Instant Pot Dog Food with Beef and Cod

We make this Instant Pot Dog Food with Beef and Cod recipe for our Great Dane, Magnus, and he absolutely loves it! The moment we lift the lid off the Instant Pot, he’s already at the counter, waiting for his meal. This homemade dog food is a simple, nutritious way to give your pup a well-balanced diet.

Why Make Homemade Dog Food?

Preparing homemade food for your dog is not only easy and cost-effective, but it also ensures that your pet gets high-quality, fresh ingredients. As pet owners, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing exactly what goes into our dog’s bowl.

Our venture into homemade dog food began with our first Great Dane, Zeus, who struggled with digestive issues from commercial kibble. No matter what brand we tried—regular, premium, or even specialty store options—nothing seemed to sit well with him. That led us to start making his meals from scratch, and over the years, we’ve created several nutritious blends that we rotate for variety and optimal health.

Fun fact: People often joke that our Danes eat better than most humans! 😂

Of course, we always run our recipes by our vet, and we encourage you to do the same when introducing new foods to your dog’s diet.

Why Add Cod to Your Dog’s Diet?

The addition of cod in this recipe provides a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin, coat, and joint health. It’s generally an excellent protein option for dogs with food sensitivities.

Cod is also a more affordable alternative to other nutrient-rich fish like salmon.

This recipe combines lean proteins, rice, and fresh vegetables for a well-balanced meal your pup will love.

Ingredients

Stew beef: 2 lbs. of lean stew beef, cut into bite-size pieces (or substitute with lean ground beef) – A great source of protein.

Fresh cod: 1 lb. of fresh cod with the bones removed – High in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, good protein source for dogs with allergies.

Brown rice: 2 cups of brown rice. Provides fiber.

Carrots: 2 -3 carrot chopped into 1-2 inch slices. Carrots are rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Sweet potatoes: 1 large sweet potato cut into 1-inch pieces – A nutrient-dense carbohydrate source. You can substitute with pumpkin, either freshly cooked or canned. If using canned, make sure it is pure pumpkin not pie pumpkin as that has added sugars and spices which are not good for your pup.

Green beans: 1 cup of fresh chopped grean beans. You can substitute with frozen, which I do during the winter months. Green beans provide a great source of vitamins and fiber. Can substitute with frozen peas.

Spinach: 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach. Source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Water: 5 1/2 cups.

Instructions

Yields approx. 16-18 cups

One of the best things about this recipe is how effortless it is with an Instant Pot!

1. Add water, rice, vegetables, beef, and cod to the Instant Pot.
2. Secure the lid and set it to Pressure Cook (High Pressure) for 18 minutes.
3. Once the cooking time is up, allow a natural pressure release (this generally takes about 20-30 minutes).
4. Open the lid and stir everything together.
5. Allow to cool before serving your pup.

That’s it! A fresh, homemade, and nutritious meal for your furry friend.

Storage Tips

Store homemade dog food in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

For longer storage, freeze in ziplock bags or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

I like to make extra batches and store them in freezer safe containers so that we always have a batch on-hand.

No Instant Pot? No Problem!

If your Instant Pot is unavailable (which has happened to me a few times—usually because the gasket needed replacing), you can still make this on the stovetop:

1. Add all ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let it simmer, covered, for 40-45 minutes or until rice, meat and vegetables are fully cooked.
3. Stir occasionally and add an extra cup of water (or more) as needed to prevent sticking.

Final Thoughts

As always, we recommend consulting your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog’s diet.

If your pup loves this meal and you’re looking for more homemade dog food recipes, check out our favorites: Instant Pot Dog Food with Chicken, Instant Pot Dog Food with Ground Beef , Chicken and Pumpkin Dog Food, Homemade Beef Stew for Dogs.

Let us know if you try this recipe—we’d love to hear how your pup likes it! 🐶💕

This post may contain affiliate links by which I may receive a small commission. All product links are items I personally use in my kitchen.