The 10 Best Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes

January 6, 2020

There are so many commercially made dog food and treat products on the market that it can be a stressful exercise trying to find the right balanced homemade dog food recipes.

One brand alone may come in 5-6 variants depending on the age of dog, health needs, nutritional requirements, etc. You so want to choose the right product; but then you get it home and your dog turns up its nose at your choice.

What you should do is have a go at making your own do food and treats while your dog sleep in their designer dog bed.

They are much cheaper than bought products; you know what is in the food without having to read minute print; they won’t smell like a plate full of vomit; you can get other family members involved in making the recipes; and you can guarantee that your dog will be close by as the smells waft from your kitchen.

We would always suggest that you consult with your Veterinarian to make sure they are happy with your meal suggestions and that they meet your dog’s nutritional needs.

The Top 10 Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Mindiampets Homemade Dog Food Recipe #1 (Carrots, Spinach, Zucchini)

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

This recipe has a balance of:

50% Protein (such as Chicken or Turkey and Peas)

25% Vegetables (Carrots, Spinach, Zucchini)

You can adjust the proportions to suit the nutritional needs of your dog.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine French

Servings 4 dogs

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups 50% Protein (such as Chicken or Turkey and Peas)
• 1.5 Cups 25% Vegetables (Carrots, Spinach, Zucchini)

Instructions

 

• Cook until Carrots are tender. Remove from heat and serve when cooled.
• Portion into airtight container(s); can be kept in the fridge for 5 days.

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Mindiampets Homemade Dog Food Recipe #2 (Apple, Blueberries and Kale)

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

This recipe is a variation of #1 but you can adjust the Vegetable percentage with fruits such as Apple, Blueberries and Kale.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups 50% Protein  (such as Chicken or Turkey and Peas)
• 1.5 Cups 25% Fruits (Apple, Blueberries and Kale)
• 1.5 Cups 25% Grains (Brown Rice)

Instructions

 

• Cook until firmest Vegetables/Fruit are tender.
• Remove from heat and serve when cooled.

Notes

We would suggest this one more as a bit of a treat, so twice a week would be enough.

Portion into airtight container(s); can be kept in the fridge for 5 days.

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Mindiampets Homemade Dog Food Recipe #3 (Quinoa, Blueberries and Butternut Squash)

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

With this recipe substitute the 25% Brown Rice with the same quantity of Quinoa (this is used in many commercially available Dry Food Kibbles). We would suggest the Red Quinoa as it has a firmer texture. Once again you could substitute some of the Vegetable content from #1 and replace with Apples, Blueberries and Butternut Squash.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 Cups Protein such as Chicken or Turkey and Peas
• 1 Cup Red Quinoa
• 1 Cup Fruit & Vegetables Apples, Blueberries and Butternut Squash

Instructions

 

• Cook until firmest Vegetables/Fruit are tender.
• Remove from heat and serve when cooled.

Notes

Portion into airtight container(s); can be kept in the fridge for 5 days.

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Mindiampets Homemade Dog Food Recipe #4 (Coconut Oil, Zucchini and Corn)

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

With this recipe grind your choice of protein (Beef, Chicken, Pork, Kangaroo) to the same percentage as in recipe #1.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups 50% Protein (Beef, Chicken, Pork, Kangaroo)
• 1.5 Cups 25% Vegetables (Carrot, Zucchini, and Corn)
• 1 Cup Grains (Brown Rice)
• ⅔ Cup Pureed Pumpkin
• ½ Tbsp Coconut Oil

Instructions

 

• Cook until Carrots are tender.
• Remove from heat and serve when cooled.

Notes

Portion into airtight container(s); can be kept in the fridge for 5 days.

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Homemade Dog Style Beef Stew

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

We would actually suggest making a batch of beef bone broth first; using bones from your local butcher. No onions or garlic of course. Once made, strain to ensure no bone fragments
are present. Allow to cool and portion for freezing or using fresh. This is a nutrition-rich way of getting a “gravy” for the stew.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 Pound Beef stewing meat (Cut into 2cm chunks)
• 3/4 Cup Carrots (diced)
• 1/3 Cup Green Beans (diced)
• 1/3 Cup Green Peas
• 1 Small Sweet Potato (leave whole to start – see below)
• 1/5 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Water or Organic Vegetable Oil
• 1 Tbsp Tablespoon Vegetable Oil for frying (additional)

Instructions

 

• Start by cooking the sweet potato in a microwave for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Use a skewer to test then put to one side.
• Slice the stew pieces into 2cm chunks then cook using the 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil, over a medium heat (10-15 minutes or until well-done).
• Remove the beef chunks from the pan and reserving the drippings to make a gravy.
• Remove the beef chunks from the pan and reserving the drippings to make a gravy.
• Dice the cooked sweet potato into 1.5cm chunks.
• Heat the pan drippings over medium-low heat, then slowly add flour and water (or substitute with the Bone Broth) into the dripping; whisking to create a thick gravy.
• Add the cooked meat, sweet potato, carrots, peas and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat.
• Cook a further 10 minutes until the carrots are tender.

Notes

Serve when cool. Will keep (covered) in the fridge for up to five days.

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Homemade Dog Food Crockpot Chicken Recipe

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

This recipe uses “No-added Salt” liquid Chicken Stock which you could buy commercially. However, with care at home, by eliminating Onions and Garlic, as well as straining the broth to remove bones and bone fragments you could make your own. Make a batch and freeze what you don’t use, so that all you have to do is reheat next time.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 3 Dogs

Calories 355 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 4 Chicken Breasts (Cut into 2cm chunks)
• ½ Cup Broccoli (Chopped)
• ½ Cup Carrots (Chopped)
• ½ Cup Green Beans (Chopped)
• ½ Cup Rolled Oats
• 4 Cups "No-added Salt" Liquid Chicken Stock (or your own)

Instructions

 

• Remove any excess fat from chicken breasts; cut into 2cm chunks.
• Put a small amount of Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil into a Skillet, over a Medium heat; just so the Chicken Breast chunks won’t stick.
• Cook the chicken breasts until no longer pink. (Very important; you don’t want raw Chicken)
• Using a large pot, such as a Stock Pot, add the cooked Chicken chunks, the Vegetables and Rolled Oats.
• Mix together, then add your Chicken Stock and cook over medium heat until the carrots are tender (around 10-15 minutes).
• Allow to cool before serving.

Notes

Spoon leftover portions into airtight container(s) and keep in the fridge for up to five days.

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Mindiampets Slow Cooker Dog Food #1 (Sweet Potato, Beans, Apple)

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

This uses Chicken protein as its base.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker Pot

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups Diced Chicken
• 1 Cup Sweet Potato
• ½ Cup Green Beans
• ⅔ Cup Carrots
• ⅔ Cup Apples

Instructions

 

• Cook until firmest Vegetables/Fruit are tender. (Check at around 3 hours, or longer if necessary).
• Remove from heat and serve when cooled.

Notes

Portion into airtight container(s); can be kept in the fridge for 5 days.

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Mindiampets Slow Cooker Dog Food #2 (Ground Beef, Kidney Beans and Butternut)

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

Slow cookers get hot and the food can break down due to the length of time cooking. Therefore, use ingredients that you would use if making a stew or casserole for yourself – exclude Onions and Garlic of course.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker Pot

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups Ground Beef
• 1 Cup Kidney Beans
• ½ Cup Butternut
• ½ Cup Carrots
• ½ Cup Frozen Peas
• ½ Cup Corn Kernells

Instructions

 

• Cook until firmest Vegetables/Fruit are tender. Check at around 3 hours, or longer if necessary).
• Remove from heat and serve when cooled.

Notes

Portion into airtight container(s); can be kept in the fridge for 5 days.

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Mindiampets Chicken and Vegetable Medley Dog Food Recipe

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

This is a protein-rich meal to help keep your dog healthy and active. It contains a medley of Beans, Vegetables, Chicken and Chicken Stock to create a tasty, healthy and colorful medley.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 3 Dogs

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 4 Chicken Breasts (Cut into 2cm chunks)
• 1 Cup Canned, low salt Black Beans (drained)
• 1 Cup Carrots (diced)
• 1 Cup Canned, low salt Kidney Beans (drained)
• ½ Cup Low Salt Tomato Paste
• 4 Cups “No-added Salt” liquid Chicken Stock (or your own)

Instructions

 

• Remove any excess fat from chicken breasts; cut into 2cm chunks.
• Put a small amount of Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil into a Skillet, over a Medium heat; just so the Chicken Breast chunks won’t stick.
• Cook the chicken breasts until no longer pink. (Very important; you don’t want raw Chicken)
• Using a large pot, such as a Stock Pot, add the cooked Chicken chunks, the Beans, Carrots and Tomato Paste.
• Mix together, then add your Chicken Stock and cook over medium heat until the carrots are tender (around 10-15 minutes).
• Allow to cool before serving.

Notes

Spoon leftover portions into airtight container(s) and keep in the fridge for up to five days.

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Mindiampets Homemade Turkey and Vegetable Delight Dog Food Recipe

Dr Jay Rollings (BSc DVM)

This is a fairly basic recipe made with Turkey (good amounts of protein and less fat than Beef) as well as a mix of Vegetables.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2 Dogs

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 4 Cups Water (or your own Chicken Stock)
• 300 Grams Turkey Mince
• 2 Cups Brown Rice
• ⅔ Cups Green Beans (chopped)
• 1 Cup Carrots (chopped)
• ½ Cup Peas

Instructions

 

• Use a light vegetable oil in a Skillet, over a medium heat to brown the Turkey until cooked through.
• Using a large pot, such as a Stock Pot, add the cooked Turkey, Brown Rice and Water (or Stock).
• Bring to the boil and simmer on Medium-low until Rice is soft and tender (around 15 minutes).
• Add the Beans, Carrots and Peas and cook an extra 10 minutes until the Carrots are tender.
• Allow to cool before serving.

Notes

Spoon leftover portions into airtight container(s) and keep in the fridge for up to five days.

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Natural Homemade Dog Food Recipes – Handy Hints

Cooked meal portions can be frozen in airtight containers. Use within 2 months.

If you make a variety of recipes this allows you to rotate their use and make meals more interesting for your dog.

2 Buying a Family pack of Chicken Breasts usually has 8-10 Breast pieces and is a cheaper way of buying them per KG.

Either double up on a recipe or perhaps make a Batch of two different recipes, such as No. 6 and No. 9.

Kitchen and storage kit for homemade dog food

Cooking for your dog is easier when you set up a simple kit first. Here is what helps most when you cook in batches.

• Airtight containers: the hints above suggest freezing cooked portions in airtight containers and using them within 2 months.
• Labels: write the recipe name and the date on each container, so you know what to use first.
• A scoop or measuring cup: serve the same amount each time, so portions stay consistent.
• Easy-clean bowls: stainless steel bowls are simple to wash between meals.
• A feeding mat: a mat under the bowl catches spills on the floor.
• Bulk ingredients: as noted above, a family pack of chicken breasts is a cheaper way to buy per kg, and you can double up on a recipe.

Balanced homemade dog food: quick answers

How do I make sure homemade dog food is balanced?

Every dog has different needs, so check with your vet that your meal plan suits your dog. Bring the recipes you plan to use to that visit, so your vet can look at the ingredients.

How long can I keep homemade dog food?

The hints above suggest freezing cooked portions in airtight containers and using them within 2 months. Thaw one portion at a time and follow any storage notes on the recipe card.

Can I cook homemade dog food in bulk?

Yes. Double up on one recipe or make a batch of two different recipes, such as No. 6 and No. 9. Then portion and freeze them, so you can rotate meals through the week.

Want more ideas? Try our crockpot chicken dog food recipe, our turkey and vegetable dog food recipe, or bake a batch from our homemade dog treat recipes and our dog treats with rolled oats.

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