Salmon Baby Led Weaning (+Recipes)

Introducing your baby to the world of salmon through baby led weaning can be a great way to ensure they get the full range of essential vitamins and minerals that salmon offers. With its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D, salmon is an excellent choice for babies starting baby led weaning method at 6 months or up.

In this article, we will look at how to safely introduce salmon into your baby’s diet through the baby led weaning method, also ways to cook and serve according to their age.

Safety First

First, it is important to ensure that the salmon you feed your baby is the highest quality. Choose a fresh piece of salmon or frozen. Wild-caught salmon, is generally considered to be healthier than farmed salmon due to its higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of contaminants.

Furthermore, make sure that the salmon has been properly cooked. Raw or undercooked salmon can contain harmful bacteria and other contaminants, so always make sure to cook it until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.

You should also be aware of potential allergens associated with salmon. If your baby has a family history of allergies or asthma, talk to their doctor.

How To Cook Salmon For Baby Led Weaning

When cooking salmon for baby led weaning, it is important to keep the process as simple and straightforward as possible. Baked or poached salmon is a good way to start as these cooking methods ensure that the flesh stays moist and tender.

How To Bake Salmon For Baby

• Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towel.
• Cut into desired finger size shape. No need to remove the skin, it will detach itself after baking. Cutting the salmon into smaller pieces before baking helps it maintain its shape and prevents it from breaking when held by creating a sealed shape.

• Season the salmon with a little salt, pepper (optional) and a squeeze of lemon juice (optional).
• Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes (depending on the thickness and size), or until the salmon is flaky. For the size presented in the picture, it took 10 minutes. For larger pieces you might need to bake longer.

How To Steam Salmon For BLW

• Rinse the salmon with cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
• Cut the salmon into small pieces that are easy for your baby to eat. Make sure there are no bones. No need to remove the skin.
• Fill a pot with a few inches of water and bring it to a boil. Place a steamer basket on top of the pot. Place the salmon pieces in the steamer basket and cover the pot.
• Steam for about 7-8 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.

• Check the temperature: Make sure the salmon has reached a safe temperature of 145°F (63°C) before serving it to your baby. You can use a food thermometer to check the temperature.

Poaching Salmon

• Fill a shallow saucepan half full with water and bring to a rolling boil.
• Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towel. Add the salmon to the boiling water (you can add salt or other veggies for aroma in the water if you like), reduce heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the salmon is flaky.

Pan Fried Salmon

• Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Use heat resistant oil like avocado oil. Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towel.
• Season the salmon with a little salt, pepper (optional). Once the oil is hot, add the salmon and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side (depending on the size and thickness), or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.

Note: Frying is not recommended for small babies as the fat content is higher and while frying it undergoes a chemical reaction known as oxidation. This can lead to the formation of harmful compounds such as free radicals especially if you’re using processed vegetable oil. Babies have delicate digestive systems, and they can be affected negatively by weakening their immune system.

How To Serve Salmon, BLW Recipes

Once you have cooked the salmon, flake it into small pieces, check if there are any bones and hand it to your baby as part of their regular meal. Below is for reference image of how big the salmon pieces should look when served to a baby, and ways you can prepare.

• You can include the salmon meat into finger foods suitable for baby led weaning, like these salmon meatballs or salmon cutlets.

• Offer a variety of other finger foods alongside the salmon, such as cooked vegetables, chunks of avocado, or mixed with cooked rice, quinoa, buckwheat or steamed vegetables.

• Creamy Salmon Pasta / 9 months+: (cook your favorite pasta and salmon separately, then break into pieces and mix. As a sauce use some yogurt/ sour cream or melted butter. Or you could use some red sauce. Season to taste with salt).

• Creamy Salmon Spread / 7-8 months+: (break the cooked salmon apart with your hands or use food processor, then put it into a bowl with sour cream, fresh dill, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Optionally you could use some fine grated cheese. Mix everything into a chunky paste). Serve as a side or spread on a piece of bread.

• Salmon Salad / 9 months+: (cooked and flaked salmon pieces mixed with your favorite vegetables – they can either be steamed or baked and cut into pieces similar to the salmon). As a dressing use a mix of mashed avocado, lemon juice and yogurt.

Serving salmon to your baby can be a healthy and delicious addition to their diet. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can safely introduce salmon to your baby and ensure that they receive the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.

If you’re looking for more healthy baby led weaning recipes for your baby make sure to check the BLW Category on this website.

_{©ThrivingNest. Content and photographs are copyright protected and need prior permission to use. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to other websites and any social media is strictly prohibited. Sharing and using the link of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated!}