4 Pumpkin and Turkey Dog Food Recipes

Pumpkin and turkey make a simple and balanced combination for homemade dog food when prepared correctly. Lean turkey provides protein, while plain pumpkin adds fiber and moisture. When cooked fully and served in proper portions, these recipes can be a safe addition to your dog’s regular diet.

These meals are best used as occasional homemade options or mixed with complete dog food, unless your veterinarian advises otherwise.

Why Pumpkin and Turkey Work Well Together

This combination is popular in homemade dog food for a few reasons:

• Lean turkey is a good source of protein

• Pumpkin contains natural fiber

• The texture is soft and easy to eat

• Ingredients are simple and easy to find

• No artificial additives when made at home

Always use plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.

🥣 Recipe 1: Basic Pumpkin & Turkey Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey

• ½ cup plain canned pumpkin

• ½ cup cooked brown rice

• ¼ cup finely chopped spinach

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Cook ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned.

2. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Stir in pumpkin and spinach.

4. Add cooked brown rice.

5. Mix well and cook for 3–5 more minutes.

6. Allow to cool before serving.

🥕 Recipe 2: Pumpkin Turkey & Carrot Mix

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey

• ½ cup plain pumpkin

• ½ cup diced carrots

• ½ cup cooked quinoa

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

1. Cook turkey thoroughly in a pan.

2. Steam carrots until soft.

3. Combine turkey, carrots, and pumpkin.

4. Stir in cooked quinoa.

5. Mix evenly and cool before serving.

🍠 Recipe 3: Turkey Pumpkin & Sweet Potato

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey

• ½ cup plain pumpkin

• ½ cup mashed sweet potato

• ¼ cup green beans (chopped)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Cook turkey until no pink remains.

2. Steam green beans until tender.

3. Mix turkey with pumpkin and sweet potato.

4. Add green beans and olive oil.

5. Stir well and let cool completely.

🍚 Recipe 4: Simple Turkey Pumpkin Stew

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey

• ½ cup pumpkin

• ½ cup peas

• ½ cup cooked white rice

• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (dog-safe)

Instructions

1. Brown the turkey in a pot.

2. Add broth and bring to a light simmer.

3. Stir in peas and pumpkin.

4. Add cooked rice.

5. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.

6. Cool fully before serving.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage helps maintain freshness.

Refrigerator:

• Store in airtight container up to 3–4 days.

Freezer:

• Freeze in portion-sized containers up to 2 months.

• Thaw in refrigerator overnight.

Discard if odor or texture changes.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade meals should be served carefully.

Small Dogs (under 20 lbs): ¼–½ cup per serving
Medium Dogs (20–50 lbs): ½–1 cup
Large Dogs (50+ lbs): 1–2 cups

Serve 2–3 times per week or mix with regular balanced dog food.

If switching from commercial food, transition slowly over 5–7 days by mixing small amounts into current food.

Important Notes

• Use lean turkey to reduce excess fat.

• Always cook turkey fully (no pink inside).

• Do not add onions, garlic, salt, or seasoning.

• Use plain pumpkin only.

• Consult your veterinarian for long-term homemade diets.

Final Thoughts

Pumpkin and turkey dog food recipes are simple to prepare and made with basic ingredients. When cooked properly and served in moderation, they can be a practical homemade option for many healthy dogs.

Keep portions balanced, store safely, and introduce new foods gradually. If your dog enjoys these meals, you can rotate vegetables for variety while keeping the base recipe simple.