Ground Beef and Green Bean Homemade Dog Food – Simple, Nourishing, and Budget-Friendly

If your dog lights up at the smell of beef cooking, this recipe will instantly become a favorite. It’s straightforward, affordable, and made with everyday ingredients you can feel good about. You’ll get a balanced base that’s easy to customize for different sizes and activity levels.

Best of all, it’s gentle on sensitive stomachs and quick to make on a busy weeknight. Keep reading for clear steps, helpful tips, and safe ways to switch your dog to homemade meals.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe pairs lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and slow-burning carbs in a way that’s easy to digest. Ground beef provides complete protein and essential amino acids that support muscle maintenance and healthy skin.

Green beans add crunch, vitamins, and fiber without many calories, making them great for dogs who need to watch their weight. Oats and rice give steady energy and help firm up stools, which is helpful for dogs with sensitive tummies.

Everything cooks in one pan, which keeps cleanup simple and flavors mild. You can also easily adjust the texture—leave it chunkier for larger dogs or mash it more for small breeds and seniors.

With a calcium source and an optional canine multivitamin, you can make this recipe nutritionally complete for long-term feeding.

What You’ll Need

• Lean ground beef: 90–93% lean is ideal to limit excess fat.
• Green beans: Fresh or frozen, chopped into small pieces.
• Carrots: Diced or shredded for easier digestion.
• Brown rice: Cooked; white rice works if your dog needs something gentler.
• Old-fashioned oats: Cooked until soft to support digestion.
• Pumpkin puree (plain, unsweetened): Optional, for fiber and stool support.
• Olive oil or salmon oil: For healthy fats and skin support.
• Eggs: Lightly cooked for extra protein and nutrients (optional).
• Calcium source: Finely ground eggshell powder or a vet-recommended calcium supplement. Dogs need calcium to balance phosphorus in meat.
• Water or low-sodium broth: To cook and adjust moisture.
• Optional canine multivitamin: To help round out micronutrients if feeding long term.

Instructions

1. Cook the grains. Rinse 1 cup of brown rice and cook according to package directions with extra water for a softer texture. In a separate pot, simmer 1/2 cup oats in water until very soft.

   Set both aside to cool.

2. Brown the beef. In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook 2 pounds of lean ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat to prevent tummy upset, leaving just a light coating for flavor.
3. Add the veggies. Stir in 2 cups chopped green beans and 1 cup diced carrots. Add 1/2–1 cup water or low-sodium broth.

   Cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes until vegetables are tender.

4. Combine with grains. Fold in the cooked rice and oats. Add 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree if using. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
5. Cook the eggs (optional). Scramble 2 eggs in a small pan until just set.

   Stir into the mixture for extra protein and nutrients.

6. Add healthy fats and calcium. Off the heat, stir in 1–2 tablespoons salmon oil or olive oil. Add calcium according to your product’s guidance (see FAQ for details). Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
7. Portion and serve. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

   Store the rest safely using the steps below.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Up to 4 days in airtight containers. Portion into daily servings to avoid repeated reheating.
• Freeze: Up to 2–3 months. Use freezer-safe containers or silicone trays for single-serve portions.
• Thawing: Thaw overnight in the fridge.

  Warm gently with a splash of water; never microwave until steaming hot. Stir well to avoid hot spots.

• Smell check: If it smells sour or looks slimy, discard it.

Health Benefits

• High-quality protein: Ground beef supports muscles, immune function, and healthy skin and coat.
• Fiber and micronutrients: Green beans and carrots add vitamins A, C, and K, along with fiber for digestion and weight control.
• Gut-friendly carbs: Rice and oats are soothing and can help firm stools.
• Healthy fats: Salmon oil provides omega-3s that support joints, skin, and brain health.
• Custom control: You can adjust fat, texture, and additions based on your dog’s needs or your vet’s advice.

What Not to Do

• Don’t skip calcium. Meat is high in phosphorus; dogs need added calcium for bone and metabolic health.
• Don’t add onions, garlic, chives, or leeks. All are unsafe for dogs.
• Don’t overuse salt, seasoning, or sauces. Keep it plain; dogs don’t need extras and many seasonings can irritate the gut.
• Don’t feed raw or undercooked beef or eggs in this recipe; gentle cooking reduces pathogen risk and improves digestibility.
• Don’t switch diets abruptly. Transition gradually to avoid digestive upset.
• Don’t rely on guesswork for long-term feeding. If this will be your dog’s main diet, consult your vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Variations You Can Try

• Low-fat version: Use 96% lean beef or substitute part of the beef with turkey. Add more green beans for volume without many calories.
• Grain-free version: Replace rice and oats with extra green beans, cauliflower rice, or diced zucchini.

  Add a bit more oil to maintain calories.

• Sensitive stomach version: Use white rice instead of brown, skip oats, and keep the ingredient list simple: beef, green beans, rice, oil, and calcium.
• Joint support: Add a vet-approved fish oil and consider glucosamine/chondroitin as recommended by your vet.
• Picky eater boost: Stir in a spoonful of plain kefir or low-sodium bone broth after cooling.

FAQ

How much should I feed my dog?

A common starting point for homemade cooked food is about 2–3% of your dog’s body weight per day, split into two meals. For example, a 25-pound dog may eat around 8–12 ounces daily. Adjust based on activity, age, and body condition.

When in doubt, ask your vet and monitor your dog’s weight over a few weeks.

Do I really need to add calcium?

Yes. Meat is high in phosphorus, and dogs need calcium to keep the mineral balance right. If using ground eggshell, a typical guideline is about 1 teaspoon of finely ground powder per pound of cooked food.

Alternatively, use a vet-recommended calcium supplement and follow the label.

Can I use canned green beans?

Yes, as long as they are low-sodium and thoroughly rinsed. Fresh or frozen is better for texture and nutrients, but canned works in a pinch.

Is this safe for puppies?

Puppies have higher nutrient needs and different calcium-to-phosphorus requirements. You can use this recipe as a topper for a complete puppy food, but for exclusive feeding, work with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure it meets growth standards.

Can I batch cook and freeze?

Absolutely.

This recipe freezes well. Portion into meal-sized containers, label with the date, and use within 2–3 months for best quality.

What if my dog has allergies?

Beef is a common allergen for some dogs. If you suspect a sensitivity, try ground turkey, pork, or lamb instead and keep the rest of the ingredients simple.

Always introduce changes slowly and watch for itching, ear issues, or digestive upset.

How do I transition from kibble?

Over 5–7 days, mix this recipe with your dog’s current food. Start with 25% homemade and 75% current food, then move to 50/50, then 75/25, and finally 100% homemade. Slow transitions reduce the chance of loose stools.

Can I add supplements?

Yes, but keep it targeted.

A canine multivitamin and fish oil are common additions. Always follow dosing instructions and check with your vet, especially if your dog takes medications.

Will my dog get enough nutrients from this?

With added calcium and a thoughtfully chosen multivitamin, this can be a solid base for many dogs. Still, every dog is different.

For long-term exclusive feeding, a nutrition consult is the safest route to ensure full balance for your dog’s size, age, and health conditions.

In Conclusion

Ground Beef and Green Bean Homemade Dog Food is simple, budget-friendly, and dog-approved. With quality protein, fiber-rich veggies, and gentle carbs, it’s a reliable meal you can prep in under an hour. Add calcium, store it safely, and adjust portions to fit your dog’s needs.

If you plan to feed it exclusively, loop in your vet to make sure it’s fully balanced. Your dog gets wholesome, tasty food—and you get the peace of mind that comes with cooking it yourself.

David

I’ve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pup—no boring lectures, just practical results 😉

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