If you’ve looked at the price of baby food lately, you might be surprised at how high it is. It is not only less expensive but also more healthy in my opinion for your child. We made baby food with our first son and are doing the same with our second. If you want your food to be organic and not full of preservatives, you have to pay even more. With a little time and work, you can save money by making your own baby foods. It’s easy and simple to make delicious, nutritious meals for your baby. Here is what you can do to get started making your own baby meals:
What you’ll need:
- A steamer. Don’t boil [tag-cat]baby food[/tag-cat]; it takes away nutrients from your baby’s food. You can get an inexpensive steamer that cooks quickly and leaves all the vitamins and minerals your baby needs
- A food processor. While most people would think to use a blender to puree food for your baby, you’ll probably be sadly disappointed with the results. Blenders not only make a mess, they also make lumpy food your child may not be fond of.
- Ice cube trays, freezer bags, and lots of space. Unless you want to cook up food for your child everyday, freezing is the way to go. Instead of having to make new, you can just pop it in the microwave and be ready to go in no time. Ice cube trays are a great way to store food and make convenient portion sizes.
The first step is to wash and skin fruits and vegetables then cut them up into small pieces. This will make them easier to use later. If skinning and peeling gets tedious, you can always use some prepared food from the grocery store, like baby carrots. This way you just have to wash them and skip to the next step.
The next step is to cook your food. For vegetables, use the steamer. Once you’re done steaming, keep the water. You can add it later to thin out your food to the right consistency. If you’re preparing meat or pasta, just cook it on the stove as normal, but don’t add any oil or spices.
After your food is done cooking, you’re ready to start processing. Put the foods separately into the [tag-ice]food processor[/tag-ice]. For [tag-tec]pureed foods[/tag-tec], you can leave the processor alone because it may take a while. Later on when the food needs less processing, you may need to monitor it. This is also the point where you would start fruits like banana that don’t require cooking. You could also try throwing in some of last night’s leftovers.
After your food is prepared, pour it into the ice cube trays. If you don’t have enough room in your freezer, simply put sealed food into the refrigerator until you do have room. Once the cubes are frozen, put 4 of them into a Ziploc back and put them back into the freezer. At first, you should keep the same kinds of foods in the same bag, but eventually you can start mixing and matching. For example, put in two meat cubes and two pasta cubes for a mixed meal.
When you’re ready to go, just take a baggie out of the freezer and pop it into the microwave; simple as that. If you don’t use microwaves, you can heat in hot water on the stove; just be sure not to melt the bag or cook the food more.
With just a little work, you can make great tasting, inexpensive meals for your baby.
Why is homemade baby food healthier and cheaper than store-bought?
Store-bought baby food can be expensive, and organic options without preservatives cost even more. Making your own lets you control exactly what goes into your baby’s meals — no additives, no preservatives, just real food. With a steamer and food processor at home, you can prepare fresh, nutritious meals at a fraction of the cost.
What equipment do I need to start making my own baby food?
You need three basic things: a steamer (not a pot for boiling, which strips nutrients), a food processor (blenders tend to produce lumpy results), and ice cube trays with freezer bags for storage. These are the key tools that make the process quick, budget-friendly, and easy to repeat.
How do I store homemade baby food safely?
Pour the pureed food into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cubes into labeled freezer bags — about four cubes per bag. This gives you convenient single-serving portions you can grab from the freezer, microwave, and serve in minutes. Keep the same foods together at first; once baby is eating a variety, you can mix and match.
What foods can I make into baby food at home?
Almost any fruit or vegetable works well. Steam vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, and peas to preserve their nutrients, then puree. Soft fruits like bananas don’t need cooking — just blend them fresh. You can also puree cooked meats and pasta (without added oil or spices). As your baby gets older and can handle more texture, simply process the food a little less finely.
About the author
Maya Bennett
Meet Maya Bennett Maya Bennett is a pregnancy and parenting writer and a mom of two. After navigating two very different pregnancies of her own — and years spent reading, researching, and trading stories with other expectant parents — she fell in love with helping families feel ready for what’s ahead. At More4Kids, Maya turns the big questions and quiet worries of pregnancy into warm, practical guidance, from the first positive test through the tender early days with a newborn. She believes every parent-to-be deserves clear answers and a little reassurance along the way.
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