How Can I Save Money on the Carnivore Diet?

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a recent survey, over 70% of dieters are concerned about the cost of maintaining a specialized eating plan, making the question 'how can I save money on the carnivore diet?' a common one. Eating only animal products can seem expensive, but with smart planning, it's very manageable.

Quick Summary

Efficiently manage costs on the carnivore diet by focusing on budget-friendly cuts of meat, sourcing directly from farms, leveraging bulk purchases, and utilizing lesser-used animal parts. Meal prep and minimizing waste are also key strategies for long-term affordability.

Key Points

Embrace Cheaper Cuts: Focus on ground beef, pork shoulder, and chicken thighs instead of premium steaks to save significantly on your weekly grocery bill.
Buy in Bulk: Purchase meat in larger quantities from warehouse stores or directly from local farms to lower your cost per pound and stock up your freezer.
Nose-to-Tail Eating: Utilize organ meats, bones for broth, and rendered fat to maximize the nutritional value and affordability of every animal you consume.
Utilize Sales: Actively look for weekly grocery store deals, manager's specials, and clearance items to find discounted meat before it expires.
Practice Meal Prep: Cook large batches of meat at once to save time and prevent reliance on more expensive, convenience-based meals.
Reduce Waste: Freeze excess meat, use scraps for broth, and keep your inventory organized to ensure no food goes to waste.

Sourcing Cheaper Cuts of Meat

One of the most effective strategies for keeping your food budget in check is to rethink your meat choices. Instead of always opting for prime rib or filet mignon, explore less expensive cuts that offer just as much nutritional value. Ground beef, for instance, is a carnivore's best friend. It's affordable, versatile, and high in fat, which is essential for energy on this diet. Other options include ground pork, ground lamb, and stew meat. Offal, such as liver, heart, and kidney, is another excellent and often overlooked source of nutrients and is typically very inexpensive. These nutrient-dense options are a cornerstone of a truly budget-friendly carnivore approach.

The Power of Buying in Bulk

Making large-volume purchases can significantly lower your per-unit cost. If you have freezer space, buying a quarter or half cow directly from a local farm or butcher can be incredibly economical. This also gives you the benefit of knowing exactly where your food comes from. If a whole cow is too much, look for bulk packages of ground beef, chicken thighs, or pork shoulder at warehouse stores like Costco or Sam's Club. Split the cost with a friend if you need to. Buying a whole chicken instead of just the breasts is another smart move; you get more meat for your money and the bones can be used to make a nutritious bone broth.

Embracing Nose-to-Tail Eating

The carnivore diet naturally lends itself to the nose-to-tail philosophy, which is not only cost-effective but also respects the animal. Every part of the animal can be utilized. Chicken feet and necks can be used for broth. Bones can also be used for broth, which is rich in collagen and minerals. Organ meats, as mentioned earlier, are cheap and packed with nutrients. Even rendered fat, like tallow or lard, can be saved and used for cooking instead of expensive store-bought oils. This comprehensive approach ensures nothing goes to waste and maximizes the value of every purchase.

Comparison of Common Carnivore Foods


Food Item	Typical Cost (per lb)	Nutrient Density	Best Use for Budgeting
Ground Beef (80/20)	Low	High (Fat & Protein)	Versatile for burgers, patties, bulk meals
Ribeye Steak	High	High (Fat & Protein)	Special occasion treat, less frequent purchase
Chicken Thighs	Very Low	High (Fat & Protein)	Bulk roasting, meal prep, budget-friendly
Beef Liver	Very Low	Extremely High (Vitamins & Minerals)	Nutrient-dense, used sparingly, patés
Pork Shoulder	Low	High (Fat & Protein)	Slow cooking, pulled pork, bulk prep
Salmon Fillet	High	High (Omega-3s)	Occasional, or buy canned salmon

Leveraging Sales and Discounts

Keep a keen eye on weekly grocery store flyers for meat sales. Stocking up when a specific cut of meat, like pork chops or beef roasts, is on sale can provide a supply that lasts for weeks or months if you freeze it. Be aware of "manager's special" items, which are often discounted significantly because they are approaching their sell-by date. If you plan to cook or freeze the meat right away, these are fantastic deals. Building a good relationship with your local butcher can also yield benefits, as they may inform you of specials or offer better prices for larger orders.

Practical Shopping and Cooking Tips

Making the most of your food budget goes beyond just what you buy; how you prepare and store it also matters. Meal prepping is crucial. Cooking a large batch of ground beef or slow-roasting a pork shoulder at the start of the week saves time and prevents you from resorting to more expensive, last-minute options. Minimizing waste is also critical. Ensure your freezer is organized so you know what you have and nothing gets forgotten. Using bones and scraps for broth is another key strategy. Don't be afraid to get creative with leftovers. This comprehensive approach to sourcing, shopping, and preparation will significantly reduce your monthly food bill while maintaining dietary adherence.

For more information on the health aspects and other benefits of the carnivore diet, the website MeatRx is a useful resource.

Conclusion

Saving money on the carnivore diet is not only possible but can be achieved with a few strategic shifts in your shopping and cooking habits. By prioritizing cheaper cuts of meat, buying in bulk, embracing nose-to-tail eating, and paying attention to sales, you can enjoy all the benefits of this diet without breaking the bank. It's a testament to the fact that healthy eating doesn't always have to come with a high price tag. A budget-conscious approach simply requires smart planning and a willingness to utilize every part of the animal to its fullest potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cheapest cuts of meat for the carnivore diet typically include ground beef, beef liver, chicken thighs, pork shoulder, pork belly, and stew meat. These cuts offer high nutritional value for a lower price.

If you don't have a large freezer, you can still buy meat in bulk by splitting larger orders with friends or family. Alternatively, focus on buying larger packages of ground meat or chicken thighs from warehouse stores and freezing them in smaller portions.

Organ meats are not strictly necessary but are highly recommended for their dense nutritional profile. They are also among the cheapest animal products available, making them an excellent choice for a budget-friendly carnivore diet.

It depends. A local butcher might offer better prices on bulk orders or specific cuts, and can provide organ meats more readily. However, grocery stores often have sales and specials that can be very competitive. Shopping at both and comparing prices is the best approach.

Rendering your own fat, such as tallow from beef or lard from pork, is an easy way to save money. You can use this rendered fat for cooking instead of buying expensive oils or cooking sprays, which are not carnivore-friendly anyway.

Meal prepping large batches of meat, utilizing a nose-to-tail approach by using bones for broth and organ meats, and keeping an organized freezer to track inventory are all effective strategies for preventing food waste.

Yes, absolutely. While beef is a staple, incorporating cheaper meats like pork and chicken, especially fattier cuts like chicken thighs and pork belly, is a fantastic way to save money without compromising your dietary goals.