This naturally sweet Red Pepper Baby Food Puree is loaded with vitamins A, B6, and C. With a smooth and rich texture, babies aged 4 months and up will definitely enjoy this. It’s also perfect as a Stage 1 Baby Food.

Medically reviewed by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Red Pepper Puree

Red bell peppers made into baby food?

Unusual? Yes.

Tasty? For sure!

This is one of those convenient and flavorful purees that I would have never thought to make because it isn’t found on any grocery store shelf. Yet you can prepare it in less than 20 minutes, and it can be served to baby from 4 months of age and up.

Plus, look at that attractive bright red color! 😋

Aside from having loads of vitamins A, B6, and C, this puree is also an excellent source of folate. When paired with a little white potato, apple, or pear, it even turns into a delectable, velvety starter puree perfect for all babies!

Red Pepper Puree Video

Watch this video to see step-by-step instructions on how to make this homemade baby food puree!

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 handsafe storageknowing when your baby is ready for solidsintroducing pureesmaking the best first foods for baby, and more! You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes.

Reasons to Love this Red Pepper Baby Puree

  • baby food for 4 months and up
  • stage 1 baby food
  • homemade
  • smooth and creamy texture
  • quick and simple to make — 2-ingredient recipe
  • freezer-friendly 
  • healthy — a good source of folate and high in vitamins A, B6, and C
  • great-tasting
Red pepper and pear on a cutting board.

Ingredients

  • Red Peppers – Naturally sweetened with a hint of citrus twist, these are the stars of the show! Just so we are on the same page, we are talking about red bell peppers here, not the spicy serrano or pimento peppers. 😉
  • Potato, Apple, or Pear – You will need to add a small handful of white potato, apple, or pear to this puree to give it a little body, as peppers by themselves can become pretty liquidy after being cooked. Potato gives a fuller body while apple or pear complements the red peppers’ sweeter side.

Benefits of Red Peppers for Baby

  • high in carotenoids that help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease
  • a good source of beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin to support healthy eyes
  • contains high amounts of vitamin A that help improve immunity
  • an excellent source of vitamin B6, which may help improve one’s mood

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prep  Roughly core and chop the red peppers and potato, pear, or apple.
  2. Steam – Place the red pepper chunks into a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
  3. Blend – Let it cool slightly, and then transfer it to a blender and puree until smooth.
  4. Eat – Serve or freeze for another meal.

HOW TO STORE RED PEPPER PUREE

REFRIGERATOR

You can store this puree 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 (this is my favorite freezer storage container). Do not overfill. 
  • Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap — label with the date and recipe name. 
  • Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze it completely — preferably overnight. 
  • Pop-out the baby food cubes and place them in a zip-lock baggie or stasher bag. Don’t forget to relabel the baggie or stager bag for future reference.

Do you 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… because you know… mommy brain. 😉

WHEN CAN BABY EAT RED PEPPERS?

Babies can have red peppers 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 baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

White bowl filled red pepper puree with yellow spoon.

GREAT RED PEPPER Stage 2 PUREES

While Red Pepper Baby Food is already appetizing by itself, it’s also easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. For a Stage Two puree, give these fun flavor combos a try!

More Ways to Serve this Puree

  • Mix in some plain whole milk yogurt for a creamy, soup-like puree.
  • Steam an apple and a handful of spinach along with the red peppers for a yummier and healthier puree.
  • Mix the puree with brown rice and some shredded chicken for a tasty, full-bodied meal for your baby.
  • Mix with some pasta, parsley, and grated cheese for a delightful and satisfying meal.
Hand stirring red pepper puree in a white bowl.

HELPFUL TOOLS

Or watch a shortened version of this video here.

white spoon resting on top of a stack of red pepper slices. spoon has red pepper baby food recipe in it.

Get the recipe: Red Pepper Baby Puree

4.9 stars (42 ratings)
This Red Pepper Baby Puree recipe is a smooth, creamy and naturally sweet puree that is loaded with vitamin A, B6 and C. Great for 4+ months and older (or stage 1 puree).

Ingredients 

  • 2 red bell peppers deseeded, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup small white potato, pear or apple peeled and roughly chopped

Instructions 

Red Pepper with Potato

  • Cook: In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil. If using a potato, place it in a steamer basket and steam for 10 minutes. Add in the red peppers and steam for another 5-7 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly. Purees as directed below.

Red Pepper with Apple or Pear

  • Cook: In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil. Add the peppers and apple or pears to a steamer basket, cover and steam for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
    Red Pepper in a steamer basket.
  • Add to Blender: Add in all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor.
    Blender with cooked red pepper and pear.
  • Puree: starting on low and increasing speed to high, puree for 1 minute or until completely smooth, adding in a tablespoon of water in at a time if needed.
    Pureed red pepper puree for baby.
  • Eat: serve to baby or freeze for a future meal.
    white bowl with red pepper puree for baby.

Notes

Age: 4 months and up
Yield: 15 ounces 
Adding Spices: I left this puree plain without any spices but you could easily add 1/4 clove garlic, a pinch of fresh thyme, cumin or even some parsley.
Storage: Fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
 
 

Did you make this recipe?

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