Broccoli for Baby
Last updated October 2026
Broccoli can be offered from around six months when a baby is ready for solids. The florets soften more quickly than thick stalks, which may stay firm even when the tops seem cooked.
Quick answer
From around six months, after signs of developmental readiness, soft cooked broccoli can be introduced.
Four ways to prepare broccoli
Wash the head thoroughly. Separate large florets and trim or split dense stalks, then steam or simmer until the stems as well as florets mash easily.
For spoon feeding, mash tender cooked broccoli into a familiar vegetable or iron-rich food, checking for hard stalk pieces.
For self-feeding, offer a soft portion with a manageable stem only if it breaks down readily. An uncooked stem is not made suitable by leaving it long.
As grip develops, offer small tender florets in low-salt family dishes. Avoid hard stir-fried stems or crisp raw florets for a beginning eater.
The right shape and size depend on your baby's eating skills, not on age alone. Step-by-step preparation: How to cut broccoli for BLW
Also check how to cut food for baby-led weaning for general BLW cutting tips.
When can babies eat broccoli?
The stalk and floret may cook at different rates. Split very thick stems and check the middle, not only the delicate top.
Some babies explore bitter vegetables repeatedly before accepting them. Do not force a particular number of tastes or claim that repeated exposure guarantees acceptance.
Steam or simmer until the thickest stem can be crushed under a fork. Serve tender florets mashed into a familiar food or in a portion your baby can manage; a stem 'handle' is not a guarantee of safety.
Broccoli provides vitamin C and some folate and fibre. It is a useful vegetable alongside iron-containing foods, but should not be described as a major iron source.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Broccoli texture and serving safety
Cook florets and dense stems until thoroughly soft; check stem centres with a fork.
Do not serve crunchy raw broccoli or firm stalk chunks to a beginning eater.
Prevent large dense pieces that can fill the mouth before the child can manage them.
A long stem or attractive tree-like shape is not automatically choking-proof.
Keep meals low in added salt and include other iron-rich foods.
Supervise upright eating throughout.
Broccoli recipes for babies
View all recipes
Broccoli Cheese Patties
Broccoli Potato Tots
Broccoli Purée
Broccoli & Potato Mash
Broccoli & Zucchini Purée
Beef & Broccoli Purée
See all broccoli recipes for babies. Explore baby breakfast recipes, baby-led weaning recipes and first foods for baby for more ideas.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Broccoli a common allergen?
Broccoli is not typically a common allergen for babies. Many babies can try it from around 6 months as part of a varied diet.
What nutrients does Broccoli provide for babies?
Broccoli provides nutrients like fibre, vitamin C, iron, folate that support babies' growth and development.
Sources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
- ●NHS - Your Baby's First Solid Foods NHS
- ●NHS - Preparing Food Safely for Babies NHS
- ●CDC — Choking Hazards (reviewed March 2026) CDC
- ●CDC - When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods CDC
