Steamed Beetroot Slices
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Learn how to prepare soft, steamed beetroot slices safely for babies starting solid foods. A vibrant, earthy, and iron-rich BLW vegetable.
Steamed beetroot slices are soft, naturally sweet, and packed with iron, folate, and antioxidants. The vivid color makes the plate feel exciting while the tenderness makes it safe. A first food that looks like a small treasure.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 2 medium fresh beetroots
- 🫗 Water for steaming
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Wash the beetroots thoroughly, trim the greens, and peel the skin.
Cut the beetroots into thick slices or wedges (roughly the width of two adult fingers) so they are easy for an infant to pick up.
Place a steamer basket over boiling water in a saucepan, add the beetroot slices, and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
Steam for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the beetroot pieces are completely fork-tender and yield effortlessly to deep pressure.
Remove from heat and allow them to cool down completely to a lukewarm temperature before serving.
Test a piece by pressing it between your thumb and index finger to ensure it squashes easily.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Under-steaming the beetroot, leaving it hard or rubbery, which creates a choking hazard.
- ✕
Serving slices that are cut too thin or round like coins, which are difficult to grasp and pose safety risks.
🔄 Variations
Olive Oil Finish: Toss the warm steamed slices in a tiny drop of extra-virgin olive oil to add healthy fats and smooth out the earthy flavor.
Citrus Zing: Add a microscopic drop of fresh orange juice over the cooked beets to complement their natural sweetness.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Fridge: Store leftover steamed beetroot slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- 📦
Freezer: Can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving, ensuring they remain soft.
💡 Chef Tips
Beetroot juice stains clothes and high chair straps very easily—dress your baby in an old bib or let them eat in just a diaper for easy cleanup!
Peeling and cutting the raw beets *before* steaming cuts down cooking time significantly compared to boiling whole beets.
❓ FAQ
Why is beetroot good for babies? It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, manganese, and iron, which are vital for a growing infant's development.
Will beetroot turn my baby's diaper pink? Yes! Eating beets can harmlessly turn urine or stool a reddish-pink color, which is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Can I offer raw beetroot? Never offer raw beetroot as it is extremely hard and a severe choking hazard. It must always be cooked until soft.
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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 →