Protein Food Library
When can babies have tuna steaks?
Can babies have tuna steaks?
Tuna steaks from albacore and yellowfin are best saved until about 3 years old, and bigeye tuna is best avoided for young children because it is high in mercury. For babies, canned light or skipjack tuna is the lower-mercury choice from 6 months. Tuna is a fish, one of the Top 9 allergens.
How to serve tuna steaks by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Skip albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna steaks for now. Offer canned light or skipjack tuna mashed smooth with avocado, yogurt or potato on a spoon, or low-mercury fish like salmon and cod blended into a puree.
7–8 months
Keep skipping tuna steaks. Canned light or skipjack tuna mashed more roughly with avocado or potato, or soft flakes of salmon and cod, are good options at this age.
9–12 months
Keep choosing low-mercury fish. Light tuna cakes, flaked salmon or cod in pasta are good options at this age.
12 months +
From about 3 years, offer small portions of fully cooked albacore or yellowfin tuna steak, cooked until opaque all the way through and flaked or cut into thin strips. Keep it to an occasional serving and continue to avoid bigeye tuna.
Why it’s good
Tuna steaks are rich in protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, niacin and iron. However, large tuna species build up more mercury, which can affect a young child's developing brain. Lower-mercury fish give similar nutrients with less risk.
Safety notes
- Bigeye tuna is a high-mercury fish and is best avoided for babies and young children.
- Albacore and yellowfin tuna have more mercury than light or skipjack tuna. Limit them to an occasional small serving for older children.
- Cook tuna steaks all the way through until opaque. Seared rare tuna, sushi and poke should not be served to young children.
- Tuna steaks can be dense and dry when well cooked. Flake them finely or cut into thin strips and serve with a moist sauce.
- Use fresh tuna within 1 to 2 days, and throw out tuna that smells strongly fishy or sour, as spoiled tuna can cause scombroid poisoning.
Introduce fish with a low-mercury choice first
Tuna is a fish, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce fish early with lower-mercury options, keep it in the diet if tolerated, and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or breathing changes when trying a new type.
Tuna steaks for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about tuna steaks for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have tuna steaks?
Albacore and yellowfin tuna are FDA 'Good Choices': babies can have small, fully cooked, flaked portions from about 6 months, no more than once a week, with other fish meals from Best Choices like canned light tuna, salmon or cod. Avoid bigeye tuna. because of their mercury levels, and bigeye tuna is best avoided for young children. Babies can have canned light or skipjack tuna from 6 months instead.
Can babies have tuna steak?
Babies should not eat albacore, yellowfin or bigeye tuna steaks because these fish are higher in mercury. Choose canned light tuna, salmon or cod for babies.
Is tuna steak a choking hazard for babies?
Tuna steak is a low choking risk when it is fully cooked, flaked finely and served with a moist sauce. Dry chunks are harder to swallow, so cut small and supervise meals.
Is tuna steak a common allergen?
Yes, tuna steak is a common allergen because fish is one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce fish early with low-mercury types and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve tuna steak to a 6 month old?
Tuna steak should not be served to a 6 month old because of its mercury levels. Offer canned light tuna, salmon or cod mashed smooth with avocado or potato on a spoon instead.
Which tuna is best for babies?
Canned light tuna and skipjack tuna are the best choices for babies because they are lowest in mercury. Albacore and yellowfin are higher in mercury, and bigeye tuna should be avoided.
Why is bigeye tuna not safe for babies?
Bigeye tuna is a large, long-lived fish that builds up high levels of mercury. The FDA advises children to avoid bigeye tuna, as mercury can harm the developing brain.
When can kids have tuna sushi or poke?
Kids should not have raw tuna sushi or poke while they are young, because raw fish carries a higher risk of food poisoning. Many experts suggest waiting until at least age 5, and choosing cooked options before then.
How much albacore or yellowfin tuna can a child have?
Older children can have albacore or yellowfin tuna as an occasional serving, about once a week at most, with a small portion. Fill other fish servings with low-mercury fish like salmon, sardines or cod.
The takeaway
- Tuna steaks from albacore and yellowfin are best saved until about 3 years old, and bigeye tuna is best avoided for young children because it is high in mercury.
- From about 3 years, offer small portions of fully cooked albacore or yellowfin tuna steak, cooked until opaque all the way through and flaked or cut into thin strips.
- Choking risk is low. Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
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
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Advice about Eating Fish U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Iron Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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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.