There’s something a little funny about making your dog a tiny burger, but that’s exactly what this recipe is: a bite-sized turkey patty, tucked into a soft “bun,” with a few dog-safe toppings that mimic the real thing. It looks like a slider off a party tray, minus anything that would actually upset your dog’s stomach.
This one comes together fast, doesn’t require any special equipment, and works well as a fun one-off treat or a small addition to your dog’s regular food.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods or treats into your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has allergies, sensitivities, or an existing medical condition.
Why Turkey Works Well for Dog Treats
Plain, fully cooked turkey is a lean protein source that a lot of dogs tolerate well, which makes it a solid base for a homemade treat. It’s lower in fat than some other meats, which is helpful if you’re keeping an eye on your dog’s weight, and its mild flavor pairs easily with other simple ingredients.
The key word throughout this recipe is plain. Seasoned turkey, turkey skin, or anything cooked with butter, salt, garlic, or onion isn’t part of this recipe and shouldn’t be swapped in.
What You’ll Need
For the patties:
- 1/2 pound plain ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oat flour (or finely ground rolled oats)
For the “bun” and toppings:
- A small, cooked sweet potato, sliced into thin rounds
- A few small lettuce leaves
- A thin carrot slice or two, for a “cheese”-style topping
Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey: Use plain turkey with no added seasoning. Ground turkey breast is a leaner option if you’d like to cut back on fat.
- Egg: Helps bind the patty together. If your dog has an egg sensitivity, you can leave it out and use a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce instead.
- Oat flour: Adds a bit of texture and helps the patty hold its shape. Plain rolled oats blended into a fine powder work just as well as store-bought oat flour.
- Sweet potato rounds: Used here in place of a bread bun, since sweet potato holds up well and adds some fiber. If your dog tolerates grains fine, a small round of plain bread can work too, though it offers less nutritional value.
- Carrot “cheese”: A thin slice of carrot mimics the look of a cheese slice without any dairy involved, which is useful for dogs who don’t handle dairy well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the patty ingredients. In a bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, and oat flour until evenly mixed. The mixture will be a little wet, and that’s normal.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. No oil should be needed if you’re using a good nonstick surface, but a very light coating is fine if needed.
- Form small patties. Scoop about a heaping tablespoon of the mixture per patty and drop it into the pan. Don’t press down right away.
- Cook the first side. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes, until it’s set enough to flip.
- Flip and flatten gently. Turn the patty over and press down lightly with a spatula to flatten it into a slider shape. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Check for doneness. Turkey should be fully cooked through with no pink remaining. Cut one open to check if you’re unsure.
- Let everything cool. Move the patties to a plate and let them cool to room temperature before serving or assembling.
Building the Slider
Once the patties have cooled:
- Place a cooled patty on top of a sweet potato round.
- Add a small piece of lettuce.
- Top with a thin carrot slice as the “cheese.”
- Cap it with a second sweet potato round, if you’d like the full slider look, or leave it open-faced for easier eating.
You can serve these whole for larger dogs or cut into smaller pieces for smaller breeds or puppies.
Easy Substitutions
- Ground chicken or lean ground beef can be used instead of turkey, following the same cooking method.
- Unsweetened applesauce can replace the egg for dogs with an egg sensitivity.
- Cooked, mashed sweet potato formed into a thin round works as an alternative if you don’t have a whole sweet potato to slice.
- Skip the “bun” entirely and just serve the patty on its own, cut into pieces, if you’d rather keep things simple.
Serving Size Guidance
These sliders are a treat, not a meal replacement. A good rule of thumb is that treats, including something like this, shouldn’t make up more than a small portion of your dog’s daily calorie intake, with the rest coming from their regular, complete dog food. Adjust the size and number of sliders based on your dog’s size, and consider offering half a slider for smaller dogs.
Storage Tips
- Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Assemble the sliders fresh when you’re ready to serve, rather than storing them fully built, since the sweet potato and lettuce hold up better separately.
- Patties can also be frozen individually and thawed as needed, making it easy to prep a batch ahead of time.
FAQ’s
Can I use raw ground turkey instead of cooking it?
No, the turkey should always be fully cooked. Raw or undercooked poultry can carry bacteria that may make your dog sick, so cooking it through is an important step, not an optional one.
My dog has a sensitive stomach. Is this recipe okay?
These ingredients are generally mild and simple, but every dog is different. If your dog has a history of sensitivity to any of these ingredients, introduce a small portion first and watch for any reaction before making a full batch.
Can I add seasoning to make it tastier for my dog?
It’s best to skip seasoning altogether. Dogs don’t need salt, garlic, onion, or spice blends the way people do, and some common seasonings are actually harmful to dogs. The plain turkey flavor is usually appealing enough on its own.
Can puppies eat these sliders?
In small, appropriately sized portions, most of these ingredients are generally fine for puppies, but it’s worth checking with your veterinarian first, especially if your puppy hasn’t tried turkey, egg, or oats before.
How long do these keep in the fridge?
The cooked patties keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to about 3 days. Assemble the full slider closer to serving time for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
This turkey slider recipe is about as close as your dog is going to get to a “burger night” of their own, minus anything that would actually be bad for them. It’s simple enough for a quick weekday treat and fun enough to feel like a real occasion if you want to make it one.
As with any homemade treat, keep portions appropriate to your dog’s size and introduce new ingredients gradually if your dog hasn’t had them before.
