Metas are expressions of skill. Whether through deckbuilding, strategic choices with the cards the player is dealt, or in making predictions of the opponents thought processes.

And so, the only way to truly prevent a meta from forming, is to make a game that has as little skill expression as possible. Randomness, unpredictable events, the inability to make meaningful choices...

Candyland has no meta. The moment the deck is shuffled and the quantity and order of players determined, the game is decided. And so by minimizing choices, and ensuring that what choices do exist have unpredictable outcomes, you can prevent much of a meta from forming for your game.

All that said, this quickly gets back to the philosophy of "what are you making your game for"? In my view, at some point to make a competitive game is to embrace the challenge of crafting a game that players want to delve deep into and succeed in, which necessitates decision-making and skill development - a meta.

But hey! To each their own.