Get the recipe: Black Beans & Cumin Baby Food (purees or BLW)
Looking to add variety to your baby's meals? Then, I've got you! While black beans will probably not be the first food you introduce to your little one, we all know that serving your baby a wide variety of food is the name of the game for the first year. Whether you serve black beans as a puree or as a solid food for baby-led weaning, I love adding a pinch of cumin to kick up the flavor profile. Great for 6+ months.
Ingredients
Black Bean Baby Puree
- 1/2 cup black beans (fully cooked or canned and rinsed)
- 1/4 tsp fresh lime juice (optional)
- pinch cumin
- 2-4 tbsp water
Black Beans for Baby-Led Weaning
- 2 tbsp black beans (fully cooked or canned and rinsed)
- pinch cumin
Instructions
Black Bean Baby Puree
- Add the beans, lime juice, cumin, and 2 tbsp of water to a blender. Turn on the blender and on medium speed, puree for 60 seconds or until completely smooth. If the puree is too thick, add in the additional 2 tbsp of water.
- Serve to baby and enoy!
Black Beans for Baby-Led Weaning
- Mash, flatten, or serve whole, depending on your baby's age Add a pinch of cumin on top and then serve to your baby.
- 6+ months - pureed or mashed: Mash or blend cooked black beans into a smooth puree for your baby to scoop with their hands. You can also mash black bean puree on an infant spoon or a lightly toasted strip of bread. You can also stir pureed black beans into other soft foods and purees, such as yogurt, mashed vegetables, cooked quinoa, or guacamole.9+ months - small pieces, mashed or flattened: At this age, your baby starts to develop their pincer grasp, so you can start to serve beans that have been gently mashed or flattened with a fork or your fingers. You can also continue to serve pureed black beans at this stage.12+ months - whole beans: Offer whole, cooked black beans at this age, as your toddler will likely have a more refined pincer grasp, as well as practice with utensils. You can also continue to offer mashed black beans or pre-load black beans on a spoon or fork for your toddler if they need a little help.
Notes
Age: 6+ months
Storage Instructions: You can store the puree or beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to Prepare Dry Black Beans
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to prepare dry black beans for baby food:
Stovetop
- Pick out any broken dried beans and rinse with water in a colander.
- Soak in a large bowl with water and salt for 8-24 hours.
- Drain water and rinse.
- Add soaked beans, 4 cups of water, and salt to a pot.
- Bring to a boil, simmer, cover, and then reduce to low heat.
- Cook until beans are tender, 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Drain and serve.
- Add beans and water to an Instant Pot.
- Secure lid, press Pressure Cook — High, and set to 30 minutes. It will take about 8 minutes to pressurize and then the cooking will start.
- When the Instant Pot timer goes off, set a separate timer for 20 minutes and allow the steam to release naturally (don't push any buttons).
- Remove lid carefully and serve.
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