FAQ:How to prepare meat for my baby?

One of the most asked questions I get from my clients - How can I prepare meat for my baby? Especially when offering baby-led weaning food.

And I get it; it is a great question because how should a baby safely eat meat without teeth? Actually, their gums are all they need if food is prepared the right way. I hope this post is helpful. For recipe inspirations, more about meat/iron or when to introduce meat, you can download my ‘First Foods Guide’.

Also, this list of meats and ways to prepare them are my favorite choices, and I am always happy to hear about others and more ideas.

BEEF

SLOW-COOKED BEEF IN BONE BROTH OR WATER

cut in finger-shaped pieces

SLOW-COOKED SHREDDED BEEF

SLOW-COOKED BEEF RIB

to suck on the bone

MINCE

burger or meatballs cut into finger-shaped pieces; spaghetti bolognese

PAN FRIED STEAK

cut in finger-shaped pieces; cooked medium for baby to suck out the nutritious juice

BEEF PUREE

cooked beef, blended in food processor or blender until smooth (great to mix with vegetables)

NOTE: if possible, I recommend using grass-fed or grass-finished beef

CHICKEN | TURKEY

SLOW-COOKED CHICKEN | TURKEY IN BONE BROTH OR WATER

cut in finger-shaped pieces

SLOW-COOKED SHREDDED CHICKEN | TURKEY

CHICKEN DRUMSTICK

remove any small bones and gristle

MINCE

meatballs cut into finger-shaped pieces

CHICKEN | TURKEY PUREE

cooked chicken | turkey, blended in food processor or blender until smooth (great to mix with vegetables)

NOTE: if possible, I recommend using organic chicken or turkey

LAMP

SLOW-COOKED LAMB IN BONE BROTH OR WATER

cut in finger-shaped pieces

SLOW-COOKED SHREDDED LAMB

LAMB CHOPS

remove fat from the sides; cooked medium for baby to suck out the nutritious juice

MINCE

burger or meatballs cut into finger-shaped pieces

LAMB PUREE

cooked lamb, blended in food processor or blender until smooth (great to mix with vegetables)

NOTE: if possible, I recommend using grass-fed or grass-finished lamb

LIVER

PAN FRIED LIVER

cut in finger-shaped pieces; cooked medium to suck out the nutritious juice

LIVER PATE

spread on any baked or steamed vegetables

LIVER PILLS

open a dried grass-fed liver pill and sprinkle a little (not more than 1/4 of the cap) on baby's food or mix it into purees; it shouldn't be used more than 2 times a week

LIVER PUREE

cooked lamb, blended in food processor or blender until smooth (great to mix with vegetables)

NOTE: if possible, I recommend using grass-fed or grass-finished liver

FISH

POACHED FISH IN BROTH OR WATER

remove all bones

OVEN BAKED FISH

baked in parchment parcel, remove all bones, cut in finger-shaped pieces

SARDINES | NORTH ATLANTIC MACKERELS | SALMON

canned in water or olive oil (look for low sodium, less than 100mg per serving; BPA-free)

FISH PUREE

cooked fish, blended in food processor or blender until smooth (great to mix with vegetables)

NOTE: if possible, I recommend using wild-caught fish, low-mercury fish