Easy Homemade Dog Food

Welcome to the dog lover’s kitchen where tails wag, bowls get licked clean, and a freezer full of neatly stacked meals is the ultimate love language.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a devoted dog parent is preparing nourishing, homemade food that genuinely supports your dog’s health. If you’ve ever stared at a bag of kibble and thought, “I can do better,” trust me you absolutely can.

Today, I’m sharing how I meal prep a week (or more) of wholesome, freezer friendly dog food for Benji, my beautiful 90-pound Lab. She’s strong, sensitive when it comes to digestion, and very vocal when her meals don’t meet her standards. This recipe has become our go-to because it’s nutritious, flexible, and made with real ingredients dogs truly love.

Whether you’re considering a full switch to homemade food, looking to supplement your dog’s current diet, or just exploring what’s possible beyond kibble, you’re in the right place.

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Benji’s Freezer Friendly Homemade Dog Food Recipe

This is the exact recipe I use. I usually set aside a Sunday afternoon, and in return I get a freezer stocked with healthy meals that keep Benji balanced, energetic, and thriving.

Ingredients

Proteins

• 6 lbs ground beef, fat drained
• 5 lbs ground turkey (not drained healthy fats support coat and energy)

Grains

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and cooked

Vegetables

• 12 oz frozen spinach
• 12 oz frozen broccoli and cauliflower mix
• 12 oz frozen green beans
• 10 oz fresh shredded carrots
• 2 medium yellow squash, chopped
• 2 medium zucchini, chopped

Add Ins & Supplements

• 2 cups beef bone broth
• 2 tablespoons ground eggshells (calcium source)
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric + a pinch of black pepper
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

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Instructions

1. Cook the Quinoa
   Rinse well. Combine quinoa with 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed. Set aside.
2. Brown the Meats
   In a large stockpot, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat. Add the ground turkey and cook fully without draining. Stir the meats together.
3. Add Broth and Quinoa
   Pour in the bone broth and stir in the cooked quinoa. Allow the grains to absorb some of the liquid.
4. Add Vegetables
   Stir in all vegetables. Cook gently so they soften and become easier to digest.
5. Add Nutritional Boosters
   Mix in ground eggshells, turmeric, black pepper, and coconut oil until evenly combined.
6. Simmer
   Cover and let everything simmer on low for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Cool
   Turn off the heat and allow the food to cool for 30–60 minutes before portioning.

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Portioning and Freezing

Once cooled, portion about 3 cups into quart size freezer bags and flatten them before sealing. This makes stacking easy and speeds up thawing. Benji eats 2 cups per meal, so each bag provides about a meal and a half for her, with leftovers perfect for my smaller dogs.

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Optional Meal Toppers

To keep meals exciting and boost nutrition, I rotate simple toppers such as:

• Pure pumpkin for digestion
• Plain Greek yogurt for probiotics
• Ground flaxseed or camelina oil for omega-3s
• Sardines in water for skin and coat health
• Freeze dried liver for protein and motivation
• Fresh fruit like blueberries or apples

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Why This Recipe Works

• Balanced proteins, fats, and carbs
• High fiber and anti inflammatory ingredients
• Gentle on sensitive stomachs
• Completely customizable
• Freezer friendly and convenient

Since switching, Benji has had no digestive flare-ups, her coat shines, and she finishes every bowl.

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Storage & Safety Tips

• Always cool food completely before freezing
• Label bags with dates
• Freeze flat for easy stacking
• Use within 2–3 months for best freshness

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Final Thoughts

Cooking for your dog doesn’t have to be complicated it just needs intention. This homemade dog food routine has transformed Benji’s health and strengthened our bond in ways I didn’t expect. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing you’re nourishing your dog with real food made with care.

If you’re curious, start small. Try a half batch. See how your dog responds. You may find, like I did, that it becomes one of the most meaningful parts of your routine.

Here’s to shiny coats, happy bellies, and dogs who know just how loved they are 🐾

Easy Homemade Dog Food

Yield: 14 quart-size bags (42 cups total)

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Welcome to the dog lover’s kitchen where tails wag, bowls get licked clean, and a freezer full of neatly stacked meals is the ultimate love language.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a devoted dog parent is preparing nourishing, homemade food that genuinely supports your dog’s health. If you’ve ever stared at a bag of kibble and thought, “I can do better,” trust me you absolutely can.

Today, I’m sharing how I meal prep a week (or more) of wholesome, freezer friendly dog food for Benji, my beautiful 90-pound German Shepherd. She’s strong, sensitive when it comes to digestion, and very vocal when her meals don’t meet her standards. This recipe has become our go-to because it’s nutritious, flexible, and made with real ingredients dogs truly love.

Whether you’re considering a full switch to homemade food, looking to supplement your dog’s current diet, or just exploring what’s possible beyond kibble, you’re in the right place.

Print

Ingredients

• Ingredients
• Proteins
• 6 lbs ground beef, fat drained
• 5 lbs ground turkey (not drained healthy fats support coat and energy)
• Grains
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and cooked
• Vegetables
• 12 oz frozen spinach
• 12 oz frozen broccoli and cauliflower mix
• 12 oz frozen green beans
• 10 oz fresh shredded carrots
• 2 medium yellow squash, chopped
• 2 medium zucchini, chopped
• Add Ins & Supplements
• 2 cups beef bone broth
• 2 tablespoons ground eggshells (calcium source)
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric + a pinch of black pepper
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Instructions

1. Cook the QuinoaRinse well. Combine quinoa with 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed. Set aside.
2. Brown the MeatsIn a large stockpot, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat. Add the ground turkey and cook fully without draining. Stir the meats together.
3. Add Broth and QuinoaPour in the bone broth and stir in the cooked quinoa. Allow the grains to absorb some of the liquid.
4. Add VegetablesStir in all vegetables. Cook gently so they soften and become easier to digest.
5. Add Nutritional BoostersMix in ground eggshells, turmeric, black pepper, and coconut oil until evenly combined.
6. SimmerCover and let everything simmer on low for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. CoolTurn off the heat and allow the food to cool for 30–60 minutes before portioning.

Notes

• Each quart size freezer bag contains approximately 3 cups of food.
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  Benji, a 90-lb German Shepherd, eats 2 cups per meal.
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  The remaining 1 cup from each bag is shared between two smaller dogs.
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  Optional meal toppers include pure pumpkin, plain Greek yogurt, ground flaxseed, camelina oil, sardines, freeze dried liver, and fresh fruit.
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  Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
  

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 42 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 85mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 18g