Baby Food Recipes with Salmon

Babies are the stars of their mother’s eyes and they want nothing less than the best for their child. This might include not giving their children processed food and/or food that they do not know all the ingredients are in it. This is why many mothers are taking the initiative to make their baby’s food themselves.

In this article, we put salmon into the spotlights and give you a couple of tasty baby food recipes you can easily make at home!

The recipes in this article:

Recipe 1 – Salmon and Potato
Recipe 2 – Salmon, Spinach, and Broccoli
Recipe 3 – Veggie Salmon Mash
Recipe 4 – Carrots and Salmon

You might also be interested in our recipes with tuna, chicken or minced beef.

When can a baby eat salmon?

Is salmon safe for my baby? This is a commonly asked question. Fish in a baby’s menu has been one of the most debated topics. So many parents wonder if it’s ok to give it to their children. If yes, at what age?

The American Academy of Pediatrics used to argue that fish were unsafe for babies less than two years. However, that was many years ago. Today, they state that it is safe for children who are age 8-10 months and above. All this notwithstanding, you must be careful about when to introduce salmon to your baby, especially if your family has a history of food allergies. If there is a history of allergies, it is safer to wait until the initial two-year mark or even three.

Conclusion: You can start introducing salmon to your babies diet at age 8-10 months and above. Be careful if your family has a history of food allergies.

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

Recipe 1: Potato and Salmon (age 8-10 months+)

A healthy and nutritious dinner recipe for your baby.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized potato
• 30ml of breast milk or formula
• 2,2 oz of fresh salmon fillet (65gms)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Peel and chop up the potato.

Step 2 – Boil the potato until it is soft. That would take you about 15 minutes.

Step 3 – Make sure the salmon is fresh, skinless, and boneless. Slice the salmon into cubes and add the salmon cubes to the boiling potato and let it cook for an additional four minutes.

Step 4 – Drain the remaining water from the potato and salmon.

Step 5 – Add milk and blend it until it has become a smooth puree. Serve it while warm.

Storage tip: Cool the leftovers and freeze them for future use. For example in small food storage containers or an ice cube form.

Recipe 2: Salmon, Spinach and Broccoli (age 8-10 months+)

A healthy, green salmon puree that your baby will enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 2,2 oz of salmon
• 4-5 medium-sized broccoli florets
• A handful of baby spinach
• a little bit of water of formula

Instructions:

Step 1 – Bring a saucepan with water to a boil and cook the broccoli florets for about 10 minutes.

Step 2 – Make sure the salmon is fresh, skinless, and boneless. Chop it into pieces and cook it in a pan with boiling water for about 6-8 minutes, until done.

Step 3 – Rinse the baby spinach. Steam the baby spinach for a few minutes.

Step 4 – Add broccoli, spinach, and salmon to a blender and add some water or formula.

Step 5 – Mix all the ingredients into a smooth puree. Add some more water or formula if needed.

Storage tip: You may freeze the leftovers in small storage containers or an ice cube form.

Recipe 3: Veggie Salmon Mash (age 8-10 months+)

A recipe that a lot of babies seem to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato
• 2 handfuls of frozen peas
• 4-5 medium-sized broccoli florets
• 2.2 oz of salmon (65 grams)
• a little bit of water or formula

Instructions:

Step 1 – Peel the sweet potato and chop it into cubes.

Step 2 – Bring a saucepan with water to a boil and cook the sweet potato for about 10 minutes.

Step 3 – Add the frozen peas to the saucepan in the last few minutes.

Step 4 – Steam the broccoli florets until soft (about three to four minutes).

Step 5 – Make sure the salmon is fresh, skinless and boneless. Cook the salmon in a saucepan with boiling water for about 6-8 minutes.

Step 6 – Add all the ingredients to a blender and add some water or formula. Mix the ingredients into a smooth puree. Add more water or formula if needed.

Storage tip: pack any leftovers in relevant containers and freeze them.

Recipe 4: Carrot and salmon (age 8-10 months+)

A delicious recipe with salmon that your baby will love to eat!

Ingredients:

• 2 carrots
• 2 oz of salmon (60 gms)
• 20 ml of orange juice
• a little bit of water or formula

Instructions:

Step 1 – Put the salmon into an oven dish and pour the orange juice on the salmon.

Step 2 – Put it into a preheated oven for 20 minutes (356°F or 180°C).

Step 3 – Meanwhile, peel the carrots and boil them for 10-20 minutes.

Step 4 – Add the carrots and fish to a blender and add a little bit of water or formula. Blend until it becomes a smooth puree.

Feeding guide

Keep in mind that this feeding guide applies to salmon. If you add other ingredients this feeding guide might not be applicable anymore, depending on the ingredient.

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

Which kitchen tools to use

To prepare these baby food recipes, you will need the following kitchen tools:

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

Nutritional Benefits

Fatty fish such as salmon is by far the best source of omega-3 fats – a critical component in the improvement of cognitive function in children and infants. A specific type of omega-3 known as DHA is a vital element of brain cell membranes. Omega-3 fats are also necessary for eye and nerve development.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also immune boosters. They are known for keeping eczema at bay through the prevention of different types of inflammation.

Salmon is also a good source of;

i. Potassium – This keeps the blood pressure of your child in check.
ii. Proteins – protect the health of the bones and also facilitates speedy healing after an injury.
iii. B Vitamins which ensure optimal functioning of the brains as well as the nervous system.

Apart from the nutritional aspect of salmon, experts have another reason why babies should be introduced to fish while young. According to Brewer, a food science professor at the University of Illinois, food preferences for children develops by the time they hit five. As such, she encourages parents to provide an environment where their children can develop a seafood taste early enough.

If you haven’t started giving salmon to your child, and he or she is past six months, it is never too late. You can begin cooking baby food with salmon today and allow your child to benefit from the brain-boosting abilities of omega-3 fats.

How to select and buy salmon

Make sure the salmon is as fresh as possible. Go to your local fish market or shop and buy a small piece. The less salmon smells like fish, the fresher the salmon is. Make it while it’s fresh and doesn’t let it wait too long in the fridge.

If you put your creativity to work, you can generate many recipes for baby food with salmon. You can pick any of the above recipes here, try it today and see how it goes with your child or children.