Mid Stage Baby Food Recipes

Mid stage (7-8 months) is the time to introduce diverse ingredients and proteins. Leave some texture in the food and increase thickness to help your baby practice chewing.

Mid Stage Characteristics

• Age: 7-8 months
• Consistency: Thick porridge, mashed texture
• Frequency: 2 times daily
• Amount: 3-4 oz (80-120ml) per serving
• Texture: Small soft lumps about 2-3mm (mashed consistency)
• Proteins: Beef, chicken, fish, tofu, egg yolk

Basic Beef Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.5 oz (15g) beef (tenderloin/round), 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Soak beef in cold water for 30 minutes to remove blood
2. Boil the beef until fully cooked
3. Finely chop or blend the cooked beef
4. Add soaked rice and water, then bring to a boil
5. Once rice is soft, add beef and cook for 5 more minutes
6. Blend lightly, leaving some texture

Tip: Beef is essential for iron intake. It's okay to serve daily.

Beef and Zucchini Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.5 oz (15g) beef, 0.7 oz (20g) zucchini, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Remove blood from beef and boil, then chop finely
2. Remove skin and seeds from zucchini, dice small
3. Boil soaked rice with water, then add zucchini
4. Cook for 10 minutes, add beef and cook 5 more minutes
5. Mash lightly or blend leaving some texture

Chicken and Potato Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.5 oz (15g) chicken breast, 0.7 oz (20g) potato, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Soak chicken breast in cold water to remove blood
2. Boil chicken breast and shred finely
3. Peel potato, dice small, and rinse to remove starch
4. Add soaked rice, potato, and water, then boil
5. When potato is cooked, add chicken and cook 5 more minutes

White Fish Porridge (Cod/Flounder)

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.5 oz (15g) cod fillet, 0.5 oz (15g) broccoli, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Remove ALL bones from cod completely (important!)
2. Boil cod for 2-3 minutes until cooked
3. Blanch broccoli florets only, then chop finely
4. Boil soaked rice with water, then add broccoli
5. Mash cooked cod and add, cook for 5 more minutes

Warning: Check fish bones multiple times!

Egg Yolk Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 1/2 egg yolk, 0.5 oz (15g) cabbage, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Hard boil egg and separate only the yolk
2. Blanch cabbage and chop finely
3. Add soaked rice, water, and cabbage, then boil
4. Mash hard-boiled yolk and mix in well

Note: Eggs can cause allergies. Start with yolk only in small amounts!

Tofu and Carrot Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.7 oz (20g) tofu, 0.5 oz (15g) carrot, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Blanch tofu in boiling water for 1 minute and mash
2. Peel carrot and dice small
3. Add soaked rice, carrot, and water, then boil
4. When carrot is cooked, add mashed tofu and mix

Note: Plant-based protein that's soft and easy to digest.

Beef and Spinach Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.5 oz (15g) beef, 0.35 oz (10g) spinach leaves, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Remove spinach stems, blanch leaves only and chop finely
2. Boil beef and chop finely
3. Boil soaked rice with water
4. When rice is soft, add beef and spinach, cook 5 more minutes

Benefit: Iron-rich combo of beef + spinach!

Chicken and Bok Choy Porridge

Ingredients: 2 tbsp rice, 0.5 oz (15g) chicken breast, 0.5 oz (15g) bok choy, 5 oz (140ml) water

Instructions

1. Boil chicken breast and shred finely
2. Remove stems from bok choy, blanch leaves only and chop
3. Boil soaked rice with water
4. Add chicken and bok choy, cook 5 more minutes

Sample Daily Schedule (7-8 months)

Mid Stage Tips

• Daily meat: Beef daily is recommended for iron supplementation
• Variety is key: Expose your baby to diverse flavors at this stage
• Practice texture: Don't blend completely smooth - leave small soft lumps
• Finger foods: Start puffs, rice rusks for self-feeding practice
• Cup practice: Begin sippy cup or straw cup for water