Thanksgiving Puploaf Recipe

I enjoy cooking for my dog for special occasions. I particularly like making something special on Thanksgiving so he has his own dog-friendly dinner. Turkey meatloaf is a great option since it can be made into fun shapes. I've made a drumstick in the past, and this year, I tried making a tiny turkey. I was so pleased that the little legs stayed on and I think it turned out cute!

Thanksgiving Doggie Dinner: Turkey-shaped meatloaf w/ gravy, blanched green beans, baked butternut squash

I like to use Tuscan kale (a.k.a. dinosaur or Lacinato kale). The leaves don't have curly edges so they won't stick out of the meatloaves like curly kale can. Plus, kale has great nutritional benefits.

Adding turmeric also provides many health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, detox, and many other properties.

While I made this for Thanksgiving, this recipe is good for other special occasions and holidays or even year-round. And you can play around with the ingredients to change up the herbs & veggies that are dog-safe.

Thanksgiving Puploaf Recipe

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 to 40 mins
Total time: 40 to 50 mins
Yield: 4 loaves

Always check with your vet about which foods are appropriate for your pet and any pre-existing condition, medication, or planned surgery affecting your pet.

This recipe does NOT contain all the nutrients necessary for complete nutritional health and is NOT intended as a dog's regular diet. This recipe is for special occasions. 

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup Tuscan kale, stemmed & finely chopped
1 small carrot, shredded
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 sprig of sage, stemmed & chopped
2 sprigs of rosemary, stemmed & finely chopped
2 tablespoons parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
1 or 2 large eggs, beaten
2 tsp. ground turmeric

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook quinoa according to package instructions but do NOT add salt since this is for dogs. Make enough to yield 1/2 cup cooked quinoa. (Use any extra quinoa as a mix-in with your dog's regular food.) Allow the quinoa to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked quinoa, kale, carrot, celery, parsley, sage, rosemary, cheese, 1 beaten egg, and turmeric. Mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meatloaf will end up dense. If the mixture isn't holding together, add another beaten egg.

Divide the mixture and form into 4 small loaves. You can make larger loaves depending on the size & normal feeding portion for your dog. Place loaves on a rimmed sheet pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F and the meatloaves are cooked through. (Larger loaves will take longer to cook.) Remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Refrigerate or freeze any leftover meatloaves.

NOTE: This recipe can be made as meatballs instead by forming 1-inch balls and baking in 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until cooked through.