Swoon-Worthy Pea Baby Puree
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
This Pea Baby Food is a smooth and mild baby food puree that is perfect for your baby’s first bite! Thanks to the addition of mint, your baby will love this green puree, making it have a fresh and earthy flavor. It’s a great stage 1 baby food for 6 months and up.
Homemade Pea Baby Food
Looking for a pea puree for your baby that actually tastes good?
I’ve got you!
Don’t get caught up on what you think pea baby puree is going to taste like.
Store-bought brands can be thick and lumpy with a strong acidic taste of overly cooked peas. Don’t even get me started on the smell! 🤢
But this homemade pea puree is precisely the opposite! And trust me, it tastes nothing like you expect.
I’m telling you… this pea baby food is beyond delicious. It’s heavenly!
Smooth and creamy with a mild taste and a hint of minty freshness, it’s also bright and appetizing to look at.
This puree is sooooo good, that it will even put a smile on your baby’s face! 😁
Is it your first time making homemade baby food? Then I suggest you start this journey by reading my in-depth Guide on How to Make Homemade Baby Food. You can also check out my best-selling cookbook for even more information and recipes!
Pea Baby Puree Video
Ingredients
Make sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions!
- Peas: They are high in fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, and K, and are a good source of protein. They also help promote healthy digestion and may protect against cancer.
- Zucchini: While this is a 2-vegetable starter puree, zucchini allergies are very low, so I added it to this recipe to give the peas a mild taste and a smoother, creamier texture. You can completely leave it out if you prefer. Just steam the peas as directed below.
- Mint: This is an ideal herb to add to baby food because it helps soothe an upset stomach, improves digestion, can help improve mental awareness and focus, and is rich in nutrients. However, adding mint to this puree is entirely optional.
Heath Benefits of Peas
- A good source of protein
- Contains a high amount of fiber, which helps with digestion
- Contains an array of micronutrients, such as thiamine, folate, manganese, vitamins K and C
- A good source of antioxidants
Let’s Get Cooking
Tools Needed
- Medium Saucepan
- Steamer Basket
- Blender or Food Processor
- Freezer Tray
- Storage Containers for Fridge
- highchair
- suction bowl or baby bowl
- baby spoon
- open lid cup
- bib with catch pocket
Other Cooking Methods
While I love the fresh flavor of steamed peas with mint, there are several ways you can cook peas for baby food.
BEABA Babycook
Does anything sound better than a homemade baby food puree with a 15-second hands-on prep and cook time? I didn’t think so. Let me introduce you to the magic of the ! With the touch of a button, the Babycook will cook and blend the peas into a smooth and creamy baby food puree! It’s like magic. To make, place 2 cups of peas into the stainless steel steamer basket, and place the basket into the glass container, closing the lid. Fill the reservoir tank to a level 3, close and lock the lid. Hit the steam button and let the machine do its magic. Once steamed, transfer the peas into the glass container, leaving the water. Add in a pinch of fresh mint, if using. Close the lid, and hit the blend button for 1 minute or until the puree is smooth.
Skillet
In a medium skillet, add 2 cups of frozen peas. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Puree in a blender as directed below.
Boiling
Place 2 cups of peas into a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover the peas, and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Puree in a blender as directed below. Note that boiling will rid the peas of some nutrients as they are leached into the boiling water, so steaming or using a skillet is preferred. If you need liquid to thin out the puree, use some of the leftover water.
Great Pea Combination Purees
While this pea puree is delicious and satisfying by itself, it’s also easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. So give these fun flavor combos a try!
How to Store Pea Baby Food
Refrigerator
You can store this puree in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer
This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.
- Spoon puree into a freezer storage container. Do not overfill.
- Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap, and label with the date and recipe name.
- Place the tray into the freezer and let it freeze completely — preferably overnight.
- Pop-out the baby food cubes and place them in a ziplock baggie or stasher bag. Don’t forget to relabel the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.
Feeding Tips
- Follow your baby’s lead – when feeding purees from a spoon, sometimes there’s a tendency to keep offering bites past the point of your baby being full. Always follow baby’s cues for when they are done eating. Turning away from the spoon, closing her mouth, or pushing food away are all signs that baby is finished with the meal.
- Try adding a little seasoning or spice to purees – babies like flavor! Or consider changing the temperature of purees from time to time, to slightly warmed or slightly chilled. Varying these aspects adds to the sensory experience!
- Place a small amount of puree on the tray during spoon feeding, so that your baby can dip their fingers or hands in the puree. Allowing baby to explore foods in this way helps them learn to self-feed and can help them be more willing to try new textures and foods in the future.
Get the recipe: Swoon-Worthy Pea Baby Puree (Stage One)
Ingredients
- 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup zucchini, roughly chopped (optional)
- 4 mint leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Steam: In a medium saucepan, bring 2″ of water to a boil over medium heat. Place the zucchini in a steamer basket, and place over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes.
- Add Peas: Add in the peas, and steam for an additional 3-5 minutes. Reserve steamer water. Let cool slightly.
- Blend: Add the zucchini, peas and mint leaves to a blender or food processor and puree for 1 minute or until you have achieved the desired texture. If the puree is too thick, add in 1/4 cup of the reserved steamer water until you have the right consistency.
- Serve: let cool and serve to your baby or freeze for a later meal.
Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Peas can 100% be baby’s first food if you want it to be. It is recommended to wait to introduce the top eight allergen foods to your baby once a few other well-tolerated foods have been introduced, but otherwise, foods can be introduced in any order so choose whatever you are most excited for your baby to have.
No, peas are not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.
No, peas are not known to cause constipation in babies, and they may actually help relieve constipation in babies due to the high fiber content that makes it easier for your baby to pass stools.
Yes, you can definitely use frozen peas in baby food! For this recipe, I added the frozen peas straight into the steamer basket to cook along with the zucchini. You can also freeze the peas once they are cooked and pureed.
51 Comments on “Swoon-Worthy Pea Baby Puree”
Can you make this with dry split peas ?
Hi Jasmine! I haven’t tried it with dry split peas. If you do try it, let us know how it turns out. Thanks! =)
My baby girl loved this! It was her first solid food and she absolutely loved it! and so did we. She didn’t eat a lot as a first time meal, but me and my husband licked the blender clean 😋
I LOVE THIS!! So glad you all enjoyed this puree ❤️
If I am using fresh garden peas that are frozen, should I defrost them first? If I defrost them, how long before they aren’t safe to use anymore?
Yes, you can use frozen peas. There is no need to defrost. Follow the recipe as stated.
👍🏽
Baby absolutely loved it. Excited at the first taste
I love to hear this! So glad your baby loved it and was excited by it.:)
So excited to try your purées. I just made this one today and could not get a smooth creamy texture. It was somewhat lumpy. I used frozen organic peas and steamed them. I used a food processor and the pea liquid. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Sounds like you cooked the peas correctly. Using a food processor will result in a slightly lumper puree. I have found that adding a minute or two more time helps the puree be a little smoother, but the only way to get a super smooth puree is by using a blender. But the consistency of puree that the food processor gives you should be fine to serve to a baby and in fact, some little ones prefer that texture over the smoother varitey. Play around and see what your babe likes more.
Just made this for my little 5-month-old daughter, she loved it!
I made it with a whole bag of sugar snap peas (I cut the tips off the ends of them), 2 medium zucchini, fresh basil, mint, and a splash of lemon juice.
I tasted it before giving it to her and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the mint-pea combination.
This is her reaction to your recipe, hope you get a smile out of it! ☺
https://youtu.be/2gNPeoLrx5U
https://youtu.be/A3HbUuupP8A
So happy to hear your little one enjoyed this puree! And seriously, how cute are those videos 😍. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, I love that I just found your blog! Can you freeze the puree if it’s made from frozen vegetables or fruit? Essentially refereeing the frozen peas for example? Thanks!
Yes, you can freeze purees made with frozen fruits and veggies. Thanks for being here:)
Just a helpful trial and error review. The recipe itself is FANTASTIC and has converted my picky eater into a pea fiend! I initially made a batch using our food processor and found that no matter how long I was running it, there was a gritty texture I could not get rid of (I assume it was the pea casings). I then made a batch using our blender and it made a huge difference! The blender resulted in a velvety delicious puree without any grit at all! Happy baby food making everyone!
Yes, the food processor will never get any food as smooth as the blender. So glad this recipe made your baby a pea fanatic!
I love your blog! Thank you for your help! I’ll be ordering your book!
Why the mint in this recipe tho?
So glad you are here! I love the way the fresh mint pairs with the peas, but you can omit if you prefer. I offer more spice/herb options in the post as well.
Do you use frozen sweet peas or frozen regular peas?
Great question! Frozen Sweet, English, Baby or Garden Peas will all work in this recipe.
I LOVE that I found you. Reading everything you have on here has helped so much! One question I have: When you are using mint and other herbs, do they have to be fresh mint leaves, or could it be dried mint/herbs?
Thanks so much!! 🙂
So glad you are here and have found this helpful! With herbs, fresh is always better as dried herbs are hard to re-hydrate. You can though, try to sprinkle a pinch of dried herbs (mint or other) over the peas while they are cooking. This will help them re-hydrate enough to be able to blend into a puree. But the taste will definitely not be the same as fresh herbs will give you a crisper taste profile. Hope that helps:)
After trying several different purees without success, my little one loved this recipe. I didn’t have mint. So I included a little lemon juice while the veggies were steaming and blended it with fresh basil and ginger. Was a big hit with dad too, as he does all of the baby’s taste testing.
Your additions sound amazing! Yum!
Hi! I’m curious if you can steam frozen peas in microwaveable bag?
Yes! That would be a great way to save a little time for this recipe.
Do you warm purees once thawed out? If so, how?
check out my guide here – https://babyfoode.com/blog/ultimate-guide-on-how-to-make-and-serve-homemade-baby-food-without-stressing-out-about-it/#how-to-store (there is even a video:)
I, too, have found your blog through pinterest and I love it! I love food, love sharing food, and am so excited to share new flavors with my babe. I have made four recipes now from your blog (carrot+nutmeg, apple+cinnamon, banana+rosemary) and now this, except I did peas and parsley (it’s what I had). I found the flavor to be mild and not overwhelming. Thank you!
P.S. Could eat the banana+rosemary puree ALL DAY. It’s so good.
So glad you found me and are making some delish recipes for your little babe! If you love the banana + rosemary you should try the banana + cinnamon – it’s a showstopper! If you have a sec, make sure to give the recipes a star rating so more people can find my recipes. Thanks!
Do you ever find that the peas’ casings leave a gritty texture? Do they just need to be steamed/cooked longer to get that smooth consistency when blended? Or does more zucchini or the like need to be added to balance it out?
Thank you for sharing all of your recipes and tips!
I’ve never had a problem with a gritty texture. I usually use frozen peas, but have had the same results with raw peas as well. I do use a high-speed blender for this recipe (see the video) and get a super creamy texture. Are you having troubles getting a smooth puree?
This is my daughters FAVORITE food, and has been since she started purees. We’ve told a few friends about it and the adults have tried it and they love it too!!
I absolutely love hearing this! ☺️
So I love this site and an actually buying your cookbook. I love the recipes and so does my son! I just made this recipe and it didnt get as smooth as I thought it would with the zucchini. Any suggestions?
Michele you are amazing, I’m loving your blog! Question about introducing single ingredient purées first for our LO, do you consider herbs and spices like cinnamon as non ingredients that can be mixed in right away, or for example should I do plain Apple first for three or so days, then try apples plus cinnamon?
I totally consider herbs/spices a non ingredient and can be started right away. For both of my girls, I used the amounts listed in the recipe but you can feel free to add just a pinch to begin with and then add more once your little one is accustomed to the spices.
xo, Michele
Hi Michele,
At the risk of sounding redundant, I recently found your blog and love it already!
When you introduce peas, do you do just peas or what spice/herb do you put with it? You said that all peas was a little overwhelming, but I am not sure what would go good with it? cumin maybe (I eat cumin on everything already!)
Thanks!
Hello Tracy,
So glad you found me!!! Thanks for reading!
I find adding zucchini, apple or potato to peas are a great way to make them not so overwhelming. You can add mint, basil, cilantro, and even cumin (I love cumin as well:).
This recipe is a great puree, give it a try and let me know what you think!
xo, Michele
Just found this blog an I’m obsessed!!! how long can this purée stay in fridge and freezer ?? Thanks !
Hello Melissa,
So glad you found me!!! This recipe is the bomb!! It can last 4 days in the fridge or 4 months in the freezer!
xo, Michele
I saw a recipe for a zucchini and pea risotto in one of my "adult" cookbooks and thought of this purée. Do you think there is a way to make the risotto per the directions and then puree some (already cooked) for baby? Or would it end up being gummy/paste-like the way risotto can get if over cooked? Have you ever made baby grains from Arborio rice?
I think that would make a great puree. I would probably make it heavy on the zucchini and peas so it doest get too starch, but arborio rice is amazing!! You might also need to add some additional stock or liquid to the puree as you blend because rice tends to suck up all the liquids. Let me know how it turns out:)
xo, Michele
Hi! Can I use breast milk instead of the reserved liquid to mix in the blender? If so, can the pureee then be re-frozen?
Yes, as long as it’s fresh breast milk you can freeze and then thaw the puree like directed.
I saw a recipe for a zucchini and pea risotto in one of my "adult" cookbooks and thought of this purée. Do you think there is a way to make the risotto per the directions and then puree some (already cooked) for baby? Or would it end up being gummy/paste-like the way risotto can get if over cooked? Have you ever made baby grains from Arborio rice?
This is by far the most helpful blog I have found for making my little one’s food! I love it and the pictures help wonders!
For this puree – can you steam the whole pod and puree that? Or just the peas?
Also, do you think incorporating rice cereal into each puree before baby eats it is a good idea? Or is it okay to just feed them the puree without the rice cereal combination? Is the rice cereal important for the iron intake or can you supplement with something else? Thanks so much!
Hello Katie,
Thank you so much! I am so glad you found us 🙂
Just steam the peas and not the pods. I usually buy the frozen organic peas because I am way too lazy to shell the peas from the pods.
The main thing I would recommend is that you don’t use the package rice cereal that is so processed there is little to no nutritional value left in it. This goes for organic and non-organic varieties. You can either add homemade rice or oat cereal [I have recipes in the 4-6 month section] or just serve the purees by themselves. This is a personal decision but either way your little one will still be getting plenty of iron from your breast milk or formula. Personally, I would start with a wide variety of vegetables and fruit purees until around 8-9 months and then slowly introduce grains such as rice, oats, millet and barley.
Hope this helps!!
Michele
I love this blog! Your pictures are beautiful and I always consult it when I need a new recipe for my little girl or when we’re starting a new food! Do you freeze this puree, and if so, does the zucchini get watery? I’ve read that that can happen when you freeze it and I don’t want to waste a bunch of veggies!
Hello Jordan,
Thank you!! I am so glad you found us:)
This puree does get a little watery when you freeze it but you can either add a little oat or rice cereal to it after thawing or add 1-2 small white potatoes during the cooking process. The potatoes will help thicken the mixture up and will freeze really nice.
Hope that helps!
Michele