Broccoli
Vegetable
Last updated July 5, 2026. The Tummi Food Team maintains this Can I Feed This safety guide guide. Supporting links appear in Sources when available.
Tummi Clinical Advisors
Andria ProcopioandArefa Mohamed
Reviewed the Tummi app · pediatric feeding and development specialists
Direct answer
Can babies eat Broccoli?
Yes, broccoli can be introduced at around 6 months when babies are ready for solids, prepared until soft for safe eating.
- Serve Age6+months
Most babies start solids around 6 months once they show readiness signs. Match the texture and serving size to your baby's skills.
- No Allergens
Broccoli is not flagged as one of the major allergens tracked in this database. Still watch your baby closely when serving any new food.
- Choking Risk123452
Lower choking risk when served in the right texture. Always supervise meals and adjust the shape for your baby.
This guide is for everyday food prep questions. Ask your pediatrician about medical concerns, feeding delays, allergy plans, or serious reactions.
How Do You Serve Broccoli?
How to serve Broccoli to babies 6 months and older
- 1Peel tough skin from stalks and trim into small florets or rectangular sticks about the thickness and length of two adult fingers.
- 2Steam pieces until very soft and fork-tender so they can be mashed easily with the baby's gums.
- 3Offer a whole soft floret or a stick your baby can hold and mash; always keep the baby seated upright and closely supervised while eating.
- 4If any piece is still firm, slice the stem lengthwise to flatten the round shape or mash/finely chop it so your baby can scoop and swallow safely.
How to serve Broccoli to babies 9 months and older
- 1Cook florets and stem pieces until they are fork-tender and can be mashed with gentle pressure so your baby can chew them easily.
- 2Cut into small, bite-sized pieces roughly the size of the baby’s palm or slightly smaller; avoid pieces that are too tiny or hard to grasp.
- 3If your baby struggles to pick up small pieces, offer larger cooked florets and model taking bites by showing and eating one yourself. Only reduce size once they can pick up and chew confidently.
- 4Gradually shorten cooking time as chewing improves so pieces are slightly firmer to encourage chewing practice while staying safe.
How to serve Broccoli to babies 12 months and older
- 1Cut broccoli into small, soft florets or finely chop and cook until fork-tender so pieces are easy to gum and swallow.
- 2Offer with a child-sized spoon or fork and pre-load the utensil to model self-feeding and build confidence.
- 3Gradually reduce cooking time to make firmer pieces as chewing skills improve, testing texture by squashing a floret between fingers before serving.
- 4Mix small broccoli pieces into mashed potatoes, pasta, or scrambled eggs to add flavor and nutrients while keeping textures manageable.
- 5Always supervise meals and trim away tough stalks or strings to lower choking risk.
Is Broccoli a Common Allergen?
Broccoli is not a common allergen, but raw cruciferous vegetables (including broccoli) can cause oral allergy syndrome in people with pollen allergies, producing itching or tingling in the mouth or throat. Cooking reduces that risk and makes broccoli easier to digest for infants—introduce in small, well-cooked and pureed or mashed portions and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, or breathing problems. Also check how broccoli is prepared, since added ingredients (cheese, butter, sauces, nuts, or sesame) may contain common allergens.
Is Broccoli a Choking Hazard?
Low Choking Risk
Broccoli can be a choking hazard if pieces are firm—raw or undercooked florets increase that risk. Stay within an arm’s reach during meals and watch closely for signs of choking or gagging so you can respond immediately. If your baby struggles with pieces, pause and adjust what you offer to match their chewing ability, and make sure you know infant choking first aid.
Have More Questions?
Yes. Parents can store cooked broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it remains safe and fresh for baby.
Yes. Pureed or chopped broccoli can be frozen in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep convenient while retaining most nutrients.
It depends. Organic broccoli is free from synthetic pesticides, but conventional broccoli is also safe; washing thoroughly is key regardless of its organic status.
Yes. Combining broccoli with other baby-friendly foods like sweet potatoes or grains can create balanced meals that introduce babies to new flavors and textures.
It depends. Typical portion sizes for babies begin at 1-2 tablespoons of cooked, chopped, or pureed broccoli per meal, adjusting as they grow and build eating skills.
Save Broccoli to your food log
Track foods, reactions, and prep notes in Tummi when you want to keep your baby's feeding history in one place.
Sources
- Effects of domestic cooking on flavonoids in broccoli and calculation of retention factors (Wu et al., Heliyon, 2019) doi.org
- Mugwort-Mustard Allergy Syndrome due to Broccoli Consumption (Sugita et al., Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine, 2016) doi.org
- The safety of cruciferous plants in humans: a systematic review (Scott et al., Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology, 2012) doi.org
- Brassica oleracea pollen, a new source of occupational allergens (Hermanides et al., Allergy, 2006) doi.org
What Other Vegetable Can Babies Eat?
See all →
Source-Linked Guidance
See the evidence behind the guide.
Food guides show direct links to public-health guidance and research when supporting references are available. Source inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDevelopmental milestones, nutrition guidelines, and allergen introduction timelines.
American Academy of PediatricsEvidence-based feeding recommendations from the leading pediatric authority.
National Institutes of HealthPeer-reviewed research on infant nutrition, allergies, and food safety.