Quick-Cook Meat Cuts for Busy Weeknights

If you’re following a carnivore diet, or even just leaning into clean, animal-based eating, quick meals don’t have to mean boring meals. 

Forget the soggy salads or processed snacks. With the right cuts of premium meat and a hot pan, you can have a high-protein, flavour-packed meal in under 15 minutes.

Let’s dive into the best fast-cooking carnivore cuts from the Carnivore Society range and how to turn them into weeknight wins.

Why Quick-Cook Cuts Matter for Carnivores

Let’s be honest, weeknights are chaos. Whether you’ve just wrapped up work, gym, or school runs, standing in the kitchen for an hour isn’t realistic. But if you’re eating carnivore, fast food from the drive-thru simply won’t cut it.

That’s where premium, quick-cook cuts come in. Carnivore meals are naturally streamlined, no chopping vegetables, no blending sauces. You get unmatched nutrient density and satiety with just meat, salt, and heat.

Even better, quick-cook cuts are often the most flavourful. Thin rib fillets, tenderloins, and lamb backstrap cook in minutes and taste incredible, especially when sourced from high-quality suppliers like Carnivore Society. You’re not sacrificing quality for speed; you’re eating smarter.

And unlike conventional meal prep, carnivore cooking is blissfully minimal. No herbs to measure. No rice to boil. No need to worry about what oil is “clean.” Just sear and serve.

Fastest Cooking Cuts from Carnivore Society

Here’s a breakdown of the best meat cuts for speed and the standouts from Carnivore Society’s premium lineup:

1. Scotch / Rib Fillet

Thinly sliced rib fillets, often sold as minute steaks, are weeknight magic, delivering serious flavour in record time. With a cook time of just 3–5 minutes, they’re perfect for when you need dinner on the table fast. 

Simply season with salt, sear each side on a hot pan, and you’re done. The rich marbling in cuts like Teys Grass‑Fed, Bass Strait, and grain‑fed Wagyu from Carnivore Society means you get juicy, tender results without much effort. 

Ideal for a no-fuss meal that still feels indulgent, they pair well with crispy tallow fries or sautéed eggs for added satiety.

2. Eye Fillet / Tenderloin

Eye fillet might seem like a special-occasion cut, but it's a weeknight lifesaver with a cook time of just 3-4 minutes per side. Lean, tender, and luxurious, this cut requires no fancy marinades, just season, sear, and rest. 

Carnivore Society’s selection includes grass-fed and organic options from Teys, offering clean flavour and a soft, buttery texture. Once seared to your preferred doneness, let it rest for five minutes to lock in the juices. 

It’s a high-impact cut with low-effort prep, making it ideal for quick dinners where quality and speed go hand in hand.

3. Porterhouse / Sirloin

A slightly thicker cut than rib fillet, porterhouse still delivers on speed with a total cook time of 4-6 minutes when sliced properly. Grass-fed varieties from Cape Grim and Southern Ranges provide a deep, satisfying beefiness that holds up well with minimal seasoning. 

Just sear each side, let it rest briefly, and slice to serve. This cut is ideal for those who want a steak-night feel without the time commitment. Add a poached egg or tallow drizzle on top, and you’ve got a fast, hearty plate worthy of any carnivore kitchen.

5. Lamb Backstrap or Boneless Leg (M.C. HERD)

If you’re after a lamb cut that’s both flavourful and fast, lamb backstrap is your answer. With a cook time of 5-7 minutes, it mimics the sear of a steak while delivering the richness of slow-roasted lamb. M.C. HERD boneless cuts from Carnivore Society are lean, tender, and perfect for high-heat cooking in a skillet with butter or lamb fat. 

Slice thin for even faster results, and finish with a dusting of flake salt. This cut pairs beautifully with boiled eggs, tallow chips, or crispy beef fat for a balanced, carnivore-friendly plate.

6. Pork Medallions or Strips

Often underrated in strict carnivore diets, thin pork medallions are typically cut from the pork tenderloin, which is a long, lean, and tender cut of meat. They are round, thick slices, usually about 1 to 2 inches thick, and are known for their mild flavour and delicate texture. 

Pork strips, on the other hand, can refer to various cuts, but often refers to thicker-cut slices of pork belly, similar to thick-cut bacon are surprisingly fast, with a cook time of 5-7 minutes in a hot pan. Look for preservative-free, boneless pork options to keep things clean and simple. 

These lean medallions are excellent pan-fried in ghee or tallow, developing a golden crust in minutes. Serve with eggs, beef bacon, or even minced lamb for a protein-rich breakfast or light dinner. 

While pork may not be your daily go-to, these quick-cooking cuts add welcome variety without slowing you down or complicating your meal prep.

4. Grass‑Fed Beef Mince

With a cook time of just 6-8 minutes, grass-fed beef mince is a staple for speed, versatility, and nutrition. Carnivore Society stocks premium options from Tara Valley and Bass Strait, ensuring clean taste and even cooking every time. 

Sauté solo, form into patties, or mix with bone marrow or suet for extra fat, there’s no wrong way to use it. This is the kind of freezer essential that makes busy nights easier. A hot pan, a sprinkle of salt, and a few minutes are all you need for a nourishing, satisfying carnivore meal.

7. Ora King Salmon Steaks

Ora King salmon steaks are a premium pick for those who include seafood in their carnivore or animal-based approach. They're among the fastest options you can pan-sear with a cook time of just 3-4 minutes per side. 

High in omega-3s and packed with rich, buttery flavour, these salmon cuts from Carnivore Society require little more than ghee, salt, and a hot pan. 

The result? A silky, nutrient-dense protein that pairs beautifully with boiled eggs or leftover roast beef. Ideal for those seeking brain-boosting fats and a refreshing break from red meat.

Time-Saving Cooking Tips

Want to shave off even more minutes? Use these kitchen hacks to speed things up:

• Pre-portion your meat: Divide and vacuum-seal into meal-sized packs to cut thawing time and simplify prep.
  
• Always use a pre-heated pan: Ensures a fast, even sear and avoids grey, soggy meat.
  
• Cook multiple proteins at once: Use two pans or sections of a large skillet to prepare different cuts simultaneously.
  
• Rest meat while you clean up: Use the 5-minute rest time to wipe down benches or wash dishes, no wasted time.
  
• Use thinner cuts or slice thicker ones: Halving thick steaks or buying thin cuts reduces cooking time dramatically.
  
• Defrost strategically: Move frozen meat to the fridge overnight or use a cold water bath for faster, safe thawing.
  
• Dry meat with paper towels before searing: Moisture on the surface slows browning, patting it dry speeds things up.
  
• Have finishing fats ready: Tallow, ghee, or compound butters add instant richness and moisture post-cook without extra effort.

Meal Ideas Using These Cuts

Let’s turn theory into tasty with the following meal ideas:

• Minute Ribeye + Herb Butter: Sear a thin grass-fed rib fillet, rest briefly, then top with a carnivore-friendly butter infused with garlic or thyme.
  
• Salmon Steak + Tallow-Seared Mushrooms: Pan-sear Ora King salmon and serve with mushrooms browned in beef tallow, great for animal-based eaters.
  
• Lamb Medallions + Poached Eggs: Flash-sear lamb backstrap slices and pair with soft-poached eggs for a quick, post-workout plate.
  
• Beef Mince Bowl: Cook grass-fed mince with a splash of bone broth and a spoon of marrow, finish with salt for a warming, fatty bowl.
  
• Eye Fillet Slices + Crispy Bacon: Quickly pan-sear tenderloin rounds and stack with crispy beef bacon strips for a protein-packed combo.
  
• Porterhouse Steak Strips + Fried Duck Eggs: Slice sirloin into strips, sear, and top with duck eggs fried in ghee or tallow for extra richness.
  
• Pork Medallions + Tallow Dip: Pan-fry preservative-free pork slices and serve with a small bowl of melted beef tallow and salt flakes.
  
• Salmon Crumble Bowl: Break up seared King salmon and serve over mashed boiled egg or pureed marrow for a soft, nourishing mix.

Fast Doesn’t Mean Compromised

Busy doesn’t mean you have to cave into poor food choices. With Carnivore Society’s high-quality cuts and a hot pan, dinner can be fast, satisfying, and nutrient-loaded.

Your steak doesn’t need 45 minutes in the oven. Your salmon doesn’t need a marinade. All you need is the right cut, a little heat, and five to ten minutes.

Fuel your body the right way,even on your busiest days.