Need a calcium boost? Eat a cup of green beans for 66 mg of calcium. Low on vitamin K or vitamin C; turn to that cup of green beans and get a infusion of these vitamins. Vitamin A and manganese are also found in abundance in just one cup of green beans.

The Goodness of Green Beans for Baby Food:

The many nutrients in green beans can help you prevent a number of different conditions, including Alzheimer’s, atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, colon cancer, asthma, arthritis, acne, ear infections, and maybe even colds and flu’s. These are but a few good reasons to add green beans to your homemade baby food shopping list the next time you head to the grocery store.

When to introduce Green Beans to baby? Age for Introducing: (4)6-8 months 

Green Beans are a bit difficult to make into a fine smooth puree but they are wonderfully healthy for your baby. Green Beans are typically recommended for introduction into a baby’s diet anytime between (4)6-8 months of age. The green bean ranks very low on the list of foods that prompt allergic reactions. This fact mainly accounts for why the vegetable may be introduced so early.

As mentioned, green beans are very hard to get pureed into a very fine, smooth consistency, you may wish to wait until closer to the 6-8 month age range to begin introducing them. You can put them in a strainer and work out the “skins” if using fresh or you can use frozen for a smoother consistency and minimal effort to work out the “skins”.

Some parents prefer to wait to introduce green beans when baby is older and may eat them as Baby Finger Foods.

As always, thoroughly discuss any feeding issues with your pediatrician as generalities may not apply to your child

How to select and store green beans for homemade baby food

 According to the EWG, green beans are not one of the “dirty dozen” foods that are most highly contaminated with pesticides – purchasing organic is a personal choice.

When purchasing fresh green beans, look for firm beans without any blemishes or squishy parts. Fresh green beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store them in a plastic bag in the crisper bin.

 Do not wash, trim or cut fresh green beans prior to using them for cooking. Fresh green beans will do not keep well if they are trimmed, cut and then stored.

The best way to cook green beans for homemade baby food:

Green beans are best when steamed or boiled gently in a scant amount of water; no more than 1 inch of water. Let the water come to a boil and then add the green beans. Cook the green beans uncovered for a few minutes then cover for the remainder of the cooking time. One pound of fresh green beans should be cooked for no longer than 15 minutes to retain the color and avoid a mushy green bean. Overcooking green beans for your baby’s food is fine, just keep in mind the color will change.

Try Some Healthy & Delicious Green Bean Baby Food Recipes

Baby’s Green Beans Puree – Basic  

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of fresh green beans

Directions:

Step 1: Clean & snap green beans (Skip if using frozen.)

Step 2: Steam until tender

Step 3: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. Use a sieve if needed to get rid of the hulls.

Step 4: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency

OR

Step 5: Cook frozen green beans (watch for salt) according to package directions

Step 6: Follow Steps 3 and 4

Green Bean Salad 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steamed green beans
• 1 cup steamed carrots
• 1 cup steamed Summer squash

Directions:

Step 1: Dice all veggies into small bite-sized pieces and combine.

Step 2: Puree or chop as needed for your baby’s taste and texture preferences.

Step 3: Serve warm or as a cold finger food snack.

Minty Creamy Green Bean Salad 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steamed green beans
• ¼ cup whole milk yogurt
• 2 finely chopped mint leaves

Directions:

Step 1: Combine all ingredients together.

Step 2: Puree or chop as needed for your baby’s taste and texture preferences.

Step 3: Serve warm or as a cold finger food snack.

Green Beans & Peppered Rice  

This colorful meal is great for little pinching fingers; add some shredded meats too!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces green beans, cooked
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced in strips
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced in strips
• 1 small onion, halved and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter (we prefer olive oil.)
• pinch of pepper

Directions:

Step 1: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.

Step 2: Add cooked green beans, peppers, onion, and garlic.

Step 3: Saute slowly, until peppers are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Add pepper to taste.

Serve chopped or pureed with Brown Rice

Foods Good to Mix With Green Beans:

• Carrots
• White Potato
• Summer Squash – zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
• Brown Rice
• Lentils
• Chicken
• Beef
• Tofu