Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
You can add this homemade Basic Beef Baby Food to your baby’s favorite purees to give them more protein and flavor. It’s a very easy recipe that packs a lot of flavor and nutrition! It’s great for Stage One Baby Food (4-6 months).
High in protein, iron, calcium, and folate, this beef puree is full of all the good things your baby needs to grow and do well.
And even though it might not make sense (or at least it did to me), beef puree is a great first food for your baby.
Just because it’s a nutrient-dense puree doesn’t mean your baby needs bowls upon bowls of it. Because beef puree has a strong taste, adding a few spoonfuls to your baby’s favorite fruit or vegetable puree should be enough.
Watch this video to see how easy it is to make your baby homemade Beef Puree!
Introducing beef to your baby’s diet provides essential nutrients for growth and development. However, not all cuts of beef are created equal when it comes to making baby food. Selecting the right cut ensures optimal nutrition, texture, and safety. This guide explores the best cuts of beef for wholesome homemade baby food.
Key Factors in Choosing Beef for Baby Food
When selecting beef for your little one keep these key factors in mind
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Tenderness – Tender cuts like tenderloin or sirloin are easiest to puree smooth for baby’s still-developing chewing abilities
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Fat content – Look for leaner cuts with less marbling. Limit fat intake, as too much can cause digestive issues.
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Nutrition – Pick cuts like chuck or round for iron, zinc and B vitamins babies need.
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Safety – Always cook beef thoroughly to kill bacteria. Avoid raw beef due to food poisoning risks.
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Flavor – Milder tasting cuts like tenderloin and top sirloin work well.
The Best Cuts of Beef for Baby Food
Focus on tender, mild-flavored cuts that puree smoothly. Here are top options:
Tenderloin
This tender cut is ideal for baby food. It has barely any fat or connective tissue, creating smooth purees. Mild in flavor, it complements added veggies or fruits.
Top Sirloin
Nearly as tender as tenderloin with a mild taste. Contains more nutrients than tenderloin. Easy to shred for finger food as baby grows.
Eye of Round
Extremely lean and tender round cut that purees well. Slightly higher in nutrients than tenderloin.
90/10 Ground Beef
Highly lean ground beef creates texture-friendly purees. Cook thoroughly and puree in a blender for safety. Adds nutrition like iron.
Chuck Roast
A flavorful, budget-friendly choice. Benefits from slow braising. Puree the tender meat once cooked for an iron-rich option.
Cuts to Avoid for Baby Food
Steer clear of these cuts when choosing beef for your little one:
- Brisket: Too tough and fibrous for babies
- Short ribs: Very high in fat
- Flank steak: Fibrous texture not suited for purees
- Prime rib: Difficult to chew and high in fat
- Skirt steak: Dense texture and pronounced flavor
Stick to tender, mild cuts that easily puree smooth. Tough meats or those high in fat can cause choking or digestive upset.
Purchasing and Preparing Beef for Baby
Follow these tips for buying and cooking beef safely for your baby:
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Purchase certified organic, grass-fed or antibiotic-free beef when possible
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Always check the expiration date and use fresh beef within 2 days
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Cook beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill any bacteria present
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Trim off all visible fat before cooking to reduce the fat content
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Cut beef into 1-inch pieces before cooking for even cooking
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Use a blender or food processor to puree cooked beef to a completely smooth texture
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Add breastmilk, formula, or water to adjust consistency if needed
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Refrigerate or freeze leftover purees in single serving portions to prevent waste
With the right cut and preparation method, beef can provide key nutrients babies need in a tasty, digestible form. Focus on tender, lean cuts and cook thoroughly before pureeing smooth. Soon your little foodie will reap the many benefits beef provides!
Health Benefits of Beef
- Protein: Beef is a great source of protein, which is needed for all organ systems to grow and develop properly and for tissues to stay healthy and heal. It’s a complete protein, which means it has all the amino acids your body needs to make protein.
- Iron: Beef is a good source of iron, which is needed to make red blood cells, support brain development, and keep you from getting iron deficiency anemia. Zinc: Zinc is needed for growth and development and to keep your immune system strong.
- B12: Beef also has a lot of B12, which is important for brain growth and healthy red blood cells.
- Choline is also found in beef and is important for brain development and growth.
- Boil: Put the beef cubes, broth, and oregano in a medium-sized saucepan and set it over medium-low heat.
- Bring the heat down to low and cover the pot. Let it cook on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the beef is almost done. Let it cool slightly.
- Puree: Move the beef to a blender or food processor with a slotted spoon and puree it until you get the texture you want. If necessary, add more broth by 1/4 cup at a time.
- Eat: You can give your baby this puree by itself or mix it with another puree.
- Freeze: Put some in the fridge and freeze the rest for another meal.
These tools will make it a lot easier for you to make this healthy Beef Puree. For more of my favorite kitchen tools make sure to check out my shop.
Babies can have beef as one of their first foods. Your baby’s rate of development will determine when they are ready to start solids. Usually, this is between 4 and 6 months of age. Among the developmental milestones babies must reach before they can start solids are being able to fully control their head and neck, having gained twice as much weight, and reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat (see my guide here). Before giving your baby purees, you should talk to your child’s pediatrician to make sure they are ready for it. Can beef be a baby’s first food? Yes, beef can be a baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is best to wait to give baby the top eight allergen foods until they have already tried a few other foods that they can handle. Other than that, you can give baby foods in any order you want, so pick the one you are most excited for them to try. Is baby allergic to beef all the time? No, baby is not allergic to beef all the time. But, as with any food, start with a small amount and watch for any signs that could mean an allergic reaction after introducing it. Does beef make babies constipated? No, beef doesn’t normally make babies constipated, but it won’t help either because it doesn’t have enough fiber. If baby is eating too much meat, it could replace fiber-rich foods, which could cause constipation.
How to Store Beef Puree
You can store this puree in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This puree can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Spoon puree into a freezer storage container. Do not overfill.
- Label the container with the date and the name of the recipe. You can put the lid on top or cover it with saran wrap.
- Put the tray in the freezer and leave it there for at least one night to freeze completely.
- The baby food cubes should be put in a ziplock bag or stasher bag after being taken out. Don’t forget to change the baggie or stasher bag’s name so you can find it again.
Do you want to learn more about how to store baby food? Check out my post on the Best Baby Food Storage Containers – Plus 6 Tips on Freezing and Thawing.
Label Tip: Write the name of the puree and the date you made it on the labels of your purees before putting them in the fridge or freezer. I can promise you that by the end of the week, you won’t remember what’s in your freezer or how long it’s been there. .
How to Puree Meat
FAQ
What is the best cut of beef to puree?
How to cut steak for a 7 month old?
How do I choose the best meat for my Baby?
Ultimately, choosing more tender pieces of meat and chicken, like drumsticks, thighs, and legs (which are all higher in iron too!) is going to be the easiest way to ensure the meat being served is tender enough for your baby. Another tip is in how you cut the meat before serving it to your baby.
What should I feed my baby if they are underweight?
This a difficult question to answer without knowing the case. But the first thing to do is to know the cause, that is, why this child is not gaining weight. It could be a phase, it could be a food intolerance, it could be a food allergy, or it could be many things. That’s why a complete assessment is important to then take the right conduct.
Can babies eat beef?
Actually, beef can be safely offered to your baby as one of their very first foods, once they’re showing all the readiness signs to begin. As you begin your baby led feeding journey, you can offer beef to your baby in different forms depending on if you’re starting off with purées or solid finger foods.
Is ground beef good for babies?
Without a doubt, ground beef is a nutritious addition to your baby’s diet! Ground beef offers essential nutrients like iron, B vitamins, zinc, and selenium which promote growth and development. It’s also packed with protein and healthy fats (saturated and polyunsaturated fats) that are beneficial for your baby’s heart and brain.