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Baby food with ground beef


Beef Recipes for Babies - MJ and Hungryman

By Min On , Updated

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Beef can safely be offered to babies as one of their first foods! Whether you are doing purees, baby led weaning, or both, here are some easy and age-appropriate ways to serve beef to babies. 

“This post is a collaboration with Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. managed by NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. I received compensation, but all opinions are my own,” 

When to introduce beef to babies

Short answer. As soon as your baby is ready to start solids, generally around 6 months.

You may have been advised to start with infant cereal, then fruits and vegetables, and then meat. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, these recommendations have evolved.

Is your baby 6 months old and up?

Learn all the secrets to starting solids safely while optimizing nutrition!

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Every Bite Counts

Did you know that proper nutrition during the first 1000 days (the period beginning at conception to two years of life) has a profound impact on your child's brain development, lifelong health and eating habits?

During this critical time, babies have high nutritional needs to support their incredibly rapid growth and development. However, their tummies are tiny and so we need to make every bite count. 

It’s up to us parents to make sure we provide them with foods that contain the essential nutrients that breast milk or formula can’t fully provide from 6 months and beyond. 

While all nutrients are beneficial, these nutrients are particularly important. 

Iron for Babies

In this post, I want to highlight the utmost importance of iron.  

Iron is essential for a baby’s brain development and is a critical component of blood cells that deliver oxygen to tissues and other cells throughout the body. 

  • Starting at around 6 months, baby’s stores of nutrients, such as iron and zinc, decrease while their nutritional requirements increase drastically. 
  • Neither human breast milk nor infant formula alone is sufficient to meet the baby’s nutritional needs. 

Unfortunately, research shows that many infants are falling short in meeting their iron needs.

And this is why the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Women Infants and Children’s Program and now for the first time ever, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend introducing foods with iron, like beef, as one of baby's first foods.

Beef as Early Baby Food

Baby cereal has for a long time been recommended as a first food is because it’s fortified with iron. However, it’s fortified with non-heme iron, which is not as easily absorbed as the heme iron found in meat, poultry, and seafood.  

Iron in beef is highly absorbable, making it one of the best ways to meet iron needs for babies. Not only that, it also contains other essential nutrients like protein, zinc, and choline. 

This is not to say you should only offer animal sources of iron as there are many plant sources of iron as well. However, since they're not well absorbed, your baby will need to eat a large amount to help meet their needs. And that poses a challenge since not much food gets eaten when first starting solids.

Additionally, this phase isn’t just about providing energy and nutrition. Introducing solid foods is also important for developing acceptance of different food textures and flavors and laying down the foundation for healthy eating habits.

 Beef offers new and different flavors and textures that will help support oral and motor development and encourage plenty of exploration during mealtimes.

How to Cook Beef for Baby

6-8 Months

  • Beef Puree - cook ground beef and puree with broth, water, or breastmilk. Serve on its own or mixed with veggies. And don't forget to add seasonings. Babies LOVE flavor!

Do keep in mind, it's important to move forward with texture by 9 months at the latest. Here's how to transition baby from puree to table food. 

Your baby does not need teeth to eat meat or any other finger food for that matter. You'll be amazed by how strong and capable their gums are. Here's an in-depth post on how to start baby led weaning.

  • Steak strips - At this age, babies grab food with their palms so it's better (and safer) to go bigger in size. Cook the beef until the thickest part reaches 160F. Then cut (against the grain) to a size and length of two adult fingers together. Baby will suck on the juices which are a source of much-needed iron.
  • Meatballs - ground beef is so versatile, convenient, and budget-friendly. Combine it with vegetables and various spices, and it's the perfect finger food for beginner eaters. Again, bigger is better at this age so serve them whole or slice in half. You can also shape them into logs or patties.
    • Recipes: Baked Quinoa and Mushroom Meatballs, Mini Shepherd's Pie Muffins
  • Ground beef mash - cook the beef and mix it into scoopable, soft foods, like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, mashed avocado, dips/sauces, etc. You can also flavor the beef, like in this Korean Bulgogi.

Try combining with oatmeal or lentils and shape into fingers!

9-12 months

  • Steak strips - As baby starts to bite off chunks, it's important to make sure the beef is cooked tender and moist. Offer shredded or finely chopped.
  • Meatballs - you can start to slice them into smaller pieces once their pincer grasp develops. Try these butternut squash baby meatballs or Baked quinoa and mushroom meatballs.
Oat balls: ground beef + spinach + oatmeal + cumin
  • Ground beef mash - while hands will continue to be their best tool, offer a spoon early and often. You can start adding more texture by mixing in some finely chopped raw vegetables.
  • Slow cooked/ pressure cooked: Such an effortless way to achieve that perfect level of tenderness and flavor in beef! 
  • Marinated: This extra step will help add flavor as well as make less tender cuts more tender. Use acidic ingredients, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt.
  • Stew/soup: Add beef along with vegetables, broth, tomato sauce, spices, etc. and you've got a hearty one pot meal! You can deconstruct and serve the beef and vegetables without the liquid or if you're feeling brave (which I want to breathe encouragement into you!), serve with the liquid. It will be messy but exploration and challenging them with new skills are important parts of self-feeding. 
    • Recipes: Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage, Veggie Loaded Meat Sauce
  • One pot beef pasta/grain:  Cook pasta/grain in sauce along with beef! Pasta releases starch as it cooks, making the sauce thick and creamy and the beef flavorful.  
    • Recipes: Homemade Hamburger Helper, Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli Quinoa, Cabbage Lasagna

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

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About Min

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

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Basic Beef Baby Food Puree (6+ Months)

This homemade Basic Beef Baby Food is a great addition to your baby’s favorite purees for extra protein and flavor! It’s an incredibly simple recipe with big flavor and nutrition! It’s perfect as a Stage One Baby Food – 4-6+ months.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Beef Baby Food

Beef, it’s what’s for baby’s dinner! Beef puree, that is. 😉

This beef puree is loaded with so many great nutrients that your baby needs in order to thrive – protein, iron, calcium and folate.

And while it may seem counter-intuitive and perhaps weird (or at least it did to me), beef puree 🥩 is a great first food for your baby.

Just because it’s a nutrient-dense puree doesn’t mean your baby needs bowls upon bowls of it. Since beef puree has a somewhat intense flavor, a few spoonfuls added to your baby’s favorite veggie or fruit puree should be enough.

Is it your first time making homemade baby food? If you answered yes, then I suggest you start this journey by reading my in-depth Guide on How to Make Homemade Baby Food. The detailed article goes over all the essential information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, knowing when your baby is ready for solids, introducing purees, making the best first foods for baby, and more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes.

Beef Puree Video

Watch this video to see how easy it is to make your baby homemade Beef Puree!

Reasons to Love this Beef Puree
  • simple yet flavorful
  • packed with protein
  • great to add to any other fruit or veggie puree that baby loves
  • baby food for 4-6 months and up
  • stage 1 baby food
  • freezer-friendly 
  • homemade

Ingredients

Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!

  • Beef: Since beef is the star of the show in this puree, we are going to start with a good piece of meat. We are going to use 8oz of chuck stew meat or cubed sirloin beef. You can also easily scale up this recipe if you want more than 12 ounces of baby food.
  • Broth: To get that rich, deep beef flavor, we will cook our beef in beef broth. I recommend using a low-sodium, sodium-free, or free-range beef bone broth for this recipe. You can also use any of those variations above with a vegetable broth as well. If you don’t have any of those on hand, you can use water. 
  • Oregano: We are adding dried oregano to give the puree a little more complex taste. This can easily be omitted if you prefer or you can substitute in dried parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme or cilantro.

Grass-Fed Beef: I recommend using grass-fed beef for this recipe, if possible. Grass-fed beef will have more healthy fats, more free Omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats), vitamins A, E, and B as well as more antioxidants.

Health Benefits of Beef

  • Protein: Beef is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for proper growth and development of all organ systems and maintaining and repairing tissues. It is considered a complete protein, meaning it has all of the amino acids that are needed to make protein.
  • Iron: Beef is a good source of iron, needed for making red blood cells, neurodevelopment and preventing iron deficiency anemia, and zinc, needed for growth and development and supporting the immune system.
  • B12: Beef is also high in B12, which is essential for brain development and healthy red blood cells.
  • Choline: can also be found in beef, which is also important for brain growth and development.

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil: In a medium saucepan, bring the cubed beef, broth, and oregano to a boil over medium heat. 
  2. Simmer: Turn the heat down to low and cover the saucepan. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the beef is just cooked through. Let it cool slightly.
  3. Puree: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a blender or food processor and puree until you reach your desired consistency, adding broth in 1/4 cup increments if needed.
  4. Eat: Serve to your baby plain or added into another puree. 
  5. Freeze: Store a small portion in the fridge and freeze the rest for another meal.

Tools Needed

These tools will make it a lot easier for you to make this healthy Beef Puree. For more of my favorite kitchen tools make sure to check out my shop.

  • Saucepans
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Freezer Tray
  • Storage Containers for Fridge
  • Stasher Bag
  • bib with catch pocket
  • Saucepans

Frequently Asked Questions

When can baby eat beef puree?

Babies can have beef as one of their first foods. When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Can beef be baby’s first food?
Yes, beef can 100% be baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is recommended to wait to introduce the top eight allergen foods to baby once a few other well tolerated foods have been introduced, but otherwise foods can be introduced in any order so choose whatever you are most excited for baby to have.

Is beef a common allergen for baby?
No, beef is not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Does beef cause constipation for babies?
No, beef itself is not known to cause constipation in babies, however it won’t really help with constipation either since it lacks fiber. If baby is eating too much meat, it could replace fiber-rich foods, which could cause constipation.

How to Store Beef Puree
Refridgerator

You can store this puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freezer

This puree can be frozen for up to 2 months.

  • Spoon puree into a freezer storage container. Do not overfill. 
  • Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap, and label with the date and recipe name. 
  • Place the tray into the freezer and let it freeze completely — preferably overnight. 
  • Pop out the baby food cubes and place them in a ziplock baggie or stasher bag. Don’t forget to relabel the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.

Need more information on how to store your baby foods? Head over to my Best Baby Food Storage Containers – Plus 6 Tips on Freezing and Thawing post!

Label Tip: Don’t forget to label your purees before you place them in the fridge or freezer with the name of the puree and the date you made it. Take it from me; by the end of the week, you will completely forget what is in your freezer and how long it’s been there. 😉

Great Beef Combination Purees

While this beef baby food is great by itself, it can be a little intense for some babies. I recommend mixing it into one of your baby’s favorite purees as an introduction to the rich taste of beef. Here are some great purees to mix with the beef puree:

  • Apples
  • Sweet Potato
  • Pear
  • Carrot
  • Broccoli
  • Pea
  • Mango

PUREE FEEDING TIPS

  • Follow your baby’s lead – when feeding purees from a spoon, sometimes there’s a tendency to keep offering bites past the point of your baby being full. Always follow your baby’s cues for when they are done eating. Turning away from the spoon, closing her mouth, or pushing food away are all signs that your baby is finished with the meal.
  • Try adding a little seasoning or spice to purees – babies like flavor! Or consider changing the temperature of purees from time to time, to slightly warmed or slightly chilled. Varying these aspects adds to the sensory experience!
  • Throwing spoons is a common phase that all babies go through at one point or another.  One of the best ways to handle spoon throwing is to ignore it and keep feeding your baby as usual (with an extra spoon you already have at the table). If your baby ends up also throwing back up spoons #2 AND #3, simply encourage your baby to eat with their hands until they appear to be finished with the meal. ***Give baby plenty of opportunities to practice putting items in and taking items out of containers outside of mealtimes.

Recipe Tips
  • Use a Slotted Spoon: When transferring the cooked beef from the saucepan to the blender, make sure to use a slotted spoon so you don’t add too much broth into the puree from the start. You only want to add broth if needed while blending. I had to add a 1/4 cup of broth to the blender while I was pureeing this beef. 
  • Reheat Gently: If you are freezing some of this beef puree, reheat it in 20-second intervals. You don’t want to recook the beef.

Recipe
  • 8 ounce beef chuck stew meat, or cubed sirloin beef
  • 2 cups beef or vegetable broth, low or no sodium
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • Boil: In a medium saucepan, bring beef, broth and oregano to a boil over medium heat. Turn to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until beef is cooked all the way through. Let cool slightly.

  • Transfer: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a blender or food processor, reserve broth.

  • Puree: starting on low and working your way up to high-speed, puree the beef until you reach your desired consistency, adding in broth in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add in just 1/4 cup of broth to get the consistency seen in this photo.

  • Eat: serve to baby plain or added into another puree. 

  • Freeze: store a small portion in the fridge and freeze the rest for another meal. 

Age: 4-6 months and up

Yield: 12 ounces

Storage: Fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

 

Saucepan

Blender

Bumkins Baby Bowl

Freezer Tray

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Baby food with minced meat

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          Healthy ground beef soufflé - step by step recipe with photo

          September 26, 2021

          Rate

          Buy groceries

          Beef soufflé is the perfect dish for baby food and dieters. There is no excess fat in ground beef and a balanced composition of nutrients. Meat soufflé - the combination of beef and egg whites makes it easy for the body to digest, while being very tasty and satisfying.

          Author: Elena Zueva,
          reader and author of Food.ru

          Nutritional value per 100 g. Calorie content is calculated for raw foods.

          Will be ready in

          1 hour 15 minutes

          Time in the kitchen

          35 minutes

          Difficulty

          We estimate the complexity of recipes so that you can calculate your time and effort.

          Levels 1-2: very simple and simple dishes.

          Level 3: preparation is clear, but experience is needed, it may not work the first time.

          Levels 4 and 5 require special technique, skill and time.

          Sharpness

          Assess how spicy the dish will turn out, to which pepper or spices are added according to the recipe.

          1 - food was peppered quite a bit.

          2 - pepper is felt, but the dish does not have a sharp aftertaste.

          3 - A slight "sharp" aftertaste appears.

          4 - pepper is strongly felt, but the dish can still be eaten without drinking.

          Number 5 is very spicy food, not everyone will eat it!

          Cuisine

          European

          Common allergen

          Here we draw your attention to whether the dish contains common and dangerous allergens. Before cooking, make sure that you do not have an individual intolerance to other products from the list of ingredients.

          Egg

          Make sure you don't have any intolerance to other ingredients.

          Products for the recipe

          Portions

          For the dish

          Beef 600 g
          Onion 1 pc. = 80 g
          Chicken egg 2 pcs. = 120 g
          Ground black pepper 0.3 tsp. = 1 g
          Salt 0.5 tsp. = 5 g

          order groceries

          Healthier:

          Use beef shoulder or brisket to prepare ground beef. These parts are quite soft, and the soufflé will turn out more tender.

          Step by step photo recipe

          prepare

          Clean and wash the meat, cut into pieces for twisting in a meat grinder. Onion cut into slices.

          Step 1

          Mince the beef and onion into a fine mesh. Add egg yolks, salt and spices to the minced meat to taste. Mix thoroughly.

          Step 2

          Beat egg white until stiff and add to ground beef with onions. Stir gently. Grease a baking dish with vegetable oil. Lay out the beef soufflé. Bake in the oven at 190C about 40 minutes.

          impress

          Serve warm, cut into portions. Cut vegetable salad. Perfect for sauces: cheese-garlic and sour cream.

          Learn more