Carrot Puree For Babies By Stage + Combination Ideas
Making carrot puree for baby is one of the best ways to introduce and prepare carrots for babies at an early age. Due to it’s nutritional profile and sweet taste, carrot puree makes a great stage 1 baby food for 6 months old babies.
Usually the carrot puree is well accepted whether is served alone as stage 1 baby food or when incorporated in other foods like soups, baked goods or other vegetable puree combinations as stage 2 or 3 baby food options.
Related: Carrots For Baby Led Weaning
Carrot Puree For Babies – Benefits
- Fresh homemade carrot pure is so much more superior in terms of nutrition and quality when compared to pre-made carrot puree. Don’t be tempted to buy just out of convenience. Keep in mind that jarred baby food is pasteurized and can sit on the shelves for up to a year, which means that most of the nutrients are long gone. Moreover according to 2021 reports, baby food is also often contaminated with heavy metals.
- Doesn’t require too much effort and time: to puree carrots for baby food is simple and easy.
- Infants and young children around 5-6 months typically prefer smooth foods over foods with lumps or chunks.
- Carrots are rich source of antioxidants like carotenoids, anthocyanins also dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals which play an important part in preventing disease and setting a healthy eating pattern.
Ingredients For Baby Carrot Puree (Stage 1)
- Fresh carrots – you can choose any color, orange, red, white or purple they all are rich in antioxidants with a slight difference in nutrients. Fresh is always better than frozen.
- Liquid – to thin out the puree. You can use some water, breast milk or some homemade chicken stock without salt.
Best Carrots For Making Puree
If you are buying carrots for babies, then buy regular, unprocessed, full-grown organic carrots (not pre-sliced baby carrots). You should clean and cut the carrots at home just before cooking for minimal nutrient loss.
How To Make Stage 1 Carrot Puree For Babies
- First wash and peel the carrots. Cut them into slices or keep them whole if they are small.
- Now, there are many ways to cook carrots, but the best option in terms of nutrition retention is steaming. Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cover with a lid. Steam on medium-low heat for approximately 12-15 minutes (it depends on the size) or until they are soft when pierced with a fork.
4. Blend: transfer cooked carrots into a small blender, then add the liquid of your choice and puree until smooth. Add little by little if you’re not sure how much you need. I have some references of how much liquid will be needed in the recipe card below.
Add-Ins
Add flavor to baby carrot puree:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Himalayan pink salt (for babies 9 months+)
- Dried herbs (sage, basil, oregano)
- Garlic, onion
- Cumin
This post may contain affiliate links. To read the disclaimer policy See This.
How much carrot puree a baby can eat per day?
Begin with a very small amount (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) a day. In the next few weeks gradually increase to 2 to 3 tablespoons along with other types of puree.
Carrot Puree Combinations Ideas (Stage 2)
- carrot and cauliflower puree
- pureed carrot and cooked chicken or beef
- cooked beans (black, white, chickpeas) and carrot puree
- steamed apples (or pear) and carrot puree
- carrot and sweet potato puree
- mango blueberry and carrot puree
- carrot and mango puree
- carrot and strawberry puree
- steamed peas and carrot puree
- mashed avocado and carrot puree
- steamed zucchini and carrot puree
- pureed carrot with rice or oatmeal porridge
- steamed kale (or other greens) and carrot puree
- broccoli, apple and carrot puree
- puree carrots with a some stock/broth or cream and add seasonings of your choice.
How To Store The Carrot Puree
- Store leftovers for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. You can use these 4 oz reusable containers for baby food.
- Freeze for longer storage in a portioned freezer tray for up to 3 months.
- Thaw / reheat – just pop them out of the freezer and place them in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Reheat at low temperature in a covered pot or serve at room temperature.
Need more puree recipes? Check out the puree category for more ideas!
More Pureed Baby Food Ideas
- Carrot Soup For Babies, Toddlers, Kids
- Broccoli Puree For Baby By Stage + Combinations
- Sweet Potato Apple Broccoli Puree For Baby Stage 2
- Baby Food With Prunes + Puree Combinations
- Prune Avocado Cauliflower Puree For Baby (Stage 2)
- Cauliflower Puree For Baby + Combinations
- Sweet Potato Puree + Combinations | Babies (6 months+)
- Butternut Squash Soup For Babies / Toddlers / Kids
Carrot Puree For Babies By Stage + Combination Ideas
Ingredients
- 2 medium carrots (washed, peeled)
Choose one of the options for blending:
- 1/2 cup liquid (water, breast milk, or homemade stock) (pourable puree – 6 month old babies)
- 1/4 cup liquid (water, breast milk, or homemade stock) (for a thicker puree – 7 months+)
- 2-3 tbsp liquid (for mashed carrots)
Instructions
Prepare The Carrots
- First wash and peel the carrots. Cut them into slices or keep them whole if they are small.
Cook The Carrots
- You can choose one of the ways to cook the carrots (steam, roast, boil).
- The best option in terms of nutrition retention is steaming. Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cover with a lid.
- Steam on medium-low heat for approximately 10-15 minutes (it depends on the size) or until they are soft when pierced with a fork.
Blend Carrot Into Puree
- Transfer cooked carrots into a blender, then add the liquid of your choice and puree until smooth. Add little by little if you’re not sure how much you need.
Notes
Carrot Puree Baby Food Combinations Ideas (Stage 2):
- carrot and cauliflower puree
- pureed carrot and cooked chicken or beef
- steamed broccoli, apple and carrot puree
- cooked beans (black, white, chickpeas) and carrot puree
- steamed apples (or pear) and carrot puree
- mango blueberry and carrot puree
- steamed peas and carrot puree
- mashed avocado and carrot puree
- steamed zucchini and carrot puree
- pureed carrot with rice or oatmeal porridge
- steamed kale (or other greens) and carrot puree
- puree carrots with a some stock/broth or cream and add seasonings of your choice.
Nutrition
©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!
Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and not intended for medical advice. Please refer to my full disclaimer for more info.
