I remember feeling so overwhelmed during my baby’s first Thanksgiving. I wanted so badly for them to be a part of the big family meal, but I worried about what was safe for them to eat. 🦃
I kept asking myself, “How can I possibly make baby-safe versions of our favorite dishes like turkey and stuffing?” Just handing them a plain sweet potato puree felt like they were missing out on this wonderful first milestone.
So I created these simple, festive, and totally baby-friendly recipes! Now you can put together a complete, delicious, and safe “first Thanksgiving plate” for your little one, making this holiday one you’ll remember forever. 👶🍂
Our Top 3 Favorite Recipes
- Easiest to Make: Spiced Pumpkin Puree
- Most Unique Twist: Soft “Stuffing” Bites (BLW Friendly)
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: Tender Turkey & Gravy Puree
9 Thanksgiving Recipes for Baby’s First Feast
1. Tender Turkey & Gravy Puree 🦃
This was the biggest hit for my little one’s first Thanksgiving! He absolutely loved getting to eat ‘turkey’ just like all the grown-ups at the table. It’s a wonderful way to introduce the main event in a perfectly smooth and savory way.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~5 mins
🎯 Best For: Letting your baby safely enjoy the star of the Thanksgiving show.
Image-1: A small, clear baby food jar filled with a creamy, light-brown puree, with a sprig of fresh thyme next to it.
2. Soft-Shredded Turkey (BLW Friendly) 🦃
For babies who are exploring textures, this is the perfect solution. The key is to use moist dark meat, like from the thigh, and you can even add a splash of no-salt broth to keep it from getting dry or stringy. It makes the turkey so easy for little hands to manage.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~0 mins
🎯 Best For: Baby-led weaning babies ready to try the main course.
Image-2: A close-up on a baby’s high-chair tray showing a small pile of finely shredded, moist turkey, easy for little hands to grab.
3. Creamy Dreamy Mashed Potatoes 🦃
You can’t have Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes! I found that adding a little bit of my baby’s usual milk (breast milk or formula) makes this new food feel more familiar and helps get the texture perfectly smooth and creamy.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A classic, comforting side dish made perfectly safe for baby.
Image-3: A spoonful of perfectly smooth, white mashed potatoes being lifted from a small bowl.
4. Gentle Green Bean Puree 🦃
This is such a fantastic Stage 1 puree! It adds a beautiful, vibrant color to your baby’s plate and packs in lots of wonderful vitamins. It’s a simple, healthy, and festive way to get some greens into their holiday meal.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~10 mins
🎯 Best For: A simple, nutritious, and colorful addition to baby’s plate.
Image-4: A bright green puree in a white bowl, showcasing its vibrant color and smooth texture.
5. Soft “Stuffing” Bites (BLW Friendly) 🦃
I was so worried about how to include stuffing, but this recipe was the perfect answer! It has all the herby, savory flavor of the real deal but in a soft, mushy bite that’s easy for little ones to squish and eat. It was a game-changer for our family meal.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~15 mins
🎯 Best For: A baby-led weaning version of a classic Thanksgiving side.
Image-5: A few small, square, brownish “stuffing” bites on a high-chair tray, with one slightly squished to show its soft texture.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the recipes we’ve covered so far, which one is making you hungriest? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Whipped Sweet Potato & Cinnamon Puree 🦃
This is a classic for a reason—it’s naturally sweet, packed with Vitamin A, and babies almost always love it! The tiny pinch of cinnamon adds a lovely warmth that makes it feel extra special for the holiday. It’s Thanksgiving in a spoonful!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A quintessential and foolproof first Thanksgiving food.
Image-6: A vibrant orange puree swirled in a bowl, dusted with a tiny pinch of cinnamon on top.
7. Mild Cranberry & Apple Sauce 🦃
Don’t be afraid to introduce some new, tart flavors to your baby! The sweet apple in this sauce balances the cranberry perfectly, creating a beautiful flavor that’s not overwhelming. It’s a great new taste experience for them.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~15 mins
🎯 Best For: Gently introducing the festive flavor of cranberries without added sugar.
Image-7: A beautiful ruby-red sauce in a small glass bowl, with a slice of cooked apple visible.
8. Spiced Pumpkin Puree 🦃
This is my secret weapon for a quick and festive baby food! It takes just seconds to prepare and the warm pumpkin pie spice makes it feel so cozy and special. It’s perfect as a simple side dish or a little dessert.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Super Easy | Prep: ~2 mins | Cook: ~0 mins
🎯 Best For: A super-fast, no-cook holiday treat that feels special.
Image-8: A dollop of thick pumpkin puree on a baby spoon, ready for a bite.
9. Tender-Baked Apple Spears (BLW Friendly) 🦃
This is such a fantastic way to serve apples before a baby can handle the raw, crunchy texture. Baking them makes them wonderfully soft and easy to gum, and the cinnamon makes the whole kitchen smell like autumn.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A safe and delicious fruit option for baby-led weaning.
Image-9: Several soft, baked apple spears arranged on a plate, showing how tender they are.
Safety First! Tips for Baby’s Thanksgiving Meal
Making sure your little one has a safe and happy meal is the most important part of the day. Here are a few key things I always keep in mind when preparing their plate.
🍂 My Top Thanksgiving Tips
- One at a Time: If any of these foods are new to your baby (especially common allergens like wheat in the stuffing), introduce them a few days before Thanksgiving to watch for any reactions.
- No Salt, No Sugar: A baby’s kidneys can’t handle added salt. Never use salted butter, regular broth, or canned goods with added salt. All sweetness should come naturally from fruits and vegetables. Avoid all sweeteners, especially honey for babies under one.
- Check the Texture: For purees, blend until completely smooth with no lumps. For BLW, all foods should be soft enough to easily mash between your thumb and forefinger.
- Mind the Temperature: Always test the food to ensure it’s lukewarm, not hot, before serving.
What to Avoid on Baby’s Plate
While it’s fun to share, many Thanksgiving staples are unsafe for babies. Steer clear of these common offenders: commercial gravy (too much salt and fat), canned cranberry sauce (loaded with sugar), sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or nuts (choking hazards), anything with honey, and stuffing with hard bits like nuts, celery, or sausage.
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and gathering with the ones we love. Being able to share these special flavors and create new memories with the tiniest member of your family is truly something to be thankful for. I hope these recipes help you create a beautiful and stress-free first Thanksgiving feast for your baby.
Which of these recipes are you most excited to make for your little one? Let me know in the comments below
