5 Easy, Wallet-Saving Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Cheap homemade dog food recipes are the secret to saving money while keeping your pup happy, healthy, and full. Your dog deserves the best, but your wallet? It deserves a break. Commercial dog food prices are creeping up like sneaky ninjas, and let’s be honest—sometimes you look at those bags of kibble and think: This cost HOW much for a bag of crunchy mystery bits?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to sell a kidney to keep your dog well-fed. With some cheap, everyday ingredients, you can whip up meals that are nutritious, tail-wag approved, and easy on your bank account. Bonus? Cooking for your pup makes you feel like a five-star chef (even if all you did was toss rice in a pot).
Ready to level up mealtime? Let’s dive into five budget-friendly, cheap homemade dog food recipes that are simple, tasty, and will have your dog looking at you like you invented food.
cheap homemade dog food recipes: Turkey & Rice Delight
This one’s a crowd-pleaser. Simple, affordable, and makes a big batch you can store for days. Think of it as the “chicken and rice” for dogs—classic, filling, and guaranteed to score you extra licks.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cups brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies (peas, carrots, green beans)
- 4 cups water or low-sodium broth
- Optional: ½ tsp dried rosemary, 1 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the rice with water or broth. Simmer until fluffy (about 35–40 minutes).
- Brown the turkey in a pan with olive oil, drain any extra grease.
- Add the frozen veggies and rosemary, sauté until tender.
- Mix turkey-veggie combo with the rice. Cool before serving.
Why It Rocks
- Makes about 8 cups of food—hello, meal prep!
- Freezes like a champ.
- Simple, cheap, and way healthier than “mystery kibble.”
cheap homemade dog food recipes: Chicken & Veggie Mix
If your dog could write Yelp reviews, this one would get 5 stars. Chicken and rice is the peanut butter & jelly of the dog world—always a safe bet.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1½ cups brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 3½ cups water
- Optional: 1 Tbsp flaxseed oil
Instructions
- Boil chicken until cooked, then shred or chop into small pieces.
- Cook the rice in the leftover chicken broth for extra flavor.
- Steam or boil peas and carrots until tender.
- Mix chicken, rice, and veggies. Add flaxseed oil if you’re feeling fancy.
Why It Works
- Uses cheap, everyday ingredients.
- Flaxseed oil adds omega-3s for a shiny coat.
- Gentle on sensitive stomachs—perfect for dogs with tummy drama.
Hearty Beef & Sweet Potato Mash
This one’s like comfort food for your dog. Imagine shepherd’s pie without the crust—warm, filling, and guaranteed to knock your dog into a food coma nap.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled & diced)
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- ½ cup peas
- Optional: 1 Tbsp fish oil
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a pan, drain excess fat.
- Boil or steam sweet potatoes and carrots until soft. Mash lightly.
- Mix beef, potatoes, carrots, peas, and fish oil (if using). Cool before serving.
Why It’s Great
- Sweet potatoes = fiber and vitamins galore.
- Fish oil = shiny coats and smart brains.
- Dogs love the mashy texture—it’s basically doggy comfort food.
Lazy-But-Legit Crockpot Meal
Got a slow cooker? Perfect. This is the “set it and forget it” recipe. Throw everything in, walk away, and come back to doggy dinner magic.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
- 3 cups water or low-sodium broth
- Optional: ½ tsp turmeric (anti-inflammatory bonus!)
Instructions
- Dump everything into the crockpot. Give it a quick stir.
- Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Let cool, portion, and serve.
Why It’s Awesome
- Total time saver.
- Perfect for busy weeks.
- Makes enough to store and freeze for multiple meals.
Freezer-Ready Batch Prep
This one isn’t a single recipe—it’s a formula. You pick the ingredients, mix, and freeze for grab-and-go meals. It’s like doggy meal prep 101.
Ingredients (Flexible Formula!)
- 1.5 lb protein (turkey, chicken, beef, or even eggs)
- 1.5 cups grains (brown rice, quinoa, or oats)
- 2 cups veggies (spinach, broccoli, carrots, peas)
- 4 cups water or broth
- Optional: 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
Instructions
- Cook the protein (pan, boil, or bake—it’s all good).
- Cook grains per package instructions.
- Steam or sauté veggies until soft.
- Mix it all together, portion into freezer containers or bags, and label. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Why It’s Smart
- Totally customizable.
- Saves time—one weekend cooking session = meals for weeks.
- Balanced nutrition if you stick to the protein/carb/veggie ratio.
Smart Tips & Final Woofs
Okay, so you’ve got recipes. But before you start cooking like a doggy Gordon Ramsay, here are a few reminders:
- Check with your vet. Dogs have different needs based on age, breed, and health. Big diet changes should always be vet-approved.
- Balance is everything. Over time, make sure your dog’s meals include protein, healthy carbs, veggies, and fats.
- Batch-cook like a pro. Portion meals into containers or bags. Freeze them so you’re not cooking every other day.
- Avoid toxic foods. No onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, or cooked bones. Seriously—don’t risk it.
- Consider supplements. Homemade food can miss certain vitamins or calcium. Ask your vet about canine multivitamins or safe add-ins.
- Transition slowly. If your dog’s used to kibble, mix homemade food in gradually to avoid upset stomachs.
Final Woof
Feeding your dog doesn’t need to drain your bank account or involve mystery “meat by-products.” With these recipes, you’ll know exactly what’s going into their bowl, you’ll save money, and your dog will think you’ve joined Top Chef: Canine Edition.
So grab that bag of rice, pick up some chicken, and fire up the crockpot. Your dog’s wagging tail will be the Yelp review you didn’t know you needed.