First foods database

🍛 Mild curry paste for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies have curry paste? Yes, from about 6 months, in small amounts. Choose a mild paste, because many shop-bought pastes are salty and can contain chilli heat and allergens such as mustard, celery or nuts, so read the label.

From 6 monthsAllergen: MustardLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Flavour

How to serve mild curry paste by age

6 to 9 months

Stir a quarter teaspoon of mild curry paste into lentils, vegetables or chicken as they cook, then blend or mash. Coconut milk or yoghurt softens the flavour.

9 to 12 months

Use a little paste in mild family curries with chicken, chickpeas or vegetables, and serve with rice or soft flatbread for scooping.

12 months and up

Cook family curries with mild paste, keeping heat low for toddlers. A spoonful of plain yoghurt on top helps cool it down.

Choking safety

Curry paste itself is not a choking risk. Check that the meat, vegetables and pulses in the curry are soft and in suitable sizes, and squash whole chickpeas for young babies.

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

Introducing it as an allergen

It contains mustard, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce mustard

Easy ideas

Goes well with

🍗ChickenFrom 6 months🥥Coconut milkFrom 6 months🫘Red lentilsFrom 6 months🍚RiceFrom 6 months

Recipes with mild curry paste

🍛Toddler tofu katsu curryFrom 12 months · Dinner · 55 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat mild curry paste?

Can babies have curry paste? Yes, from about 6 months, in small amounts. Choose a mild paste, because many shop-bought pastes are salty and can contain chilli heat and allergens such as mustard, celery or nuts, so read the label.

Can babies have korma paste?

Yes, in small amounts. Korma is usually mild, but check for nuts and other allergens and pick a lower salt brand.

Is curry paste salty?

Many are. Use just a little, and make your own paste with spices, garlic, ginger and tomato for a salt-free version.

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).