How to make puréed baby food – chicken, fish and lentils

Making your own baby food is easy and inexpensive. While there’s no specific order to follow when introducing foods to your baby, it’s important to give foods that are rich in iron.

This can include fortified cereals for babies, or some protein-rich foods like chicken, fish or beans.

Meat and poultry

Here’s an easy way to make chicken purée. Follow the same steps for all other meats and poultry.

Ingredients

• Meat or poultry 
  • Lamb, turkey, chicken, beef, pork, veal, liver, etc. 
• Water, milk or broth without added salt

 *You can use meat that is fresh or frozen. However, avoid smoked meat, deli meats and seasoned meat.

Directions

1. Remove the skin and visible fat from the meat or poultry.
2. Cut into pieces to speed up cooking.  
3. Place the meat or poultry in a saucepan and cover with water, milk or broth (without added salt).
4. Simmer until the meat or poultry is cooked through.
   • The best way to know if the meat or poultry is well cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 74°C for poultry.
5. Break up the meat or poultry into pieces and remove any bones.
6. Place in a blender or food processor.
7. Purée, adding some of the cooking liquid until you get the desired texture (smooth or lumpy).

Fish

Fish has a delicate taste and makes a good purée. Don’t hesitate to give some to your baby while introducing foods!

Ingredients

• Raw, unseasoned fish 
  • Haddock, trout, salmon, sole, cod, etc. 
• Water, milk or broth without added salt

Directions

1. Remove the skin.
2. Cut the fish into pieces.
3. Put the pieces in a saucepan and cover with water, milk or broth (without added salt).
4. Cook until the fish comes apart easily.
5. If the fish you are using has bones, be sure to remove them all.
6. Purée in the blender or food processor, adding some of the cooking liquid until you get the desired texture (smooth or lumpy).

Bean or tofu purée

Beans (lentils, chickpeas, white, red or black beans) or tofu purées are an interesting, quick and low-cost option.

Ingredients

• Canned beans or firm tofu (plain flavour)
• Water, milk or broth without added salt

Directions

1. Drain and rinse the tofu or beans under cold running water.
2. Purée in the blender or food processor, adding some of the cooking liquid until you get the desired texture (smooth or lumpy).

How long purées can be kept

It’s practical to prepare a few different purées in advance. You can freeze individual portions in an ice tray, for example. This will make it easier to vary your baby’s menu. 

(Source: INSPQ, From Tiny Tot to Toddler: A Practical Guide for Parents from Pregnancy to Age Two)

When making purées for your baby, avoid adding salt or seasoning. Since everything is new to your baby, it’s better that he or she gets used to the true flavour of foods.

So give your baby plain foods. Even if it tastes bland to you, remember that your baby isn’t used to intense flavours!