First foods database

🥦 Broccoli for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies eat broccoli? Yes, from about 6 months. Steamed broccoli florets are one of the easiest first finger foods because the stalk makes a natural handle, and its slightly bitter taste helps babies learn to enjoy green vegetables.

From 6 monthsLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Fibre

How to serve broccoli by age

6 to 9 months

Steam whole florets with a good length of stalk for 6 to 8 minutes until a knife slides in easily and the top squashes between your fingers. Offer the floret stalk-end up so baby can gnaw the soft top. For spoon feeding, blend or mash steamed broccoli with a little breast milk, formula or potato.

9 to 12 months

Cut smaller florets as the pincer grip develops, still steamed soft. Chop finely and stir into pasta, risotto or omelettes.

12 months and up

Offer bite-sized florets alongside family meals. Lightly steamed broccoli with a little bite is fine once your child chews well, but keep raw broccoli for older toddlers.

Choking safety

Raw broccoli is hard and can break into small pieces, so always cook it until soft for babies. Loose crumbly bits from the top may cause gagging, which is normal. Sit baby upright and stay with them while they eat.

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

Easy ideas

Goes well with

🧀CheddarFrom 6 months · Milk🥔PotatoFrom 6 months🍝PastaFrom 6 months · Gluten🐟SalmonFrom 6 months · Fish

Recipes with broccoli

🍗Baby-friendly Sunday roast chicken dinnerFrom 7 months · Dinner · 110 min🌈Batch cook rainbow veg freezer cubesFrom 6 months · Lunch · 50 min🥦Broccoli and pear green first puréeFrom 6 months · Lunch · 15 min🥦Broccoli, cheddar and white bean pasta bakeFrom 9 months · Dinner · 45 min🧀Chicken and broccoli pasta bakeFrom 9 months · Dinner · 45 min🥜Peanut noodles with tofu and broccoliFrom 9 months · Dinner · 25 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat broccoli?

Can babies eat broccoli? Yes, from about 6 months. Steamed broccoli florets are one of the easiest first finger foods because the stalk makes a natural handle, and its slightly bitter taste helps babies learn to enjoy green vegetables.

Can babies eat broccoli stalks?

Yes. Peel the tough outer layer and steam the stalk until soft. Thick batons of cooked stalk are easy to hold, and finely chopped stalk can go into purées and sauces.

Is frozen broccoli OK for babies?

Yes. Frozen broccoli is just as nutritious and is handy for quick meals. Cook it from frozen until soft and check it has cooled before serving.

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).