Carnivorous
In this article
The basicsWhat it costs right nowWhat to leave outHow much to buy for a weekShopping tipsThe basics
- Beef: ground beef (80/20), chuck roast, sirloin, brisket, short ribs, and ribeye when the budget allows.
- Pork: pork chops, pork shoulder, pork belly, bacon, ground pork.
- Chicken: thighs and legs (bone-in is cheapest), wings, breast.
- Lamb: chops, if you like them and they fit your budget.
- Fish and seafood: salmon, mackerel, canned tuna, sardines, shrimp.
- Eggs: as many as you like. They are the cheapest protein in the store.
- Organ meats: beef liver or chicken liver, about 200 g (7 oz) a week.
- Dairy (optional): butter, cheddar, parmesan, heavy cream. Many people keep these; strict carnivores skip everything but butter.
- Pantry: salt. That is really all you need. Water, plus coffee or tea if you drink them.
What it costs right now
Average U.S. prices for the most common carnivore foods (August 2026), sorted by how much you pay for 100 g of protein:
| Food | U.S. price | Per 100 g protein | Price data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (large) | $2.28 / dozen | $2.51 | BLS average |
| Chicken thighs & legs (bone-in) | $1.67 / lb | $3.07 | BLS average |
| Chicken breast (boneless) | $4.17 / lb | $4.09 | BLS average |
| Beef liver | $3.99 / lb | $4.40 | Estimate |
| Pork shoulder (boneless) | $3.49 / lb | $4.42 | Estimate |
| Pork chops (boneless) | $4.53 / lb | $4.73 | BLS average |
| Tuna (canned in water, drained) | $6.03 / lb | $5.22 | Estimate |
| Cheddar cheese | $5.98 / lb | $5.28 | BLS average |
| Ground beef (80/20) | $6.92 / lb | $8.87 | BLS average |
| Chuck roast | $9.45 / lb | $10.85 | BLS average |
| Bacon | $6.60 / lb | $11.20 | BLS average |
| Salmon fillet | $11.99 / lb | $13.21 | Estimate |
| Sirloin steak | $14.36 / lb | $15.59 | BLS average |
| Ribeye steak | $19.38 / lb | $22.14 | From BLS steak price |
What to leave out
- Everything from plants: bread, pasta, rice, fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.
- Sugar and anything sweetened, including most sauces, marinades and flavored yogurts.
- Seed oils (canola, soybean, sunflower). Cook with butter, tallow, lard or the fat from the meat.
- Processed meats with fillers. Check sausages and deli meat for sugar, starch and other additives. Bacon cured with a little sugar is fine for most people.
How much to buy for a week
Most people eat roughly 1–2 lb (0.5–0.9 kg) of meat, fish and eggs a day, depending on body size and how fatty the cuts are. Here is the list our planner wrote for a 2,550-calorie week with more variety, total $89.78:
- Ground beef (80/20)
3 × 1 lb pack$20.78 - Chicken breast (boneless)
3 × 1.5 lb pack$18.77 - Chicken thighs & legs (bone-in)
2 × 3 lb family pack$10.02 - Bacon
2 × 12 oz pack$9.90 - Pork chops (boneless)
2 × 1 lb tray$9.07 - Eggs (large)
3 × dozen$6.83 - Cheddar cheese
2 × 8 oz block$5.99 - Heavy cream
1 × 1 pint$4.40 - Butter
1 × 1 lb (4 sticks)$4.02 - Total$89.78
Want it cheaper? The same planner gets a full week down to $62.04. See carnivore on a budget.
Shopping tips
- Buy the large family packs and freeze portions. They are usually noticeably cheaper per pound.
- Look for marked-down meat close to its sell-by date and freeze it the same day.
- Buy one "cook once" cut a week (chuck roast, pork shoulder, brisket) for easy leftovers.
- Write the list from a plan. Buying "some meat" without a plan is how food ends up in the trash.
Get a carnivore plan for your budget
Carnivorous plans your week around your budget, goal and appetite, writes the grocery list with prices for your area and answers your questions with an AI coach. Free for 7 days, no card needed.
Plan my week freeGeneral information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or take medication, talk to your doctor before changing your diet.
