First foods database

🫘 Black beans for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies eat black beans? Yes, from about 6 months. Soft black beans are a brilliant plant source of iron, protein and fibre, and they mash easily into dips, burritos and stews.

From 6 monthsTake care with shape and textureIron rich

Good source of: Iron, Protein, Fibre, Folate

How to serve black beans by age

6 to 9 months

Use tinned beans in water with no added salt, rinse well, then mash or blend with a little avocado, sweet potato or olive oil. For finger food, spread thickly on toast strips or form into soft patties.

9 to 12 months

Squash each bean flat between your fingers before serving so it is no longer round, or keep mashing into quesadillas and rice.

12 months and up

Serve whole soft beans in chilli, rice and beans or tacos, still squashing them for younger toddlers.

Choking safety

Whole beans are small and round and can slip into the airway, so flatten each one for babies and toddlers. Undercooked dried beans are firm, so cook until very soft.

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

Choose tins with no added salt and rinse well.
Dried beans must be soaked and boiled thoroughly before eating.
Beans can make nappies windy at first; start with small portions.

Easy ideas

Black bean and sweet potato mash
Black bean quesadilla strips with cheddar
Mild black bean and rice stew

Goes well with

🍠Sweet potatoFrom 6 months 🥑AvocadoFrom 6 months 🧀CheddarFrom 6 months · Milk 🍚RiceFrom 6 months

Recipes with black beans

🌮Black bean and squash cheesy quesadillasFrom 9 months · Lunch · 35 min 🍠Black bean and sweet potato mash with limeFrom 6 months · Lunch · 25 min 🥑Black bean guacamole dipFrom 7 months · Snack · 10 min 🍌Caribbean plantain and black bean baby mashFrom 7 months · Dinner · 25 min 🌮Mild beef and black bean chilliFrom 10 months · Dinner · 55 min 🌽Mild kidney bean and sweetcorn veggie chilliFrom 10 months · Dinner · 50 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat black beans?

Can babies eat black beans? Yes, from about 6 months. Soft black beans are a brilliant plant source of iron, protein and fibre, and they mash easily into dips, burritos and stews.

Are tinned black beans okay for babies?

Yes. Pick ones in water with no added salt or sugar, and rinse them before using.

Do black beans give babies wind?

They can at first. Small portions that build up gradually usually help tummies adjust.

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).