Broccoli for Baby: How to Cook and Serve Soft Florets

When broccoli fits in

The NHS includes broccoli among the vegetables babies can try from around 6 months. Readiness depends on development as well as age: the CDC describes signs such as steady head and neck control and the ability to sit alone or with support. Our readiness guide covers these signs, and if you're wondering about teeth, see our guide to teeth and starting solids. For individual concerns, check with your child's pediatrician.

Cook it until it's truly soft

Before cooking, trim away any tough outer layer of the stalk. Then steam or simmer the broccoli until soft, as the NHS recommends for firm vegetables.

The CDC advises cooking food until it's easy to mash with a fork. With broccoli, check that both the crown and the stem mash easily. There's no set number of minutes here; the fork test, not the clock, tells you when it's ready.

The 6+ shape: a large floret to hold

The broccoli serving guide in the Yummy Bites app illustrates the 6+ shape: one large, fully cooked, soft floret with a stem long enough for your baby to grasp. It's a serving reference, not medical advice, and you can find more foods on our foods page.

Size, shape, and texture all matter, and the NHS advises avoiding round shapes. So split any thick, round stem lengthwise, whether it's still attached to a floret or served as a trimmed stalk.

You can also mash cooked broccoli. The NHS notes that babies can be offered a spoon to try feeding themselves; our self-feeding spoon guide has practical ideas.

Serving it calmly

Let broccoli cool before serving, skip added salt, and let your baby set the pace and decide how much to eat, following the NHS. The CDC's choking guidance notes that hard, raw vegetables can be choking hazards, so offer broccoli only once it's fully cooked and soft. The same guidance calls for an upright seat and close, continuous supervision. Keep meals calm and unhurried, and don't feed your baby while they crawl, walk, or ride in a car or stroller. Careful preparation reduces choking risk, but no shape or texture eliminates it.