Salmon, Pumpkin & Quinoa Dog Food
This Salmon Pumpkin Quinoa Dog Dinner is a gluten-free, low-carb recipe that’s packed with flavor and dog-friendly ingredients. With flaky salmon, smooth pumpkin purée, hearty quinoa, and crisp green beans, it’s a balanced meal that’s gentle on the stomach and full of benefits for your pup.
My dogs went crazy for this and it was difficult to get photos of them eating it as they were trying to devour it in record time. I think that salmon might be one of their favorite proteins. I do love it when you can see how happy your dogs are eating food you have made for them!
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Why Your Dog Will Love This Dish!
Dogs love the rich, savory taste of salmon, and you’ll love knowing it supports their skin, coat, and joints thanks to omega-3 fatty acids. Pumpkin is soothing for the digestive system, quinoa is a great grain-free energy source, and green beans add a satisfying crunch and fiber. Whether you’re cooking for a picky eater or just want to avoid processed kibble, this homemade dinner is a delicious change.
Ingredients
Just 4 ingredients make this easy dog dinner. Feel free to add other ingredients for a complete nutritional balanced meal. This meal is great as an occasional dinner or topper as-is.
Salmon – Lean protein rich in omega-3s for skin, coat, and joint health. Use cooked, boneless, unseasoned salmon.
Pumpkin Purée – Aids digestion and adds fiber. Use plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree from a can or make your own.
Quinoa – A grain-free energy source with protein and fiber. Quinoa contains fiber, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins. Rinse before cooking to remove bitterness.
Green Beans – Low-calorie veggie with fiber and vitamins. Provides vitamins A, C, and K, plus manganese and antioxidants. Lightly steam for easier digestion.
How to Make Salmon, Pumpkin & Quinoa Dog Dinner
An easy recipe to make. The salmon, quinoa and green beans are cooked separately and then combined with the pumpkin puree.
Bake or poach a salmon fillet.
Place the quinoa in a pan and cook.
Flake the cooked salmon.
Add all the ingredients and mix before serving.
Watch the Video
Recipe Tips
- Use boneless salmon – Always check for and remove any bones before serving to avoid choking hazards. Whether you use the salmon skin is up for you. It can be removed and cooked for a treat.
- Cook all ingredients thoroughly – Cook the salmon, quinoa and green beans before mixing. Raw ingredients may be hard to digest or unsafe.
- Cool before serving – Let the meal cool to room temperature to prevent burning your dog’s mouth.
- Rinse quinoa well – Rinsing removes saponins, which can cause stomach upset in some dogs.
- Portion properly – Adjust serving size based on your dog’s size, activity level and dietary needs.
- Swap quinoa – If your pup doesn’t tolerate quinoa, try cauliflower rice or even plain oats.
- Change up the veggies – Carrots, spinach or zucchini are great add-ins.
Recipe Variations
- Swap quinoa – Use cauliflower rice or cooked brown rice if your dog doesn’t tolerate quinoa.
- Change the protein – Try cooked chicken, turkey or lean beef as an alternative to salmon.
- Add more veggies – Mix in dog-safe veggies like carrots, zucchini or spinach for extra variety.
- Add a healthy fat – Drizzle with a bit of fish oil or flaxseed oil to boost omega-3s.
- Mix in organ meat – A small amount of cooked liver can add extra vitamins and appeal.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freeze in meal-size portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Additions to Make the Meal Balanced
To make this Salmon Pumpkin Quinoa Dog Dinner nutritionally balanced for long-term feeding, you’ll need to address the core nutritional requirements that a dog needs daily: protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals-especially calcium, phosphorus, and essential fatty acids. While this recipe includes many healthy whole foods, it’s missing a few key nutrients to be fully balanced for regular feeding.
Calcium Source – Required
Dogs need a proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (ideally 1.2:1). Salmon is high in phosphorus, but this recipe lacks calcium.
Options to add calcium:
- Eggshell powder (1 teaspoon per pound of food)
- Ground bone meal (follow dosing instructions)
- Dog-safe calcium supplement (formulated for homemade diets)
Essential Fatty Acids – Optional but recommended
While salmon provides some omega-3s, you can boost with:
- Fish oil (salmon oil or anchovy oil – follow pet-specific dosage)
- Flaxseed oil or chia seeds (ground – ½ tsp per serving)
Vitamin & Mineral Mix – Recommended for balance
Even with healthy whole foods, some micronutrients may be low (like zinc, copper, iodine, manganese, and vitamins D and E). To ensure balance, add:
Dog-specific multivitamin formulated for homemade meals.
Organ Meat – Highly beneficial
Dogs thrive on small amounts of liver or kidney, which are rich in fat-soluble vitamins.
Add beef or chicken liver (1 oz per pound of food, cooked and finely chopped)
Additional Fiber or Veggies – Optional for variety and fiber
Pumpkin and green beans offer some fiber, but rotating in other veggies adds diversity.
Try: carrots, spinach, zucchini, or broccoli (chopped and lightly steamed)
More Quinoa Dog Food Recipes
Our dogs enjoy meals with quinoa and here are a few recipes they approve!
Salmon Pumpkin Quinoa Dog Dinner
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Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh salmon fillet boneless
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup chopped green beans
Instructions
- Cook the salmon – Bake, steam, or grill the salmon until fully cooked. Let it cool, then flake into small pieces and remove any bones.
- Cook the quinoa: Rinse well, then simmer with 1 cup of water until fluffy (about 15 minutes).
- Steam the green beans: Lightly steam until tender, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine everything: In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, salmon, pumpkin purée, and green beans until well combined.
- Cool before serving: Let the meal cool to room temperature before feeding it to your dog.
Video
Notes
- Small dog (under 20 lbs): ½ to ¾ cup per meal
- Medium dog (20–50 lbs): ¾ to 1¼ cups per meal
- Large dog (50+ lbs): 1½ to 2 cups per meal
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.