First foods database

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

Can babies eat kidney beans? Yes, from about 6 months. Kidney beans are rich in plant protein, iron and fibre. Tinned beans are already cooked and easy to use, but dried kidney beans must be soaked and boiled properly, as raw or undercooked ones can make people very unwell.

From 6 monthsTake care with shape and textureIron rich

Good source of: Protein, Iron, Fibre, Folate

How to serve kidney beans by age

6 to 9 months

Rinse tinned kidney beans (no added salt or sugar), then slip off the skins if you like and mash or blend them with a little water, breast milk or formula. Stir into rice, sweet potato or a mild tomato sauce. For finger food, squash each bean flat between your fingers.

9 to 12 months

Offer squashed beans to practise the pincer grip, or serve a mild chilli with beans mashed into the sauce. Kidney bean and vegetable patties are good finger food.

12 months and up

Serve whole soft beans in chilli, stews and burrito bowls with the family. Keep the spice mild and keep checking they squash easily.

Choking safety

Whole beans are round and firm-skinned, so for young babies mash them or squash each one flat. From around a year, whole soft beans are usually fine once your child chews well.

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

🍚RiceFrom 6 months🍠Sweet potatoFrom 6 months🍅TomatoFrom 6 months🥑AvocadoFrom 6 months

Recipes with kidney beans

🍲Caribbean chicken and sweet potato stewFrom 7 months · Dinner · 55 min🎃Caribbean red pea and pumpkin coconut stewFrom 7 months · Dinner · 45 min🍗Mild jerk-style chicken with rice and peasFrom 12 months · Dinner · 60 min🌽Mild kidney bean and sweetcorn veggie chilliFrom 10 months · Dinner · 50 min🍚Rice and peas with roasted squashFrom 7 months · Dinner · 50 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat kidney beans?

Can babies eat kidney beans? Yes, from about 6 months. Kidney beans are rich in plant protein, iron and fibre. Tinned beans are already cooked and easy to use, but dried kidney beans must be soaked and boiled properly, as raw or undercooked ones can make people very unwell.

Are tinned kidney beans safe for babies?

Yes. They are already fully cooked. Rinse them and choose tins without added salt or sugar.

Do kidney beans cause wind?

Beans can make babies a bit windy at first. Start with small amounts and the gut usually adjusts.

Can babies eat baked beans?

Baked beans are usually haricot beans, and most contain salt and sugar. Reduced-salt, reduced-sugar versions are fine occasionally from about 6 months.

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).