Slow cooking is another gentle method that breaks down connective tissue and makes nutrients more bioavailable without the damaging high temperatures of roasting or frying. This set-and-forget meal uses a slow cooker to turn turkey and root vegetables into a tender, flavourful bowl that preserves more vitamins and minerals than conventional cooking. Put it on in the morning and your dog has a fresh, nutrient-dense dinner by evening.
At a Glance
| β± Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| π₯ Cook Time | 6-8 hours (slow cooker) |
| π½ Servings | Makes 6-8 serves |
| π Suitable For | All dogs β great for batch cooking |
π₯ Ingredients
- 600g turkey drumsticks or thighs (bone-in for flavour, bones removed after cooking)
- 2 cups sweet potato (diced)
- 1 cup pumpkin (diced)
- 1 cup carrots (diced)
- Β½ cup green beans (chopped)
- Β½ cup peas
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp fish oil (added after cooking)
π©βπ³ Instructions
- Place turkey pieces in the slow cooker.
- Add diced sweet potato, pumpkin, and carrots.
- Pour in water and add coconut oil.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
- Remove turkey and carefully strip all meat from bones. Discard ALL bones.
- Return shredded turkey to the slow cooker.
- Add green beans and peas, stir through (residual heat will cook them).
- Let cool, then stir in fish oil.
- Portion into containers.
π Storage
Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. The slow cooker makes big batches perfect for weekly meal prep.
π Nutrition Notes
Slow cooking at low temperatures (around 90Β°C) gently breaks down collagen in turkey into gelatin, creating natural joint support. The enclosed environment of a slow cooker means water-soluble vitamins stay in the cooking liquid rather than being lost. Root vegetables become incredibly easy to digest after slow cooking.
π‘ Tips
- ALWAYS remove ALL bones after cooking β cooked bones are dangerous
- Turkey drumstick bones are large and easy to find and remove
- The cooking liquid is rich in nutrients β don't drain it
- Fish oil must be added AFTER cooking to preserve the omega-3s
- This is the perfect Sunday batch cook for the whole week
β οΈ Important: Raw feeding carries risks including bacterial contamination. Always use human-grade meat, handle with strict hygiene, and consult your vet before starting a raw or gently cooked diet. Not recommended for immunocompromised dogs, puppies, or households with young children or elderly people.
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