Learn how to make quick and flavorful Green Bean Baby Food as a baby-led weaning food or as a Stage 1 or 2 puree. Plus, find tips on how to store and combine the puree with other flavors to make yummy baby food combinations.
Green Bean Baby Food
Green beans are such a common veggie and one that can be flavored in so many ways that it’s a wonderful option for baby. I love making the puree and offering a whole bean as different texture experiences, so you can choose the one that works best for where you are in your baby-feeding journey.
Read on to learn how to make a basic Green Bean Puree, how to serve Green Beans as a BLW food, options for easy baby food combinations with green beans, and tips for green bean finger foods.
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this baby food recipe, whether as a puree or a baby-led weaning food.
- Green beans: I am showing this recipe using fresh green beans, but you can use yellow beans, French beans, or frozen green beans.
- Olive oil: Olive oil adds some flavor and fat and makes the food taste better.
See the Notes at the end of the recipe for options to turn the puree into a baby food combination by pairing it with other purees.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of how to make this baby food recipe. Scroll to the end of the post for the full amounts and timing info.
- Add the green beans to a steamer basket set in a pot with water. Set pot over medium heat, and when the water starts to steam, cover pot.
- Cook until the green beans are tender when poked with a fork. Let cool slightly.
- Serve one at a time, baby-led weaning style.
- Or, to make a puree, transfer to a blender with olive oil. Blend until smooth.
Green Beans for Baby-Led Weaning
You can serve cooked green beans to a baby feeding themselves in the baby-led weaning style of eating. As long as the green beans are soft and tender, they are a great food for babies to eat starting around 6 months, or whenever they start solids.
Green Bean Puree
You can serve green bean puree on a baby spoon or in a reusable pouch, depending on how you prefer or where you’ll be. It stores well and is easy to vary the flavor as you like.
Green Bean Baby Food Combinations
To vary the flavor and nutrients in this as a Stage 2 baby food, you can combine Green Bean Baby Food with any of the following purees:
How to Store
Store the puree in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze in an ice cube tray overnight, transfer to a freezer bag, remove as much air as you can and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw 1-2 cubes overnight in the fridge in a container or at room temperature for about an hour.
Best Tips for Success
- Green Bean Baby Food Combination: Mix with equal parts Apple Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Pear Puree, Avocado Puree, Chicken Puree, or another favorite puree.
- Use frozen green beans in place of fresh and reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes or so.
- Use water, no-salt-added broth of any type, breastmilk, or formula as the liquid when blending the puree.
- You may also enjoy Beets for Baby.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
Easy Green Bean Baby Food
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans (stems trimmed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Add the green beans to a steamer basket set in a pot with 4 inches of water. Set pot over medium heat and when the water starts to steam, cover pot.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the green beans are tender when poked with a fork. Let cool slightly.
- Serve one at a time, baby-led weaning style. (Optionally, toss in a little olive oil before serving.)
Notes
- Store the puree in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze in an ice cube tray overnight, transfer to a freezer bag, remove as much air as you can, and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw 1-2 cubes overnight in the fridge in a container or at room temperature for about an hour.
- Green Bean Baby Food Combination: Mix with equal parts Apple Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Pear Puree, Avocado Puree, Chicken Puree, or another favorite puree.
- Use frozen green beans in place of fresh and reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes or so.
- Use water, no-salt-added broth of any type, breastmilk, or formula as the liquid when blending the puree.
What can I do if I don’t have a steamer basket?
Thank you!
You can simply simmer in a few inches of water until the green beans are tender.