If you’ve searched for “how to make strawberry baby food”, you’re going to love this post. Making strawberry for baby food is actually fairly easy. I’m going to walk you step by step on how I make my homemade strawberry baby food.
This quick strawberry puree is perfect for using in beverages, smoothies, salad dressings and more! I love eating them straight from the patch, but sometimes I even freeze them too. However, it’s not just the sweet taste of strawberries that I adore, but also their amazing health benefits.
How To Make Strawberry Baby Food
Strawberries are one of our favorite spring fruits. But since they are often considered an allergen, this single-food Strawberry Baby Puree is perfect for introducing them to your baby’s diet.
Strawberries are my favorite spring fruit. I tend to avoid frozen stuff as much as I can and focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce. So when springtime comes, and fresh sweet strawberries come back, I start mixing and matching different ingredients in my head to make the most delicious strawberry meals.
Since fresh, local ones are available only for a limited amount of time I try to use them as much as possible. They end up being one of the only fruits I eat in April and May! And with good reason (and we make a ton of these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars).
Spinach Cornbread Muffins – BLW & toddler snack
But since they are considered an allergen, if you have a baby prone to food allergies or have a family history of allergies, I recommend caution when introducing them.
And a single-food Strawberry Baby Puree might just be the way to go. Keep on reading to find out how you can make the perfect creamy Strawberry Baby Puree.
STRAWBERRY BABY PUREE INGREDIENTS
Strawberries (obviously): make sure fresh strawberries haven’t been lying on your kitchen counter or in the fridge for days because they are quite perishable.
You should buy them a day or two prior to using to ensure they have maintained the most nutrients.
Ripe and ready-to-use strawberries are firm, bright red, mold-free, and still have the green tops.
You don’t want them to be extra-large either. Plain medium-sized ones are the best as these tend to contain the most flavor.
STRAWBERRY BABY PUREE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
Strawberries: they’re one of the best vitamin C sources which also makes them a great source of antioxidants. Berries in general provide an excellent amount of antioxidants with blueberries often the highest on the list, but strawberries are always right below them.
Apart from containing antioxidant compounds, they are also a source of anti-inflammatories which can have a positive effect on heart health.
Due to the sugar profile and content of strawberries, they don’t spike up the blood sugar rapidly so they’ve actually been found to act beneficially on insulin and blood glucose levels.
Strawberries are also a good source of dietary fiber and certain minerals such as manganese and copper.
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY BABY PUREE
What I love about preparing strawberries is that I don’t have to peel them. Ok, you do have to remove the green tops but that’s about as far as it goes in the food prep.
- Wash. Whether you have organic strawberries or not, I would say washing is required either way.
- Remove the green tops. When preparing your strawberries for your perfect Strawberry Baby Puree, you’d want to remove the green tops.
- The easiest way to do so is to grab the top right by it’s root (the part where it blends with the strawberry flesh) with your fingers and pull.
- You should have the green bit along with the full root left in your hand. Another option is to also cut the green top of but that way you’ll also be cutting some of the strawberry.
- Cut. For a Strawberry Baby Puree, it really doesn’t matter how you cut them. If they are small enough, you might not even need to at all. I usually cut them in halves or quarters. And that is only if I am using them raw. If I am cooking/steaming I don’t cut them if they fit in the steamer/pot.
- Cook. Strawberries can be served both cooked/steamed or raw. If serving for a baby younger than 8 months I recommend cooking/steaming because their digestive systems might not be able to process the fiber just yet.
- And my choice is always steaming in a steamer/baby cooker because it maintains the most nutrients. I have this one but really any that steams and blends (2 in 1) is perfect.
- You can also boil in water.
- Cool. If steaming/cooking beforehand, I prefer to let them sit and cool for about 10 minutes before blending. But if you’re in a hurry you can blend immediately.
- Process. Whether you’ve cooked/steamed your strawberries or decided to use them raw, the next step is to process them in a blender. You’d really want a blender to create the perfect smooth consistency of your Strawberry Baby Puree. Especially if you’re using raw ones. If using cooked/steamed ones you can probably just mash them with a fork into a smooth baby puree but the texture might not be the same.
- For cooked/steamed strawberries you will almost never need to add additional water.
- If using raw ones you’ll almost always need to add a bit. Go teaspoon by teaspoon to avoid your puree becoming too runny.
STRAWBERRIES FOR BABY
Learn how to prepare strawberries for baby in 10 delicious and easy ways! As yummy superfoods, strawberries are a great first food for babies 4-6 months and up. Serve them as a baby food puree, as a solid for the finger food stage or for baby-led weaning.
STRAWBERRY BABY FOOD
Who doesn’t love a fresh ripe strawberry? 🍓
And by no means, do we want baby to miss out on tasting and (hopefully) enjoying such a scrumptious fruit!
Below you will find all the information you need to know about when you can introduce strawberries to your baby as well as how to serve them to your baby regardless if you are making purees, doing baby-led weaning, a combo of both, or are in the finger food stage! Because no matter where you are in your feeding journey, your baby definitely needs to experience the magic of fresh strawberries.
First time making homemade baby food? Then, I would suggest that you start by reading my very in-depth Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food – which goes over all the important information such as the best cooking tools to have on hand, safe storage, how to know when baby is ready for solids, how to introduce purees, the best first foods for baby, and more! If you are doing Baby-Led Weaning, then be sure to check out my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning – which covers what exactly is baby-led weaning, to every parent’s concern of baby-led weaning and choking, this guide goes over it all. I will also share how to know when baby is ready for BLW, the top 10 best first foods, a helpful sample blw feeding schedule, helpful tools to have on hand, and much much more!
Want more information? Then make sure to check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!
STRAWBERRIES FOR BABY VIDEO
REASONS TO LOVE THESE STRAWBERRY RECIPES
- delicious baby food purees – 4-6+ months
- great for baby-led weaning – 6+ months
- also great for the finger food stage – 9+ months
- full of essential nutrients for baby
- different ways for baby to eat – spoon-fed or self-feed
- easy to make
- purees are freezer-friendly
- can use fresh or frozen strawberries
BENEFITS OF STRAWBERRIES FOR BABY
Strawberries are super healthy for a number of reasons:
- Nutritious: Strawberries are full of important vitamins and minerals that benefit our health. They are high in vitamin C; in fact, one cup contains about 180% of the recommended Daily Value for kids, making it an excellent source of this vitamin. They’re also a good source of fiber and contain potassium, folate, and numerous antioxidants. A majority of strawberries are made up of water, so they are a great food to keep your baby hydrated.
- Health Benefits: Due to the many nutrients in strawberries, they have been linked to heart health, cancer prevention, digestive health, immune health, blood sugar stability, and reduced inflammation.
Frozen vs. Fresh Strawberries: if fresh strawberries are not in season or in your budget, frozen strawberries would be a great option for you. They are nutritionally similar and easy to find in most grocery stores.
How to Make Strawberry Puree for Babies
Bursting with B and C vitamins, strawberries are a treat for babies older than nine months. Follow our easy step-by-step instructions to learn how to puree fresh or frozen strawberries.
Step 1: Select & Buy Strawberries
A treat for babies at least 8 months old, strawberries are so simple to puree. You can make luscious strawberry puree with fresh or frozen berries; buy fresh in the summer and frozen the rest of the year for high-quality, affordable strawberries. Ripe strawberries will have an even red color without any green or white markings. When purchasing fresh strawberries, look for fruit that’s free of nicks, bruises, and other blemishes. Since strawberries are part of the “dirty dozen” – foods with the highest pesticide residue – it’s a good idea to buy organic. Six whole strawberries yield about four ounces of puree.
Step 2: Wash & Slice the Strawberries
Wash strawberries with a mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar to remove bacteria. Rinse under cool running water and dry. Remove stem and slice each strawberry in half, lengthwise, then into quarters.
Step 3: Steam the Strawberries if Underripe or Frozen
If your strawberries are ripe, skip this step and move on to step 4. If you’re working with strawberries that aren’t fully ripe or are frozen, place the fruit in a steamer and cook for three minutes. Drain strawberries and rinse with cold water for three minutes in a colander to stop the cooking process.
Step 4: Puree or Mash the Strawberries
Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency.
For chunkier strawberry puree, which is ideal for babies 10 months or older, mash the strawberries with a potato masher instead of pureeing it.
Step 5: Serve Strawberry Puree
If strawberries are very sweet, serve puree the plain. To introduce your baby to new textures and flavors, or to make the most of puree from more tart strawberries, mix the puree with sweeter fruit puree, oatmeal, or full-fat yogurt. Try mixing strawberry puree with:
- Applesauce
- Pear
- Peach
- Banana
- Chicken
- Full-fat Greek yogurt
- Baby oatmeal
Step 6: Freeze Leftover Strawberry Puree
Cool strawberry puree (if you steamed the strawberries) and refrigerate leftovers in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator.
Note: Always check with your pediatrician before introducing your baby to a new food, particularly if your baby has food allergies. Additionally, some pediatricians do not recommend making your own carrot, beet, or spinach puree because these fresh veggies can be higher in nitrates.
Quick Strawberry Puree
Blend up a super simple fresh Strawberry Puree for baby—no cooking required—or to use in oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies for anyone in the family. Plus: Find super easy tips for storing some of the puree for later!
Strawberry Puree
While I love offering babies whole strawberries to enjoy baby-led weaning style, making a simple Strawberry Puree is another wonderful way to serve up the fruit. In this version, you don’t even need to cook the puree, which makes this a super quick and easy baby food to make at home.
This is an easy recipe that I love using for older kids too (and myself). It’s deliciously fresh on its own, but it’s also so yummy stirred into oatmeal, yogurt, or as a sauce or dip for graham crackers and waffles.
TIP: This is extra delicious during the spring when fresh local berries are in season, but you can make it any time of the year.
Ingredients You Need
To make this homemade baby food, you just need fresh strawberries. You’ll want to use strawberries that taste really good to you, so be sure to taste them before you start to make the puree as some are sweet and others are more tart.
TIP: You can use fresh or frozen berries.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this puree. Scroll down for the full specifics!
- Wash and pat the berries dry. Trim off the stems.
- Measure out enough for the blender and add to the blender.
- Blend smooth.
- Taste to make sure it’s not too tart and serve or store.
TIP: If the puree tastes tart to you, it will taste tart to baby. If you think it’s too tart, stir in a little plain whole milk yogurt or applesauce.
Best Tips for Success
- If you have access and the cost isn’t price-prohibitive, organic strawberries would be a good choice here.
- This is extra delicious during the spring when fresh local berries are in season, but you can make it any time of the year.
- Store it in the fridge in small airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Freeze small portions in an ice cube tray, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw one or two cubes at a time in a small airtight container in the fridge overnight before you plan to serve.
- Try stirring some of the puree into yogurt, baby oatmeal (or your oatmeal!), or add to a smoothie.
- If the puree tastes tart to you, it will taste tart to baby. If you think it’s too tart, stir in a little plain whole milk yogurt or applesauce.
- See more of my favorite baby food combinations here.
- You may also like my Raspberry Puree, Mango Puree, and Apple Puree.
Fresh Strawberry Puree
This simple puree is no-cook, so be sure to start with great tasting berries. It’s a perfect fruit puree for a baby, or a delicious way to add flavor to yogurt and oatmeal for older members of the family. (It’s also great with ice cream and waffles!)
- Prep Time5 minutes
- Cook Time0 minutes
- Total Time5 minutes
- Cuisine American
- Course Baby Food
- Calories 9kcal
- Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Wash and dry the berries. Remove the stems and slice. You’ll want at least 1 cup of sliced berries.
- Add to a blender.
- Blend until very smooth.
Equipment
- Vitamix Blender
- Silicone Ice Cube Tray
- Storage Containers
Notes
- If you have access and the cost isn’t price-prohibitive, organic strawberries would be a good choice here.
- This is extra delicious during the spring when fresh local berries are in season, but you can make it any time of the year.
- Store it in the fridge in small airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Freeze small portions in an ice cube tray, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw one or two cubes at a time in a small airtight container in the fridge overnight before you plan to serve.
- Try stirring some of the puree into yogurt, baby oatmeal (or your oatmeal!), or add to a smoothie.
- If the puree tastes tart to you, it will taste tart to baby. If you think it’s too tart, stir in a little plain whole milk yogurt or applesauce.
Health Benefits Of Strawberries
1. May support heart health
Strawberries are rich in colourful pigments which have a protective effect – these anthocyanidins are thought to have a number of potential health benefits, including prevention of inflammatory conditions and heart disease. Observational studies appear to link regular berry consumption with fewer heart-related deaths.
2. May regulate blood sugar
Consuming strawberries appears to slow down our digestion of glucose and moderates our use of insulin, especially when they are eaten with a high carb meal. It’s the colourful anthocyanins which appears to action this effect.
3. May be helpful for those with type 2 diabetes
Strawberries contain protective plant compounds called polyphenols, two of which – ellagic acid and ellagitannins – have shown promise in helping to manage some of the effects of type 2 diabetes. In particular, they appear to regulate blood sugar and manage blood pressure. More research is needed to validate these effects in humans.
4. May be cancer protective
Studies suggest that strawberries may prevent certain cancers. The protective effect is thought to be thanks to a combination of polyphenols including ellagic acid and ellagitannins, which appear to halt the growth of cancer cells in animal studies. More human studies are needed to establish the correct method of action and to confirm the effects.
5. May help weight management
Strawberries have a low glycaemic index (GI) and as such help moderate blood sugar release. Studies suggest that a diet with plenty of low GI foods may be beneficial for weight management and for reducing the incidence of obesity-related diseases. Strawberries are also low in calories, yet sweet tasting so may be helpful as a sweet fix.