Simple and Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe: Protein-Packed and Balanced

This easy homemade dog food recipe is packed with protein and balanced with healthy ingredients like ground beef, organ meat, veggies, and rice. With a 80/20 protein-to-organ meat ratio, it’s perfect for keeping your pups healthy and happy. Simple, nutritious, and dog-approved!

This recipe is all about keeping it simple, healthy, and balanced for my pups. The key ratio? 80% protein (chicken, beef, or turkey) and 20% organ meat—because a healthy diet starts with the right foundation.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 works great)
• 1 lb organ meat (liver, heart, or chicken gizzards)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 apple, diced (no core, of course!)
• 1 large sweet potato (or 2 small), diced with the skin
• 3 carrots, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen both work)
• 2 cups brown rice, rinsed well
• 1 10-oz pack frozen green beans (or fresh diced—about ¾ cup)
• 4 cups water
• 3 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp black pepper (to help activate the turmeric)
• ½ can pure pumpkin (unsweetened, no spices—about 6 oz) Add this after cooking!
• 3 tbsp coconut oil Also added after cooking!

Instructions

1. Prep the Crock Pot:
   Coat the bottom with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Layer Your Ingredients:
   • Add the raw ground meat first.
   • Layer in all the diced veggies and the apple.
   • Sprinkle the rice evenly over the top.
   • Pour in the water.
3. Season & Mix:
   Add turmeric and black pepper. Give everything a light stir, but it’s fine if the meat stays at the bottom.
4. Cook:
   Set your crockpot on low and let it do its thing for about 6 hours.
5. Final Touches:
   • While that’s cooking, cook the organ meat separately on the stove. It only takes about 10 minutes. Once done, chop it finely (I use my mini chopper to get a hamburger-like texture).
   • When the crock pot is done, stir in the cooked organ meat, canned pumpkin, and coconut oil.
6. Mix Well:
   Everything should be evenly combined, and it’ll smell so good your pups will be drooling before you even serve it!

Serving Size:

Lola and Rudy each get 1 cup for breakfast and 1 cup for dinner.

I’ve been making this for a while now, and my dogs love it. Plus, knowing exactly what’s in their food gives me peace of mind. It’s balanced, nutritious, and tail-wag approved! 🐾