Recipes for Baby | Cauliflower Puree

If your infant is weaning off of breast milk, they are ready for purees! Try this cauliflower puree for an easy, quick, and nutritious meal for baby.

Although the world of starting solids can be daunting, making purees from home doesn’t have be to complicated. Purees are smooth in texture, and usually made from just one or two ingredients. 

In this case, cauliflower puree is about as simple as it gets – just one ingredient! But although simple, it’s packed with vitamins and minerals for your baby. 

Also, its an extremely versatile recipe. Because cauliflower has a fairly tame flavor, It can act as a great base puree to introduce new spices or herbs to your baby. 

Benefits of Cauliflower for Baby

Stage 1 Weaning Food

Cauliflower puree is considered a Stage 1 Weaning Food. This means that it is a safe option to introduce as your child starts solids. These stage 1 foods are soft in texture or thin purees. 

Other Stage 1 foods include:

• Any pureed vegetable or fruit
• Yogurt
• Mashed Avocado
• Apple sauce
• Oatmeal

Rich in Nutrients

Cauliflower is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals help support a healthy immune system and growth!

For more foods that promote a healthy immune system for kids, read here. 

Supports Digestion

Cauliflower is rich in fiber, which promotes digestive health by preventing constipation and supporting a healthy gut microbiome. 

For more ways to support your baby’s gut health, add natural sources of probiotics into their diet. 

Bone Health

Cauliflower contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. Along with other bone-health promoting foods, cauliflower aids in calcium absorption which helps keep the bones dense and strong. 

How to Make Cauliflower Puree

Making cauliflower puree is incredibly simple! To make the process even easier, I have opted to use frozen riced cauliflower. This takes out all the cooking time and makes this recipe come together in less than 5 minutes!

If you are using fresh cauliflower, follow the prep steps below:

Prepare

Start by removing the leaves and stem from the cauliflower head. Cut the cauliflower into small 1 inch small florets. Rinse the florets under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

Steam

Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and add the cauliflower florets. You may also use a steamer basket for this step!

Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and steam the cauliflower for about 10-15 minutes, or until very tender. 

You can also steam the cauliflower using a covered microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water. Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes.

If you are using frozen riced cauliflower, steam or microwave per the package instructions. 

Blend 

Once the cauliflower is tender, transfer it to a food processor or blender. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your appliance. Add a small amounts of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Let the puree cool completely before serving.

Variations

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s extremely versatile. The texture or flavor can be adjusted to fit your baby’s stage of weaning or taste preferences. 

Some of my favorite ways to adjust this recipe include: 

• Adding herbs & spices
• Using breastmilk instead of water
• Mixing in high-iron foods (see recipe card below)
• Keep the mixture thick to use as mashed cauliflower for the whole family

How to Store Baby Purees

You can store the cauliflower puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the puree in ice cube trays for longer storage, then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag once solidified.

To serve from frozen, reheat in the microwave or stove top. Just make sure to double check the temperature before serving. 

Other Recipes For our Babies and Toddlers

If your child is ready to move on from Stage 1 of baby-led weaning, and onto thicker textures and even solids, check out these other recipes!

High Protein Guacamole 

Easy Hummus for Babies and Toddlers

Baked Egg Muffins