Homemade cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to start. These two recipes use minimal ingredients and simple steps, while still following the same complete framework as every recipe on this site. For the fundamentals of homemade cooking generally, see Homemade Dog Food: The Complete Guide.
Chicken and Rice: The Simplest Starting Recipe
Ingredients: 900g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh; 450g white rice; 2 teaspoons ground eggshell (or 2,000mg calcium carbonate supplement); 1 tablespoon fish oil; 1 serving of a complete vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for homemade dog food.
Boil the chicken in a pot of water until fully cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes, then chop or shred once cooled.
Cook the rice according to package instructions, then combine with the chicken.
Stir in the calcium source, fish oil, and supplement once the mixture has cooled to a safe serving temperature. That’s the whole recipe.
Turkey and Sweet Potato: A Second Simple Option
Ingredients: 900g ground turkey; 450g sweet potato, peeled and cubed; 2 teaspoons ground eggshell (or 2,000mg calcium carbonate supplement); 1 tablespoon fish oil; 1 serving of a complete vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for homemade dog food.
Brown the ground turkey in a pan until fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks.
Boil the sweet potato until soft, about 15 to 20 minutes, then mash.
Combine the turkey and sweet potato, then stir in the calcium source, fish oil, and supplement once cooled.
Why These Two Ingredients Aren’t Optional
The calcium source and the complete vitamin and mineral supplement are what actually make either of these recipes nutritionally complete, not the protein or carbohydrate choice.
It’s tempting to skip these when starting out because they feel like an extra step, but a chicken-and-rice or turkey-and-sweet-potato mix without them is missing key nutrients a dog needs long-term.
How Much to Feed
See the full weight-based feeding table in Homemade Dog Food: The Complete Guide to find your dog’s starting amount by weight.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to four days in an airtight container, or freeze individual portions for longer storage.
Common Mistakes
Skipping the calcium or supplement because the recipe already looks complete. A protein and a carb alone are never a complete diet, however simple the rest of the process is.
Switching all at once from commercial food. A gradual transition over 7 to 10 days is easier on digestion than an abrupt change.
Overcomplicating the first attempt. These two recipes are intentionally simple. There’s no need to add extra ingredients before you’ve gotten comfortable with the basics.
FAQ
Do I need any special equipment to start?
No, a pot, a pan, and basic kitchen tools are all these recipes need.
Can I make a bigger batch once I’m comfortable?
Yes, both recipes scale up easily. Just scale the calcium and supplement amounts proportionally too.
What if my dog doesn’t like one of these?
Try the other recipe, or explore other proteins in Homemade Dog Food Recipes by Protein once you’ve got the basic process down.
The Bottom Line
These two recipes are a genuinely complete, low-effort way to start homemade cooking without getting overwhelmed. For the broader fundamentals, head back to Homemade Dog Food: The Complete Guide.
