How to Make Blueberry Puree for Babies

Blueberries make a delicious, beautiful, and healthy meal for your baby. Choke full of antioxidants, blueberries are best for babies who are ready for multi-fruit or veggie purees. Sweet-tart blueberries make a serendipitous match with sweet apple, pear, and banana purees. Keep reading for the recipe for blueberry baby food and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Select & Buy Blueberries

You can make a blueberry puree with fresh or frozen berries; buy fresh in the summer and frozen berries the rest of the year for high-quality, affordable blueberries. You can also freeze your own for later use.

When purchasing fresh blueberries, look for blue-purple fruit that has uniform color and is free of nicks, bruises, and other blemishes. Aim for berries that are in between firm and soft.

Since blueberries are part of the "dirty dozen"—foods with the highest pesticide residue—it's a good idea to buy organic if the cost is not prohibitive. Either way, wash them well. Half a cup of blueberries yields about four ounces of puree.

Step 2: Wash the Blueberries

Wash blueberries in water using a strainer. Look through the berries to remove any that are subpar, such as unripe or overly ripe berries. Remove any stems that still be attached. Rinse well under cool running water and dry.

Step 3: Steam the Blueberries if Underripe or Frozen

If your blueberries are ripe, skip this step and move on to step 4. If you're working with blueberries that are underripe or frozen, place the fruit in a steamer and cook for three minutes. Drain blueberries and rinse them with cold water for three minutes in a colander to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Puree or Mash the Blueberries

Puree in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add water, breast milk, or formula as needed to reach desired consistency.

For a chunkier blueberry puree, which is ideal for babies 10 months or older, mash the blueberries with a potato masher instead of pureeing them.

Step 5: Serve Blueberry Puree

If the blueberries are very sweet, your baby may enjoy the puree plain. To introduce your baby to new textures and flavors, or to make the most of puree from more tart blueberries, mix it with baby cereal, oatmeal, full-fat yogurt, or a sweeter fruit puree. Try combining blueberry puree with:

• Applesauce and cinnamon
• Baby oatmeal or cereal
  
• Banana
• Carrot
• Full-fat Greek yogurt
  
• Peach
• Pear
• Sweet potato

Step 6: Freeze Leftover Blueberry Puree

If you steamed the blueberries, let the puree cool and then refrigerate leftovers in BPA-free containers for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in your refrigerator.