Easy ground turkey dog food recipe
Making healthy homemade dog food is a great way to make sure your pet is getting all the nutrition they need. This easy ground turkey dog food recipe helps you feed your dog the healthiest options with no questionable ingredients.
Whether you are making homemade dog treat recipes or food, you can tailor it to your pup’s specific needs and taste buds.
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DIY dog food
Homemade dog food is quick and easy to make. Before I started doing it, I was sure it would take me all day. It doesn’t. It is actually faster than making dinner most nights.
Before you change your dog’s diet, please consult your veterinarian. A dog’s nutritional needs are not the same as a human’s needs, nor are the needs of all dogs the same.
Your vet can provide specific information based on your pet.
Ingredients for ground turkey dog food
There are so many people who want to know “how to cook dog food”. So, let’s start with the ingredient list.
This simple dog food recipe is made from 7 ingredients:
- Apple – any kind that is available to you.
- Hard-boiled egg – excellent source of protein.
- Grated carrots – full of vitamin A. Buy pre-shredded as a time saver, if needed.
- Russet potatoes – They are a great source of vitamins B6 and C, plus potassium.
- Substitute: Swap out potatoes for sweet potatoes or cooked brown rice rice.
- Coconut oil – a healthy fat
- Grated zucchini – again, buy pre-shredded to save a few minutes if needed.
- Ground turkey – because Sugar needs a low fat diet, we buy the leanest ground turkey.
- Substitute: Swap out ground chicken for the turkey.
How to make homemade dog food
Ground turkey dog food is a great place to start, because you probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
This dog food recipe is perfect for beginners, it is super simple and fast.
- Brown the turkey meat in coconut oil. Once cooked, set aside.
- Next, let the potatoes simmer in a bit of water to soften. This will take about 8 – 10 minutes.
- Then add the apple, grated carrot and grated zucchini. Let it cook for a few minutes.
- Dice hard boiled egg and add to pot, add cooked turkey meat back to the pot, then stir to combine.
- Cool slightly before feed to your pup.
Speak to your vet about any specific dietary restrictions for your pup. Just like people, all dogs have different needs. Here are some things to consider: age, activity level, allergies/sensitivities, etc.
How to transition your dog to homemade food
Abruptly changing your dog’s diet could cause them gastrointestinal distress, if you catch my drift, and that’s not fun for anyone.
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If you’re currently feeding your pup store-bought dog food, start the transition by replacing a portion of their regular food with homemade.
For example – if your dog eats 1 cup of food a day, replace 1/4 cup of that food with homemade dog food and mix it in. Do this for a few days, then up it to 1/3 or 1/2 of the food.
Dogs with sensitive bellies may require an even slower transition. Trust me on this one – you’ll thank me for it later. In the long run, it will be better for your dog’s digestion.
What do I need to make my own dog food?
- Small heavy-bottomed pot – a Dutch oven is my “go-to” pot.
- Half pint containers for storage – I use reusable containers instead of zip-top plastic bags, plus it’s easier to stack these in the fridge
- Food scale – super helpful to make sure you have the proper portions.
How to store ground turkey dog food
These containers hold 8 ounces, or 1 cup, of food. It’s exactly what my 11 pound dog needs in a day. The recipe makes enough for 4 days, so I stack them in the fridge for the week.
To make a bigger batch, so you don’t have to cook as often, you can double or triple the recipe and freeze them.
Dog food and treat recipes
- How to make oatmeal for dogs
- Peanut butter banana dog treats
- Banana pumpkin dog treats
- Soft pumpkin dog treats
- Potato and cheese dog treats
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Easy ground turkey dog food recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 11 ounces Russet potatoes peeled and diced (about 2 potatoes)
- 1 large carrot peeled and grated
- 1 zucchini grated
- 1/2 small apple peeled and diced
- 1 hard-boiled egg
Instructions
- Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium high heat.
- Add coconut oil and brown ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks, about 7 – 8 minutes. When cooked, remove from pot and set aside.
- Add 1/2 cup water and diced Idaho® potatoes to the pot. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Let potatoes simmer for 8 – 10 minutes, until they have softened.
- Uncover and add grated carrot, grated zucchini and apple. Stir to combine and cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Dice hard-boiled egg and add to pot. Add cooked turkey meat back to the pot, stir to combine.
- Set aside to cool slightly before feeding to your pup.
Video
Notes
- Leftover food can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes or cooked brown rice.
- Swap turkey for chicken, if your pup prefers it.
Nutrition
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Hello, would I be able to swap the potatoes for sweet potatoes for this recipe? Thank you
Hi Jennifer, you absolutely can swap them! I often did as Sugar preferred sweet potatoes to white potatoes.
Can I swap for ground beef ?
Hi Claudia, yes you can! I would recommend a lower fat ground beef though. Too much fat might give your pup a bellyache.
This is the best and the easiest dog food recipe I have found.
I mean easiest for how good it is. And it gives me ideas on how to
vary it for my dogs.
You are EXCELLENT.
Thanks for the treat ideas as well.
THANK YOU so much for the lovely comment! I really appreciate your kind words. I’m so happy that this recipe works so well for your dogs <3.
Based on what you said about 8 oz for an 11 lb dog I did the math and it came to 43 oz per day for my 60 lb standard poodle. That seems like a lot of food. Do you think I’ve mis-calculated? Thanks.
Hi Deborah. I fed Sugar 1/2 cup of food in the morning, and 1/2 cup in the evening, for a total of 8 oz. (by volume, not weight) As far as your pup, that is a question for your vet. Your math is right, but your dogs vet would be the one to guide you on what is best for her/him. <3
Do you add a supplement? Probiotic? I saw on BalanceIT they want you to add their supplement? I want to make sure my girl gets all the vitamins and minerals she needs. Thanks for your help.
Hi Carol, that’s a question for your vet. Your vet would be able to tell you what specific needs your dogs have. xx
What can I substitute the zucchini with? I never use it… Thanks!!!
Hi Traci, you can swap it out for broccoli, or just omit it if you don’t want to replace it.
I will be trying the ground turkey recipe for my dog today, however I am only making 2 cups to begin with. How do I measure a large carrot vs a medium carrot. How can I use your instructions in ounces? Thank you for your time and for sharing your knowledge with everyone who loves their pets.
God keep you safe
Kathy
Hi Kathy, the difference between a large and a medium carrot is only about 1/2 an ounce. A medium to large carrot will weigh somewhere between 2 1/2 – 3 ounces. I hope that helps!