Do you want your child to grow up loving broccoli? Then, I’ve got you! This Broccoli Baby Puree is a great way to introduce the coveted green veggie to your baby for one simple reason – it’s delicious! I’ve tested this recipe several times over the years, and this recipe was the clear winner! So, if you’re looking for an easy broccoli puree for your baby, this is it! Great baby food for 6+ months – stage 1 baby food!
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Literally the Best Broccoli Baby Food
The first time I made a homemade broccoli puree for baby Ellie, I went simple and just steamed and blended up some fresh broccoli. Easy as that. I thought I had a winner. But she kept turning her head away from the puree. As I was an ever-determined first-time mom, I kept serving her some of the same batch of this simple broccoli puree. And every time, she turned her head at it. Honestly, it was driving me crazy! Just eat the puree! Then I tasted it. And while it was good, it had a STRONG broccoli flavor. Given that babies have more heightened taste buds, I decided to get back into the kitchen to revamp the recipe.
And lo and behold, I made a winner!
We still 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 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.
Along with these other classic baby food purees – Carrot Baby Food, Apple Baby Puree, and Simple Pear Baby Puree – this simple Broccoli Puree recipe gives us a truly delicious stage one puree that your baby is going to dive right into!
Broccoli Puree Video
Ingredients
Let’s Get Cooking
Other Cooking Methods
While I love the clean flavor of steamed broccoli, there are several different ways to cook it 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.
Broccoli for Baby-Led Weaning: Broccoli is 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.
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
The Best Broccoli Baby Food Puree (20 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 1 small apple, pear or small white potato peeled and chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp good quality olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- 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.
Video
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.
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.
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.
Broccoli does not usually cause constipation in babies, and it can actually help alleviate constipation due to its high fiber content.
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