Looking for a healthy homemade dog food recipe with ground beef? This vet-approved recipe uses lean ground beef, vegetables, potatoes, and essential nutrients to create a balanced meal for dogs.
Homemade dog food can be a nutritious alternative to commercial kibble when properly balanced with protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals dogs need for long-term health.
Rule #1: A Dog Food Recipe Must Meet Essential Nutritional Requirements
Did you know that 94% of homemade dog food recipes aren’t complete or balanced? Our DIY Nutrient Blends close the gap — formulated by veterinary nutritionists to ensure your dog gets every essential nutrient, every meal. This recipe includes all of the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs, including niacin, calcium, carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin a, vitamin c, and antioxidants.
We openly share all of our recipes so dog owners can upgrade their dog’s diet in the comfort of their own homes. It’s a lot easier to make homemade dog food than you’d think. Try our ground turkey, lamb with brown rice, and ground chicken recipes, all developed by dog nutrition experts.
Homemade Dog Food with Beef and Vegetables Ingredients List
Makes approximately 11.5 lbs*
- 5 lbs Lean Ground Beef (85% lean/15% fat)
- 2.5 oz Beef Liver
- Diced or ground
- 3 lbs 9 oz Russet Potatoes
- With skin
- 1 lb 14 oz Sweet Potatoes
- With skin
- 5 oz Carrots
- Finely chopped
- 5 oz Green Beans
- Finely chopped
- 2.5 oz Green Peas
- Finely chopped
- 2.5 oz Green or Red Apples
- Cored, seeded, finely chopped
- 3.75 oz Sunflower Oil
- 1 tbsp JustFoodForDogs Omega Oil
- 3 tbsp JustFoodForDogs Beef & Russet Potato DIY Nutrient Blend
Note: As with any dog food recipe, it is essential that it is complete and balanced. This recipe will not meet essential nutritional needs without the DIY Nutrient Blend, which is formulated specifically for each recipe to meet AAFCO recommendations. The blend is compounded from 100% human-grade nutraceuticals regulated by the FDA. As such, pet parents must follow this recipe exactly as written.
Serving Size For Beef & Potato Dog Food
Choose a serving size based on your dog’s weight.
| Dog weight | Daily amount | Days of supply |
| Extra small (5-10 lbs) | 1/2-1 cup (3.5-5.5 oz) | 33-52 |
| Small (11-20 lbs) | 1-1.5 cups (5.5-9.5 oz) | 19-33 |
| Medium (21-40 lbs) | 1.5-2.5 cups (9.5-15.5 oz) | 11-33 |
| Large (41-60 lbs) | 2.5-3.25 cups (15.5-21 oz) | 8-11 |
| Extra large (61-80 lbs) | 3.25-4 cups (21-26 oz) | 7-8 |
Ground Beef & Russet Potato Recipe: Home Cooking Instructions
PREPARATION
1. Wash all fruits and veggies thoroughly. Chop. Use fresh vegetables whenever possible, but if one or two items are purchased frozen (may add as is), make sure there are no added ingredients such as salt or sugar.
2. Be sure to use edible potatoes, without any signs of aging or shades of green.
3. Prepare a one-quart ice bath. Once the potatoes are cooked, the ice will be used to cool them and to stop the cooking process so they retain their texture.
4. Make absolutely certain that all apples have been cored and all seeds removed — apple core/seeds can be toxic to dogs.
Approximate prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking Instructions
1. In a large skillet, brown beef and beef liver over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add carrots, green beans, peas, and apples while beef is slightly pink. Continue to cook until beef is fully cooked and vegetables are soft. Do not drain. Let the mixture cool until it is warm to the touch.
2. Choose a pot that will hold all the potatoes, add water and bring to a rapid boil. In the meantime, dice the white and sweet potatoes (do not peel) to an appropriate bite size for your dog. Add potatoes to the water and lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked (soft to the touch). Add ice to stop the cooking process. Drain. Let the potatoes cool to the touch.
3. In a large mixing bowl, after the food has cooled completely, combine all ingredients, including the safflower and omega-3 oil. Slowly sprinkle in DIY Nutrient Blend until fully incorporated.
4. Portion into individual serving sizes and store in the freezer or refrigerator. Stored in the refrigerator, this recipe will stay fresh for up to 4 days. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 3 months.
Approximate cook time: 40 mins
Calorie Content Per KG
Calorie Content (Calculated):
1559 kcal ME/kg; 44 kcal ME/oz
792 kcal ME/18 oz; 3168 kcal ME/72 oz
The Best Vet-Approved Food Diet
All of our pet food and healthy dog treat recipes are developed by veterinarians and nutritionists to ensure every meal is complete and balanced for your pup.
Now that you have discovered this quick and easy homemade beef dog food recipe, you can ditch the kibble and treat your dog to a healthy and delicious grain-free meal cooked on the stove. By following the instructions and using fresh ingredients, you can provide your own dog with a well-balanced and nutritious dish.
Remember to portion and store the food properly to ensure its freshness.
This printable PDF includes recipes for large and small batches of food.
FAQ
Can I make ingredient substitutions?
No. As with any dog food recipe, it is essential that it is complete and balanced. This recipe will not meet essential nutritional needs with any diversions. The DIY Nutrient Blend is formulated specifically for each recipe to meet AAFCO recommendations. The blend is compounded from 100% human-grade nutraceuticals regulated by the FDA. As such, pet parents must follow this recipe exactly as written.
How do I store homemade dog food?
Stored in the refrigerator, this recipe will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Store in freezer for up to 3 months.
Where can I source beef liver?
You can look for beef liver at major grocery stores or their deli counters, specialty butchers, farmers’ markets, or directly from local farms.
Is ground beef healthy for dogs?
Lean ground beef provides protein, iron, and B vitamins that support muscle development and energy levels in dogs.
Can dogs eat ground beef every day?
Dogs can eat ground beef regularly if the diet is nutritionally balanced with vegetables, carbohydrates, and supplements.
Homemade Dog Food With Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 5 lbs lean ground beef 85% lean/15% fat
- 2.5 oz beef liver Diced or ground
- 3 lbs 9 oz russet potatoes With skin
- 1 lb 14 oz sweet potatoes With skin
- 5 oz carrots Finely chopped
- 5 oz green beans Finely chopped
- 2½ oz green or red apples Cored, seeded, finely chopped
- 3¾ oz sunflower oil
- 1 tbsp JustFoodForDogs Omega Oil
- 3 tbsp JustFoodForDogs Beef & Russet Potato DIY Nutrient Blend
Instructions
Prep
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Use fresh vegetables whenever possible, but if one or two items are purchased frozen, make sure there are no added ingredients such as salt or sugar.
- Be sure to use potatoes without any signs of aging or shades of green.
- Prepare a one-quart ice bath. Once the potatoes are cooked, the ice will be used to cool them and to stop the cooking process so they retain their texture.
- Make absolutely certain that all apples have been cored and all seeds removed — apple core/seeds can be toxic to dogs.
Cooking
- In a nonstick skillet, brown beef and beef liver over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Add carrots, green beans, peas and apples while beef is slightly pink. Continue until beef is fully cooked and vegetables are soft. Do not drain. Let the mixture cool until it is warm to the touch.
- Choose a pot that will hold all the potatoes, add water and bring to a rapid boil. In the meantime, dice the russet and sweet potatoes (do not peel) to an appropriate bite size for your dog. Add potatoes to the water and lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked (soft to the touch). Add ice to stop the cooking process. Drain. Let the potatoes cool to the touch.
Combine
- In a large mixing bowl, after the food has cooled completely, combine all ingredients, including the sunflower and Omega oils. Slowly sprinkle in DIY Nutrient Blend until fully incorporated.
- Portion into individual serving sizes and store in freezer or refrigerator. Stored in the refrigerator, this recipe will stay fresh for up to 4 days. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 3 months.
