Curious about how to giving broccoli to babies? Here is everything you need to know about safely serving broccoli for baby led weaning babies!
Broccoli is nutritious and easy to prepare for adults and children. Bitter flavors, such as those in broccoli, cabbage, and kale, can be a little bit of an acquired taste, so it's good to get your little ones eating it early! Introducing broccoli to babies as soon as they start solids is a great way to get them in the habit of eating this super healthy veggie. While it may seem a little complicated to feed to babies, I promise it isn't. Serving broccoli to babies is actually super easy since it has a built-in 'handle' that is perfect for young babies to grasp. Here's how to safely serve broccoli with baby led weaning!
Jump to:
When Can Babies Eat Broccoli?
Babies can have broccoli as soon as they start solids around 6 months old, especially if you are using a baby led weaning approach. With this approach, babies can pick up large florets of broccoli, either cooked or raw, and naw on the little buds, using the stem as a 'handle' they can easily hold onto.
Broccoli Benefits for Babies
Broccoli is one of the most nutritious veggies, packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and bioactive compounds. It is especially rich in:
- Fiber - good for baby's digestion
- Vitamin C - helps with iron absorption
- Vitamin A - good for eyesight
- Vitamin K - good for blood clotting and bone health
- Bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and flavonoids - help reduce inflammation and could prevent chronic diseases, such as cancer
Since cruciferous veggies like broccoli are so healthy, it's a good idea to introduce them early into baby's diet so he can get used to the taste. Babies naturally prefer salty and sweet tastes, so offering bitter foods early and often when there is a "window of opportunity" for acceptance helps increase the chances your little one will accept broccoli and other bitter-tasting foods later on.
How To Serve Broccoli for Baby Led Weaning
1. Large Raw Florets (6-9 months)
While it may seem counter-intuitive, young babies just starting baby led weaning can eat raw broccoli. The long stalks act as handles that babies can easily grasp and bring to their mouths, so bigger is better. They won't actually eat much of it, but they can nibble on the tiny buds on the top. The rest of the veggie is too tough to break off, so babies can safely naw raw broccoli until they get teeth.
2. Large Cooked Florets (6-9 months)
Steam, boil or sauté large florets of broccoli until soft and serve whole florets to baby. Just like the raw broccoli, baby can hold onto the stalk and gum the tops. Once baby gets teeth and has a pincer grasp, it's best to start cutting broccoli into small pieces to avoid choking on a large piece of stalk.
3. Cooked and Cut Into Small Pieces (9+ months)
Once teeth come in and baby starts using a pincer grasp, you can start cutting soft cooked broccoli into small pieces the size of your fingernail. At this point, it's best to stop offering raw broccoli until your little one is well into toddlerhood.
Ways To Prepare Broccoli for Baby Led Weaning
When you cook broccoli for babies, make sure the tops are soft enough to mash between your thumb and forefinger. Steaming, boiling and microwaving are good ways to get broccoli soft while also preserving nutrients. I don't recommend roasting or grilling at this point, since those methods tend to make the outsides too tough for little ones. Both fresh and frozen broccoli are great choices for babies.
- Steam - Bring a small amount of water to boil in a pot with a steamer basket. Add fresh or frozen broccoli florets and cook, covered, about 5-8 minutes. Avoid over-cooking into complete mush!
- Boil - Boil in a pot of water on the stove until tender, but not mushy, about 5-8 minutes.
- Oven-Steam - Place broccoli florets on a baking sheet and season with a little olive oil and any seasoning you'd like. Cover the sheet tightly with foil and bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave - Place fresh or frozen florets in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with water. Microwave until tender, about 2-4 minutes.
- Sauté - Boil or steam broccoli until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Then drain, add to a skillet with a little olive oil or butter and minced garlic (or other seasonings) and cook until tender.
*Always make sure to test the texture and temperature before serving to baby!
Baby-Friendly Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Cheddar Egg Bites
- Healthy Broccoli Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole
- Broccoli Cheddar Fritters by Happy Veggie Kitchen
- Broccoli Tots by The Natural Nurturer
- Creamy Lemon Broccoli Pasta by Salt and Lavender
- Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole by Iowa Girl Eats
- Chicken Broccoli Soup by Simply Delicious Food
- Chicken and Broccoli Meatballs by Feeding Tiny Bellies
Track your baby's journey through starting solids! Get my 100 First Foods Checklist and Allergen Checklist Bundle today!
FAQ
Yes. Since raw or undercooked broccoli is very firm, it can be a choking hazard. Make sure to stop offering raw broccoli once baby has teeth. Otherwise, be sure to cook broccoli until soft enough to mash between your fingers and always serve in an appropriate shape and size.
No. While any food can potentially be an allergen, broccoli is not a common allergen. Though rare, some people can be sensitive to cruciferous veggies.
You may have heard that cooking broccoli reduces it's nutrient content. That is true. Vitamin C is especially vulnerable to the cooking process. However, steaming and microwaving instead of boiling can help broccoli retain more nutrients. Even after cooking, broccoli is still very nutritious!
High fiber foods, including broccoli, can cause gas for all people, including babies, who still have sensitive digestive systems. Start by offering small amounts of high fiber foods and slowly build up to reduce the chance of gas and discomfort. You can also observe your baby, and if you don't notice any excess gas or discomfort, then no need to worry!
Leave a Reply