Transform simple ingredients into yummy iron-rich Spinach Baby Food with just a few minutes of cooking and zero special kitchen tools!
Spinach Baby Food
Offering up iron-rich foods is important in the months when babies are first eating solids—the iron stores they’re born with start running out around 6 months, so they need to take more iron in through their food. This spinach puree is a great option to have in the mix with other iron-rich foods since it’s easy to make and is easy to freeze.
Ingredients You Need
To make this baby food recipe, you need spinach—I prefer baby spinach but any works—and frozen peas. I like combining these too ingredients so that the flavor of the spinach is mellowed out a bit and the overall consistency is smoother. The peas also add protein, which is a nice element to have in the mix.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.
- Add the spinach, peas, and water to a medium pot.
- Cook just until the spinach is wilted and the peas are warmed through.
- Puree smooth, adding in any of the optional flavorings desired.
- Serve or store in the fridge or freezer for later.
TIP: You can add avocado, lemon juice, or olive oil to add more flavor and nutrients to this recipe if you’d like.
Can babies eat spinach?
Yes, though it would need to be pureed since they can’t chew the leaves straight up. Serving it in a puree (or in a Simple Green Smoothie) is a great option.
Can a 6 month old baby eat spinach?
Introducing savory foods along with sweet ones when kids start solids around 6 months is a great plan and spinach is a nutritious food to introduce early.
Can I use frozen spinach to make baby food?
Yes, though since it’s very condensed you can add a smaller amount. See the Notes section of the recipe for more information. (I prefer the flavor of this puree when making it with fresh spinach, but see what you think!)
How to Store Spinach Baby Food
You can add this puree to small airtight containers and store in the fridge for 3-5 days or portion into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freeze bag and seal, removing as much air as possible, and keep frozen for up to 6 months. Find more tips on storing baby food here.
How can I use leftover Spinach Puree?
In addition to serving it straight, you can stir some of it into pasta or rice as a simple sauce (you could add a little butter, olive oil, and/or Parmesan cheese). You could also spread some onto toast before making grilled cheese to add some veggies!
Tips for Making the Best Spinach Baby Food
- Store in the fridge in small airtight containers for 3-5 days.
- To freeze: Portion into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freeze bag and seal, removing as much air as possible, and keep frozen for up to 6 months.
- Add avocado, lemon juice, or olive oil to add more flavor and nutrients to this recipe if you’d like.
- Mix half and half with Apple Puree or Pear Puree to make a baby food combination.
- Sprinkle on a little grated Parmesan cheese for older babies to add flavor.
- Stir leftovers into pasta or rice or quinoa as a simple sauce.
- Serve off of a spoon or in a reusable pouch.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this baby food recipe if you try it out, so please comment below to share.
Spinach Baby Food
Ingredients
- 4 cups lightly packed baby spinach
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons avocado optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
- 1 teaspoon olive oil optional
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a medium pot. Add the spinach and peas and stir.
- Cover and reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 4-5 minutes or until spinach is just wilted. (When you add the frozen peas to the boiling water, the water will stop boiling. It will take a minute or two to get back up to boiling, then another minute or two to wilt the spinach. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.)
- Transfer mixture to a blender and blend very smooth, starting on low and working up to high.
- Blend in any optional ingredients as desired.
- Let cool and serve or store for future meals.
Notes
- Store in the fridge in small airtight containers for 3-5 days.
- To freeze: Portion into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freeze bag and seal, removing as much air as possible, and keep frozen for up to 6 months.
- To make this thicker, remove 1/4-½ cup of the water from the pot after Step 2 so you puree with less water. Add just as much as you need to get the mixture to blend.
- To use frozen spinach, replace the fresh spinach with 1 cup frozen spinach. Stir into the boiling water just until warmed through for about 1-2 minutes in Step 1. Skip Step 2 to avoid overcooking. Transfer the spinach and peas to the blender with a slotted spoon and add a little water at a time as needed to make the puree. (You likely won't need as much liquid since the spinach is already condensed.)
- Add avocado, lemon juice, or olive oil to add more flavor and nutrients to this recipe if you'd like.
- Mix half and half with Apple Puree or Pear Puree to make a baby food combination.
- Sprinkle on a little grated Parmesan cheese for older babies to add flavor.
- Stir leftovers into pasta or rice or quinoa as a simple sauce.
- Serve off of a spoon or in a reusable pouch.
How long to cook them?
Do you blend up the water the veggies were cooked in too?
Yes