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As more pet parents embrace homemade diets, it’s essential to understand the nutritional benefits of whole food ingredients. A thoughtfully prepared homemade raw dog food recipe featuring grass-fed beef, turkey necks, beef liver and kidneys, and wild-caught sardines can provide dogs with a powerhouse of natural nutrients to support vitality, strong immunity, joint health, and longevity.
Here’s why these particular ingredients are so beneficial — and what they contribute to your dog’s bowl.
Grass-Fed Beef: A Superior Protein Source
Grass-fed beef is an excellent foundation for a homemade diet. Compared to conventionally raised beef, grass-fed beef is leaner and richer in essential nutrients. I source the beef through a local raw food co-op with connections to local farms.
Key Nutrients in Grass-Fed Beef:
- Protein — Provides essential amino acids for muscle maintenance, repair, and overall body function.
- Iron (heme) — Supports oxygen transport in red blood cells.
- Zinc — Critical for immune health, skin integrity, and wound healing.
- B Vitamins (especially B12, B6, niacin, riboflavin) — Support energy metabolism, nervous system health, and enzyme function.
- Omega-3 fatty acids — Higher levels in grass-fed beef; beneficial for skin, coat, heart, and brain health.
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) — A natural fatty acid that supports metabolism and may have anti-cancer properties.
Turkey Necks: Natural Source of Calcium and Joint Support
Turkey necks are highly valued in raw homemade diets for nutrition and dental health. I source turkey necks through a local raw food co-op with connections to local farms.
Key Nutrients in Turkey Necks:
- Calcium & Phosphorus — Provide essential minerals for bone growth and maintenance.
- Collagen & Gelatin — Support joint, tendon, ligament, and skin health.
- Glucosamine & Chondroitin — Natural compounds that nourish joint cartilage and help prevent arthritis.
- Protein — Additional high-quality protein source.
- B Vitamins — Especially niacin and B6 for energy and metabolic health.
Bonus: Turkey necks, when fed whole, provide natural dental cleaning action, helping reduce tartar buildup.
Beef Organs: Nature’s Multivitamin & Detox Support
Beef liver and beef kidneys are nutrient-dense organs that provide vital vitamins and minerals, which are often lacking in muscle meat. I source organ meat through a local raw food co-op and homesteaders.
Key Nutrients in Beef Liver:
- Vitamin A (retinol) — Supports vision, immune health, skin, and cellular function.
- Iron (heme) — Highly bioavailable for blood and energy health.
- Copper — Essential for iron metabolism, cardiovascular health, and connective tissue.
- B Vitamins — Especially B12 for energy and neurological health.
- Folate — Supports cellular repair and DNA synthesis.
- Choline — Supports brain, liver, and muscle health.
Key Nutrients in Beef Kidneys:
- B Vitamins — Especially B12, riboflavin, niacin, and B6.
- Selenium — Powerful antioxidant supporting immune health and thyroid function.
- Zinc — Immune system and skin health.
- Iron — Prevents anemia and supports overall vitality.
Sardines: Omega-3 Powerhouse & Trace Minerals
Wild-caught sardines are safe, small fish that deliver abundant anti-inflammatory nutrients. I source them through a local raw food co-op. Whole sardines are also available from the brand Oma's Pride.
Key Nutrients in Sardines:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) — Reduce inflammation, support joint and heart health, enhance cognitive function, and promote healthy skin and coat.
- Vitamin D — Critical for bone health, immune function, and muscle performance.
- Vitamin B12 — Vital for the nervous system and energy metabolism.
- Calcium — From edible bones, supports skeletal health.
- Selenium — Antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage.
- Iodine — Supports thyroid health.
Why Combine These Ingredients?
Together, grass-fed beef, turkey necks, beef liver and kidneys, and wild-caught sardines provide:
- Complete, highly bioavailable animal-based protein
- A wide range of essential vitamins (A, D, E, K, B complex)
- Critical minerals (iron, zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, iodine)
- Healthy fats, including anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
- Natural joint-supportive compounds
- Nutrients that support skin, coat, eyes, immune system, cognitive function, heart health, bone strength, and overall vitality
Sourcing Ingredients for this Recipe
The ingredients for this recipe were sourced from a variety of trusted suppliers. I purchased the beef, turkey necks, and organ meats in bulk from a local raw food co-op. The sardines came from Oma’s Pride, while the chicken eggs were sourced from both a local homesteader and Costco. I obtained the sunflower and hemp seeds from Costco and Amazon. The kelp was sourced from Life Line Pet Nutrition, and the base mix was purchased from Dr. Harvey’s via Amazon.
- List of US raw food co-ops
- Oma’s Pride
- Sunflower Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Life Line Pet organic kelp
- Dr. Harvey’s Raw Vibrance
Homemade Raw Dog Food Recipe
This recipe was formulated using Animal Diet Formulator software for a healthy 55-pound dog without food sensitivities or other health issues. If you feed this recipe to a dog of a different weight, keep in mind that the nutrient breakdown will vary slightly. While it’s ideal to customize recipes for each dog, I feed this same recipe to all of my dogs, despite their varying weights, because I quickly ascertained in the software that the recipe remained balanced for each of my dogs, despite their different body weights.
Ingredients:
Animal Diet Formulator Software Report
| 1 | 9.50 lbs | raw ground beef, 90% lean |
| 2 | 5.50 lbs | turkey necks |
| 3 | 1.75 lbs | beef liver |
| 4 | 2.00 lbs | beef kidneys |
| 5 | 1.35 lbs | whole, raw sardines |
| 6 | 4 | large chicken eggs |
| 7 | 2.40 oz | raw, unsalted sunflower seeds |
| 8 | 1.25 oz | organic ground kelp |
| 9 | 5.28 oz | organic hulled hempseeds |
| 10 | 1.00 lb (2 cups) | Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance |
How Much to Feed My Dogs
The Animal Diet Formulator software will tell you how much to feed your dog based on calories. I use a raw feeding calculator and weigh my dogs' meals because this better accounts for their metabolism and daily or weekly exercise. I weigh my dogs twice monthly and adjust how much I feed based on their weight.
Homemade Dog Food Nutrient Breakdown
This recipe was formulated using Animal Diet Formulator software based on FEDIAF guidelines for a 55-pound dog. The nutrient profile includes macronutrients, vitamins, fats, and amino acids. For a detailed breakdown—including amino acid profiles, dry matter values, and daily intake figures—please refer to the Animal Diet Formulator Software Report .
Macro Nutrient Analysis
| As Formulated | %kcal | |
| Protein | 18.36% | 44.15% |
| Fat | 8.87% | 47.98% |
| Ash | 2.52% | |
| Moisture | 66.54% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.45% | |
| Soluable | ||
| Insoluable | ||
| Net Carbs | 3.27% | 7.87% |
| Sugars | 0.37% | 0.90% |
| Starch | 0.09% | 0.21% |
| Total | 100.00% |
Minerals – Units/1000 kcal
Ca – calcium, P – phosphorus, K – potassium, Na – sodium, Mg – Magnesium, Cl – chloride, Fe – iron, Cu – copper, Mn – manganese, Zn – zinc, I – , Se – selenium
| Unit | Minimum | Maximum | Recipe | |
| Ca | g | 1.45 | 6.25 | 2.81 |
| P | g | 1.16 | 4.00 | 2.33 |
| Ca:P | ratio | 1:1 | 2:1 | 1.20:1 |
| K | g | 1.45 | 2.21 | |
| Na | g | 0.29 | 0.94 | |
| Mg | g | 0.20 | 0.43 | |
| Cl | g | 0.43 | 0.60 | |
| Fe | mg | 10.40 | 170.00 | 18.49 |
| Cu | mg | 2.08 | 7.00 | 6.30 |
| Mn | mg | 1.67 | 42.50 | 1.79 |
| Zn | mg | 20.80 | 56.80 | 23.85 |
| I | mg | 0.30 | 2.75 | 1.99 |
| Se | mg | 0.09 | 0.19 |
Vitamins – Units/1000 kcal
| Unit | Minimum | Maximum | Recipe | |
| Vit A | IU | 1,754.00 | 100.000.00 | 14,365.45 |
| Vit C | mg | 0.66 | ||
| Vit D | IU | 159.0 | 568.00 | 167.83 |
| Vit E | IU | 10.40 | 48.16 | |
| Thiamine, B1 | mg | 0.62 | 0.82 | |
| Riboflavin, B2 | mg | 1.74 | 3.53 | |
| Niacin, B3 | mg | 4.74 | 28.38 | |
| Vit B5 | mg | 4.11 | 8.90 | |
| Vit B6 | mg | 0.42 | 2.57 | |
| Vit B12 | mg | 0.01 | 0.05 | |
| Folic Acid | mg | 0.08 | 0.23 | |
| Choline | mg | 474.00 | 529.09 | |
| Vit K1 | mg | 0.01 | ||
| Biotin | mg | 0.06 |
Fats – Units/1000 kcal
| Unit | Minimum | Maximum | Recipe | |
| Total | g | 13.75 | 53.308 | |
| Saturated | g | 16.745 | ||
| Monounsaturated | g | 17.977 | ||
| Polyunsaturated | g | 10.286 | ||
| LA | g | 3.82 | 8.212 | |
| ALA | g | 1.445 | ||
| AA | g | 0.364 | ||
| EPA | g | 0.105 | ||
| DPA | g | 0.050 | ||
| DHA | g | 0.184 | ||
| Omega 6 / Omega 3 | ratio | 4.94:1 | ||
| EPA + DHA | g | 0.290 |
Disclaimer: I’m sharing this recipe to help pet parents explore what a balanced raw food diet can look like. While I’ve completed an online canine nutrition course, I am not a professional canine nutritionist and do not offer meal formulation or consulting services. This recipe is balanced for my own dogs, but it may not meet the needs of every dog if fed exclusively. If you’d like to learn more about formulating fresh food diets, I encourage you to take advanced online courses and consult with a qualified canine nutritionist—someone with formal education and hands-on experience beyond an introductory course.
