easy homemade dog food with ground turkey
Homemade Turkey Dog Food with Veggies
Homemade Turkey Dog Food with Veggies
Published: Updated: by AngelaC This post may contain affiliate links
Your dog will love this delicious and nutritious grain-free homemade turkey dog food with vegetables meal. It's a great way to ensure your furry companion gets the best ingredients for a happy and healthy life.
We have kept the protein element of this homemade dog food to just turkey. This dish would be good for any dogs with allergies to beef or lamb.
Homemade ground turkey dog food is a great combination of high-quality protein and an array of colorful, nutrient-rich vegetables creating a meal that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate, ensuring that your canine companion stays healthy and happy.
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Ground Turkey for Dogs
Turkey is a lean meat that is a good source of high-quality protein for dogs. It contains essential amino acids that can help with muscle development and overall health.
Do not add any seasonings, spices, or ingredients that are harmful to dogs, such as onions, garlic, or excessive salt. Plain, cooked ground turkey is the safest option.
Some dogs may have food allergies or sensitivities to certain proteins, including turkey. Monitor your dog for any adverse reactions, such as skin issues, gastrointestinal problems, or changes in behavior, when introducing new foods.
Remember to go slowly when introducing new foods. And we recommend checking with your veterinarian first if your dog has any digestive issues or other health concerns.
Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients make this delicious meal for your dog.
- Ground turkey - This lean protein source is the star of the show. It's packed with high-quality protein and essential amino acids, promoting muscle health and overall vitality.
- Turkey liver - if you don't have turkey liver, chicken, beef or pork liver can be used.
- Carrot - Carrots offer a burst of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant, as well as fiber, which aids digestion.
- Cranberries -are rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and various phytonutrients.
- Turmeric - contains an active compound called curcumin, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties. This can be particularly useful for dogs with conditions like arthritis or joint pain.
- Broccoli - a good source of vitamins, including vitamin C and vitamin K, as well as minerals like potassium and calcium.
- Apple - a good source of dietary fiber, which can aid in digestion and help regulate bowel movements. Seeds must be removed!
- Coconut oil - A small amount of coconut oil adds healthy fats that can benefit your dog's coat and skin.
- Egg - an additional source of protein.
How to make homemade turkey dog food.
We cook this ground turkey dog food recipe in one pan for an easy meal.
Cook turkey and liver in a pan.
Add chopped veggies and berries.
Storage
Before storing, allow the homemade dog food to cool to room temperature. Hot food can create condensation inside the storage container, potentially leading to spoilage.
For short-term storage (up to 3-4 days), keep the portions of homemade dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Use a dedicated container for your dog's food, separate from your own food.
Freezing
Use airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags. Be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label each container or bag with the date of preparation to keep track of freshness.
Freeze individual portions so you can defrost only what you need each time.
When you're ready to use frozen homemade dog food, thaw it in the refrigerator. Avoid leaving it out at room temperature for extended periods, as this can lead to bacterial growth.
Homemade Turkey Dog Food with Veggies
Your dog will love this delicious and nutritious grain-free ground turkey and vegetable meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dog Meals
Cuisine Grain Free Dog Food, Homemade Dog Food
Servings 6 servings
Calories 227 kcal
Ingredients
- 32 oz ground turkey (2lbs)
- 2 oz turkey liver chopped
- 1 medium carrot peeled and chopped
- 6 oz broccoli florets
- 1 medium apple deseeded, chopped
- teaspoon turmeric
- 1 large egg
- 2 oz cranberries
Instructions
Heat the coconut oil in a large pan on a medium heat.
Add the ground turkey and turkey liver and cook the turkey until it's no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
Add the chopped vegetables, apple, cranberries and turmeric and cook for a further 10-15 minutes they are cooked.
Add the egg and cook for a further 2 minutes and stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool completely before serving to your dog.
Notes
Total recipe makes 48 ounces of dog food. We have listed a serving as being 8oz (one cup). Servings will vary depending uponyour dog's age, size, and activity level.If you want to make a smaller batch, reduce the ground turkey to 1lbNutrition
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Turkey Dog Food with Veggies
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Keyword ground turkey dog food recipe
Have you tried this recipe? Leave a review or take a picture and share it on InstagramLet us know how it was! @pawsomerecipes #pawsomerecipesRecipe: Turkey and Vegetable Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food is a wonderful alternative to commercial diets. You can cater the meals to your dog's individual needs, and you can use the healthiest ingredients available. This recipe uses turkey, vegetables, rosemary and other safe and healthy ingredients.
Like most other dog food recipes, you can substitute a different protein source if your dog doesn't like turkey. If your pet is sensitive to common protein sources, you could use venison, bison or rabbit instead.
You can also use any type of fruits or vegetables that your dog likes. Fruits and vegetables that are healthy for dogs include:
- cantaloupe
- apples
- bananas
- watermelon
- green beans
- carrots
- blueberries
- cucumbers
- spinach
Before substituting other vegetables or fruits, check with your veterinarian or do some research on your own. There are some fruits and vegetables that can be toxic to dogs like grapes, tomatoes and avocados.
MORE VIDEOS: Homemade Dog Food & Treats Recipes
Turkey and Vegetable Homemade Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 1 pound of ground turkey
- 2 cups of brown rice
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- 16 ounces of frozen vegetables (I used broccoli, cauliflower and carrots
Directions
This recipe is really quite simple to make. Begin by placing a medium-sized saucepan on your stove top and setting the burner on medium heat. The add the 6 cups of water.
Now you can add the ground turkey. Mix the turkey around in the water for a few minutes, and you'll notice that it breaks up nicely. Next, add the brown rice and the rosemary.
SIMILAR RECIPE:Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Homemade Dog Food Recipe
As you'll see in my video guide, I used frozen vegetables. I often hear dog owners say that making homemade food is too time consuming. There are lots of ways to cut back on the prep time, and using frozen vegetables is a great way to reduce the time spent chopping ingredients.
If you'd prefer to use fresh vegetables, that's fine too. Just be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces. Sometimes frozen vegetables are cut into large pieces, so you may want to chop them a bit a finer if you have a small dog.
Once you've added all the ingredients to the saucepan, let it boil for about 20 minutes. Stir the mixture occasionally. The food will start to get thicker as the ingredients absorb the water. You'll know the food is done cooking when 90% of the water has been absorbed.
Once the turkey and vegetable dog food is cool you can feed it to your Fido. Like many other homemade dog food recipes, thiswill make enough for about 3-5 days (depending on the size of your dog). You can save the leftovers in the refrigerator for 5-7 days in an airtight container.
If you'd like to make a larger batch of dog food, you can store it in the freezer in an airtight container. This is a great way to prep food in advance so you don't have to cook dog food multiple times each week.
READ NEXT: Best Food for Dogs The Ultimate Buyers Guide
9 Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Want to try your hand and learn how to make homemade dog food? The classic proportions are 50% protein (including meat or eggs), 25% vegetables, and 25% carbohydrates (like rice or oats). But which ingredients should you use, and how can you make sure your dog food recipe is healthy?
To help you find the best recipes, weve put together this list of 10 healthy dog food recipes to try today. Making dog food at home can save you money and give you more control over what your dog eats. Scroll down to try one of our favorite homemade dog food recipes! And if you have questions, take a look at our recipe tips at the end.
Top 9 Healthy Dog Food Recipes
1. Beef, Herb, and Egg Dog Food Recipe
This recipe is so easy, it only has one step: combine the ingredients! Your pup will love the mixture of ground beef, protein-packed eggs, and dog-friendly herbs like parsley.
2. Turkey and Rosemary Dog Food Recipe
This is another incredibly simple recipe. You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen! All you need is a package of frozen vegetables, ground turkey, rosemary, and rice.
If you want to feed your dog human-grade food without the hassle of having to prepare the meals yourself, you need to try Spot & Tango.
Their pre-packaged meals full of human-grade ingredients get delivered right to your door, so all you need to do is pop them into your dogs dish!
Ready to get started? Right now, you can save 50% on Spot & Tango HUMAN-GRADE premium dog food by clicking here!
3. Simple Chicken and Vegetable
Heres another healthy dog food recipe so beautiful we want to try it! This recipe from Damn Delicious combines vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and peas with lean ground chicken. Its a beautiful and nutrient-packed mixture.
4. Instant Pot Dog Food Recipe
If you have an Instant Pot, youll love this simple recipe! You can cook everything in your pot, including rice or oats, lean ground meat, and vegetables of your choice.
5. Non-Allergenic Dog Food
If your pup has food allergies, this recipe might be just what youre looking for. Nikki at Wheres the Frenchie? was inspired by her French Bulldogs newly discovered allergies to create this straightforward recipe, which includes whole grains, pumpkin puree, and ground turkey.
7. Chicken and Bean Dog Food
Heres another incredibly easy Crock-Pot recipe that you could eat for dinner yourself! This delicious-sounding dog food recipe features chicken, kidney beans, butternut squash, and peas. Plus, Katie Crenshaw of A Forks Tale offers great suggestions for supplements and substitutions! Did you know that you could add eggshells or chicken livers to your dogs food?
8. Turkey Macaroni Dog Food
Brought to you by The College Housewife, this dog food recipe substitutes macaroni noodles for the usual rice or oats but still includes plenty of healthy protein and vegetables. Cook up your ground turkey, broccoli, and sweet potatoes, and youll have a delicious, human-grade dog entree.
9. Doggie Meatball Recipe
These meatballs may look mouthwatering, but they are intended for your dog! Best of all, you can use them to get your pup to take medications. Whip some up, sneak in a pill, and youll be the best dog parent ever.
Dog Food Recipe Tips
Trying new foods is fun for humans, but it can be hard on our pets stomachs. The most important thing to remember is to change your dogs diet slowly. Veterinarians recommend mixing new foods with your dogs previous food. Start with about 25% new food and 75% old food. Then gradually increase the amount of new food until you reach 100%. If you notice any changes in your dogs digestion, you may want to stop the transition and talk to your veterinarian.
Like people, dogs can have food allergies. Common dog allergies include wheat, eggs, chicken, and beef. Keep in mind that some ingredients may be particularly toxic to dogs, like grapes, onions, and garlic. If you notice symptoms like gastrointestinal issues, youll probably want to consult your veterinarian about your dogs ideal diet.
Storing Your Homemade Dog Food
These recipes are really simple, but you probably dont have time to cook a full meal for yourself and your dog every night. An easy solution? Make a big batch and divide it into individual portions. Put each meal in a Ziploc bag in the freezer and pull it out at dinner time!
Making Your Own Dog Food: The Bottom Line
Now that youve learned how to make homemade dog food quickly and easily. We hope youve found your new favorite healthy dog food recipe. Cater to your furballs specific dietary needs, learn a new cooking skill, and maybe even save a little money. Your dogs will love their upgraded diets!
Looking for more dog recipes?
Featured image credit: stockcreations, Shutterstock
