Carnivore Diet on a Budget: 10 Tips for Cost-Saving Shoppers

You decided to give carnivore a whirl but may be worried about the cost of eating only animal-based foods, especially with the rising costs of groceries. We’re here to put your mind at ease by giving you several ways to stick to a budget yet stay carnivore. 

With some planning and smart shopping strategies, you can enjoy a meat-focused lifestyle without going over budget. We’ll help you choose the right cuts, shop strategically, and use every part of the animal so you can enjoy the benefits of carnivore without breaking the bank. Here are ten practical tips to help you save money on carnivore while still sticking to a nutrient-dense, satisfying diet.

Buying in Bulk

Buying meat in bulk is one of the simplest ways to save money on a carnivore diet. When you buy larger quantities, the price per pound often drops, so you get more food for less cash. Many butcher shops, grocery stores, and wholesale clubs offer discounts on bigger cuts like chuck roasts, pork shoulders, or bulk packs of ground beef. You can divide these larger cuts into meal-sized portions and freeze whatever you won’t use immediately.

Not only does freezing keep your meat fresh longer, but it also ensures you always have something ready to cook at home, which reduces the urge to spend extra by eating out. If you have space, a good freezer—or even a chest freezer—makes bulk buying much easier and lets you stock up when you find great deals.

Stick with Cheaper Cuts of Meat

Many people new to carnivore are drawn to pricier cuts like ribeye and filet mignon, but there’s no need to eat premium. Cheaper cuts like ground beef, pork shoulder, chicken thighs, and even whole chickens are just as nutritious and often higher in fat, which is ideal for a carnivore diet. Lower-quality meats also contain more cartilage, which is high in beneficial collagen. So, even though it’s not a fancy cut, you get more health benefits from it! 

Fatty cuts tend to cost less than lean ones, and they’re more filling, so you stay satisfied longer. Pork belly, for example, is loaded with fat and has a rich flavor that’s perfect for carnivore eating without a high price. Cuts like brisket, chuck roast, and oxtail are also great options—they’re often overlooked but full of nutrients and flavor. Try making a hearty bone broth with oxtail. Cooking more affordable cuts like pork shoulder or beef chuck low and slow really brings out deep flavors and creates tender textures that can rival pricier cuts.

Ground Meat for Affordable, Versatile Meals

Ground meat—especially ground beef—is a go-to for keeping costs down on a carnivore diet. It’s generally cheaper per pound than other cuts and comes in various fat levels, giving you plenty of options to fit your needs. Plus, ground meat’s versatility makes it easy to use across different recipes, stretching your budget while keeping meals interesting.

Ground meat is often less expensive per pound than other cuts and comes in a variety of fat levels to suit your needs. It can be used in many recipes, adding flexibility and value to your meals without compromising quality.

 Higher-fat ground beef is often even more affordable than lean, and it’s ideal for carnivores looking to increase their fat intake. You can use ground meat in countless ways—burgers, meatballs, casseroles, or even a simple bowl of seasoned ground beef topped with butter or tallow.

Buying ground beef in bulk and freezing it in meal-sized portions can save time and money, making it a great choice for those who meal prep. Plus, ground meat from different animals, like pork or lamb, can add variety and is sometimes cheaper than beef, allowing you to mix up your diet without added cost. Remember, even if it’s not grass-fed beef, you still eat healthier than a carb-laden diet. Kelly Hogan (an Instagram-famous carnivore of over 15 years) often eats plain all-beef McDonald’s burger patties when she’s in a bind. She is also known for her “meat cookies,” which are simply plain, cold burger patties with butter “frosting.”

Try Organ Meats for Nutrient Density and Affordability

Organ meats, or “offal,” are a nutrient powerhouse and are often much cheaper than muscle cuts. Liver, heart, kidney, and tongue contain lots of essential vitamins and minerals, making them a valuable addition to the carnivore diet. While they might be an acquired taste, learning to cook organ meats in tasty ways can elevate your nutrition without elevating your expenses. You can add a bit of liver to ground beef, mix heart with other meats, or use organ meats in recipes that make them feel more familiar.

Most butchers and grocery stores sell organ meats for much less than traditional cuts, so you get top-notch nutrients without the hefty price.With practice, you’ll find preparation methods that work for you, making it easier to include these nutrient-dense foods in your diet.

Cook at Home Instead of Eating Out

Restaurant meals, even carnivore-friendly ones, cost significantly more than home-cooked options. With rising food costs, eating out can be very expensive. Cooking at home helps you save money and gives you full control over what goes into your food, allowing you to avoid seed oils and additives that restaurants often use.

Basic cooking methods like grilling, baking, air frying, and pan-frying work well for most meats, and playing around with seasonings and different techniques can keep things fresh and enjoyable. If time is a factor, consider batch-cooking larger portions of meals and freezing leftovers for quick, easy-to-reheat options.

Look for Sales and Discounts

Sales, discounts, and markdowns can be a budget carnivore’s best friend. Many stores mark down meat close to its “sell-by” date, allowing you to grab quality products at a reduced price. Keep an eye on grocery flyers or sign up for alerts from your favorite stores to stay in the loop about sales on meat and animal products. 

Wholesale clubs and local butchers often offer deals or memberships that provide additional savings. You can stock up on affordable meat by timing your purchases to coincide with these discounts and freeze it for later. 

Purchase Directly from Farms or Butchers

Buying directly from farms, local butchers, or farmers’ markets can often be more economical than purchasing at the grocery store, especially in larger quantities. Many farms offer bulk deals, like a quarter or half of a cow, that reduce the overall price per pound. You get higher-quality, often pasture-raised meat at a fraction of the retail cost. 

Building a relationship with a local butcher can help you access bones, organs, and other lesser-known cuts at a discount. You can use these for things like bone broth or roasted bone marrow. Some butchers even set aside special deals for regular customers. Plus, supporting local farmers means you know exactly where your food is coming from, which feels good, too.

Make Bone Broth

Making bone broth from scratch is a great way to save money and get a nutrient-dense carnivore staple without the additives you sometimes find in store-bought versions, which can also be pricey. Start with leftover bones from meals or pick up affordable soup bones or oxtail from the butcher. With just a pot of water and a bit of salt, you can simmer the bones into a rich, collagen-packed broth that’s full of minerals. It’s easy, cost-effective, and perfect for keeping on hand for a warming drink or as a base for other dishes.

Simmer beef bones in water (with a little sea salt) for several hours (or in a slow cooker overnight), and you’ll have a rich broth that’s perfect for sipping or using as a base in recipes. Bone broth is filling, nourishing, and a great way to get the most out of every part of the animal. Not only is it inexpensive to make, but it’s also a comforting addition that adds variety to your carnivore routine without adding much to your budget.

Focus on Nutrient Density to Feel Satisfied with Less

One of the hidden money-saving benefits of the carnivore diet is that nutrient-dense foods often lead to feeling satisfied with smaller portions. Highly nutritious meals, like those centered around fatty meats, organ meats, and broth, help your body get the nutrients it needs more efficiently, which can naturally reduce overall food intake.

As your body adapts to carnivore, you might find that you’re full faster and don’t need as much food to feel satisfied, leading to natural cost savings. Focusing on nutrient-dense options helps maximize the value of each meal, so you’re not spending on extras or snacks to stay satisfied.

Be Flexible with Meat Sources

Being open to different types of meat gives you more options for finding affordable, high-quality choices. Though beef is a staple for many following a carnivore diet, incorporating other proteins like pork, chicken, turkey, and certain types of fish can help you stretch your budget without sacrificing nutrition. Pork shoulder, for instance, is usually more affordable than beef and has plenty of fat to satisfy you. Chicken thighs and drumsticks offer good nutrition at a lower cost. Sales or discounts on wild-caught fish, help you stay within budget without sacrificing quality.

Final Thoughts

Eating a carnivore diet doesn’t have to be expensive. You can keep costs down with a few strategic choices while enjoying a nutrient-rich, meat-based diet. Making smart use of affordable cuts, rotating proteins, and watching for deals lets you enjoy a sustainable, nourishing way of eating without breaking the bank.

Whether you buy in bulk, add organ meats to your meals, or stock up during sales, these small adjustments can lead to big savings over time.

The carnivore diet is all about simplicity, and with a little planning, you can enjoy nutrient-dense, high-quality meals without breaking the bank. Remember, it’s not about having the most expensive cuts; it’s about making smart choices that allow you to prioritize your health without sacrificing your budget.