Homemade dog food using home canned convenience foods

Ingredients

• 2 lb Canned Hamburger Meat (drained, fits in a quart‑size jar)
• 4 Large Eggs (scrambled)
• 2 cup Brown Rice (uncooked; rinse before cooking)
• 2 tbsp Sunflower Oil (for cooking and added fat)
• 1 tsp Roasted Ground Eggshell (provides calcium)
• 2 cup Mixed Greens (Kale & Spinach) (from a jar of preserved greens)
• 2 tsp Ground Flaxseed (adds omega‑3 fatty acids)
• 0.5 cup Cooked Butternut Squash (can substitute sweet potato or regular potatoes)
• 1 Krill Oil Capsule (peeled) (adds omega‑3; do not expose to air before mixing)

Instructions

1. Open the canned hamburger meat

   Use the jar opener to remove the lid from the quart‑size jar of canned hamburger meat and pour the meat into a large pot.

   Time: PT2M

2. Cook the hamburger meat

   Add 1 tbsp of sunflower oil to the pot, then heat over medium heat. Stir the meat and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 10 minutes.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: Medium heat

3. Cook the brown rice

   Rinse 2 cups of brown rice under cold water. In a saucepan combine rice with 2½ cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until tender.

   Time: PT30M

   Temperature: Simmer

4. Scramble the eggs

   In a separate skillet, add a splash of sunflower oil, crack the 4 eggs, whisk quickly, and cook over low‑medium heat, stirring constantly, until fully set (about 5 minutes).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Low‑medium heat

5. Prepare the vegetables and supplements

   Measure 2 cups of mixed greens, 0.5 cup cooked butternut squash, 2 tsp ground flaxseed, and 1 tsp roasted ground eggshell. Set each aside.

   Time: PT3M

6. Combine all cooked components

   In the large mixing bowl, add the cooked hamburger meat, cooked brown rice, scrambled eggs, mixed greens, butternut squash, ground flaxseed, and roasted eggshell. Drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp sunflower oil over the mixture and stir until evenly combined.

   Time: PT5M

7. Add the krill oil

   Open one krill oil capsule, peel off the soft gel, and fold it into the mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

   Time: PT1M

8. Portion and freeze

   Divide the mixture into 10 equal portions (about 3/4 cup each). Place each portion into a freezer‑safe bag, squeeze out excess air, label with date, and freeze.

   Time: PT5M

9. Store and serve

   When ready to feed, transfer a frozen portion to the refrigerator to thaw for several hours or overnight. Warm slightly to room temperature before serving.

   Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

327

Protein

20 g

Carbohydrates

30 g

Fat

15 g

Fiber

3 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Canned Hamburger Meat: Fresh ground beef, Ground turkey, Ground chicken
• Instead of Large Eggs: Egg replacer, Flax egg
• Instead of Brown Rice: White rice, Quinoa, Barley
• Instead of Sunflower Oil: Olive oil, Canola oil
• Instead of Roasted Ground Eggshell: Calcium powder, Bone meal (pet safe)
• Instead of Mixed Greens (Kale & Spinach): Collard greens, Swiss chard
• Instead of Ground Flaxseed: Chia seeds, Hemp seeds
• Instead of Cooked Butternut Squash: Cooked sweet potato, Cooked regular potato
• Instead of Krill Oil Capsule (peeled): Fish oil capsule, Salmon oil

Equipment Needed

• Jar Opener
• Large Pot
• Saucepan
• Skillet
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon
• Freezer‑Safe Portion Bags (Ziploc or similar)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Opening and safely handling the canned meat jar.
• Cooking the hamburger meat until fully browned.
• Ensuring the brown rice is fully cooked and not under‑done.
• Cooking eggs thoroughly to eliminate pathogens.
• Incorporating the krill oil peel quickly to avoid oxidation.

Chef Tips from the Video

• Use grass‑fed or pasture‑raised beef for higher omega‑3 content.
• Add a pinch of turmeric for anti‑inflammatory benefits.
• If you don’t have a jar opener, a rubber jar grip and a sturdy kitchen towel work well.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freezer: Up to 2 months in individual freezer‑safe bags.

Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature; risk of bacterial growth.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Batch‑cook the brown rice and store it separately for quicker assembly.
• Pre‑measure the flaxseed, eggshell, and greens into small containers for faster mixing.
• Label each freezer bag with the date and portion size to track freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions