Background and Aims: We aimed to conduct this dose-dependent meta-analysis to examine the relationship between animal protein and its sources with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Materials and Methods: We searched databases, comprising PubMed/Medline, Web of Science (ISI), Embase, and Google Scholar, for the published studies up to March 28, 2023. Prospective cohort study designs that investigated associations between dietary intake of various animal protein sources and with risk of IBD in the general population were identified. Results: Eleven prospective cohort studies with 4,302,554 participants and 8067 cases were considered eligible. Findings indicated that higher intake of dairy was significantly associated with a lower risk of IBD (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.90), Crohn's disease (RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.86), and ulcerative colitis (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.94). There was no association between different sources of animal protein and the risk of IBD. The dose-response analysis suggested that each 100 g/d increment in dietary total meat consumption was associated with a 38% greater risk of IBD. Moreover, A positive linear association was found between total meat intake and risk of IBD (Pnonlinearity=0.522, Pdose-response= 0.005). Conclusion: Overall, among the dietary sources of protein, the risk of IBD increased only with increasing total meat intake, and the consumption of protein from dairy products was found to be a protective factor against the IBD risk.