What Kind of Broth for Carnivore Diet?

November 18, 2025 •

3 min read

According to anecdotal reports from many followers, a carnivore diet can be restrictive, and finding suitable, nutrient-dense beverages is key to success. So, what kind of broth for carnivore diet is the best option to maintain hydration and mineral balance?

Quick Summary

This guide details the appropriate types of broth, like beef and chicken bone broth, for the carnivore diet. It covers making homemade versions and selecting suitable store-bought options to support overall health and nutrient intake.

Key Points

Nutrient-Dense Bone Broth: The best broth for a carnivore diet is pure bone broth made from beef, chicken, or other animal bones to provide essential minerals.
Replenishes Electrolytes: Broth with added salt helps replenish lost electrolytes, a common issue on low-carb diets.
Homemade is Superior: Making your own broth gives you total control over ingredients, ensuring no plant-based additives are included.
Roasting Bones for Flavor: Roasting bones before simmering enhances the broth's flavor and richness.
Check Store-Bought Labels: When buying pre-made broth, carefully read labels to ensure no vegetables, spices, or sugars are added.
Focus on Collagen-Rich Bones: Using bones with lots of connective tissue like knuckles or feet increases gelatin content for gut and joint health.

Why Broth is Essential on a Carnivore Diet

For individuals following a carnivore diet, which consists exclusively of animal products, nutrient and hydration management is critical. The absence of plant-based foods means the diet lacks certain vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and some followers report needing more electrolytes. Broth, especially bone broth, serves as a vital component to address these nutritional needs while adhering to the diet's principles. It offers a rich source of collagen, glycine, and essential minerals that are leached from bones during the cooking process.

Benefits of Including Broth

Replenishes Electrolytes: The body loses electrolytes on a low-carb, animal-only diet. High-quality bone broth, with added salt, helps replenish sodium and other minerals.
Supports Gut Health: The gelatin in bone broth can be soothing for the gut lining, potentially aiding in digestion and overall gut health.
Enhances Joint Health: Collagen and other compounds in broth are known to support joint health and may help fight inflammation.
Aids Hydration: Drinking broth provides a flavorful and satisfying way to consume fluids, which is crucial for preventing dehydration on a meat-only diet.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Broth

While making broth at home gives you complete control over ingredients, quality, and cost, store-bought options provide convenience. When choosing store-bought, it's essential to scrutinize the ingredients list for non-carnivore additives like vegetables, spices, or sugars.

Comparison of Broth Options


Feature	Homemade Carnivore Broth	Store-Bought Carnivore Broth	Standard Store-Bought Broth
Ingredient Control	Complete control over bones and additives.	Limited control; requires careful label reading.	Very little control; often contains non-carnivore ingredients.
Cost	Typically more cost-effective.	Can be more expensive per serving.	Varies, but often cheaper than specialized brands.
Purity	Highest purity; no added vegetables, spices, or preservatives.	Varies by brand; some brands specialize in carnivore-friendly broths.	Often contains onions, carrots, celery, and seasonings.
Nutrient Density	Can be optimized for maximum nutrient extraction via long simmering.	Quality depends on the brand's process; some are high in nutrients.	Generally lower in nutrients due to shorter cooking times and additives.

How to Make a Simple Carnivore Broth

Creating your own broth is straightforward and ensures it aligns perfectly with your dietary needs. The most popular choice is beef bone broth due to its robust flavor and high nutrient content.

Ingredients:

4-6 pounds of beef bones (marrow and knuckles are great for gelatin)
Filtered water, enough to cover the bones
Sea salt to taste

Instructions:

Roast the bones (optional but recommended): Preheat your oven to 425°F and roast the bones for 20-30 minutes until browned. This enhances flavor.
Combine ingredients: Place the roasted bones in a large stockpot or slow cooker. Add filtered water, ensuring all bones are submerged.
Simmer for flavor: Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer for at least 12 hours, up to 72 hours. The longer it simmers, the more nutrients are extracted.
Strain and season: Once the broth is ready, remove the bones with tongs. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Add salt to your preference.
Store: Let the broth cool completely before storing it in airtight glass jars. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for longer.

Which Bones to Use?

Choosing the right bones is crucial for a flavorful and nutrient-dense broth. For a rich, gelatinous result, focus on bones with plenty of collagen and marrow.

Best Bones for Broth

Beef Knuckles and Marrow Bones: These yield a rich, gelatinous broth, providing excellent collagen.
Beef Oxtail: Provides both meat and bone, resulting in a deeper, more flavorful broth.
Chicken Carcasses and Feet: For a lighter flavor profile, chicken bones and feet are excellent sources of collagen and gelatin.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Broth for the Carnivore Diet

Determining what kind of broth for carnivore diet is best boils down to prioritizing pure, animal-based ingredients. Homemade bone broth from high-quality animal bones is the gold standard, offering a concentrated source of essential minerals, collagen, and healthy fats without non-carnivore additives. It is a simple yet powerful tool for managing hydration, replenishing electrolytes, and supporting joint and gut health. For those who choose store-bought, strict label-reading is paramount to avoid unwanted ingredients. Whether you simmer it slowly at home or opt for a pure commercially available version, incorporating broth is a highly beneficial practice for a successful carnivore diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, vegetable broth is not suitable for a strict carnivore diet, which excludes all plant-based foods. You should use a pure bone or meat broth instead.

Some store-bought bone broths are carnivore-friendly, but you must read the ingredients list carefully. Many brands add vegetables, herbs, and seasonings that are not part of the carnivore protocol.

For maximum nutrient extraction and gelatin, a slow simmer of at least 12 hours is recommended. Some carnivore enthusiasts cook their broth for up to 72 hours for an even richer result.

Yes, consuming bone broth with added salt can help alleviate symptoms of 'keto flu,' which can occur during the transition to a low-carb diet. It helps replenish lost electrolytes.

Beef bones with lots of collagen and marrow, such as knuckles and oxtails, are excellent for making a thick, gelatinous, and nutrient-dense broth.

While some recipes suggest a small amount of apple cider vinegar to help extract minerals from bones, many carnivore followers omit it to maintain a pure animal-product-only broth. It is an optional ingredient.

Yes, you can drink broth cold. When chilled, a gelatinous broth will set up like jelly, which can be eaten with a spoon or reheated to its liquid state.