What sides can you make on a carnivore diet?

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

While the strictest version of the carnivore diet is meat and water only, many followers incorporate other animal products to add variety and nutrients. This dietary pattern emphasizes animal-based foods, but a more flexible approach allows for savory side options to complement a main protein.

Quick Summary

This guide details animal-based side dishes for the carnivore diet, including bone broth, organ meats, and limited dairy options, to enhance flavor and add nutritional variety to meat-only meals.

Key Points

Rethink Sides: On a carnivore diet, sides are made from animal products like organ meats, dairy, fats, and broth, not plants.
Embrace Organ Meats: Use pan-seared liver, heart, or kidney to add nutrient density, variety, and flavor to your meals.
Use Healthy Fats: Drizzle melted tallow, lard, or butter over meals, or enjoy decadent roasted bone marrow as a side.
Incorporate Broths: Sip on collagen-rich bone broth for hydration and electrolytes, particularly during the initial adaptation phase.
Consider Limited Dairy: If tolerated, high-fat, low-lactose dairy like homemade mayo or hard cheeses can provide extra flavor and texture.
Prioritize Nose-to-Tail Eating: A holistic approach that includes all animal parts—muscle meat, organs, and fat—ensures a broader spectrum of nutrients.
Focus on Variety: Within the strict carnivore boundaries, simple substitutions like carnivore 'rice' or cheese-based dishes can prevent meal fatigue.

Rethinking the "Side Dish" on a Carnivore Diet

For those accustomed to traditional meals, the concept of a "side dish" is often intertwined with plants like potatoes, rice, or vegetables. However, on a carnivore diet, the definition must shift entirely. Since all plant-based foods, including vegetables, are strictly off-limits for true carnivores, sides are constructed from other animal products to provide textural contrast, additional flavor, and a nutritional boost. These aren't just an afterthought; they are a crucial part of creating a satisfying and sustainable all-animal eating plan.

The most common and versatile carnivore sides come from the same animal sources as the main course. Think beyond muscle meat and consider a nose-to-tail approach. Organ meats are a nutrient powerhouse, offering a dense source of vitamins and minerals often lacking in a muscle-meat-only diet. Additionally, nutrient-rich broths, pure fats, and select dairy items can fill the side dish void perfectly. The key is to embrace the full spectrum of animal-based foods and get creative with preparation methods.

Nutrient-Dense Sides from Organ Meats

Organ meats are a cornerstone of a nose-to-tail carnivore diet and make for excellent side dishes. They are packed with vitamins like A, C, and E, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, which can be challenging to obtain from muscle meat alone.

Pan-Seared Liver: Beef or chicken liver can be sliced thin and quickly seared in tallow or butter for a rich, flavorful side. It provides a smooth, soft texture that contrasts beautifully with a crispy steak. Season with salt to taste.
Beef Heart Steaks: Beef heart is a muscle meat but is nutritionally closer to an organ meat. It has a beefy flavor but a slightly chewier texture, making it a robust and satisfying side dish when pan-seared.
Cooked Kidney: Kidney, when prepared correctly, can be a tender and flavorful addition. Sautéed with butter or tallow, it adds a unique taste and is an excellent source of zinc.

Fats and Broths: The Ultimate Carnivore Condiments

Fat is a critical energy source on the carnivore diet and can be a side dish in itself. Bone broth is both a beverage and a flavorful side, particularly comforting during the adaptation phase.

Bone Marrow: Roasted bone marrow is a buttery, decadent side. The marrow can be scooped out and spread on slices of steak or eaten on its own for a powerful dose of fat and minerals.
Beef Tallow or Bacon Grease: Used for cooking, these fats can also be drizzled over a cooked steak or burger patty for extra flavor and richness.
Gelatinous Bone Broth: Homemade bone broth is a perfect side sip. It is packed with collagen, glycine, and essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium, helping to combat symptoms often associated with the transition to a zero-carb diet. A warm mug of bone broth before a meal can also aid digestion.

The Role of Dairy Sides

For carnivores who tolerate it, limited dairy can offer excellent variety. The focus is on low-lactose, high-fat options.

Homemade Carnivore Mayo: Using egg yolks, animal fat (like tallow or duck fat), and a touch of salt, you can create a rich, creamy mayonnaise. This can serve as a sauce or dip for other meats.
Carnivore "Rice": Made from finely processed cooked egg whites with gelatin and salt, this provides a unique, grain-like texture to pair with ground beef patties or shredded meat.
Hard Cheeses: Aged, hard cheeses contain very little lactose and can be added to meals for a salty, umami flavor. Shredded cheddar or parmesan can be melted over ground beef.

The Great Carnivore vs. Keto Side Comparison


Feature	Carnivore Diet Sides	Keto Diet Sides
Food Sources	Strictly animal products: meats, organs, eggs, fats, limited low-lactose dairy.	Plant-based (low-carb vegetables, berries, nuts) and animal-based foods.
Carbohydrate Content	Zero or near-zero carbs.	Low-carb, but still contains some carbs from approved plant foods.
Focus	Maximizing nutrient density from a variety of animal sources, including fat and organs.	Limiting carbs to maintain ketosis, often through leafy greens, nuts, and keto-approved vegetables.
Examples	Bone broth, pan-seared liver, roasted bone marrow, beef tallow sauce.	Cauliflower mash, sautéed spinach, asparagus, avocado slices.
Nutritional Differences	High in bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K2).	Diverse nutrients from both animal and plant sources, including fiber.

Conclusion: Variety Within Strict Boundaries

While the carnivore diet's restrictions may seem daunting, the possibilities for creating satisfying and flavorful meals are abundant once you shift your perspective on what constitutes a "side." By utilizing a full range of animal products—from nutrient-dense organ meats and collagen-rich bone broths to delicious, homemade sauces made from animal fats and eggs—you can add texture, variety, and flavor to your plate. Whether you're a strict carnivore or a more flexible practitioner, exploring these animal-based sides will enhance your dining experience without straying from your dietary principles. As with any restrictive diet, listening to your body and consulting with a healthcare professional before making significant changes is always a good practice.

A Simple Recipe: Carnivore Cream Cheese "Cloud Bread" Rolls

This is a carnivore-friendly take on a popular keto recipe, using eggs, cream cheese, and finely ground pork rinds for structure.

Ingredients:

3 pastured eggs
1/3 cup ricotta or soft cream cheese
1 tablespoon melted grass-fed butter
2 oz finely ground pork rinds

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Beat the eggs with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale.
Add the ricotta or cream cheese, ground pork rinds, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
Spoon the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or into a silicone mold.
Bake for about 40 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.
Let cool and enjoy as a bread substitute with a main meal or filled with shredded meat.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a strict carnivore diet completely eliminates all plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains. Any inclusion of vegetables would technically deviate from the strict carnivore protocol.

Bone broth is an excellent source of electrolytes like sodium and potassium. You can also add high-quality sea salt or Redmond Real Salt to your meals and water to replenish sodium, especially during the adaptation phase.

Yes, a popular alternative is to make carnivore 'rice' by finely processing cooked egg whites with gelatin. Some flexible carnivores may also create a mash using rich, high-fat ingredients like cream cheese and egg yolks, though this isn't strictly meat-only.

Salt is universally accepted on the carnivore diet. While some strict followers limit other spices, many allow simple additions like black pepper, as long as they contain no carbohydrates or additives. The degree of restriction on spices can vary among individuals.

Approved fats include animal-based options like beef tallow, lard, and ghee (clarified butter). Many followers also use standard grass-fed butter. These fats are used for searing and cooking to add flavor and energy.

You can add variety by incorporating different cuts of meat, including organ meats like liver and heart, using different cooking methods such as searing or slow cooking, and making homemade sauces from rendered animal fat and eggs.

Yes, you can make a gravy by using the drippings and rendered fat from your meat. Mix with beef tallow or butter for a rich, flavorful sauce, ensuring no flour or plant-based thickeners are used. A gelatin-based thickener can also be used if desired.