This ground beef dog food recipe cooks lean beef with brown rice, carrots and green beans in one pot, and makes about 5½ cups in 30 minutes. It's a handy topper or an occasional homemade meal. Below you'll find the recipe, calories per cup, how much to feed by size, storage tips, and what it takes to make homemade food complete for the long term.
Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Yield: about 5½ cups Calories: ~220 kcal per cup Best for: toppers and short-term homemade meals Storage: 4 days in the fridge, 3 months frozen. Not complete and balanced on its own; see the section on long-term feeding.
Table of Contents
Which Ground Beef Is Best for Dogs?
Lean is the rule. Fatty ground beef adds calories fast and can trigger stomach upset or pancreatitis in prone dogs. Here's how common blends compare, using USDA FoodData Central values for raw beef:
| Ground beef (per 100 g raw) | Calories | Fat | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93% lean / 7% fat | ~152 kcal | ~7 g | Best |
| 90% lean / 10% fat | ~176 kcal | ~10 g | Good |
| 85% lean / 15% fat | ~215 kcal | ~15 g | Drain well |
| 80% lean / 20% fat | ~254 kcal | ~20 g | Avoid for dogs |
Approximate USDA values. Draining cooked beef removes some fat.
Cook it fully and season nothing. Onion, garlic, salt and spice blends stay out of the pot.
The Recipe: Beef, Rice and Veggie Dog Food
Ground Beef, Rice and Veggie Dog Food
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the ground beef in a large pan over medium heat, breaking it up, until no pink remains.
- Drain off the fat.
- Add the carrots, green beans and water. Cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
- Stir in the cooked rice and heat through.
- Cool completely, then portion into meal-size containers.
Notes
How Much to Feed
At about 220 calories per cup, here's a starting point. These numbers assume this food is the main meal for a short time; if you use it as a topper, swap it in for part of the regular food instead of adding on top.
| Dog's weight | Est. daily calories | Cups per day (full meal) | As a topper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~350 kcal | ~1½ cups | 2 to 3 tbsp |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~690 kcal | ~3 cups | ¼ cup |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~1,160 kcal | ~5¼ cups | ½ cup |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~1,580 kcal | ~7 cups | ¾ cup |
Our estimates for typical neutered adults (70 × kg0.75 × 1.6). Split daily amounts into two meals. Active dogs, puppies and seniors differ; our dog feeding chart and calorie calculator help fine-tune.
Weigh your dog every two weeks. Adjust portions by about 10% if weight is creeping up or down.
Is This Recipe Complete for Every Day?
No, not on its own. Beef, rice and vegetables are missing key nutrients, especially calcium, along with some vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Studies of homemade recipes have found most fall short of dog nutrient guidelines. If you want to feed homemade food long term, work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, who can add the right supplements so the diet meets standards like those from AAFCO. Our guide to homemade dog food recipes explains the basics.
Switching to Homemade Food
Change slowly over 7 to 10 days: start with about one quarter new food and three quarters old, then increase every few days. Our how to transition dog food guide has a day-by-day plan. Soft stool for a day or two is common; ongoing diarrhea or vomiting is not.
Storage and Food Safety
- Cool the food quickly, within 2 hours of cooking.
- Portion into containers or freezer bags by meal.
- Refrigerate up to 4 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight and serve at room temperature.
Keep these out of homemade beef dog food: onion, garlic, salt, seasoning packets, cooked bones, fatty trimmings, grapes or raisins and spicy sauces. Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw beef. Dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease or allergies need a vet-guided diet. See our veterinary disclaimer.
Is beef and rice OK as a daily diet? Not long term on its own. It's missing calcium and other nutrients. For everyday homemade feeding, a vet nutritionist should balance the recipe.
How lean should the beef be? 90% lean or leaner, cooked and drained. Fattier beef can upset the stomach and add weight quickly.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Ground Beef Dog Food: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Choose 90% lean beef or leaner
- Drain the fat after cooking
- Switch foods slowly
- Freeze extra portions
✕ Don't
- Add onion, garlic or salt
- Use fatty beef or trimmings
- Feed it alone long term
- Leave cooked food out for hours
Dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease or allergies need a vet-guided diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ground beef good for dogs?
Plain, cooked lean ground beef is a good protein source for most dogs. Choose 90% lean or leaner and drain the fat.
Can I feed my dog ground beef and rice every day?
Not as the only food long term. It lacks calcium and other nutrients unless a vet nutritionist balances it.
Can I use white rice instead of brown?
Yes. White rice is gentler for sensitive stomachs; brown rice has more fiber.
Can dogs eat raw ground beef?
Raw beef carries Salmonella and E. coli risks for dogs and people. Cooking is the safer choice.
Is ground beef or ground turkey better for dogs?
Both work. Lean ground turkey is usually a little lower in fat. See our ground turkey guide.
Want the bigger picture? Our dog food guide covers choosing a food, portions and homemade meals.
The Bottom Line
This ground beef dog food recipe is quick, cheap and easy to batch cook: lean beef, brown rice, carrots and green beans, about 220 calories per cup. Use it as a topper or short-term meal, switch slowly, and work with a vet nutritionist if you want homemade food to be your dog's everyday diet. More in our Dog Food section.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- AAFCO — Understanding pet food