A carnivore diet meal plan does not need to be complicated. A solid week of carnivore eating centers around three to five animal protein sources, rotated across meals for variety. Below you will find a complete 7-day plan with specific meals, approximate macros, a shopping list, and budget tips to keep costs manageable.
What Does a Week of Carnivore Eating Look Like?
This plan is designed for a moderately active adult eating approximately 2,000 to 2,400 calories per day. Adjust portion sizes up or down based on your hunger and goals. If you are unsure about your targets, our guide on how to track the carnivore diet covers setting your protein and fat numbers.
Day 1: Monday
- Breakfast: 4 eggs scrambled in butter (28g protein, 28g fat)
- Lunch: 1/2 pound ground beef (80/20) patties with salt (38g protein, 45g fat)
- Dinner: 12oz ribeye steak with butter (68g protein, 65g fat)
- Daily total: ~134g protein, ~138g fat, ~1,800 calories
Day 2: Tuesday
- Breakfast: 4 strips bacon + 3 eggs (30g protein, 35g fat)
- Lunch: 1/2 pound ground beef, pan-fried (38g protein, 45g fat)
- Dinner: 1 pound chicken thighs, skin-on (67g protein, 35g fat)
- Daily total: ~135g protein, ~115g fat, ~1,600 calories
Day 3: Wednesday
- Breakfast: 4 eggs cooked in beef tallow (28g protein, 32g fat)
- Lunch: Leftover chicken thighs + 2 eggs (50g protein, 30g fat)
- Dinner: 14oz New York strip steak (75g protein, 50g fat)
- Daily total: ~153g protein, ~112g fat, ~1,700 calories
Day 4: Thursday
- Breakfast: 1/2 pound ground beef + 2 eggs (52g protein, 55g fat)
- Lunch: 6oz salmon fillet (34g protein, 18g fat)
- Dinner: 12oz ribeye steak with butter (68g protein, 65g fat)
- Daily total: ~154g protein, ~138g fat, ~1,900 calories
Day 5: Friday
- Breakfast: 4 strips bacon + 3 eggs (30g protein, 35g fat)
- Lunch: 1/2 pound ground beef patties (38g protein, 45g fat)
- Dinner: 1 pound pork chops, bone-in (80g protein, 40g fat)
- Daily total: ~148g protein, ~120g fat, ~1,700 calories
Day 6: Saturday
- Breakfast: 5 eggs scrambled in butter with cheese (38g protein, 38g fat)
- Lunch: 8oz burger patties with cheddar (55g protein, 55g fat)
- Dinner: 16oz ribeye steak, reverse seared (90g protein, 85g fat)
- Daily total: ~183g protein, ~178g fat, ~2,350 calories
Day 7: Sunday (Meal Prep Day)
- Breakfast: 4 eggs + 4 strips bacon (32g protein, 35g fat)
- Lunch: 8oz leftover steak with eggs (60g protein, 50g fat)
- Dinner: Slow-cooked chuck roast, 12oz portion (70g protein, 55g fat)
- Daily total: ~162g protein, ~140g fat, ~1,940 calories
Weekly average: ~153g protein, ~134g fat, ~1,860 calories per day
What Should Your Carnivore Shopping List Include?
Here is the shopping list for the meal plan above:
Proteins
- 3 pounds ground beef (80/20): ~$15
- 3 ribeye steaks (12-16oz each): ~$30
- 1 New York strip steak (14oz): ~$12
- 1 pound chicken thighs, skin-on: ~$3
- 1 pound pork chops, bone-in: ~$5
- 6oz salmon fillet: ~$5
- 1 chuck roast (3-4 pounds): ~$15
- 1 package bacon (12 strips): ~$6
Staples
- 2 dozen eggs: ~$6
- 1 pound butter: ~$5
- Beef tallow (for cooking): ~$5
- Block of cheddar cheese: ~$4
- Salt: already in pantry
Estimated Weekly Total: $75 to $110
How Do You Meal Prep for Carnivore?
Carnivore meal prep is the simplest meal prep you will ever do. Here is a Sunday routine that takes 60 to 90 minutes:
Step 1: Cook Ground Beef in Bulk
Brown 3 pounds of ground beef in a large skillet. Season with salt. Divide into containers for the week. This becomes your grab-and-go lunch.
Step 2: Hard-Boil Eggs
Boil a dozen eggs. Keep them in the fridge for quick breakfasts and snacks.
Step 3: Start the Chuck Roast
Season a chuck roast with salt and slow-cook for 6 to 8 hours. This yields several meals of tender, fatty beef for dinners.
Step 4: Prep Bacon
Cook an entire package of bacon in the oven at 400 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. Store in the fridge and reheat as needed.
Step 5: Portion Steaks
Leave steaks uncooked in the fridge, seasoned with salt. Cook fresh each evening for the best quality. Steaks take 10 minutes to cook, so there is no reason to prep them in advance.
How Do You Do Carnivore on a Budget?
Eating carnivore does not have to be expensive. Here are strategies to keep costs down:
Prioritize ground beef. At $5 to $6 per pound for 80/20, ground beef is the most cost-effective protein on carnivore. It is nutrient-dense, high in fat, and endlessly versatile.
Buy eggs in bulk. Eggs are one of the most affordable animal foods at roughly $0.25 to $0.50 per egg. Five eggs per day costs about $10 per week and provides 35 grams of protein.
Use less expensive cuts. Chuck roast, beef shanks, oxtail, and short ribs are cheaper than premium steaks and often more flavorful when slow-cooked. A 4-pound chuck roast at $7 per pound feeds you for three to four meals.
Shop sales and buy in bulk. Watch for markdowns on steaks nearing their sell-by date. Freeze what you cannot eat within two days. Many carnivore dieters buy quarter or half cows directly from ranchers at significant discounts.
Skip the premium labels when needed. Grass-fed and organic are great when the budget allows, but conventional beef is still nutrient-dense and far better than processed food.
How Does Vore’s Built-In Meal Plans Help?
If building your own meal plan feels like too much work, Vore includes 15 built-in carnivore meal plans covering different goals and budgets:
- Budget Carnivore Plan: Ground beef and eggs focused, under $50 per week
- Performance Plan: Higher protein for athletes and active individuals
- Lion Diet Plan: Beef, salt, and water only for elimination protocols
- Nose-to-Tail Plan: Incorporates organ meats for maximum nutrition
- Beginner’s Plan: Simple, approachable meals for your first weeks on carnivore
Each plan includes daily meals with pre-calculated macros, shopping lists, and the ability to swap meals based on preference. You can also create custom plans and track everything in one place.
Download Vore for iOS or Android to access all 20 meal plans and 100+ hand-crafted recipes.
What Are Common Meal Plan Mistakes for Carnivore Beginners?
Eating too lean. Chicken breast and lean ground beef (93/7) will leave you hungry and low on energy. Always choose fattier cuts or add butter and tallow to leaner meats. Understanding the protein-to-fat ratio prevents this mistake.
Not eating enough. The first two weeks of carnivore require more food than you think. Your body is adapting to fat as fuel, and restricting calories during this period makes the transition harder.
Overcomplicating meals. A great carnivore meal is a steak with salt. You do not need carnivore “recipes” with 10 ingredients. Simplicity is one of the greatest benefits of the carnivore diet.
Forgetting electrolytes. During the first few weeks, add extra salt to your food and consider supplementing magnesium and potassium. This prevents headaches, cramps, and fatigue during adaptation.
For more meal planning tools and tracking features, visit the Carnivore Diet Tracking hub.