Meat & fishModerate choking riskFrom 6 months

Beef (ground, cooked)

Good for:

Brain
Immunity
Growth

How to serve

Around 6 months

Blend into a smooth purée with vegetables; or soft meatballs.

9 months

Moist mince in sauces.

12 months+

Mince, meatballs, soft strips.

Good to know

Red meat provides highly absorbable heme iron and zinc.

Recipes with beef (ground, cooked)

What it's good for

Per typical serving at 7–8 months (~38 g).

Brain
- Vitamin B12 helps form red blood cells and maintain the nervous system. 213% of daily need. MedlinePlus: Vitamin B12 ↗
Immunity
- Zinc is needed for the immune system to work properly, and for growth. 84% of daily need. MedlinePlus: Zinc in diet ↗
Growth
- Protein helps the body repair cells and make new ones, and is important for growth. 96% of daily need. MedlinePlus: Protein in diet ↗

A nutrient counts when one serving gives at least 20% of the daily need (NASEM) — the bar FDA sets for “excellent source” labels. No single food does the job alone; a varied diet does.

Per 100 g

Values are for the cooked weight.

Energy	256 kcal
Protein	28 g
Fat	15 g
Carbohydrate	0 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugars (naturally occurring)	0 g
Iron	2.9 mg
Zinc	6.6 mg
Calcium	22 mg
Vitamin A (RAE)	3.0 µg
Vitamin C	0 mg
Vitamin D	0 µg
Folate	10 µg
Vitamin B12	2.8 µg
DHA (omega-3)	0 g
Sodium	89 mg
Potassium	407 mg
Magnesium	25 mg

Source: USDA FoodData Central #174034 — “Beef, ground, 85% lean meat / 15% fat, crumbles, cooked, pan-browned”.