Beef & Vegetable Goulash | Baby Friendly Recipe for Starting Solids (6+ Months)

Written by: Jeanette Blandford | Published on July 11, 2025

A nourishing, slow-cooked beef and vegetable goulash the whole family can share. Tender, iron-rich and freezer friendly — easily pureed, mashed or served as soft finger food for bub.

This Beef and Vegetable Goulash is a nourishing, baby friendly recipe perfect for families starting solids and looking for wholesome meals everyone can enjoy together. Made with tender slow-cooked beef and a variety of vegetables, it is rich in iron to support your baby's growing needs while introducing new flavours and textures in a safe, adaptable way. It is also ideal for batch cooking and freezing, so you can prepare nutritious homemade meals without cooking separately for baby and the rest of the family.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Prep time: ~20 minutes
Cook time: 6-7 hours (slow cook)
Serves ~6-8 (family)
Freezer friendly: Yes
Texture: Slow-cooked soft; puree, mash or finger food

Age & Texture Guidance

Suitable from around 6 months with a little modification. 6-9 months: puree or fork-mash, or cut the soft meat and veg into large finger food pieces (use the squish test). 9-12 months: serve soft chopped pieces. 12 months+: serve family-style with rice and greens.

Allergens Present

Dairy (sour cream) and wheat (flour used to dust the beef).

Allergen Substitutions

Leave out the sour cream or use a plant-based cream or coconut yoghurt for dairy free. Use an alternative flour to dust the beef to make it wheat free.

Why We Love This Recipe

Iron-rich slow-cooked beef for growing bubs
One pot the whole family can share
Batch-cooks and freezes beautifully
Easily adapted to puree, mash or finger food

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