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Are you bored with your carnivore breakfast routine? Whether you’re a carnivore diet veteran or just starting out, this way of eating can feel like the same old song and dance. But it doesn’t have to be this way…
Even though the carnivore diet removes many of the most popular breakfast foods like cereal, oatmeal, or a fresh bagel, this way of eating offers dozens of nutrient-dense & filling breakfasts.
Let’s take a look at what you can eat on a carnivore diet and a dozen carnivore diet breakfast ideas!
What to Eat on a Carnivore Diet
Understanding what to eat on a carnivore diet can be difficult. The carnivore diet is a controversial diet that only includes animal products like meat, organs, seafood, and sometimes dairy or bee products (like honey and bee pollen).
This way of eating excludes grains, alcohol, ultra processed foods, and even fruits and vegetables. For some, the carnivore diet removes all carbs or has a small amount of carbs from dairy.
The Carnivore Diet is a restrictive diet that we typically only suggest as a short term strategy aimed at improving gut health, autoimmune conditions, weight loss, and various other health challenges (1).
For carnivore dieters, breakfast can be tricky if you’re dealing with a busy morning due to work, family life, or other obligations.
12 Carnivore Breakfast Ideas
Despite the limited number of foods, you can still enjoy a variety of tasty, protein-rich carnivore breakfast options. Here are 12 ideas to consider adding to your routine.
1. Omelettes
Omelettes are one of the most popular carnivore breakfasts given their versatility. Try adding in ground beef, breakfast sausage, ground turkey, or crispy bacon, and choose from a variety of cheeses.
Here are some essential steps to master the classic omelette:
- Prep first: Whisk your desired number of eggs with a pinch of salt and have your fillings ready.
- Hot pan, cold butter: Heat a cast iron or stainless steel pan over medium heat, then add butter and swirl to coat.
- Pour and stir: Add eggs and immediately stir with a spatula while shaking the pan gently.
- Let it set: Stop stirring when eggs are almost set but still slightly wet on top.
- Fill and fold: Add fillings to one half, then fold the omelette in half using your spatula.
- Slide and serve: Tilt the pan and slide the omelette onto your plate seam-side down.
Controlling the heat is key—too high and you’ll get rubbery eggs, too low and it won’t set properly.
2. Quiche
With a few adjustments to the ingredient list, it’s possible to make a delicious, carnivore-friendly quiche.
This recipe from Ash Eats only uses a handful of simple ingredients such as:
- Pork Rinds
- Ground Pork
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Ghee or Butter
- Sea Salt
If you like to meal prep, this quiche can be a great way to have an easy & tasty breakfast for the next 4-5 days.
3. Protein Shakes
A surprising carnivore breakfast idea with minimal cook time is a protein shake. While many protein powders have a laundry list of ingredients and fancy flavors, options like Animal-Based Protein only have 3 simple ingredients: 100% grass-fed whey, collagen & colostrum.
Plus, Animal-Based Protein has no hormones, additives, fillers, gums, or lecithins.
For a carnivore-friendly protein shake, mix it with your milk of choice and sweeten it with honey if you’re not following a strict carnivore diet.
4. Carnivore Breakfast Muffins
Another meal prep option is carnivore breakfast muffins. Using essentially the same ingredients as the carnivore quiche (like ground meat and cheddar cheese), these carnivore muffins can be perfect for a quick, portable breakfast.
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Pork Rinds
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Sea Salt
- Sage (optional)
- Nutmeg (optional)
- Rosemary (optional)
- Thyme (optional)
- Chives (optional)
5. Steak & Eggs
Following a carnivore diet is a perfect excuse to have steak and eggs for breakfast, especially if you have leftovers or like to meal prep.
6. Breakfast Sausage & Eggs
Another simple breakfast idea is to make breakfast sausage and eggs with high-quality sausage from your local farmers’ market or a store like Sprouts or Whole Foods.
7. Hard Boiled Eggs
A hard boiled egg is packed with nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, and choline, that are sure to keep you energized throughout the day. Plus, they’re easy to travel with or eat as a snack on the way to work.
Making consistently perfect hard-boiled eggs is easier than you think.
Instructions:
- Start cold: Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by about an inch.
- Boil and remove: Bring water to a rolling boil, then immediately remove from heat and cover with a lid.
- Time it right: Let eggs sit in hot water for 10-12 minutes (10 for slightly soft centers, 12 for fully set yolks).
- Ice bath: Transfer eggs immediately to an ice water bath to stop cooking and prevent gray rings around the yolk.
- Peel smart: After 5 minutes of cooling, crack shells all over and peel from the wider end under running water.
The result? Perfect eggs with bright yellow yolks that keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
8. Bone Broth
Bone broth is a versatile option that can be consumed throughout the day, but it’s particularly popular with carnivore dieters as an alternative to their morning coffee. This warm beverage can also offer collagen, glycine, calcium, magnesium, and other important minerals.
9. Carnivore Bowl
Another filling breakfast option is to create your own bowl with your choice of meat, eggs, and cheese.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, try using an ancestral blend with beef liver and heart for added nutrients. Try leaving the egg yolk runny in order to use it as a sauce.
10. Carnivore Waffles or Pancakes
Although it seems surprising, carnivore waffles or pancakes can be made with a few simple ingredients.
One option for the mix is to use eggs, collagen powder, and gelatin powder. Or you can use eggs and shredded cheese. Some also call for cottage cheese. The mixture can then be added to a waffle maker or pan. You can even make them with beef liver!
Here are 3 simple ratio guides for carnivore-friendly waffles and pancakes:
Basic Collagen Mix:
- 4 large eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons collagen powder
- 1 tablespoon gelatin powder
- Pinch of salt
Cheese Version:
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella work well)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons cream cheese for extra fluffiness
Cottage Cheese Mix:
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons collagen powder (optional, for structure)
Beef Liver Mix:
- 3 large eggs
- 1-2 ounces cooked beef liver, finely chopped or blended
- 1 tablespoon collagen powder
Blend all ingredients until smooth, then cook in a preheated waffle maker or cast iron pan over medium heat until golden brown.
11. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented beverage with a tart and creamy flavor, and it provides probiotics, calcium, magnesium, and other beneficial nutrients. If you’re looking for something light but filling, kefir can be perfect on its own or as part of another carnivore breakfast.
12. Yogurt Parfait
If your carnivore diet is less restrictive, a yogurt parfait with honey and bee pollen can be a quick and easy carnivore breakfast or preworkout snack.
Ingredients:
- Greek Yogurt
- Fruit
- Honey
- Bee Pollen
The Carnivore Diet Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
One of the keys to finding success on a carnivore diet is including as much variety as possible. This can feel particularly challenging when breakfast rolls around.
Thankfully, there are dozens of creative and nutritious carnivore breakfast options to choose from. Even if you’re not fully carnivore or you’re following an animal-based diet, these breakfast options can help start your day off on the right foot, fend off cravings, and offer the nutrients needed to feel your best.
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