First foods database
🫛 Green beans for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat green beans? Yes, from about 6 months. Steamed until soft, whole green beans are a brilliant first finger food because they are the perfect size and shape for little fists.
Good source of: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Fibre
How to serve green beans by age
6 to 9 months
Steam whole beans until very tender and offer them as finger food, or blend with a splash of milk or water into a smooth purée. Topping and tailing them first makes them easier to chew.
9 to 12 months
Cut soft-cooked beans into short pieces about the length of a fingernail for pincer grip practice, or chop into pasta and rice dishes.
12 months and up
Offer cooked beans cut into bite-sized pieces. Stir into stews, stir-fries and curries, or serve with a little butter as a side.
Choking safety
Undercooked beans are firm and rubbery. Cook until they squash easily between your finger and thumb. Older babies picking up small pieces should have them cut short rather than as long strands.
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
- Always cook green beans: raw beans contain substances that can upset tummies.
Easy ideas
- Green beans with a little melted butter
- Chopped beans in tomato pasta
- Green bean and potato mash
Goes well with
Recipes with green beans
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat green beans?
Can babies eat green beans? Yes, from about 6 months. Steamed until soft, whole green beans are a brilliant first finger food because they are the perfect size and shape for little fists.
Can babies eat green beans whole?
Yes, at 6 months a whole, very soft cooked bean is easy to hold. As the pincer grip develops, cut them into short pieces.
Are frozen green beans okay for babies?
Yes. Frozen beans are just as nutritious and are convenient for quick, soft-cooked portions.
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).