Turkey Dog Food Recipe
This homemade turkey dog food recipe is a nourishing, feel-good meal made with lean ground turkey, chicken livers, and a colorful mix of fresh vegetables and fruits. With ingredients like pumpkin, spinach, cranberries, and carrots—plus an egg for calcium and healthy fats from olive oil and chia seeds—it’s a wholesome dish that supports your dog’s overall health and makes mealtime extra tail-wagging good.
Our dogs devoured this in record time and bowls were licked shiny clean!. It was a quick recipe to make and they were served it after the obligatory photos had been taken.
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Is Ground Turkey Good For Dogs?
Yes, ground turkey is good for dogs when it’s cooked plain and served in appropriate portions. It’s a lean, high-quality source of protein that helps support strong muscles and overall health, and it’s often easier for dogs to digest than fattier meats.
Ingredients
Grab your fresh ingredients and get ready to make this easy dog food recipe.
- Ground turkey: A lean, easily digestible protein that supports strong muscles and overall health.
- Chicken livers: Rich in vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin A, adding both nutrition and flavour dogs love.
- Cranberries: Provide antioxidants and support urinary tract and immune health when used in small amounts.
- Broccoli: A fibre-rich vegetable that offers vitamins C and K to support digestion and immunity.
- Carrots: Naturally sweet and full of beta-carotene to support eye health and a healthy immune system.
- Pumpkin purée: Great for digestion, helping to support healthy stools with gentle fibre. Do not use pumpkin pie filling as they may contain unsuitable ingredients for dogs.
- Shiitake mushrooms: Contain beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that support immune health.
- Spinach: Packed with vitamins and minerals, including iron and magnesium, to support overall wellness. We used defrosted spinach but you could use fresh spinach.
- Egg (including shell): Provides high-quality protein, with the shell offering a natural source of calcium for strong bones and teeth.
- Olive oil: A healthy fat that supports skin, coat, and overall nutrient absorption.
- Turmeric with a dash black pepper: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties; black pepper helps improve turmeric absorption.
- Chia seeds: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fibre to support heart health, digestion, and a shiny coat.
How To Make Grain-Free Turkey Dog Food
This is an easy one pan homemade dog food recipe.
Cook the turkey and chicken livers.
Add the vegetables and cook.
Stir in turmeric, pumpkin puree, chia seeds and cranberries.
Add egg, including the shell.
Recipe Tips
Always use lean ground turkey and cook it thoroughly to remove excess fat.
Use a food processor for a smoother texture, especially for senior dogs or small breeds.
Add water or chicken stock for a wetter food.
If using the eggshell, ensure that the pieces are crushed into small pieces. Alternatively, omit them and use ground eggshell powder.
Substitution Suggestions
Here are a few ingredient substitutions, if you don’t have everything to hand.
|
Original Ingredient |
Substitution Options |
|---|
| Ground turkey | Lean ground chicken or lean ground beef |
| Chicken livers | Beef liver or turkey liver |
| Cranberries | Blueberries |
| Broccoli | Cauliflower, green beans, or courgette (zucchini) |
| Carrots | Sweet potato or butternut squash |
| Pumpkin purée | Mashed sweet potato or squash |
| Shiitake mushrooms | White button or cremini mushrooms (cooked) |
| Spinach | Kale or Swiss chard (small amounts, cooked) |
| Egg | Omit and increase protein, or use a vet-approved calcium alternative |
| Olive oil | Coconut oil or salmon oil |
| Turmeric | Omit if needed (no replacement required) |
| Chia seeds | Ground flaxseed |
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store the cooked turkey dog food in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Portion into meal-sized servings and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Use freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags.
- Thawing: Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight or gently warm in a microwave or on the stove before serving.
- Serving tip: Always check the temperature before feeding to make sure it’s not too hot.
- Do not refreeze once thawed to maintain freshness and safety.
How Many Servings Does This Recipe Yield?
This recipe makes approximately 4–5 servings for a medium-sized dog (around 25–30 lbs).
Portion sizes can vary depending on your dog’s size, age, and activity level:
Small dogs (10–20 lbs): about ½–¾ cup per serving
Medium dogs (25–50 lbs): about 1 cup per serving
Large dogs (50+ lbs): 1½–2 cups per serving
More Homemade Dog Food Recipes
If you enjoy making food for your dogs, try these other recipes.
Turkey Dog Food Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2.5 oz chicken livers chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cranberries chopped
- 1/2 cup broccoli chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots grated
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup shiitake mushrooms chopped
- 1/2 cup defrosted spinach
- 1 large egg including shell
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric with a pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the ground turkey.
- Cook until fully browned, about 6–8 minutes, breaking up any large pieces.
- Add the chicken liver and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until cooked.
- Add broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and spinach to the pan. Stir well and cook for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Mix in cranberries, chia seeds, turmeric and a pinch of black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Push the mixture aside and crack the egg into the pan. Break up the egg shells with a spoon and crush. (This can be substituted with ground egg shells). Cook the egg in the pan then stir through the turkey mixture.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely before serving.
Video
Notes
- Small dogs (10–20 lbs): ½–¾ cup per meal
- Medium dogs (25–50 lbs): 1 cup per meal
- Large dogs (50+ lbs): 1½–2 cups per meal
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.