Homemade Dog Food with Carrots, Sweet Potato, Lentils, and Spinach Recipe

Introduction

Making homemade dog food is a great way to ensure your pet is eating fresh and nutritious meals. This recipe combines wholesome ingredients like lentils, sweet potatoes, and ground turkey to create a balanced dish your dog will love. Plus, it’s easy to prepare whether you use the stovetop or a crockpot.

Ingredients

• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 cups lentils, rinsed (preferably green or brown)
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 lb. ground turkey or ground chicken
• 5 oz. spinach

Instructions

1. Step 1: For stovetop cooking, add lentils and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the water is absorbed and lentils are cooked.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, pulse the chopped carrots and sweet potato in a food processor for a few seconds and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground turkey or chicken until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
4. Step 4: Add the chopped carrots, sweet potato, and spinach to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add a small amount of olive oil if needed.
5. Step 5: Once lentils are cooked, add them to the pot and stir everything together thoroughly.
6. Step 6: For crockpot preparation, place the ground meat, carrots, sweet potatoes, and lentils into the slow cooker. Add 4 cups of water and stir gently.
7. Step 7: Cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours or until vegetables and lentils are soft. Add spinach, stir, and cook an additional 20-30 minutes until spinach softens. Add water in 1/2 cup increments if needed to keep vegetables cooking properly.

Tips & Variations

• If your dog has allergies, you can substitute the ground turkey or chicken with cooked lean beef or fish.
• Add a tablespoon of olive oil when sautéing to boost healthy fats and improve flavor.
• Avoid seasoning with salt, garlic, onions, or any ingredients toxic to dogs.
• For smoother texture, you can blend the finished meal partially or fully, depending on your dog’s preference.

Storage

Store the prepared dog food in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen food overnight in the refrigerator before serving to your dog.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables instead of carrots and sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can substitute with dog-safe vegetables like peas, green beans, or pumpkin. Just ensure they are cooked well and unsalted.

Is it necessary to cook the lentils before adding them to the crockpot?

No, when using a crockpot, you can add raw lentils directly with the other ingredients, as the long cooking time will soften them properly.

Homemade Dog Food with Carrots, Sweet Potato, Lentils, and Spinach Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 124 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 45 minutes (stovetop) / 4 hours 15 minutes (crockpot)
• Yield: Approximately 8 cups of dog food, serving multiple meals depending on dog size 1x

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Description

A nutritious homemade dog food recipe featuring ground turkey or chicken, lentils, carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach, prepared either on the stovetop or in a crockpot to provide your dog a wholesome, balanced meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 5 oz. spinach

Protein and Legumes

• 1 1/2 cups lentils, rinsed; preferably green or brown
• 2 lb. ground turkey or ground chicken

Liquids

• 3 1/2 cups water (stovetop method)
• 4 cups water (crockpot method, may need extra 1/2 cup increments)

Miscellaneous

• Olive oil, if needed for sautéing

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Instructions

1. Cook Lentils: Add the rinsed lentils and 3 1/2 cups of water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the water is absorbed and lentils are tender, about 20-25 minutes.
2. Prepare Vegetables: While the lentils cook, chop carrots and sweet potato, then pulse them briefly in a food processor to break them down slightly. Set aside.
3. Cook Ground Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the ground turkey or chicken and cook over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
4. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped carrots, sweet potato, and spinach to the cooked meat. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables soften. Add a small amount of olive oil if the mixture seems dry or sticks to the pan.
5. Combine Lentils and Meat Mixture: Once lentils are cooked, stir them into the pot with the meat and vegetables to combine all ingredients evenly.
6. Alternative Crockpot Method: Place ground meat, carrots, sweet potatoes, and lentils in the slow cooker, add 4 cups of water, and stir gently. Cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours or until vegetables and lentils are soft. Add spinach and cook an additional 20-30 minutes until softened. Add extra water in 1/2 cup increments as needed to maintain moisture.
7. Storage: Store cooked dog food in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or freeze in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Notes

• Ensure all ingredients are cooked thoroughly before feeding to your dog.
• Adjust water quantity as needed, especially when using the crockpot method, to prevent drying or burning.
• Consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog’s diet.
• Use ground turkey or chicken without added seasoning or preservatives for best results.
• Freeze leftovers in portions suitable for your pet’s size and meal frequency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes (stovetop) / 4 hours (crockpot)
• Category: Dog Food
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Pet Nutrition

Keywords: homemade dog food, ground turkey dog food, lentil dog food, healthy dog meals, dog food recipe, slow cooker dog food