This Broccoli Baby Food recipe is a great way to introduce healthy green vegetables into your baby’s diet. A delicious puree that is full of essential vitamins and healthy fats for a growing baby. If you’re looking for an easy green starter puree for your baby, this is it! Great baby food for 6+ months – stage 1 baby food!

Graphic for post - broccoli baby puree - stage one - homemade - 6+ months. Images is of a grey bowl with a creamy green broccoli puree inside with broccoli and apples scattered around a white background.

Literally the Best Broccoli Baby Food

Do you want your child to grow up loving broccoli?

Then this puree is a good place to start!

The first time I made a homemade broccoli puree for baby Ellie, I went simple and just steamed and blended up some fresh broccoli. Easy as that. I thought I had a winner. But she kept turning her head away from the puree. As I was an ever-determined first-time mom, I kept serving her some of the same batch of this simple broccoli puree. And every time, she turned her head at it. Honestly, it was driving me crazy! Just eat the puree! Then I tasted it. And while it was good, it had a STRONG broccoli flavor. Given that babies have more heightened taste buds I decided to get back into the kitchen to revamp the recipe.

And lo and behold, I made a winner!

The key was to add in just a little bit of a balancing food (such as an apple, pear, or white potato) to help balance out the broccoli flavor.

We still start with the main star of the show – broccoli! By gently steaming the broccoli, we are able to preserve its fresh taste and bright green color without getting a too intense broccoli flavor or drab color. I’m also inviting you to try adding in a small amount of peeled apple, pear, or white potato. This addition helps give the puree just enough starch and fiber to make a truly creamy and smooth puree that helps balance out the sometimes intense broccoli flavor. And for a boost of healthy fats, we are going to drizzle in a little bit of high-quality olive oil.

Along with these other classic baby food purees – Carrot Baby Food, Apple Baby Puree, and Simple Pear Baby Puree – this simple recipe gives us a truly delicious stage one puree that your baby is going to dive right into!

Broccoli Puree Video

Watch this video to see how easy it is to make this Broccoli Puree!

Bunches of broccoli in a white bowl.

Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli has a whole host of health benefits!

  • The fiber found in broccoli promotes gut health and heart health.
  • It helps support your immune system with the help of vitamin C.
  • Broccoli is high in vitamin K, which is important in blood clotting.
  • The antioxidants found in broccoli may help protect against certain types of cancers.
  • Vitamin A and antioxidants found in broccoli promote eye health.

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. You can also check out my best-selling cookbook – Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste, for even more information and recipes!

Cutting board with cut broccoli florets with a small bowl for olive oil and a half way peeled apple.

Ingredients

Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!

  • Broccoli: Being the start of the show, we need to use fresh broccoli that is bright and green with no mushy parts. You can cut up a head of broccoli or get pre-cut florets. You can also use frozen broccoli in this recipe, but the taste will be slightly more intense.
  • Apple: This recipe calls for one small peeled apple to give the puree a smooth consistency. However, you can also use a small white potato or pear if you prefer. If you want to keep the puree a single-ingredient puree, just leave the apple (potato or pear) out. The puree will have a slightly more intense broccoli flavor, but it will still taste amazing.
  • Olive Oil: We are adding a little drizzle of high-quality olive oil for an added boost of healthy fats. You can omit this if you prefer.

Shopping & Storing Tip: When purchasing broccoli, look for a firm head with dark green crowns and tightly closed buds. Broccoli is a hardy, cool-weather vegetable, so it loves your cold refrigerator. Wrap the broccoli in a few dry paper towels, to help wick away any excess moisture, and store in an unsealed plastic bag.

Let’s Get Cooking

2 hands holding a bunch of broccoli
Grab some broccoli.
Cutting Board with cut broccoli and apples with a small dish of olive oil.
Roughly chop the broccoli and peel and chop one small apple or white potato.
Steamer basket with fresh broccoli and apple.
Place the broccoli and apple/potato into a steamer basket and steam for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
Blender with steamed broccoli and apples.
Add the broccoli and apple to the blender.
Blender with steamed broccoli with a hand pouring in olive oil.
Drizzle in the olive oil.
Blender with pureed broccoli for baby with a hand holding onto the handle.
Puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
Gray bowl with a creamy broccoli puree for baby.
Serve to baby.
Freezer storage tray will green broccoli puree.
Or freeze for later.

Tools Needed

These tools will make it a lot easier for you to make this healthy Broccoli Puree. For more of my favorite kitchen tools make sure to check out my shop.

hands holding a grey baby bowl and stirring a smooth broccoli puree.

Other Cooking Methods

While I love the clean flavor of steamed broccoli, there are several different ways you can cook broccoli for baby food. 

Roasting

Place broccoli and small chunks of potato onto a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 425 degrees F, for 20-25 minutes or tender when pricked with a fork. Puree in a blender as directed below. 

Blanching

Bring a medium saucepan filled with water to a boil, add in the potato and cook for 6 minutes, then add in the broccoli and cook for 2 minutes or when tender with pricked with a fork. Drain the water, let cool slightly. Puree in a blender as directed below.

Adding Spices

In this recipe, we are adding a small drizzle of high-quality olive oil into the puree, but feel free to use the following spices instead – chopped chives, mint leaves, chopped cilantro, cumin, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Tip on Spices: I always recommend adding spices to any baby food puree, but you can add or leave out spices in all of your baby food. You do you! Either way, this puree will taste amazing.

Gray baby bowl with a creamy and smooth broccoli puree in it with broccoli and apples scattered on a white background.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can baby eat broccoli?

Baby can have broccoli as one of their first foods. When a baby can start on solids is determined by their own rate of development, which generally comes between 4-6 months of age. Some of the developmental milestones babies need to reach in order to start solids include: if your baby has solid control of their head and neck, if your baby has doubled in weight, and if your baby is reaching for or opening their mouth when you eat. Before you start your baby on purees, you should consult with your pediatrician to make sure your child is developmentally ready.

Can broccoli be baby’s first food?

Broccoli can 100% be your baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is recommended to wait to introduce the top eight allergen foods to your baby once a few other well-tolerated foods have been introduced, but otherwise, foods can be introduced in any order so choose whatever you are most excited for your baby to have.

Is broccoli a common allergen for baby?

No, broccoli is not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.

Does broccoli cause constipation for babies?

Broccoli does not usually cause constipation in babies, and it can actually help alleviate constipation due to its high fiber content. 

Hands holding a gray freezer storage tray with broccoli puree.

How to Store Broccoli Baby Food

Refrigerator

You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Freezer

This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.

  • Spoon puree into a freezer storage container – do not overfill. 
  • Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap and label with date and recipe name. 
  • Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze completely – preferably overnight. 
  • Pop out the baby food cubes and place in a zip-lock baggie or stasher bag – don’t forget to re-label the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.

Label Tip: Don’t forget to label your purees before you place them in the fridge or freezer with the name of the puree and the date you made it. Take it from me, you will completely forget when and what is in your freezer by the end of the week.

Great Broccoli Combination Purees

While Broccoli Baby Food is great by itself, it’s also super easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. Give these fun flavor combos a try!

Broccoli for Baby-Led Weaning: Broccoli is also a great food to serve to your baby whole for baby-led weaning (6+ months) or as a finger food (9+ months). You can always serve baby a combination of purees and finger foods right from the start.

Gray baby bowl with a creamy and smooth broccoli puree in it with broccoli and apples scattered on a white background.

Get the recipe: Quick Homemade Broccoli Baby Food Puree

4.9 stars (95 ratings)
This Broccoli Baby Food with olive oil recipe is a great way to introduce healthy green vegetables into your baby's diet. A delicious puree full of essential vitamins and healthy fats for growing baby
Yield: 12 ounces
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 17 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Baby Food
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
  • 1 small apple, pear or small white potato peeled and chopped (optional)
  • 1 tbsp good quality olive oil (optional)

Instructions 

  • Prep: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil over medium heat.
  • Steam: Place the broccoli and apple/potato/pear into a steamer basket and place over boiling water, cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until the broccoli and apple are tender. Reserve the water from the steamer. Let cool slightly.
    Steamer basket with fresh broccoli and apple.
  • Transfer: Add the broccoli and apple to a blender or food processor.
    Blender with steamed broccoli and apples.
  • Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil into the blender or food processor.
    Blender with steamed broccoli with a hand pouring in olive oil.
  • Blend: Puree on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, adding in additional liquid (reserved water, fresh breast milk or formula) in 1/4 cup increments if needed. I had to add in 1/4 cup of water to the puree pictured.
    Blender with broccoli puree inside.
  • Eat: Serve to your baby or freeze for a later meal.
    hands holding a grey baby bowl and stirring a smooth broccoli puree.

Notes

Age: 6 months and up
Yield: roughly 12 ounces
Adding In Spices: Feel free to add in 1 tsp of chopped chives, 2-3 mint leaves, 1 tsp of chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp cumin or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Feeding Tips:
  • Make sure baby is showing readiness signs for eating – good control of their head and trunk, sitting with minimal assistance, bringing hands or toys to their mouth, and appearing interested in your food when you’re eating.
  • Try adding a little seasoning or spice to purees – babies like flavor! Or consider changing the temperature of purees from time to time, to slightly warmed or slightly chilled. Varying these aspects adds to the sensory experience!
  • Place a small amount of puree on the tray during spoon feeding, so that your baby can dip their fingers or hands in the puree. Allowing baby to explore foods in this way helps them learn to self-feed and can help them be more willing to try new textures and foods in the future.
  • Throwing spoons is a common phase that all babies go through at one point or another. One of the best ways to handle spoon throwing is to ignore it and keep feeding baby as usual (with an extra spoon you already have at the table). If baby ends up also throwing back up spoons #2 AND #3, simply encourage your baby to eat with their hands until they appear to be finished with the meal.
 
 

Equipment

Blender
Freezer Tray
Tripp Trapp High Chair
Glass Baby Food Jars
Silicone Baby Bibs
Calories: 25kcal, Carbohydrates: 3.2g, Protein: 0.7g, Fat: 1.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 6mg, Potassium: 106mg, Fiber: 0.7g, Sugar: 0.4g, Calcium: 8mg

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Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).