Beef & Broccoli Sticks for Dogs: Easy Homemade Treat Recipe

If your dog loves meaty treats, these Beef & Broccoli Sticks for Dogs are an easy homemade option made with simple ingredients. Lean ground beef provides the rich flavor dogs love, while finely chopped broccoli adds texture and a small amount of plant-based nutrients.

Unlike many human beef snacks, this recipe contains no garlic, onion, heavy salt, spicy seasoning, or sugary sauce. The sticks are baked rather than fried, making them convenient to prepare and portion at home.

These homemade beef sticks are best served as occasional treats or meal toppers, not as a replacement for your dog’s complete and balanced food.

Homemade Beef & Broccoli Sticks for Dogs Recipe

Ingredients

You will need:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup plain rolled oats
• 1/4 cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, optional

Choose relatively lean beef to keep the treats from becoming excessively greasy.

Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Broccoli

Wash the broccoli thoroughly.

Steam it briefly until slightly tender, then allow it to cool. Chop it very finely so there aren’t large, tough pieces in the finished treats.

You can use both the florets and a small amount of tender stem.

3. Combine the Ingredients

Place the ground beef, chopped broccoli, egg, oats, and pumpkin in a large bowl.

Mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

If the mixture feels very wet, add a small amount of additional oats and let it rest for a few minutes.

4. Shape Into Sticks

Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into short, thin sticks.

Keep the sticks relatively small, particularly if you’re making treats for a small dog. Smaller sticks are also easier to break into training-sized portions.

5. Bake

Arrange the sticks on the prepared baking sheet without allowing them to touch.

Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, depending on thickness, until the beef is fully cooked through.

Ground beef should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

6. Cool Before Serving

Remove the treats from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack or clean plate.

Allow them to cool completely before offering one to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Beef?

Plain, fully cooked beef can be included in the diets of many dogs.

Beef provides protein as well as nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. It’s also a common protein source in commercial dog foods.

The problem with many beef dishes intended for humans isn’t necessarily the meat itself—it’s everything added to it.

Avoid giving dogs beef cooked with:

• Onion
• Garlic
• Heavy salt
• Hot peppers
• Rich gravy
• Barbecue sauce
• Large amounts of butter or oil

For this recipe, keep the beef completely plain.

Is Broccoli Safe for Dogs?

Dogs can generally eat small amounts of plain broccoli.

Broccoli contains fiber along with vitamins and minerals, but more isn’t necessarily better. Broccoli florets contain naturally occurring compounds called isothiocyanates that can cause gastrointestinal irritation when consumed in excessive quantities.

That’s one reason broccoli makes up only a relatively small part of these treats.

Finely chopping and lightly cooking it also gives the sticks a more consistent texture.

Why Add Pumpkin?

Pumpkin serves two purposes in this recipe.

First, it adds moisture, helping prevent the baked beef sticks from becoming excessively dry. Second, plain pumpkin contributes fiber.

Be sure to distinguish 100% pumpkin puree from pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling may contain sugar and spices that aren’t appropriate for this recipe.

If your dog enjoys pumpkin, you can also try our [Pumpkin Soup for Dogs] recipe.

Why Use Oats?

Rolled oats help bind the beef mixture and absorb excess moisture.

They also make the sticks easier to shape without requiring traditional breadcrumbs containing salt or seasonings.

There’s no need to use flavored instant oatmeal. Choose plain rolled oats with no added sugar or sweeteners.

Can I Use Raw Broccoli?

A small amount of raw broccoli is generally edible for dogs, but lightly steaming it works better in this particular recipe.

Cooking softens the broccoli and makes it easier to chop finely and distribute throughout the beef mixture.

Don’t add butter, salt, cheese sauce, garlic, or seasoning when preparing it.

Can I Use Other Vegetables?

Yes, you can occasionally change the recipe using dog-friendly vegetables.

Possible options include small amounts of:

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Zucchini
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potato

Keep substitutions simple and introduce unfamiliar foods gradually.

If you’re considering zucchini, our [Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?] guide explains safe preparation and serving.

How Many Beef & Broccoli Sticks Can a Dog Eat?

The right amount depends on the size of the sticks and your dog’s body weight, activity level, health, and normal calorie intake.

For a first serving, consider:

These aren’t exact daily feeding recommendations. The calorie content will vary depending on the beef and the size of your treats.

As a general principle, treats and other extras should account for no more than about 10% of a dog’s daily calories.

For help determining overall portions, read [How Much Food Should I Feed My Dog?].

Are These Good Training Treats?

They can be.

Instead of making large sticks, make thin sticks that can easily be broken into tiny pieces after baking.

Dogs don’t need a full stick every time they respond to a training cue. Small pieces allow you to provide multiple rewards without adding as many calories.

If your dog needs to lose weight, calories from training treats still count toward the daily total. Our guide [How to Help My Dog Lose Weight] has additional tips for controlling treat calories.

How to Store Homemade Beef Dog Treats

Because these sticks contain fresh meat and egg, they shouldn’t be stored like dry commercial biscuits.

After the sticks have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best quality and safety, make small batches and use refrigerated treats within 3–4 days.

For longer storage, freeze them.

Place individual sticks on a tray until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. This prevents them from freezing together in one large block.

Thaw the amount you need in the refrigerator.

Can Puppies Eat Beef & Broccoli Sticks?

Healthy puppies that are already eating solid foods may be able to have tiny pieces as occasional treats, provided they tolerate the ingredients.

However, puppies have specific nutritional requirements for growth. Homemade treats should never displace significant amounts of their complete and balanced puppy food.

Cut or crumble the sticks into appropriately sized pieces and supervise your puppy while eating.

You can also read [How Often Should Puppies Eat?] for more puppy feeding guidance.

Ingredients You Shouldn’t Add

Human beef sticks and meatloaf recipes often contain ingredients that don’t belong in homemade dog treats.

Leave out:

• Onion or onion powder
• Garlic or garlic powder
• Excess salt
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Hot peppers
• Artificial sweeteners
• Xylitol/birch sugar
• Excessive oils or butter

Your dog doesn’t need complicated seasoning. Beef itself provides plenty of flavor.

Are Beef & Broccoli Sticks a Complete Meal?

No.

Beef, broccoli, pumpkin, oats, and egg provide several nutrients, but combining nutritious ingredients does not automatically create a complete and balanced canine diet.

Use these sticks as treats or small toppers.

If you want to feed a primarily homemade diet long term, work with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate an appropriate recipe.

FAQs

Can dogs eat beef and broccoli together?

Yes, many healthy dogs can eat plain, fully cooked beef with a modest amount of plain broccoli. Portion size and preparation matter.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Plain ground turkey can work, but changing the meat may affect moisture, fat, and cooking time. Make sure poultry is fully cooked.

Can I make these without pumpkin?

Yes, but pumpkin contributes moisture and helps the mixture hold together. You may need to adjust the amount of oats or use another appropriate binder.

Can dogs eat broccoli stems?

Small amounts of tender broccoli stem can be used when finely chopped. Large, tough pieces may be difficult to chew and could pose a choking risk, particularly for small dogs.

Can I air-fry the sticks?

You can potentially cook small batches in an air fryer, but temperature and cooking time will vary. Make sure the center of the ground-beef mixture reaches 160°F (71°C).

Can dogs eat these treats every day?

They can potentially fit into a dog’s treat allowance, but they aren’t nutritionally necessary. Keep total treats to a small portion of daily calories and adjust the regular diet accordingly.

Final Thoughts

These Beef & Broccoli Sticks for Dogs combine lean ground beef, finely chopped broccoli, pumpkin, egg, and oats into a simple homemade baked treat.

Keep the recipe plain, cook the beef thoroughly, use broccoli in moderation, and make the sticks appropriately sized for your dog. They can be served whole, broken into training rewards, or crumbled over regular food as an occasional topper.

Most importantly, treat them as an extra alongside a complete and balanced diet, rather than as your dog’s main meal.