Our adorable 2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Louie, absolutely loves meat. Today, I’d like to share a simple recipe for homemade dried beef jerky for dogs—something I regularly make for Louie. He prefers chewy, textured treats over soft ones, so I kept the ingredients simple and added a small amount of starch to help bind the mix without overburdening his digestion.
1. Ingredients for Ground Beef Jerky
100g ground beef
1 tbsp tapioca starch
1/3 tbsp sprouted chia & flaxseed powder
a small amount of Manuka honey
Tapioca starch helps maintain shape after drying, while the chia and flax add fiber. Although these seeds contain omega-3s, most will degrade in the oven.
Note: Small amounts of Manuka honey are generally safe for adult dogs. Avoid for puppies under 1 year or dogs with diabetes, obesity, pancreatitis, high triglycerides, or known allergies.
2. Mixing and Shaping the Jerky
Preheat oven to 100°C (212°F).
Combine ground beef with tapioca starch and chia-flaxseed powder in order, mixing well by hand until it becomes slightly sticky and easy to shape.
Spread the mixture thinly and evenly onto a baking sheet.
Lightly brush the surface with Manuka honey. This helps create a mild glaze and keeps the jerky moist after baking.
You can cut the jerky before or after baking—cutting afterward creates cleaner lines.
3. Basic Oven Baking Instructions
Lower oven to 95°C (203°F) and bake for 1 hour.
This will firm the jerky and evaporate surface moisture.
For a crunchier texture, continue baking at 71°C (160°F) for 2 more hours, then air-dry for 2–3 hours. Drier jerky is great for nose work activities.
Louie prefers a semi-soft texture, so I usually stop after the first bake and use a dehydrator for finishing.
4. Optional Dehydrator Finish
Transfer oven-baked jerky to a dehydrator and dry at 71°C (160°F) for 4 hours.
The final texture will vary depending on how thinly you spread the mixture. Thanks to tapioca starch, the jerky holds its shape without crumbling.
5. Louie’s Reaction
Louie absolutely loved the jerky—he’s a big fan of strong beef aroma and chewy texture. He kept begging for more.
However, because dried treats are nutrient-dense and low in moisture, it's important to limit the serving size.
6. Storage Tips
Since this treat uses fresh meat, store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.
Reflections
Louie always preferred chewy textures over soft treats, and this beef jerky was a big hit. Making it at home allows me to control the ingredients and ensure freshness. I also like that I can adjust the baking method to change the texture.
Homemade, human-grade treats like this are both satisfying and rewarding to make. Watching Louie enjoy his treats makes the process worthwhile.
What kinds of homemade treats does your dog enjoy the most?