Carnivore steak nuggets. Yep, basically steak but make it nugget form. I was messing around one night and just wanted something crunchy without pulling out ten pans, so here we are. Dip the steak in egg, toss it in pork rinds and parmesan, fry it up, done. Crispy outside, juicy middle, little bites you can pop like fries. I don't even bother plating them half the time, just stand over the paper towel and eat until they're gone. These make the best little snack, game-day appetizer, or super hearty meal. They are anything but boring!
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How to Make Carnivore Steak Nuggets
Some people think carnivore is boring. Just slabs of meat with no crunch, eggs, slices of cheese, and no fun whatsoever. And yeah, sometimes it can be like that, like oh my goodness, it's ground beef again, daaang it, I wish I had something snack-y. But then you make carnivore steak nuggets and it's like… wait, these slap. Like you get an actual bite-into-it-and-hear-it crunch. It feels a little wrong in the best way.
And the thing is, they're not just for carnivore people. They're high protein, low carb, no weird stuff, super easy. So if you're keto, low carb, protein-obsessed, or just hungry and want finger food, they slide right in. They're nuggets. Everybody loves nuggets.
No marinating, no big ol' breading mess, no patience required. You just dip, coat, fry, done. And then you stand over the stove and burn your tongue because waiting isn't happening.
Ingredients You'll Need For This Recipe
- Beef steak - you want a cut that stays tender even when it's fried quick. Sirloin or ribeye works great, but honestly whatever you have will do. Just cut it small enough so the inside cooks before the outside gets too dark.
- Egg - this is the glue. No egg, no coating sticks. Beat it up really well so you don't get random streaks of yolk on your nuggets.
- Parmesan cheese - salty, crispy, and gives that little golden crust. Pre-grated works, but the fresh, finely grated kind clings the best.
- Crushed pork rinds - the secret crunch factor. Blend them up until they're like coarse crumbs. Too chunky and they'll fall off, too powdery and you'll miss that bite. Or, you can use the pork rind bread crumbs from Pork King Good, it's just pork rinds and no yuck.
- Salt - keeps it simple. You don't need garlic powder, onion powder, or any extras here, but if you're not carnivore and want to throw in spices, no one's stopping you!
- Oil for frying - tallow, lard, duck fat, ghee… all carnivore-friendly, all delicious. Tallow gives a beefy flavor, duck fat feels fancy, lard is classic. Use what you have and don't be afraid of a shallow fry - just enough oil to let them sizzle.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 - Toss the pork rinds, parmesan, and salt into a bowl. Mix it around so you've got your crunchy coating ready to go.
Step 2 - Crack the egg in another bowl and whisk it up until smooth.
Step 3 - Dip each steak chunk in the egg, then straight into the coating. Get them good and covered. Lay them out on a parchment-lined pan as you go.
Step 4 - Pop the whole pan in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This little trick helps the coating actually stay put when it hits the hot oil.
Step 5 - Heat your oil in a skillet to about 325°F. Drop the nuggets in and fry for 2-3 minutes, turning so all the sides get that golden brown crust.
Step 6 - Pull them out onto a paper towel to drain. Sprinkle with a little extra salt, maybe some parsley if you're feeling fancy, and eat them while they're hot and crispy.
Tips and Tricks
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Air fryer - Skip the oil and pop these in the air fryer at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They still come out crispy, just a little less greasy (and way less cleanup). Medium-rare will be closer to 7-8 minutes, well-done closer to 10-12 depending on nugget size. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer, leaving space between each. Spray the tops lightly with oil too.
-For max crispiness: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes before adding the nuggets.
-If you're in a hurry: Skip preheating, just add 1-2 minutes extra to the cook time.
Storage - Leftover nuggets (if that's even a thing) keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to get that crunch back-microwave makes them sad and soggy.
Freezer prep tip - Coat your steak chunks, lay them on a sheet pan, and freeze raw. Once they're solid, toss them in a freezer bag. When the craving hits, fry or air fry straight from frozen.
PIN FOR LATER!
I hope you give these a shot, they're way too good not to try. Quick, crispy, and super satisfying. Let me know if you end up eating half the batch standing at the counter like I did. xoxo Olivia
Recipe
Carnivore Steak Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef steak cut into chunks.
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup crushed pork rinds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying such as tallow, lard, duck fat, or ghee
Instructions
- Mix crushed pork rinds, grated parmesan cheese and salt in one bowl.
- Beat 1 egg in another bowl.
- Dip chunks of steak into the egg, then the breading. Place on a wax or parchment-lined baking sheet or pan, and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 325 ℉, then fry steak nuggets until browned, about 2-3 minutes, flipping about half-way through until browned on all sides.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt and parsley to serve.
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