Cooking for your dog can be rewarding, whether you want to add fresh food toppers to kibble, make an occasional special meal or explore a fully home-cooked diet. These 12 healthy homemade dog food recipes combine lean protein, digestible carbohydrates and dog-safe vegetables, with no salt, onion, garlic or seasoning.
Before you start, one important point: these recipes are not complete and balanced diets on their own. A dog eating home-cooked food long term needs the right amounts of calcium, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, which usually requires a specific supplement plan. If you want to feed homemade meals regularly, have your recipe balanced by your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Used as toppers or occasional meals, the recipes below are a wholesome way to add variety.
Quick Facts
- Number of recipes: 12
- Cooking method: Stovetop or slow cooker; no oven needed
- Batch size: About 5–7 cups per recipe
- Storage: 3 days in the fridge, 2 months frozen
- Important: Not complete nutrition; balance long-term diets with a vet or board-certified veterinary nutritionist
How to Use These Recipes Safely
- As a topper: replace up to about 10% of your dog’s regular food with a spoonful or two of homemade food, and reduce the kibble slightly to avoid weight gain.
- As an occasional meal: one homemade meal now and then is fine for most healthy adult dogs.
- As a full diet: only with a recipe formulated and supplemented by a veterinary nutrition professional.
- Switch gradually: mix new food with the old over 5–7 days to avoid stomach upset.
- Cook thoroughly: cook all meat and fish fully, remove every bone, and skip salt, oil-heavy cooking, onion, garlic and seasonings.
Puppies, pregnant dogs, seniors and dogs with kidney, liver, pancreatic or skin conditions have special nutritional needs. Talk to your vet before changing their diet.
1. Turkey, Brown Rice and Vegetable Bowl
A gentle, all-round recipe that most dogs enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 cup (190 g) uncooked brown rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) water for the rice
- 1 cup (130 g) diced carrots
- 1 cup (140 g) frozen peas
- 1 cup (30 g) chopped baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook the rice in the water according to package directions.
- Brown the turkey in a large pan without oil, breaking it up, until cooked through to 165°F (74°C). Drain any fat.
- Add carrots and 1/4 cup water; cover and simmer 8 minutes until tender.
- Stir in peas and spinach and cook 2 minutes more.
- Mix in the cooked rice and cool completely before portioning.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
2. Chicken and Sweet Potato Dinner
Naturally sweet and very palatable.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
Instructions
- Place chicken and sweet potato in a pot with the water and bring to a simmer.
- Cook 20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sweet potato is tender.
- Add green beans for the last 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, shred it and return to the pot. Drain, keeping a little cooking liquid to moisten.
- Cool before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
3. Lean Beef, Quinoa and Spinach
A hearty option with a different grain.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
- 1 cup (170 g) uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups (480 ml) water for the quinoa
- 1 cup (110 g) grated zucchini
- 2 cups (60 g) chopped baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa in the water for 15 minutes until fluffy.
- Brown the beef without oil until cooked to 160°F (71°C); drain the fat.
- Add zucchini and spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Combine with the quinoa and cool completely.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
4. Salmon, Rice and Green Beans
A fish-based recipe for variety.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) skinless salmon fillet, all pin bones removed
- 1 cup (185 g) uncooked white rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) water for the rice
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) chopped green beans
- 1 cup (110 g) diced carrots
Instructions
- Cook the rice.
- Poach the salmon in simmering water for 10–12 minutes until it flakes and reaches 145°F (63°C). Flake and double-check for bones.
- Steam carrots and green beans until tender, about 8 minutes.
- Combine everything and cool.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
5. Chicken and Pumpkin Rice
Soft and easy to eat; a good topper for picky dogs.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup (185 g) uncooked white rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) water for the rice
- 1 cup (245 g) plain unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
Instructions
- Cook the rice.
- Simmer the chicken in water for 15–18 minutes until it reaches 165°F (74°C), then shred.
- Stir chicken and pumpkin into the rice until evenly mixed.
- Cool before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
6. Turkey and Oatmeal Breakfast Bowl
A warm, porridge-style meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey
- 1 1/2 cups (135 g) rolled oats
- 3 cups (720 ml) water
- 1 cup (110 g) grated carrot
- 1/2 cup (75 g) blueberries
Instructions
- Brown the turkey without oil until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Add water, oats and carrot; simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring, until thick.
- Stir in blueberries off the heat.
- Cool completely.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
7. Egg and Rice Scramble
Quick to make with pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (370 g) cooked brown rice
- 1 cup (140 g) peas and diced carrots, cooked
- 1 cup (30 g) chopped baby spinach
Instructions
- Scramble the eggs in a nonstick pan without butter or salt until fully set.
- Add spinach and stir until wilted.
- Fold in rice, peas and carrots.
- Cool before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days; freeze up to 1 month.
8. Pork, Sweet Potato and Apple
A lean pork option with a touch of fruit.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground pork or pork loin, trimmed and diced
- 2 cups (270 g) peeled, cubed sweet potato
- 1 apple, cored, seeds removed, diced
- 1 cup (100 g) green beans, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Instructions
- Brown the pork without oil until cooked to 160°F (71°C); drain the fat.
- Add sweet potato and water, cover and simmer 15 minutes.
- Add apple and green beans and cook 5 minutes more until tender.
- Cool completely.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
9. Slow Cooker Chicken and Barley Stew
Set it and forget it for easy meal prep.
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
- 1 cup (200 g) pearl barley, rinsed
- 2 cups (260 g) diced carrots
- 1 cup (100 g) chopped green beans
- 1 cup (120 g) diced zucchini
- 5 cups (1.2 L) water
Instructions
- Add everything to a slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the barley is tender.
- Shred the chicken in the pot and stir well.
- Cool before portioning.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
10. Whitefish and Potato Mash
A mild recipe based on cod or another whitefish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) skinless, boneless cod or haddock
- 3 medium white potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup (130 g) diced carrots
- 1 cup (140 g) frozen peas
Instructions
- Boil potatoes and carrots for 15 minutes until soft; drain and mash roughly.
- Steam or poach the fish for 8–10 minutes until it flakes and reaches 145°F (63°C). Check for bones.
- Cook peas for 2 minutes.
- Fold fish and peas into the mash and cool.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
11. Beef and Butternut Squash
Rich and filling for active dogs.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
- 3 cups (420 g) peeled, seeded butternut squash cubes
- 1 cup (185 g) uncooked brown rice, cooked in 2 cups water
- 1 cup (30 g) chopped kale or spinach
Instructions
- Steam the squash for 12–15 minutes until tender.
- Brown the beef without oil to 160°F (71°C); drain the fat.
- Wilt the greens in the pan with the beef.
- Combine with squash and rice; cool.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
12. Chicken, Pasta and Peas
Plain pasta makes a familiar, easy-to-digest base.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups (200 g) uncooked plain whole wheat pasta
- 1 cup (140 g) frozen peas
- 1 cup (110 g) diced carrots
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in unsalted water until soft; add carrots for the last 6 minutes and peas for the last 2.
- Simmer chicken separately for 15–18 minutes to 165°F (74°C) and dice.
- Drain pasta and vegetables and combine with the chicken.
- Cool before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate in sealed containers up to 3 days, or freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
How Much Homemade Food Should You Feed?
Portion size depends on your dog’s weight, age, activity and the calorie content of the recipe, so there is no single cup measurement that fits every dog. If you are using these recipes as toppers, start with 1–2 tablespoons for small dogs and 1/4–1/2 cup for large dogs, and reduce the regular food slightly. For full meals, ask your vet or a veterinary nutritionist to calculate amounts and recommend the right supplements.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
Cool cooked food quickly by spreading it on a tray, then portion it into containers labeled with the date. Freeze most of each batch and keep only three days’ worth in the fridge. Warm portions gently to room temperature and stir well to avoid hot spots; never serve food straight from a microwave. Wash bowls after every meal.
For treats to go alongside, try 15 healthy homemade dog treat ideas or dog-friendly christmas dinner ideas.
Dog Safety Notes
- Peanut butter: use only natural, unsalted peanut butter with no xylitol (check the label for “xylitol†or “birch sugarâ€). Choose unsalted and unsweetened.
- Never add: chocolate or cocoa, grapes, raisins or currants, onion, garlic, chives or leeks, macadamia nuts, nutmeg, alcohol, raw yeast dough, cooked bones, added salt or sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
- Fruit and veg prep: remove apple cores and seeds, use seedless watermelon without rind, and use plain unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) and plain unsweetened yogurt.
- Portions: treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Cut pieces to suit your dog’s size and supervise chewing.
- Check with your vet before introducing new foods if your dog has allergies, a sensitive stomach, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or is on a prescription diet. Introduce one new treat at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade dog food healthier than kibble?
Not automatically. Fresh food can be wholesome, but a homemade diet that isn’t properly balanced can cause deficiencies over time. Commercial complete foods are formulated to meet nutritional standards; homemade diets need a vet nutritionist’s input to match that.
Do I need to add supplements to homemade dog food?
For long-term feeding, almost always. Most homemade recipes need added calcium and a vitamin and mineral blend. A veterinary nutritionist can tell you exactly what and how much.
What ingredients should never go in homemade dog food?
Onion, garlic, chives, leeks, grapes, raisins, chocolate, macadamia nuts, xylitol, cooked bones, nutmeg, alcohol and heavy seasoning or salt.
Can I feed homemade dog food to my puppy?
Puppies have very precise calcium and energy needs. Only feed a puppy a home-cooked diet formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
- Dog-Friendly Christmas Dinner Ideas
- 15 Healthy Homemade Dog Treat Ideas
- Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Chews
- 10 Frozen Dog Treat Recipes Your Pup Will Love
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.