If you love your dog, you don’t love what’s on that bag of commercial kibble… Read on…
You’ve watched your golden retriever scratch constantly and leave greasy stains on your beautiful linen couch. You’ve bought the food that promises to have “natural” ingredients, yet your dog’s coat looks dull and those vet bills keep climbing. You’re tired of paying premium prices for meals you can’t even pronounce.
These crockpot dog food recipes will give you some new ideas to get rid of the old and replace it with something new.
Making homemade dog food doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your evenings. This slow cooker dog food does the hard work while you’re working and makes great meals your dog will devour. No mystery meat or questionable fillers. Just good wholesome meals using chicken and sweet potatoes for dogs who deserve better.
These 10 homemade dog food recipes are vet-approved and beloved by crockpot owners. They’ll save you money and have your dog’s fur shinier in a few weeks. You’ll know exactly what goes into your dog’s bowl, and your home won’t smell like a processing plant. These dog food recipes are healthy, easy, and hassle-free.
#1: Turkey & Green Bean Stew (Vet-Friendly, One-Pot Simplicity)
Enjoy and dump, then feast on real food all week long.
Make life easy for yourself — everything cooks while you’re at work or asleep! And your dog will love it, too. Tender turkey chunks in a savory broth they’ll lick clean.
Time prep: 10 minutes Cook time: 6 hours on Low ready in: 6 hours 10 minutes
Makes 8 cups (about 4 days for a 50-lb dog).
– 2 lbs ground turkey (or turkey thighs, diced), or 2 cups diced) – 3 cups fresh green beans, chopped – 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed – 1 cup frozen peas – 1 cup shredded carrots – 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth – 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
Add turkey, sweet potatoes, and green beans to crockpot. Pour carrots, peas and broth over top. Stir once, and cover. Cook on Low for 6 hours. Shred turkey with fork if using thighs. Stir in flaxseed, and let stand 20 minutes before serving.
When you cut into it, it should mash easily with a fork and the turkey should pull apart with a fork.
One easy swap: Use chicken thighs instead of turkey for picky eaters.
Store it
Fridge: 4 days
Freeze: 3 months
Always consult your vet before switching to homemade dog food crockpot meals long-term.
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You may have a drawer full of dog food in your cupboard and a crockpot for making chili. Why not make healthy crockpot dog food the same way you make your Sunday dinner batch?
It’s so simple, there’s no need to brown anything or use a knife. Just throw everything in the crockpot, turn it on low and walk away. These sweet potato dog food recipes make a creamy, delicious crockpot meal for dogs. Green beans add a crunchy texture without adding grain.
It’s made with lean turkey and whole vegetables SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MYSTERY INGREDIENTS. You know exactly what’s going into every fetch session and nap. If your pup suffers from skin allergies, check out 4 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Skin Allergies for targeted relief. If your pup prefers fish, try Homemade Salmon Dog Food Recipes for omega-rich meals.
Pro tip: Once you have gone through the process of making the broth, you should portion it into glass containers and freeze. When morning comes and it’s all hectic, you can just thaw and serve.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @berkeleybernedoodles
#2: Quinoa Veggie Bean Crockpot Dog Food (No-Meat Monday, Protein-Packed)
Every Sunday your dog circles the kitchen while you are meal prepping. Why not cook both your dinners at once?
This meatless crockpot dog food recipe uses quinoa, sweet potatoes and three different types of beans to give your dogs complete protein. You throw it all in the crockpot and let it simmer for 4 hours. How easy is that? No browning of meat. No stove to watch.
I love cooking in a crockpot. One crockpot, no babysitting, and your house smells wonderful.
Why your dog will love it: I’ve had other brands before, but these are the only ones that my dogs can actually chew! Thanks!.
Time Prep Cook Total Cook Time 10 minutes 4 hours on Low 4 hours 10 minutes
Makes
8 cups (4 days for a 50-lb dog)
– 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed – 1 cup diced sweet potatoes (½-inch cubes) – ½ cup green peas (fresh or frozen) – ½ cup kidney beans (rinsed, canned okay) – ½ cup chickpeas (rinsed, canned okay) – 1 cup chopped broccoli florets – 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
Place quinoa, sweet potatoes, and broth in crockpot. Stir in all three beans and peas. Top with broccoli. Do not stir. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir gently and let cool 30 minutes before serving.
Check texture. Quinoa should be fluffy and sweet potatoes fork-tender, not mushy.
One easy swap
Use brown rice instead of quinoa—add 30 minutes cook time.
Store it
Fridge: 5 days
Freeze: 3 months
Its a complete protein, so you can skip the guilt when you have a meatless day because your little picky eater will still be getting a balanced nutrition! Pair this with best healthy homemade dog food recipes for more ideas, or check out homemade dog food recipes for small dogs if you need to scale this recipe down.
Pro tip: frozen in silicone muffin tins so you can have a single serve pucks that thaw quickly.
Always rinse canned beans and remove the excess salt before preparing.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @ginfromga
#3: Ground Beef & Mixed Veggie Crockpot Bowl (Complete Protein, Real Food Texture)
Watching you unpack your groceries, your dog wags his tail while you throw ground beef into the slow cooker along with peas and carrots. Six hours later, you’ve got ready-to-serve homemade dog food that looks like a dinner you’d make for yourself.
This recipe uses some simple ingredients from the grocery store. You can brown two pounds of lean ground beef and add frozen mixed veggies. I don’t have a grinder, so this ends up being chunky (you can see what’s inside, so it doesn’t look like a science experiment on the kitchen counter). It is quite delicious served with chicken and rice dog food recipes and can be made when you want to change up the protein weekly.
It cooks while you work, so you don’t have to hit the drive-thru pet store run. This means you’ll have more time for an evening walk with your dog, and less guilt about a tricky-to-pronounce ingredient list. Beef is a complete protein and veggies provide some fiber. And slow cooking keeps nutrients intact.
If you want to add a little more protein to your dog’s diet, try mixing in a scoop of cooked brown rice from your dinner the night before. You can store single serving sizes in the glass containers that we found to be good for storing these little meals as well. They stack in your refrigerator nice and clean and guests don’t have to see the food and think your dog is on a diet of homemade dry dog food recipes.
Pro tip: I use a potato masher to break up the beef after cooking for even texture in under 30 seconds.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thebearsworld
#4: Three-Bean Chicken Slow-Cooker Bowl (High Protein, Freezer-Ready)
Your crockpot does the work while you’re at your desk.
Why you’ll love it: Everything goes in frozen and comes out portioned. Why your dog will love it: Three different textures in every bite.
Prepare: 8 minutes Cook: 6 hours on Low Finished: 6 hours 8 minutes
Makes 12 cups (about 6 days for a 50-lb dog).
INGREDIENTS – WEIGHTS – QUANTITIES 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs 1 cup frozen green beans 1 cup canned chickpeas drained 1 cup canned kidney beans drained 1 cup frozen sweet peas 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Get out the crock pot, baby.
1. Throw in those chicken thighs first.
2. Then add the beans and sweet potato.
3. Pour the broth over everything until it covers all of the ingredients.
4. Cook on low for 6 hours with lid on.
5. Shred chicken with two forks right in the pot.
6. Let sit 30 minutes, then portion into containers.
Texture The sweet potatoes should mash easily with a fork.
One easy swap. Use turkey thighs instead of chicken for leaner protein.
Store it
Fridge: 5 days
Freeze: 3 months
[IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] Beans should be fully cooked and soft before serving. Do not add onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, xylitol, or macadamias.
Make Sunday afternoons a little easier with this crockpot dog food recipe. The ingredients are all things you likely already have in your pantry.
So how’s this healthy chicken recipe work? You don’t have to thaw the chicken! Simply dump everything in before your morning coffee and come home to 12 cups of portioned meals. No chopping, no sautéing, no mess.
This mix provides a complete protein, so you don’t have to rely on expensive supplements. Sweet potatoes provide plenty of fiber for a smooth digestion system. If your pup needs grain-free food, this recipe works great with homemade dog food for allergies, too.
It freezes great in silicone muffin tins. Just pop out 2 “pucks” per meal and have them thaw overnight. Your freezer is now a two week meal bank! If you have a large breed dog, double the batch and check out our guide on how to make homemade dog food for large dogs.
Pro tip: Attach a piece of masking tape to the lid of each container and use a Sharpie to write the cook date.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @ashley_K
#5: Sweet Potato & Kidney Bean Power Bowl (Grain-Free, Budget-Friendly)
Your kitchen smells like home, your dog eats like a king.
You will love it because it uses pantry staples and fills your home with cozy aromas. Your dog will love it because it contains sweet, tender chunks that they can actually taste.
Time: 10 minutes prep, 6 hours cook, Total: 6 hours 10 minutes
Makes 8 cups (or 4 days for a 40-pound dog).
– 2 cups dried kidney beans, rinsed – 3 medium sweet potatoes, cubed – 1 pound ground turkey – 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth – 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped – 2 tablespoons olive oil
Place beans and broth in your crockpot first. Add the sweet potato and turkey (raw) over the top. Drizzle some olive oil over top of everything. Don’t stir yet. Cook for 6 hours on low until beans are soft. Stir in spinach during the last 10 minutes. Allow to cool before serving or storing.
Beans should mash easily between your fingers. Sweet potatoes should fall apart when pressed.
You can easily switch out kidney beans for black beans for some variation.
Store it
Fridge: 4 days
Freeze: 3 months
Rinse the dried beans thoroughly and do not add salt, onions, or garlic.
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By dinnertime, you’ve got four days of healthy crockpot dog food waiting in portion sized containers. No fancy ingredients or hard-to-find products necessary.
The kidney beans help break down into a creamy base that coats every bite. The sweet potato adds a sweet flavor your dog will love. This is grain free, but it’s easy! It’s just real food your grandmother would recognize.
You can use this recipe so YOU DON’T HAVE TO SHOP THE QUESTIONABLE KIBBLE AISLE which MEANS you can control exactly what goes into your dog’s energy, coat and digestion. Try using it as the base for homemade dog food for breakfast for a complete rotation or for tips on how to adapt it if your dog needs low fat, Cushing’s friendly meals.
Pro tip: Double the batch and freeze half in silicone muffin tins. Pop out individual portions that thaw in minutes.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @momtojnt
#6: Instant Pot Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Batch (One-Pot Prep, Zero Countertop Mess)
You open the Instant Pot lid at 7 PM, and dinner is ready for both you and your dog. No second pan. No extra cleanup.
This healthy crockpot dog food recipe uses ground beef, sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans—all measured, dumped, and stirred once. Set it on low for 4 hours while you work. The steel insert contains every splash so you don’t wipe down three surfaces before bed.
This dog food recipe can be cooked in bulk and portioned into glass containers for the week so you can have a Sunday meal prep day. Dogs with sensitive hearts will benefit from a low sodium, whole ingredient, healthy diet. If your pup’s been diagnosed with CHF, your vet might have recommended a diet that supports their heart. There are many homemade dog food recipes that can be tweaked to address health concerns. This cavapoo nutrition guide is for smaller breeds who are sensitive to calories.
Pro tip: Put five of the matching containers on a Sunday. Fill them all at once. Label lids with masking tape. Grab one for breakfast every morning and never have to search again.
Instant Pots keep your counters clean in under two minutes. You have a spotless counter for dinner. Your dog eats real food you can pronounce.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @tails.of.clue.otis.and.toast
#7: Chicken, Rice & Veggie Crockpot Bowl (Gentle on Stomachs, Real Kitchen Appeal)
Your slow cooker handles your weeknight dinners, it’s about time you let it handle some meal prep for your pup too.
This chicken soup recipe has only the ingredients you probably have in your fridge. Boneless chicken thighs, shredded carrots and broccoli florets simmer for 4 hours. The result is a mild, easy to digest meal that actually looks appetizing on your kitchen counter — no mystery mush here!
I’ve used it SO YOU CAN feed your dog real food along with you meal prepping, so you’re more likely to stick with making homemade dog food at home. This is the perfect option if your dog has a sensitive stomach. Can’t stomach the thought of feeding your dog chicken? Check out these chicken-free alternatives!
Pro tip: Portion out into glass containers right after cooking. You’ll know what’s in the bowl and not mistake it for your lunch. Stacking them in the fridge next to your Sunday batch cooking that you’re making doesn’t look any different either.
the broccoli adds just enough color so that i feel i am feeding my son some vegetables and not just beige paste. my counters stay clean! and my dog eats better! who knew?
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @honeyofdcm
#8: Turmeric Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew (Anti-Inflammatory, Joint Support)
Golden anti-inflammatory stew your pup will actually want to eat.
You come home from your walk only to find your dog limping around the house. You want to give him a meal that will help those aches and pains, and make him feel better. Well you are in luck because this crock pot recipe is both healthy and tasty. It includes turmeric which has natural anti-inflammatory properties for your dogs sore joints.
Looking for a healthy crockpot dog food recipe? This one is packed full of shredded chicken, sweet potatoes and carrots in a golden broth. It’s easy to toss in your slow cooker before work and when you get home your kitchen smells amazing and dinner is ready!
It delivers omega-3s from flaxseed, SO YOU CAN support joint health and fewer stiff mornings. OR MORE tail wags! Plus, turmeric is absorbed better with healthy fats. THIS IS ONE of the easiest crockpot dog food recipes you can make. If your dog needs a specialized diet, check out homemade meals to support their health.
Pro tip:Add a pinch of black pepper to increase the absorption of turmeric by 2,000 percent, for instance. Freeze portions in silicone muffin tins for grab-and-go meals all month.
Why you will love it: This turns your crockpot into a pharmacy free pain relief station. Why your dog will love it: Sweet potato chunks are like candy to them.
Time: 10 minutes Preparation: 6 hours Cook: 6 hours on Low Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Makes
8 cups (4 days for a 50-pound dog)
· 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs · 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed · 2 large carrots, sliced · 1 cup green beans, chopped · 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed · 1 teaspoon turmeric powder · 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth · 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Place chicken thighs at the bottom of your crockpot. Then place the sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans on top. Sprinkle with turmeric and flaxseed. Add the broth, pouring it on top of everything and add a couple tablespoons of coconut oil. Cook on low for 6 hours without opening the lid. When it’s done cooking, use 2 forks to shred the chicken and stir a little. This will continue to cool in the crockpot.
The texture check went well… I can mash my sweet potatoes easily, and chicken just pulls apart.
One easy switch: Use turkey thighs instead of chicken for a different source of protein.
Store it
Fridge: 5 days
Freeze: 3 months
This is my new dog. Always let the food cool before serving to your dog. Do NOT use onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, xylitol, or macadamias.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @captain_jack_dalmatian
#9: Blueberry Sweet Potato Turkey Bowl (Antioxidant-Rich, Freeze-Friendly)
Your dog might need more than just protein. The dark purple blueberries and bright orange sweet potatoes in this crockpot dog food recipe don’t just look Instagram worthy, they also provide antioxidants that support the health of your dog from the inside out.
Start by combining in a slow cooker: two pounds ground turkey, three cups of diced sweet potatoes, one cup fresh blueberries, two cups low sodium chicken broth, and a tablespoon of ground flaxseed for the omega-3. Toss it all together, cover and cook on low for six hours. The sweet potatoes will become soft and golden for your pups to chew.
This healthy crockpot dog food recipe only takes ten minutes to prepare, so you can start it before you leave for work and come home to a week’s worth of food. The blueberries add a little natural sweetness that your dog will definitely love! Check out our guide, Homemade Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Best Recipes & Tips for more ideas to help get your dog to eat! Or if you have a larger breed, check out our guide Homemade Dog Food for Golden Retrievers: Complete Guide & Best Recipes.
One quick tip: The muffin tins are still in the freezer but I “cook” for one. I pop out one “puck” when I know I will want to eat that meal. It is thawed and ready to eat by the time I get home. No muss, no fuss, and no dirty counters.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @captain_jack_dalmatian
#10: Slow-Cooked Liver & Bacon Bone Broth (Nutrient-Dense Base for Picky Eaters)
Your crockpot makes the superfood your dog actually craves.
My dog will not touch plain liver but she loves this bone broth because it has all the benefits of organ meat without the off-putting texture. I know it is packed with vitamins A, D and iron!
The vinegar pulls minerals from the bones, while the bacon fat adds flavor. You’re left with a golden liquid that gels in the fridge like pro-grade collagen, which is perfect for topping dry food or rehydrating affordable homemade dog food recipes you’ve batch-prepped.
Turn leftovers into gourmet meals so you can stretch your heart-healthy ingredients further and buy more meals with fewer heart-health ingredients and less waste. Freeze in silicone molds for quick, easy grab-and-go meals.
Sprinkle two tablespoons over tonight’s dinner and watch your picky eater become a bowl-ler. Your freezer awaits a month of upgrades.
If you haven’t done so yet, try this recipe that will turn a budget cut of organ meat into a silky, freezer-friendly meal your dog will love! My dogs will do anything for bacon and liver, so this is definitely a treat.
Time 10 min. prep. 8 hours on Low total time 8 hours 10 min.
Makes 12 cups (enough to mix into meals for 2 weeks for a 40 lb dog)
I don’t know the exact amounts for this, but I’d say (roughly)… 1 lb beef liver, chopped 4 strips bacon, chopped 2 lbs chicken feet (or wings) 2 carrots, rough chop 1 piece ginger, 2-inch knob 1 bunch parsley 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 10 cups water
Put chicken feet, bacon, liver in the crockpot. Add carrots, ginger and parsley. Pour vinegar and water over it all. Cook on low for 8 hours without lifting the lid. Strain through a mesh sieve and discard solids. Let the broth cool and then skim off the fat.
It should coat the spoon like thin gravy when cool.
I use pork neck bones instead of chicken feet for gel.
Can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stored in the freezer for up to 4 months in ice cube trays.
Never feed your dog cooked bones – always take them out once you have strained the gravy.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @lovasigoldens
Your Kitchen, Your Pup’s Health Haven
You’ve got everything you need to make [healthy homemade dog food] that will keep your dog thriving! These crockpot dog food recipes are easy to make and are great for busy schedules. You’ll be making grain free dog food in no time!
If you’re looking for more inspiration check out our 10 DIY Dog Food Recipes for Your Furry Farmer Friends for even more variety, and if you’re feeding a mix of home-made and store-bought dog food then check out our Best Dry Dog Food and Best Wet Dog Food guides.
Your kitchen is already beautiful; now you can share its beauty with your pup. These chicken dog food recipes with sweet potatoes will slow cook for healthy dogs. Enjoy!
Are you ready to turn your crockpot into a dog food maker?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
