12 DIY Farmers Dog Food Recipes Made With Simple Ingredients Your Dog Will Love

Your dog gives you heart eyes at dinner, and honestly, you’ve earned that kind of admiration. You don’t need boutique bags or chef hats to feed your pup well—just simple ingredients, a little time, and a wagging tail as your reward. DIY Farmers Dog Food Recipes

These DIY farmers dog–style recipes use whole foods you can find at any grocery store. No mystery meats, no weird fillers—just real food your dog will actually eat (instead of rolling it under the couch).

Why DIY Dog Food Hits Different

Making your dog’s meals at home means you control ingredients, freshness, and flavor. This is perfect for:

• Picky eaters
• Dogs with sensitive stomachs
• Senior pups who deserve extra TLC

Cost-savings bonus: Homemade meals can save money, especially for dogs who eat like linebackers.

⚠️ PSA: Dogs still need balanced nutrition. If you feed DIY long-term, consult a vet or canine nutritionist. For most healthy adult dogs, rotating well-rounded recipes and adding a daily canine multivitamin keeps things safe.

What Makes a Recipe “Balanced-ish”

Think of each bowl like a mini power combo:

• Protein: Chicken, turkey, lean beef, eggs, salmon (40–60% of the bowl)
• Carbs: Rice, oats, quinoa, sweet potato
• Veggies: Carrots, peas, green beans, spinach
• Healthy fats: Salmon oil, olive oil, sardines
• Calcium: Canine-safe supplement or finely ground eggshell (~½ tsp per pound of food)

Foods to Avoid:

• Onions, garlic, chives
• Grapes/raisins
• Chocolate, xylitol, alcohol
• Excess salt or heavily seasoned food
• Cooked bones

Kitchen Basics: Prep Once, Feed All Week

Batch cooking saves sanity. Cook proteins and grains in big batches, chop or steam veggies, then portion and freeze.

• Most recipes make 4–6 cups
• Refrigerate: 3–4 days
• Freeze: Up to 2 months
• Thaw: Overnight, warm slightly before serving

Portion Guide (Ballpark)

• 10–20 lb dogs: ¾–1½ cups/day
• 20–40 lb dogs: 1½–3 cups/day
• 40–60 lb dogs: 3–4 cups/day
• 60–80 lb dogs: 4–5 cups/day

Adjust for activity level and body condition—your dog’s waistline tells the truth, even when their eyes lie.

12 DIY Farmers Dog–Style Recipes

1) Classic Chicken & Rice Comfort Bowl

• 2 lb ground chicken or chopped chicken breast
• 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup peas
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions: Cook chicken thoroughly. Steam carrots and peas. Mix with rice and oil. Cool before serving. Great for sensitive tummies.

2) Beefy Sweet Potato Power-Up

• 1.5 lb lean ground beef (90%+)
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed & steamed
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• ½ cup cooked rolled oats
• 1 tsp turmeric (optional)

Brown beef, drain excess fat. Fold in oats, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Sprinkle turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost.

3) Turkey, Quinoa & Spinach “I Work Out” Bowl

• 2 lb ground turkey
• 1.5 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• ½ cup shredded zucchini (squeezed dry)
• 1 tbsp salmon oil

Cook turkey, mix in quinoa, spinach, and zucchini. Finish with salmon oil for shiny coats and omega-3s.

4) Salmon, Rice & Veggie Glow-Up

• 1.5 lb cooked salmon (skin-on, deboned)
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup peas
• ½ cup grated carrots
• 1 tsp ground flaxseed

Flake salmon and combine with rice, veggies, and flaxseed for fiber and omega-3s. Great for dull coats or flaky skin.

5) Lamb & Pumpkin Tummy Soother

• 1.5 lb lean ground lamb
• 1 cup plain canned pumpkin
• 1 cup cooked barley
• ½ cup chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Brown lamb, drain fat, stir in barley and pumpkin. Finish with parsley and oil. Pumpkin keeps things regular.

6) Chicken, Apple & Oat Breakfast Hash

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 cup cooked rolled oats
• 1 small apple, finely chopped (no seeds/core)
• ½ cup diced carrots
• 1 scrambled egg

Cook chicken and carrots. Stir in oats, apple, then scramble in the egg. Smells like brunch—dogs go wild for it.

7) Beef & Broccoli (Dog-Safe Version)

• 1.5 lb lean ground beef
• 1.5 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets, chopped
• ½ cup chopped zucchini
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, tiny)

Brown beef, mix with veggies and rice. Sesame oil adds aroma without salt or soy sauce.

8) Turkey & Butternut Squash Cozy Bowl

• 2 lb ground turkey
• 2 cups roasted or steamed butternut squash
• 1 cup peas
• 1 cup cooked farro or rice
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Cook turkey, add grains and squash, mix in peas, finish with coconut oil. Autumn vibes in a bowl.

9) Sardine & Potato Budget Beauty

• 3 cans sardines in water (drained)
• 2 cups cooked potatoes
• ½ cup chopped green beans
• ¼ cup chopped spinach
• 1 tsp chia seeds

Mash sardines with potatoes, fold in veggies and chia. Affordable, nutrient-dense, and irresistible.

10) Pork & Pear Gentle Belly Bowl

• 1.5 lb lean ground pork
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 small ripe pear, diced
• ½ cup peas
• 1 tsp micro-grated ginger (optional)

Cook pork, add rice and peas, stir in pear. Ginger soothes digestion and smells fancy.

11) Eggy Veggie Scramble

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup diced spinach
• ½ cup chopped mushrooms (cooked)
• ½ cup cooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Scramble eggs in olive oil, fold in veggies and quinoa. Perfect meal topper or small-dog portion.

12) Slow Cooker “Set It and Forget It” Stew

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups chopped sweet potato
• 1 cup carrots
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 cup water or low-sodium broth

Cook on low 6–7 hours. Shred chicken, mix, cool, and portion. Smells like a five-star dog bistro.

Balancing Homemade Meals Like a Pro

• Add a canine multivitamin and calcium source if feeding DIY as >25–30% of diet.
• Rotate proteins weekly for variety.
• Add fish oil 2–3 times/week if not using oily fish.

Easy Add-Ins

• Blueberries (antioxidants)
• Plain kefir or yogurt (probiotics)
• Pumpkin (digestion)
• Sardines (omegas)

Transitioning Without Drama

Mix new food with old over 5–7 days:

• Day 1–2: 25% new, 75% old
• Day 3–4: 50/50
• Day 5–6: 75% new
• Day 7: 100% new

If loose stools occur, slow the transition and add a bit of pumpkin.

FAQ

Do I need supplements if I rotate recipes?
Yes. Calcium and essential vitamins/minerals are usually needed long-term.

Can puppies eat these recipes?
Use as toppers or partial meals, not full diets. Puppies need precise calcium, phosphorus, and calorie ratios.

Are raw diets better?
Raw can work but requires strict handling. These cooked recipes are safer and simpler.

How do I know if my dog likes a recipe?
Clean bowl, happy bounce, normal poop, good energy = green light.

Can I swap ingredients for allergies?
Yes. Keep the same structure: protein + carb + veggie + fat + calcium.

Storage:

• Fridge: 3–4 days
• Freezer: Up to 2 months

The Takeaway

Homemade dog food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Keep it simple, rotate proteins, add a basic supplement, and watch your dog turn into your number-one fan at mealtime.

Real food. Real ingredients. Real tail wags. That’s the vibe.