Dog food recipes: How to prep fresh food for your pup

Dog food recipes: How to prep fresh food for your pup

Real food can change your dog’s life.

No exaggeration here. A natural, balanced diet made with whole ingredients can boost energy, reduce allergies, and even increase your dog’s lifespan.

In fact, research published in MDPI supports the benefits of homemade diets for overall canine health. And yes, you can prepare these meals right at home.

In this post, we’ll cover:

  • Homemade dog food recipes using whole, vet-approved ingredients

  • Benefits of raw feeding

  • Tips for picky eaters and easy transition plans

  • How Joey’s Raw can make feeding real food effortless

Nature's recipe dog food

Looking for dog food recipes that feel as close to nature as it gets? These two options combine high-quality proteins with fruits and vegetables. No fillers, no junk.

If your dog is already on a natural diet, keep reading to explore our favorite fresh recipes. But if you’re just starting out and want to transition from kibble, we’ve got you covered: check out our step-by-step guide to transitioning to raw before diving in.

Chicken recipe

This meal is packed with lean protein and antioxidant-rich produce, making it a go-to for balanced nutrition and everyday vitality.

With ground chicken and nutrient-dense organs, it delivers the high-quality protein your dog needs to build strong muscles and sustain energy. Spinach and blueberries add a natural boost of antioxidants to support immune function and promote healthy skin and coat.

Ingredients:

  • 41% Ground chicken

  • 10% Chicken liver

  • 18% Chicken gizzard

  • 9% Spinach

  • 15% Blueberries

  • 3.2% Coconut oil

  • 2.0% Canola oil

  • 1.2% Nutrify (vet-approved supplement)

  • 0.6% Refined salt

Instructions:

  1. Chop or grind the chicken, liver, and gizzard finely.

  2. Wash and finely chop spinach. Rinse blueberries.

  3. In a large bowl, combine all proteins, greens, and berries.

  4. Add oils, Nutrify, and salt. Mix thoroughly.

  5. For raw: portion and serve fresh.

  6. For gently steamed: warm the mixture to 60-65°C for 3-5 minutes. Don't cook through.

  7. Portion according to your dog’s weight (see guide below).

  8. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 days or freeze individual servings.

For convenience, you can prepare this recipe in batches. Simply portion it into individual containers or freezer-safe bags, then refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw portions in the fridge overnight before serving: easy, fresh, and ready to go.

Lamb recipe

Gentler on sensitive stomachs, this recipe is specially designed for allergy-prone pups who can’t tolerate common proteins like chicken or beef.

Crafted with ground lamb and nutrient-dense organs, it delivers a rich source of protein and fiber to support digestion, boost immunity, and keep your dog energized. It’s a wholesome, grain-free option that’s easy on the tummy and big on flavour.

Ingredients:

  • 25% Ground lamb

  • 9% Beef liver

  • 31.5% Broccoli

  • 32% Pear (with skin)

  • 0.3% Eggshell flour

  • 1.5% Nutrify

  • 0.7% Refined salt

Instructions:

  1. Mix ground lamb and liver in a large bowl.

  2. Chop broccoli and pear into small pieces.

  3. Add produce to protein mix.

  4. Stir in eggshell flour, Nutrify, and salt.

  5. Serve raw or gently steam at 60-65°C for 3-5 minutes.

  6. Portion by your dog’s weight and store accordingly.

Lamb, Beef Liver, Broccoli and Pear

For storage, you can follow the same steps as the chicken recipe: prep in batches, portion, and refrigerate or freeze to keep it fresh and ready whenever your pup needs it.

A simpler solution

If these grocery lists feel a little intense, we’ve got you.

You can skip the shopping, chopping, and measuring altogether. Joey’s Raw offers these exact recipes already portioned, balanced, and delivered fresh to your door.

Plus, we calculate exactly what your dog needs based on their age, weight, and activity level through a quick online quiz. That means no guesswork, no waste, just fresh, customized meals ready to serve.

Dog food without the chicken

Some dogs don’t do well with chicken. Whether it’s allergies or picky preferences, beef is an excellent alternative.

Beef recipe

This beef recipe is crafted for energy and vitality, making it perfect for active pups.

This balanced, high-protein meal features lean beef and nutrient-rich organs to support strong muscles and sustained energy.

Carrots and apples add natural fiber and vitamins that promote healthy digestion, firmer stools, and a strong immune system, all while keeping mealtime delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 45.5% Lean ground beef

  • 9% Beef liver

  • 9% Beef kidney

  • 15.5% Carrots

  • 15.5% Apple

  • 1.8% Coconut oil

  • 1.6% Canola oil

  • 0.1% Eggshell flour

  • 1.3% Nutrify

  • 0.7% Refined salt

Instructions:

  1. Mix ground beef, liver, and kidney.

  2. Finely chop or grate carrots and apples.

  3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

  4. Stir in oils, eggshell flour, Nutrify, and salt.

  5. Serve raw or gently steam at 60-65°C.

  6. Portion based on your dog’s needs.

  7. Store safely or freeze.

Lean Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Carrots, and Apple

You can also get Beef feast, our house favorite, ready-to-eat from Joey’s Raw starting at just $3.77/day for a full meal.

Prefer to mix it with your dog’s current food? We also offer a topper version starting at only $1.89/day, making it easy to add a boost of fresh nutrition without changing their entire diet at once.

Raw dog food

If you’re debating between gently steamed and raw, here’s the truth: raw feeding preserves the full nutritional value of every ingredient.

That means more benefits for your dog’s health, energy, and vitality. It’s often the best choice for maximizing nutrient absorption and supporting overall wellness.

Serving raw isn’t just a trend, it’s a health choice backed by growing research and real results.

Benefits of raw feeding:

Improved digestion and smaller stools

Raw diets are naturally easier for dogs to digest. They’re packed with live enzymes and minimally processed ingredients, helping your dog absorb more nutrients and produce smaller, firmer, less smelly stools. It’s a clear sign their body is getting what it needs without the extra fillers.

Shinier coats and healthier skin

Natural, unprocessed fats in raw meals help nourish the skin from within, giving your pup a shiny, soft coat and reducing dryness and itching. Many pet parents notice these improvements within weeks of switching to raw.

Stronger teeth from natural chewing

Raw feeding encourages chewing and tearing, which helps keep teeth clean, reduces plaque buildup, and strengthens the gums. This natural chewing action acts like daily dental care, without the toothbrush battles.

Reduced allergies and inflammation

Raw diets eliminate common triggers found in processed foods, which often means fewer flare-ups, less itching, and calmer digestion. Feeding clean, whole ingredients can help your dog’s immune system work with their body, not against it.

More energy and vitality

Raw diets are rich in bioavailable nutrients, meaning your dog’s body can use them more effectively. The result is a visible boost in energy, endurance, and overall vitality, helping your pup stay active, playful, and healthy at every stage of life.

Every Joey’s Raw meal is carefully crafted to be safely served raw, giving your dog the full nutritional benefits of fresh, whole ingredients.

Want to learn more about why raw makes the difference? Check out: Comparing raw and cooked diets for dogs.

Dog food for picky eaters

We get it. Some dogs turn their nose at anything that’s not table scraps.

Common problems with picky dogs:

  • Avoiding dry, grainy textures

  • Getting bored of the same flavors

  • Refusing veggies or organ meats

  • Becoming nutritionally imbalanced

How Joey’s Raw solves this:

  • Vet-selected ingredients that taste great and support wellness

  • Fine textures and fresh smell to appeal to picky dogs

  • Flavour rotation with three core meals (Chicken, Lamb, Beef)

  • Guided transition plans to ease your pup into raw

  • Precision portioning so you serve just the right amount

Suggested transition plan:

  • Days 1-3: 70% old food + 30% Joey’s Raw

  • Days 4-6: 50/50 split

  • Day 7+: 100% Joey’s Raw

Why Joey’s Raw?

If you’re short on time (or just want it done right), Joey’s Raw makes these meals fresh, balanced, and vet-approved.

  • Delivered across the GTA

  • Personalized to your dog’s caloric needs

  • Backed by experts and loved by picky eaters

  • No prep, no risk, no mess

Ready to skip the kitchen and still serve your pup the best? Start here.

Final word (and a bonus for humans!)

Healthy dogs need real food. With Joey’s Raw, you don’t just feed your dog, you help them thrive.

And hey, if you’re looking for clean eating for yourself, we’ve got you too: Power Kitchen delivers fresh, ready-to-eat meals across the GTA. Chef-prepared, nutrient-packed, and just as easy as our dog meals.

Back to blog