Soft Steak & Potatoes for Babies and Toddlers: A Nutritious and Comforting Meal for 12 month baby & up
This recipe is my mother’s recipe that me and my siblings make weekly! A clean, wholesome, healthy dinner idea for babies and toddlers that the whole family can enjoy together! It is so simple and easy to make, made with only 4 ingredients, seasoned with just salt & pepper. I mean how much more simple can it get. It combines tender, slow-cooked meat with creamy, nutrient-rich potatoes, creating a dish that is easy to chew, digest, and packed with essential nutrients for growing bodies. This simple yet delicious dish is sure to become a favorite for both kids and parents alike!
Nutritional Benefits:
Steak is an excellent source of high-quality protein, crucial for muscle growth and repair in children. It’s also rich in iron, which supports the production of hemoglobin and helps prevent anemia—a common concern for growing kids. Additionally, steak provides essential B vitamins like B12 for brain health and zinc for a strong immune system.
Potatoes are a nutritious and versatile vegetable, offering complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy for active toddlers. They’re also rich in vitamin C, which aids iron absorption from the meat, and potassium, which supports healthy muscle and nerve function.
Why Soft Steak & Potatoes For Kids?
- Soft and Tender: The slow-cooked roast and potatoes are easy to chew and swallow. If you haven’t introduced steak to your baby yet, this is a great recipe to start with.
- Balanced Nutrition: This meal provides protein, iron, vitamins, and complex carbs, offering a complete, energy-packed option.
- Mild Flavors: The natural flavors of the roast and potatoes, enhanced with onions and garlic, are appealing to little ones. It’s the most simple, easy dinner to make, with no added unnecessary ingredients.
How to Introduce Steak to Babies:
This is the recipe I used when I introduced steak to my little one’s. Some people introduce it as early as 7 month’s, I tend to get nervous and wait till my little ones can chew it properly and this recipe works best for that! It comes out so soft and tender, making it easy for them to chew and they love the flavor. To serve cut up small pieces of steak with potatoes and add some of the liquid on top.
Tips for Success
- Age-Appropriate Texture: If you would like to introduce this steak to younger babies you can. For younger babies (8–10 months), puree or finely mash the steak and potatoes. For toddlers, serve bite-sized pieces for self-feeding.
- Selecting the Beef: The best cut of beef for this recipe is minute roast or tenderloin roast. I ask the butcher to cut 6-8 slices evenly.
- Browning Onions: Because this recipe is only seasoned with salt and pepper, the key is to sautéing your onions really well. This is what will give it the flavor it needs. Make sure it is a large onion.
- Freeze for Convenience: Make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick and easy meals.
- Check throughout cook time: When steak is in the oven, check it throughout cook time and add more water if needed. This can vary depending on oven and what you are cooking it in. You want to make sure there is liquid for some sauce.
What you need:
Oven-Safe Deep Pan or Cast Iron
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are more easy dinner ideas for babies & toddlers:
Cinnamon Spiced Meatballs W/ Sweet Potato
Soft Steak & Potatoes
Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375F
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Start by chopping onion, garlic, potatoes and seasoning your pieces of steak with salt and pepper front and back For potatoes you can chop in big pieces, same with the garlic I chop them in halves
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Add about 1 tbsp avocado oil to heated pan, along with onion, a little more salt and pepper, and sauté very well for about 5-7 minutes This step is very important, it is what gives a lot of flavor to the beef. If onion is sticking to pan add 1-2 tbsp of water. Make sure onions are browned
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Add chopped garlic and sauté for another minute
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Add steak and sear each side for 3-4 minutes on high heat
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Add cut potatoes, along with 1 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil
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Cover and add to oven for 2- 21/2 hours It is ready at the 2 hour mark but I like to leave it even more sometimes up to 3 hours to get the softest steak possible When steak is in the oven, check it throughout cook time and add more water if needed. This can vary depending on oven and what you are cooking it in. You want to make sure there is liquid for some sauce.
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Serve & Enjoy!
The heat on the oven please?