Is Ground Beef OK for the Carnivore Diet?

Yes, ground beef is not just OK on the carnivore diet — it is arguably the single best everyday food for this way of eating. Ground beef is affordable, nutrient-dense, easy to cook, and available in fat ratios that perfectly match carnivore diet requirements. Many long-term carnivore practitioners eat ground beef as their primary food, often calling it the backbone of the diet.

Why Is Ground Beef So Popular on the Carnivore Diet?

Ground beef checks every box that matters for carnivore dieters:

• Affordable: Pound for pound, ground beef is one of the cheapest meats available. You can eat carnivore on a budget when ground beef is your foundation.
• Nutrient-dense: Rich in B12, iron, zinc, selenium, niacin, and B6. It provides every essential amino acid in high quantities.
• Correct fat ratio: The fattier blends (73/27 and 80/20) provide roughly the right proportion of fat to protein for a diet where fat is the primary energy source.
• Easy to cook: Brown it in a pan in 10 minutes. No special techniques, no long cook times, no fuss.
• Versatile: Patties, bowls, meatballs, or just eaten straight from the pan with salt.

Many carnivore veterans will tell beginners the same thing: when in doubt, eat ground beef. It is the simplest, most reliable option.

Which Fat Percentage Should You Choose?

This is one of the most important decisions for carnivore dieters buying ground beef. Here is how the common ratios break down:

73/27 (73% lean, 27% fat):

• The fattiest commonly available option
• Roughly 65% of calories from fat, 35% from protein
• Ideal for strict carnivore where fat is your fuel
• The most satisfying and satiating option
• Usually the cheapest per pound

80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat):

• The most popular choice among carnivore dieters
• Good balance of fat and protein
• Roughly 58% of calories from fat, 42% from protein
• Widely available at every grocery store

85/15 (85% lean, 15% fat):

• Acceptable but on the lean side for carnivore
• You may need to add butter or tallow to hit your fat needs
• Works if 80/20 is unavailable

90/10 and leaner:

• Too lean for most carnivore dieters
• High protein without enough fat can cause fatigue, hunger, and a condition sometimes called “rabbit starvation”
• Avoid unless you are supplementing heavily with other fat sources

The takeaway: buy the fattiest ground beef you can find. On carnivore, fat is not something to avoid — it is your primary source of energy.

How to Cook Ground Beef for the Carnivore Diet

Simplicity is the name of the game:

Basic ground beef bowl (the carnivore default meal):

1. Place 1-1.5 pounds of ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat
2. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks
3. Season with salt
4. Cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes
5. Do not drain the fat — eat it

Smash burgers:

1. Form ground beef into loose balls (about 3 ounces each)
2. Heat a cast iron skillet to high
3. Place balls on the skillet and smash flat with a spatula
4. Salt generously
5. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until crispy edges form
6. Top with butter or cheese if you include dairy

Meatballs:

1. Mix ground beef with an egg and salt
2. Form into golf ball-sized rounds
3. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes
4. Eat plain or with butter

The key principle: do not drain the fat. That rendered fat is liquid energy and nutrition. Pour it right over your meat or save it for cooking eggs.

Ground Beef vs. Steaks: Which Is Better?

Both are excellent, and the best approach is eating both. Here is how they compare:

• Cost: Ground beef wins significantly. You can eat carnivore for a fraction of the cost of a steak-based diet.
• Convenience: Ground beef cooks faster and requires less technique.
• Nutrition: Very similar, though steaks from specific cuts may have slightly different micronutrient profiles.
• Fat consistency: Ground beef gives you a predictable fat ratio every time. Steak fat content varies by cut and specific piece.
• Enjoyment: Steaks generally win on the dining experience. A well-cooked ribeye is hard to beat.

Many carnivore dieters eat ground beef for most meals and treat themselves to steaks a few times per week. This keeps the diet affordable and sustainable long-term.

Can You Add Anything to Ground Beef on Carnivore?

On strict carnivore, your additions are limited to other animal products:

• Butter: Melted over ground beef adds richness and extra fat
• Eggs: Mix raw eggs into hot ground beef for a creamy texture
• Cheese: If you tolerate dairy, cheese is a common ground beef companion
• Bacon: Crumbled bacon mixed into ground beef adds smokiness and crunch
• Beef tallow: Adds fat if your ground beef is leaner than you would like

Some people also mix ground organ meats into their ground beef to boost nutrient density without having to taste liver or heart on their own. Mixing 10-20% ground liver into ground beef is a popular strategy.

How Much Ground Beef Should You Eat Per Day?

Most carnivore dieters eat 1.5 to 3 pounds of meat per day, and ground beef can make up all or most of that. Common approaches:

• All ground beef: 2 pounds per day of 73/27 provides roughly 2,000 calories with adequate protein and fat
• Ground beef plus other meats: 1-1.5 pounds of ground beef as your base, supplemented with fish, chicken, lamb, or pork
• Ground beef with organs: 1.5 pounds of ground beef plus a small serving of liver for micronutrient insurance

Listen to your hunger and adjust quantities based on your activity level, size, and goals.

Ground beef is the workhorse of the carnivore diet. For a complete guide to all approved foods, visit our carnivore diet foods hub page.