30+ baby food recipe ideas (2024)

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So your baby is ready to start eating solids and you know this because lately he/she has been eyeing you eating your solid foods and they are just so eager to try it.

As a mother of three kids and currently expecting another one, I find making baby foods one of the most fun things about having a baby at home. You get to play with the different recipes and watch as your baby first try them, their facial expressions are just simply adorable when they either like or dislike a food.

Sure you can buy baby jarred food from the store but they are packed with:

Toxins
Sugar
Arsenic
Preservatives

And even the ones that are labeled as organic and free of preservatives are heated at such high temperature so bacteria can survive in it but neither can minerals and vitamins, which are essential for your baby's health and growth.

Now, when you make your baby foods at home, you know exactly what is going into it because you are the one in charge of each ingredient, so you get to keep all of the bad stuff out and keep all the good stuff in.

What do you need to make your own baby food?

Many mothers like to use baby food makers such as the baby bullet or many other brands you can find on amazon but honestly, a blender will do just fine. For my second child, I used a baby bullet but by them time my third one came I had given it away so I used the ninja blender we already had and it did the job I needed to do.

Some of the ingredient you will be using to make your own baby food will need to be steamed or cooked prior to blending it, such as broccoli, potatoes and other ones, so investing in a good steamer is also a great option. Baby bullet has a great steamer that can also be used to sterilize bottles and pacifiers or you can just stick to the regular steamers too, whichever way gets the job done.

Storing your baby food

Storing your baby food is a very important step just as making the food. You will want to ensure that your baby food containers are free of BPA, PHTHALATE, PVC FREE, & also GERM RESISTANT. Glass containers such as this one, are the best way to go as it is less-porous so it won’t harbor unwanted organisms.

To freeze your baby food you can also store them in silicone trays, just remember that microwave kills foods so it is best to heat them in a food warmer such as the Tommee Tippee bottler or food warmer or on the stove by placing the jar in a pan with hot water.

As your baby grows, reusable food pouches are also a great to store the baby food you make and it is also perfect for baby to self feed, especially the ones who like their independence early such as my third baby who just craved to eat on her own without the help of an adult.

Base Liquids to blend your baby food with

You will want to add a base liquid to ensure you baby food is soft enough for baby, after all, they either have no teeth or very little ones that won't make it possible for chewing the ingredients.

Here are some base liquids you can add to your baby food:

Water
Breast milk
Formula
Fish broth
Chicken broth
Beef broth
Bone broth
Vegetable broth

My favorite one is breast milk, mostly because it is packed with nutrients that baby cannot get anywhere else.

As for the broth, you can make them at home and save it in the refrigerator so whenever you are ready to make your baby food, the broth is also ready. Try to stay away from store bough broth as those contain preservatives and other ingredients that may not be as good for your baby.

The No No List

Your baby's tummy is very new hence not able to digest every type of food just yet. So to be safe, it is best to avoid these foods for the first year and then start adding them to baby's diet and observing how well they feel and digest them. Be on the look out for any break outs, diarrhea and allergies.

Keep a diary of the foods you feed your baby, if possible, that way it will be easier to track what foods are safe and which ones may have cause them allergies or other problems.

Here are some foods that you may want to stay away from during the first year:

Eggs

Milk

Peanuts

Soy

Tree nuts

Shell Fish

Honey

Wheat

First stage baby food recipes

They say we make more mistakes with our first child than we do with the successors and I couldn't agree more with that. I started feeding my first child with fruit solids, as I listened to some family members and they advised to start with foods such as bananas, apples, pears but then I had my second child and I decided to listen to the expert; my holistic doctor.

He advised me to start the baby with vegetables and leafy greens because a baby is just a baby and is no fool so they are more prone to like the sweet foods and then later reject the vegetables and greens. However, when they start with those first, they are bound to enjoy them even after they are introduced to fruits.

That couldn't be more true! My first child is not a huge fan of vegetables and leafy greens until this day while my two other love broccoli, cauliflower and even spinach. So, I highly recommend to start with veggies and greens, even if, you don't like them that much.

Also consider not making blends just yet so you can observe whether your baby develops any allergic reaction to foods you will be introducing. It is also good to wait one to two days before introducing a new item just in case they do develop an allergic reaction you will know exactly which ingredient caused it.

Here's a list of vegetables, leafy greens, fruits and meats that are safe to feed your baby

30+ Baby Food Recipe Ideas

Now that you have experimented with one ingredient purees and have figured out whether your baby is allergic or has had any reaction to any of them, is time to move on to blends. This is truly where the fun start, at least it is for me, as you get to come up with different recipes and new baby food ideas.

Here are a variety of recipes for your to experiment with it, just remember, you can add, take away or make your own mixes, keep it fun, simple and most of it all, enjoy this phase as it passes by with a blink of eye.

Don't forget to steam and cook the vegetables and fruits that aren't soft enough before throwing them in a blender such as carrots, apples, cauliflower, pears, etc. Also, the amount of liquid you use will depend on the consistency you want, if you want the puree to be more soupy, then add more liquid and vice versa.

Cauliflower Spinach Puree

Carrot Mango Puree

Pumpkin Banana Puree

Butternut Squash & Beef Puree

Kale & Apple Puree

Spaghetti Squash & Chicken Puree

Arugula & Peach Puree

Sweet Potatoes & Collards Puree

Asparagus, Potatoes & Turkey Puree

Peas & Pears Puree

Beets & Blueberry Puree

Avocado & Chicken Puree

Pineapple Strawberry Mint Puree

Zucchini & Salmon Puree

Chickpeas & Lamb Puree

Eggplant & Codfish Puree

Yucca & Plum Puree

Honeydew and Plum Puree

Green beans and Pear Puree

Acorn squash and Cantaloupe Puree

Broccoli, Red Lentils & Turkey Puree

Celery & Lamb Puree

Honeydew & Banana Puree

Avocado & Sweet Potatoes Puree

Zucchini Peach Puree

Blueberry Mango Puree

Potatoes & Beef Puree

Butternut Squash & Salmon Puree

Broccoli & Beets Puree

Pumpkin Pineapple Puree

Carrots & Strawberry Puree

Green beans, Yucca & Cod Fish Puree

Potatoes, Carrots & Chicken Puree

Kale & Apples Puree

FAQs

What are some adult meals that are baby friendly? ›

Chili, chicken noodle soup and lentil soup are all great options for a baby-friendly meal that can be made in the slow cooker. Use a slotted spoon for your baby's portion since it can be difficult for your baby to eat with their fingers when there is too much liquid.

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What are Stage 3 foods for babies? ›

What Stage 3 foods to start with

Well-cooked vegetables of any variety.
Ripe fruits of any variety. (Mashed or cut-up bananas work very well at this stage.)
Shredded meat.
Scrambled eggs.
Soft cheese.
Cooked pasta.
Small pieces of tofu.

Dec 9, 2022

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What age is Stage 4 baby food? ›

Basic stages to ages conversion

These foods include a few ingredients, and the consistency gets a little thicker. Stage 3 is for 9-12 months. These foods include blended purees and softer finger foods. Stage 4 (AKA Toddler) is for 12 months and up.

Can adults go on a baby food diet? ›

Following the baby food diet for the recommended 3 days likely won't hurt you. But following this diet for a longer period of time could lead to nutrient deficiencies if you're eating far below your daily calorie need.

Can babies eat the same food as adults? ›

Between your child's first and second year, he or she will develop the skills needed to participate in meals with the family, and by the time your child is 2 years old, he or she will be able to eat most of the same foods as the rest of the family.

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Is homemade baby food cheaper? ›

Homemade Baby Food Benefit #1: Making baby food is affordable. While it does take more time to prepare homemade baby food than to pop open a jar, it's often cheaper to make your own. For instance, a 4-ounce jar of banana baby food costs roughly $1.00, whereas a 4-ounce banana costs $0.19.

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Is it cheaper to puree your own baby food? ›

You can save money.

Baby purées can be pricey — it's far cheaper to make your own versions of those same food combinations at home.

Is it cheaper to make your own baby purees? ›

My main finding, then, is that it is certainly cheaper to make baby food at home. In fact, in doing so, I reduced my bill by a third. In so many ways the homemade week was better. Not only was it cheaper, the food was more appetising than the ready-made options.

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When should babies stop eating purees? ›

The stage at which he becomes ready for chunkier textures depends on many factors, from his physical development to his sensitivity to texture. But as a guide, it's wise to try to gradually alter the consistency of his foods from seven months onwards, and aim to have stopped pureeing completely by 12 months.

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When should you stop pureeing baby food? ›

Stage 3 (typically 10-12 months old, but may occur sooner): At this stage, you can slowly replace purees with soft, chewable chunks of food, and offer your baby more finger foods that they can pick up and feed themselves.

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When can babies eat chunks of food? ›

By the time they're 9 months old, most babies have developed the fine motor skills — the small, precise movements — needed to pick up small pieces of food and feed themselves. You may notice that yours can take hold of food (and other small objects) between forefinger and thumb in a pincer grasp.

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When can a baby have yogurt? ›

You can introduce yogurt and cheese once your baby is six months old, as long as they continue to eat a variety of iron-rich foods. Let your baby enjoy the taste of plain unsweetened yogurt, or add fresh, canned or frozen fruit.

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What age is Gerber 3rd foods for? ›

Perfect for babies ages 8 to 12 months, this Gerber baby food stage 3 exposes babies to a variety of delicious tastes and ingredient combinations, which is important to help them accept new flavors.

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When can I introduce eggs to my baby? ›

So, when can babies eat eggs? Start offering eggs around the same time you start your baby on solid foods, after 6 months of age. Your little one's menu can begin with purees and very soft food (like infant cereal) and then expand to include more textured foods, such as eggs, fruits, vegetables, and meats.

How do I make my family meal baby friendly? ›

Sometimes all that's needed to make your family meal suitable for your baby is a little extra chopping, mashing or mincing. Family favourites like spaghetti bolognaise, pie or stew can all work really well for babies with a little extra prep to make them textures suitable before serving.

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What is a good meal for a baby and parents? ›

Recipes and meal ideas

Breakfast cups.
Egg cups on toast.
Cheese and mushroom cakes.
Chicken noodle stew.
Baked plantain.
Jamaican fish curry.
Jacket potato and chilli veg.
Butternut squash and red pepper soup.

More items...

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What age can babies eat family meals? ›

By the time your baby is 12 months, they're ready to eat a little of what the rest of the family is eating but remember to be careful about foods that can cause choking.

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