15 Nutritious Crab Porridge Recipes for Babies

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Crab is a great food for children’s development. Let’s explore with AVAKids more than 10 delicious and nutritious crab porridge recipes for babies in this article!

At what age can babies eat crab?

Babies can start eating crab from 7 months old. Depending on the age, mothers need to supplement an appropriate amount of crab for their children:

  • From 7–12 months old: Mothers can give their babies 20–30g of crab meat/meal. Crab porridge can be added to the 7-month-old baby’s weaning menu.
  • From 1–3 years old: Mothers can give their babies 30–40g of crab meat/meal.
  • From 4 years old and above: Mothers can give their children 50–60g of crab meat/meal.

What vegetables can crab porridge be cooked with?

Crab porridge is a nutritious dish that can be easily combined with many different types of vegetables. Parents can cook crab porridge with pumpkin, carrots, spinach, jute leaves, amaranth, taro, etc.

Nutritious crab porridge menu for babies

Crab porridge for baby food weaning contains many minerals and is a beneficial source of nutrition for baby’s health. Here are some delicious and nutritious crab dishes for babies, mothers should refer to immediately:

1. Crab and pumpkin porridge for baby food weaning

Crab and pumpkin porridge is a very nutritious dish, combining sweet crab meat and pumpkin which contains a lot of vitamin A, C, fiber and beta-carotene. Vitamin A helps develop eyesight and the immune system for babies, while vitamin C supports iron absorption and protects cells from damage. Pumpkin also provides a large amount of fiber, helping babies digest better and preventing constipation. This porridge is an ideal choice for the overall development of children.

Delicious crab porridge for babies with pumpkin

Delicious crab porridge for babies with pumpkin

Ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 25g pumpkin
  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 teaspoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Wash the pumpkin, peel it, then put it in a pot to cook with porridge or steam until soft.
  • Wash the crab thoroughly, boil it until cooked, then filter the meat and shred it.
  • Put the plain porridge and pumpkin in and bring to a boil, then add the shredded crab meat and stir for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Finally, season the porridge and turn off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and let the baby enjoy.

Parents, please see detailed instructions on how to cook crab and pumpkin porridge in the following video:

How to cook crab and pumpkin porridge. Source: Thanh Tâm

2. Crab porridge for babies cooked with lotus seeds

Crab porridge cooked with lotus seeds is not only delicious but also very nutritious. Lotus seeds are rich in protein, B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium, helping babies develop healthily and enhance memory. Crab provides a large amount of protein and minerals such as zinc, which helps strengthen the baby’s immune system. This porridge is very good for children in the stage of brain and physical development.

Nutritious crab porridge for babies with lotus seeds

Nutritious crab porridge for babies with lotus seeds

Ingredients:

  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 crab
  • 20g lotus seeds
  • 1 tablespoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab, boil it until cooked, and filter the meat.
  • Wash the lotus seeds, remove the lotus hearts to avoid bitterness.
  • Steam the lotus seeds until cooked, then puree.
  • Heat a pan and sauté garlic until golden, then add the shredded crab meat and stir-fry.
  • Add the cooked plain porridge and steamed lotus seeds, bring to a boil for about 5 minutes, then add the crab meat and stir well. Turn off the heat when it boils.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of baby cooking oil to the porridge pot and season to taste. Let it cool down and then let the baby enjoy.

3. Crab porridge for babies with potatoes

Crab and potato porridge provides all the essential nutrients for babies. Potatoes are a natural source of starch, helping babies get plenty of energy throughout the day. In addition, potatoes also contain a lot of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system and supports bone development. When combined with crab, the baby will receive an abundant amount of protein, supporting muscle and cell development.

Illustration of crab and potato porridge

Illustration of crab and potato porridge

Ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 potato
  • 1 shallot
  • 10g lean meat and pork fat
  • 1 tablespoon of baby olive oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab, boil it, and filter the meat.
  • Wash the potato, peel it, and dice it.
  • Grind the lean meat and pork fat.
  • Sauté the shallot with cooking oil until fragrant, then add the ground lean meat and pork fat and stir-fry until lightly cooked.
  • Add the shredded crab meat and stir-fry.
  • Boil 250ml of water, then add the potatoes and cook until soft.
  • When the potatoes are cooked, add the cooked lean meat and crab meat, stir well, and cook over high heat for 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, scoop the crab porridge into a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and stir well. Let it cool down and then feed the baby.

4. Field crab porridge with smooth loofah

Smooth loofah is an easily digestible and water-rich vegetable that helps babies avoid constipation. When combined with field crab, this porridge becomes a source of protein, vitamin B, and minerals such as calcium and iron, helping babies develop comprehensively both physically and intellectually. In addition, smooth loofah also helps soothe the digestive system, very suitable for babies with sensitive stomachs.

Preparation:

  • 200g field crab
  • 1 piece of smooth loofah
  • 1 bowl of cooked plain porridge
  • A little chopped shallot
  • 1 spoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

How to cook crab porridge for babies with smooth loofah:

  • Wash the crab, remove the apron and shell. Grind or blend the crab meat with water, then filter through a sieve to get the crab juice.
  • Use a toothpick to remove the crab fat from the shell. Sauté the shallots until fragrant and stir-fry the crab fat with fish sauce.
  • Wash the smooth loofah and chop it finely or blend it.
  • Add the plain porridge to the blended crab water and bring to a boil.
  • Add the smooth loofah to the porridge pot, bring to a boil again, season to taste, and turn off the heat.
  • Scoop the porridge into a bowl, add baby cooking oil, crab fat and crab meat, and it’s ready for the baby to enjoy.

5. Crab and cheese porridge for babies (Recipe shared by user)

Crab and cheese porridge is one of the delicious dishes for babies because the creamy flavor will stimulate their taste buds to eat more and supplement nutrients for their comprehensive development.

Prepare ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 cheese slice
  • 1 spoon of sesame oil, baby cooking oil

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab thoroughly and then boil it briefly with water. After the crab is cooked, take it out, separate the meat and fat.
  • Sauté the onion with sesame oil until golden, then add the crab and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until cooked through. Blend the stir-fried crab meat.
  • Add the blended mixture to cook with the plain porridge. When the porridge is cooked, add the crab and cheese, cook together, stir until the cheese melts, then turn off the heat.
  • Finally, scoop the porridge into a bowl, add a little baby cooking oil on top, and let the baby enjoy while it’s still warm.

Watch the detailed video on how to cook crab and cheese porridge:

Creamy crab and cheese porridge for babies. Source: AQUA HOME

6. Crab porridge for babies cooked with sweet potato (Recipe shared by user)

Crab and sweet potato porridge is a perfect combination of protein-rich crab meat and sweet potato which contains a lot of vitamin A, beta-carotene and fiber. Sweet potato helps boost resistance, protects eyes and supports digestion, while crab provides protein and important minerals like zinc, helping babies develop healthily. This is a nutritious dish for babies during the weaning period.

Below is how to cook nutritious porridge for babies from crab and sweet potato:

Prepare ingredients:

  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 crab about 200g
  • 1/2 sweet potato
  • 1 spoon of baby cooking oil, finely chopped shallot

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab with water, boil it briefly with water until cooked, then separate the meat and shred it.
  • Peel and wash the sweet potato, slice thinly. Wash the rice with water.
  • Cook the rice and sweet potato with 300ml of filtered water until soft.
  • Sauté the shallot until fragrant, then add the crab meat and stir-fry until firm with a little seasoning.
  • When the porridge is cooked, add the meat and cook for about 2 more minutes, then season to taste and turn off the heat.
  • Scoop the porridge into a bowl, add 1 teaspoon of baby cooking oil on top, and let the baby enjoy.

Crab and sweet potato porridge for baby food weaning. Source: Thái Thọ

7. Crab and mung bean porridge for babies

Crab and mung bean porridge is a dish rich in plant-based protein and fiber. Mung beans provide B vitamins, which help babies develop their brain and nervous system. Crab provides the necessary amount of animal protein for muscle and cell development. Combining these two ingredients, the baby will be provided with adequate nutrition for comprehensive development.

Simple crab and mung bean porridge for babies at home

Simple crab and mung bean porridge for babies at home

Ingredients:

  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 crab
  • 50g mung beans
  • Minced garlic and shallot
  • 1 spoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Soak mung beans in water until they bloom, then wash and steam until cooked.
  • Wash the crab, steam until cooked. Separate the crab meat and fat.
  • Sauté the shallot until golden brown, then add the crab meat and fat, stir-fry with a little seasoning until the crab is firm, then turn off the heat.
  • Add the porridge and mung beans, bring to a boil, then add the crab meat and stir well. When the porridge boils again, season to taste and turn off the heat.
  • Spoon the delicious crab and mung bean porridge for babies into a small bowl and add baby cooking oil, and the baby can enjoy it.

8. Crab and carrot porridge for baby food weaning

Carrots are a rich source of vitamin A, helping babies develop their eyesight and immune system. When combined with crab, this porridge becomes nutritious, both helping babies strengthen their health and supporting muscle and bone development. Crab provides protein and minerals, helping babies develop healthily during the weaning period.

Ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 1 bowl of cooked rice
  • 1/2 carrot
  • 1/2 corn
  • 1 sprig of coriander
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 spoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Boil the crab with lemongrass, salt and a little crushed ginger to remove the fishy smell.
  • When the crab is cooked, take it out, carefully separate the crab meat, avoiding crab shells in the meat.
  • Take the corn kernels, chop the carrots finely and blend with water.
  • Put cooking oil in a pan and sauté half a chopped shallot, then add the shredded crab meat and stir quickly.
  • Add the blended corn and carrot mixture to the cooked rice porridge and bring to a boil (you can add seasoning if the baby is over 1 year old).
  • Spoon the crab porridge for babies into a small bowl, sprinkle crab meat on top, add coriander, cooking oil on the surface, and let the baby enjoy.

With this cooking method, mothers can make it themselves and add it to the 7-month-old baby’s weaning menu to supplement vitamin A for their children.

How to cook crab and carrot porridge

9. Crab porridge for babies cooked with taro

Taro is a good source of carbohydrates and fats, helping babies increase energy and develop healthily. When combined with crab, this porridge provides an abundant amount of protein, very good for muscle and cell development. Taro also contains many B vitamins and minerals such as potassium, helping babies develop their brain and nervous system.

Delicious crab porridge for babies cooked with taro

Delicious crab porridge for babies cooked with taro

Ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • Spring onion, cilantro
  • 1 spoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: fish sauce, stock cube (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Peel and wash the taro and grate it.
  • Boil or steam the crab until cooked, separate the meat and stir-fry with oil.
  • Cook the plain porridge and taro together. When the porridge boils, add the crab meat (you can add seasoning if the baby is over 1 year old).
  • Spoon the crab porridge into a bowl, add baby cooking oil, sprinkle chopped spring onion and cilantro on top, and let the baby enjoy.

10. Crab and jute leaves porridge for babies

Jute leaves are rich in vitamin C and fiber, which help babies digest well and protect the immune system. Jute leaves also have a cooling and detoxifying effect, very suitable for young children in the summer. When combined with crab, this porridge provides protein, minerals, and essential vitamins for the baby’s comprehensive development.

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 field crabs
  • Plain porridge
  • 50g jute leaves
  • 1 teaspoon of baby cooking oil
  • Baby food seasoning: stock cube, fish sauce (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Wash the crabs several times with water, add a little salt and shake together to clean.
  • Clean the field crabs, take the crab body and grind it, then filter to get the juice.
  • Sauté the crab fat with a little chopped shallot until fragrant.
  • Blend a little plain porridge with jute leaves.
  • Bring the remaining plain porridge to a boil, then add the above ingredients, stir well, and turn off the heat. Add baby cooking oil.
  • If the baby is over 1 year old, you can add a little fish sauce to enhance the flavor.

Parents can refer to the most detailed way to cook field crab and jute leaves porridge in the following video:

How to cook crab and jute leaves porridge

11. Crab and spinach porridge for baby food weaning

Spinach is very rich in vitamins A and C, helping to strengthen eye health and the immune system for babies. This vegetable also contains a lot of iron, which helps prevent anemia. When combined with crab, the porridge provides protein, fats, and minerals, helping babies develop physically and intellectually. This dish helps babies supplement all the necessary nutrients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 50g spinach leaves
  • Salt, ginger
  • 1 teaspoon of baby olive oil

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab thoroughly, boil it with a little salt and crushed ginger to remove the fishy smell.
  • When the crab is cooked, take it out and separate the meat.
  • Remove any damaged spinach leaves, wash thoroughly, chop finely, or blend.
  • Put the cooked plain porridge in a pot and bring to a boil.
  • Add the crab meat and chopped spinach to the pot, stir well, cook for 5 minutes over high heat for the spinach to cook evenly, then turn off the heat.
  • Add one tablespoon of olive oil to the porridge to supplement fat for the baby’s body.
  • Spoon the crab porridge for babies into a bowl, let it cool, and feed the baby.

Spinach can be used to cook spinach porridge for babies and added to the 7-month-old baby’s weaning menu.

12. Crab porridge for babies combined with amaranth

Amaranth contains lots of vitamins A, C, and iron, helping babies strengthen their immune system and physical development. When combined with crab, this porridge provides abundant protein and minerals such as calcium and iron, helping babies develop comprehensively both physically and intellectually. This is a great choice for babies during the weaning period.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 1 crab
  • 20g amaranth, garlic
  • One tablespoon of baby olive oil
  • Baby food seasoning: stock cube, fish sauce (for children 1 year and older)

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab, boil or steam it until cooked, then filter the meat.
  • Wash the amaranth and chop finely or blend.
  • Sauté the garlic in a pan until golden and fragrant, then add the crab meat and stir-fry.
  • Bring the plain porridge to a boil, add the stir-fried crab meat and amaranth to the pot, cook over medium-high heat and stir continuously.
  • After 5 minutes, turn off the heat, add 1 spoon of olive oil to supplement fat and help the baby digest better.
  • Season or not depending on the baby’s weaning age.
  • Spoon the porridge into a bowl, let it cool slightly, and feed the baby.

Amaranth can be used to cook amaranth porridge for babies and added to the 8-month-old baby’s weaning menu.

13. Crab porridge for babies cooked with mushrooms

Mushrooms are a source of fiber, vitamin D, and minerals such as potassium and selenium, helping babies strengthen their immune system and bone development. When combined with crab, this porridge becomes an excellent source of protein for the baby’s muscle and cell development. This is a nutritious and easily digestible dish, very suitable for babies during the weaning period.

Ingredients:

  • 1 crab
  • 100g straw mushrooms
  • 100g plain porridge
  • 1 teaspoon of baby fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon of baby cooking oil

Instructions:

  • Wash the crab. Steam the crab until cooked, remove the meat and fat, then mince and put in a bowl.
  • Cut off the mushroom stems, soak in salt water for about 10 minutes and rinse, drain and then chop finely.
  • Place a pot on the stove and add 100ml of water, then add the straw mushrooms.
  • Cover and cook over medium heat until the water boils, then add the plain porridge and mix well.
  • When the porridge has expanded and the straw mushrooms are cooked through, add the crab meat to the pot and stir well.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of fish sauce (for children 1 year and older), cook the porridge for about 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
  • Spoon into a bowl, add baby cooking oil, and feed the baby.

Crab porridge cooked with mushrooms is rich in nutrients and easy to make, very suitable to add to the 5-month-old baby’s weaning menu.

How to cook crab and straw mushroom porridge

14. Blended crab porridge for baby food weaning

Blended crab porridge is an easily digestible dish and provides adequate nutrition for babies during the weaning period. Blended crab helps babies quickly absorb nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, and zinc, supporting muscle, bone, and immune system development. This is a great dish for babies in the transition from eating purees to porridge.

Ingredients:

  • 300g pre-blended crab
  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • Spring onion tips
  • Olive oil

Instructions:

  • Add the blended crab to 500ml of water and stir well, filter the crab through a sieve to get the crab juice and discard the crab shells. Then bring the filtered water to a boil and add a little salt, continue to cook until the crab meat is cooked and floats to the surface.
  • Be careful not to stir. When the crab meat is cooked and floats to the surface, scoop it out.
  • Add 1/2 of the cooked crab to the porridge and cook for another 3 minutes.
  • When the porridge boils, remove from heat, spoon into a bowl, sprinkle with spring onion, add a little oil on top, and feed the baby.

15. Crab porridge cooked with spinach

Spinach is a rich source of iron and calcium, helping babies develop bones and prevent anemia. When combined with crab, this porridge provides protein, minerals, and vitamins necessary for the baby’s comprehensive development. This porridge helps babies supplement energy and essential nutrients for healthy development.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bowl of plain porridge
  • 30 – 50ml chicken broth (optional)
  • 30g cooked, shredded crab meat
  • 30g spinach
  • 1 tablespoon of baby olive oil

Instructions:

  • Remove any damaged spinach leaves, wash thoroughly under running water, soak in salt water and rinse again, then chop finely.
  • Put 1 bowl of cooked plain porridge into a pot. If you want thinner porridge, you can add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  • Add the cooked crab meat and chopped spinach to the porridge pot, bring to a boil for about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the porridge, let it cool, and feed the baby.

What nutrients does crab porridge contain for babies?

Protein

Known as a protein-rich food, crab baby food is no less nutritious than other types of meat but contains little or even no saturated fat. In addition, eating crab meat helps reduce the risk of diseases such as childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease, etc.

Minerals

Crab meat contains many essential vitamins and minerals good for children. Feeding children crab meat is an effective way to supplement calcium for children. Besides, supplementing crab meat in the daily diet helps children’s metabolism to take place better, and bones to develop strongly.

Crab is a food rich in vitamin B12

Nutritionists recommend that babies should be supplemented with at least 2.4mg of vitamin B12 per day, while 75g of crab meat already contains 9.78mg of vitamin B12. Therefore, mothers remember to add crab porridge to the weaning menu to enhance the baby’s brain!

Omega-3 fatty acids

Many studies show that crab is one of the foods rich in omega-3, which helps enhance the health of young children. This nutrient helps enhance intelligence, improve sleep, and reduce hyperactivity in children.

Crab porridge for babies contains many benefits

Crab porridge for baby food weaning contains many health benefits

How to choose delicious crab with firm meat

Choosing delicious crab not only makes the baby’s meal more appealing but also ensures quality and nutrition. Here are some ways to help you choose fresh and delicious crab:

  • Check for movement: Choose live crabs by gently touching the crab’s body or tapping on the shell. Fresh crabs will move or react when touched.
  • Hard and shiny shell: Fresh crabs usually have a hard and shiny shell. The shell is bright in color, without cracks or softness. A hard shell indicates that the crab is mature and healthy.
  • Heavy weight: Choose crabs that feel heavy in your hand. The heavier the crab, the more meaty and fresh it is. In particular, a heavy crab means that the outer shell is intact and not dehydrated.
  • Crab apron (underside of the belly): For male crabs, the apron is usually pointed and small, while female crabs have a wide and round apron. Female crabs usually have more meat, especially if they have eggs. If you want to eat crab roe, choose female crabs.
  • Check the thickness of the shell: A thick shell, especially with sea crabs, indicates that the crab is mature. If the shell is thin or easily broken, the crab may not be fresh or has recently molted.
  • Check the smell: Fresh crabs will have a characteristic sea smell, without any foul or unpleasant odor. If the crab has an excessively fishy or foul smell, it may be spoiled or no longer fresh.
  • Crab color: Fresh crabs usually have vibrant, bright colors and are not pale or dull. If the crab has strange colors (such as black or yellow spots), it is a sign of a crab that is no longer fresh or has died before being sold.