When it comes to finding Carnivore lunch ideas, many carnivores hit a wall and do not know what to eat that is quick, satisfying, nutritious, and not boring. Well, not anymore because here, you will find 20 best Carnivore lunch ideas that suit your goals, whether fat loss, muscle gain, hormonal balance, and more. You will also learn why certain meats are better choices for lunch and tips for prepping meals.
Why Are Certain Carnivore Foods Best for a Carnivore Lunch?
Lunch is the most important meal on the Carnivore Diet, as it can shape how you feel and perform for the rest of the day.
So, we need to consume certain foods for Carnivore lunch to provide enough fat and protein, have high TEF, and help balance electrolytes.
Protein-rich meats like beef or lamb provide steady energy, promote dopamine production, and help you stay focused, which is essential for those carnivores who work or study after lunch [1] [2].
High-protein foods, like ribeye steak, chicken breast, and beef liver, have the highest thermogenic effect, which helps with metabolism midday [3] [4].
Fat-dominant meals like pork belly or duck confit may be better at lunch than breakfast, as the body is ready for digestion after a few hours of activity [5] [6].
Electrolyte-rich foods like shrimp or bone broth can help decrease afternoon fatigue [7] [8].
So, let’s learn about the 20 best Carnivore lunch ideas that help us balance macronutrients and reach our health and fitness goals.
Ribeye Steak Strips
Number one of our Carnivore lunch ideas is a yummy dish of ribeye steak strips, which you can easily make using the following ingredients and instructions.
Ingredients
200g ribeye steak
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Grill the ribeye steak to your preferred doneness.
Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
The second recipe for the best Carnivore lunch ideas is for these simple and delicious beef patties with egg yolk. To make them, you just need 3 ingredients and the following instructions.
Ingredients
150g ground beef (80/20)
2 egg yolks
½ tsp salt
Instructions
Form ground beef into two patties.
Pan-fry on medium heat until browned and cooked through.
Serve with raw or lightly cooked egg yolks drizzled on top.
Number 3 in the list of the best Carnivore lunch ideas belongs to this canned sardine + boiled egg. You just need the following ingredients and instructions to make this nutritious and yummy dish.
Ingredients
1 can of sardines in oil (90g drained)
2 boiled eggs
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Boil the eggs for 9 minutes.
Remove the eggs from the water, peel, and salt them.
Serve them with drained sardines and enjoy.
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 420 kcal
Protein: 35g
Fat: 30g
Carbs: 1g
Vitamin B12: 7.0 mcg
Vitamin A: 150 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 200 IU
Iron: 2.7 mg
Zinc: 2.9 mg
Selenium: 45 mcg
Calcium: 300 mg
Scrambled Eggs in Tallow
Making scrambled eggs in tallow is super fast and easy. You only need three ingredients and 3 steps. Although it is an easy dish to make, it contains high-quality protein from eggs and fat from tallow.
This simple dish provides two integral macronutrients you need on a Carnivore Diet. If you need help to find your true balance of macronutrients, use this free Carnivore Diet Macro Calculator.
Ingredients
3 eggs
1 tbsp beef tallow
¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Heat tallow in a pan over medium heat.
Scramble eggs in a bowl, pour into the pan, and cook to desired texture.
Next in line in the list of the best Carnivore lunch ideas are these pork belly bites. In addition to high-quality fat and protein and zero carbohydrates, each portion of this dish provides vitamins A and D, with iron, zinc, selenium, and calcium.
Ingredients
150g pork belly
½ tsp salt
Instructions
Cut pork belly into 1-inch cubes.
Pan-fry or air-fry at 200°C (400°F) for 12–15 minutes until golden and crispy.
Sprinkle salt and enjoy!.
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 590 kcal
Protein: 22g
Fat: 55g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 0.8 mcg
Vitamin A: 20 mcg
Vitamin D: 0 IU
Iron: 1.3 mg
Zinc: 2.1 mg
Selenium: 33 mcg
Calcium: 9 mg
Liver with Butter
Organ meats are literally superfoods because they are rich in various nutrients. So, having organs in your lunch will give you high levels of energy, vitamins, and minerals you need to get through the day.
Ingredients
100g beef liver
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Slice the liver thinly.
Pan-fry the slices in hot butter for 3–4 minutes per side.
Number 7 in the list of the best Carnivore lunch ideas is for this easy and mouth-watering dish of chicken thighs. You will be surprised how easy and yummy this dish is!
Ingredients
200g chicken thighs (skin-on)
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Sprinkle salt on the chicken thighs.
Roast or pan-fry the thighs until the skin is crisp and the internal temp reaches 75°C (165°F).
Serve hot and Bon Appétit!
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 430 kcal
Protein: 34g
Fat: 32g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 0.4 mcg
Vitamin A: 120 mcg
Vitamin D: 9 IU
Iron: 1.2 mg
Zinc: 2.5 mg
Selenium: 28 mcg
Calcium: 11 mg
Ground Lamb with Tallow
Although ground beef is the most commonly used food source in many Carnivore Diet recipes, ground lamb can also make yummy and nutritious meals.
Ingredients
150g ground lamb
1 tbsp beef tallow
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Brown lamb in a skillet with tallow until fully cooked.
Another one of the Carnivore lunch ideas you must make is this duck confit. It brings variety to your Carnivore meals and provides high levels of vitamins A and D and selenium.
Ingredients
1 duck leg (150g)
1 tbsp duck fat
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Salt duck legs.
Slow-cook the legs in duck fat until tender.
Crisp skin in a hot skillet and serve hot.
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 560 kcal
Protein: 30g
Fat: 48g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 0.9 mcg
Vitamin A: 300 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 17 IU
Iron: 2.1 mg
Zinc: 3.4 mg
Selenium: 26 mcg
Calcium: 18 mg
Egg and Sardine Salad
To make this easy and delicious dish of eggs and sardines, you only need the following ingredients and instructions.
Another one of the best Carnivore lunch ideas is for this beef tongue dish that not many have tried before, but you will love it, especially if you are looking for a different and nutritious dish.
Ingredients
150g beef tongue
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Boil the tongue for 2-3 hours until tender.
Chill, peel skin, slice thin, and salt.
Serve cold or pan-seared. You can also serve it with Carnivore bread.
Bon Appetit!
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 380 kcal
Protein: 27g
Fat: 30g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 3.6 mcg
Vitamin A: 0 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 8 IU
Iron: 2.9 mg
Zinc: 5.5 mg
Selenium: 27 mcg
Calcium: 9 mg
Shrimp and Ghee Bowl
Shrimp is a rich source of Vitamin A, selenium, and calcium. You can enjoy its health benefits in this easy and quick shrimp and ghee bowl.
Ingredients
150g shrimp
1 tbsp ghee
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Peel the shrimp.
Sauté shrimp in melted ghee until pink and firm.
Sprinkle salt and serve hot.
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 28g
Fat: 22g
Carbs: 1g
Vitamin B12: 1.4 mcg
Vitamin A: 120 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 10 IU
Iron: 2.2 mg
Zinc: 1.5 mg
Selenium: 45 mcg
Calcium: 70 mg
Turkey Burgers with Bacon
To make this mouth-watering Carnivore dish that is low-calorie but rich in calcium and selenium, you only need the following ingredients and instructions.
Ingredients
150g ground turkey
2 slices of bacon
1/4 tsp salt
Gouda cheese (optional)
Instructions
Form the turkey into patties.
Grill or pan-fry until cooked through.
Top with crispy bacon (and gouda cheese if using) and enjoy!
If you are looking for a yummy and nutritious dish that is also Carnivore-friendly, look no further because this roast bone marrow and steak slices is exactly what you want!
Ingredients
1 beef marrow bone (100g)
150g thin steak slices
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 220°C.
Roast the marrow at 220°C for 15 minutes.
Cook or grill the steak as you like.
Slice the steak and pan-sear the slices.
Use marrow as a dip.
Bon Appetit!
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 650 kcal
Protein: 32g
Fat: 58g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 3.9 mcg
Vitamin A: 10 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 15 IU
Iron: 2.8 mg
Zinc: 6.0 mg
Selenium: 36 mcg
Calcium: 18 mg
Smoked Salmon & Egg Wraps
Number 15 in our list of the best Carnivore lunch ideas is for this yummy dish of smoked salmon and egg wraps, which you can make with only 3 ingredients.
Ingredients
100g smoked salmon
2 eggs (scrambled or hard-boiled)
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Wrap salmon around egg halves or mix it into scrambled eggs.
Lamb chops are among the most delicious dishes of the Carnivore Diet. Here are the ingredients and instructions you need to make this yummy Carnivore lunch.
Ingredients
2 small lamb chops (150g total)
1 tbsp tallow
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Sear lamb chops in hot tallow, add salt, and cook until browned.
Remove the chops from the heat and let them rest for 5 minutes.
Enjoy!
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 520 kcal
Protein: 34g
Fat: 42g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 2.4 mcg
Vitamin A: 10 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 9 IU
Iron: 2.6 mg
Zinc: 5.3 mg
Selenium: 30 mcg
Calcium: 11 mg
Chicken Liver Pâté
Chicken Liver Pâté is one of the Carnivore Diet meals that only experts make for lunch because they know this low-calorie dish is great for those who want to lose weight but not nutrients.
Ingredients
150g chicken livers
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp salt
Instructions
Sauté livers in butter until no longer pink.
Blend in a blender or food processor with the remaining butter.
This Carnivore lunch has one of the easiest Carnivore Diet recipes. Just prepare the following ingredients and take the steps mentioned in the instructions.
Ingredients
150g tuna steak
1 tbsp beef drippings
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Pan-sear tuna in beef drippings for 1–2 minutes per side.
Another one of the easy Carnivore lunch ideas belongs to this veal cutlet and bone broth that brings variety to your Carnivore Diet meals. Here is how to make it.
Ingredients
150g veal cutlet
1/2 cup bone broth
2 tsp salt
Instructions
Sear veal until golden.
Serve with warmed bone broth as a dipping side.
Bon Appetit!
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 420 kcal
Protein: 36g
Fat: 28g
Carbs: 0g
Vitamin B12: 1.3 mcg
Vitamin A: 5 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 6 IU
Iron: 1.5 mg
Zinc: 2.3 mg
Selenium: 33 mcg
Calcium: 28 mg
Pan-Seared Scallops in Pork Fat
One of the delicious Carnivore Diet meals that many may miss is this mouth-watering scallop in pork fat. Let’s learn how to make it.
Ingredients
120g sea scallops
1 tbsp pork fat
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Sear scallops in hot pork fat 2–3 minutes per side.
Add salt and serve hot.
Nutrition (per portion)
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 26g
Fat: 22g
Carbs: 1g
Vitamin B12: 1.0 mcg
Vitamin A: 15 mcg RAE
Vitamin D: 12 IU
Iron: 1.2 mg
Zinc: 1.6 mg
Selenium: 38 mcg
Calcium: 20 mg
Lunch Ideas Based on Goals
The table below shows the best Carnivore lunch ideas for each goal you may have.
If you have a busy schedule and are afraid you can’t stay a true Carnivore, don’t worry because you can stick to the diet and reach your goals if you follow the tips below.
Batch cook meats. Grill steaks or thighs and portion them out to use throughout the week.
Use a cast iron or air fryer to make crispy and quick dishes. You can also use these tools for quick reheating.
Freeze cooked meals to save time and money and avoid spoilage.
Tips for Balanced Carnivore Lunches
Balance fat and protein with mixed dishes like: chicken breast + egg yolks, or pork loin + butter.
Avoid dairy if you are sensitive. Cheese is optional, not essential.
Use salt more than you did before the Carnivore Diet, especially with lean meats, to balance electrolytes.
Vary meat cuts weekly to avoid food fatigue.
Summary
Using the above Carnivore lunch ideas with a well-planned Carnivore diet meal plan helps you gain all the necessary nutrients while enjoying delicious meals.
Whether you are looking for energy, fat loss, or nutrient density, the ideas above help bring variety to your Carnivore table and reach your health and fitness goals.
FAQs
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Carnivore lunch ideas.
Can I Eat Only Meat for Lunch on Carnivore?
Yes. Meat, fat, and salt are the core staples.
What Is a Quick Carnivore Lunch for Work?
Hard-boiled eggs + jerky or leftover steak slices.
Do I Need to Track Macros?
It is not necessary, but helpful for weight loss or muscle gain. You can easily use this free Carnivore Diet Macro Calculator.
Can I Eat Raw Meat for Lunch?
Only if high-quality and properly handled. It is not recommended for beginners. Even for experienced users, it is best to cook meat.
What to Eat When Tired of Beef?
Lamb, duck, pork, sardines, or organ meats.
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