Oh, you guys know I’m just obsessed with giving my little buddies the absolute best, right? I mean, if I’m going to spend time in the kitchen, it better be worthwhile for them! That’s why I am so thrilled to share what has become my go-to staple: Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles. Seriously, trust me on this one. These aren’t those dry, mystery-meat biscuits. We’re using real, recognizable ingredients that pump up the nutrition—that beef is lean, and those beets? Total heart boosters! I started making these because Buster kept sneezing at the generic store brand, and now he absolutely bolts when he hears the mixer starting up. It’s so easy, you won’t believe it. If you want to know more about my philosophy on feeding our furry friends, check out my about page!
Why You Will Love These Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Honestly, making your dog’s food is just the best feeling. You know exactly what’s going into every piece they eat, and that peace of mind is priceless. Here’s why these little nuggets are moving into heavy rotation at my house:
- The beetroot is fantastic for heart health—it adds vibrant color and amazing nutrients.
- Prep time is so fast, usually under 20 minutes, meaning you can make a big batch without spending all day.
- It’s a low-fat recipe, which is perfect for keeping things light and easy on their tummies.
Gathering Ingredients for Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! This is where the good stuff happens. The list is short, which I love, because complicated recipes always lead to me forgetting something vital. For these amazing beef and kale strength mixes, we are keeping it simple but potent. We need one pound of ground beef—I always splurge for leaner cuts here, remember, we want low fat!
Then comes the star color, one full cup of cooked, pureed beetroot. Don’t just chop it roughly; make sure it’s smooth like baby food so it incorporates beautifully. We are also grabbing two big eggs, a half cup of rolled oats, and one full cup of whole wheat flour to hold everything together. Oh, and just a splash, only a quarter cup, of water to get that perfect doughy consistency.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
If you’re avoiding gluten, no sweat! You can totally swap that whole wheat flour for oat flour. Just measure it the same way. The real key, though, is that beetroot puree. If yours is super watery, you might need less of that quarter cup of added water, or your dough will be sticky. It should feel stiff, not sloppy. I always taste a tiny bit of the raw dough just to make sure the beet flavor is rich enough—don’t judge me, Buster doesn’t mind!
Essential Equipment for Making Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Before you even think about making the dough, let’s make sure your kitchen is set up! You really don’t need a ton of specialized gear, thankfully. You’ll definitely want a good large mixing bowl for combining everything—don’t try to mix this in a tiny one, trust me! Make sure your oven is ready to go to 350°F. Beyond that, grab a couple of trusty baking sheets and line them with parchment paper (it saves scrubbing later!). Finally, you’ll need something small to cut your shapes, like a little cookie cutter or even just a knife if you prefer irregular kibble shapes.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Alright, time to get messy! First things first: get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets. Parchment paper is your best friend here, trust me, especially with this kind of sticky dough. Now, in your giant bowl, gently mix up that ground beef, the beautiful beetroot puree, the flour, the oats, and those eggs. Here’s my little tip: mix it until it’s *just* combined. Don’t go crazy whipping it! Overmixing just makes things tough, and we want happy jaws, not tough chewing.
Once it just comes together, start drizzling in that water, a little bit at a time, until you have a stiff dough. It shouldn’t feel wet, more like clay. Flour your counter lightly and roll that gorgeous purple-ish dough out until it’s about a quarter of an inch thick. Use a small cutter—Buster loves little bone shapes, but any small shape works fine for these healthy dog treats. Pop them on the sheets and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until they look firm and slightly browned on the edges.
Achieving Perfect Crispness in Your Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
You might think you’re done, but the cooling step is everything for ultimate crunch! As soon as the timer goes off, turn the oven off right away. Don’t open the door fully—just crack it open a smidge, maybe with a wooden spoon propped in the door. Leaving them in the residual heat to cool down completely makes them super crisp. This stops them from getting soft again when they hit the room air!
Tips for Success When Preparing Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Making these is super straightforward, but pay attention to these three things and you’ll never have a soggy batch! First, remember what the instructions said about mixing: only combine until the ingredients come together. You really don’t want to overwork that dough, or you’ll lose the lightness we need for these low-fat bites.
Second, consistency in rolling is everything. Try hard to keep that dough right around the quarter-inch mark everywhere. If one piece is super thick, it might stay soft in the middle while the thin ones burn. Finally, when testing doneness, don’t just pull them out because the timer rang. Give a piece a little poke—it needs to feel firm, not squishy, so you know they’ll stay fresh longer in the fridge. For more easy protein recipes, take a peek at my lean beef and carrot jerky!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Now that you’ve made a massive batch of these tasty homemade dog food nuggets, we need to keep them fresh! Because we skipped all those weird chemical preservatives they use in store-bought stuff, these beef and beetroot kibbles absolutely need to be chilled. Pop them into a really good airtight container; once they are totally cool, straight into the refrigerator they go!
They should last well in the fridge for about a week, maybe a little more. If I make a double batch like I often do, I portion out what I need for the week and then freeze the rest. When you take a frozen bag out, just let it sit on the counter for maybe an hour, and they’ll be perfect for mealtime. They never really need reheating, but they’re great straight from the fridge for a nice, cool snack!
Common Questions About Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
I get so many questions whenever I post about these wonderful little bites! Since these are a step up from basic dog food shortcuts, people naturally have concerns. Here are the things I hear most often about whipping up these healthy dog treats.
Can I use a different meat instead of beef?
Oh, absolutely! I used beef because it blends really well and is naturally lean, but you can certainly swap it out. Ground turkey or even ground lean chicken works beautifully. Just make super sure whatever you substitute is lean. Remember, we are aiming for lower fat content here, so skip the fattier cuts!
How long do these homemade kibbles last in the fridge?
Because we aren’t using preservatives, they really need the cold storage. In a tightly sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator, I find they stay perfectly good for about seven to ten days. If you make a huge batch, definitely stick the extras in the freezer right away!
Are these kibbles suitable for puppies?
That’s a great question about the young ones! Since this recipe is baked and relatively dense, I usually suggest waiting until puppies are a bit older—maybe around 5 or 6 months—before introducing them consistently. Always check with your vet if you have concerns about introducing rich, new solid foods to a very young puppy.
My dough seems a little runny. What did I mess up?
Ninety-nine percent of the time when the dough is runny, it’s the moisture from the beetroot puree! Don’t panic. Just sprinkle in another tablespoon or two of that whole wheat flour or oat flour—whatever you used—until it firms up to that stiff, manageable dough consistency. It’s all about adjusting on the fly!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
Since we’re making these from scratch, the exact numbers can shift a tiny bit depending on the fat content of your specific beef cut, but I wanted to give you a general idea of how nutritious these are! For a standard serving size of about 1/4 cup, you’re looking at roughly 180 calories.
This recipe is fantastic because it keeps the fat around 8 grams while packing in a solid 12 grams of protein. You also get about 15 grams of carbs from the flour and oats. These are just estimates, so take them as a guideline, but wow, look at that quality!
Share Your Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles Creations
Okay, now it’s your turn! Try feeding these Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles to your pups and let me know what happens. Did they gobble them down faster than you could set the bowl down? Seriously, use the comments below to tell me how they turned out and if your dog had a favorite shape!
If you snap a picture of Buster or your furry friend enjoying these, please share it with me! You can always reach out through my contact page. Happy baking—I can’t wait to hear all about your success!
Print
Homemade Beef and Beetroot Heart Healthy Kibbles
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Simple recipe for making nutritious, homemade dog kibble using beef and beetroot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked, pureed beetroot
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, pureed beetroot, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, and eggs. Mix until just combined.
- Add water slowly until the mixture forms a stiff dough.
- Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Use a small cookie cutter or knife to cut the dough into small, kibble-sized pieces.
- Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned.
- Turn off the oven and let the kibbles cool completely inside the oven with the door slightly ajar for extra crispness.
- Store cooled kibbles in an airtight container.
Notes
- Adjust water amount based on the moisture content of your beetroot puree.
- You can substitute whole wheat flour with oat flour for a gluten-free option.
- These kibbles must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for long-term freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Pet Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 45
Keywords: dog food, homemade kibble, beef, beetroot, healthy dog treats, low fat dog food