• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MJ and Hungryman

  • About
  • Blog
  • Feeding tips
  • Recipes
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Baby Led Weaning
  • Recipes
  • Feeding tips
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Baby Led Weaning
    • Recipes
    • Feeding tips
    • Resources
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    MJ & Hungryman » Feeding tips » Ultimate Guide to Tomatoes for Babies (with Recipes)

    Ultimate Guide to Tomatoes for Babies (with Recipes)

    By Min On July 25, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

    Share or Save It for Later!

    Jump to Recipe
    A six image collage of baby friendly tomato recipes.

    Tomatoes are the perfect finger food for babies. Here's how to cook and serve to your baby along with plenty of recipes to help make introducing tomatoes easy and fun!

    A six image collage of baby friendly tomato recipes.
    Jump to:
    • When can babies eat tomatoes?
    • Health Benefits
    • Are tomatoes safe for babies?
    • Selecting the best tomatoes
    • Cooking Methods
    • How to cut tomatoes for babies
    • Baby-Friendly Tomato Recipes
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Cook Tomatoes for Babies

    When can babies eat tomatoes?

    This nutritious fruit be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

    If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE handout!

    Health Benefits

    Although prepared like a vegetable, tomato is actually a fruit that belongs to the nightshade family, along with eggplants, potatoes, and peppers.

    The rich red color of tomatoes is due to a powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits including heart health, protection against cancers and sunburns.

    The yellow and orange-hued tomatoes contain beta carotene (also found in carrots and sweet potatoes).

    Both lycopene and beta carotene are carotenoids which, once consumed, get converted into vitamin A, a key nutrient for good vision, cell growth, and a healthy immune system.

    Carotenoids must be consumed through the diet and are best absorbed when eaten with dietary fat.

    Tomatoes are also great sources of vitamin C which, when paired with plant-based iron foods, can greatly enhance the absorption of iron.

    Are tomatoes safe for babies?

    Raw tomatoes, particularly cherry and grape tomatoes, are a potential choking hazard, so be sure to follow the serving suggestions listed below.

    You may notice redness where the tomatoes came in contact with your baby's skin. This is not necessarily a sign of an allergic reaction. Rather it's most likely a mild skin irritation due to the tomato's high acid content.

    Most definitely consult your doctor if the irritation is severe. But if it's mild and goes away once the skin is cleaned, then there's no need to restrict tomatoes from their diet.

    If it bothers you, though, opt for orange and yellow tomatoes which tend to be less acidic.

    Selecting the best tomatoes

    Nothing beats locally grown tomatoes during their peak summer season. The less they travel and more time they spend ripening on the vine, the better!

    There are thousands of types of tomatoes, but you're most likely to find beefsteak, roma, cherry, grape, and heirloom tomatoes.

    No matter the variety, here are some things to look for:

    • Choose ones that feel heavy for their size and aren't too hard or soft.
    • Avoid those with bruises, blemishes, or wrinkled skin. The skin should be smooth, shiny, and uniform.
    • Take a sniff! If it smells earthy and sweet around the stem end, grab as many as you can ;). 

    Cooking Methods

    While you can serve raw tomatoes to your baby, if you are feeling nervous and want to cook until soft, then here are the top methods to try.

    Note that cooking will increase lycopene while decreasing vitamin C content.

    I recommend leaving the skin on for added nutritional value, but you can certainly peel it before serving if it makes you feel more comfortable.

    Blanch

    Boil a pot of water. Using a pairing knife, cut an "X" in the bottom of each tomato. Cut just enough to pierce through the skin, but not too deep into the flesh. Add to the boiling water and cook for 20-30 seconds. Remove and put in ice-water-filled bowl.

    Steam

    Steamed beefsteak tomato with "x" mark.
    1. Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Cut an "X" in the bottom of each tomato and place in the basket cut side up.
    2. Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes.

    You can transfer to a bowl with ice, but I normally don't do this. You should be able to easily peel the skin.

    Roast

    Roasted halved roma tomatoes cut side up.
    1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl and toss with generous amount of oil and seasoning(s) of choice.
    2. Transfer to a lined baking sheet. Spread in single layer, flesh side up.
    3. Roast for 30-35 minutes.

    How to cut tomatoes for babies

    tomato puree, tomato wedge, and quartered cherry tomatoes.

    6+ months old

    Cut raw or cooked tomato into large wedges. You can leave the skin on or off. Your baby will most likely spit out the skin but it's a great exposure to texture.

    Serve as a puree, tomato sauce, or soup (see recipes below). Stir in lentils, oatmeal, or pasta.

    Best First Foods for Babies

    9+ months old

    By 8-9 months of age, your baby should develop their pincer grasp and be able to pick up smaller pieces. In addition to all the suggestions above, you can start offering bite-sized pieces. But do continue offering larger pieces so they can practice taking bites.

    Baby-Friendly Tomato Recipes

    • Iron-rich Baby Pasta
    • Sugar Free Pizza Sauce
    • Pizza Casserole
    • Healthy Sloppy Joes
    • Veggie-loaded Bolognese
    • Pizza Eggs
    • Vitamix tomato soup
    • Sweet Potato Quinoa Lasagna

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are canned tomatoes or bottled sauces ok for babies?

    They are such a convenient option and actually contain more lycopene than raw tomatoes. Just be sure to look for low sodium or no-salt-added options.

    How do you cut grape or cherry tomatoes for babies?

    Be sure to cut the tomatoes into quarters lengthwise. Horizontally halved tomatoes can pose the same choking risk as whole grape/cherry tomatoes.yellow cherry tomato cut horizontally and red one cut vertically.

    Can babies eat tomato skin?

    There is no need to peel the skin (unless it makes you feel more comfortable). It will make the tomato less slippery so your baby can easily grab and bring to their mouth. Most likely they will spit out the skin.

    If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!

    tomato puree, tomato wedge, and quartered cherry tomatoes.

    How to Cook Tomatoes for Babies

    Tomatoes are the perfect finger food for babies. Here's how to cook and serve to your baby along with plenty of recipes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Steamer
    • Sheet Pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound Beefsteak or Roma tomatoes
    • Olive or Avocado oil (if roasting)

    Instructions

    Blanch

    • Boil a pot of water. Using a pairing knife, cut an "X" in the bottom of each tomato. Cut just enough to pierce through the skin, but not too deep into the flesh. Add to the boiling water and cook for 20-30 seconds. Remove and put in ice-water-filled bowl.

    Steam

    • Place water in a pot, add steamer basket, and bring to a boil. Cut an "X" in the bottom of each tomato and place in the basket cut side up. Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes.

    Roast

    • Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl and toss with generous amount of oil and seasoning(s) of choice.Transfer to a lined baking sheet. Spread in single layer, flesh side up. Roast for 30-35 minutes.

    Notes

    To store: transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g
    Course Baby Food
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!
    « Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles
    Best Lunch Boxes for Toddlers and Kids »

    Share or Save It for Later!

    Share: [addtoany]

    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    HI!

    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    search

    Trending Now

    four iron rich vegetable meals for babies, including spinach, swiss chard, peas

    Best Iron Rich Foods for Babies and Toddlers (50+ recipes)

    a toddler's hand dunking the chickpea cakes in pizza hummus

    Flavorful Chickpea Patties (Easy and Healthy)

    A close up shot of a bite taken out of cooked cake.

    Healthy Spinach Cakes

    A close up shot of sliced muffin stacked on top of another.

    Healthy Carrot Zucchini Muffins (Baby and Kid-friendly)

    Two stacked muffins with a bite taken out of the top one.

    Easy Savory Vegetable Muffins

    An overhead shot of smoothie with kale and mangoes in the background.

    Kale Mango Smoothie

    Jump to Recipe
    A six image collage of baby friendly tomato recipes.

    Is your baby 4-6 months old?

    Give your baby a head start on solids even before their first bite!
    I'M READY!
    Jump to Recipe
    A six image collage of baby friendly tomato recipes.

    Is your baby 6 months old and up?

    Learn all the secrets to starting solids safely while optimizing nutrition!
    I NEED IT NOW!
    Jump to Recipe
    A six image collage of baby friendly tomato recipes.

    Is your toddler becoming picky?

    Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
    YES, PLEASE!

    popular feeding tips

    four iron rich vegetable meals for babies, including spinach, swiss chard, peas

    Best Iron Rich Foods for Babies and Toddlers (50+ recipes)

    tomato puree, tomato wedge, and quartered cherry tomatoes.

    Ultimate Guide to Tomatoes for Babies (with Recipes)

    A four image collage of lunch ideas to enjoy at home or school.

    60 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids

    A four image collage of 1 year old meal examples.

    Healthy Foods For 1 year Old (with a sample meal plan)

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2022 MJ & Hungryman LLC · Privacy Policy | Contact

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT