Blueberry Puree

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Blueberry puree is full of antioxidants and vitamins and makes for a quick and easy first food for baby! It can also be used as a topping or mix-in for breakfast, dessert and drink recipes.

Blueberries are a fantastic option when introducing solids to baby! They are packed with nutrients, especially for being such small, little berries.

A bowl of blueberry puree with a purple spoon resting in the bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Blueberry puree can be made with fresh blueberries so there’s no cooking involved.
  • Blueberry allergies are incredibly rare making them a low-risk option for baby!
  • Blueberries are a superfood! They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fiber.
  • Relatively low on the glycemic index scale, blueberries do not cause a spike in blood sugar.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Blueberries are known as a superfood. Superfoods are usually plant-based and rich in nutrients that are beneficial to your health such as vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fiber.

  • fiber – a 1 cup serving of blueberries contains 3.6 grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for gut health, healthy digestion and reduces your risk of chronic disease.
  • vitamins – blueberries contain vitamin C, E, K and B6, which are are all essential for helping baby to build a healthy immune system and nervous system, as well as, bone health and proper function of many organs such as the eyes, skin and brain.
  • manganese – an essential mineral needed for normal amino acid, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism.
  • antioxidants – these plant compounds not only give blueberries their gorgeous color, but also may reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and help prevent cancer and diabetes. (source)

Should I Use Organic Blueberries?

While blueberries are not part of the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables, they rank at number 16. I choose to use organic berries whenever possible for my daughter, but I realize this isn’t always in the budget. Either way thoroughly rinsing your fruits and vegetables is an important step whether they’re organic or not!

How to Make Blueberry Puree

Making blueberry puree is incredibly easy! Start by sorting through your fresh blueberries to remove any that are underripe, soft or moldy. Rinse the blueberries with cold water.

Side by side photos of blueberries before and after being pureed in a blender.

Place the blueberries and water in a high powered blender or food processor and blend until you achieve a totally smooth texture and the skin is no longer detectable. If you notice there are still little pieces of the skin present, you can strain them out using a fine mesh strainer.

If your baby is older (and ready for chunky purees) you can simply mash the blueberries with a potato masher instead of blending it.

How to Serve Blueberry Puree to Baby

For early stage 1 eaters, blueberry puree is great served straight up with a spoon. Once baby starts moving into stage 2 and 3 foods you can make fun combination purees (see ideas below) or add blueberry puree to different foods. Try adding it to my baby oatmeal recipe or mixing it into yogurt or a smoothie.

Food Combinations That Pair Well With Blueberry

Blueberry is a flavor that pairs well with so many things! Here are some pairing ideas to help make vegetables and grains more palatable to baby:

  • Green veggies â€“ kale, spinach, avocado, zucchini, peas
  • Orange veggies â€“ sweet potato, butternut squash, carrot
  • White veggies â€“ cauliflower
  • Other fruit â€“ banana, strawberries, peaches, apples, kiwis, pears
  • Dairy â€“ yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese
  • Grains â€“ quinoa, oats
  • Legumes â€“ chickpeas, lentils
  • Seasonings and spices â€“ curry, ginger, mint, nutmeg, cinnamon

Blueberry Baby Food Combo Ideas

Here are some baby food combos with blueberries that might be fun to try:

  • Blueberry, banana and oatmeal
  • Yogurt and blueberry
  • Apple, blueberry and spinach
  • Apple, blueberry and banana
  • Blueberry, peach and cottage cheese
  • Spinach and blueberry

Blueberry Banana Quinoa Flax is another great combo that I share in my stage 2 baby food combinations post!

FAQ About Blueberry Puree

When can I give baby blueberry puree?

Most doctors agree you can give baby stage 1 foods between 4-6 months, when baby shows signs of readiness. Stage 1 baby foods are simple, thin and watery without chunks or lumps. Blueberry puree is a great option when starting solids with baby!

How do you thicken blueberry puree?

I recommend giving a stage 1 eater a thinner version, but if your baby is ready for stage 2 or above, you can simply combine blueberry puree with yogurt, oatmeal or even rice cereal. You can also blend it with banana, avocado or another thicker puree. Another option is to simmer fresh blueberries over medium heat until they burst and start to thicken, then puree them. This will result in a thicker, sweeter puree.

Do I need to steam blueberries for baby?

Nope! Blueberries are an easy, no-cook option for baby food puree! No need to steam or boil the blueberries before you blend them. Of course, if you want to steam, boil or simmer the blueberries, you can!

Are blueberries safe for babies?

Generally speaking, blueberries pose a very low allergen risk for babies and children. It’s always best to consult with your doctor if you’re worried.

Can I use frozen blueberries for blueberry puree?

Yes! Let them thaw before blending. Remember, you shouldn’t let frozen foods thaw puree and re-freeze without cooking them. So if you use frozen blueberries to make puree, serve immediately or store in the fridge for a few days, but do not freeze again.

Four different baby food purees in an ice cub tray.

How to Store Blueberry Puree

Fresh blueberry puree should be stored in the fridge and used within 3-4 days. For longer storage, I recommend freezing the puree in an airtight container. I like using a silicone ice cube tray or freezer safe jars because they make it easier to thaw smaller amounts for serving to babies. Once you have the frozen cubes, you can pop them out and store in a freezer bag.

Two cubes of frozen blueberry puree stacked on top of each other.

How to Thaw Frozen Puree

Like other purees, I recommend thawing frozen blueberry puree in the fridge the night before you want to use it. In a pinch, you can also thaw it quickly with a warm water bath. It thaws quickly if you’re defrosting a small amount.

Other Uses For Blueberry Puree

Blueberry puree isn’t just for babies! Here are some ideas for how to use it:

  • Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt â€“ drizzle on top of baked steel cut oatmeal or mix into your favorite yogurt.
  • Topping for pancakes and waffles â€“ level up your breakfast or brunch by topping pancakes or waffles with this blueberry puree. Try it on my protein pancakes!
  • Make a smoothie â€“ blueberries are the perfect addition to smoothies and give off a gorgeous purple color! Try throwing some frozen puree cubes into my easy blueberry smoothie.
  • For cakes and desserts â€“ blueberry puree is often mixed into sweet treats like cheesecake!
  • Serve over ice cream â€“ it would be delicious served over my banana ice cream for a sweet but antioxidant packed treat! You can also mix blueberry puree into homemade or store bought ice cream or frozen yogurt for an extra touch of sweetness that packs some nutrients!
  • Stir into drinks â€“ blueberry puree is a great addition to a cocktail! Make a blueberry mojito, stir into a vodka soda or use it to make a blueberry margarita. For a refreshing non-alcoholic option, mix blueberry puree into lemonade!

More Homemade Baby Food Recipes to Try

Additional Recipes and Resources

Be sure to check out my full collection of blueberry recipes as well as all of the baby food recipes here on EBF.

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5 from 5 votes

How to Make Blueberry Puree

Blueberry puree is full of antioxidants and vitamins and makes for a quick and easy first food for baby! It can also be used as a topping or mix-in for breakfast, dessert and drink recipes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups blueberries
  • ¼ cup water, plus more if needed

Instructions 

  • Sort through blueberries and remove any that are underripe, soft or moldy. Wash blueberries in cold water.
  • Place blueberries and water in a high powered blender or food processor.
    Blueberries in a blender.
  • Blend until totally smooth and the skin is no longer detectable, adding more water if needed to get the desired consistency. If there are still little pieces of the skin present, you can strain them out using a fine mesh strainer.
    Blueberry puree in a blender.
  • You can serve blueberry puree however you like. It's great on its own as a puree for baby or as a topping for yogurt, chia pudding or oatmeal.
  • Store blueberry puree in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer or up to 3 months. I like to freeze the puree in silicone ice cube trays or small freezer-safe jars so I can easily thaw small amounts when I want to use them.
  • I recommend thawing frozen puree in the fridge the night before you want to use it, but you can also thaw it quickly with a warm water bath.

Notes

  • You can use breastmilk or formula in place of the water if you want to make the blueberry puree more nutrient-dense. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Baby Food
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blueberry puree
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

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3 Comments

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