Baby Food Recipes with Beets

If you are already a parent you might already be aware of how challenging it could be to feed your baby. You could be running all over the house trying to feed them and they won’t let you. As a result, they lose out on the nutrition they need for their proper growth. As such to make their diet interesting and full of the much-needed nutrients, trying some baby food recipes turns out to be the best option.

Beetroot has proved to be full of many essential nutrients and minerals that are extremely important for your baby’s overall physical and mental development and well-being.

In this article, we talk about introducing beets to your baby’s diet and we give you 5 tasty baby food recipes with beets.

The recipes in this article:

Recipe 1– Beets, potato and carrots
Recipe 2– Roasted beet puree
Recipe 3– Beets and parsnip
Recipe 4– Beetroot, apple, and potato
Recipe 5– Beets, chicken, and rice

You might also be interested in our recipes with cauliflower, avocado or chicken.

When can a baby eat food with a beet?

The ideal age and time for your babies to have food with beets in them are usually between 8 to 10 months. Since beets are rich in nitrates you might want to check their tolerance with it and make sure you avoid too many servings. Once they reach the age of 1 you can increase the intake of beets in their diets. Beets have a mild laxative effect and so if your baby is suffering from diarrhea, you may avoid beets in their diet.

Some doctors advise not to use fresh beetroot puree but instead recommend processed and canned puree. That’s because the fresh ones have high levels of nitrates. Having said that do consult your doctor before trying beets for your little one.

How to prepare beets for baby food

Look for small, blemish-free beets with greens that look fresh. Rinse the beets in cold water and remove greens. Peel the beets and dice them into small pieces. Bring water to a boil and cook the beets until tender, for about 10-15 minutes.

Recipe 1: Beets, potato, and carrot (age 8-10 months+)

The interesting lip-smacking food for your baby.

Ingredients:

• 2 beets – medium-sized
• 1 carrot – medium-sized
• 2 potatoes
• Water

Instructions:

Step 1 – Rinse the beets in cold water and remove greens.

Step 2 – Peel the beets and dice them into small pieces.

Step 3 – Bring water to a boil and cook the beets until tender, for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4 – Rinse the carrot in cold water and remove greens.

Step 5 – Peel the carrot and dice it into small pieces.

Step 6 – Cook the carrots for about 10-15 minutes, until tender.

Step 7 – Peel the potatoes and chop them into pieces.

Step 8 – Cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 9 – Let all the ingredients cool down for a minute and then add them to a blender.

Step 10 – Add a little water and mix the ingredients into a smooth puree.

Recipe 2: Roasted beet puree (age 8-10 months+)

Some roasted beet pieces for your baby to munch on.

Ingredients:

• 5 medium-sized beets
• water

Instructions:

Step 1 – Heat the oven to 400°F.

Step 2 – Rinse the beets in cold water and remove greens.

Step 3 – Wrap the beets loosely in aluminum foil.

Step 4 – Place the wrapped beets on a plate with baking paper in the oven for about 50-60 minutes.

Step 5 – Set the beets aside and let them cool for a while.

Step 6 – Peel off the skin of the beets.

Step 7 – Add the beets and a little bit of water to a blender and mix them into a puree. Add some more water if you need the puree to be thinner.

Recipe 3: Beets and parsnip (age 8-10 months+)

The scrumptious snack even a full-grown adult can’t resist.

Ingredients:

• 1 large-sized parsnip
• 4 beets – medium-sized
• Spices (for flavor and taste, optional though)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Rinse the beets in cold water and remove greens.

Step 2 – Peel the beets and dice them into small pieces.

Step 3 – Bring water to a boil and cook the beets until tender, for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4 – Peel the parsnip with a vegetable peeler and trim the ends.

Step 5 – Cut the parsnip into 3/4 inch chunks.

Step 6 – Bring another pan of water to a boil and cook the parsnip for about 10 minutes, until they are fork-tender.

Step 7 – Add the beets, parsnip, herbs and a little bit of water to a blender. Mix it into a smooth puree.

Recipe 4: Beetroot, apple, and potato (age 8-10 months+)

The lovely looking beetroot mash full of nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 2 beetroots
• 1 apple
• 1 potato

Instructions:

Step 1 – Rinse the beets in cold water and remove greens.

Step 2 – Peel the beets and dice them into small pieces.

Step 3 – Bring water to a boil and cook the beets until tender, for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4 – Peel the apple with a vegetable peeler and remove the core. Cut the apple into slices.

Step 5 – Cook the apple for a few minutes to make it softer and sweeter.

Step 6 – Peel the potato and cut it into small pieces.

Step 7 – Cook the potato for 10-15 minutes.

Step 8 – Add all the ingredients to a blender with a little bit of water and mix them into a puree.

Recipe 5: Beets, chicken, and rice (age 8-10 months+)

A healthy and tasty dinner recipe for your baby!

Ingredients:

• 2 beets – medium-sized
• 2.2 oz of chicken (65 grams)
• 1 oz of rice (30 grams)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Rinse the beets in cold water and remove greens.

Step 2 – Peel the beets and dice them into small pieces.

Step 3 – Bring water to a boil and cook the beets until tender, for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4 – Make sure the chicken is boneless, skinless and all the muscles are removed. Chop the chicken into pieces.

Step 5 – Bring a pan of water to a boil and cook the chicken for about 10 minutes. Make sure there is no pink spot left.

Step 6 – Bring another pan of water to a boil and cook the rice for about 8-10 minutes.

Step 7 – Add all the ingredients to a blender and add some water or formula. Mix it into a beautiful pink puree.

Feeding guide for beets

Keep in mind that this feeding guide is only for beets. If you add other ingredients to the puree, like meat, for example, this feeding guide will not be applicable.

We recommend that you consult with your baby’s pediatrician on introducing solid foods as generalities may not apply to your infant.

Are these recipes freezable?

All can also be refrigerated and make for good meal prep for the week! You should store your batch of baby meals in a refrigerator using an airtight container for up to a period of 72 hours.

You can freeze these baby food recipes into different portions by employing ice cubes or small food storage containers as the recipe can be prepared to make around 5-10 servings.

Which kitchen tools to use

In order to prepare these baby food recipes, you will need the following kitchen tools:

• Blender or food processor
• Knife
• Vegetable peeler
• Cutting board
• Boiling pot
• Food storage containers or an ice cube form

What are the nutritional benefits of Beets?

Nutritionally beets are extremely beneficial not only for your babies but for adults and people of all ages. Some quick benefits along with the nutrient content are as below:

• It helps to maintain overall health due to the presence of many vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, magnesium, folate, calcium, etc. they are rich in proteins and lipids as well.
• The presence of antioxidants helps to boost your immune system.
• Beets are rich in fiber that aids in the improvement of digestion
• Being rich in iron the risks of developing anemia in your little ones are reduced and the presence of Betaine relaxes and enhances your little one’s moods.

Conclusion

As such it is evident that including beet in your baby’s daily diets has numerous benefits essential for their short-term and long-term health and wellness.