Slow-Cooked Beef Shank Dog Food Recipe

Slow-Cooked Beef Shank Dog Food Recipe

If your dog turns up their nose at commercial dog food, this slow-cooked beef shank recipe may become their new favorite. Made with collagen-rich beef shank, butternut squash, collard greens, red rice, red lentils, Ceylon cinnamon, and a touch of coconut oil, this homemade recipe creates a flavorful, nutrient-rich meal with a delicious natural gravy that even picky eaters can enjoy.

This recipe was inspired by my Shih Tzu, Obi, who refuses commercial dog food but loves slow-cooked beef with a little rich broth. After gently browning the beef and slow cooking it for seven hours, the meat becomes incredibly tender while releasing natural collagen and gelatin into the cooking juices.

  • 1.15 lb. beef shank
  • 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil (for browning)
  • ½ cup butternut squash, diced
  • ½ cup finely chopped collard greens
  • 1 tablespoon red lentils
  • 2 tablespoons red rice
  • ¾ cup beef stock (no onion/garlic)
  • 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon eggshell powder (after cooking) - optional
  1. Heat coconut oil.
  2. Brown the beef shank well on all sides. This is the key step for Obi — the browned flavor will make a big difference.
  3. Put everything into the slow cooker.
  4. Cook LOW for 7 hours.
  5. Remove cinnamon stick and bone (if present).
  6. Shred the beef and mix with the vegetables and the thickened broth.

You should end up with a moist shredded beef with a natural gravy, not soup.

A little trick for picky dogs

When serving:

  • Warm his portion slightly.
  • Add his 1 teaspoon kefir after warming.
  • Mix it thoroughly so the smell spreads through the food.
  • Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so warming the food releases the beef aroma.