High Protein Ground Turkey Jerky for Dogs

I never thought about making my own dog treats until I saw how much I was spending on those fancy bags at the pet store. Plus, half the time I couldn’t even pronounce the ingredients on the back. Turns out, homemade dog jerky is way easier than it sounds—and my dogs go absolutely crazy for it.

This ground turkey jerky only needs two ingredients and a few hours in the oven. No weird preservatives, no mystery meat, just plain turkey and a little turmeric. The turmeric gives it a nice color and is actually good for dogs’ joints. My pups think I’m a hero every time I pull a batch out of the oven.

What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Use?

For homemade dog jerky, you can use any ground turkey you find at the store, whether it’s 93% lean or 85% lean. The leaner varieties will result in a slightly drier, crunchier jerky that stores a bit longer, while the fattier ground turkey will make treats that are a little more flavorful for your pup. Just make sure you’re using plain ground turkey without any added seasonings, onions, or garlic, since those ingredients aren’t safe for dogs. If you’re buying in bulk or want to save some money, ground turkey often goes on sale, so it’s worth stocking up and freezing extra for future batches.

Options for Substitutions

This simple dog treat recipe is easy to adapt based on what you have available:

• Ground turkey: You can swap ground turkey with ground chicken, lean ground beef, or ground bison. Keep the meat as lean as possible since excess fat can make the jerky spoil faster and may upset your dog’s stomach. If using fattier meat like beef, try to find 90% lean or higher.
• Additional protein options: Ground venison or ground lamb also work well for this recipe. Just make sure whatever protein you choose is fresh and safe for dogs to eat. Avoid seasoned or pre-marinated meats as they often contain ingredients like onion or garlic powder that aren’t safe for pets.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making dog jerky is forming the strips too thick, which prevents them from drying out properly and can lead to spoilage – aim for about 1/4 inch thickness so the jerky dehydrates evenly throughout.

Another common error is not checking your oven temperature with a separate thermometer, since many ovens run hotter than their settings and cooking above 180°F can actually cook the meat instead of dehydrating it.

To ensure your jerky is safe for your pup, make sure it’s completely dry and breaks cleanly when bent – any moisture left inside can cause mold, so if needed, add another 30 minutes to the baking time.

Finally, store the finished jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze it for longer storage to keep it fresh and safe for your dog to enjoy.

What to Serve With Ground Turkey Jerky for Dogs?

This homemade dog treat is perfect on its own as a training reward or special snack for your pup. You can break the jerky into smaller pieces and mix it with your dog’s regular kibble to make mealtime more exciting, or use it as a high-value treat during training sessions. If you’re putting together a special meal for your furry friend, pair the jerky with some cooked sweet potato, plain rice, or steamed green beans for a balanced homemade dinner they’ll love. Just remember to adjust your dog’s regular food portions if you’re giving them extra treats throughout the day to keep them at a healthy weight.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep your homemade dog jerky in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Since there are no preservatives like store-bought treats, it’s important to keep it cold to stay fresh and safe for your pup.

Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the jerky in portions so you can grab what you need. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag. I like to separate it into weekly portions so I’m not constantly thawing the whole batch.

Thaw: When you need more treats, just move a portion from the freezer to the fridge the night before. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and it’ll be ready for your dog the next day. Never leave it out at room temperature for more than an hour or two.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 170-190 g
• Fat: 80-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 0-2 g

Ingredients

• 2.25 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
• 0.25 tsp turmeric powder

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Mix the Turkey

• 2.25 lb ground turkey
• 0.25 tsp turmeric powder

Preheat your oven to 170°F.

While it heats, place the ground turkey in a bowl and sprinkle the turmeric powder evenly over it.

Mix gently with your hands until the turmeric is fully incorporated and the color is consistent throughout—this keeps the seasoning from clumping and ensures even distribution.

Step 2: Form and Arrange the Jerky Strips

• turkey mixture from Step 1

On a clean surface or parchment paper, form the turmeric-seasoned turkey mixture from Step 1 into thin, even strips about 1/4 inch thick—think of the thickness of a pencil.

I find it helps to slightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking.

Arrange the strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart so heat can circulate evenly around each piece.

Step 3: Bake and Flip the Jerky

• jerky strips from Step 2

Place the baking sheet in the preheated 170°F oven and bake for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, carefully flip each strip over to ensure even drying on both sides.

Continue baking for another 30 minutes to 1 hour until the jerky is completely dried through and has no moisture when bent—it should be firm and slightly brittle but not hard.

Step 4: Cool and Cut into Pieces

• baked jerky from Step 3

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the jerky cool completely at room temperature for at least 30 minutes—this allows it to firm up fully.

I like to let mine cool on the baking sheet undisturbed so the pieces stay together better.

Once cooled, cut or break the jerky into small, bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog’s size.

High Protein Ground Turkey Jerky for Dogs

Delicious High Protein Ground Turkey Jerky for Dogs recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 55 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 47 minutes mins

Servings 16 ounces of jerky

Calories 1600 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2.25 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
• 0.25 tsp turmeric powder

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 170°F. While it heats, place the ground turkey in a bowl and sprinkle the turmeric powder evenly over it. Mix gently with your hands until the turmeric is fully incorporated and the color is consistent throughout—this keeps the seasoning from clumping and ensures even distribution.
• On a clean surface or parchment paper, form the turmeric-seasoned turkey mixture from Step 1 into thin, even strips about 1/4 inch thick—think of the thickness of a pencil. I find it helps to slightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking. Arrange the strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart so heat can circulate evenly around each piece.
• Place the baking sheet in the preheated 170°F oven and bake for 2 hours. After 2 hours, carefully flip each strip over to ensure even drying on both sides. Continue baking for another 30 minutes to 1 hour until the jerky is completely dried through and has no moisture when bent—it should be firm and slightly brittle but not hard.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the jerky cool completely at room temperature for at least 30 minutes—this allows it to firm up fully. I like to let mine cool on the baking sheet undisturbed so the pieces stay together better. Once cooled, cut or break the jerky into small, bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog's size.