The Farmer’s Dog Recipes: DIY Copycat Meals

You know that moment when you open the fridge, see another $80 delivery of pre-portioned pouches, and think, “There has to be a better way”? Yeah. That was me last winter. My Lab Max was thriving on The Farmer’s Dog, but my bank account was not. So I started reverse-engineering their recipes in my own kitchen. Turns out you can make seriously close DIY copycat meals with grocery-store ingredients, a little patience, and zero subscription drama.

These six recipes pull inspiration straight from The Farmer’s Dog lineup—beef, chicken, turkey, pork, plus a couple grain-inclusive twists. They’re gently cooked, packed with real meat and veggies, and designed to look and smell like the real deal. Will they be 100% identical without their proprietary nutrient blend? Nope. That’s why I always add a balanced dog multivitamin or their official DIY Nutrient Mix when I feed these long-term. Talk to your vet first, especially if your dog has health issues. But for variety, rotation, or just saving cash while still giving your pup fresh food? These hit the spot.

Ready to cook like a slightly obsessive dog-foodie? Let’s go.

1. Copycat Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl

This one mirrors The Farmer’s Dog classic beef recipe almost perfectly. Rich, meaty, and just a little earthy from the lentils and kale. Max inhales it like it’s steak night.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced small
• ½ cup cooked lentils
• 1 large carrot, diced
• ½ cup chopped kale (stems removed)
• 2 oz beef liver, finely chopped (or skip if your dog is sensitive)
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tsp salmon oil
• Dog-safe multivitamin or Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix (per package instructions)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the sunflower oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef and liver. Break it up and cook until no pink remains.
3. Toss in the sweet potato and carrot. Stir and cook 8–10 minutes until the veggies soften.
4. Stir in the lentils and kale. Cook another 2–3 minutes until the kale wilts.
5. Remove from heat, drizzle the salmon oil, and mix thoroughly.
6. Cool completely, then stir in the nutrient mix. Portion and refrigerate up to 4 days.

Why You’ll Love It

I once forgot the lentils and Max still went crazy for it, but the full version tastes closer to the real Farmer’s Dog bag. The sweet potato keeps it moist without getting mushy. This is the recipe I make when I want that “expensive subscription” vibe without the price tag.

2. Chicken Veggie Power Bowl

Straight-up inspired by The Farmer’s Dog chicken recipe. Lean protein meets cruciferous veggies that somehow make the whole thing smell incredible while it cooks.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground chicken or finely chopped chicken breast
• 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped small
• 1 cup cauliflower florets, chopped small
• ½ cup Brussels sprouts, halved and sliced thin
• 2 oz chicken liver, chopped (optional but authentic)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or sunflower oil
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp salmon oil
• Dog-safe multivitamin or DIY Nutrient Mix

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
2. Add the ground chicken and liver. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
3. Stir in the broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 6–8 minutes until tender-crisp.
4. Sprinkle the chia seeds and drizzle the salmon oil. Mix well.
5. Take the pan off the heat and let everything cool.
6. Stir in the nutrient mix, portion, and store in the fridge.

Why You’ll Love It

This is the one that finally convinced me I could copy The Farmer’s Dog at home. The first batch looked almost identical to the photo on their site. Max’s coat stayed shiny and his energy stayed high. Some people leave out the liver—I keep it because the flavor is richer that way.

3. Turkey Chickpea Delight

This is my go-to when I want something lighter. The Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe leans on chickpeas and a rainbow of veggies. It’s gentle, balanced, and still full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground turkey
• ¾ cup cooked chickpeas (rinsed if canned)
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
• ½ cup chopped spinach
• 1 small parsnip, peeled and diced (or extra carrot if you can’t find it)
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tsp salmon oil
• Dog-safe multivitamin or DIY Nutrient Mix

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the ground turkey and cook until fully browned.
3. Toss in the carrot, parsnip, and broccoli. Cook 7–9 minutes until soft.
4. Stir in the chickpeas and spinach. Cook just until the spinach wilts.
5. Remove from heat, add the salmon oil, and mix.
6. Cool, stir in the nutrient mix, and portion for the week.

Why You’ll Love It

I made this after Max had a slightly upset stomach and needed something milder. He still cleaned the bowl. The chickpeas give it that hearty texture you get in the real Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe. IMO this one freezes the best of the bunch.

4. Pork & Potato Comfort Meal

This one feels like a cozy Sunday dinner. The Farmer’s Dog pork recipe is all about sweet potato, regular potato, green beans, and cauliflower. It’s hearty without being heavy.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground pork (or lean pork shoulder, finely chopped)
• 1 medium sweet potato, diced
• 1 small white potato, diced
• ¾ cup green beans, chopped
• ¾ cup cauliflower florets, chopped
• 2 oz pork liver or chicken liver, chopped (optional)
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tsp salmon oil
• Dog-safe multivitamin or DIY Nutrient Mix

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a heavy pan over medium heat.
2. Brown the ground pork and liver thoroughly.
3. Add both potatoes and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until they start to soften.
4. Stir in the green beans and cauliflower. Cover and cook another 5–6 minutes.
5. Take the pan off the heat, drizzle the salmon oil, and mix well.
6. Cool completely before adding the nutrient mix. Store in airtight containers.

Why You’ll Love It

The first time I served this, Max did a little happy spin before diving in. The double potato combo makes it taste richer than the chicken or turkey versions. Just don’t overcook the green beans or they turn sad and mushy—ask me how I know.

5. Chicken & Oats Grain-Inclusive Style

The Farmer’s Dog also offers grain-inclusive options. This copycat leans into oats, chicken, and greens for a slightly heartier, more traditional feel.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground chicken
• ¾ cup cooked oats (plain, no flavorings)
• 1 cup chopped collard greens or kale
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 oz chicken liver, chopped
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or sunflower oil
• 1 tsp salmon oil
• Dog-safe multivitamin or DIY Nutrient Mix

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook the ground chicken and liver until fully done.
3. Add the carrot and cook 5 minutes until it softens.
4. Stir in the collard greens and cooked oats. Mix until everything is combined and the greens wilt.
5. Remove from heat, add the salmon oil, and let cool.
6. Stir in the nutrient mix, portion, and refrigerate.

Why You’ll Love It

This is the recipe I make when I want something that feels a little more “classic dog food” but still fresh. The oats soak up the chicken juices beautifully. Max prefers this one on cooler days—go figure. Some people swap oats for rice; I stick with oats because it matches the grain versions more closely.

6. Beef, Egg & Veggie DIY Classic

This one pulls directly from The Farmer’s Dog own DIY recipe style. Beef, sweet potato, carrots, spinach, and eggs. It’s simple, complete when supplemented, and ridiculously satisfying to make.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs 90% lean ground beef
• 1 large sweet potato, diced or shredded
• 2 cups diced carrots
• 2–3 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or ¾ cup frozen)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tsp salmon oil
• 1 packet Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix (or equivalent balanced supplement)

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the sunflower oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef. Break it up and cook until no pink remains.
3. Stir in the sweet potato and carrots. Cook 10–12 minutes until the sweet potato is soft.
4. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Crack the eggs into the pan, break the yolks, and stir until the eggs are fully cooked and firm.
6. Remove from heat, drizzle the salmon oil, cool slightly, then sprinkle and mix in the nutrient packet thoroughly.

Related Articles:

• Salmon Dog Food Recipes for a Shiny Coat
• Delicious Ground Beef Dog Food Recipes for Picky Eaters
• Healthy Ground Turkey Dog Food Recipes

Why You’ll Love It

This is the closest I’ve gotten to the official Farmer’s Dog DIY instructions, and it shows. The eggs add a silky texture that Max goes nuts for. I once tried skipping the eggs and the batch felt drier—never again. This is my “I actually feel like a responsible dog parent” recipe.

These six DIY copycat meals give you the spirit of The Farmer’s Dog without the monthly sticker shock. They’re fresh, recognizable, and easy enough to batch-cook on a Sunday. Just remember: long-term homemade feeding needs proper balancing, so lean on a good nutrient mix and check in with your vet. Your dog gets the good stuff, your wallet gets a break, and you get to feel like a kitchen rockstar. Win-win-win.