Baby food black beans

Black Beans for Baby (Puree and BLW)

Learn how to serve black beans for baby—whether from a can or cooked from dry—with these easy ideas for finger foods and bean puree.

Black Beans for Baby

Beans are one of the most affordable, nutritious plant-based proteins around, and they are—fortunately for us!—so easy to prepare for kids of all ages. My girls are a little obsessed with black beans, so we use them weekly. I’m going to share my favorite easy methods for serving beans to babies and toddlers, including as a puree, finger food, and baby-led-weaning style.

And at the end of the post, be sure to check out my favorite recipes featuring beans.

Bean Puree

You can transform any cooked bean, including black beans, pinto beans, and garbanzo beans, into a puree. All you need to do is blend the beans very smooth in a blender with as much liquid as it takes to move the mixture easily.

Then, you can serve it as a Stage 1 baby food or use it together with other purees as a Stage 2 or 3 baby food. It’s particularly great mixed with Sweet Potato Baby Food and Avocado Puree.

Beans for Baby-Led Weaning

You can mash any fully cooked beans onto a spoon or a stick of lightly toasted bread so baby can self-feed BLW style. This is an easy way to let them feed themselves.

And once they are able to pick up smaller pieces of food, they can pick up the beans with their finger.

Ingredients You Need

To make black beans for baby, you can start with purchased cooked beans in a BPA-free can (if possible) or carton. Or you can cook them from dry at home. I love to make them in my Instant Pot or slow cooker, since all you need is water, and the machine does the rest.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s the basic info on how to prepare beans at home for baby:

If starting with cooked beans in a carton or can, drain them in a colander. Rinse them to remove the liquid that was in the can. This helps to freshen them and also remove excess salt. Warm slightly and add seasoning as desired.
To cook from dry, add beans to a slow cooker or pressure cooker with some garlic and water. Cook according to this easy black bean recipe. Drain.
To serve as a finger food, mash just slightly.
To puree, add beans to a blender and blend until smooth, adding a little liquid at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

How to Add Flavor to Black Beans

You can add a range of seasonings and other foods to black beans to make them more flavorful. Here are some favorites:

Cumin
Chili powder
Oregano
Sweet Potato Baby Food, Avocado Puree, quinoa, mild salsa, mild guacamole, sour cream

How to Store

You can store beans for baby in an airtight storage container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can babies eat black beans?

Yes, babies can eat well-cooked black beans as a puree, mashed onto toast or a spoon as a BLW food, or as a finger food.

How do I introduce black beans to my baby?

You can start with a small amount of pureed black beans or for an older baby, offer slightly mashed beans as a finger food.

Are black beans hard for babies to digest?

When cooked until soft, they should be easy for babies to digest. You may have some gas, which could simply be a reaction to a new-to-baby food.

Best Tips for Success

Start with cooked beans from a can, carton, or that you’ve cooked from dry. If using canned or beans from a carton, drain and rinse them before using to freshen and remove salt.
To puree, blend with water or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock.
To serve as a BLW-food, mash beans onto a lightly toasted stick of toast or spoon so they can self-feed.
To serve as a finger food, mash slightly and let baby self-feed.
Add flavor from seasonings as you like.

Related Recipes

I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment and rate below!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Cuisine American

Course Baby Food

Calories 57kcal

Servings 4

▢ 1 cup black beans (fully cooked)
▢ 2-4 tablespoons water or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock (optional)
▢ ⅛ teaspoon cumin, oregano, or chili powder (optional)

To make black bean puree:

Add the beans to a blender. Blend, adding 1 tablespoon water (or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock) at a time to reach the desired consistency. I usually add ¼ cup.

To serve black beans BLW Style:

Add optional seasoning as desired. Mash beans onto a lightly toasted stick of toast or spoon so they can self-feed.

To serve black beans as finger food:

Vitamix Blender
Storage Containers

You can store beans for baby in an airtight storage container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Start with cooked beans from a can, carton, or that you’ve cooked from dry. If using canned or beans from a carton, drain and rinse them before using to freshen and remove salt.
Try this easy Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Black Bean recipe to start with dry beans.
To puree, blend with water or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock. Then, you can serve it as a Stage 1 baby food, or use it together with other purees as a Stage 2 or 3 baby food. It’s particularly great mixed with Sweet Potato Baby Food and Avocado Puree.
To serve as a BLW food, mash beans onto a lightly toasted stick of toast or spoon so they can self-feed.
To serve as a finger food, mash slightly and let baby self-feed.
Add flavor from seasonings as you like.

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 57kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 153mg, Fiber: 4g, Vitamin A: 3IU, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

The Ultimate Guide to Beans for Babies

Jump to Recipe

Beans are terrific first foods for babies! Here's how to cook and serve to your baby along with plenty of recipes to help make introducing beans easy and fun!

Jump to:

When can babies eat beans?
Health Benefits
Do beans make babies gassy?
Are beans safe for babies?
Types of Beans- which one is best?
But what about the antinutrients?
Soaking Beans
Cooking Methods
Canned Beans
How to Serve Beans to Babies (Baby Led Weaning)
Bean Recipes for Babies and Toddlers
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store Cooked Beans
Cooking Beans for Babies (3 Methods)

When can babies eat beans?

If cooked to soft, beans can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE handout!

Health Benefits

Beans are classified as a legume (also called pulses), along with peanuts, peas, and lentils. This is a family that packs a powerful punch when it comes to nutrition.

Beans are SO great for babies! They are loaded with the essential nutrients babies need to grow and thrive, including iron, zinc, folate, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber.

Be sure to pair them with vitamin C rich foods to greatly enhance the absorption of iron!

And while colorful fruits and vegetables are considered to be the best source of phytonutrients, beans are also a great source for these antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health-promoting compounds.

Related: Best Iron-Rich Foods for Babies and Toddlers

Do beans make babies gassy?

Foods that are rich in fiber tend to cause gas. This list includes beans, cruciferous vegetables, oatmeal, prunes, peaches, and pears.

There's no need to avoid these foods completely as they offer so many beneficial nutrients that are essnetial for proper growth and development.

Not to mention, early introduction to a wide variety of flavors and textures is key in minimizing picky eating down the road.

Start by offering a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) and gradually serve more.

If your baby becomes gassy but doesn't seem to be in discomfort, there's no reason to worry. If your baby gets extra gassy after eating a certain bean, just don't overload them with those foods. You can also try different varieties as your baby may do better with certain beans than others.

For instance, my baby did well with all the beans that were served except for black beans. But after about 3 exposures, she seemed to tolerate just fine.

Are beans safe for babies?

Depending on the size and shape, beans can pose a choking risk. To reduce the risk, smash/flatten them, removing any skin that comes off. And follow the age-based serving suggestions shared below.

If you're cooking the beans rather than using canned, make sure they are soft and easily smushed between your thumb and forefinger.

It's also very important that you ALWAYS serve food at the table where your baby is sitting upright at a 90 degree angle. Even foods that aren't considered to choking hazards can be dangerous if given while baby is lying down, crawling, walking, etc.

In regards to allergies, soybeans are one of the top allergens so be sure to introduce them separately. While it's not impossible, an allergy to the rest of the beans is rare.

What to do when baby won't eat

Types of Beans- which one is best?

Did you know that there are nearly 400 types of beans?! Here are the most common ones that you're likely to find at the stores.

Black Beans
Black eyed peas
Cannellini beans (or white Italian kidney beans)
Edamame
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
Great Northern Beans
Kidney beans
Pinto beans

ALL beans are fantastic for babies. I highlighted the two essential nutrients during the first year in the chart above, and as you can see, they are pretty similar in their nutritional profile.

VARIETY is always best so give some love to as many beans as you can ;).

But what about the antinutrients?

It’s true that legumes contain antinutrients, such as phytic acid, lectins, saponins, and tannins, that reduce the absorption of certain nutrients, including iron, zinc, and calcium.

However, many other healthy foods, like grains, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds all contain antinutrients. So does this mean we should limit or avoid them? Of course not.

Instead, always aim for variety and balance! Unless beans are all you are serving to your baby, the benefits outweigh the risks of consuming antinutrients.

Not to mention soaking and cooking will decrease the amount of antinutrients significantly.

All this to say, DON’T WORRY!

Soaking Beans

after soaking for 8 hours overnight

While it's an extra step, I highly recommend soaking. It will not only decrease cooking time but will also help the beans cook more evenly and make them easier to digest.

The beans will expand upon soaking so be sure to take this into account when choosing the size of the bowl.

Overnight soaking

Place dried beans in a large bowl, cover with water by 2 inches, discard any that float, and soak on the counter, covered, for at least 4 hours or overnight.

If soaking for more than 8 hours, transfer to the refrigerator. Drain and rinse before using.

Quick soaking

On the stove- Add beans to a pot and cover with water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let soak for an hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Cooking Methods

Besides being nutrient dense, beans are inexpensive and last a long time in the pantry (hallelujah!).

Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to:

Sort through the beans to remove any debris or shriveled beans.
Rinse under running cold water to remove any surface dust or dirt

Cooking times will vary depending on the variety, age of the beans, and even the type of water you use. If your water has a lot of calcium, it can increase the time.

I’ve provided approximate cooking times. I encourage you to start checking for doneness at the beginning of the time range and then every 15 minutes thereafter.

Be sure to jot down the final cooking times somewhere for future reference.

On the Stove

Add beans to a pot and cover with at least 2 inches of water.
Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and simmer, with lid slightly open, until tender.
Stir occasionally. Do NOT try to rush the process by cranking up the heat. You will end up with a mushy exterior and undercooked interior.

Low and steady for best results! Add more water as needed so that the beans stay submerged.

It will generally take about 1-2 hours to cook. Start checking for doneness after an hour.

Slow Cooker

Cover beans with 2 inches of water. Set to low and cook for 6-8 hours.

Note - Kidney beans in particular contain a large amount of a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin (or kidney bean lectins) that doesn’t get destroyed when cooked in the slow cooker. That's because the temperature never gets hot enough.

Therefore, be sure to soak and then boil for at least 10 minutes before adding to the slow cooker.

Instant Pot

Add beans to Instant pot and cover with water to about 2 inches above the beans. Stir, close the lid, and cook on high pressure for 8-15 minutes.

Allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes.

Here are the cooking times for the beans I cook most often:

Black beans: 8-10 minutes
Cannellini: 8-10 minutes
Chickpeas: 10-12 minutes

Canned Beans

While dried beans are less expensive, canned ones are so convenient and great time-savers since they are fully cooked. They are just as nutritious as the dried beans.

I used to cook them all the time, but now that I'm a mom of two, I will take all the help I can get!

Be sure to look for ones that are labeled "no salt added" or "low sodium" and that come with non-BPA lining. Rinsing them in running water can lower the sodium content even more.

How to Serve Beans to Babies (Baby Led Weaning)

I could do a whole post on this as beans go well with so many different foods and flavors! Here are some EASY and nutritious ways to add them into your baby's diet.

6-9 months old:

You can try serving whole beans. Just be sure to flatten using your fingers or the back of a fork, removing any loose skin in the process. But if this makes you uncomfortable, don't do it! I am a big believer in know all things and then follow your heart.

You can also puree/blend or mash. The consistency is pretty thick and dry so add some breastmilk/formula to thin it out.

And here are some fun and EASY ways to boost nutrition and introduce your baby to a ton of flavors and texture in one bite. Add beans to:

Yogurt
Avocado
Mashed sweet potatoes
Mashed butternut squash
Oatmeal - follow the recipe and then add the beans once cooked
Lentils
Hummus/Dip (recipes linked below)

Pictured above are the exact meals I served to my baby during her first month of starting solids. I actually filmed EVERYTHING I made for her as well as my toddler, husband, and me from Day 1 to Day 84 (so 3 months) in real time and turned it into an easy to access and follow program!

9+ months old:

I encourage you to continue offering mixed foods before your baby becomes more selective. If they’ve never had foods touching and mixed together, it will be much harder to get them to eat these later on.

I've included plenty of family-friendly meals to help get you started! Continue to flatten chickpeas and all other round varieties.

If you haven't already, this is a good time to introduce utensils (linked our favorites).

12+ months old:

Anything goes at this age! My personal favorite is adding whole beans to my son's school lunch boxes. SOO easy and convenient.

Related: Lunchbox Ideas for Preschool

Bean Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

Dips/ Sauce

Broccoli Hummus
Beet Hummus
Yogurt Black Bean Dip
Beetroot Dip
Pumpkin seed spinach hummus
Nut -Free Broccoli White Bean Pesto

Finger Foods

Chickpea Veggie Cakes
Beet Muffins
Pumpkin Bean Muffins
Mexican Lentil Muffins
Sweet Potato Chickpea Cookies
Southwestern Oat Muffins

Lunch/Dinner

Pizza Quesadilla with vegetables
Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Cauliflower Chickpea Soup
Salmon Bean Salad
Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Slow Cooker Lentil Chili
Vegetarian Mexican Lentils
African Peanut Stew
Instant Pot Multigrain Rice

Frequently Asked Questions

Are beans hard for babies to digest?

While highly nutritious, they contain a lot of fiber, which can cause gas and diarrhea, if given in large portions. Therefore, when first introducing, start with 1-2 tablespoons and increase depending on your baby's response.

Can I season beans for babies?

Yes yes yes! Season away! I highly advise you to have fun with all kinds of herbs and spices. It’s such an easy way to invite variety and flavor, without the use of salt.

Can babies eat beans everyday?

They can. But since offering a wide variety of flavors and textures is so crucial at this stage, be sure to switch it up by incorporating any of the serving suggestions I've provided above.

How much does 1 pound of dried beans make once cooked?

You will end up with around 6 cups of cooked beans, which is equivalent to 4 (15 ounce) cans. This is why cooking at home is much more economical.

How to Store Cooked Beans

In the refrigerator

You can transfer to an airtight container/jar with or without the cooking water.

I've found that storing along with the liquid prevents the skins from drying out, but it's really up to you. If you intend to use for soup, the liquid also adds a nice yum factor.

Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

In the freezer

I recommend freezing in 1 ½ cup portions. A lot of recipes call for a 15 ounce can, which is roughly around 1 ½ cups.

If freezing with the cooking liquid, be sure to leave about 1 inch at the top for expansion.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

If freezing with the cooking liquid, be sure to leave about 1 inch at the top for expansion.

Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?

Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

Cooking Beans for Babies (3 Methods)

Beans are terrific first foods for babies! Here are three methods for cooking dried beans.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

soaking time: 8 hours

Servings: 12 (makes about 6 cups)

Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

▢
Instant Pot

▢ 1 pound (2 cups) dried beans
▢ Water or broth

Prepare the Beans

Sort through the beans to remove any debris or shriveled beans. Soak overnight or quick soak. Drain and rinse well.