The Best Broccoli Baby Food
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
- Prep Broccoli: roughly chop a bunch of broccoli and peel and chop one small apple or white potato.
- Steam: place the broccoli and apple/potato into a steamer basket and steam until tender.
- Puree: transfer cooked produce into a blender or food processor and add a drizzle of olive oil. Puree until smooth.
- 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
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.
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.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Baby Food
Ingredients
- 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)
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.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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47 Comments on “The Best Broccoli Baby Food”
This is the first baby food recipe of yours that I have made since recently discovering your blog! It was so delicious. For every bite I fed my 11-month old babe, I snuck one for myself 😉 Thanks!
Hello Brooke,
That is awesome!!!! So glad you both enjoyed it:)
xoxo, Michele
Made this last night and my LO LOVED LOVED LOVED it!! He actually threw a mini tantrum when the 1st serving was over. However, today he has very bad diarrhea that is bright broccoli green. I can tell his little tummy really hurts. Have you experienced this at all with your LO after eating this? I’m worried it might have been the olive oil??
Hello Johanna,
OMG.. I loved that he throw a mini tantrum over finishing his broccoli!! You should definitely take a video of that to show him when he is a toddler!
SOOOO sad about his upset tummy! Parker definitely had green poo the next day but it didn’t seem to upset her stomach (she still has soft poo so it is hard to tell what is diarrhea and what is normal poo). How many ounces did you give him? Has he had broccoli before? What else did you serve with it? Broccoli is in the same family (cruciferous vegetable) as cabbage and Brussels sprouts and can cause gas if you eat too many at one time. Either way, I would back off the puree and depending on how old your little one is maybe give him some water and a tummy rub to ease the gas and see how he feels in a little bit.
Hope that helps, Michele
PS – I ADORE your site and have already referred lots of my friends over!
I just want to say I love your site. So many useful hacks and tricks. Just starting my second on solids in a couple of months and can’t wait. Thanks for sharing your recipes 🙂
I’m new to blogging and my blog is not as nearly great as yours, but I’m hoping to get there. You’re my role model 🙂
Anyways, here’s the link: http://www.babyfoodlovingblog.com – have a look when you get a chance. I’d be honoured! 🙂
Amela
Thank you so much for visiting my site!!! Your blog is wonderful, keep up the great work and keep me posted!
xo, Michele
Hi, I just stumbled upon your amazing website! I was wondering what kitchen item you actually use to puree these things?
I started off using a blender for margaritas (used in earlier posts) and now I use either a blendtex or a vitamix. You can really use any blender or food processor but I find that the blender works better to get creamier smoother purees.
Thanks for visiting!
xo, Michele
Hi! I am a new, huge fan of your site! Recently I made a bunch of cubes of potato/broccoli purée that I froze for my little one. The problem is that, as it thaws, the cubes end up a dense, spongey block—which doesn’t seem very appetizing. Any recommendations for how I can get a better texture from the frozen blocks? Thank you!!
What is the texture when the puree thaws out? Usually all the frozen purees have a slightly weird consistency when frozen but are great when thawed, so I want to make sure I didn’t miss something with this puree. I usually either thaw in the fridge or in the microwave for best results.
Hi Michele! Have been LOVING referring to your blog since my friend recommended it for our first steps into the world of solids! Have shared with my mother’s group too and you’ve definitely got fans there too. Question – I’ve read in a few places about the risk of nitrates in veg – like broccoli and carrots… what are your thoughts on that? There’s so much conflicting info. I’m really keen to give my daughter broc for the iron but may have succumbed to the scare mongers out there. And in response to Lindsay’s comment – I’ve made another puree that incl potatoes and found the same odd spongey result. I’ve since read that it potentially relates to overcooking potatoes and/or over working them while in the processor (very likely in my case)… something to do with releasing extra starches.
So sorry on the delay, I missed your comment.
Nitrates do exist naturally in vegetables (mostly carrots) but the last case of nitrate poisoning was from contaminated soil back in the 60’s. With that in mind, you don’t want to overload your little one with a ton of natural nitrates and I would say that anything less then 20 oz a day of carrots would be fine. Which is a TON OF CARROTS! I would also recommend buying organic carrots so there are not any more nitrates on them. Plus, organic carrots are just a few cents more then conventional so that’s nice. But seriously, it is nothing to worry about and I wouldn’t let you stop from serving any vegetable purees.
And yes, if you have too much or cook the potato too long it will get starchy. You can also use apple or pear in this recipe in place of the potato.
Michele
Hi , can frozen brocolli be used for this recipe ?
Yes
Made this as my baby’s first meal at 5 and a half months. She really seemed to enjoy it! I didn’t have a potato on hand so I subbed in an apple. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad she enjoyed it!
Tried this recipe and it tasted and felt like glue. My 9 month old did not like it after the first taste.
Sorry to hear this recipe didn’t work for you. Did you cook for how long the recipe stated? Sometimes if you overcook the produce it will become too starchy.
WOW! I was pleasantly surprised at how good this was! I added a pinch of salt to the purée and about 3Tbso off water. Looking forward to making more wholesome food for my little guy from this blog. Next one on my list is the immune boost purée!
So glad your little guy enjoyed it! Let me know how the next one goes:)
So easy and healthy, thanks for this recipe idea Michele!
My 6 month old daughter loves this!!
So glad to hear this!
Hi! I’m a newly converted fan! I found your site on accident, but loving it eversince. Tried your puree recipe for my LO, and she loved most of it. Broccoli potato puree one being her favorite!
Thank you sooo much!
So glad you are here! Love that your LO is loving her purees!
I love your recipes useful and professional thank you, my baby, loved broccoli and potato
Thank you so much for being here!
What kind of oil did you use ?? Would avocado oil work??
You can use avocado, olive or coconut oil in this recipe for some extra healthy fats.
Could I just use broccoli and not add any other veg/fruit? I want use to single flavours to start off with.
Yes, you can just use broccoli for this recipe:)
Tasty!
So glad your little one liked it!
I have made both the broccoli and the zucchini baby food recipes and my baby love both of them are used potato with them as it’s called for the recipe. When I froze them and then tried to thaw them out the liquid water separated from the vegetable itself and never blended back together have you ever had this issue?
I am so sorry, I have never had this happen to me. How did you reheat the puree? Next time try using an apple, pear or cauliflower to see if it has the same issue.
How can I make the broccoli appealing on it’s own? I’m trying to just introduce one food at a time. FTM here, can you tell 🙂
You can totally make this puree with just broccoli, all other ingredients are optional. Start with just broccoli and add in the rest next time you make it 🙂
Hi! When you blend the broccoli to purée it should it turn out totally smooth or is there some texture still from the florets ? I couldn’t get mine fully smooth and just wasn’t sure if I was missing something or if that’s how it’s supposed to turn out. Thanks!
Mine usually comes out super smooth (I just updated the photos for this recipe, so check those out) but some small chunks are totally fine. If you want a truly smooth puree then I recommend blending for 60-120 seconds and adding in water in small increments until the puree is really moving in the blender.
Hey there! I am currently writing down breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas for our 8mo old son to get a grocery list together 🙂 For this recipe can you sub olive oil for avocado oil?
Also is frozen broccoli okay?
Yes, you can use avocado oil and frozen broccoli. Just updated the recipe card.
Hi im thinking of introducing this to my 4 months old baby. do you think it is ok to introduce this first to my baby? thinking of what should i introduce her of her first meal. thank you
As long as the food isn’t on the top 8 allergen list, you can introduce baby to whatever you prefer. This puree would make a great first food!
This recipe took a little while for my daughter to get used to.
I’m worried I added to much water, but I just couldn’t get the puree to look like yours so I kept adding some. Eventually I stopped as it was a good consistency. Could it hurt my little ones tummy?
Different blenders will sometimes give you different consistency of purees. I do let my blender run for 1-2 minutes for a smooth puree. Thicker or thinner purees will be just fine and not hurt your little ones’ tummy.