How and When Can You Safely Give Meat to Your Baby?

Unless you’re raising a little vegan bundle of joy, there are plenty of reasons to put meat on your baby’s plate. At the 6-month mark, right around when many parents start transitioning their babies to solids, nutrients like iron become especially important. Meat is an excellent way to add this to your child’s diet.

Whether you follow baby-led weaning or prefer spoon-feeding, here’s how to safely introduce meat to your baby.

Like we just alluded to, experts recommend introducing your baby to meat, along with other iron-rich foods like fortified cereals and beans, when he’s around 6 months old. 1

Your baby’s iron stores from birth will start to run out around this time. He’ll need more iron to support his growth. 2 3

Why is meat beneficial for babies?

Meat is a major source of heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. Non-heme iron, found in grains and vegetables, fulfills the same nutritional needs but is harder to absorb. 5 Babies that don’t get enough iron are at risk of anemia, which causes symptoms like:

• Pale skin
• Fatigue
• Poor feeding and weight gain
• Delayed developmental milestones

You probably already know that meat is also an excellent source of protein, which is necessary for growth, building muscle, and immune function. Meat also supplies other essential nutrients:

• Zinc: This promotes cell growth and immune system development. 6
• Vitamin B6: Another supporter of your baby’s immune system. 7
• Vitamin B12: Key to developing red blood cells and brain cells. 8

The right way to prepare meat for your baby depends on his age and whether you choose to spoon-feed him or follow a baby-led weaning approach. Safety is key, so always cook your meat thoroughly and serve it in a way that minimizes the risk of choking.

What is a safe temperature for meat?

To make sure that meat is safe for your baby, follow the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for safe internal temperatures: 9

It’s also important to note that when you reheat meat products (or any cooked food, for that matter), they need to reach an internal temperature of 165˚F. 10

Pureed meat for spoon-feeding

If you’re starting with purees, blend the meat to a very smooth consistency in a food processor. Opt for fully-cooked lean meats, like lean ground beef, turkey, chicken, or pork. Remove any skin and excess fat before blending. 11

You can thin out your puree with water, breast milk, or formula to get a smoother texture. Your baby may adjust to the new flavor more easily if you mix it with another puree that he already enjoys.

Finger foods for baby-led weaning

If you’re practicing baby-led weaning, the goal is to offer soft, manageable pieces of meat that your baby will be motivated to pick up. Make sure the meat is cooked until it’s very tender, making it easy for him to gum. Don’t give him meat that’s too hard, chewy, or has visible fat, bones, or skin.

Both ground and whole cuts of meat can be used for baby-led weaning. Ground meats can be shaped into easy-to-grasp meatballs or finger-sized logs, and whole cuts can be shredded or sliced thin.

At first, your baby may suck instead of chewing the meat. That could be because he doesn’t have the oral motor skills to chew it properly yet, or he may like the taste more than the texture. 12

As your baby grows, you can change the way you prepare and serve meat to match his developing skills. Here’s a breakdown of how to adjust meat preparation for different age groups: 13

6–9-month-olds

At this stage, babies are just beginning to explore solid foods. The focus is on soft, easily manageable textures.

Smooth purees are ideal for spoon-feeding since they offer a consistent texture that’s easy to swallow. Soft meatballs or logs can also let your baby practice self-feeding. Use a binder like sweet potato or mashed beans to help the meat hold its shape.

9–12-month-olds

By the time they’re 9 months old, most babies have started developing better fine motor skills, including the pincer grasp. This is a good time to introduce slightly more complex textures. 14

Try giving your baby shredded or very thinly sliced beef or poultry (cooked to softness). Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, but avoid cubes, which can be a choking hazard.

12-month-olds and up

By the time your baby transitions into toddlerhood, he’ll probably have more teeth and improved chewing skills.

Keep offering him bite-sized meat that he can manage. Encourage him to use a fork to pick up small pieces of meat, and continue to offer him a wide variety to help him acclimate to a range of flavors.

While most kinds of meat are totally fine to include in your baby’s diet, you should avoid certain meat products.

Most of the time, how the meat is prepared is more important than the type of meat. For your baby’s safety and health, avoid feeding him: 15

• Processed meats: Bacon, hot dogs, deli cuts, and other processed meats are packed with sodium, nitrates, and preservatives. 16 They’re not particularly healthy for anyone, but they’re especially bad for developing babies.
• Smoked or cured meats: These also tend to be high in sodium and other additives.
• Fried meats: While children under 2 years need fat to grow, fried foods can be hard for your baby’s little tummy to digest. 17
• Fish high in mercury: Avoid any fish that are high in mercury, like swordfish. Fish like tilapia and canned light tuna are acceptable for babies in small portions. 18
• Rare or medium-rare meats: Always serve meat fully cooked to USDA guidelines.

Introducing meat doesn’t have to be boring. Here are five ideas to get your little one excited about eating it:

1. Mini meatballs

Bite-sized meatballs are a great way to introduce meat to your baby. Combine ground meat with a binder (e.g., mashed sweet potato, beans, etc.), and add herbs and spices as your baby’s palate expands. You can also pair these with finger-friendly pasta.

2. Dippers

If you’re trying out baby-led weaning, dippers are a great way to hone your baby’s finger skills. Serve strips of meat with broth or mashed potatoes so your baby can dip and scoop his food.

You should probably wait until your baby is a little older to do this to reduce his risk of choking. Most toddlers can handle dippers, but 6-month-olds should stay away for a while longer.

3. Kebabs

Try making homemade kebabs for your baby. Skewer soft chunks of meat along with your baby’s favorite vegetables for an easy-to-grip meal.

It probably goes without saying that you’ll need to avoid sharp skewers that he could hurt himself with.

4. DIY tacos

What’s more fun for your baby than letting him make his own dinner? Give him the chance to participate by serving the ingredients separately on his tray.

Think: ground meat, shredded cheese, and diced tomato that your baby can mix independently. Be patient if he makes a bit of a mess (try to think of that as part of the fun).

5. Slow cooker stews

Since your baby needs to start off with soft-cooked meats, a slow cooker is the way to go. Cook beef or chicken with vegetables and make sure the meat is soft and shreddable. It’s worth noting that stew is a great opportunity for him to practice with a spoon.

While meat is generally safe for babies, be aware of potential allergies and choking hazards.

Meat allergies

Meat allergies are extremely rare and most often associated with bites from a Lone Star tick. However, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), a small number of children with dairy allergies may also be allergic to meat. 19

To see if your baby has a meat allergy, follow the same procedure with any new food. Introduce just one type of meat at a time and wait a few days before introducing another. During that time, monitor your baby for signs of an allergic reaction, such as: 20

• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling
• Sneezing
• Difficulty breathing

If you see these symptoms, contact your pediatrician immediately. In severe cases, call 911.

Choking hazards

To reduce your baby’s risk of choking, prepare meat in ways appropriate for his age and development. When in doubt, cut the pieces smaller or just puree his meat to prevent him from choking.

Always supervise your baby while he’s eating, and don’t feed him while he’s walking or playing. He should only eat when sitting in an upright position.

Whether it’s for personal, health-related, or religious reasons, you might prefer to avoid giving your baby meat altogether. If so, you’ll need to provide other sources of iron, like iron-fortified cereals. You can also serve plant-based options, like: 21

• Leafy greens
• Beans
• Lentils
• Tofu

These are all sources of non-heme iron, which, unfortunately, isn’t as easy for your baby’s body to absorb. Pair these foods with a source of Vitamin C, like tomato sauce, to boost their absorption. 5

If you want to keep your baby on a vegetarian or vegan diet, talk to your pediatrician about how to do it safely. You might want to consider adding a multivitamin with iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and omega-3s to his diet. You should also consider regular blood tests to monitor your baby’s iron levels.

Introducing meat is an easy way to support your baby’s growth as his iron stores from birth start to wane. Whether you choose to spoon-feed purees or follow baby-led weaning is up to you, but be sure to follow the guidelines for your baby’s age and development.

Introduce new foods one at a time and keep an eye on your baby for any reactions. Your baby’s foray into the world of solid foods is an exciting (as well as messy) milestone, and meat is a great addition to his ever-expanding dinner plate.