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Why this recipe is so useful
This is one of those recipes that earns its place in a weekly rotation because it is genuinely flexible. Swap the vegetables based on what you have, adjust the texture as your baby grows, and it works just as well as a base for the whole family's dinner as it does a smooth purée for a 6 month old. It is also a good introduction to eating together, since the same beef and vegetables can become everyone's meal with a little extra seasoning set aside for the adults.
Instructions
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1
Cook the beef and onion. Melt 1 teaspoon of butter or ghee in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and a tiny pinch of salt. Cook thoroughly, breaking the beef into small pieces, until no pink remains and the beef reaches 160°F internally.
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2
Cook the vegetables. While the beef cooks, steam the sweet potato, carrot, broccoli, and peas until very soft. The vegetables should be soft enough to mash easily between your fingers.
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3
Add the butter. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of good quality butter or ghee while they are still warm. Mash together. Add more butter if you want a richer, creamier vegetable mixture.
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4
Combine. Add the cooked beef and vegetables to a food processor or blender. We use a glass jar blender to avoid plastic touching hot food, either the Oster Classic Series or the more budget-friendly Brentwood glass jar blender. Add 2 tablespoons of warm filtered water or unsalted broth. Blend until smooth, adding more liquid a tablespoon at a time until you reach your baby's preferred consistency.
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5
Cool and serve. Allow the purée to cool to a comfortable temperature before serving.
Adaptations by Age
| Age | How to serve |
|---|
| 6 to 7 months |
Blend until very smooth and relatively loose. |
| 7 to 8 months |
Make it thicker and leave a little more texture as your baby becomes comfortable with thicker foods. |
| 8 to 12 months |
Mash or pulse instead of completely puréeing. Leave tiny, soft pieces of vegetables and finely crumbled beef. |
| 12 months+ |
This can become a family side dish or a thicker beef and vegetable mash. Season the adult portion separately as desired. |
Vegetable Combinations
You do not have to make the exact same combination every time. That is actually part of what makes this recipe useful.
Sweet & Creamy
Sweet potato, carrot, and peas.
Green
Broccoli, peas, and zucchini.
Autumn
Butternut squash, carrot, and sweet potato.
Simple
Potato, carrot, and peas.
Family Version
Beef, onion, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini.
Storage
❄️ Freezer
Freeze in small portions in an ice cube tray or small containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Busy Mom Shortcut
This recipe does not need to be made exclusively for the baby. When you are cooking ground beef with onion for a family meal, set some aside before heavily seasoning the adult portion. Cook a batch of vegetables at the same time, toss them with butter, and blend everything together for your baby. One pan, two meals.
Why This Nourishes
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Ground Beef
Provides iron, zinc, and B12 in highly bioavailable forms, all critical for the rapid growth happening in the first year
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Root Vegetables
Sweet potato and carrot provide beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A for immune and vision support
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Butter or Ghee
Adds fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2, helping a baby's rapidly developing brain and supporting nutrient absorption
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Green Vegetables
Broccoli and peas add fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, rounding out the meal with a range of micronutrients
The content on this site is based on personal experience and research and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified healthcare provider before introducing new foods or making changes to your baby's diet.
