Time spent together with friends and family during the holidays is what we are excited about the most all year. The delicious meals are what we look forward to the second most. For parents toting around infants, being able to offer yuletide-themed, homemade baby food gets everyone in the spirit of the season and includes family members of every age.
From sweet, roasted squash to velvety smooth, gravy-topped turkey purees, our list of festive favorites will have your little ones smacking their lips for more. If you’re looking to whip up some holiday-inspired baby food recipes, then we have five great options to embody the holiday cheer in all of us. Let’s see what scrumptious dishes we’ve got cooking for your precious babe in toyland.
Main course options
Turkey puree
One of the most quintessential protein options, roasted turkey, sits atop the throne as the most beloved part of any holiday feast. While pre-roasted turkey would be the most flavorful option, boiling a turkey breast in stock — or even plain water if that’s what is on hand — makes for an inexpensive way to include your baby during their first holiday feast.
Parents should feel free to spice up this recipe to include any seasonal herbs they believe their little one’s palate will enjoy. This puree pairs beautifully with a softened cranberry sauce, buttery potatoes, or separate green bean mash.
Butternut squash and chicken puree
For a more all-in-one type of dish — or to cut down on the amount of work needed for many separate offerings — parents are encouraged to lean on this braised butternut squash and chicken puree. You’ll bring together vegetables and proteins, in addition to brown rice (grain) and lentils (legumes).
This may not be a specific baby puree recipe, but parents are encouraged to make use of its technique to cut down on the amount of time spent in the kitchen prepping homemade baby food. You should omit or substitute any spice you feel baby would or wouldn’t like.
Baby’s first Christmas dinner
If your family celebrates Christmas, you may be thinking about giving your infant the experience of a holiday meal for various reasons. Any variation of convenience, flavor exploration, or simply cutting down on the time spent in the highchair are all reasons to blend them up a festive meal. This dinner recipe is an especially good option for overly stimulated kiddos, or fussy babies who enjoy being mobile far more than sitting still at a noisier-than-usual table.
Bring on the dessert
Cranberry applesauce
Though not strictly for babies, this easy-to-make and tasty treat is popular among kids of all ages — even adults too! Tart cranberries are blended with diced apples, freshly squeezed orange juice, spicy cinnamon sticks, and maple syrup. This creates a delicious and naturally sweetened holiday applesauce that is sure to please everyone gathered around your table this season.
Tangerines, clementines, or mandarins would take this dish to the next level, adding a more exotic flavor profile that complements the apples and cranberries extremely well.
Pear dessert
No holiday is complete without dessert, and this list of festive holiday baby food recipes is no different. Little ones have tastebuds and begin experiencing the sense of taste while still in the womb at just 9 weeks. Sweets have been a favorite holiday staple since anyone can remember, so including your baby in the dessert course during the season just makes sense.
It’s a more all-inclusive experience when parents dish up this decadent pear dessert after the turkey has been served. And this humble recipe requires only one simple ingredient to make. It doesn’t get much easier than that, does it? Of course, if you want to add some pizazz, grab cinnamon, ginger, or another holiday spice to kick up the flavor.
Let your baby try it all
We all have our favorite go-tos at the holiday dinner table. But we also will try that new dish your aunt brought to see what it tastes like. Do the same for your baby. Skip the same old, same old, and let your little one experience the entire buffet that holiday meals offer.
From pureed gobbler to a complete turkey dinner in one bite, our list of merry holiday recipes is sure to inspire parents on the hunt for new flavors for their precious peanuts this season. The best part? Introducing your little one to these new holiday tastes helps your babe develop a more diverse palate with exposure to a more flavorful spice rack.
The holiday season is a cherished time among families for good reason. So, ditch the jars of pre-made mash and substitute a few tasty, homemade seasonal dishes this year. We want the whole family to feel included while deepening the bond between the generations for years to come, and there’s no better setting than the holidays for that to happen.
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