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This homemade dog food recipe with ground turkey and vegetables is easy to make in the crock pot. Dogs love the flavor, and it makes a big batch. Plus, it’s grain free!
Crockpot Dog Food
We’ve been making homemade dog food for our pups for years now. I started out with adding a little chicken to their kibble. Then, I started making turkey and rice in the Instant Pot. We used it as a topper and then gradually started feeding them nothing but homemade food. It’s healthier than kibble and cheaper than using a delivery service. Plus it’s super easy to make, and I love knowing what goes into my dogs’ food!
Due to severe allergies, we had to go grain free — with vet approval. So, now I make a big batch of this recipe for ground turkey dog food in the crock pot. Our pups absolutely love it! They get treats, both frozen and baked, plus doggie birthday cakes, so they do get some grains, just not in their meals. It works for us, and they are thriving. We also add fish oil and nutritional supplements, plus they get eggs and fruit, as well.
Ingredient Notes
Here’s what you’ll need. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below. You can change the ingredients, but make sure you are not using any food dogs can’t have.
- Ground turkey — this will also work with ground beef and chicken.
- Vegetables — I use a mix of frozen veggies like green beans and broccoli. We also add some grated carrots, but sometimes we’ll add sweet potatoes or squash.
- Canned Pumpkin — helps with digestion. Make sure you’re not using pie filling
- Coconut oil — we use some in the skillet and in the slow cooker to prevent sticking.
How to Make Dog Food with Ground Turkey
Because this is a big batch of dog food, we start by browning the turkey in batches on the stove. Then, we add frozen veggies to the crockpot and top that with the crumbled turkey. We top that with grated carrots and cook for an hour or two until the veggies are soft. Stir in a little pumpkin, let it cool down, and the pups are ready to eat!
How Much to Feed
The general rule is to feed a pet 2-3 percent of its body weight daily. This amount will vary with breed, build, age and whether you want your pup to maintain or lose weight. Definitely consult with your vet when determining how much food to feed your dog.
Storage
Store homemade pet food in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze the food in baggies or freezer safe containers for up to 3 months.
Recipe Tips
You can halve the recipe if you don’t need to make as much.
We like to portion out the food for each dog and store in containers in the fridge. They get feed twice a day, so this makes feeding a lot easier.
Disclaimer
I am not an expert on pet health. This recipe works for my own dogs and has been approved by our vet. Make sure to consult with your personal veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet or introducing new foods — always best to introduce new foods gradually. Ours do get additional vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, so talk with your veterinarian to determine what your dogs need.
Homemade Dog Food (Grain Free)
Equipment
- 1 crock pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 6 pounds ground turkey
- 10 oz frozen broccoli florets
- 10 oz frozen green beans
- 2 medium carrots grated (about 1½ cups)
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt coconut oil, and brown turkey in batches, breaking it up as it cooks
- Set crock pot to high, and place frozen vegetables in bottom of slow cooker
- Spoon cooked turkey over vegetables, and add shredded carrots on top of the turkey
- Cook on high for about 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours or until vegetables are soft and cooked through. Break up veggies, as needed. Stir in pumpkin, allow to cool, and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Looks super healthy! I really want to make this for my dog, but how would you recommend I phase it into his diet?
I would make a small batch and add a little bit each day to his regular food. You can gradually add more if he’s fine with it.
Tried this and boy did the puppies gobble it up. I also love the smell of cooked turkey so it was a plus for me. Let’s see how they respond long term. Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks, Paula. I’m so glad your dogs liked it!