First foods database
🥩 Beef brisket for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat beef brisket? Yes, from about 6 months, slow cooked until very tender. Brisket gives easily absorbed iron and zinc.
Good source of: Iron, Zinc, Protein, Vitamin B12
How to serve beef brisket by age
6 to 9 months
Slow cook brisket until it falls apart, then blend with vegetables, or offer large soft shreds. Cook it in water or no-salt stock with carrots and onions so the vegetables soak up the flavour, then blend together.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft shredded brisket in stews, with mash, or in sandwiches. Shredded brisket tucked into soft potato or squash mash makes it easier to manage.
12 months and up
Serve slow-cooked brisket with the family. Brisket freezes well in portions, so you can batch cook it for quick meals.
Choking safety
Remove fat and gristle and shred finely. Meat that is not tender can be hard to chew. Long, stringy meat fibres can be tricky, so shred across the grain and keep shreds short for babies.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Avoid smoked or salt-rubbed brisket.
- Use no-salt stock.
Easy ideas
- Brisket and root veg stew
- Shredded brisket with mash
- Brisket in a wrap
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat beef brisket?
Can babies eat beef brisket? Yes, from about 6 months, slow cooked until very tender. Brisket gives easily absorbed iron and zinc.
Can babies eat salt beef?
No, it is very salty. Salt beef and corned beef are cured in salt and are not suitable for babies.
How do I make brisket tender?
Slow cook it for several hours. Low and slow cooking, around 3 to 4 hours, breaks down the tough connective tissue.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).