If you grew up in Finland like me, you probably met maksalaatikko—the traditional Finnish liver casserole—long before you were ready for it. This oven-baked classic of liver, rice, onions, raisins, and cream has divided Finns for generations: some call it comfort food, others call it childhood trauma. (Let’s just say it wasn’t the most celebrated item in the school cafeteria lineup.)
I’ve spent years tinkering with liver casseroles—keto versions in my books, low-carb experiments on my old Finnish blog—but now that I’m living the carnivore life, I wanted to see how far I could take it. No rice, no onions, no raisins (seriously, who thought raisins were a good idea with liver?)—just a rich, creamy, five-ingredient casserole made in one bowl that doesn’t need anything plant-based to taste amazing.
The secret binder here isn’t any keto flour or carby grains but finely crushed pork rinds. They’re basically the duct tape of carnivore cooking: they hold things together in carnivore baking, add a crunchy coating when you need it, and somehow manage to replace half the plant ingredients you thought were irreplaceable. In this recipe, they team up with eggs and cream to keep everything perfectly set.
Now, do you have to eat liver or other organs on carnivore? Nope. You’ll get plenty of nutrients without them. In fact, eating too much liver every day for a long time might even cause copper overload. But if you enjoy the flavor and want to sneak in some extra nutrients, this casserole is a delicious way to do it—without any risk of copper toxicity when eaten in moderation.
So, whether you’re a carnivorous Finn missing your childhood casserole or just a curious carnivore looking for a new recipe, this dish is both a nod to tradition and a celebration of simplicity.
…
