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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combine Lentils and Meat Mixture: Once lentils are cooked, stir them into the pot with the meat and vegetables to combine all ingredients evenly.
- 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.
- 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
