Skip to main content

5 holiday purees for baby to include them in the Christmas feast

Include your little one at the dinner table with holiday purees for baby

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.

Baby eating in a highchair during Christmas

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.

A parent feeding a baby
FatCamera / iStock Photo

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.

Baby eating in a reindeer hat

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Emily Pidgeon
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Emily's work has appeared in the Tube City Almanac, Tube City Online and our Affinity Sites. When she's not writing, she is…
7 adorable baby Christmas sweaters perfect for your holiday party
Don't forget about baby with these ugly Christmas sweaters
Parent and baby in Christmas sweaters

Nothing says "holiday party" better than an ugly Christmas sweater, so why not include your baby in all the fun? These adorable and sometimes a bit tacky baby Christmas sweaters will ensure your babe makes a spirited impression on all the other partygoers. With a variety of colors, styles, and popular characters to choose from, one of these festive sweaters will be just right for your little bundle of holiday joy.

Adorably ugly baby Christmas sweaters
These sweet baby Christmas sweaters will keep your baby warm and cozy while earning them a coveted spot beneath the mistletoe. Keep reading to find the perfect Christmas sweater for your bundle of joy. 
Tipsy Elves Christmas Tree

Read more
Here are mealtime rituals for kids to keep them engaged at the dinner table
Keep everyone involved at the table with these mealtime routines for kids
Family of three eating dinner at table at home

Sitting down for dinner as a family is sometimes a little tricky when you have kids. From toddlers never wanting to sit still to younger kids not liking what you're serving, parents feel like they need to come to dinner prepared for battle. But with a few simple mealtime rituals for kids that we've put together, you'll all enjoy sitting down at the table.

Before you eat
For your child, mealtime starts before they sit down to eat. It even starts the night before. If your tiny tot didn't get the best night's sleep, that leads to more snacking in between meals. We all know kids who snack more in between meals tend to not want to even sit down at proper mealtimes.

Read more
Baby’s first Christmas: How to commemorate and celebrate with your new addition
Here are some fun ways to honor your baby's first Christmas
Baby in front of a Christmas tree

Baby's first Christmas is such a special time for the whole family. The holidays are always magical, but there's nothing better than having a baby's laughter in the home. It's a memorable moment for everyone and one you want to make extra special.
There are many ways to mark the occasion of a baby's first Christmas. This is a unique time to start lifelong traditions or simply commemorate the first year with a new addition to your family. If you're looking for a special way to commemorate and celebrate with your new addition this holiday season, we have some ideas that may provide inspiration.

Make a cookie plate
Go to a children's pottery studio or buy a DIY home kit and let your baby finger paint a plate that can become the annual plate to serve Santa's cookies and the reindeer's carrots. You can write the year and your baby's name as well as "Christmas" or "Santa's cookies" on the plate while your baby decorates the rest.

Read more