Beaba Babycook Neo Review & 5 Baby Food Combinations

A full review of the Beaba Babycook Neo & 5 easy baby food combinations using frozen and fresh produce!

Hey, friends! 

Today, I’m going to share a full review of the Beaba Babycook Neo that we use to make most of KK’s baby food. When I was researching baby food makers, I didn’t see many reviews for this one, so I wanted to share my thoughts on it and why I chose it over other options.  

Quick note first, though, if you are researching baby food makers and feeling overwhelmed.  If you feel like you don’t want to make baby food, then don’t.  I didn’t go for KJ, and he’s three now, and he’s okay, I promise.  He isn’t the best eater, but he isn’t the worst either.  He eats waffles and toast like other kids but would rather eat salmon over pizza.  Homemade baby food is not a necessity at all.  When KJ was born, he had SO MANY ISSUES from food sensitivities, weight gain, reflux, etc. I was incredibly overwhelmed, so I said F it and bought a bazillion jars of baby food.  When he got old enough to use the pincer grasp, I steamed a lot of his food in the Instant Pot.  It worked out fine, so a baby food maker is NOT a must. 

But, this time around, I have an amiable baby who sleeps well and doesn’t have many of the challenges my older son faced. He also can’t tolerate dairy, but that’s the only food issue. So, even though having another kid was a tough transition for me, I felt excited about making KKs baby food. I’m having just as much fun as you would think a Dietitian food blogger would have and have even started doing some baby-led weaning with him (something I never thought I’d do), but I’m still glad I didn’t force myself to make KJ’s food.  

Pros of the Beaba Babycook Neo

1.  All In One Machine

Like most baby food makers, the Beaba Babycook Neo is an all-in-one device. It both steams and then purees food.  This is great for the device’s longevity because you can use it to quickly cook veggies well into your child’s preschool years.  

2. No Plastic Touching Food

The number one reason I purchased this product over others was the stainless steel and glass parts. There is plastic on the machine, but anything that touches food or water is stainless steel or glass. After reading Brain Health From Birth, this was a huge priority to me. For me, it wasn’t worth making his food with a machine that was plastic, even if it was BPA-free.  

3.  Reheating & Defrosting Food 

The Beaba Babycook Neo can thaw frozen food by placing the food in the stainless steel steamer basket and running it through a steam function as if you were cooking food.  

4.  Grain and Rice Cooker Add On

They have a grain and rice cooker add-on that I haven’t tried, but it is a great option! I do think for the price of the machine it should be included, though.

5.  Large Basin, But, Small Blueprint

The machine cooks a decent amount of baby food, about 4 cups, but without taking up huge counter space.  

Cons of the Beaba Babycook Neo

1. Steam 

The machine releases a ton of steam, which means it needs to be pulled away from any cabinets, or it could cause damage.  Pulling it away from cabinets means the machine is in reach of little toddler hands.  We keep ours on top of the stove and put the vent on.  

2.  Glass and Stainless Steel 

Anything made of glass is more inconvenient and potentially breakable than plastic. That’s just a given. So you have to care for glass carefully.  For example, you have to be mindful that when the basin is hot, you don’t run it under cold water and cause the glass to shatter, etc. 

3.  Cleaning 

There are a lot of parts to clean on this machine.  You don’t have to disassemble it every time you clean it, but the machine breaks down into ten different pieces requiring cleaning when you do.  

4.  Leaking

If you don’t line up every piece precisely, the machine leaks slightly. I’ve noticed I can fix this issue by redoing the seal on the blade.  

5.  Expensive

It’s one of the most pricey machines out there in this category and accessories are sold separately.  Replacement parts are scarce and there is currently a wait list. 

 I also posted a full recipe demo and review on YouTube. You can check that out below!

5 Baby Food Combination Ideas

** Printable recipe card with all these combinations at the bottom of this post!  

Peas, Chard, and Green Bean Baby Food

• 1 cup frozen or fresh green peas
• 1 cup frozen or fresh green beans
• 1 cup frozen or fresh rainbow chard, stems removed

Directions:  

1.  Add all ingredients to the steamer basket. Fill the water reservoir to 3, replace the lid, and steam fruits and/or veggies. Check to make sure they are fork tender before proceeding with blending.
2. Remove the water from the glass basin, but do not discard it. Keep it nearby. Add the contents of the steamer basket to the glass basin and replace the lid. Puree until desired consistency is achieved, add reserved liquid if necessary to thin to desired consistency. In this combo, you will likely need all of the reserved liquid. 

*I’ve recently been adding one teaspoon of olive oil when I serve this combo for extra healthy fat! Babies need lots of fat in their diet!

Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, and Carrot Baby Food

• 1 cup frozen or fresh peeled, cubed sweet potato
• 1 cup frozen or fresh cubed butternut squash
• 1/2 cup frozen or fresh sliced carrots 

Directions:  

1.  Add all ingredients to the steamer basket. Fill the water reservoir to 3, replace the lid, and steam fruits and/or veggies. Check to make sure they are fork tender before proceeding with blending.
2. Remove the water from the glass basin, but do not discard it. Keep it nearby. Add the contents of the steamer basket to the glass basin and replace the lid. Puree until desired consistency is achieved, add reserved liquid if necessary to thin to desired consistency. 

*I’ve recently been adding one teaspoon of olive oil when I serve this combo for extra healthy fat! Babies need lots of fat in their diet!

Purple Carrot, Beet, and Blueberry Baby Food 

• 1 1/3 cup 1 cup frozen or fresh purple carrots
• 1 cup frozen or fresh peeled, cubed beets
• 2/3 cup 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries

Directions: 

1.  Add all ingredients to the steamer basket. Fill the water reservoir to 3, replace the lid, and steam fruits and/or veggies. Check to make sure they are fork tender before proceeding with blending.
2. Remove the water from the glass basin, but do not discard it. Keep it nearby. Add the contents of the steamer basket to the glass basin and replace the lid. Puree until desired consistency is achieved, add reserved liquid if necessary to thin to desired consistency. 

Cinnamon Apple Pear Baby Food 

• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
• 2 pears, peeled, cored, and cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions: 

1.  Add all ingredients except the cinnamon to the steamer basket. Fill the water reservoir to 3, replace the lid, and steam fruits and/or veggies. Check to make sure they are fork tender before proceeding with blending.
2. Remove the water from the glass basin, but do not discard it. Keep it nearby. Add the contents of the steamer basket and add the cinnamon to the glass basin and replace the lid. Puree until desired consistency is achieved, add reserved liquid if necessary to thin to desired consistency. 

Pineapple Mango Banana Baby Food 

** this one is in the demo in the YouTube video above. I forgot to take the before shot because I was filming! 

• 1 cup frozen or fresh mango
• 1 cup frozen or fresh pineapple
• 1 banana*

Directions:  

1.  Add all ingredients except the banana to the steamer basket. Fill the water reservoir to 3, replace the lid, and steam fruits and/or veggies. Check to make sure they are fork tender before proceeding with blending.
2. Remove the water from the glass basin, but do not discard it. Keep it nearby. Add the contents of the steamer basket and add the banana to the glass basin and replace the lid. Puree until desired consistency is achieved, add reserved liquid if necessary to thin to desired consistency.

How to Store & Freeze Baby Food

Store in the refrigerator for up to two days.  Keep in mind, serve baby out of small bowls because once it has come in contact with a spoon that baby has eaten off of, it needs to be discarded at the end of that meal.  

Freeze in glass containers (I have the wee sprout containers) or silicone molds for up to 3 months. Then, defrost in a water bath, on the steam mode in the babycook neo, or under refrigeration.  

More Baby & Toddler Recipes:

• Baby Mini Meatloaf Muffin Tins
• Vegan Cinnamon Apple Muffins for Babies
• Homemade Hummus for Babies
• Baby Waffle Recipe
• French Toast for Babies