Veggies Food Library
When can babies have broccoli rabe?
Can babies have broccoli rabe?
Babies can have broccoli rabe, also called rapini, from about 6 months when it is cooked until soft. Broccoli rabe is pleasantly bitter, so it is a great way to help babies learn to like strong green flavors. Raw or undercooked stems are a choking risk, so steam or simmer it until tender and chop the leaves finely.
How to serve broccoli rabe by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Steam or simmer broccoli rabe until the stems and leaves are very soft, trimming the tough lower stems first. Blend it smoothly with potato, white beans or a little cooking water and offer it on a spoon; blanching first helps tame the bitterness.
7–8 months
Finely chop well-cooked broccoli rabe into mashed potato, lentils or a pasta sauce for a lumpier texture. You can also offer a soft-cooked stalk with florets attached, tough stems trimmed, as long as it squashes easily between your fingers.
9–12 months
Finely chop soft-cooked broccoli rabe and mix it into scrambled egg, risotto, pasta or meatballs. Cut florets into small, pea-size pieces for pincer practice and keep the stringy leaves chopped short.
12 months +
Toddlers can enjoy broccoli rabe sauteed with olive oil and garlic, tossed with pasta and sausage, or added to soups and frittatas. Keep chopping leaves into short pieces until your child chews and swallows greens well.
Why it’s good
Broccoli rabe gives babies vitamin K for healthy blood, vitamin A for eyes and skin, vitamin C, folate and calcium. Broccoli rabe also has fiber and some plant iron, and the vitamin C in the same food helps baby absorb that iron. The bitter taste comes from natural plant compounds found in many cabbage-family greens.
Safety notes
- Always cook broccoli rabe until soft. Raw or crunchy stems are a choking risk, and raw leaves are hard for babies to break down.
- Peel or trim the thick lower stems, which stay fibrous even after cooking. Keep the thinner upper stems and florets.
- Long, stringy leaves can drape in the mouth and cause gagging. Chop cooked leaves finely or blend them into other foods.
- Leafy greens naturally contain nitrates. For babies under 12 months, serve broccoli rabe as one veggie among many rather than daily in large amounts, refrigerate leftovers promptly and use them within 1 to 2 days.
- Blanching broccoli rabe in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes tames the bitterness. Avoid adding salt to the water for baby's portion.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Broccoli rabe is not a common allergen, and reactions are rare. Children allergic to other cabbage-family vegetables or mustard could react, so offer a small amount at first and watch for hives, itchy mouth or vomiting.
Broccoli rabe for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about broccoli rabe for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have broccoli rabe?
Babies can have broccoli rabe from about 6 months, once they are ready to start solids. Broccoli rabe should always be cooked until soft for babies, never served raw.
Can babies have broccoli rabe?
Yes, babies can eat broccoli rabe when it is well cooked and prepared for their age. Broccoli rabe is a nutrient-rich green that helps babies get used to bitter flavors early.
Is broccoli rabe a choking hazard for babies?
Broccoli rabe can be a choking hazard when raw or undercooked, and the long leaves can cause gagging. Cook broccoli rabe until the stems squish easily, trim thick stems and chop the leaves finely to lower the risk.
Is broccoli rabe a common allergen?
No, broccoli rabe is not a common allergen. Allergic reactions to broccoli rabe are rare, though children with a mustard allergy may want extra caution since the plants are related.
How do I serve broccoli rabe to a 6 month old?
To serve broccoli rabe to a 6 month old, trim the thick stems, steam it until very soft, and blend it into a smooth puree with potato or white beans, offered on a spoon. Soft-cooked stalks to hold can follow at 7–8 months.
Is broccoli rabe the same as broccoli?
Broccoli rabe is not the same as broccoli, even though the names are similar. Broccoli rabe is more closely related to turnips, with thin stems, small buds and lots of leaves, and broccoli rabe tastes more bitter than regular broccoli.
How do I make broccoli rabe less bitter for my baby?
To make broccoli rabe less bitter, blanch it in boiling water for a minute or two, then drain and saute or steam it until soft. Pairing broccoli rabe with sweet foods like sweet potato or creamy foods like ricotta also softens the flavor.
Are the nitrates in broccoli rabe safe for babies?
The nitrates in broccoli rabe are generally safe for babies over 6 months when the vegetable is fresh, freshly cooked and part of a varied diet. Store cooked broccoli rabe in the fridge right away and avoid serving large amounts every day to babies under 12 months.
Can I use frozen broccoli rabe for my baby?
Yes, frozen broccoli rabe works well for babies and is often already blanched. Cook frozen broccoli rabe until fully tender and check that the stems are soft before serving.
The takeaway
- Babies can have broccoli rabe, also called rapini, from about 6 months when it is cooked until soft.
- Steam or simmer broccoli rabe until the stems and leaves are very soft, trimming the tough lower stems first.
- Choking risk is medium. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Infant Methemoglobinemia: The Role of Dietary Nitrate in Food and Water Greer FR, Shannon M; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2005;116(3):784-786
Recipes with broccoli rabe
Track every new food in your baby’s passport
Track the first 100 foods and the Top 9 allergens. 7 days free.
More vegetables for babies
Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.