Baby food peas — smooth, mild pea puree makes a nutritious, iron-friendly first food for infants. This easy recipe steams peas and purees them with breast milk (or formula/water) for a silky texture babies love. Make-ahead friendly and freezer-safe for quick feedings.
Prep Time: 5 mins • Cook Time: 15 mins • Additional Time (cool/freeze): 2 hrs • Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins • Servings: about 12 (1-oz cubes)
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen peas (or fresh peas, shelled)
- ½ cup breast milk (or formula or water as substitute)
Directions
Step 1
Set a steamer insert in a saucepan and add water just below the steamer base. Bring water to a gentle boil. Add peas to the steamer, cover, and steam until very tender, about 12–15 minutes (fresh peas may take a few minutes less).
Step 2
Transfer the steamed peas to a blender or food processor. Add breast milk (or formula/water) and puree until completely smooth and creamy. If needed, add a tablespoon more liquid to achieve a silky consistency appropriate for your baby’s stage.
Step 3
Optional — press the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining skins for a perfectly smooth texture.
Step 4
Spoon the pea puree into ice cube trays (about 1 tablespoon per cube) or baby-food silicone molds. Cover and freeze until solid, 2–3 hours.
Step 5
Pop frozen cubes into labeled resealable freezer bags. To serve, warm cubes gently in a bowl in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or place a cube in a small saucepan over low heat just until thawed; stir and test temperature carefully before feeding.
Cook’s Note
If you prefer extra-smooth puree, add a touch more breast milk or warm water when blending. For flavor variety, mix pureed peas with mashed avocado or a little pear/apple puree for older infants. Always check with your pediatrician before introducing new solids.
How to Store
Refrigerate freshly made pea puree in a sealed container up to 48 hours. Frozen cubes keep up to 2 months. Thaw only the amount you need — do not refreeze after thawing.
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 cup / 2 cubes approx.)
Calories 47 • Total Fat 1g • Saturated Fat 0g • Cholesterol 1mg • Sodium 36mg • Total Carbohydrate 8g • Dietary Fiber 2g • Protein 2g • Vitamin C 9mg • Calcium 16mg • Iron 1mg • Potassium 120mg