First foods database
🥘 Oxtail for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat oxtail? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as the meat is slow-cooked and taken completely off the bone. Oxtail becomes meltingly tender and rich in iron and zinc, and its deep flavour makes a comforting family stew that babies can share.
Good source of: Iron, Zinc, Protein, Collagen
How to serve oxtail by age
6 to 9 months
Slow-cook for several hours until falling apart, remove every bone and fatty piece, and shred or blend with vegetables.
9 to 12 months
Offer finely shredded oxtail mixed into stew, rice or mash.
12 months and up
Serve shredded in stews and soups. Keep bones away from young children.
Choking safety
Oxtail has many small bones and hard gristle. Strip the meat off completely, check carefully for bone fragments and serve only soft shredded meat. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and offer food with them sitting upright.
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
- Remove all bones.
- Use low-salt stock and skip stock cubes and gravy granules.
- Skim off excess fat before serving.
Easy ideas
- Oxtail stew with butter beans
- Shredded oxtail with mash
- Oxtail and vegetable soup
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat oxtail?
Can babies eat oxtail? Yes, from about 6 months, as long as the meat is slow-cooked and taken completely off the bone. Oxtail becomes meltingly tender and rich in iron and zinc, and its deep flavour makes a comforting family stew that babies can share.
Can babies eat oxtail stew?
Yes, cooked without added salt, with all bones removed and the meat shredded. Mild spices such as allspice and thyme are fine; skip hot pepper for babies.
Is oxtail fatty?
It is quite rich. Chill the cooked stew and lift off the layer of fat that sets on top, then reheat until steaming hot.
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).