those following a zero-carb Carnivore Diet skip vanilla extract because it comes from plants, but others include it to improve the flavor.
One of the most common complaints about Carnivore ice cream is that it turns icy or rock-hard after freezing. This happens because there are no stabilizers like guar gum or xanthan gum.
But don’t worry, because there are several Carnivore-friendly ways to fix this. The following table lists the issues, their causes, and solutions.
Learn More: 30-Day Carnivore Diet Meal Plan PDF (Downloadable File)
While Carnivore ice cream is technically simple, there is plenty of room for creativity depending on the number of carbohydrates allowed in your diet.
If you are on a Low-Carb, Keto, or Ketovore Diet, you can add low-carb additions and improve the taste of your homemade DIY ice cream.
Learn More: 20+ High Protein Low Carb Snacks for Keto and Carnivore Diet
When making Carnivore ice cream at home, it is wise to consider the health considerations to avoid possible health or safety problems.
One of the biggest concerns is whether raw eggs are safe in a Carnivore ice cream recipe. While many Carnivore dieters consume raw yolks without issue, others prefer to pasteurize them.
Heating yolks gently with cream until they reach 160°F (70°C) significantly reduces bacterial risks without scrambling the eggs.
Not all Carnivore dieters consume dairy, and some find heavy cream triggers inflammation or digestive discomfort [6] [7].
If you are sensitive to lactose or casein, use ultra-filtered creams, A2 dairy, or dairy-free versions using tallow and egg yolks only [8] [9].
Although heavy cream contains minimal lactose, some people still experience slight blood sugar spikes [10] [11].
If you are on a zero-carb Carnivore, limit serving size or choose lower-lactose creams. But these effects are usually insignificant if you are on a Low-Carb or Keto Diet.
Because Carnivore ice cream is high in calories and fat, you should consume it mindfully, especially if you are trying to melt fat and lose weight. Use small bowls and pre-portion servings to avoid overeating.
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Many carnivore dieters report that Carnivore ice cream is their favorite way to satisfy cravings without leaving the diet.
They have reported that Carnivore ice cream makes the diet feel sustainable, especially for those transitioning from Keto or Low-Carb diets. As one user put it: “Carnivore ice cream saved my cravings and kept me from cheating.”
Beginners usually start with the 2-ingredient version, while long-term carnivores prefer the custard version for its texture. Some people also prefer to eat the ice cream semi-soft rather than fully frozen to preserve scoopability.
Carnivore ice cream is made with animal-based and Carnivore-friendly ingredients to add variety to your diet and boost fat.
While there are trace carbohydrates from lactose in regular Carnivore ice creams, you can make zero-carb Carnivore ice creams using the recipes above.
You can always tweak the recipes and add the ingredients you prefer or need, but please use only the ingredients allowed on a Carnivore Diet.
Let’s answer the most frequently asked questions about Carnivore ice cream.
Yes, as long as it is made from 100% animal-based ingredients such as cream, egg yolks, butter, and salt. Regular ice creams with sugar or stabilizers are not Carnivore-friendly.
Carnivore Diet ice cream can be healthy for those on high-fat diets. It provides fat for energy, supports ketosis, and can help with satiety. However, people sensitive to dairy should consult healthcare professionals first.
Animal-based ice cream is made from animal-based ingredients, but may allow certain extras like vanilla extract or whey protein. It is similar to a Carnivore ice cream but slightly more flexible, and also suitable for Keto or Low-Carb diets.
Ice crystals form when there is not enough fat or emulsification. Increase egg yolks, add butter or tallow, or use an ice cream maker.
Yes, mix melted beef tallow with egg yolks and chill until thickened. It has a mousse-like texture and is fully dairy-free.
Yes, a simple version uses only heavy cream and collagen or whey for thickening. It won’t be as creamy, but it still works well.
