How to Puree and Store Homemade Baby Food

How to Puree and Store Homemade Baby Food

• Start by cooking the vegetable/fruit either by steaming, baking, or boiling. Note: Avoid using the microwave.

• Steaming maintains the most nutrients. Steaming, baking and boiling all allow for big batches of foods to be made at one time.

• Take the cooked vegetable or fruit and place them into the food processor or Vita-mix for pureeing.

• Set your machine to puree or grind and begin to mash the vegetables or fruits.

(Do not use reserved water from carrots or other high nitrate veggies for a baby under 7 months old)   You may also thin with Formula, Breast Milk or Plain Water.

How To Freeze the Baby Food Purée

As you are pureeing or blending, add the liquid or plain water.  You may use formula or breast milk if you so desire. These liquids give a little nutritional boost and add a familiar taste for baby.

Never freeze homemade baby food in glass that is not specifically labeled as “safe to freeze”, for example old baby food jars are not meant for freezing.

• Once you have a nice liquid baby food puree you will then transfer the puree into ice cube trays for freezing/storage.

• Fill each cube with the puree, as though you were filling the tray with water to make ice cubes.

• Cover the tray with plastic wrap (foil may be used however is not recommended as shards of the foil may be left on/in the food cubes) and put it in the freezer.

• Repeat this process until you have filled all the trays and no puree remains.

• Each cube is equal to approximately 1 ounce of food.

• Once the cubes of puree have set and are frozen, take the trays out of the freezer and transfer the cubes into freezer bags.

• Be sure to label the bag with the date of preparation as well as the type of food. The baby food cubes should be used within a month of freezing.

• When it is time to feed baby, simply take out the number of food cubes needed and thaw and then reheat.