First foods database
🌿 Coriander for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat coriander? Yes, from about 6 months. Fresh coriander leaves and ground coriander seed are lovely ways to add flavour to baby food without salt, and they help babies get used to the tastes of family curries, dals and salsas.
Good source of: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
How to serve coriander by age
6 to 9 months
Chop fresh leaves very finely and stir a pinch (about half a teaspoon) into mashed avocado, dal or vegetable purée. Ground coriander seed has a warm, citrussy taste: add a small pinch (about an eighth of a teaspoon) to lentils, carrots or chicken while cooking.
9 to 12 months
Use coriander in mild curries, bean dishes, egg mixtures and fishcakes. Finely chopped leaves can be sprinkled over finger foods.
12 months and up
Add coriander to family meals, salsas, noodle dishes and soups as you normally would, keeping chilli mild.
Choking safety
Finely chopped coriander is low risk. Long leafy sprigs and stalks can stick to the roof of the mouth, so chop it finely. Remove whole coriander seeds from dishes or use ground.
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
- Wash fresh coriander well to remove soil.
- Choose plain ground coriander rather than spice mixes, which may contain salt or chilli.
Easy ideas
- Avocado and coriander mash
- Red lentil dal with ground coriander
- Coriander and sweetcorn fritters
Goes well with
Recipes with coriander
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat coriander?
Can babies eat coriander? Yes, from about 6 months. Fresh coriander leaves and ground coriander seed are lovely ways to add flavour to baby food without salt, and they help babies get used to the tastes of family curries, dals and salsas.
Can babies eat coriander stalks?
Yes, the soft stalks are full of flavour. Chop them very finely or cook them into sauces.
Why does coriander taste like soap to some people?
Some people have a gene that makes coriander taste soapy. If your baby pulls a face, try again another day or use ground seed instead.
Is ground coriander spicy?
No. Ground coriander is warm and gently citrussy with no heat, so it is a good first spice.
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).