It’s never smart to let good food go to waste, but this is especially true with homemade baby food. If you’re going to take the time to make your own, you want it to last. To do that, you have to know how to store the leftovers. Here are three methods, along with how to do each one most effectively and how long the food will last.
ATK Kids
How to Store Homemade Baby Food
Make the most of your baby food with these storage tips.
By Published Apr. 30, 2019.
Option 1: Refrigerate
No big surprise here. To refrigerate your homemade baby food, simply put the puree into a storage container and put it in the fridge. Unless otherwise stated, most purees can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. When needed, reheat to room temperature, stir, and serve.
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OXO Good Grips 8 Cup Smart Seal Rectangle Container
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Option 2: Freeze
If you want to save the puree for more than 3 days, freezing is a great option. To freeze, divide puree evenly into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop the cubes out of the tray and transfer them to a heavy-duty zipper-lock bag. To serve, defrost in the refrigerator overnight or microwave 1 cube for 30 to 45 seconds and stir to recombine.
We’ve found that some ingredients don’t freeze well and emerge from the freezer with a gritty texture. For that reason, we don’t recommend freezing avocado and homemade baby cereals made with rice, millet, rolled oats, or steel-cut oats.
OXO No-Spill Ice Cube Tray
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Option 3: Bring It To Go
If you are out and about and your little one gets hungry, they can enjoy their favorite puree no matter where you are. Using reusable baby pouches make this possible. With small spouts and twist-off caps, these pouches are convenient for babies and young kids to eat on the go, and they’re far less bulky than storage containers.
Baby Brezza Reusable Baby Food Storage Pouches
These inexpensive pouches have wide openings and can stand on their own, so they were quick and easy to fill.Buy on Amazon
The Essential Cookbook That All Young Families Need
The Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook
From purees to smoothies to family meals that everyone can enjoy, this cookbook includes the very best (kitchen-tested!) recipes to get you through the early years.Save 34%
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