11 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Large Dogs

Large dog breeds have special dietary requirements, and if their food doesn’t provide everything they need, they can end up with health issues.

These issues may include weakened immune systems, becoming overweight, or experiencing stunted growth.

You don’t have to solely depend on store-bought kibble to give your large dog breed a healthy, balanced diet.

Cooking for them at home lets you control the quality of ingredients that get into your furry friend’s bowl and make sure their meals are just right for their nutritional needs.

These 11 homemade dog food recipes for large dogs are designed to suit most grown-up big dogs. Still, it’s always a good idea to run them by your vet.

Your trusty vet might suggest adding some dietary supplements to make sure your canine friend gets precisely what they need.

---

Making Dog Food for Large Dogs

Cooking for large dog breeds should always involve getting the right mix of nutrients to suit their size, weight, and activity levels.

Big dogs need a good amount of protein to keep their muscles strong and bodies healthy, plus a reasonable amount of fat to keep them energized throughout the day.

It’s also helpful to include ingredients that support their joints, like glucosamine and chondroitin, which you can find in shellfish or as dietary supplements.

Quality carbs, like oats or brown rice, give them a steady source of energy. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Make sure to practice portion control, because too much food can lead to weight gain, while underfeeding can cause malnourishment.

Before you start preparing homemade meals for your large dog, it’s important to do your homework on things that dogs can and cannot eat.

A lot of homemade dog food recipes you find online or in books might not have everything your furry friend truly needs.

Even ones that say they’re ‘recommended by’ or ‘formulated by’ vets can sometimes be missing important things that large dogs need to be healthy.

The truth is that a well-balanced homemade diet for your dog should include a variety of ingredients. Some of these ingredients include:

• High-quality protein
• A reliable source of calcium (dairy works well)
• Healthy fats (found in oils or meat)
• Carbs (from veggies or grains)
• Essential fatty acids (oatmeal or egg yolks are great for this)
• Vitamins (like K, A, B, C, D, and E)
• Minerals (such as sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium)

---

Making Fresh Dog Meals Just Got Way Easier With ChefPaw

If you’re looking for an easier way to make fresh, healthy meals for your dog, we highly recommend the ChefPaw Dog Food Maker.

This all-in-one machine acts as a blender, mixer, scale, and cooker, letting you prepare up to 6.4 pounds of homemade dog food in about 40 minutes.

It’s super easy to use, takes up very little counter space, and even cleans itself.

Plus, it connects with a handy app that gives you access to over 35 vet-approved recipes and detailed nutrition info for over 1,000 ingredients.

Many pet parents rave about how much better their dogs feel after switching to homemade food using ChefPaw, with some noticing fewer skin issues and better digestion.

One happy user even said their dogs are “over the moon” about mealtime now. If you want to save money and make sure your pup is eating the best, ChefPaw makes it simple and stress-free.

We’ve secured an exclusive $50 discount just for our readers. Enter code FURSNPAWS at checkout to enjoy this exclusive deal!

---

11 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Large Dogs

1. Chicken & Veggie for Large Dogs

Ingredients:

• ½ cup green beans
• ½ cup peas
• ½ cup carrots
• 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
• 1 apple, peeled and cored
• 1 egg (shell optional)
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken (cubed)

Procedure:

1. Preheat your oven to 340°F. Meanwhile, cook brown rice according to package directions.
2. Boil or steam the green beans, peas, and carrots until soft, then mash them with a potato masher.
3. Crack the egg (including the shell, if preferred) into the mashed vegetables, mixing well.
4. Stir cooked rice into a veggie-egg mixture.
5. In another bowl, combine cubed chicken and apple chunks.
6. Grease a casserole dish. Layer half of the chicken-apple mixture on the bottom, top it with half of the veggie mixture, add the remaining chicken-apple mixture, and finish with the rest of the veggies.
7. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until fully cooked. Let cool before storing leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.

---

2. Turkey & Sweet Potato Mix

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 2 pounds of ground turkey
• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Procedure

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook thoroughly until browned.
2. Sprinkle with dried parsley, then stir in the mixed vegetables.
3. Transfer the turkey mixture to a pot and add the cooked brown rice, mashed sweet potatoes, and fish oil.
4. Simmer on low heat for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are well combined.
5. Let the mixture cool completely before serving.
6. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze for longer storage.

---

Fresh Dog Food Recipes for Large Dogs

3. Beef & Pumpkin for Dogs

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of ground beef
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup mashed pumpkin
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil
• 1 teaspoon turmeric

Procedure

1. Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef, cooking until browned.
2. Stir in the turmeric, transfer the beef to a pot, and combine with the quinoa, pumpkin, green beans, and flaxseed oil.
3. Simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally then cool thoroughly before serving. Store leftovers in a sealed container

---

4. Chicken & Duck Bites

Ingredients

• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 small apple, chopped
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups Petail’s freeze-dried chicken breast
• 1 cup Petail’s freeze-dried duck breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Procedure

1. In a large bowl, combine the diced carrot, chopped apple, rice, freeze-dried chicken, freeze-dried duck, olive oil, and dried parsley.
2. Gradually add water while kneading the mixture to form a workable dough.
3. Rest the dough for 30 minutes.
4. Shape the dough into small, bite-sized pieces. Steam the pieces for about 20 minutes, or until cooked.
5. Let them cool slightly to warm before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

---

5. Aromatic Chicken & Duck Stew

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup diced vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans)
• 2 cups Petail’s freeze-dried chicken breast
• 1 cup Petail’s freeze-dried duck breast
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt

Procedure

1. Warm the olive oil in a pot over medium heat then add the diced vegetables, cooking them until they begin to soften.
2. Add freeze-dried chicken and duck breast.
3. Season with thyme, rosemary, parsley, plus a pinch of salt.
4. Pour in enough water (or a low-sodium broth, if preferred) to just cover the ingredients.
5. Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes.
6. Cool slightly before serving it warm to your dog. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

---

6. Chicken & Duck Oat Bites

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped apples
• 2 cups Petail’s freeze-dried chicken breast
• 1 cup Petail’s freeze-dried duck breast
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Procedure

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the oats, carrots, apples, freeze-dried chicken, freeze-dried duck, honey, and dried parsley.
2. Form the mixture into small, bite-sized balls and chill them in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up. Lightly oil a pan and place it over medium heat.
3. Add the chilled balls and cook until they turn golden brown on all sides.
4. Serve it warm.

---

7. Instant Pot Turkey & Vegetable Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or olive oil)
• 3 pounds of ground turkey
• 1½ cups white rice
• 1½ cups water
• 2 cups frozen carrots
• 2 cups frozen green beans
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (optional)

Procedure:

1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add coconut oil. Once heated, add the ground turkey and break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté until the turkey is fully browned and no pink remains.
2. Turn off the sauté mode. If browned bits are stuck to the bottom, deglaze the pot by adding a little water and scraping them up.
3. Add the rinsed rice to the cooked turkey, followed by the water. Use a spatula to gently press the rice down so it’s submerged, but avoid stirring.
4. Place the frozen carrots and green beans on the rice. Do not mix.
5. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position (if applicable). Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
6. Once the timer ends, let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to remove any remaining pressure.
7. Open the lid and stir everything together. If desired, mix in the canned pumpkin puree for added nutrients and flavor.
8. Let the food cool completely before serving.

RELATED: 15 Nutritious Crockpot Dog Food Recipes

---

8. DIY Dog Food Recipe for Large Dogs

Ingredients

• 25 lbs. lean beef (e.g., brisket or chuck), trimmed of visible fat
• 8 cups brown rice
• 5 lbs. sweet potatoes
• 5 lbs. carrots
• 3 bunches of celery
• 6 lbs. green beans (fresh or canned)

Procedure:

1. Cook the beef for about six hours in a large pot, trimming any visible fat, until it is tender enough to shred.
2. While the beef cooks, chop the celery, shred the carrots and sweet potatoes, and cook the brown rice using roughly 25% less water than usual, so it remains firm.
3. Shred the cooked beef and mix it with the prepared vegetables and rice in a 5:5:1 ratio (meat: vegetables: rice).
4. Thoroughly clean and heat the jars. Keep lids and strips warm in hot (not boiling) water until ready for use.
5. Pack the mixture into jars, leaving about an inch of space on top. If desired, add a small amount of broth to enhance moisture and flavor.
6. Wipe the rims, place the lids, and tighten the bands. Process the jars in a pressure canner for 90 minutes at 10 PSI.
7. Once the jars are removed, let them rest undisturbed for 24 hours. Check the seals, then store them in a cool, dry location for up to one year.

---

9. Anti-Inflammatory Homemade Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds ground sirloin, browned and drained
• 4 cups uncooked quinoa, rinsed and cooked
• 1 dozen hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 2 pounds (32 oz) frozen green beans
• 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 (15 oz) packages of frozen turnip greens
• 2 (10 oz) packages of shredded carrots
• ½ cup chia seeds
• ½ cup hemp hearts
• 6 tablespoons olive oil or other Omega-3-rich oil

Procedure:

1. Place the chia seeds and hemp hearts in a blender or food processor, and pulse briefly to break them down. Set this mixture aside.
2. Hard-boil your eggs, let them cool, then peel and chop. Prepare the quinoa according to your preferred method (Instant Pot or stovetop).
3. Brown and drain the ground sirloin. Gather the frozen vegetables (green beans, turnip greens, and carrots).
4. Use a large container or pot to combine the sirloin, vegetables, blueberries, chia-hemp mixture, chopped eggs, and cooked quinoa.
5. As you add each ingredient, pour in a bit of olive oil to evenly distribute flavor and moisture.
6. Cover the container with a lid and give it a vigorous shake, or use a sturdy spoon to mix everything thoroughly.
7. Divide the finished dog food into single-meal servings. If desired, keep a few servings in the fridge and freeze the rest for longer storage.

---

Raw Dog Food Recipes for Large Dogs

10. Poultry & Berry for Dogs

Ingredients

• 1 lb turkey hearts
• ¼ lb chicken liver
• 2½ lbs lean chicken
• 8 oz green beans
• ½ oz finely chopped kale
• 6 oz mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
• 4 pasture-raised eggs (no shells)
• 2 g krill oil powder

Procedure:

1. Cut or grind the chicken into pieces suitable for your dog’s size.
2. Finely chop or shred turkey hearts and chicken liver.
3. Puree the green beans, kale, and mixed berries in a food processor until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, combine the chopped or ground meats with the eggs. Stir in the puree and krill oil powder until evenly mixed.
5. Divide the mixture into portions based on your dog’s typical meal size, then freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before serving.

---

11. Raw Chicken & Veggies for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 2½ pounds chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 pound chicken hearts and liver
• ½ pound ground chicken bone
• 7 lightly boiled eggs (using only 3 yolks)
• 8 ounces of organic broccoli
• 8 ounces of organic celery
• 8 ounces of organic spinach
• 8 ounces organic carrots
• 2 tablespoons alfalfa meal

Procedure:

1. Chop the chicken thighs or breasts into pieces your dog can manage. Clean the chicken hearts and liver, remove any extra fat, and chop them into small chunks.
2. Lightly boil the seven eggs to reduce bacterial risk, but keep only three yolks and discard the remaining four.
3. Finely chop or puree the broccoli, celery, spinach, and carrots to make them easier for your dog to digest.
4. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces, organ meats, ground bone, chopped vegetables, and alfalfa meal.
5. Serve one portion right away, then divide and store the rest in airtight containers or freezer bags for future meals.

---

Conclusion

So, there you have it – 11 homemade dog food recipes for large dogs designed to meet the unique needs of your big canine companion.

As we’ve seen, providing a balanced and nutritious diet for your gentle giant doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

When you take full control of the ingredients and tailor meals to your dog’s specific requirements, you can help them avoid potential health issues that can arise from inadequate nutrition.

While these recipes are a great starting point, remember that your veterinarian should have the final say especially when it comes to new foods.

Don’t hesitate to discuss these recipes with them and explore the possibility of adding joint supplements to support the joint health of your big pup.

Other Recipe:

11 Healthy Puppy Food Recipes

15 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Small Breeds