I started making a homemade veggie mix years ago to help one of my dogs lose a little weight. Fast-forward to today, and this mix is a regular part of everyone’s meals. It’s not just for weight loss anymore - it’s for fiber, antioxidants, gut health, and an easy nutrient boost.
Yes, dogs are facultative carnivores.
And yes, they can benefit from small amounts of veggies - especially when we prepare them correctly. Pureeing, blanching, or freezing breaks down the cell walls and helps dogs actually absorb the nutrients.
Why Add Veggies to a Dog’s Diet?
A lot of people think dogs can’t digest vegetables. That’s simply not true. Dogs naturally produce a little amylase (the enzyme that helps with carbs), and when veggies are prepared the right way, they can be super beneficial.
Here’s why I keep veggie mix stocked in my freezer:
Nutrient-Rich: Veggies add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Better Digestion: Fiber helps keep the poop schedule regular.
Low-Cal Nutrition: Great for weight loss or maintenance.
Anti-Inflammatory: Leafy greens help support joints and the immune system.
Gut Support: Veggies feed the good gut bacteria.
DIY Veggie Mix Recipe
Cost: About $50
Time: 45–60 minutes
Makes: Twelve 32-oz jars (yes, really)
Every batch looks a little different, but here’s one of my favorites:
3 bunches of collard greens
1 bunch kale
2 zucchinis
2 yellow squash
1 bag carrots
1 small red cabbage
1 produce bag of okra
4 baby bok choy
1 bulb of garlic (yes, garlic is safe for dogs)
10 oz shiitake mushrooms (sautéed)
32 oz turmeric bone broth (or regular homemade bone broth)
Wild stinging nettles & dried dandelions (harvested ahead of time)
You don’t have to follow this recipe perfectly - use what’s safe, available, and affordable.
Nutrients This Veggie Mix Can Add to Your Dog’s Diet
Even though vegetables aren’t the “main course” in a dog’s meal, they can add a surprising amount of nutrition - especially when you use a variety like this mix. Here’s a simple breakdown of what these veggies bring to the bowl:
Leafy Greens (Collard Greens, Kale, Bok Choy, Dandelion Greens, Wild Nettle) are basically nature’s multivitamin. They’re rich in:
Vitamins A, C, and K - support immunity, vision, and bone health.
Calcium & Magnesium - great for nerve and muscle function.
Antioxidants - help fight inflammation and support longevity.
Fiber - keeps digestion smooth and the gut bacteria happy.
Carrots are famous for:
Beta-carotene (Vitamin A) - eye health, skin health, immune support.
Soluble & Insoluble Fiber - helps digestion and stool quality
Zucchini & Yellow Squash are low-calorie veggies add:
B vitamins - support energy and metabolism.
Manganese & Potassium - good for the heart and muscles.
Water + fiber - gentle on sensitive stomachs.
Red cabbage is PACKED with:
Vitamin C - immune support and antioxidant power.
Anthocyanins - anti-inflammatory compounds (also why it’s purple).
Sulforaphane precursors - support detoxification and cancer prevention.
Okra is a healthy food (if you can get past the slime):
Prebiotic fiber - feeds good gut bacteria.
Vitamin K & folate - great for cell health and healing.
Mucilage — helps soothe the gut lining.
Shiitake Mushrooms, once sauteed to break down the cellular walls, offers:
Beta-glucans - huge immune support.
B vitamins - important for energy, skin, and brain health.
Lentinan - may help reduce inflammation and support longevity.
Garlic packs a punch, in a good way. When fed in the correct amounts, garlic can support:
Immune health
Heart health
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits
(And again - garlic is safe when used properly.)
Turmeric Bone Broth (which is basically bone broth with turmeric added as it cools), brings:
Collagen + gelatin - joint health, skin health, gut support.
Turmeric (curcumin) - powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Extra hydration
Tools I Use
A good knife (I use a cleaver because I like feeling powerful)
Cutting board
2–3 large mixing bowls
NutriBullet or food processor
Big mixing spoon
Wide-mouth jars
I freeze everything after mixing. Tip: Leave a couple of inches of room at the top of the jar when adding your veggie mix, and don’t seal the jars until they’re fully frozen - this will prevent (fingers crossed) the jar from shattering.
How to Make It
Chop and puree all raw vegetables.
Sauté the mushrooms in MCT oil or water.
Pour in the turmeric bone broth.
Mix everything.
Scoop into jars and freeze.
That’s it.
FAQ: The Questions I Get All the Time
Why do you add veggies?
Fiber, antioxidants, and gut health.
Is this a base mix?
Nope. This doesn’t balance a raw diet - it’s just a nutritious add-on.
Is garlic really safe?
Yes. The “garlic is toxic” study was flawed and exaggerated. Dogs would have to eat ridiculous amounts for it to be harmful. Read more here: Garlic for Dogs: A Natural Flea Repellent That Works
Do you cook the veggies?
I puree them raw. Only the mushrooms are sautéed before adding them to the mix.
Does it need to be organic?
Not required. I prefer organic or locally grown when possible.
Can I swap ingredients?
Absolutely! Pick safe veggies your dog likes.
How much do you add?
Usually 1–2 spoonfuls per meal.
Can kibble-fed dogs have this?
YES - it’s a great fresh-food upgrade.
Is it like Green JuJu?
Not exactly. My mix is all veggies. Green JuJu uses organic ingredients, functional add-ons, and partners with regenerative farms. They also have blends like:
Just Greens: Organic celery, organic zucchini, organic kale, organic dandelion greens, organic parsley, bison bone broth, organic coconut oil, organic lemon, organic turmeric, and organic ginger
Bailey’s Blend: Organic cucumber, organic green cabbage, organic broccoli, organic turkey bone broth, organic cilantro, organic chard, organic coconut oil, organic blueberries, organic turmeric, organic lemon
Golden Blend: Organic butternut squash, organic celery, duck bone broth, organic cauliflower, organic golden beets, organic coconut oil, organic apple cider vinegar, organic ginger, and organic turmeric
Vitality Blend: Organic Purple Cabbage, Organic Purple Carrots, Organic Chard, Organic Fennel, Organic Parsnip, Organic Raspberries, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Ginger, Organic Turmeric, Venison Bone Broth
All amazing - mine is just the DIY, budget-friendly version.
Can I Add Fruit?
Sometimes I throw in apples or blueberries:
Apples: Vitamin C + pectin for gut and heart health.
Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries: Packed with antioxidants and fiber. Great for immune support.
My Final Thoughts…
I’ve been adding vegetables to my dogs’ meals since I began feeding raw, because how I feed my dogs was greatly inspired by the BARF model of raw feeding. This veggie mix can be used as a base mix, but the blend requires several more ingredients and will need to be adjusted based on the muscle and organ meat and other ingredients in the raw blend.
Adding vegetables to your dog’s meals is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to support long-term health. It works with raw, cooked, and even kibble diets. It adds nutrients, flavor, fiber, and your dog’s gut will absolutely thank you.