Beef Dog Food Recipe
This beef dog food recipe is packed with high-quality protein, nutrient-rich organs, healthy fats, and a small amount of vegetables to create a nourishing meal your dog will love.
Beef provides a flavorful source of protein, while ox heart, liver, and kidney contribute naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. Sardines, fish oil and flaxseed add beneficial omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin, a glossy coat, and overall wellbeing.
Our dogs loved this recipe, bowls were licked clean, there was a lot of smacking of chops afterwards too. It was difficult to video them eating this recipe as they attacked the bowl as if it was their last meal!
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Is Beef A Good Protein For Dogs?
Beef is a high-quality, complete animal protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids dogs need for muscle development, energy, and overall health. It’s also highly digestible for most dogs.
When you include lean cuts of beef in a dog’s diet, it provides:
- Complete protein for muscle maintenance and repair
- B vitamins (especially B12) for energy metabolism and nervous system health
- Iron and zinc for immune support and healthy blood function
- Natural fat for energy (in moderation)
Things to keep in mind
Beef is nutritious, but balance matters:
- Fat content: Too much fatty beef can upset digestion or contribute to weight gain in less active dogs. Lean cuts are best for everyday meals.
- Raw vs cooked: Both are used in dog nutrition, but cooked beef should always be plain (no seasoning, onions, garlic, or sauces).
- Protein rotation: Dogs do best when they eat a variety of proteins over time, not just beef every day.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients and get ready to cook up a batch of dog food!
🥩 High-Quality Protein for Muscle Health
Beef, ox heart, and organ meats provide essential amino acids that support muscle maintenance, energy, and overall vitality.
🫀 Organ Meats for Nutrient Density
Liver, kidney, and heart are among the most nutrient-rich foods you can include in your dog’s diet. They naturally contain vitamins A, B12, iron, and essential minerals.
🐟 Omega-3s for Skin & Coat
Sardines and fish oil help support healthy skin, reduce dryness, and promote a shiny coat. Omega-3 fatty acids may also support joint health.
🥕 Vegetables for Fibre & Antioxidants
Carrots, zucchini, spinach, and green beans provide fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants that support digestion and immune health.
🦴 Natural Calcium Balance
Eggshell powder helps provide a natural calcium source, helping balance the phosphorus-rich meat content in the recipe.
How To Make Beef Dog Food
This is an easy one pot dog recipe.
Cook the beef, hearts and organs.
Add the vegetables and cook.
Add an egg.
Stir in the sardines.
Add ground eggshells, kelp and ground flaxseed.
Cool and serve.
Recipe Tips
Finely chop or grate the vegetables for easier digestion.
If your dog is not used to homemade food, transition gradually over 5–7 days by mixing it with their current diet to avoid digestive upset.
Storage Instructions
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Freeze portions for up to 3 months
- Defrost in the fridge overnight before serving
How Many Servings Does This Make?
This recipe makes approximately 5 to 5 1/2 cups of food which makes about 4–5 medium dog meals, or up to 10 smaller servings for toy and small breeds. A serving guide is below.
| Dog Size | Dog Weight | Serving Size | Approximate Servings Per Batch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | Up to 5kg (11 lb) | 75g (⅓ cup) | 16 servings |
| Small | 5–10kg (11–22 lb) | 125g (½ cup) | 10 servings |
| Medium | 10–20kg (22–44 lb) | 225g (1 cup) | 5 servings |
| Large | 20–35kg (44–77 lb) | 350g (1½ cups) | 3–4 servings |
| Giant | 35kg+ (77 lb+) | 500g (2 cups) | 2 servings |
More Dog Food Recipes
Rotate your proteins with these other dog food recipes:
Beef Dog Food
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Ingredients
Protein Base
- 21.2 oz lean ground beef
- 5.3 oz beef heart chopped
- 1.8 oz beef liver chopped
- 2.1 oz beef kidney chopped
- 4.2 oz sardines in water
- 1 large egg
Vegetables
- 0.7 oz carrots grated
- 0.5 oz zucchini grated
- 0.35 oz spinach we use defrosted frozen
- 0.2 oz green beans chopped
Supplements
- 1 teaspoon eggshell powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kelp powder
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon fish oil
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a pan and cook over a medium heat.
- Add the chopped hearts, liver and kidney and cook through.
- Stir in the vegetables, cover and gently cook.
- Add the egg, stir through and cook.
- Remove from the heat and add the sardines. Stir through.
- Stir in eggshell powder, kelp powder, flaxseed, and fish oil once the mixture has cooled (if cooked).
- Serve to wagging tails.
Video
Notes
Volume: 5–5½ cups
Servings: 10 small-dog servings, 5 medium-dog servings, or 3–4 large-dog servings. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.