Broccoli for babies

Moderate choking risk
vegetable

Yes — from 6 months

Yes, babies can eat broccoli from around 6 months, steamed until soft. A whole floret with a long stalk is one of the easiest shapes for a baby to hold — the stalk works as a handle and the top gives them something to gnaw.

Steam until a floret squashes easily. Keep florets whole, with the stalk as a handle.

How to serve broccoli

My baby is

6 months Your baby

Steam whole florets with a long stalk until soft. Hand over one at a time, stalk first, so your baby holds the handle.

Diagram: two whole steamed broccoli florets with long stalks to hold, shown beside an adult finger for scale.

9 months Your baby

Smaller soft florets and chopped stalk pieces for pincer practice.

Diagram: small broccoli florets and chopped stalk pieces about one centimetre across, shown beside an adult finger for scale.

12 months and up Your baby

However the family eats it — roasted, stirred through pasta, or in a frittata. Keep it soft rather than crunchy.

Diagram: a plate of bite-sized cooked broccoli, shown beside an adult finger for scale.

The images above are scale diagrams, not photographs — the adult finger and the 2 cm bar show the size to cut to. Photographs of real food are on the way.

Choking risk

Raw or firm broccoli is hard and can break into pieces that are difficult to manage. Steam until a floret squashes easily. Keep florets large and whole rather than chopping them into small hard pieces.

Not sure what you are seeing? Gagging vs. choking, and what to do.

Why it is worth offering

Good source of vitamin C, folate and fibre
The floret shape holds sauces and mashes well
An early bitter flavour, and repeated exposure is how babies come to accept those

Broccoli is the classic baby led weaning food because of its shape. A steamed floret is a ready-made handle, which means your baby can succeed at it on the first try.

Recipes with broccoli

Broccoli and cheese fritters
Soft fritters that hold together in a baby's fist, made with steamed broccoli and a mild cheese. Good for lunch and good cold from the fridge.

Broccoli questions parents ask

Does broccoli cause gas in babies?

It can, as it does in adults. It is not a reason to avoid it. Gas from vegetables is uncomfortable rather than harmful, and usually settles as your baby gets used to the food.

My baby spits out broccoli. Should I stop?

No. Bitter green vegetables often take ten or more exposures before a baby accepts them. Keep offering it without pressure, and let your baby see you eat it.

Try these next

Carrots
From 6 months
Eggs
From 6 months

Medically reviewed by Melissa A Barry, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD, RDN) — last reviewed October 8, 2026. See our editorial and review policy. Verify this credential