8 Easy & Nutritious Squid Porridge Recipes for Weaning Babies

Squid porridge for babies is a delicious weaning meal that provides many important nutrients for the comprehensive development of young children. However, many mothers are still wondering when babies can eat squid, how to cook it so that it is easy for babies to digest and does not cause allergies. The article below will suggest 8 simple squid porridge recipes that are easy to make at home.

1. When can babies eat squid?

Mothers can start feeding their babies squid from 10 months old. This is when the baby’s digestive system has developed more stably to absorb animal protein from seafood. However, it is important to note the appropriate amount of squid according to age to avoid overloading the baby’s delicate digestive system:

• From 10 – 12 months: about 20-30g of squid per meal and 1-2 meals per week.
• From 1 – 3 years old: increase to 30-40g per meal.
• From 4 years old and up: can eat about 50-60g per meal.

When first starting to eat, mothers should let babies try a small amount of thoroughly cooked squid and monitor their body’s reaction for 1-2 days to ensure safety and prevent allergies.

2. Benefits of feeding babies squid porridge

Squid porridge is not only a delicious weaning meal but also a valuable source of nutrition that supports the comprehensive development of young children. Here are the outstanding benefits of adding squid porridge to your baby’s weaning diet:

• Supports brain and vision development: Squid contains abundant amounts of DHA and omega-3, which play an important role in completing brain structure and improving visual function. This is a foundational factor to help babies develop thinking and quick reflexes from the early stages of life.
• Boosts the immune system: Thanks to selenium and zinc, squid porridge helps stimulate the activity of immune cells, protecting the baby’s body against pathogens like bacteria and viruses. At the same time, the natural antibacterial properties in squid also help babies fight common infectious diseases such as colds and flu.
• Provides a high-quality protein source: Squid is a protein-rich food that is easily digestible, essential for building muscle, developing tissue, and physical growth. Regularly eating squid porridge also helps babies gain weight steadily and develop superior height.
• Aids nutrient absorption: Vitamins B12 and B2 in squid help convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy, while also increasing the absorption of nutrients from other foods.
• Good for bones, teeth, and cardiovascular health: Phosphorus and calcium in squid support the formation of strong bones and teeth. In addition, vitamin B12 also contributes to stabilizing cardiovascular function, reducing the risk of circulatory disorders as the baby grows.
• Protects skin, hair, and nails: Not only good for internal health, squid porridge also helps nourish healthy skin, hair, and nails thanks to the essential protein and minerals in squid.

See more: [Answer] How many calories in 100g of squid? Does eating squid make you fat?

3. How to cook squid porridge for babies

Here are 8 ways to cook squid porridge for babies combined with nutritious vegetables, helping babies eat deliciously, digest well, and still absorb all the nutrients.

3.1. Squid porridge with carrots

Ingredients needed:

• 10g fresh squid
• 20g carrots (about 1/3 small carrot)
• 50g rice
• Dill (optional)
• Shallots (for babies over 1 year old)
• Olive oil, seasoning for children (if needed)

How to cook squid porridge with carrots:

• Wash the squid thoroughly with white wine and salt to remove the fishy smell, then rinse with cold water and chop finely.
• Peel and thinly slice carrots, then steam until soft. Wash and finely chop dill. For babies over 1 year old, you can sauté a little shallot until fragrant, then stir-fry the squid lightly to enhance the flavor.
• Blend the squid and carrots together to create a smooth mixture.
• Wash the rice, cook the porridge until the grains are soft. When the porridge is cooked, add the squid and carrot mixture, stir well, and cook over low heat for a few more minutes for the ingredients to blend.
• Finally, season to taste, then add dill and a spoonful of olive oil, stir gently and turn off the heat.

3.2. Squid porridge cooked with pumpkin

Ingredients:

• 10g fresh squid
• 1 small handful of rice
• 20g pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Seasoning suitable for children
• 10g peeled split mung beans to supplement fiber and plant protein

How to cook squid and pumpkin porridge for babies:

• First, clean the squid thoroughly, remove the eyes, beak, internal organs, and outer membrane. Then soak in white wine and salt, rinse with clean water. Chop or mince the squid into small pieces suitable for the baby’s age.
• Peel and steam the pumpkin until soft, then mash it. Soak the mung beans until soft, steam them until cooked, and grind them finely.
• Wash the rice and let it drain, then put it in a pot and cook until the grains are soft.
• Next, when the porridge is almost cooked, add the pumpkin and mung beans and cook together. When the porridge boils again, add the minced squid, stir well, and cook for a few more minutes to thoroughly cook the squid.
• Finally, turn off the heat, season to the baby’s taste, and add olive oil, stirring well.

3.3. Squid porridge with sweet potato

Ingredients:

• 30g fresh squid and 20g sweet potato
• 1 bowl of white rice porridge
• 1 shallot (for babies over 12 months old)
• Seasoning, baby weaning oil

How to cook squid porridge for babies with sweet potato:

• Clean the squid, remove the internal organs, beak, and skin. Then soak in white wine and salt to remove the fishy smell, rinse with cold water, and chop finely.
• Peel and steam the sweet potato until soft. You can mash it or cut it into small pieces depending on the baby’s age. Finely chop the shallot.
• Sauté the shallot until fragrant, then stir-fry the squid quickly over high heat to keep it tender and sweet.
• Add the sweet potato and stir-fried squid to a blender and blend until smooth or slightly chunky, depending on the baby’s chewing ability. Bring the white rice porridge to a boil, then add the squid and sweet potato mixture, stir well, and season with baby-appropriate seasoning.
• Once the porridge boils again, turn off the heat and add a spoonful of weaning oil, stir well before serving to the baby.

3.4. Squid porridge with tomato

Ingredients:

• 30g fresh squid
• ½ tomato
• 1 bowl of white rice porridge
• 10g onion
• Olive oil, seasoning for babies

Detailed instructions for cooking tomato squid porridge:

• Clean the squid, remove the internal organs, beak, backbone, and skin. Rinse the tomato, blanch it in boiling water to easily peel, then remove the seeds and dice it. Finely chop the onion (should be used for babies over 1 year old to enhance flavor).
• Heat a pan with a tablespoon of olive oil, add the onion and sauté until fragrant. Then add the tomato and sauté until soft. Continue to add the squid and stir-fry together until the squid is firm.
• Meanwhile, bring the pre-cooked white rice porridge to a boil. When the porridge boils, add the sautéed squid and tomato mixture to the pot, stirring constantly.
• Season appropriately for the baby’s age, cook for another 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heat.

3.5. Squid porridge with straw mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 30g fresh squid
• 1-2g straw mushrooms
• 2 small handfuls of rice
• Olive oil, baby seasoning

Simple preparation steps:

• Remove the ink sac, beak, cartilage, and internal organs. You can rub lightly with vinegar or white wine and then rinse with clean water. Finely chop the squid for easy eating.
• Trim the stems of the straw mushrooms, soak them in diluted salt water for a few minutes, rinse them clean, and chop them finely.
• Wash the rice, drain it, then cook with an appropriate amount of water until the porridge is soft.
• When the porridge is cooked and soft, add the squid and straw mushrooms to the pot, stir gently and cook over low heat for the ingredients to cook evenly. Stir frequently to prevent the porridge from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• When the porridge boils again, turn off the heat, add a spoonful of olive oil to enhance the flavor and add good fats for the baby.

3.6. Squid porridge with broccoli

Ingredients:

• 30g fresh squid
• 30g broccoli
• 1 bowl of pre-cooked white rice porridge
• Olive oil, seasoning for babies

How to cook delicious broccoli squid porridge for babies:

• First, clean the squid, remove the ink sac, beak, cartilage, and outer skin. Then soak in ginger water or diluted wine to remove the fishy smell, rinse, and mince finely.
• Soak the broccoli in diluted salt water for about 10-15 minutes, rinse it clean, and blend it into a puree.
• Wash the rice and cook the porridge until soft, or use pre-cooked white rice porridge. Bring the porridge to a boil, then add the minced squid and broccoli puree, stirring constantly.
• Continue to cook over low heat for about 7-10 minutes for the ingredients to cook thoroughly and blend well. When the porridge boils again, turn off the heat and add a spoonful of olive oil.

3.7. Squid porridge with onion

Ingredients:

• 20g fresh squid
• ½ onion
• 1 bowl of white rice porridge or 35g rice
• Seasoning, baby olive oil

Detailed instructions for cooking onion squid porridge:

• Clean the squid thoroughly, remove the internal organs, beak, cartilage, and outer skin. Soak in diluted vinegar for a few minutes, then rinse and mince finely.
• Peel, wash, and finely chop the onion. Wash the rice and cook until soft, or use pre-cooked white rice porridge.
• Bring the porridge to a boil, then add the onion and squid to the pot, stirring constantly. Continue to cook over low heat until the porridge boils again and the ingredients are soft.
• Turn off the heat, add a spoonful of olive oil, and season lightly according to the baby’s age.

3.8. Squid porridge with Japanese spinach

Ingredients:

• 20g fresh squid
• 1 handful of Japanese spinach leaves (about 15-20g)
• 35g rice or 1 bowl of pre-cooked white rice porridge
• 1 shallot
• Olive oil or weaning oil, seasoning for babies

How to prepare:

• Clean the squid thoroughly, remove the internal organs, brown skin, beak, and cartilage. Rub lightly with ginger or vinegar to remove the fishy smell, then chop or blend finely.
• Pick the young leaves of Japanese spinach, wash them, and blend or pound them finely for easier digestion. Finely chop the shallot (can be used if the baby is over 1 year old to enhance flavor).
• Heat a little cooking oil, sauté the shallot until fragrant, then add the squid and stir-fry briefly to release its aroma. Bring the porridge to a boil, then add the stir-fried squid and Japanese spinach, stirring well.
• Cook for a few more minutes until all ingredients are fully cooked, season appropriately for the baby’s age, then turn off the heat. Add a spoonful of olive oil, mix well, and let it cool slightly before feeding the baby.

4. Notes when cooking squid porridge for babies

To make squid porridge both delicious, not fishy, and retain its nutritional value and health benefits for your baby, remember a few important notes:

• Prioritize squid with bright, shiny colors, firm, elastic flesh, and clear eyes, as these are signs of fresh squid, which will make the porridge taste better and less fishy.
• After buying, clean the squid thoroughly and remove the fishy smell, then rinse with clean water.
• Soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes or lightly toast it before cooking to make the porridge cook faster and have a more appealing aroma.
• Squid porridge should be served immediately while warm to maintain its flavor and prevent a fishy smell from returning when cooled.
• For babies under 1 year old, it is best not to add salt or fish sauce. If necessary, mothers should choose specialized baby weaning seasonings to ensure safety and suitability for their delicate digestive system.

See more: Can pregnant women eat dried squid? Experts answer

Squid porridge for babies is a nutritious choice for the weaning diet when prepared correctly. Hopefully, with the 8 squid porridge recipes shared above, you will have more diverse options for your baby’s meals without spending too much time and effort. Good luck, and don’t forget to visit the Ola Squid website for more useful information!