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Broccoli carrot baby food recipe


The Best Broccoli Baby Food Puree (Stage One)

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This Broccoli Baby Food recipe is a great way to introduce healthy green vegetables into your baby’s diet. A delicious puree that is full of essential vitamins and healthy fats for a growing baby. If you’re looking for an easy green starter puree for your baby, this is it! Great baby food for 4-6 months and older – stage 1 baby food!

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

Broccoli Baby Food

Do you want your child to grow up loving broccoli? Then this puree is a good place to start! 🥦

We start with the main star of the show – broccoli! By gently steaming the broccoli, we are able to preserve its fresh taste and bright green color without getting a too intense broccoli flavor or drab color. I’m also inviting you to try adding in a small amount of peeled apple, pear or white potato. This addition helps give the puree just enough starch and fiber to make a truly creamy and smooth puree that helps balance out the, sometimes, intense broccoli flavor. And for a boost of healthy fats, we are going to drizzle in a little bit of high-quality olive oil.

What this simple recipe gives us is a truly delicious puree that baby is going to dive right into!

First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!

Broccoli Puree Video

Watch this video to see how easy it is to make this Broccoli Puree!

Reasons to Love this Broccoli Baby Food
  • nutrient-dense – contains fiber, iron, calcium, antioxidants, folate, potassium, vitamins A, C and K
  • creamy green puree baby will love
  • filled with healthy fats for baby’s growing brain and bones
  • 4-6+ months and older
  • freezer-friendly
  • stage 1 baby food puree
  • homemade

Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli has a whole host of health benefits!

  • The fiber found in broccoli promotes gut health and heart health.
  • It helps support your immune system with the help of vitamin C.
  • Broccoli is high in vitamin K, which is important in blood clotting.
  • The antioxidants found in broccoli may help protect against certain types of cancers.
  • Vitamin A and antioxidants found in broccoli promote eye health.

Ingredients

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

  • Broccoli: Being the start of the show, we need to use fresh broccoli that is bright and green with no mushy parts. You can cut up a head of broccoli or get pre-cut florets. You can also use frozen broccoli in this recipe, but the taste will be slightly more intense.
  • Apple: We are going to use one small peeled apple in this recipe to give the puree a smooth consistency. You can also use a small white potato or pear, if you prefer. If you want to keep the puree a single ingredient puree, then just leave the apple (potato or pear) out, the puree will be slightly different but still amazing.
  • Olive Oil: For an added boost of healthy fats, we are adding in a little drizzle of a high-quality olive oil. You can omit this if you prefer.

Shopping & Storing Tip: When purchasing broccoli, look for a firm head with dark-green crowns and tightly-closed buds. Broccoli is a hardy, cool-weather vegetable, so it loves your cold refrigerator. Wrap the broccoli in a few dry paper towels, to help wick away any excess moisture, and store in an unsealed plastic bag.

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Prep Broccoli: roughly chop a bunch of broccoli and peel and chop one small apple or white potato.
  2. Steam: place the broccoli and apple/potato into a steamer basket and steam until tender.
  3. Puree: transfer cooked produce into a blender or food processor and add a drizzle of olive oil. Puree until smooth.
  4. Serve or freeze.

Tools Needed

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

  • Steamer Basket
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Freezer Tray
  • Storage Containers for Fridge
  • highchair
  • suction bowl or baby bowl
  • baby spoon
  • open lid cup
  • bib with catch pocket

Other Cooking Methods

While I love the clean flavor of steamed broccoli, there are several different ways you can cook broccoli for baby food. 

Roasting

Place broccoli and small chunks of potato onto a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 425 degrees F, for 20-25 minutes or tender when pricked with a fork. Puree in a blender as directed below. 

Blanching

Bring a medium saucepan filled with water to a boil, add in the potato and cook for 6 minutes, then add in the broccoli and cook for 2 minutes or when tender with pricked with a fork. Drain the water, let cool slightly. Puree in a blender as directed below.

Adding Spices

In this recipe, we are adding a small drizzle of high-quality olive oil into the puree, but feel free to use the following spices instead – chopped chives, mint leaves, chopped cilantro, cumin, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Tip on Spices: I always recommend adding spices to any baby food puree, but you can add or leave out spices in all of your baby food. You do you! Either way, this puree will taste amazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can baby eat broccoli?

Baby can have broccoli 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 broccoli be baby’s first food?

Broccoli can 100% be your baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is recommended to wait to introduce the top eight allergen foods to your 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 your baby to have.

Is broccoli a common allergen for baby?

No, broccoli 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 broccoli cause constipation for babies?

Broccoli does not usually cause constipation in babies, and it can actually help alleviate constipation due to its high fiber content.  

How to Store Broccoli Baby Food
Refrigerator

You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Freezer

This puree can be frozen for up to 4 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 date and recipe name. 
  • Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze completely – preferably overnight. 
  • Pop out the baby food cubes and place in a zip-lock baggie or stasher bag – don’t forget to re-label 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, you will completely forget when and what is in your freezer by the end of the week.

Great Broccoli Combination Purees

While Broccoli Baby Food is great by itself, it’s also super easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. Give these fun flavor combos a try!

  • Apples
  • Asparagus
  • Quinoa Baby Cereal 
  • Chicken
  • White Beans
  • Softened Tofu
  • Spinach
  • Green Beans
  • Yogurt
  • Mango

Broccoli for Baby-Led Weaning: Carrots are also a great food to serve to your baby whole for baby-led weaning (6+ months) or as a finger food (9+ months). You can always serve baby a combination of purees and finger foods right from the start.

Feeding Tips

  • Make sure baby is showing readiness signs for eating – good control of their head and trunk, sitting with minimal assistance, bringing hands or toys to their mouth, and appearing interested in your food when you’re eating.
  • 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!
  • Place a small amount of puree on the tray during spoon feeding, so that your baby can dip their fingers or hands in the puree. Allowing baby to explore foods in this way helps them learn to self-feed and can help them be more willing to try new textures and foods in the future.
  • 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 baby as usual (with an extra spoon you already have at the table). If 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.

Or watch a shortened version of this video here.

  • 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
  • 1/2 apple, pear or small white potato peeled and chopped (optional)
  • 1 tbsp good quality olive oil (optional)

  • Prep: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil over medium heat.

  • Steam: Place the broccoli and apple/potato/pear into a steamer basket and place over boiling water, cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until the broccoli and apple are tender. Reserve the water from the steamer. Let cool slightly.

  • Transfer: Add the broccoli and apple to a blender or food processor.

  • Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil into the blender or food processor.

  • Blend: Puree on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, adding in additional liquid (reserved water, fresh breast milk or formula) in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add in 1/4 cup of water to the puree pictured.

  • Eat: Serve to your baby or freeze for a later meal.

Age: 4-6 months and up

Yield: roughly 12 ounces

Adding In Spices: Feel free to add in 1 tsp of chopped chives, 2-3 mint leaves, 1 tsp of chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp cumin or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

 

 

 

Blender

Freezer Tray

Tripp Trapp High Chair

Glass Baby Food Jars

Silicone Baby Bibs

Calories: 25kcal, Carbohydrates: 3. 2g, Protein: 0.7g, Fat: 1.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 6mg, Potassium: 106mg, Fiber: 0.7g, Sugar: 0.4g, Calcium: 8mg

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6 Homemade Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)

I’ve shared a couple stories on Instagram showing what Piper eats and you guys have seemed to enjoy them. So I've put together this post showing how to make some of her favorite homemade baby food purees.

As a new mom, what to feed my baby was one of my top questions. In the beginning didn’t know when to start her on solids or what types of food she could eat. I researched and did some experimenting to see what worked for my baby and our family.

Ultimately, we decided to make homemade purees to start with then eventually moved on to baby-led weaning as she got a little older. I’m a big believer in doing your own research and finding what is best for your baby so don’t feel like you have to do this, it’s just what worked for us. That being said, the combos I’m about to share consist of mostly fruit and vegetables for babies in Stage 2 of eating.

Piper is almost one now so she eats mostly what we eat but these recipes I’m about to share were ones that we used quite frequently with her and were all baby approved. I hope your little enjoys them too! Let me know if you try any of these in the comments below or tag @withsweethoney on Instagram!

Jump to:
  • How Do You Make Baby Food Purees?
  • 6 Veggie and Fruit Baby Food Puree Combos
  • How To Store Homemade Baby Food
  • How to Reheat Frozen Homemade Baby Food
  • Let's Connect!
  • More Baby Food Recipes
  • 6 Homemade Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)

How Do You Make Baby Food Purees?

Wash and Prep: First things first, prep your fruits and veggies by washing them with water. Peel and chop them if needed. Some veggies or fruit do not need to be peeled but it depends on what it is or if you're using fresh or frozen.

Cook: I usually steam the veggies and fruits but you could also roast them. For example, I steamed all of the vegetables besides the sweet potato in the recipes below. I roasted the sweet potato for 45 mins at 425°F. I chose to roast the sweet potato so I could have it in the oven while I was steaming the other vegetables on the stovetop. The vegetables/fruit are done when they are soft and easily squashed between your fingers. Some veggies and fruit don’t need to be cooked before blending though. For example, avocado and banana are great to have on hand because they are soft enough to blend or mash right from the start.

Puree: The last step is to blend the veggies/fruit into a food processor or blender until smooth puree forms. Note, you don't have to have a fancy baby food blender to do this, whatever normal blender or food processor you have should work fine. You can also add purified water, breast milk or formula to the puree to get your desired consistency.

A Note on Cooking Times: Cooking times will vary depending on what fruit or vegetable it is that you’re preparing. You can also choose to use fresh, frozen or sometimes canned. I chose to use frozen for some of the ingredients in the combos below since that is what I had on hand. I also try to use organic when I can but I know sometimes that isn’t everyone's preference and that’s okay.

6 Veggie and Fruit Baby Food Puree Combos

Broccoli + Sweet Potato

Puree Ingredients: ¼ cup roasted sweet potato (about 1 sweet potato) + ½ cup steamed broccoli + a little bit of water or breast milk (to thin if needed)

Peach + Apple + Nutmeg

Puree Ingredients: 1 steamed and peeled apple + 1 steamed peach (could used canned peach instead) + ¼ tsp nutmeg + a little bit of water or breast milk (to thin if needed)

Carrots + Butternut Squash

Puree Ingredients: 1 cup large carrots, peeled and steamed + 1 cup steamed butternut squash (I used frozen squash cubes) + a little bit of water or breast milk (to thin if needed)

Pineapple + Mango

Puree Ingredients: ½ cup steamed pineapple + ½ cup steamed mango + a little bit of water or breast milk (to thin if needed)

Avocado + Banana

Puree Ingredients: 1 avocado + 1 banana + a little bit of water or breast milk (to thin if needed)

Carrot and Blueberry

Puree Ingredients: ¼ cup steamed blueberry and ½ cup steamed carrots + a little bit of water or breast milk (to thin if needed)

How To Store Homemade Baby Food

There are a lot of different trays and containers out there that are food safe and used to store homemade baby food. I use simple glass containers when I’m storing the baby food in the fridge. Homemade purees usually last about 3 days in the fridge.

I also like to freeze the homemade baby food in food safe silicone trays. I have these and they’ve worked really well for us. They’re larger so they’re ideal for a baby that eats a bit more. I just pop the frozen cubes into a freezer safe baggie and they last in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you're just starting with purees, a small ice cube tray or a small silicone tray with a lid would also work.

How to Reheat Frozen Homemade Baby Food

I usually thaw the frozen baby food cubes by taking them out of the freezer and leaving them in the fridge overnight. You could also place the frozen cubes in a container in warm water and defrost that way. If in a pinch, you could also use the microwave on a low setting. It’s up to you, just make sure the puree is cooled before feeding to baby.

Let's Connect!

I hope this was helpful and that it inspired you to try making homemade puree baby food for your little one. Please comment below or tag @withsweethoney on Instagram if you try any of these out and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations!

More Baby Food Recipes

  • Kale Baby Food Puree Combinations (Stage 2)
  • 3 Sweet Potato Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)
  • How To Make Baby Oatmeal
  • Applesauce Baby Pancakes

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting With Sweet Honey!

Broccoli + Sweet Potato
  • ¼ cup roasted sweet potato
  • ½ cup steamed broccoli
  • a little bit of water if needed, to thin
Peach + Apple + Nutmeg
  • 1 steamed and peeled apple
  • 1 steamed and peeled peach
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • a little bit of water if needed, to thin
Carrot + Butternut Squash
  • 1 cup steamed and peeled carrots
  • 1 cup steamed and peeled butternut squash
  • a little bit of water if needed, to thin
Pineapple + Mango
  • ½ cup steamed pineapple
  • ½ cup steamed mango
  • a little bit of water if needed, to thin
Avocado + Banana
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • a little bit of water if needed, to thin
Carrot + Blueberry
  • ½ cup steamed and peeled carrots
  • ¼ cup steamed blueberries
  • a little bit of water if needed, to thin

  • Choose the above combination that you want to make. Steam or roast the fruit or veggies.

  • Add the ingredients to a blender and puree. Add some water, breast milk or formula to thin if needed.

  • Serve or store in the fridge or freezer.

Tried this recipe?Tag @withsweethoney on Instagram!

Carrot, Potato, Broccoli Puree with Cheese Encyclopedia Baby Food

Recipes 12-18 Months Gluten Free Flour Free Meat Free Sugar Free Egg Free Boil Dairy Low Calorie Lunch Vegetables First Food Snack Cooked Mashed Dinner

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Levchuk Victoria©

Making baby puree with a fork is a good way to gradually introduce more texture into your baby's diet.

Combination broccoli with potatoes and cheese a great baby food recipe because it helps babies eat more greens. The relatively strong flavor of broccoli goes well with potatoes and carrots.

Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C and also contains beta-carotene, folic acid, iron and potassium.

Carrot, potato, broccoli puree with cheese suitable for children over 12-18 months.

Introduced foods in baby food:

Instructions

  1. Place the carrot and potato pieces in a pot with enough boiling water. You can cook vegetables in a double boiler, slow cooker, pressure cooker or just on fire.

  2. 7 minutes before cooking add broccoli, cook until tender

  3. Drain the vegetable broth.

  4. Grind everything in a blender or under a press.

  5. Add butter and cheese.

  6. Add breast milk or formula to achieve a smooth, tender texture.

The author of the recipe is Valentina 🌳 .

Valentine 🌳 @cook_123

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