Embarking on a carnivore diet can be daunting, especially when considering the potential costs. The perception that meat is inherently expensive, coupled with rising food prices, might deter individuals interested in exploring this dietary approach. However, it is indeed feasible to adopt a carnivore diet without exceeding your budget. This article provides practical tips and strategies to implement a cost-effective carnivore diet, offering an inspiring breakdown of potential expenses.

Budget-Friendly Tips for a Carnivore Diet

Here are several budget-friendly tips that can dramatically reduce the cost of going carnivore:

Explore Organ Meats, Eggs, and Other Underrated Foods: Diversify your food choices beyond prime cuts of steak.
Utilize Tallow and Suet for Cooking: These traditional fats are both affordable and beneficial.
Opt for Cheaper, Fattier Meat Cuts: Embrace the cost savings and nutritional benefits of fattier options.
Choose Bone-In Cuts: These are typically cheaper and offer the added benefit of bone broth potential.
Eat Only One or Two Meals a Day: Incorporate intermittent fasting to reduce overall food consumption.
Shop Around: Compare prices and buy in bulk to maximize savings.

Underrated Superfoods: Organ Meats

A well-formulated carnivore diet meal plan doesn’t mean eating only the most popular cuts of steak like ribeye and filet mignon. Both our cavemen ancestors from whom the carnivore diet is derived and modern carnivore dieters enjoy a variety of animal products on their food list. Thankfully, some are much cheaper than others. Organ meats stand out as highly nutritious yet affordable options. Often dubbed nature’s superfoods, they offer a wealth of nutrients at a fraction of the cost of muscle meats. Many grocery stores and butcher shops sell beef liver and other organs for $1-2 a pound. Even organic, grass-fed beef liver is relatively affordable compared to muscle meat. If you’ve tried liver, experienced its impressive benefits and are curious about other organ meats, here are a few more budget-friendly options:

Beef kidney
Sweetbreads
Bone Marrow
Spleen
Brain
Tripe

Research suggests that eating a given animal organ may nourish that very same organ within your body. In spite of these uniquely powerful benefits, organ meats remain dirt-cheap. wellness meats.

Eggs: A Complete and Affordable Food

Eggs may be the cheapest whole-animal food out there. An egg contains every nutrient needed to produce a future chicken. Eggs are rich in several nutrients that beef is lacking, including vitamin K2 and vitamin E. Just as with beef liver, even high-quality eggs are pretty affordable.

Read also: Is Beef Tallow a Good Moisturizer?

Tallow and Suet: Budget-Friendly Cooking Fats

Lard and tallow are two of the most carnivore-friendly cooking fats. They’re also two of the cheapest. Both fats go for just $1-2 per pound - less if you befriend your local butcher. Making them one of the cheapest foods per calorie. Lard and beef tallow are also incredibly satiating. Eating these fats can support you in cutting back on other foods, saving you more money. As an added plus, the stearic saturated fatty acids in tallow are great for your health. Research shows that their intake promotes mitochondrial fission, a process where mitochondria orient themselves towards burning visceral fat for fuel.

Beef tallow is rendered beef fat. It is cooked slowly over low heat and becomes a liquid, which you can store into containers, then later used for cooking. Beef tallow is purely fat. It has no carbohydrates or protein. Before the masses were brainwashed by Ancel Keys, tallow was the most common fat for cooking. Tallow was prized for its stability, taste and availability. Tallow was loved by chefs because it has a very high smoke point beyond 400 F and it does not go rancid like other oils. Tallow was ubiquitous.

What Is Beef Tallow?

Beef tallow is rendered beef fat, usually sourced from the suet (the hard fat around the kidneys and loins of cattle) or other fatty trimmings. When this fat is slowly cooked and melted, it transforms into a golden, shelf-stable oil that solidifies at room temperature. Tallow is not the same as lard, which comes from pigs. Tallow is beef-based and usually firmer at room temperature. Tallow was once widely used in homes and restaurants before being replaced by vegetable oils. However, its culinary and health benefits are being rediscovered today.

What Is Tallow Used For?

Beef tallow has many different use cases and can be used for:

High-heat cooking
Greasing cast-iron pans
Making savory pie crusts and biscuits
Non-food uses: candles, soaps, moisturizers

High-Heat Cooking

Beef tallow has a high smoke point, around 400°F (204°C), which makes it suitable for cooking at high temperatures without breaking down or producing harmful compounds. So, it can be used for:

Deep frying, especially French fries and fried meats
Pan searing, especially steaks, burgers, and lamb chops
Roasting, especially for coating meats like chicken or pork before roasting

Greasing Cast-Iron Pans

Tallow can be used for maintaining cast-iron cookware due to its:

Natural non-stick features
Seasoning the surface, forming a protective layer that resists rust

Unlike some oils that become sticky or go rancid, tallow remains solid at room temperature and helps keep pans in good condition.

To season your pan:

Rub a thin layer of melted tallow onto the pan.
Bake it upside down in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about an hour.
Let it cool inside the oven.

Making Savory Pie Crusts and Biscuits

Traditionally, tallow was used in place of butter or lard in baking savory recipes due to its:

Flaky texture it gives the dough
Rich, umami-like flavor, good for meat pies, pot pies, or biscuits
Consistency at room temperature, which helps with the dough structure

Tallow can be used for making steak and kidney pie, sausage rolls, cheese biscuits, or keto-friendly savory tarts.

Non-Food Uses

Tallow isn’t just for the kitchen. It is a versatile product that can be used for making candles, soaps, and tallow balm skincare products.

Tallow Candles: Tallow burns cleanly and slowly, so it can be used to make traditional and emergency candles.
Tallow Soaps: Rich in stearic and oleic acids, tallow creates firm, long-lasting bars with a creamy, gentle lather. It provides high-quality moisturizing and skin-nourishing effects. Learn about the benefits of tallow for skin.
Tallow Balms and Moisturizers: Beef tallow closely resembles human skin sebum, which is why it can be easily absorbed. It is non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores) and is ideal for sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin [1]. Beef tallow balm can also be mixed with essential oils and used in natural skincare routines.

Beef Tallow Nutrition Facts

Tallow is made almost entirely of fat, with no carbohydrates or protein. While beef tallow is calorie-dense, it contains no trans fats when properly rendered and contains beneficial compounds like Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and stearic acid.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is beneficial because it can support fat loss, improve muscle mass, and reduce inflammation. It also has anticancer and heart-protective effects.
Stearic Acid is a healthy saturated fat that supports mitochondrial function, can help reduce visceral fat, and doesn’t raise LDL cholesterol like other saturated fats, which is why it is useful for metabolism and heart health.

Beef Tallow Benefits

Beef tallow is more than just a traditional fat. It can support health when used appropriately. The most common beef tallow benefits include [2] [3]:

High smoke point (420-480°F): Suitable for frying without producing harmful free radicals.
Rich in CLA and stearic acid: These fatty acids can support metabolic health and reduce inflammation.
No trans fats or artificial additives: When homemade or sourced cleanly.
Supports fat-soluble vitamin absorption: Enhances the absorption of A, D, E, and K vitamins.
Nutrient-dense and satiating: Helps with appetite control on low-carb or Carnivore diets.

Grass-fed beef tallow also contains higher levels of omega-3s and vitamins compared to conventionally raised cattle.

How to Use Beef Tallow for Cooking

No matter if you are following a Carnivore Diet or not, you can use beef tallow for cooking in different ways, including:

Frying: French fries, chicken, fritters
Searing: Steaks, burgers, pork chops
Roasting: Vegetables, potatoes, meats
Sautéing: Onions, garlic, greens
Baking: Biscuits, meat pies (savory crusts)

To use beef tallow for cooking, you can easily buy it ready from stores or make it at home if you like hands-on experiences and organic products.

How to Make Beef Tallow at Home

Learning how to make beef tallow at home is simple and cost-effective, especially if you can source raw beef fat (suet or trimmings) from a local butcher.

Stovetop Method

Chop beef fat into small chunks.
Place it in a heavy-bottomed pot over low heat.
Cook slowly for 1-2 hours and stir occasionally.
Strain the rendered fat through cheesecloth into a glass jar.
Cool and store in the fridge or freezer.

Tips for Best Results

Use grass-fed suet for better flavor and nutrition.
Don't overheat. Slow rendering prevents scorching.
Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months in the fridge.

Rendered tallow should be pale yellow to white and smell clean and slightly meaty.

Where to Buy Beef Tallow (or Source Fat to Make It)

If you prefer not to render tallow yourself, several brands offer high-quality, ready-to-use versions, including:

Porter Road
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed
Grandview Beef

Buying Tips:

Look for labels like grass-fed, non-bleached, or pasture-raised.
Avoid tallow mixed with seed oils or preservatives.
Local butchers sell raw fat trimmings for home rendering.

Beef Tallow vs Other Fats

Beef tallow is not just used by those on low-carb, animal-based diets like Carnivore and Keto. Beef tallow is a healthier, more stable, and more natural fat source, especially for those on Keto and Carnivore diets who look for metabolic health, inflammation control, and clean, nutrient-dense eating.

Why Is Beef Tallow Better for Keto and Carnivore?

Beef tallow can be a better fat source, especially for those on a Carnivore or Keto diet, because of its following features:

Supporting Fat-based Metabolism: It is a reliable energy source for those relying on fat as a primary fuel source, like in Keto or Carnivore diets.
Not Having Carbohydrates or Seed Toxins: Unlike processed oils, tallow has no carbohydrates or plant-based toxins, so it aligns with the ancestral, whole-food eating style.
Reducing Inflammation: Low omega-6 levels help maintain hormonal balance and joint health.
Boosting Nutrient Absorption: The saturated fats in tallow improve absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, which are crucial when avoiding plant-based foods.
Longer Satiety: Beef tallow keeps you full longer with stable energy, unlike the blood sugar spikes linked to consuming vegetable oils.

Is Beef Tallow Healthy or Unhealthy?

Opinions on saturated fat have changed in recent years. While it is still advised to consume it in moderation, new research suggests that saturated fats like those in beef tallow may not be as harmful as once believed, especially in a whole-food, unprocessed diet.

According to recent studies and health experts:

Saturated fat alone doesn’t necessarily cause heart disease.
Stearic acid content in tallow can lower LDL cholesterol.
Tallow contains no artificial trans fats or hydrogenated oils.

To improve your health when using beef tallow, it is wise to:

Choose grass-fed tallow as it has a better fatty acid profile.
Avoid combining it with ultra-processed carbohydrates like bread and baked goods, cereals, refined grains, sweetened drinks, candies, syrups, etc.
Use it in balance with other whole foods.

Opt for Cheaper, Fattier Cuts of Meat

Low-fat misinformation means that many people today seek leaner cuts of meat. The upside to the faulty diet dogma means that fattier cuts of meat are often surprisingly cheap. If push really comes to shove, you can save additional money by selecting lower grades of beef. Contrary to conventional wisdom, lower-grade beef isn’t necessarily less safe or even lower quality. The USDA’s grading system is based on the marbling, tenderness, and flavor of any given cut. Even the chewiest piece of beef can become melt-in-your-mouth tender if it’s cooked right (low and slow is the way to go).

Cheapest option: Select grade
Moderate option: Choice grade
Priciest option: Prime grade

Opt for Bone-in Cuts

Bone-in beef is almost always cheaper than boneless, even when you factor in the weight of the bones you’re not able to eat. And these marrow bones are nutritiously valuable when it comes to making homemade bone broth.

Eat One or Two Meals a Day

Perhaps the simplest way to do the carnivore diet on a budget is to eat less often. By incorporating intermittent fasting and eating one or two big, carnivorous meals a day, you’ll be able to stay satiated while saving big. The Omad Diet plan outlines the way to eat once a day, while 16/8 fasting is often the best method for people just starting out. The high fat and protein content of a carnivore diet is so satiating that many people fall into this type of meal frequency naturally.

Shop Around

It pays to buy in bulk for most items, and carnivore-friendly foods are no exception. Apps like Instacart are great for searching bulk deals, allowing you to compare prices of similar items across different stores.

Below are several more places to find volume deals:

Costco
Local farms
Your local butcher

Many farms and butcher shops allow you to buy anywhere from a quarter-cow to a whole cow at a time, often for a steep discount. Once acquired you can then piece your cow, store in a chest freezer, and thaw what you need each week. Whole cows can be expensive up-front, sure - but some people have found a workaround by combining their buying power with like-minded family or friends.

Top 8 Budget-Friendly Carnivore Diet Foods

These 8 excellent animal-based foods will keep you on budget while increasing your intake of vital nutrients.

Beef Liver: Beef liver can be found at many major grocery stores for less than $3/lb. Local farms are often willing to give you an even better deal. With online grocery shopping, you can have fresh beef liver delivered for only $1.79 per pound. The nutrients per cost become pretty astounding. For 100 grams, or $.39 cents, you can nourish your body with: Desiccated liver supplements are pretty affordable, too and often sourced from grass-fed New Zealand cattle-the healthiest and most nutritious beef on the planet. Another perk of supplements is that they save you time and costs by not cooking.
Ground Beef: Many carnivore proponents, including Dr. Shawn Baker, say that a cheap carnivore diet of mostly ground beef and eggs is still far better than conventional eating. Even ‘average’-quality ground beef contains a variety of heart-healthy compounds, including creatine, carnitine, taurine, and heme iron. Here are some words of wisdom from 5-year carnivore Reanna Percifield: “Buy on sale and freeze. Don’t buy dairy. Buy ground beef. Buy less expensive cuts of beef like a roast. Chicken and pork are inexpensive, but I wouldn’t recommend eating it so much that you aren’t eating red meats like beef, lamb, and bison. I feel red meats are the most nutritious.” Reanna supplements this simple diet with a select few supplements, including electrolyte water, ox bile, and grass-fed organ supplements. She only spends $250 a month on food. Simple Truth’s 3lb pack of organ beef is just $6.33 a pound.
Sardines: Sardines are fatty fish that’s cheap, convenient, and ultra-nutritious keto/car. They’re one of the few commonly-available foods that contain edible bones, which also makes them a great source of calcium. Sardines get precisely half of their calories from fat and half from protein. Just be sure to select a sardines brand that doesn’t infuse their products with inflammatory industrial seed oils. We’ve found the 12 pack of Wild Planet sardines packed in extra virgin olive oil to be a great bulk buy.
Atlantic Mackerel: Mackerel is one of the most nutrient-dense fish you can eat, rich in vitamin D, omega 3’s, and highly-bioavailable protein. It’s also one of the most affordable seafoods available. At $2.78, single can of Crown Prince Mackerel provides a tremendous 14865 mg of Omega-3’s.
Eggs: At the cheapest end of the spectrum, just 2 eggs ($.40 cents) when buying in bulk at Costco provides: 1 As we explained earlier, eggs balance out the nutritional profile of ruminant animals almost perfectly. While not necessarily recommended, a diet composed solely of eggs and beef would cover many of one’s nutritional bases.
Beef Tallow: Tallow is loaded with healthy fats and fat soluble vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, and vitamin E. Together they play a key roll in growth, immune support, antioxidant protection. And all this for an incredibly low price. When buying in bulk 8 lbs of premium grass fed tallow can run you about $50.
Pork Belly: Pork belly is a delicious, zero-nitrite alternative to bacon. It’s also very high in selenium. Swift’s pork belly comes in at just under $5 per pound.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is a tasty, nutrient-dense keto cheese. It’s also among the cheapest cheeses out there. A budget-friendly 3lb tub of Philadelphia cream cheese provides 432 grams of whole food dairy fat - and 5,280 calories - for less than ten dollars

Carnivore Diet Cost: One Week of Carnivore Diet on a Budget

Here’s a sample breakdown of a weekly carnivore diet on a budget shopping list. You can get a nutrition-packed 2700 calories per day for less than $12 a day.

Conclusion: Affordable Carnivore Living

Many meats and animal products are expensive, yet with a budget-conscious strategy an affordable carnivore lifestyle is surprisingly easy to achieve. Inexpensive carnivore staples like liver, eggs, ground beef, and tallow are loaded with highly bioavailable nutrients that your body needs to for optimal health. And they all come in at less than $10 a pound.

Carnivore tips and tricks include:

Buying in bulk
Using beef fats for cooking
Opting for fatty, bone-in cuts
Practicing intermittent fasting
Finding the best deals

When following these guidelines it is rather easy to achieve impressive values:

An average of $4 per 1,000 calories
Between $50-100/week for 2500 daily calories.

FAQs About Using Beef Tallow for Cooking

Here you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about using beef tallow for cooking.

Why Use Tallow Instead of Vegetable Oils?

Compared to vegetable oils, tallow is more stable, doesn’t go rancid easily, and contains healthy saturated and monounsaturated fats that are less prone to oxidation.

Is Beef Tallow Healthier than Vegetable Oil?

Generally yes. Beef tallow is more stable at high heat and free from harmful trans fats when rendered properly. Unlike many seed oils, it doesn’t oxidize easily and doesn’t contain inflammatory omega-6s in high amounts.

Does Beef Tallow Have a Beefy Taste?

When properly rendered, beef tallow has a mild, neutral flavor. It doesn't make food taste like beef but adds a rich depth and crispiness to dishes.

Can I Reuse Beef Tallow after Frying?

Yes. Strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove food particles and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge. It can be reused several times.

Is Beef Tallow Keto and Carnivore Friendly?

Absolutely. It contains zero carbohydrates and fits perfectly into Ketogenic, Paleo, and Carnivore diets.

What Is the Difference between Tallow and Lard?

Tallow comes from beef fat, while lard comes from pork. Tallow is usually firmer at room temperature and has a higher smoke point.

Does Beef Tallow Need to Be Refrigerated?

Rendered tallow is shelf-stable for short periods in a cool, dark place, but it is best stored in the refrigerator or freezer for long-term use.

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