Broccoli for Babies: How to Serve Them Safely
Yes. Soft-cooked broccoli is a classic baby-led weaning food from about 6 months. Steam or boil florets until they mash easily, and leave a long stem as a handle.
Can babies eat broccoli?
Yes, once it is cooked until very soft. Raw broccoli is too firm. The floret-and-stem shape is naturally easy for a 6-month-old to hold.
When can babies have broccoli?
Around 6 months. Broccoli can be one of the first vegetables and does not need to be pureed if it is soft enough to mash with gums.
Broccoli provides vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and fiber. The vitamin C also helps with iron absorption from foods served on the same plate.
How to serve broccoli
How to serve broccoli at 6 months
Serve whole florets with a long stem as a handle. Steam 6–8 minutes until a floret mashes between your fingers.
How to serve broccoli at 9 months
Offer smaller florets, still fully soft, for pincer-grasp practice. Keep some stem if grip is still developing.
How to serve broccoli at 12+ months
Bite-sized soft florets work well for fingers or a fork. They can be slightly firmer than at 6 months but should still be easy to chew.
Are broccolis a choking hazard?
Undercooked broccoli and small hard stem pieces are the main risks. Cook until mashable and trim tough stalks. Loose florets that are still firm should not be served.
Are broccolis an allergen?
Broccoli is not a common allergen. Gas or a gassy stool after cruciferous vegetables is more likely than allergy.
How much broccoli can a baby eat?
One or two small florets is a normal 6-month portion. Offer more if your baby is interested, alongside an iron-rich food.
Do broccolis need to be cooked?
Yes for babies. Broccoli should be steamed or boiled until very soft. Raw broccoli is not appropriate for BLW in the first year.
Can babies eat frozen broccolis?
Yes. Frozen broccoli is useful. Cook it from frozen until soft; do not serve icy or only partly thawed pieces.
How to prepare broccoli
- Cut florets about the size of a baby’s fist, with stem attached.
- Steam 6–8 minutes or boil 5–7 minutes.
- Cool until warm, then test that it mashes easily.
Storage
- Keep fresh broccoli in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate cooked broccoli 3–4 days.
- Blanch before freezing for longer storage.
Easy broccoli recipes
Frequently asked questions
Why does broccoli make my baby gassy?
Cruciferous vegetables can increase gas. That is usually not a reason to stop. Cook well and offer a small amount with other foods.
Sources
- Starting Solid Foods — American Academy of Pediatrics
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods — CDC
- Complementary feeding — World Health Organization
- Your baby’s first solid foods — NHS
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, Canadian Child Nutrition & BLW Expert.