Last Updated on December 17, 2023
When you start to introduce solid foods to babies at 6 months old, cereals and grains are one of the first food groups you turn to because of their nutritional value and soft texture which babies can easily ingest (source: AAP).
Brown rice is a great choice of whole grains because of its nutritious quality compared to refined white rice (source: WebMD).
If you want to introduce brown rice to your baby, here are some awesome recipe ideas for you to try for your next mealtime with your little one!
Covered in this Article:
DIY Brown Rice Cereal for Babies
There’s no need to buy those boxed cereal mixes from your local grocery store when you can easily make it yourself with this brown rice recipe.
| 2 cups | brown rice (any of your favorite brands) |
Instructions:
1. In a food processor or heavy-duty spice grinder, blend the rice grains until finely ground, about 1-2 minutes. Store in an airtight container until ready to prepare.
2. To prepare 1 serving for your baby: using a small saucepan boil ½ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of ground brown rice. Stir continuously until thick and the brown rice powder blooms. Add water to achieve your desired consistency.
Notes:
- You may store the ground brown rice in an airtight container and a cool dry place in your pantry.
- Serve the rice cereal as is or with the addition of other nutrient-rich food like fruit puree, vegetable mash, milk, etc.
- The main difference between brown rice to white rice is its milling process, brown rice still contains the bran, which in turn has the most fiber and essential nutrients like B vitamins, oils, and minerals. So the switch to brown rice from white rice is highly recommended (source: American-Eurasian Journal of Agronomy).
Brown Rice Carrot Puree for Babies
This brown rice puree recipe can be mixed and matched with your baby’s favorite fruits and vegetables. Be sure to introduce a variety of foods to meet their nutrient needs.
| 1 tablespoon | ground brown rice cereal |
| 1 cup carrots | peeled and chopped |
| 1 cup | water |
Instructions:
1. Steam carrots until soft and tender, and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, boil water and add the brown rice cereal. Stir continuously until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency.
3. Add in steamed carrots. Stir to combine.
4. Place mixture in a food blender and blend until smooth. Serve.
Notes:
- The natural sweetness of carrots makes this recipe a hit for babies. The soft texture of the rice cereal is perfect for babies just starting to eat solid foods. Additionally, the starch from rice is easily digestible by babies, making it one of the first foods parents often choose (source: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism Journal).
- You can substitute water with milk of your choice to give this recipe another nutrient boost.
Chicken Brown Rice Porridge for Babies
Once your baby can eat rice cereal or puree, you can start to introduce rice in its grain form. But always be sure to watch out for any choking hazards. This porridge recipe is a dish the whole family can enjoy during breakfast, snacks, or as a comforting meal on a rainy day.
| 1 cup | brown rice |
| 1 teaspoon | olive oil |
| 1 cup | chicken breast, boiled then finely chopped or shredded |
| 1 tablespoon | garlic, minced |
| 1 piece | white onion, chopped |
| 1 stalk | celery, chopped |
| 1 piece | carrot, peeled and diced |
| 4-6 cups | water or homemade broth |
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, heat up olive oil. Saute onion and garlic until translucent and aromatic. Add in chicken breast meat. Then add in celery and carrots. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
2. Mix in brown rice and then water/broth. Stir continuously until the rice is fully cooked.
3. For older toddlers and adults, you may season with salt, pepper, and fish sauce to taste.
4. Add water or stock to reach the desired consistency.
Notes:
- Instead of chicken or egg, you may substitute it with ground beef as poultry may be specific allergens (source: European Food Safe Authority).
- Slowly introduce the flavor of spices and herbs to babies in order for them to train their taste buds to different flavors, but be sure to use it mildly first.
Fried Veggie Brown Rice for Babies
This fried rice recipe is a perfect side dish for meals for the whole family. You can also serve this up in little nuggets for baby-led weaning babies. Be conscious of the size of the nuggets, depending on your baby’s age.
| 4 cups | cooked brown rice |
| 2 pieces | carrots, peeled and diced |
| 2 pieces | zucchini, shredded |
| 1 piece | white onion, chopped |
| 1 tablespoon | garlic, minced |
| 2 pieces | eggs, beaten |
| 1 tablespoon | olive oil |
| Soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste |
Instructions:
1. In a skillet or wok, heat up oil. Saute onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Add in carrots and zucchini. Cook until vegetables are tender.
2. Move the vegetables to the side of the pan then cook the scrambled eggs on one side.
3. Once cooked, add in the brown rice. Stir to combine.
4. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and soy sauce.
5. Serve.
Notes:
- Make these in balls or nuggets form for babies who have developed their grasp and are baby-led weaning.
- This recipe is a great way to incorporate veggies into the baby’s and the whole family’s diet. It’s a great dish to hide their veggies.
Incorporating grains into a baby’s diet is a great way to add variety and a balance of nutrients, with it being a blank canvas for the addition of different ingredients and flavors, your baby will never be bored with bland cereal.
Make sure to select whole grains or complex carbohydrates like brown rice for more fiber and nutrients (source: Nutrients Journal).
| This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy. |