Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Patties Review

Intro — why I tried these beef patties

As a pet parent who chases higher-quality pet food and likes to understand what's actually in the bowl, I put Open Farm's Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Patties (Grass-Fed Beef) through everyday use with a mix of dogs in my household. The bag promises a raw-style option with "95% meat, organ & bone," organic superfoods, and the flexibility to serve as a full meal or a topper. That combination is exactly the kind of product I reach for when I'm trying to boost nutrition without juggling raw meat in the fridge.

What it is — first look and specs

On first glance this is a freeze-dried, dry-format product sold in a single 17.5-ounce bag (listed dimensions: 10.24 x 4.72 x 13 inches; package weight 1.15 pounds). The brand positions the formula as a high-protein, raw-style diet made with 95% meat, organs and bone and featuring organic leafy greens and coconut oil. The listing explicitly calls it appropriate for "all life stages" and lists recommended uses as either a main meal or a meal topper.

Key factual highlights straight from the listing:

• 95% meat, organ & bone composition.
• Form: freeze-dried raw, sold in patties.
• Special ingredients called out: organic leafy greens and coconut oil, plus humanely raised 100% grass-fed beef.
• Age range description: all life stages (so the brand positions it as nutritionally appropriate across puppy to senior).
• Recommended uses: complete & balanced meal or as a mixer/topper.
• Item form on the listing: dry kibble (freeze-dried patties).

In daily use — hands-on testing & practical feeding notes

I fed the patties to a few different mouths: a tiny 4 lb chihuahua mix that prefers small, dry bites, a 25 lb corgi-like companion who tolerates softer foods, and a 60+ lb adult who’s normally on a higher-calorie diet. Across those varied mouths the product lived up to its flavor promise—dogs ate it readily in nearly every case. Here are the practical things I learned:

Serving style: dry treat, topper, or rehydrated main

• Dry as a treat: The patties can be broken into pieces and offered dry. My small-dog tester liked them dry and they were convenient as a quick snack or training reward.
• Topper: I crumbled the patties over kibble and wet food. That’s an easy way to stretch the bag and add meat-forward aroma to otherwise bland bowls.
• Rehydrated as a meal: The bag suggests they can be used as a complete meal, and in practice rehydration works — but expect variability (see rehydration time below).

Rehydration: plan for variable soak times

This is where the product had the widest range of experiences in my hands-on testing. In several feedings I found the patties absorbed liquid and softened within a few minutes when I broke them up and used a warm liquid. In other trials, when I left the patties whole, they could take considerably longer to soften. In one instance they took well over 15 minutes to get very soft. That variability matches my experience: break them up and they rehydrate faster; left whole, they take longer and can remain chewy.

Practical tip: if you're planning a mealtime where the dog expects to eat immediately, break the patties into smaller pieces and allow a few minutes of soaking in warm water, broth or another liquid your dog tolerates. The listing and pack don't supply precise water-to-patty ratios, and I found you have to eyeball it.

Palatability & picky eaters

Across my test subjects the beef patties scored highly for palatability. My picky eater who normally refuses new foods often dove in when I crumbled a patty over her bowl. The strong meat profile and organ content appear to make these particularly useful for dogs that need coaxing into eating.

Digestive effects and tolerance

Most dogs adjusted just fine. One dog experienced some stomach upset the first night they tried this food, then settled after subsequent meals. If you swap a dog from a very different macronutrient profile, introduce these patties gradually and monitor stool and appetite. The product contains a very high proportion of meat/organs, so transitions deserve extra attention.

Portioning & cost considerations in everyday feeding

The patties are palm-sized in practical terms and break apart easily for small-breed mouths. That makes them convenient for tiny dogs as a main meal or for larger dogs as a topper or supplement. Be aware, though, that the 17.5-ounce bag is physically small and is easier to use as an occasional topper or treat than as a sole staple for larger dogs unless you want to reorder frequently. If you’re budgeting, plan on using these as a supplement or treat unless you have a very small dog.

Materials & build quality — in food terms: ingredients & composition

When people talk about build quality for food, they mean ingredient sourcing, processing, and the finished product texture. For this Open Farm beef recipe the facts are clear on the listing:

• 95% meat, organ & bone.
• Humanely raised 100% grass-fed beef is named on the pack.
• Organic leafy greens and coconut oil are listed as special ingredients; the pack also touts "organic superfoods."
• Freeze-dry processing is used to lock in flavor and nutrients, according to the listing.

Those points are the product’s selling proposition: high meat content and a freeze-dried method intended to preserve nutrients without artificial preservatives. The patties are soft enough to crumble for tiny mouths yet dense enough that larger dogs find the texture satisfying.

Safety considerations

When it comes to food, safety is both ingredient-based and use-based. Here’s what you need to know from the listing and my hands-on notes.

Ingredient and diet safety

• The listing explicitly identifies the product as raw-style and high in meat content. If your dog has a known allergy to beef or is sensitive to rich, organ-forward proteins, this formula may cause reactions; one specific instance of a beef allergy was noted in long-term use reports.
• Because the product has a much higher protein/fat/fiber profile than many kibbles, any transition should be gradual. I saw an isolated case of mild stomach upset on first exposure that settled with continued feeding.

Preparation and handling safety

• The freeze-dried form reduces the refrigeration need, but as with any raw-style product, store the opened bag as recommended on the packaging (the listing doesn’t specify shelf-life or exact storage instructions).
• Because the pack doesn’t give precise water-to-patty rehydration ratios and some owners report long soak times if patties are left whole, plan your preparation method before feeding. Breaking patties into smaller pieces reduces soak time and the risk of a dog chewing large, dry chunks too quickly.
• If you’re serving to a very small dog or senior with few teeth, consider crumbling and pre-soaking to avoid choking or gagging on dry pieces. The product is described as suitable for all life stages, but physical precautions for small mouths or dental issues still apply.

When to check with a professional

Because this is a high-meat, organ-rich product and the listing calls it appropriate for all life stages, check with a qualified professional before switching dogs whose health depends on a very specific nutrient balance (for example dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease, or dogs requiring a precisely controlled mineral profile). The listing doesn’t provide clinical feeding guidelines tied to specific health conditions, so professional guidance is wise for medical diets.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Best fit

• Owners who want a freeze-dried, raw-style beef option made with high meat content and organic vegetables.
• People looking for a palatable topper to coax picky eaters or to mix with kibble/wet food.
• Homes with small breeds, teacup dogs, or seniors with good appetites — the patties are easy to break into small portions and several small-breed owners report success using them as treats or main meals.
• Pet parents who prioritize sourcing notes like grass-fed beef and organic leafy greens.

Who should probably skip it

• Dogs with a diagnosed beef allergy — there is at least one long-term account of an allergy to beef with this formula.
• Owners who need strict, prescriptive feeding instructions on rehydration ratios and exact portions. The listing and the bag don’t supply exact water-to-patty instructions and multiple long-term users found the instructions lacking.
• People who expect to feed this as an economical exclusive diet for a medium or large dog — the 17.5-ounce bag is modestly sized and is easier to use as a supplement or treat for larger mouths.

Value & real-world pros and cons

• Pros:
  • High meat content (95% meat, organ & bone) and named special ingredients like organic leafy greens and coconut oil.
  • Very palatable—works well for picky eaters and as a topper or treat.
  • Versatile: can be served dry, crumbled over a meal, or rehydrated into a full meal.
• Cons:
  • Bag size means frequent repurchasing if used as a staple for larger dogs.
  • Rehydration time is inconsistent unless patties are broken up first; preparation guidance on the bag is limited.
  • There are noted instances of initial stomach upset for some dogs during transition and at least one allergy report to beef.

Practical maintenance: storage, shelf life and portion tricks

The listing doesn’t include shelf-life or explicit storage durations. In my routine I keep the bag sealed and stored in a cool, dry pantry and use a scoop or my hands to break patties into meal-sized pieces as needed. For anyone using this as a meal topper I recommend breaking a patty into smaller pieces straight from the bag so you can sprinkle them evenly and avoid overloading a single bowl.

Verdict — my bottom line

Open Farm’s Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Patties are an attractively sourced, meat-forward option for pet parents who want a freeze-dried, raw-style product that doubles as a topper or treat. In my hands-on testing they performed best as a supplement to existing meals and as a high-value treat for picky eaters. The palatability is excellent and the ingredient list—95% meat/organs plus organic leafy greens and coconut oil—matches the kind of nutrient-forward profile many owners are after.

That said, practical downsides include inconsistent rehydration times, limited preparation instructions on the packaging, and a bag size that makes exclusive feeding for medium-to-large dogs impractical unless you’re prepared to reorder frequently. If you own a very small dog or want a premium topper or training treat, this is a great fit. If you need prescriptive feeding guidelines or are feeding a large, high-calorie dog full-time, consider how often you’ll need to buy replacements and whether the convenience fits your budget.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm your dog has no beef allergy or known intolerance to organ-rich diets.
• Decide if you’ll use it as a topper/treat (best fit) or as a full meal — plan for frequent repurchases if the latter and your dog is medium/large.
• Be prepared to break patties into pieces for quicker rehydration and easier portioning for small dogs.
• Start with small amounts and transition over several feedings to watch for digestive upset.
• Note that the listing calls it suitable for all life stages, but consult a qualified professional if your dog has a medical condition that requires precise dietary control.

Colors & packaging notes

The product images suggest an earth-toned package design with natural/green accents; the exact packaging visuals can vary by flavor. Available colors may include:

• brown/earth-tone packaging
• green label accents
• white or light background elements on the bag

Final thoughts

If you’re shopping for a freeze-dried, raw-style beef option that reads clean on paper and consistently wins over picky eaters, Open Farm’s patties deserve a try—especially if you want an occasional topper or higher-quality treat. Keep in mind the modest bag size and the need to work out rehydration technique for meals. With those expectations set, this formula shines for small dogs, fussy feeders, and owners who value grass-fed sourcing and organic add-ins.

FAQ

• Q: Can I feed these patties as a complete meal?

  A: The listing states the patties can be served as a complete & balanced freeze-dried dog food or used as a mixer/topper. If you plan to use them as a primary diet, introduce them gradually and monitor your dog — the product is high in meat and organ content compared with many kibbles.

• Q: Are these suitable for puppies and seniors?

  A: The product listing lists the age range as "all life stages," so the brand positions the formula as appropriate from puppies through seniors. For dogs with specific health issues or dietary needs, check with a qualified professional before switching their primary food.

• Q: How long do the patties take to rehydrate?

  A: Rehydration time is variable. In my experience and long-term reports, breaking patties into small pieces speeds soaking and can take just a few minutes; whole patties can sometimes take well over 15 minutes to soften. The pack doesn’t give a precise water-to-patty ratio, so expect to experiment.

• Q: Is this safe for dogs with beef allergies?

  A: No — if your dog is allergic to beef, this product is not a fit. There are documented accounts of a beef allergy with this formula, and the listing specifically identifies grass-fed beef as the protein source.

• Q: How big is the bag and how much comes inside?

  A: The listing shows a 17.5-ounce bag (product dimensions 10.24 x 4.72 x 13 inches; package weight 1.15 pounds). The listing does not specify an exact patty count.

• Q: What are the notable ingredients?

  A: The listing highlights 95% meat, organ & bone content, plus organic leafy greens and coconut oil. The beef is described as humanely raised and 100% grass-fed on the package copy.