Starting solids-baby gags and spits out food

Our baby will be 6 months adjusted this week, close to 7 months not adjusted. Every time we try solid foods he spits the food out and/or gags really hard (gets red in the face, one time he threw up/spit up from gagging). So far we’ve tried mostly purées, although I do want to eventually do more of a baby led weaning approach. Today I tried offering him pear slices to let him self feed, and he wouldn’t touch them (even though he’s constant reaching for toys and other things😜). My gut is telling me he probably just needs more time (his endurance for sitting up/holding his neck up still isn’t amazing, and it seems like he still has the tongue thrust reflex).

But other than giving it time and continuing to try, any tips? It feels like such a waste and is frustrating to be offering food when he’s not consuming any of it, and when he seems uncomfortable/unhappy trying it.