YT Recipe

Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Saving Money and Time

Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Saving Money and Time is a easy American recipe that serves 10. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by QBN Kennel on YouTube.

Prep: 30 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 1 hr 15 min

Cost: $57.52 total, $5.75 per serving

Ingredients

  • 20 lb Chicken Quarters (bone‑in, ground using a meat grinder)
  • 4 cup Brown Rice (dry, rinsed)
  • 8 cup Water (for cooking rice; use filtered water)
  • 1.5 cup Kale Greens (roughly one large handful, chopped)
  • 1 cup Green Beans (trimmed and halved)
  • 1 cup Carrots (peeled and diced)
  • 2 medium Sweet Potatoes (pre‑washed, diced; skin left on)
  • 2 can Sardines in Water (no added sauces or salt, drained)
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder (organic, pure ground turmeric)
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon Powder (Ceylon cinnamon preferred for dogs)
  • 1 scoop Joint Support Multivitamin (New Vet & New Joint DS) (as per product label for the batch size)

Instructions

  1. Grind the Chicken

    Set up the Weston grinder, feed the 20 lb of chicken quarters through the grinder until fully processed. Collect the ground meat in a large bowl.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Prep the Vegetables

    Rinse kale, green beans, carrots and sweet potatoes. Chop kale into bite‑size pieces, halve green beans, dice carrots and sweet potatoes into ½‑inch cubes.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Load Crockpots

    Divide the ground chicken evenly between the two 6‑qt crockpots. Add the measured brown rice and water to each pot, then stir to combine.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Cook Chicken & Rice

    Set each crockpot to the ‘Poultry’ setting for 15 minutes, then add an extra 15 minutes for a total of 30 minutes. Cover and let cook.

    Time: PT30M

  5. Add Vegetables

    When the timer beeps, quickly open the lids and stir in the kale, green beans, carrots and sweet potatoes. Replace lids and let cook an additional 5 minutes to soften the veggies.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Combine All Ingredients

    Transfer the cooked chicken‑rice‑veggie mixture into the large mixing bucket. Add the drained sardines, turmeric, cinnamon and the measured scoop of joint‑support multivitamin. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Portion and Store

    Divide the final mixture into individual meal‑size containers (≈2 cup per dog). Label with date. Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
250
Protein
20 g
Carbohydrates
20 g
Fat
10 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: High protein, Grain‑included (brown rice), No artificial preservatives

Allergens: Chicken, Fish (sardines)

Last updated: March 14, 2026

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Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Saving Money and Time

Recipe by QBN Kennel

A nutrient‑dense, home‑cooked dog meal made with ground chicken, brown rice, kale, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, sardines, turmeric, cinnamon and a joint‑support multivitamin. Cooked in two crockpots for convenience and stored for future meals.

EasyAmericanServes 10

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
30m
Prep
40m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 20m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$57.52
Total cost
$5.75
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • • Grinding the chicken completely to avoid large bone fragments.
  • • Cooking chicken and rice to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • • Evenly mixing the multivitamin supplement to ensure each portion receives the correct dose.

Safety Warnings

  • • Ensure ground chicken reaches 165°F to eliminate salmonella.
  • • Do not feed dogs any sardines packed in oil or with added sauces.
  • • Measure the joint‑support supplement precisely; excess can cause vitamin toxicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of homemade dog food in American pet care?

A

In the United States, many pet owners have shifted from commercial kibble to home‑cooked meals to control ingredient quality, address allergies, and provide fresh nutrition. This movement grew alongside the rise of online pet‑nutrition resources and a focus on holistic health for dogs.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of homemade dog food in the United States?

A

Coastal regions often incorporate fish and seaweed, while the Midwest favors grain‑based meals with beef or poultry. Some owners add regional produce like sweet corn in the South or kale in the Pacific Northwest, reflecting local farm availability.

cultural
Q

What is the authentic traditional way homemade dog food is served in American households?

A

Typically, the cooked mixture is portioned into daily servings, stored in airtight containers, and served at room temperature or slightly warmed. Many families top the meal with a splash of low‑sodium broth for extra palatability.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is homemade dog food traditionally associated with in American pet culture?

A

Homemade meals are often prepared for birthdays, adoption anniversaries, or as a special treat during holidays like Thanksgiving when owners want to share safe, dog‑friendly versions of their own dishes.

cultural
Q

How does this homemade dog food recipe fit into the broader American pet nutrition tradition?

A

It aligns with the trend toward whole‑food, minimally processed diets that prioritize high‑quality protein, balanced carbs, and added supplements for joint health—principles championed by many American veterinary nutritionists.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for homemade dog food versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include lean animal protein (chicken, turkey, beef), digestible carbs (brown rice, sweet potatoes), and vegetables (kale, carrots). Acceptable substitutes are turkey for chicken, quinoa for rice, and peas for green beans, as long as they are plain and dog‑safe.

cultural
Q

What other American dishes pair well with this homemade dog food for a balanced pet diet?

A

A side of plain pumpkin puree adds extra fiber, while a small amount of low‑fat cottage cheese provides calcium. For dogs needing extra calories, a drizzle of dog‑safe olive oil can be added.

cultural
Q

What makes this homemade dog food recipe special or unique in American pet cuisine?

A

It combines bone‑in chicken for dental health, a precise joint‑support multivitamin, and anti‑inflammatory spices (turmeric, cinnamon) that are not commonly used in standard home‑cooked dog meals.

cultural
Q

How has homemade dog food evolved over time in the United States?

A

Early home‑cooked meals were simple meat‑and‑rice mixes. Over the past decade, owners have added targeted supplements, functional spices, and precise nutrient calculations, turning meals into nutritionally complete recipes.

cultural
Q

What are common misconceptions about homemade dog food in the United States?

A

Many believe that any human food is safe for dogs; however, ingredients like onions, garlic, and excessive salt are toxic. Another myth is that all homemade meals are automatically balanced, which requires careful supplementation.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making this homemade dog food?

A

Skipping the internal temperature check for chicken, over‑cooking the rice (making it hard to digest), and adding too much cinnamon (which can irritate a dog’s stomach) are frequent errors. Always follow the exact cooking times and supplement dosage.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use a crockpot instead of baking the chicken and rice separately?

A

A crockpot provides gentle, even heat that keeps the chicken moist and fully cooks the rice without scorching, while freeing up hands for prep. It also reduces the risk of under‑cooking the meat, which is crucial for pet safety.

technical
Q

Can I make this homemade dog food ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Portion the cooked mixture into airtight containers, refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the dog food is done?

A

The chicken should be fully cooked and no longer pink, the rice should be fluffy, and the vegetables should be tender but still retain some shape. The mixture will have a uniform brown‑orange color from the turmeric and sardines.

technical
Q

How do I know when the chicken in the crockpot is done cooking?

A

Use an instant‑read thermometer; the internal temperature must reach at least 165°F (74°C). The meat will also appear opaque and easily break apart.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel QBN Kennel specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel QBN Kennel focuses on practical, cost‑effective pet nutrition, showcasing DIY dog‑food recipes, equipment reviews, and tips for feeding dogs high‑quality, homemade meals.

channel
Q

What is the cooking philosophy and style of the YouTube channel QBN Kennel?

A

QBN Kennel emphasizes using whole, unprocessed ingredients, leveraging kitchen tools like meat grinders and crockpots to create nutritionally balanced meals while keeping costs lower than commercial kibble. The style is straightforward, with clear step‑by‑step demonstrations.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel QBN Kennel's approach to American pet nutrition differ from other pet‑food channels?

A

Unlike many channels that focus on commercial product reviews, QBN Kennel prioritizes DIY preparation, detailed explanations of nutrient bioavailability, and the use of specific supplements (e.g., New Vet & New Joint DS) to address joint health, offering a more hands‑on, budget‑friendly perspective.

channel
Q

What other American‑style dog recipes is the YouTube channel QBN Kennel known for?

A

QBN Kennel also shares recipes such as Beef & Sweet Potato Stew, Turkey & Quinoa Bowl, and Salmon & Pumpkin Mash, each featuring whole proteins, digestible carbs, and targeted supplements for optimal canine health.

channel
More like this:American RecipesMain Course RecipesMore by QBN Kennel

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