Homemade dog food can be custom-made for your dog, is healthy, fresh dog food, and a freezer meal all in one. Chock full of fresh veggies and a great way to ensure your dog's diet has a good variety.
Once every 6 weeks you can make up homemade meals in place or in addition to your pups regular food. Sassy is so happy with her own dog food, and especially loves when I warm it up.
Skip all the junk in traditional store-bought commercial dog food, your dog is going lick the bowl clean...
Your dog will absolutely love this easy homemade dog food recipe. Years ago my first Shih Tzu Lucky suffered from horrible allergies to chicken. This went on for a long time, little did I know that was his issue. He had a hard time keeping food down, wouldn't eat it, had skin issues, and I never knew why.
So when I got my second Shih Tzu Sassy, I learned about this allergy to chicken. At first, she was on dry commercial dog food and treats and had the same issues as Lucky Boy. Even expensive fancy wet food gave her issues, as there was some chicken by-product in almost every brand. So many commercial pet products contain chicken. Her health issues were getting worse. So I set out to make her the best homemade dog food I could, and even created a recipe for her very own dog biscuits with her name on them-so cute!
And receive a free recipe ebook as our thank you.
As pet owners, we want the best for our dogs, and yes it takes a couple of hours of home cooking to make their food. But it is worth it, the quality of our dog's life is worth it. I also think I saved a small fortune at the vets. After some trial and error, I learned what Sassy's favorite homemade dog food is, and she likes it finely minced with ground beef and vegetables (no chicken-not even chicken stock in the rice!). You can create your own version or try this one, and you will find it is almost the same price as dry food for small dogs.
You & Your Dog Will Love DIY Dog Food!
- Homemade dog food vs store bought - advantages are you can control the ingredients for allergies which can cause health issues.
- Peace of mind ther are no unwanted preservatives, fillers, and shelf stabilizers.
- Packed with fresh leafy greens and colorful vegetables.
- Cooked raw meat like ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken can be used in this homemade recipe, it is going to taste better than dog foods that sit in a bag or on the shelf.
- Senior dogs lose their appetite and need soft food in small pieces as sometimes they don't have all their teeth to chew.
- You can use up ingredients you have on hand from your freezer and not throw them in the trash.
How To Make Homemade Dog Food
- 3 pounds ground beef (7 cups cooked crumbled ground beef)
- 2 cups uncooked white or brown rice
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt (skip if using buillon)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 28 ounces beef stock (optional) + ½ cup water 28 oz = 3.5 cups, add ½ cup water for the proper ratio to make rice
- 1 ½ cups fresh broccoli (shredded, cut finely or a 12 oz frozen bag)
- 2 cups fresh carrots (shredded, cut into small coins - 2 large carrots)
- 2 cups sweet potatoes (small cubes or shredded - 1 large sweet potato)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Let's Make It!
Make Flavored Rice
Use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water with beef bouillon or beef stock, you can scale up or down check your rice package instructions. Feel free to swap in beef, chicken, or vegetable broth for better flavor. I also LOVE Better Than Beef Buillon to flavor the rice, it is totally Sassy approved.
Bring the stock/water to a boil, add rice and salt (skip salt if using bullion). And if you want to add a pat of butter, it makes rice taste even better. Cover the pot and simmer for 18 minutes on low and don't remove the lid. Brown rice takes 30 minutes. Check the rice, and if done turn off the heat, replace the lid, and let it rest for several minutes in the steamy pan. Use a fork to fluff it up!
Make Ground Beef and Veggies
Brown and crumble 3 lbs of ground beef in a large skillet. Place in a large bowl with the drippings.
Chop, shred, or process all the veggies. My dog is a small dog and prefers the veggies finely shredded in a food processor. You can use a knife or a box grater works too.
In a large pot (cast-iron pan or skillet), briefly saute carrots, broccoli, and sweet potato until just soft for a few minutes on medium. Place into the large bowl. In a large bowl, add the cooked ground beef, warm rice, warm sauteed veggies, and fresh spinach. Mix well with a large spatula.
Mix and Portion Homemade Food For Dogs
The best way to store fresh food for your doggie is to use freezer bags. I have a small dog, so using this recipe I calculated the calories she needs per day. Measure a few day supply based on your dogs caloric needs. And portion it into a 5 day supply, so it is food safe after it defrosts.
Simply pull out a frozen bag of new food and let it defrost in the fridge every 5 days. I give her ⅕ of the baggie daily. The bags compress flat in the freezer or you can place them in an airtight container. Store in an airtight container or larger zip-top bag in the freezer.
Cost of Homemade vs. Store-Bought
$20 of ingredients made 40 individual 1 cup homemade servings or about $.50/serving. Store-bought dry food is about $.41 per serving. So yes, homemade is more expensive but has fresh nutrition and ingredients I believe are good for your dog, after all, dogs ate human leftovers and scraps way before dog food was manufactured!
This serving size is for my 11-pound dog, she is small. So you would need to calculate the number of daily calories your dog needs.
PRO TIP: This recipe for homemade dog food calculates the calories for you in 1 cup servings.
Do Your Portion Research
You will need to do some research on how many calories your dog needs per day based on your dogs activity level and your dog's weight. There are so many factors to consider that will vary due to the breed, size, age, and activity of your pet. My dog needs about 400 calories a day, and is a small dog weighing just 11 pounds.
Nutritional Needs
To meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs, there are so many considerations for a balanced diet for healthy dogs. You will want to talk to your vet, and each dog has unique considerations for their health issues, breed, activity level, and food allergies.
You can also supplement dog's food with liquid vitamins or fish oil on their food, again seek the advice of a good vet.
PRO TIP: Puppies, adult dogs, and especially senior dogs have different needs. You can use this handy tool to check the nutrition of the dog food you create here at BalanceIt.
Fresh DIY Dog Food Tips
Dog owners do get really concerned about feeding their dogs human food and scraps. I just had a really long chat with Sassy's vet at her annual health check-up. Each dog is totally unique. Some have food sensitivities, easily get upset tummies and some have digestive issues, so regular commercial food is best for those dogs.
Sprinkle Dry Kibble
I sometimes sprinkle some dry dog food into the homemade food to stretch out my homemade dog food batch. Use high-quality commercial pet food and check the label carefully for any ingredients to avoid food allergies and reactions.
Trying New Dog Recipes
Best advice is to slowly introduce new foods to our dogs. We want to keep our pets healthy and food changes can cause issues to their digestive tract. All dogs are unique, what works for one won't work for another. Fresh dog food recipes have ingredients your dog might be trying for the first time so go slow, with small portions. Sassy could not handle chicken stock cooked into the rice, and wouldn't eat it due to her allergies, so I used beef stock or Better Than Buillon when I make the rice and she loves it.
Try Different Veggies
Each time I make a new batch of homemade dog food, It's a good idea to use up different veggies. If some are about to go bad or I have extra and want to use them up quickly and find this is a perfect use.
Experiment With Textures
Try different textures of veggies and see what your dog likes!
What I learned is as long as the veggies were finely grated in a food processor, Sassy ate it all! She wasn't a fan of the cubed shapes and large spinach leaves, so I finely chopped the food and that did the trick to get her to eat it all. I think she loves the brown rice mixed in with the beef stock the most.
Use Up Extra Freezer Meat or Leftovers
The last tip I have is to use up meat that has been in the freezer a while and is not something you want for dinner but still safe for your dog. I often buy too much quantity when recipe testing ingredients, and use up extra steak meat or pork I have on hand for homemade dog food. Nothing goes to waste around here, but I don't feed her bones, fatty meats, etc.
Senior Dogs Picky Dogs
One tip I can share is you can use riced frozen vegetables. I have used packages of riced cauliflower, sweet potato, and broccoli. All work great, save time and are convenient, but they are a little more expensive. These will work great for dogs that can't chew well, are picky, don't each much food, or won't eat larger pieces of dog food.
Finely Chopped Dog Food
If your dog is picky or will only eat finely chopped dog food (like mine), you can either run the vegetables through a food processor or finely chop them on a cutting board. Hand held boxed graters work but take a lot of time. I use the shredder blade on my processor and buzz everything through. Also, try frozen riced vegetables, they are a great option and work great!
Variations For Dog Food
What Meat Proteins Can I Use?
- Beef
- Chicken (my dog is allergic, many dogs are)
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Fish
- Eggs
- Liver (organ meats)
- Duck
- Bison
- Venison
What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
So if you have ever wondered what veggies can dogs eat safely? Let's answer that question. Again, I am a food blogger over here and not a veterinary medicine professional or nutritionist. But for thousands and thousands of years dogs have survived off the scraps of human food.
- butternut squash
- brussel sprouts
- fennel
- peas
- zucchini
- carrots
- sweet potato
- fresh spinach
- cooked potato (in moderation)
- pumpkin
- celery
- broccoli (chopped)
- frozen peas
- bell peppers
- green beans
- kale
Don't Feed Your Dog
- Onions (never feed)
- Mushroom (never feed)
- Tomatoes (never feed)
- Garlic (never feed)
Again, do your own research on what is best for your dogs' diet!
Can My Dog Eat FAQ
So many readers are asking if these vegetables for dogs safe? So let's go through some of the most asked questions.
Yes. Bell peppers are loaded with essential vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants beneficial to a dog’s health. Rich in vitamins A, E, B6, and lutein and are great sources of vitamin C and beta-carotene.
Red bell peppers actually start out green and mature to red. They pack the most nutrition because they've been on the vine longest.
Yes. Cooked potatoes in moderation are fine. Boil, steamed, or baked without seasoning are fine. They contain a number of nutrients including vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Raw potatoes should never be fed to your dog. Like other vegetables belonging to the nightshade family (such as tomatoes and eggplants), raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that can be toxic to dogs.
Yes. Broccoli is best served as an occasional treat. It is high in fiber and vitamin C and low in fat. However, Broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause mild-to-potentially severe gastric irritation in some dogs. Furthermore, broccoli stalks have been known to cause obstruction in the esophagus. Chop up the broccoli for your pet.
Sassy girl, is happy. Okay, she didn't like the spinach and pulled it out! But loves the rice and beef.
The trick I learned was to chop it finer than seen here and she gobbled it all...
Homemade Dog Biscuits
These Dog Biscuits are super fun to make and you can even personalize them for your pup. Again, I use a lot of fresh veggies, peanut butter, pumpkin, and more in them, and Sassy just LOVES these! I also share how to order the super cute biscuit cutter in the recipe post 🐶🐾
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Homemade Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ground beef 7 cups cooked crumbled ground beef
- 2 cups brown rice or swap white rice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 28 ounces beef stock (optional) + ½ cup water 28 oz = 3.5 cups, add ½ cup water for proper ratio to make rice
- 1 ½ cups fresh broccoli, shred or cut finely or a 12 oz frozen bag
- 2 cups fresh carrots, shred or cut into small coins 2 large carrots
- 2 cups sweet potato, small cubes or shred 1 large sweet potato
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
Make Rice
- Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer for about 30 seconds under cold water. It removes starches that makes rice sticky. Use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, which you can scale up or down. (check your rice package instructions.) Feel free to swap in beef, chicken, or vegetable broth for better flavor. You can also use a good buillon to water for extra flavor. Bring the broth stock/water to a boil, add rice and salt (skip salt if using buillon). And if you want to add a tab of butter, too, go for it — your rice will taste 10x better. Cover the pot and simmer for 18 minutes on low and don't remove the lid! Brown rice takes 30 minutes.Check the rice, and if done turn off the heat, replace the lid, and let it rest for several minutes in the steamy saucepan. Use a fork to fluff it up!
- Chop, shread, or process in a food processor all the veggies. My dog is a small dog and prefers the veggies finely shredded in a food processor.
Make Ground Beef and Veggies
- Brown and crumble 3 lbs of ground beef in a large skillet. Place in a large bowl.
- In a large cast iron pan or skillet, briefly saute carrots, broccoli, and sweet potato until just soft for a few minutes on medium.
Mix Dog Food
- Into the large bowl with ground beef, add warm rice, warm sauted veggies, and fresh spinach. Mix well with a large spatula.
- Portion 4-5 cups of Homemade Dog Food per zip lock back, and store in an airtight container or larger zip top bag in the freezer. Pull our one small bag per week, and reheat a serving for your dog in the microwave for 30 seconds. I sometimes sprinkle some dry dog food into the homemade food to stretch out my homemade dog food batch.
Notes
Portion Homemade Food For Dogs
The best way to store fresh food for your doggie is to use freezer bags. I have a small dog, so using this recipe I calculated the calories she needs per day. Measure a few day supply based on your dogs caloric needs. And portion it into a 5 day supply, so it is food safe after it defrosts. Simply pull out a frozen bag of new food and let it defrost in the fridge every 5 days. I give her ⅕ of the baggie daily. The bags compress flat in the freezer or you can place them in an airtight container. Store in an airtight container or larger zip-top bag in the freezer.Senior Dogs Picky Dogs
One tip I can share is you can use riced frozen vegetables. I have used packages of riced cauliflower, sweet potato, and broccoli. All work great, save time and are convenient, but they are a little more expensive. These will work great for dogs that can't chew well, are picky, don't each much food, or won't eat larger pieces of dog food.Finely Chopped Dog Food
If your dog is picky or will only eat finely chopped dog food (like mine), you can either run the vegetables through a food processor or finely chop them on a cutting board. Hand held boxed graters work but take a lot of time. I use the shredder blade on my processor and buzz everything through. Also, try frozen riced vegetables, they are a great option and work great!Nutritional Needs
To meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs, there are so many considerations for a balanced diet for healthy dogs. You will want to talk to your vet, and each dog has unique considerations for their health issues, breed, activity level, and food allergies. You can also supplement dog's food with liquid vitamins or fish oil on their food, again seek the advice of a good vet. PRO TIP: Puppies, adult dogs, and especially senior dogs have different needs. You can use this handy tool to check the nutrition of the dog food you create here at BalanceIt.Variations For Dog Food
What Meat Proteins Can I Use?
- Beef
- Chicken (my dog is allergic, many dogs are)
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Fish
- Eggs
- Liver (organ meats)
- Duck
- Bison
- Venison
What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
So if you have ever wondered what veggies can dogs eat safely? Let's answer that question. Again, I am a food blogger over here and not a veterinary medicine professional or nutritionist. But for thousands and thousands of years dogs have survived off the scraps of human food.- butternut squash
- brussel sprouts
- fennel
- peas
- zucchini
- carrots
- sweet potato
- fresh spinach
- cooked potato (in moderation)
- pumpkin
- celery
- broccoli (chopped)
- frozen peas
- bell peppers
- green beans
- kale
Don't Feed Your Dog
- Onions (never feed)
- Mushroom (never feed)
- Tomatoes (never feed)
- Garlic (never feed)
Hi, I been research to make my puppy homemade food. I will be pick up my puppy in 3 weeks and it will be 7 weeks old, and I want start out homemade food instead buying dry food from store. I wonder if that’s too young for them to have homemade food? Or can I do both homemade and dry food?. Thank you
How exciting, congratulations! Well since I am a food blogger over here and not a vet...I would run that by them! Good luck with your new puppy...
As a dog lover, I am very possessive about my dog I want everything best for him...so I was scrolling homemade recipies for healthy meals. And seriously your site gives me the best information. Thank you.
Your post is providing some really good information. I liked its essence and enjoyed reading it. Keep sharing such important posts about Dog Food.
Store broths beef, chicken, and vegetables have garlic, which is toxic to dogs.
Hi Robert, it is up to you to use stock in this recipe, you can use bullion. Also there are many stocks on the market that are garlic-free. My dog does fine on it, and I ran this by my vet. All dogs are unique, it isn't most likely going to cause an issue as the quantity is so low. But you have to make the best decision for your dog.
I have been making my own dog food since we last year when we couldn't get it shipped in because of the virus.. I do substitute steel oats as well as adding one egg for every pound of protein, I also add salt as it is needed in his diet not much but about a teaspoon a pound then I bake it up in a meatloaf pan , slice it up and freeze it in separate bags.. I use a processor for my sweet potatoes , spinach, and any other large vegetables, I usually add pumpkin for the fruit as well.. he has done well with this and I can see a difference in his arthritis and itchy spots as he is about 16 years old.. Good luck to those who make their own as it is a much better diet for your dog...
Hey Robyn! I saw a huge difference in my dog once I eliminated chicken (even chicken stock) she has an allergy for sure. Love that you added pumpkin, oats, and egg. I will try those out and agree, they need salt as we do. Beef is her preferred choice, and most vegetables work for her as long as they are finely chopped in a processor. I am fascinated you bake it like meatloaf and slice it! I have another recipe in development that is in a sheet pan. Thanks for the nice comment and rating.
I'm looking forward to trying out this recipe. It looks delicious My 13-year-old is not interested in her food any longer. I was wondering if you could share what vitamin supplement you use. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
Hey April..I know how hard it is with a picky dog! So since I am a food blogger and not a vet, I can't recommend one but there are so many liquid ones from vets or online you can try. One thing I have learned is that our dogs have allergies like humans, I have helped a dear friend and her dog who has a poultry allergy so no duck, chicken, or turkey. Dogs will either stop eating or have other eyes/ear issues. So watch the labels on anything you buy, and I hope your sweet dog eats soon. Sometimes Sassy doesn't eat for several days, and that's ok. She loves anything beef! Let us know how it goes.
Looks great but my question is, doesn't beef broth etc usually have onions, onion powder and garlic? I can't find one that doesn't have onion or garlic.
Hi Kathryn, Good question. With my dog, she LOVES it and has zero issues. Her allergies to chicken were so severe and same with my first Shih Tzu. I am not a vet obviously, I am a home cook. So ask your vet, but I have fed this to her now for years without one issue, she just laps it off the plate. If you fed the dog chunks of onions and garlic, that would probably be a major issue. Also, remember before commercial dog food was made, dogs ate human leftovers! So I think your doggie will love the recipe!
Lisa, Thanks so much for this recipe. I sent it to my sister-in-law and her dog Cali loves it just as much as Dexter.
I made this last night and my 35 lb. Whoodle gobbled it up! I added water instead of stock (agreed, dogs don't need sodium), but did add a tiny bit of salt and butter for flavoring. I combined left over ground pork and beef and I put carrots and spinach in a food processor to chop it finely. I'll be mixing this up with other veggies and giving it to my pup once a day! Thanks for the recipe and nice photos!
So you're using stock salt and butter in a dog food recipe isn't that way too much sodium for a dog
Alice, I would consult with your Vet. My dog eats a variety of foods, and it is a tiny amount of butter and salt, you could omit those if you wish.
I had been buying The Farmer’s Dog to add as a topper to my Aussie mix’s dry food, when she suddenly hated it. I was adding stuff to it just to entice her to eat it. I ran across your recipe and have made twice, once with beef and once with turkey and my dog absolutely loves it. I add a chopped apple to mine, since she loves apple.
Hey Jean, that is so great to hear! So many dog owners report their dogs stop eating what they once loved. I think they need variety just like us...so pleased to hear your Aussie is loving it...I need to make a new batch for my dog, this recipe is her favorite too!
Going to try this. My 10 lb Yorkie just had 10 teeth removed and will be losing more probably within the year. I tried to search for other dog food recipes from you, but couldn’t find any? Do you have more? Could you please post? He is such a picky eater and gets bored very easily, so I constantly have to change things up for him to make sure he eats.
How old is your pup?
Sassy is 10 now. And a handful!
Thank you so much for the recipe. The ingredients in the recipe & the other suggestions to make changes appear to give my dog, Zelda, a well-balanced meal. And Zelda relishes the homemade dog food. I also gain a great deal of satisfaction from making her delicious food.
Great to hear Kathy! I have a new homemade dog food recipe coming out in January, it is a different style that this, a soft dog food. My Sassy is loving this recipe, and I mix in some dry food for variety too. Look for my latest recipe, it will be up soon.
What vitamin supplement do you recommend? I told my vet that I was making homemade food for my 2 year old Golden to try to resolve her reoccurring diarrhea issues. She stated that it probably wasn’t balanced and I needed “Balance it”.
Hey Ginger, Well I am a home cook not a vet so I would get that advice from your vet. I also recommend varying up their diet with different homemade dog food recipes, I also supplement my dogs diet with some dry kibble she is not allergic to (aka no chicken in it!) There are lots of vitamins for pets on the market. Hope that helps, I think variety is good for pets just like us.
How much meat should I reduce to bring this receipe under 10 gr.s of protein a day?
Stephanie, sorry I don't know, you will have to adjust the recipe and portion sizes.
Thank you so much. My sweet doggie broke a molar on his nylabone, Monday night. No one can do the extraction until Friday...pulp exposed and everything. This is his dinner until then. Thanks for a beautiful meal he can eat!
Oh, Kristin, so sad to hear of your doggies cracked tooth! OUCH. I have a new recipe coming out in November, that is baked on sheet pans, and it is soft too. My dog Sassy loves it! So look out for that one too. Hope your little buddy is all better soon, and thanks for the rating and comment, I appreciate it so much!
Thank you so much for this receipe . Several months ago my little one quit eating anything that was dog food. I have tried everything till I found your receipe last hope for her to eat. I made this for her and was so happy to see her eating again she loves it.
Oh Virginia, I am so pleased to hear this...what a wonderful thing to know that it helped you both! My Sassy just loves it, I have a new recipe coming out that is a soft dog food with healthy ingredients and is beef and veggies. I really believe many dogs are allergic to chicken, mine is...and so this really helps her. Thanks for leaving your comment, it will encourage others to try homemade dog food!
I was told that a can of sardines in tomato sauce is essential to a dogs diet because the fish is oily, packed in cod liver oil, and a the cooked tomatoes provides lycopene that dogs need for their eyes. Also they need 75% protien source then the last 25% a mixture of veggies, fruits and starch.
Hey Mary, that is probably a good dog food diet program...I would say run it by your Vet to seek their advice. I vary my dog's diet regularly, and she is doing great at 10 years old. I have a vitamin supplement I use on her food too, I will the sardines or fish oil someday too!
Looking forward to trying this recipe.
Excellent! Jean I just developed another homemade dog food recipe that will be up on my site within a couple of weeks. Also, I have this dog treat recipe that my Sassy just LOVES! Here is that recipe: https://www.delicioustable.com/dog-treats/. I just whipped up a batch of her "dog cookies" this week and she adores them, plus it uses up extra veggies which is nice to not waste those kitchen extras. Please come back and leave a comment when you're done! People love to hear what other readers think of the recipe and the rating.
What a great recipe. My puppers Dexter loved this homemade blend. Thanks for sharing.
Awww so glad Dexter loved it! I am planning to do a dry kibble style recipe soon, and hope it is as successful. Thanks, Laura for stopping by to write a comment!
What a brilliant solution to feed the king of the house as he deserves. My pooch will thank you. Well done!
Thanks Katy! Sassy starts to beg around 5pm for her dinner...I know she approves! Thanks for your comment, so appreciate you taking the time.
My youngest boy has two basset hounds that he loves more than anything! They’ll love this!
Awww, I love basset hounds! It is so easy to make and my dog Sassy dances when I get the bag out of the fridge!
If I were a dog, I would soooo be eating at your house! Definitely a meal human and canine alike could enjoy!
Now that is a compliment!!! Sassy is sooooo spoiled, she has now learned to push her paw on my leg when it's dinner time and she wants her dog food gently heated in the microwave!!! LOL
Can’t wait to give this a try!
Thanks, Barbara for your comment! Hope your doggie loves their homemade food...
We made this homemade dog food and feed it to our dogs! Their skin is no longer itchy and they love it! So good! We add a raw egg and mix it in with each feeding. That makes their fur even better! Such a great recipe!