First foods database

🥬 Leek for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies eat leeks? Yes, from about 6 months. Leeks turn soft and sweet when cooked slowly and add a gentle onion flavour to purées, soups and family meals.

From 6 monthsLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C

How to serve leek by age

6 to 9 months

Wash leeks well, slice and gently cook until very soft, then blend with potato or other vegetables. Leeks are stringy, so a smooth purée or a fine mash works best at first. Their mild sweetness pairs well with potato, carrot or a little cheese sauce.

9 to 12 months

Offer finely chopped soft leek mixed into mash, risotto, pasta or egg dishes. Leeks cooked gently in butter make a soft base for pasta or rice.

12 months and up

Serve leeks in soups, pies, cheesy bakes and stir fries along with the rest of the family.

Choking safety

Large pieces of leek can be stringy and hard to break down. Chop finely after cooking or blend, and avoid long fibrous lengths for young babies. Rinse thoroughly to remove grit.

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

🥔PotatoFrom 6 months🧀CheddarFrom 6 months · Milk🫛PeaFrom 6 months🍗ChickenFrom 6 months

Recipes with leek

🥕Barley, root veg and butter bean hotpotFrom 7 months · Dinner · 65 min🍲Batch cook chicken and butternut casserole cubesFrom 6 months · Dinner · 50 min🍲Beef and pearl barley hotpotFrom 9 months · Dinner · 135 min🍚Cod and pea baby risottoFrom 7 months · Lunch · 30 min🥧Creamy chicken and leek pie with mash toppingFrom 9 months · Dinner · 60 min🥔Leek, cheddar and cannellini potato cakesFrom 9 months · Lunch · 40 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat leek?

Can babies eat leeks? Yes, from about 6 months. Leeks turn soft and sweet when cooked slowly and add a gentle onion flavour to purées, soups and family meals.

How do I clean leeks for my baby?

Slice them first, then rinse in a bowl of water to wash out the grit trapped between the layers.

Can my baby have leek and potato soup?

Yes. Make it with water, milk or low-salt stock and blend smoothly for younger babies.

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).