If you have spent any time scrolling through pet parent groups lately, you have probably noticed a shift.
More owners are looking past the bag of kibble on the pantry shelf and asking a simple question: what is actually going into my dog’s bowl? Fresh, gently cooked meals like the ones Farmer’s Dog built its reputation on have made that question impossible to ignore.
Making similar meals at home will not give you an exact replica of any commercial product, and that is not really the goal.
The real value of homemade cooking is control. You choose the protein, you choose the vegetables, and you can adjust every recipe to fit your dog’s size, activity level, and taste preferences, often while spending far less than a subscription meal service costs.
This guide walks you through everything you need to get started safely: how fresh feeding works, which ingredients belong in the bowl and which never should, ten full recipes you can rotate through the week, feeding amounts, meal prep tips, and answers to the questions most dog owners ask before they switch.
If you already have a favorite base recipe, this guide pairs well with our DIY Farmer style dog food recipe for a tested starting point.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet, especially when introducing homemade meals.
Amazon Shopping List You Need
- Mighty Tuff Airtight Dog Food Storage Container with Scoop
- Glass Meal Prep Containers with Lids (Set)
- Stainless Steel Dog Bowls Set
- Digital Kitchen Food Scale
- Dog Multivitamin Supplement Powder
- Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement for Dogs
- Silicone Dog Food Freezer Molds
What You Will Find In This Guide
- Ten copycat style recipes built around different proteins
- Vet informed ingredient guidance
- A feeding amount reference table
- Storage and freezing instructions
- Ingredient swaps for allergies and preferences
- A full list of foods to avoid
- Answers to common questions about homemade feeding
Why Fresh Dog Food Has Become So Popular
Fresh feeding brands built their following on a few consistent ideas: whole food ingredients instead of rendered meals, gentle cooking rather than high heat extrusion, human grade proteins, balanced nutrient ratios, minimal fillers, and meals with real moisture content instead of dry, dense kibble.
None of those principles are exclusive to a subscription box.
A home cook can follow the same philosophy with a stove, a slow cooker, or an Instant Pot.
The one thing homemade meals need that commercial fresh food already has built in is a deliberate plan for nutritional balance, which is exactly what the next section covers.
For a broader comparison of feeding approaches, our roundup of the seven healthiest homemade dog foods is a useful companion read.
Before Making Homemade Dog Food
This is the most important section in this entire guide, so do not skip it.
Talk with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has an existing health condition.
Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and large breed puppies in particular require careful calcium and phosphorus balance to support healthy bone growth.
Dogs managing kidney disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, food allergies, or other medical conditions often need recipes built specifically around those needs rather than a general recipe found online.
If homemade meals are going to become your dog’s everyday diet rather than an occasional treat, the meals need to be nutritionally complete over time.
That usually means working with a veterinary nutritionist to check that your recipes cover the full range of vitamins and minerals a dog needs, not just protein and calories.
If you are just getting your feet wet, our simple homemade dog food recipes for beginners is a gentle place to start before committing to a full time homemade diet.
Ingredient Guide
Best Proteins
Chicken is lean, affordable, and easy to digest, which makes it a common starting protein.
Turkey offers a similar profile with a slightly different flavor, which is useful for dogs who need protein rotation.
Lean beef adds iron and B vitamins and works well in heartier stews.
Salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that support skin and coat health.
Sardines packed in water are an easy, affordable way to add small fish into the rotation.
Eggs are a complete protein source and a good addition to almost any homemade meal.
Healthy Vegetables
Carrots add fiber, beta carotene, and a satisfying crunch dogs tend to enjoy.
Pumpkin is gentle on digestion and a common addition for dogs prone to loose stool.
Zucchini is low in calories and high in water content. Spinach contributes iron and vitamins in small amounts.
Broccoli offers fiber and vitamin C, though it should be given in moderation. Peas add plant based protein and fiber.
Green beans are low calorie and filling, which makes them popular in weight management recipes.
Healthy Carbohydrates
Sweet potatoes are a favorite base carbohydrate thanks to their fiber and beta carotene content.
Brown rice is gentle and easy to digest for most dogs. Oats provide soluble fiber and are a good option for dogs with grain sensitivities to other grains.
Quinoa is a complete protein source in addition to being a carbohydrate. Barley adds fiber and a heartier texture to stews.
Healthy Fats
Salmon oil is one of the easiest ways to add omega 3 fatty acids to any homemade meal. Flaxseed, ground fresh, offers plant based omega 3s.
Olive oil in small amounts supports skin and coat health. Fat should always be added in modest amounts since it is calorie dense.
Foods Dogs Should Never Eat
Some ingredients that are perfectly normal in human cooking are dangerous for dogs. Keep this list somewhere visible while you cook.
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Onion | Toxic to red blood cells |
| Garlic | Toxic in the same way as onion |
| Grapes | Can cause kidney failure |
| Raisins | Same risk as grapes |
| Chocolate | Contains theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs |
| Xylitol | Extremely dangerous even in tiny amounts |
| Alcohol | Toxic to dogs |
| Macadamia nuts | Toxic and can cause weakness or tremors |
The Recipes
Each recipe below feeds a household with one or two medium sized dogs for several days and can be scaled up or down.
Portion amounts should always be adjusted to your individual dog using the feeding guide further down this page.
Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Servings: About 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, 2 cups brown rice, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup green beans, 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions: Cook the rice according to package directions. In a separate pot, simmer the chicken until fully cooked, then shred it.
Steam the carrots and green beans until soft. Combine everything with the olive oil and let cool before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days.
Freezing: Freeze in portioned containers up to three months.
Best for: Dogs new to homemade feeding, thanks to its gentle, familiar ingredients.
Swap idea: Use turkey in place of chicken for variety.
Turkey and Sweet Potato
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: About 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground turkey, 2 cups mashed sweet potato, 1 cup peas, 1 tablespoon flaxseed
Instructions: Brown the turkey in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces. Boil and mash the sweet potato.
Steam the peas. Combine all ingredients and stir in the flaxseed once cooled.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days. Freezing: Freezes well for up to three months.
Best for: Dogs who do well on poultry but need a change from chicken.
Swap idea: Butternut squash can replace sweet potato.
Beef and Pumpkin
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: About 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 cup brown rice, 1 cup chopped spinach
Instructions: Brown the beef and drain excess fat. Cook the rice separately.
Wilt the spinach briefly in a pan. Combine the beef, rice, pumpkin, and spinach and let cool.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days. Freezing: Freezes well up to three months.
Best for: Dogs with sensitive digestion, since pumpkin is gentle and soothing.
Swap idea: Barley can replace rice for a heartier texture.
Salmon and Brown Rice
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Servings: About 5 cups
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless salmon, 2 cups brown rice, 1 cup steamed zucchini, 1 teaspoon salmon oil
Instructions: Bake or poach the salmon until fully cooked and flake it into small pieces, checking carefully for bones.
Cook the rice. Steam the zucchini. Combine everything and finish with the salmon oil.
Storage: Refrigerate up to three days. Freezing: Freezes well up to two months.
Best for: Dogs with dry skin or a dull coat, thanks to the omega 3 content.
Swap idea: Canned sardines in water can replace fresh salmon.
Chicken and Oats
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Servings: About 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground chicken, 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup green beans
Instructions: Cook the oats according to package directions using water rather than milk. Brown the chicken in a separate pan.
Steam the carrots and green beans. Combine all ingredients and let cool fully before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days. Freezing: Freezes well up to three months.
Best for: Dogs who need a grain free from wheat option.
Swap idea: Quinoa can replace oats for added protein.
Turkey and Quinoa
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Servings: About 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground turkey, 1.5 cups quinoa, 1 cup chopped broccoli, 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly, then cook according to package directions. Brown the turkey separately.
Steam the broccoli in small florets. Combine everything with the olive oil.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days.
Freezing: Freezes well up to three months.
Best for: Active dogs who need extra protein density.
Swap idea: Lean beef can replace turkey.
Beef and Green Beans
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: About 6 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds lean ground beef, 2 cups brown rice, 1.5 cups green beans, 1 tablespoon flaxseed
Instructions: Brown the beef and drain the fat. Cook the rice separately.
Steam the green beans until tender.
Combine everything and stir in the flaxseed once cooled.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days.
Freezing: Freezes well up to three months.
Best for: Weight conscious dogs, since green beans add bulk with few calories.
Swap idea: Zucchini can replace green beans.
Lamb and Rice
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Servings: About 5 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground lamb, 2 cups brown rice, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup peas
Instructions: Brown the lamb and drain excess fat, since lamb tends to be fattier than chicken or turkey.
Cook the rice separately. Steam the carrots and peas. Combine everything and let cool.
Storage: Refrigerate up to three days.
Freezing: Freezes well up to two months.
Best for: Dogs with chicken or beef allergies who need a novel protein.
Swap idea: Barley can replace rice.
Chicken Vegetable Stew
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes | Servings: About 7 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup green beans, 1 cup diced zucchini, 2 cups low sodium bone broth
Instructions: Simmer the chicken in the bone broth until fully cooked, then shred it directly in the pot.
Add the vegetables and simmer until tender. Let the stew cool completely before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days.
Freezing: Freezes well up to three months in individual portions.
Best for: Dogs who need extra hydration in their meals or are recovering from illness.
Swap idea: Sweet potato can be added for a heartier stew.
Slow Cooker Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 4 hours on low | Servings: About 7 cups
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground turkey, 2 cups sweet potato cubes, 1 cup chopped spinach, 1 cup peas
Instructions: Add the turkey, sweet potato, and peas to a slow cooker with a small amount of water.
Cook on low for four hours, breaking up the turkey halfway through.
Stir in the spinach during the last ten minutes so it wilts without overcooking. Cool completely before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate up to four days.
Freezing: Freezes well up to three months.
Best for: Busy households that want a hands off cooking method.
Swap idea: Ground chicken can replace turkey.
If you prefer a pressure cooker to a slow cooker, our DIY Farmer’s Dog Instant Pot recipe shows how to shorten the cook time significantly while keeping the same nutritional approach.
Feeding Guide
How much to feed depends on your dog’s age, activity level, breed, current weight, body condition, and any health conditions your veterinarian is monitoring.
As a general starting point, most adult dogs eating a fresh, home cooked diet need roughly two to three percent of their body weight in food per day, split across two meals.
Highly active dogs may need closer to three to four percent, while less active or overweight dogs often do better closer to one and a half to two percent.
| Dog Weight | Approximate Daily Amount |
|---|---|
| 10 pounds | 3/4 to 1 cup |
| 25 pounds | 1.5 to 2 cups |
| 50 pounds | 2.5 to 3.5 cups |
| 75 pounds | 3.5 to 4.5 cups |
| 100 pounds | 4.5 to 5.5 cups |
These numbers are a starting reference, not a prescription.
Watch your dog’s body condition over the first few weeks and adjust portions up or down, and check in with your veterinarian if you are unsure.
Meal Prep Section
Cooking in batches makes homemade feeding sustainable.
Cook a large batch of one or two recipes at the start of the week, then portion the finished food into individual containers sized for one meal.
Freezer safe containers or silicone trays work well for smaller dogs, while larger dogs may need standard freezer containers.
Label each container with the recipe name and the date it was made so nothing sits in the freezer longer than it should.
Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight rather than at room temperature, and avoid reheating the same portion more than once, since repeated heating and cooling can affect both texture and food safety.
Homemade Dog Food Mistakes to Avoid
Feeding only meat and skipping vegetables is one of the most common mistakes, since it leaves out fiber and key micronutrients.
Overfeeding treats on top of a full homemade meal plan can quietly add up in calories.
Forgetting a calcium source is a serious oversight for dogs eating homemade food long term.
Using too much salt, even unintentionally through broth or seasoning, adds unnecessary sodium.
Using an ingredient from the toxic foods list, even by accident, is a risk worth double checking every time you cook.
Making sudden diet changes instead of transitioning gradually over seven to ten days can upset a dog’s stomach.
Not rotating proteins can lead to nutritional gaps over time. Ignoring signs of a food allergy or sensitivity, such as itching or digestive upset, is worth addressing quickly with your veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade dog food cheaper than Farmer’s Dog? For many households, yes, particularly when buying proteins and vegetables in bulk. Costs vary based on the ingredients you choose and your dog’s size.
Can dogs eat homemade food every day? Yes, as long as the meals are nutritionally balanced over time and any needed supplements are included, ideally with guidance from a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist.
Can I freeze homemade dog food? Yes. Most of the recipes above freeze well for two to three months in airtight, portioned containers.
How long does homemade dog food last? Refrigerated homemade dog food is generally best used within three to four days. Frozen portions last considerably longer.
Is brown rice better than white rice? Brown rice offers more fiber and nutrients, but white rice is easier to digest and is often recommended for dogs with an upset stomach.
Can puppies eat these recipes? Puppies have different nutritional requirements, particularly around calcium and phosphorus for growing bones. Talk with your veterinarian before feeding a homemade diet to a puppy.
Can senior dogs eat homemade meals? Many senior dogs do very well on fresh, home cooked meals, especially if they have dental issues or a reduced appetite. Portion sizes and protein levels may need adjusting for their activity level.
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken? Yes, turkey and chicken can generally be swapped in any of the recipes above.
What vegetables are safest for dogs? Carrots, green beans, peas, pumpkin, zucchini, and small amounts of broccoli or spinach are all considered safe, dog friendly vegetables.
Do homemade recipes need supplements? Most homemade diets fed long term benefit from a calcium source and sometimes additional vitamins, which is why veterinary guidance matters for ongoing feeding plans.
More Homemade Recipes and Guides
If this guide got you interested in cooking for your dog regularly, these related posts go deeper into specific recipes and techniques:
- Simple Farmer’s Dog food recipes
- Simple homemade dog food recipes
- 3 ingredient cooked dog food recipes
- Healthy homemade beef and apple stew for dogs
- Homemade beef bone broth gummies for dogs
- 3 ingredient peanut butter dog gummies
- Simple carrot based dog treat recipes for beginners
- Homemade banana dog treat recipes
- Easy frozen coconut dog treats for summer
Final Thoughts
Homemade dog food is not about perfectly recreating a subscription brand.
It is about understanding what goes into your dog’s bowl and having the flexibility to adjust it as your dog’s needs change.
Start with one recipe from this guide, watch how your dog’s appetite, energy, and digestion respond, and introduce new ingredients gradually.
Rotating proteins and vegetables over time adds variety and helps cover a broader range of nutrients.
If homemade meals are going to be part of your dog’s regular diet, keep your veterinarian in the loop so the plan stays safe and balanced for the long run.
