Mashed Peas and Potato
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Learn how to make a smooth, protein-rich mashed peas and potato dish for your baby. A gentle, budget-friendly weaning meal packed with fiber.
A humble duo that has earned its place in every weaning kitchen: potato makes it fluffy, peas make it bright and nutrient-dense. Mashed smooth and naturally sweet, it goes down easy with zero convincing. Peas and spuds, together forever.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1/2 cup frozen or fresh green peas
- 🫗 1 small potato (about 150 g), peeled and diced
- 🫗 1 to 2 tsp breast milk, formula, or low-sodium vegetable broth (for thinning)
- 🫗 1/2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Wash, peel, and dice the potato into small, uniform cubes so it cooks evenly and quickly.
Place a steamer basket over boiling water in a saucepan, add the potato cubes, and steam for 10 minutes.
Add the peas on top of the semi-cooked potato, cover again, and steam for 4 to 5 more minutes, until both are completely fork-tender.
Transfer everything to a bowl and mash thoroughly with a fork, pressing the pea skins through if you want an ultra-smooth texture for beginners.
Stir in a small splash of breast milk, formula, or broth, plus the olive oil if using, until you reach a creamy consistency that slides off the spoon.
Let it cool completely to a safe, lukewarm temperature before serving.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Serving the mash with whole pea skins intact too early, which can be challenging for beginner babies to gum and digest.
- ✕
Under-cooking the potato, which leaves firm lumps that create an uneven texture and pose a choking risk.
🔄 Variations
Minty Fresh: Add a single tiny mint leaf while mashing for a classic peas-and-mint flavor pairing that keeps things interesting.
Cheesy Twist: For babies over 8 months, stir in a small spoonful of mild cream cheese or grated cheese for extra richness.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Fridge: Store leftover mash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- 📦
Freezer: Freeze individual portions using an ice cube tray for up to 1 month. Thaw thoroughly in the refrigerator before warming gently and serving.
💡 Chef Tips
Rubbing the mash through a fine sieve removes the pea skins entirely, giving a silky green puree perfect for first tastes around 6 months.
Keep the cooking water from the steamer; it is perfect for thinning the mash while preserving the water-soluble vitamins.
❓ FAQ
Why are peas good for babies? Peas are surprisingly rich in plant-based protein, fiber, vitamin K, and B vitamins, supporting muscle growth, healthy digestion, and steady energy release for growing babies.
Can I serve this as a finger food instead? Yes, once your baby handles textures well, shape the cooled mash into soft patties or offer it as a dip for steamed vegetable sticks.
Can I use dried split peas instead of frozen? You can, but they require longer cooking and yield a denser texture; frozen sweet peas give the smoothest, sweetest result for early weaning.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →