Ribeye Royalty: A Primal Feast for the Carnivore Diet

The Primal Appeal of Carnivore

If Keto is the sophisticated sibling that balances macros with a scientific nod, the Carnivore diet is its unapologetic cousin who tears into a steak with their bare hands and calls it dinner. At its core, the Carnivore diet eliminates every plant, grain, legume, nut and seed. It is, in short, a love affair with animal products. Ribeye, eggs, liver, marrow, butter. If it once grazed, swam or clucked, it is fair game. If it grew in soil, it is banished.

The philosophy is simple. Advocates argue that humans evolved as hunters, not kale-enthusiasts. A diet comprised exclusively of animal products, they suggest, may reduce inflammation, improve mental clarity, and even simplify digestion by removing common irritants such as fibre, gluten, and lectins (Baker, 2019; O’Hearn, 2022). Critics, naturally, raise concerns about long-term heart health and nutrient diversity (Harvard Health Publishing, 2023). Yet few would deny the visceral satisfaction of a perfectly seared steak dripping with its own juices.

Today’s recipe is not just food. It is primal ceremony. A thick ribeye steak crowned with whipped bone marrow butter. No vegetables, no frills. Just fire, flesh and fat.

Recipe: Ribeye Steak with Bone Marrow Butter

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 2 ribeye steaks, each about 350 g / 12 oz and 3 cm / 1¼ inch thick

• 2 marrow bones, centre-cut (roughly 10 cm / 4 inches long)

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (30 g / 1 oz), softened

• 1 tsp coarse sea salt

• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F. Place marrow bones upright in a roasting tin and roast for 20 minutes until the marrow is soft and bubbling. Scoop out the marrow and let it cool slightly.

2. Mash the roasted marrow together with softened butter, salt, and a touch of pepper until smooth. Chill until firm.

3. Meanwhile, bring ribeye steaks to room temperature. Pat dry with kitchen paper and season generously with salt.

4. Heat a heavy skillet until smoking. Sear the steaks for three to four minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting time for preferred doneness. Rest for five minutes.

5. Serve steaks hot with a generous quenelle of bone marrow butter melting luxuriously on top.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)

• Calories: 820 kcal

• Protein: 64 g

• Fat: 62 g

• Saturated Fat: 26 g

• Carbohydrates: 0 g

• Fibre: 0 g

• Sodium: 420 mg

(Source: USDA FoodData Central, 2024)

Why This Dish Fits the Carnivore Diet

There is a purity in this recipe that matches the Carnivore ethos. Ribeye provides abundant protein along with healthy doses of iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The generous marbling ensures a rich fat content to keep energy levels steady without carbohydrates. Bone marrow butter, meanwhile, is more than a luxurious garnish. Marrow contains collagen, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and fat-soluble vitamins that have been prized since prehistoric kitchens involved more campfire than cast iron (Mann, 2017).

This is a meal that removes every possible dietary distraction. No carb counting. No weighing greens. No pondering portion sizes of quinoa. Just two primal ingredients in harmony: steak and fat.

Culinary Notes and Variations

• For an even more elemental experience, cook the ribeye over charcoal or wood for added smoke.

• Substitute marrow butter with whipped beef dripping for a different texture.

• Those in pursuit of the ultimate Carnivore luxury can sprinkle a little flaked Maldon salt on the butter just before serving.

Artistic interpretation - details may differ from the actual.