How to Store, Freeze & Thaw Baby Purees

Your freezer is about to become your new best friend, allowing you to keep several weeks’ worth of baby purees at the ready.

HOW TO FREEZE BABY FOOD

Whenever you make a puree, put several ounces in the fridge for your little one to enjoy that week, then freeze the rest of the batch for your baby to eat at a later date. Make sure you get the puree into the fridge or freezer within 1 hour of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.

1. Make a puree.
2. Let it cool slightly.
3. Transfer the puree to freezer trays or freezer jars.
4. Cover the freezer trays with a lid or plastic wrap.
5. Label with date and name of puree.
6. Place the tray in the freezer.
7. Let it freeze for at least 5 hours.
8. Take the tray out of the freezer.
9. Crack the purees out of the trays.
10. Place the frozen purees into zip-lock baggies or stasher bags.

HOW TO STORE BABY FOOD

Purees can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge or 4 months in the freezer.

HOW TO THAW BABY FOOD

Thawing may seem like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to know your options. There are three different ways to thaw purees.

MICROWAVE

1. Take the frozen puree cubes that you want to serve out of your freezer.
2. Place them in a glass microwave-safe container.
3. Microwave in 20-second increments, stirring every time.
4. The puree is ready when it is just warm to your touch.
5. Grab two clean spoons, one for you and one for your baby, and test your puree before serving.

Heating Tip: To prevent the microwave from unevenly heating the puree, which can leave it with cold and really hot spots and can burn your baby’s mouth, make sure you stir between each interval and taste test it before serving to your baby. 

FRIDGE

This one takes the longest time, but it is an excellent alternative to using a microwave.

1. Take the frozen puree cubes you want to serve out of your freezer.
2. Place the cubes in an air-tight glass container.
3. Place the container in the fridge and let the cubes thaw for 8 to 12 hours, usually overnight.
4. Do not leave the puree in the container to thaw on the counter or anywhere out of the fridge, as bacteria will start to grow at a rapid rate — which is definitely not recommended.
5. Note that the puree will be cold but thawed. So if your baby likes their puree warmed, you’ll have to finish the job using the microwave or stovetop method.

STOVETOP

1. In a small saucepan, add the frozen puree cubes you want to serve to your baby.
2. Over medium-low heat, gently cook the puree until warm, stirring occasionally.

Thawing Tip: Some infants like their puree cold, warm, or really warm, and some will eat it no matter the temperature. You will get to know your baby’s personal preferences as the two of you bond over food.