What are the seasonings for the carnivore diet meal plan?

November 28, 2025 •

5 min read

While the strictest carnivore dieters adhere to a "meat and salt only" rule, many followers allow for minimal seasonings to add variety to their meals. What are the seasonings for the carnivore diet meal plan? The answer often depends on your personal health goals and tolerance for non-animal-based ingredients.

Quick Summary

The carnivore diet's approach to seasonings varies, from purists who use only salt, to more flexible adherents who incorporate low-carb, plant-based spices. Key acceptable options include salt, black pepper, and some herbs, while commercial blends with fillers or sugar must be avoided to maintain the diet's strict standards. The final choice on what to use depends on individual health goals and tolerance.

Key Points

Strict vs. Moderate Carnivore: The acceptability of seasonings depends on how strictly you follow the carnivore diet. Strict purists limit themselves to only meat and salt, while a more moderate approach allows minimal, low-carb spices for flavor.
Embrace Salt and Animal Fats: Salt is universally accepted on the diet for both flavor and essential mineral intake. Rendered animal fats like tallow and lard are also key to adding richness without plants.
Tolerated Plant-Based Spices: Many followers use small amounts of specific plant-derived spices like black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, but these should be used in moderation.
Beware of Hidden Ingredients: Commercial spice blends and sauces often contain added sugars, fillers, and anti-caking agents that are not compliant with the carnivore diet. Always check labels carefully.
Prioritize High-Quality Meat for Flavor: The best and most authentic flavors come from the quality of the animal products themselves. High-quality meat, organ meat, and different cooking techniques can provide plenty of variety.
Focus on Homemade and Simple: If using condiments, make them yourself from approved ingredients like egg yolks, animal fats, and salt. This ensures you control exactly what goes into your food.

The carnivore diet is a polarizing eating plan that emphasizes consuming only animal products and eliminating all plant-based foods. While the core of the diet is straightforward—eat meat—the question of what seasonings are appropriate for the carnivore diet meal plan is a common point of discussion. The answer is not one-size-fits-all and depends largely on your personal goals and how strictly you follow the diet.

The Fundamental Approach: Salt and Animal Fats

For those who practice the strictest version of the carnivore diet, often called the "Lion Diet," the seasoning list is incredibly short: just salt. Salt is not only allowed but encouraged, as it helps with fluid balance and provides essential minerals lost during carbohydrate restriction. Animal-based fats like tallow, lard, and ghee are also integral to providing flavor and richness to meals without introducing plant materials. Purists argue that all plant products, including spices, contain antinutrients and inflammatory compounds that contradict the diet's purpose. By focusing on high-quality meat, salt, and fat, they believe the natural flavor of the animal products is sufficient and superior.

Expanding Your Palate with Minimalist Seasonings

For many, a diet of only meat, salt, and water can be difficult to sustain long-term. This has led to a more moderate approach that allows a limited selection of plant-based spices and herbs. These items are typically used in small quantities and are chosen for their negligible carbohydrate and sugar content.

Tolerated Spices and Herbs

Black Pepper: Despite being a plant product, black pepper is widely accepted by many moderate carnivore followers. Its minimal use is often seen as an acceptable trade-off for flavor.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These are derived from plants but are often used in small enough amounts that many find them acceptable. As with any spice, it's crucial to check labels for added sugars or fillers.
Cayenne Pepper: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, pure cayenne pepper is a low-carb option that is often tolerated. It's important to use it sparingly and ensure it's free from additives.
Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Dill): Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and dill can be used to add a touch of flavor. Some followers prefer fresh herbs over powdered to minimize exposure to potential contaminants.
Paprika: A popular seasoning for adding color and a mild, peppery flavor, pure paprika is also sometimes used in moderation.

Comparison of Carnivore Diet Approaches to Seasoning


Feature	Strict Carnivore (Lion Diet)	Moderate Carnivore (Ketovore)
Primary Goal	Therapeutic elimination of all plant compounds for maximum healing.	Flavor and dietary sustainability while minimizing plant-based foods.
Allowed Seasonings	Only salt.	Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, selected herbs.
Allowed Fats	Animal fats (tallow, lard).	Animal fats, avocado oil, high-quality olive oil.
Condiments	None.	Homemade mayo, sugar-free hot sauce, homemade ranch.
Flavor Source	Natural meat juices, animal fats, and salt.	Combination of meat flavors, allowed fats, and limited spices.
Tolerance Test	A gradual, reintroduction process is used to test for reactions to seasonings.	Generally uses small quantities without the need for strict testing.

How to Flavor Your Carnivore Meals Without Breaking the Rules

Use High-Quality Meats: The best flavor on a carnivore diet often comes directly from the quality of your meat. Focus on grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and wild-caught fish for the best results.
Rendered Animal Fats: Don't discard the rendered fat from cooking bacon or beef. Use this tallow or lard as a cooking medium to add immense flavor to other meats.
Explore Different Salts: Not all salt is created equal. Experiment with different types like Redmond's Real Salt or Himalayan salt, which contain additional minerals and unique flavor profiles.
Bone Broth Gravy: Use reduced bone broth to create a rich, savory gravy. This provides a deep umami flavor that can enhance any meat without any plant additives.
Homemade Condiments: If you choose a more lenient approach, make your own condiments from scratch. A homemade mayonnaise using egg yolks and avocado oil is a great starting point, allowing you to control all ingredients.
Experiment with Cuts: Different cuts of meat, like organ meats, can provide a surprisingly wide array of flavors and textures, keeping your meals interesting.

Conclusion

Deciding what seasonings for the carnivore diet meal plan are right for you depends on your version of the diet. The most dedicated purists will stick to salt alone, while others find that carefully selected spices can make the diet more enjoyable and sustainable without compromising health goals. The most important factors are avoiding hidden sugars, fillers, and processed ingredients. By understanding the different approaches and focusing on whole, animal-based products, you can find the right balance of flavor for your carnivore lifestyle. For more information on transitioning to the carnivore diet, check out Primal Kitchen's guide on their website.

Primal Kitchen

What seasonings for the carnivore diet meal plan are acceptable?

Salt: For all versions, salt is the foundational seasoning. For purists, it's the only seasoning. For others, it is the base for more complex flavor profiles.
Black Pepper: Many moderate carnivore followers find that small amounts of black pepper are acceptable, as its potential impact is minimal.
Garlic and Onion Powder: In moderation, and free from fillers or sugar, these powders are commonly used by less strict carnivores to add flavor.
Selected Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and dill can be used in small quantities to add flavor without a significant plant load.
Cayenne Pepper: A low-carb way to add spice, pure cayenne is sometimes tolerated, especially by those focusing on a ketovore-style approach.
Tallow, Lard, and Butter: Animal fats are not just cooking agents; they are key flavor enhancers for carnivore meals.

What Seasonings to Avoid on the Carnivore Diet?

Commercial Blends: Many store-bought seasoning mixes contain fillers, anti-caking agents, or hidden sugars and carbohydrates. These should be avoided.
Sweet Rubs: BBQ rubs often contain brown sugar, honey, or other sweeteners, which are strictly off-limits.
Sauces and Marinades: Commercial sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, and most bottled marinades are packed with sugar and processed ingredients.

Is Black Pepper Allowed on a Strict Carnivore Diet?

No, a strict carnivore or "Lion Diet" protocol excludes all plant-based items, including black pepper, as it is derived from a plant.

Are Garlic and Onion Powder Carnivore-Friendly?

Technically, no, as they come from plants. However, many carnivore followers who are not pursuing a therapeutic elimination diet will use small amounts for flavor, provided they are pure and contain no additives.

Why Do Some Carnivores Avoid All Spices?

The most dedicated carnivores believe that even small amounts of plant material, including spices, can contain inflammatory compounds or antinutrients that may hinder the body's healing process.

Can I Use Pre-made Seasoning Blends?

It's best to avoid most pre-made blends, as they often contain undisclosed fillers, sugars, or preservatives. Always read the ingredient list carefully or stick to single-ingredient spices.

Can I Add Herbs to My Carnivore Meals?

For moderate followers, yes, certain herbs like rosemary or thyme in small quantities are acceptable. For a stricter approach, it is best to avoid them altogether.

Is Salt the Only Safe Seasoning?

For the most conservative and healing-focused approach, yes, salt is the only guaranteed safe seasoning. For those with fewer dietary restrictions, other select spices and herbs may also be acceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions

A strict carnivore, or "Lion Diet" follower, uses only salt to season food, avoiding all plant-based items including spices. A moderate approach, sometimes called "ketovore," may permit small quantities of low-carb spices like pepper, garlic powder, and herbs to make meals more palatable.

Black pepper is a grey area. Strict carnivores avoid it because it's a plant product. However, many moderate followers tolerate it due to its low carbohydrate content and minimal impact on their dietary goals.

While technically derived from plants, small amounts of pure garlic and onion powder (with no added fillers or sugars) are often used by moderate carnivore followers for flavor. Always check the ingredients label.

Instead of sugar-laden commercial sauces, use animal-based alternatives like rendered animal fats (tallow, lard), clarified butter (ghee), or homemade bone broth reduced into a gravy. Homemade mayonnaise from egg yolks and animal fat is also a good option.

Yes, it is best to avoid most commercial seasoning blends. They frequently contain unwanted ingredients like sugar, fillers, and preservatives that are not compliant with the carnivore diet. Stick to single-ingredient spices and make your own mixes.

You can enhance flavor by using high-quality meats, cooking with animal fats like tallow or lard, and exploring different cuts of meat. Using different cooking methods, such as smoking or grilling, can also significantly impact flavor.

Some health proponents of the strictest carnivore diet argue that spices contain antinutrients and potentially harmful compounds that can cause inflammation and other issues. Individuals with autoimmune issues may need to be more cautious and test their tolerance for certain spices.