A large-batch stew built for the slow cooker, giving you well over a week of food from one session. For general slow cooker guidance, see Slow Cooker and Crockpot Dog Food Recipes.
Ingredients (Makes Roughly 8 to 10 Days of Food for a 20kg Dog)
1.8kg lamb stew meat, cubed, excess fat trimmed
900g carrots, chopped
900g white rice, cooked separately and stirred in near the end
4 teaspoons ground eggshell (or 4,000mg calcium carbonate supplement)
2 tablespoons fish oil
2 to 3 servings of a complete vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for homemade dog food, such as Balance IT, dosed per that product’s label for your dog’s weight and total batch size
Method
Add the lamb and carrots to the slow cooker with enough water to just cover the ingredients.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the lamb is fully cooked through with no pink remaining.
Cook the rice separately and stir it into the slow cooker for the final 20 minutes, or mix it in once the stew is done.
Let the mixture cool, then stir in the ground eggshell or calcium supplement, fish oil, and vitamin and mineral supplement, distributing evenly throughout.
Divide into daily portions once fully cooled.
How Much to Feed
Portion needs depend on your dog’s weight, not just this recipe’s batch size. See the full weight-based feeding table in Homemade Dog Food: The Complete Guide for daily and per-meal amounts by weight.
Start with the table’s figure for your dog’s weight, then adjust based on body condition, checked every couple of weeks.
Storage
Refrigerate up to 4 days’ worth in an airtight container, and freeze the rest in daily portions for longer storage.
Variations
Sweet potato or parsnip can replace carrots for a different vegetable base.
Barley can replace rice for a heartier texture, cooked separately the same way.
FAQ
Can I add the vegetables and meat at the same time?
Yes, this recipe cooks them together for the full time, which works well for tougher stew cuts of lamb.
Do I need to brown the lamb first?
It’s not required for the slow cooker, though browning first can add a bit more flavor if you have the time.
Can I double this recipe for a larger dog or multiple dogs?
Yes, as long as your slow cooker has the capacity. Scale all ingredients proportionally, including the calcium and supplement amounts.
The Bottom Line
This lamb stew gives you a large, genuinely complete batch with minimal hands-on effort. For more slow cooker recipes, head back to Slow Cooker and Crockpot Dog Food Recipes.
