These Copycat Farmer’s Dog Food Recipes Saved Me Hundreds

If your dog loves The Farmer’s Dog but your wallet doesn’t, you’re not alone. These Copycat Farmer’s Dog Food Recipes use the same basic idea as the real thing — gently cooked, human-grade protein, fresh vegetables, and a vitamin boost — without the subscription price tag.

Below you’ll find five full recipes, each built around a different protein so your dog gets variety throughout the month. After that, you’ll find different cooking methods, a few smart ingredient swaps, and quick safety tips so you can feed homemade with confidence.

Let’s get cooking.

5 Copycat Farmer’s Dog Food Recipes You Can Make at Home

Each recipe below follows the same basic formula real fresh-food companies use: roughly 40% protein, 40% vegetables, and 20% starchy carbs, plus a vitamin and mineral boost. Stick to the ratios and you can swap proteins freely once you’re comfortable.

A quick note before you start: homemade dog food should always include a complete vitamin and mineral supplement (sold at pet stores or online) unless your vet has approved a specific recipe without one. Meat and veggies alone don’t cover everything a dog needs long-term.

Recipe 1: Beef & Sweet Potato Copycat Recipe

This is the closest match to The Farmer’s Dog’s classic beef recipe. It’s rich, hearty, and a favorite with dogs who love red meat.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Freeze Time: Up to 3 months in airtight, portioned containers Yield: About 7 cups (roughly 5–6 days of food for a 30 lb dog)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner)
• 1 ½ cups sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 cup carrots, finely chopped
• ½ cup green peas
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp fish oil or salmon oil
• 1 dog-safe multivitamin supplement (follow label dosing)
• 2 cups water or low-sodium bone broth

Instructions:

1. Add the ground beef to a large pot over medium heat. Cook until just browned, breaking it into small crumbles.
2. Add the sweet potato, carrots, and water (or broth). Bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Cover and cook for 15–18 minutes, until the sweet potato is fork-tender.
4. Stir in the peas and cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Crack in the raw egg and stir quickly so the residual heat cooks it through.
6. Let the mixture cool completely, then stir in the fish oil and vitamin supplement.
7. Portion into daily containers and refrigerate or freeze.

Notes:

• Cool food fully before adding supplements, since heat can break down some vitamins.
• For dogs prone to upset stomach, this recipe pairs well with the slow cooker method below for extra-gentle digestion.
• If you’re also baking treats for training or birthdays, this homemade dog food recipe collection has more ideas worth bookmarking.

Recipe 2: Turkey & Spinach Copycat Recipe

Lean and lighter than beef, this one is a good pick for dogs who need to watch their weight or have a sensitive system.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Freeze Time: Up to 3 months Yield: About 6 cups (roughly 4–5 days of food for a 25–30 lb dog)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey (93/7)
• 1 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1 cup spinach, finely chopped
• ½ cup zucchini, diced
• ½ cup pumpkin puree (plain, not pie filling)
• 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
• 1 dog-safe multivitamin supplement

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, about 8–10 minutes, until no pink remains.
2. Stir in the zucchini and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
3. Add the cooked brown rice and pumpkin puree, stirring to combine.
4. Fold in the spinach during the last minute of cooking, just until wilted.
5. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
6. Mix in the flaxseed oil and vitamin supplement once cooled.
7. Divide into meal-sized portions.

Notes:

• Spinach should be added late and in small amounts since large quantities aren’t ideal for regular feeding.
• This batch freezes especially well in flat freezer bags, which thaw faster than containers.
• If your dog seems to react to certain proteins with itching or discomfort, it’s worth reading up on excessive licking in dogs to spot early signs.

Recipe 3: Chicken & Butternut Squash Copycat Recipe

A gentle, mild recipe that’s easy on sensitive stomachs and a great starting point if you’re new to homemade dog food.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Freeze Time: Up to 3 months Yield: About 7 cups (roughly 5–6 days of food for a 30 lb dog)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
• 1 ½ cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup green beans, chopped
• ½ cup quinoa, rinsed and cooked
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 dog-safe multivitamin supplement

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sear the diced chicken in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes.
2. Add the butternut squash and 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer.
3. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, until the squash is soft and the chicken is fully cooked.
4. Stir in the green beans and cooked quinoa. Simmer 3–5 more minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
6. Mix in the vitamin supplement just before portioning.
7. Store in daily-sized containers.

Notes:

• Butternut squash can be roasted ahead of time to save a step on busy days.
• Quinoa is optional — white rice or oats work as a substitute if your dog hasn’t had quinoa before.
• For puppies trying a new homemade diet for the first time, it’s smart to review puppy veterinary needs before making any switch.

Recipe 4: Pork & Green Bean Copycat Recipe

A slightly richer option with a flavor most dogs find exciting, since pork isn’t usually on the daily menu.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Freeze Time: Up to 3 months Yield: About 6 cups (roughly 4–5 days of food for a 25–30 lb dog)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground pork
• 1 cup oats, uncooked
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• ½ cup carrots, shredded
• ½ cup apple, peeled and diced (no seeds or core)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 dog-safe multivitamin supplement
• 2 ½ cups water

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground pork in a large pot over medium heat, draining any excess fat once cooked.
2. Add the water and bring to a low boil.
3. Stir in the oats, carrots, and green beans. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add the diced apple during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
5. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool fully.
6. Stir in the coconut oil and vitamin supplement.
7. Portion and refrigerate or freeze.

Notes:

• Lean ground pork (90/10 or leaner) keeps this recipe from being too rich.
• Apples add natural sweetness dogs enjoy, but always remove seeds and the core first.
• Pork should always be fully cooked through — never serve it pink or undercooked.

Recipe 5: Whitefish & Pumpkin Copycat Recipe

Built for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies to more common proteins like chicken or beef. It’s also one of the easiest recipes to digest.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Freeze Time: Up to 2 months (fish-based recipes freeze slightly less long than others) Yield: About 6 cups (roughly 4–5 days of food for a 25–30 lb dog)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb whitefish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock), deboned
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup potato, peeled and diced
• ½ cup peas
• 1 tbsp fish oil
• 1 dog-safe multivitamin supplement
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Place the diced potato in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 8–10 minutes until tender.
2. Add the whitefish fillets directly to the pot and simmer for 6–8 minutes, until the fish flakes easily.
3. Stir in the pumpkin puree and peas. Simmer 2 more minutes.
4. Remove from heat and gently break up the fish with a fork.
5. Let the mixture cool completely.
6. Mix in the fish oil and vitamin supplement.
7. Divide into portions and store.

Notes:

• Always double-check fish for small bones before serving.
• This recipe is naturally low in fat, making it a good option for dogs on a weight management plan.
• Fish-based meals are best used within 2 months from the freezer for best freshness and smell.

Different Ways to Cook Your Copycat Recipes

Once you’ve picked a recipe, you can adjust how you cook it based on your schedule and kitchen setup. The ingredients stay the same — only the method changes.

Slow Cooker Method Add all raw ingredients except the supplement and oil directly to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. This method is hands-off and great for tougher cuts of meat, since the long, low heat makes everything extra tender.

Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Method This is the fastest option. Add ingredients with slightly less liquid than the stovetop version (pressure cooking doesn’t lose as much moisture to evaporation). Cook on manual high pressure for 10–12 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening.

Oven Tray-Bake Method Spread ground or diced protein and chopped vegetables on a sheet pan. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, stirring once halfway through. This method works well if you’re already using the oven for something else and want to multitask.

Batch-Cook & Freeze Method Make a double or triple batch of any recipe above on a weekend, then portion it into daily containers or silicone freezer trays. This turns one cooking session into 2–3 weeks of ready-to-thaw meals, which is closest to how fresh subscription dog food actually works.

3 Ingredient-Based Variations

Beyond switching proteins, you can also adjust the ingredients themselves to fit your dog’s specific needs. These are different from the format changes above — they change what’s in the bowl, not how it’s cooked.

Variation 1: Grain-Free Version Replace rice, oats, or quinoa with an equal amount of extra sweet potato, butternut squash, or pumpkin. This keeps the calorie and fiber content similar while removing grains entirely, which some dogs with sensitivities need.

Variation 2: Low-Fat / Weight Management Version Choose the leanest protein available (turkey breast or whitefish work best), skip added oils, and increase the vegetable-to-protein ratio slightly. This lowers the overall calorie density without shrinking portion sizes, so your dog still feels full.

Variation 3: Veggie-Boosted Senior Dog Version Add an extra ½ cup of soft-cooked vegetables like squash, carrots, or green beans, and reduce the carb portion slightly. Softer textures are easier for senior dogs with dental issues, and the added fiber supports digestion as metabolism slows with age.

Why Pet Owners Copy The Farmer’s Dog Formula

Fresh, gently cooked dog food has become popular because it skips the heavy processing and filler ingredients found in many bagged kibbles. Subscription services like The Farmer’s Dog built their whole brand around human-grade ingredients and portion-controlled freshness.

The catch is the price. A monthly subscription can run well over $100 for a medium-sized dog, which adds up fast. Making a copycat version at home costs a fraction of that, especially when you buy proteins and vegetables in bulk or on sale.

The other appeal is control. Cooking it yourself means you know exactly what’s going into every batch, which matters a lot for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to specific ingredients.

Storage, Portions & Safety Tips

A few practical rules will keep your homemade batches safe and your dog’s diet balanced.

Storage basics. Refrigerate cooked food for up to 4 days, or freeze in daily portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge rather than at room temperature.

Portion sizes. As a general guide, dogs need roughly 2–3% of their body weight in food per day, adjusted based on activity level and whether your vet recommends otherwise.

The supplement is non-negotiable. Homemade meals without a complete vitamin and mineral mix can lead to deficiencies over months of feeding, even if the recipe looks balanced on paper.

Watch for reactions. When trying a new protein, introduce it gradually over 5–7 days mixed with the old food, and watch for any digestive upset.

Ingredients to avoid entirely. Never include onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, or xylitol in any homemade recipe. If you’re ever unsure whether a specific human food is safe, it’s worth checking sources like this breakdown on whether dogs can eat cheerios before adding anything new to the mix.

A Few Final Thoughts

These five recipes give you a rotating lineup that covers most proteins your dog is likely to enjoy, while staying close to the fresh, simple formula that made services like The Farmer’s Dog popular in the first place.

Start with one recipe, see how your dog responds, then branch out into the format and ingredient variations once you’re comfortable with the basics. And if you’re already in baking mode, it’s worth checking out a few homemade dog treat recipes or even a dog birthday cake recipe to round out your homemade dog food rotation for special occasions.

Cooking for your dog takes a bit more effort than scooping kibble, but for a lot of pet owners, watching their dog get genuinely excited over a home-cooked bowl makes it worth the extra time in the kitchen.