Vegetarian lifestyles have come a long way in the past decade, thanks in part to much more focus being placed on healthier approaches to meals. This is also in part because now more than ever, parents are prepping their own foods at home and leaning less on drive-through’s and “quick-stop” type meals that carry little dietary benefit. Taking it a step further, moms and dads – now more than ever – are skipping the store brand vegetarian baby food all together while doing their weekly food shopping, opting instead to buy fresh product and shelf products to prepare their infants meals at home, versus buying them pre-made and jarred.
To help bolster those dedicated parents’ recipe boxes and fill their pantries with healthier and customized baby foods, we’ve put our heads together to bring you 5 vegetarian baby recipes that are tasty, exciting, and easy to make right at home.
This elegant and elevated baby food approach is not only insanely creamy and rich, but also an excellent way to introduce parsnips into your baby’s regular diet. Parsnips are a major source of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, and seem to blend effortlessly with a few pads of butter – or coconut oil to keep it vegan-friendly – and cinnamon for a decadent fall-tasting dish. And while this dish is designed to be for babies over the age of 6 months, parents are encouraged to prepare this as a full-blown side dish for family or holiday meals as well. This recipe is perfect for make-ahead meals and is also freezer friendly for up to 3 months.
Looking for an all-encompassing approach to dinner versus making several smaller side dishes for your vegetarian baby’s meal? We have the perfect solution for you. This cheese and vegetable dish combines dairy and veg together, giving it a casserole-type feel that will warm your baby’s tummies, while giving them important nutrients essential for growth and development. The combination of cheeses and vegetables gives the feeling of a complete meal, without requiring busy moms and dads to make separate components to their baby’s dish.
This French mama’s approach to baby food is fantastic and fresh. She enjoys making meals her baby will enjoy, but also without added preservatives or salt, making it shelf stable. She takes the guesswork out of blending these 3 ingredients together, simplifying the process for hardworking parents. Additionally, the cheese element to this dish is 100% optional, however it is in encouraged to include it as the puree takes on a more creamy and smooth texture with the added dairy element within the dish.
This baby food staple — the delicious and palate-pleasing banana puree — couldn’t be easier to make, or to tailor to your baby’s perfect bite. Due to its creamy-like texture that can often mimic the appearance of dairy within a recipe, bananas are often utilized in many baby food companies’ recipes and find themselves front and center in home chef’s kitchens as well. Simply peel, and mash. It’s that easy! Take this 2-step process just one or two further by adding in other fruits or flavors by blending this delicious and creamy pureed banana with:
- Applesauce
- Pears
- Berries
- Blended oats
- Avocado
- Yogurt
This delicious, filling, and complete meal is perfect for babies 6 months and older and is totally customizable for older babies as well. Lentils and rice can be prepped ahead of time, and brought together later in the day for a completed meal, or frozen for future use. This mid-week casserole is perfect for 12 months and up or can be mashed or pureed to various thicknesses and consistencies for any baby’s needs. Add or remove spices depending on your likeness, or your baby’s palate. Did the dish come out too thick? Simply add a few splashes of vegetarian-friendly broth to thin it a bit.
It’s important to keep in mind that these recipes are ideal for babies over the age of 7 months, who have been introduced to solid foods and the presence of allergies have been at least partially established. By doing this, parents can avoid unexpected allergic reactions, sometimes requiring medical interventions — especially with food related allergies. Substituting ingredients for what’s fresh, available, and affordable is highly encouraged. This curates and customizes the meals to fit into your baby’s dietary wheelhouse, without breaking the bank or causing extra steps in the process.
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