How to Prepare Broccoli for a Baby

Cooking the Broccoli

Choose broccoli that is at its peak of freshness. Ideally, purchase organic broccoli that’s green with tight, firm flowerets. Avoid purchasing broccoli that looks yellow or brown, or that has a flaccid stalk. If possible, check out a farmer’s market for the freshest possible broccoli. The fresher your broccoli is, the more nutrients it will provide to your baby. You can also use frozen broccoli to make a broccoli puree for your baby. Frozen foods are picked and processed at their peak freshness, so you can get high-quality broccoli for your baby’s broccoli puree even if broccoli’s not in season.

Soak and rinse the broccoli with cool water. Place the broccoli into a large bowl and soak it in cool water for about 2-3 minutes. Then drain the water and rinse the broccoli under running water to remove any remaining debris. You can skip this if you’re using frozen broccoli.

Cut the broccoli into 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) flowerets. Use a sharp knife and cutting board to cut off the thickest part of the stalk. Then, cut the stems into individual flowerets about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) in length. There’s no need to cut up broccoli that’s frozen as it will already be divided into flowerets.

Add the broccoli and water to a pot and bring it to a boil. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the broccoli completely. Then cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat on medium-high. You can also use a steamer insert, if you have one. Fill the pot to just below the level of the insert. Then, place the broccoli into the steamer basket.

Cook the broccoli on low-medium for 15-20 minutes. Lower the heat so that the water is still bubbling, but with small, gentle bubbles rather than a rolling boil. Poke the broccoli with a fork to test it. If you can easily pierce the stalk of a thick piece of broccoli with a fork, then it’s done. Depending on how small the flowerets are, it may take as few as 7 minutes to cook the broccoli. Check it frequently to avoid overcooking it.

Drain the broccoli and rinse with cool water for 3 minutes. Put on oven mitts, remove the pot cover, grasp the pot handle, and pour the broccoli into a colander over your kitchen sink. Then, turn the faucet on and allow cold water to run over the cooked broccoli for 3 minutes. This will stop the cooking process, which is important to avoid overcooked broccoli. If you use a steam tray, you can simply remove the tray from the pot and begin rinsing with cool water. However, make sure to wear oven mitts to protect your hands. You can also place the cooked broccoli into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and cool down the broccoli.Tip: If your baby is already tackling finger foods, break the cooked and cooled broccoli into small flowerets and place them on a plate or tray for your baby to munch on at mealtime.

Pureeing and Creating Combinations

Blend the broccoli for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Place the broccoli into a food processor or blender. Once the broccoli is cool, add it directly to the food processor or blender. Cover the blender or food processor and blend on high for about 1-2 minutes or until the broccoli is completely pureed and has a smooth texture. If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you could also use a potato masher or strong fork to mash the cooked broccoli in a bowl. Keep mashing until it resembles a puree or until the broccoli has a consistency you can easily mash between your fingers.

Add water, breast milk, or formula for a smoother texture. Not adding any water or other fluids to the broccoli as you blend it will result in a thicker texture, which is fine if your baby has had similar foods. However, if your baby is used to thinner purees, add 2 to 4 US tbsp (30 to 59 mL) of water, breast milk, or prepared formula to the blender. Then, blend the puree for an additional 30 seconds to thin it out.Tip: Breast milk or prepared formula will result in a creamier texture than water, and your baby may prefer this if broccoli is a new food.

Combine pureed broccoli with other pureed foods. Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that you can mix with other pureed foods to make a more appealing mixture or to give your baby a complete meal. Combine equal amounts of other cooked and pureed foods with pureed broccoli. Some foods combinations you might try include: Veggies, such as sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, and peas Fruits, such as apples and pears Whole grains, such as brown rice and pasta Proteins, such as chicken, beef, lentils, cheese, or salmon

Pour the puree through a fine sieve for an extra smooth mixture. Once the broccoli is pureed to your satisfaction, you may serve it or store it. However, if you want to ensure that there are no lumps in the mixture, you can pour the puree through a fine sieve. Place a fine sieve over a bowl and pour the broccoli puree into it. Stir the puree gently until all of the liquid has filtered through it. Then, discard any chunks or fibrous bits left in the sieve. This will result in a completely smooth broccoli puree, which may be ideal if this is your baby’s first time trying broccoli.

Storing and Serving Pureed Broccoli

Transfer the broccoli to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Use plastic or glass bowls with tight-fitting lids, or store the broccoli puree in resealable freezer bags if you want to freeze it. Another option is to pour the pureed broccoli into the sections of an ice cube tray, cover the tray with plastic, and then freeze the cubes. Transfer the frozen cubes to a resealable freezer bag for easy-to-use individual portions. Always ensure that the containers you use to store your baby’s foods in are BPA-free.

Refrigerate or freeze the pureed broccoli in its container or bag. You can keep the pureed broccoli in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, if you don’t think your baby will eat all of the broccoli you made within 3 days, you can also freeze the pureed broccoli for up to 3 months.Tip: Use a permanent marker or pen to label the container that you store the broccoli in. List the contents and write the date on it. This way, you will know how long it will stay fresh in your refrigerator or freezer.

Heat refrigerated or frozen broccoli in the microwave until it’s lukewarm. When you’re ready to serve pureed broccoli to your baby, take out a portion from the refrigerator or freezer, and place it in a microwave safe container if it’s not already in one. Then, microwave the broccoli on high for 30 seconds. Stir the broccoli and heat for another 30 seconds if needed. Keep doing this until the broccoli puree is lukewarm. If the broccoli gets too hot, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to cool down before you serve it to your baby. Always check the temperature before you offer it to them.

Season the broccoli with butter or olive oil to add extra flavor. While you’re introducing your baby to new foods, it’s fine to season their food for extra flavor. Add 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of butter or olive oil to the broccoli before serving it to them. A little butter or olive oil might also entice your baby to give the broccoli a chance and help to give them a good first impression of it. A small pinch of salt is fine, too. Just don’t overdo it on the seasonings as this may overwhelm your baby’s senses.