Broccoli Puree
Broccoli is a nutritious green vegetable, which makes broccoli puree a great first food for babies.
Why This Recipe Works
- Vibrant green in colour and full of nutrients including: vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, fiber,
- Combines well with other purees for baby
- Expands baby's palate to include more bitter flavours.
Ingredients you will need
To make broccoli puree you will just need broccoli and a little water.
Ingredient Notes
- Choose fresh broccoli: The head of the broccoli should feel tight and dense, there should be no yellowing of the florets and the stalk should feel firm.
- You can reinvigorate limp broccoli that is a little past its best and, remove a slice from the stem, sit the stalk in a small bowl or glass of water, and stand in the water in the fridge. The broccoli should firm up again.
- When broccoli is out of season you can absolutely use frozen broccoli. Frozen broccoli is typically snap-frozen quickly after harvest so it retains its nutrition.
How to puree broccoli
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Broccoli Puree Recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Prep: Wash your broccoli head.
Step one: In a large pot (big enough to hold the broccoli) bring the water to a boil. If you prefer you can use a steamer basket above the boiling water. Be sure to keep the water in the saucepan so that you can add it to the puree if needed.
Step two: Roughly cut your broccoli into florets, remove the coarse skin from the stalk, and slice the stem (it's nutritious and delicious and shouldn't be wasted.)
Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water, cover and simmer the broccoli for 8 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and tender. You should be able to squash the broccoli with a fork or your index finger.
Step three: Drain the broccoli, reserving any liquid.
Blend or process until a smooth consistency is reached, add liquid as needed.
If you are blending the broccoli while still hot, be sure your blender/processor can be vented. Hot foods should not be blended in a sealed blender (like a bullet-style blender) as the pressure can build and cause an explosion.
Enjoy!
Top Tips
Here is how you can make this broccoli puree perfectly every time!
- If you do not have a blender, a food processor or handheld stick blender will work as well.
- Check your broccoli or set a timer while it is simmering, as once you've boiled it for too long it will lose its vibrant colour and you won't be able to get it back!
- For the most vibrant green colour, once you have drained your cooked broccoli, dump it into a bowl of iced water. (I didn't include this as a step as I don't do this every time, but it does make for an even better-coloured puree.)
- For babies do not add salt
- For adults and older children, you can turn broccoli puree into a delicious side dish for meat fish and chicken meals. Add salt, olive oil or butter and a little lemon juice.
- Freeze leftover broccoli puree in ice cube trays so that you can use it easily in future meals and recipes.
FAQs
Store your broccoli puree in a clean airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to four months.
Yes, broccoli puree can be frozen for up to 4 months, freeze in ice cube trays so that you can bring out small amounts when needed.
Other recipes you might like
- If you are a broccoli fan, my cauliflower fritters and parmesan roast cauliflower work just as well with broccoli.
- My vegetable slice recipe is made with broccoli.
- Chicken rissoles have grated broccoli stalk as an ingredient.
- Broccoli puree is delicious mixed with apple puree or butternut squash puree
Broccoli Puree
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Ingredients
- 1 cup water 250 mls
- 1 head broccoli 230 grams
Instructions
- In a saucepan (big enough to hold the broccoli) bring the water to a boil.
- Wash your broccoli head
- Roughly cut your broccoli into florets, remove the coarse skin from the stalk, and slice the stalk (it's nutritious and delicious and shouldn't be wasted.)
- Add the broccoli to the boiling water, cover and simmer the broccoli for 8 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and tender. You should be able to squash the broccoli with a fork.
- Drain the broccoli, reserving any liquid.
- Blend or process until a smooth texture is reached, add liquid as needed. If you are blending the broccoli while still hot, be sure your blender/processor can be vented. Hot foods should not be blended in a sealed blender (like a bullet-style blender) as the pressure can build and cause an explosion.
Notes
- Choose fresh broccoli: The head of the broccoli should feel tight and dense, there should be no yellowing of the florets and the stalk should feel firm.
- You can reinvigorate limp broccoli that is a little past its best and, remove a slice from the stem, sit the stalk in a small bowl or glass of water, and stand in the water in the fridge. The broccoli should firm up again.
- When broccoli is out of season you can absolutely use frozen broccoli. Frozen broccoli is typically snap-frozen quickly after harvest so it retains its nutrition
- If you do not have a blender, a food processor or handheld stick blender will work as well.
- Check your broccoli or set a timer while it is simmering, as once you've boiled it for too long it will lose its vibrant colour and you won't be able to get it back!
- For the most vibrant green colour, once you have drained your cooked broccoli, dump it into a bowl of iced water. (I didn't include this as a step as I don't do this every time, but it does make for an even better-coloured puree.)
- For babies do not add salt
- For adults and older children, you can turn broccoli puree into a delicious side dish for meat fish and chicken meals. Add salt, olive oil or butter and a little lemon juice.
- Freeze leftover broccoli puree in ice cube trays so that you can use it easily in future meals and recipes.
- Store your broccoli puree in a clean airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to four months.
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.