How to Make Homemade Dog Food (with Grain) Your Pup Will Gobble Up

Your dog deserves real food that smells amazing, costs less than boutique bags, and makes tails thump. These five grain-friendly recipes are balanced, cozy, and totally doable on a weeknight. Bonus: they freeze like a dream. Ready to cook like your pup’s personal chef?

1. Chicken & Brown Rice Bowl For Sensitive Tummies

Simple, soothing, and gentle on digestion—this one’s a staple. It’s packed with lean protein, whole grains, and a touch of pumpkin to keep things calm in the tummy department. Perfect for picky eaters or pups easing back into solid food.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast)
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice, rinsed
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
• 1 cup pumpkin purée (plain, not pie filling)
• 1 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1 large carrot, finely diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp turmeric (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice: In a pot, combine brown rice and broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 30-35 minutes until tender.
2. Sauté the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking up, 6-8 minutes until no longer pink.
3. Add veg: Stir in carrot and spinach. Cook 3-4 minutes until carrot softens and spinach wilts.
4. Combine: Fold in cooked rice, pumpkin, and turmeric. Stir until warm and well combined.
5. Cool: Let mixture cool to room temp before serving.

Serve slightly warm with a sprinkle of extra pumpkin if your pup loves it. Swap spinach for chopped green beans, and freeze portions flat in zip bags for quick meals. Trust me, this one’s a weekly keeper.

2. Beef, Barley & Sweet Potato “Sunday Supper”

Comfort food but for dogs. Barley brings hearty, chewy texture, while sweet potato adds natural sweetness and fiber. Great for active pups who need lasting energy without heavy fats.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean or better)
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 3 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced small
• 1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil (omega-6 for coat health)
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley

Instructions:

1. Cook barley: Combine barley and water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer 25-30 minutes until tender and slightly chewy.
2. Brown beef: In a deep skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add veg: Stir in sweet potato and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook 8-10 minutes until sweet potato is soft.
4. Combine: Add cooked barley, peas, sunflower oil, and parsley. Stir until warmed through.
5. Cool completely before serving.

Serve as-is or mix with a spoon of plain Greek yogurt for extra protein. You can switch barley for farro if your dog tolerates it well. Freeze in silicone muffin cups for easy pop-out portions—seriously convenient.

3. Turkey, Oats & Apple Harvest Hash

This one smells like a cozy fall kitchen. Oats are fantastic for gentle digestion, and a touch of apple makes noses twitch with excitement. It’s light, bright, and great for dogs who prefer lean meats.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey (93% lean)
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups water
• 1 small apple, peeled and finely diced (no seeds/core)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green beans
• 1 tbsp flaxseed oil (added after cooking)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, dog-safe in small amounts)

Instructions:

1. Cook oats: In a saucepan, combine oats and water. Simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring, until creamy but not mushy.
2. Cook turkey: In a skillet, crumble and cook turkey over medium heat 7-9 minutes until fully done.
3. Stir in veg and fruit: Add apple and green beans to the turkey. Cook 3-4 minutes to soften.
4. Combine: Fold the turkey mixture into the oats. Cool to lukewarm.
5. Finish: Stir in flaxseed oil and optional cinnamon just before serving.

Great for breakfast-style meals or training rewards. Swap apple for pear if your pup prefers. If your dog needs extra calories, stir in a spoon of cottage cheese right before serving.

4. Salmon, Quinoa & Veggie Shine-Up

Shiny coat, clear eyes, happy joints—this omega-rich bowl delivers. Quinoa is a complete protein grain that cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with flaky salmon. Ideal once or twice a week for variety.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb salmon fillet, skinless, pin bones removed
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed very well
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
• 1/2 cup finely chopped zucchini
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp finely chopped dill (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa: Combine quinoa and broth in a pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Rest 5 minutes, fluff.
2. Bake salmon: Place salmon on a lined sheet. Brush with olive oil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flaky.
3. Prepare veg: Steam zucchini and carrot 3-4 minutes until soft.
4. Combine: Flake salmon with a fork. Mix with quinoa and veggies. Add dill if using.
5. Cool to room temp before serving.

Perfect for dogs who benefit from extra omega-3s. If salmon is pricey, use canned salmon (boneless, skinless, in water) and rinse lightly. Store portions in glass containers to keep that fresh flavor.

5. Lamb, Millet & Blueberry Energy Mix

For the dog who runs circles at the park, this bowl brings quality carbs and rich flavor. Millet is a dog-friendly grain that’s easy to digest, and blueberries add antioxidants. It’s vibrant, hearty, and feels a little gourmet.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 lbs ground lamb (lean as available)
• 1 cup millet, rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup diced yellow squash
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• Pinch of dried rosemary, crushed (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook millet: Add millet and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer 18-20 minutes until tender. Rest 5 minutes.
2. Brown lamb: In a skillet over medium heat, cook lamb 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add squash: Stir squash into lamb and cook 3-4 minutes to soften.
4. Combine: Fold lamb mixture into millet. Gently stir in blueberries, canola oil, and rosemary.
5. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Great pre-hike fuel. Swap lamb for lean pork if your dog isn’t a lamb fan. If using frozen blueberries, thaw and pat dry to keep the mix from turning purple—unless your dog digs the look.

Feeding Tips, Storage, and Safety

– Portion guide (very general): 1/2 to 1 cup per 10 lbs of body weight per day, split into meals. Adjust for age, activity, and body condition.
– Always cool food before serving and introduce new recipes gradually over 3-5 days.
– Store in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Label with date—future you will be grateful.
– Important: Homemade diets should include balanced vitamins and minerals. Ask your vet about a canine multivitamin/mineral powder and fish oil dosing appropriate for your dog’s size. Avoid onions, garlic, excessive salt, and sweeteners like xylitol.

There you go—five wholesome, grain-friendly homemade dog food recipes that are simple, nourishing, and totally tail-approved. Pick one to start tonight, batch a few for the freezer, and watch your pup do the happy dinner dance. You’ve got this!

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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