Beef jerky is a tasty treat that most dogs love, but buying beef jerky at the store can get quite expensive. Also, giving dogs beef jerky made for humans can be unhealthy because they can contain additional chemicals that are harmful to dogs.
Luckily, the Canine Chef Cookbook has you covered with a budget-sensitive beef jerky recipe that you can make right at home for your fur friend!
This beef jerky recipe combines two ingredients that are both healthy and affordable: ground beef and calf liver. By themselves, they aren't very tasty, but combine them together and you have a recipe for some great jerky! You can also add in additional herbs such as rosemary for extra flavoring!
Beef Jerky Recipe for Dogs (makes 40 pieces)
Prep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 4 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup calf liver
Preparation Instructions:
- Puree the calf liver and then mix it in with the ground beef.
- This is messy so line your dehydrator with wax paper for easy cleanup.
- Scoop the meat into a zip lock bag and snip a corner so you can squeeze out the meat mixture. A Jerky gun is even easier but I don't have one yet. Squeeze out skinny strips and small drops for bite size chews.
- Dehydrate for about 3 to 4 hours. At this point it really looks like dog poo but it does look better when done.
- Remove the wax paper and turn over the meat to dry out the other side. Dehydrate another 3 to 4 hours until the meat is dry and crunchy.
If you don't have a dehydrator, you can bake the meat mixture on a lined baking sheet at 250 degrees for 6 to 7 hours. Store in a cool, dark place in airtight containers, not the refrigerator which will cause moisture and mold.
Calf liver is preferred over beef liver because fewer toxins have filtered through a younger animal. Liver in large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity so feed sparingly. Kirby can have two strips a day.
This recipe has been carefully researched and tested by Kirby the Dorkie and his furiends. It is essential to seek the advice of your Veterinarian before changing your dog's diet or adding any ingredients to your dog's food especially if your dog has any underlying health issues.
Debby, pawrent to Kirby the Dorkie, creates and develops recipes for dog treats and dog meals. You can find more recipes and nutritional information from “The Canine Chef Cookbook” and like Kirby the Dorkie on Facebook for more doggie fun.
What do you think of this tasty beef jerky recipe? What kinds of herbs do you like to use? Let us know in the comments!