The best meat for the carnivore diet is Verde Farms Organic Grass-Fed Ribeye. Verde Farms states the beef is 100% grass-fed and finished. The 10 oz steak costs $12.48.
If you want the lowest price per pound, Amazon Grocery ground beef is the better choice at $8.19. If you want a red meat other than beef, New Zealand Spring Lamb is the better choice. If you want a breakfast option, Applegate bacon is the better choice. Amba's pork belly is best for batch cooking and costs the most.
I teach clients that one off-plan choice does not mean the whole day is lost. They can make a better choice at the very next meal or snack, and keeping suitable foods in the kitchen makes that immediate restart much easier. We verified the factual details in this article using the product label, the current retailer or manufacturer listing, and our own testing notes. Prices, ingredients, serving information, and other product details were checked again during the week the article was published.
Full transparency: Karen and I can earn income by coaching people through the Trilivy program. That is separate from the products reviewed on this page. We do not receive commissions, affiliate payments, referral fees, sponsorships, free products, or any other compensation from the brands included in this ranking. None of these companies paid to be included, supplied products in exchange for coverage, or saw the rankings before publication, so they had no opportunity to influence the results. Below are the top 5 meat picks for the carnivore diet, tested and compared, from $6.09 to $29.99.
- Verde Farms Organic Grass-Fed Ribeye Steak, 10 oz
- Amazon Grocery 100% Pure Ground Beef, 93% Lean, 1 lb
- New Zealand Spring Lamb Fresh Ground Lamb Brick, 1 lb
- Applegate Naturals No Sugar Uncured Bacon, 8 oz
- Amba's Raw Pork Belly, Skin On, 2 lb
1. Verde Farms Organic Grass-Fed Ribeye Steak, 10 oz
Verde Farms sells a USDA Organic ribeye steak from grass-fed cattle. Verde Farms states the beef is 100% grass-fed and finished. A 4 oz serving lists 180 calories and 24g of protein. The 10 oz steak costs $12.48.
What we liked: We like that the steak requires only salt, pepper, and high heat. The brand's own page shows 4.2 stars from 3,636 reviews. Two promotional reviewers gave 5 stars and 3 stars, and the 3 star review called the flavor fine.
About the Brand: Verde Farms sells organic, grass-fed beef from regenerative farms.
Availability: Verde Farms is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 10 oz steak costs $12.48.
Pros:
- USDA Organic beef
- Grass-fed and grass-finished
- In stock at review time
Cons:
- About $20 per pound, the highest beef price here
- One reviewer found the flavor only fair
- One steak serves one person
Recommendation: Choose Verde Farms if you want a clean grass-fed steak for a weeknight dinner.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Verde Farms |
| Size | 10 oz (0.625 lb) |
| Meat | Grass-fed and finished beef |
| Protein | 24g per 4 oz serving |
| Average Price | $12.48 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
2. Amazon Grocery 100% Pure Ground Beef, 93% Lean, 1 lb
Amazon Grocery sells one pound of ground beef at 93% lean and 7% fat. The title states the product is 100% pure ground beef. The listing states 23g of protein per serving. The 1 lb pack costs $8.19.
What we liked: We like that the product is plain beef at a low price. CherryPicks ranks the 93% lean pack first among its ground beef picks. A reviewer of the 80/20 version noted little grease but a mild beef flavor.
About the Brand: Amazon Grocery is the private label Amazon uses for everyday food at lower prices.
Availability: Amazon Grocery is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 1 lb pack costs $8.19.
Pros:
- Lowest beef price on this list
- 23g of protein per serving
- Plain ground beef listing
Cons:
- No grass-fed claim in the listing
- Lean grind contains little fat for strict plans
- Mild flavor in reviews of the 80/20 version
Recommendation: Choose Amazon Grocery if you want an affordable ground beef for daily meals.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Amazon Grocery |
| Size | 1 lb |
| Meat | Ground beef, 93% lean and 7% fat |
| Protein | 23g per serving |
| Average Price | $8.19 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
3. New Zealand Spring Lamb Fresh Ground Lamb Brick, 1 lb
New Zealand Spring Lamb sells a one pound brick of fresh ground lamb. The listing states the lamb is 100% grass-fed and free range. The listing also states no added hormones or antibiotics. The 1 lb brick costs $8.99.
What we liked: We like that lamb gives variety to a week heavy in beef. Walmart Canada shows 5 stars from 10 reviews for the brand's lean ground lamb. We found few independent reviews, so view that praise as early.
About the Brand: New Zealand Spring Lamb states it has supplied premium New Zealand lamb to North America for 60 years.
Availability: New Zealand Spring Lamb shows limited stock on Amazon as of this review. The 1 lb brick costs $8.99.
Pros:
- 100% grass-fed lamb
- No added hormones or antibiotics
- Halal certified
Cons:
- Limited stock
- Few independent buyer reviews
- Ground form only
Recommendation: Choose New Zealand Spring Lamb if you want a grass-fed red meat other than beef.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | New Zealand Spring Lamb |
| Size | 1 lb brick |
| Meat | Grass-fed ground lamb |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Average Price | $8.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
4. Applegate Naturals No Sugar Uncured Bacon, 8 oz
Applegate sells hickory smoked uncured bacon with no added sugar. The listing states the bacon is sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free. The listing also states Whole30 approval and no chemical nitrites or nitrates. The 8 oz pack costs $6.09.
What we liked: We like that retailer pages list only pork, water, sea salt, and celery powder. Kroger shows about 4.4 stars from roughly 86 reviews. One reviewer called the flavor mild and baked the slices on parchment.
About the Brand: Applegate sells natural and organic meats and states that its animals are humanely raised.
Availability: Applegate shows limited stock on Amazon as of this review. The 8 oz pack costs $6.09.
Pros:
- Sugar free
- Short ingredient list
- Whole30 approved
Cons:
- Celery powder is a natural nitrite source
- About 310 mg of sodium per two slices
- Limited stock
Recommendation: Choose Applegate if you want a sugar free bacon for quick breakfasts.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Applegate |
| Size | 8 oz |
| Meat | Pork |
| Sugar | None added |
| Average Price | $6.09 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
5. Amba's Raw Pork Belly, Skin On, 2 lb
Amba's Quality Cured Products sells two pounds of raw, skin-on pork belly strips. The listing states the pack is USDA inspected and arrives frozen. The listing markets the pork belly for cracklings, chicharrones, and burnt ends. The 2 lb pack costs $29.99.
What we liked: We like that the listing describes plain raw pork with no seasoning. We found no written buyer reviews for this listing. Other sellers describe skin-on bellies as a good source of crisp crackling.
About the Brand: Amba's Quality Cured Products markets the pork belly for Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Southern recipes.
Availability: Amba's is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 2 lb pack costs $29.99.
Pros:
- Plain raw pork
- Fatty cut
- In stock at review time
Cons:
- Highest price on this list, about $15 per pound
- Raw pork requires cooking to 160°F
- No written buyer reviews found
Recommendation: Choose Amba's if you want a fatty pork cut for batch cooking.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Amba's Quality Cured Products |
| Size | 2 lb |
| Meat | Raw pork belly, skin on |
| Storage | Keep frozen until use |
| Average Price | $29.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
What Should You Look for in Meat for the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is a meat-based eating plan. Strict followers eat only animal foods, and flexible followers add eggs and dairy. Our carnivore diet guide explains both versions. Plain, single-ingredient meat matches either version best.
Begin with the source. Verde Farms and New Zealand Spring Lamb state grass-fed meat. Amazon Grocery and Amba's make no grass-fed claim in their listings.
Next, read the label for sugar, sodium, and additives. Applegate lists no added sugar and about 310 mg of sodium per two slices. Raw cuts such as Amba's pork belly list no seasoning.
Finally, compare price per pound and stock. Amazon Grocery costs $8.19 per pound, and Amba's costs about $15 per pound. Verde Farms costs about $20 per pound. New Zealand Spring Lamb and Applegate showed limited stock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Meat for the Carnivore Diet
What is the best meat for the carnivore diet?
Verde Farms Organic Grass-Fed Ribeye ranks first here. Verde Farms states the beef is 100% grass-fed and finished.
What is the best steak for the carnivore diet?
Ribeye is a popular steak for the plan because of its marbling. Verde Farms sells a grass-fed ribeye for $12.48.
What is the best fatty meat for the carnivore diet?
Pork belly and ribeye are fatty cuts. Amba's sells raw pork belly, and Verde Farms sells a ribeye.
What is the best red meat for the carnivore diet?
Beef and lamb are red meats. Verde Farms and Amazon Grocery sell beef, and New Zealand Spring Lamb sells ground lamb.
What is the best meat for the carnivore diet to lose weight?
Weight loss depends on total calories and portions, not on one meat. Leaner cuts such as 93% lean ground beef reduce calories per serving. Confirm any big diet change with your doctor.
Is bacon allowed on the carnivore diet?
Bacon is pork, so many followers allow it. Strict followers check for sugar and curing ingredients. Applegate lists no added sugar, and celery powder is a natural nitrite source.
How much meat should you eat per day on the carnivore diet?
Needs vary by body size and activity. Many followers eat until full. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian for a personal target.
Final Word
Verde Farms Organic Grass-Fed Ribeye ranks first on this list. Verde Farms states 100% grass-fed and finished beef, and the steak costs $12.48. For narrower needs, choose Amazon Grocery, New Zealand Spring Lamb, Applegate, or Amba's.
Whichever meat you choose, check the source, the label, and the stock before you buy. Then confirm any big diet change with your doctor, because that check matters more than any brand.
