To serve broccoli to babies, steam it until very soft (squishable) and offer large, graspable florets with stems for 6-9 month olds, then progress to smaller, bite-sized pieces as their pincer grasp develops around 9+ months, always ensuring it's soft enough to mash with a finger and thumb to prevent choking. You can also purée it or mix finely chopped bits into other foods.
Broccoli Serving Suggestions for Babies
You can start serving broccoli starting at 6 months. Raw, broccoli is very firm, so it must be cooked before serving to minimize choking risk. Steam or boil until the florets are soft. Then, you can mash, or slice the stems in half lengthwise and serve as a finger food.
Some foods aren't ideal for young babies when roasted because they stay hard - think broccoli. Boiling creates soft mushy food, but can remove some of the nutrients and a lot of the flavour. I'm partial to steaming personally.
Broccoli is also a more bitter food, which is typically a category kids more easily refuse. That's why, introducing foods like broccoli as early as possible (in as close to it's whole form as possible) is a great strategy to increase exposures and likelihood of eating it.
Steaming is generally considered a better cooking method for broccoli compared to boiling. It helps preserve the vegetable's nutritional content and vibrant colour. Steaming broccoli also maintains the texture of broccoli more so than boiling it.
Option 2: Steam without a steamer basket
Add just enough water to cover the bottom of a large skillet (about 3/4 cup for a 12-inch skillet). Add the broccoli in an even layer, cover, and steam over medium-high heat until just tender and bright green, 6 to 8 minutes total.
For tender broccoli with a little bit of bite, boiling time varies from 2-4 mins for small florets, 4-5 mins for medium and 6-8 mins for large. Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil.
Bush frequently mentioned his distaste for broccoli, famously saying: "I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid. And my mother made me eat it. Now I'm president of the United States.
How to Serve Broccoli to Picky Eaters. Broccoli can be served raw, hot or cold. It is very versatile and easy to incorporate. Consider serving broccoli raw as a part of a veggie tray for a snack.
Here's the scoop on the most unpopular vegetables in the U.S., listed from the most-hated lowly turnip, with a 27% yuck rating!
Steaming and Pureeing
This method helps retain nutrients and introduces your baby to a range of flavors and textures. Steaming and pureeing are especially suitable for introducing solids to younger babies who are just starting their food journey (5).
What is the 4-day rule for baby-led weaning? The 4-day rule involves introducing a new food to your baby and waiting about 4 days to check for any reaction (sensitivity or allergy) before introducing another new food.
In a 3.5 quart pot (with a lid), add the water and the broccoli florets. Cover with the lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Once the water boils vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the broccoli florets are easily pierced with a fork but not limp.
For young babies, steamed broccoli has the benefit of softness for their tender gums.
Alter the Texture
If your baby is rejecting a food, try changing up the texture. For example, if they won't eat steamed broccoli florets, try mixing some blended broccoli into their favorite pasta sauce or omelet. Introducing the flavor in a new form can help them get accustomed to it.
Toss broccoli with thyme, garlic salt, olive oil and lemon juice. Put broccoli on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Lemon slices are optional, but they do make it look so pretty and add another dimension of lemon flavor! Roast broccoli at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
The Best Way To Wash Broccoli
Washing broccoli doesn't have to be complicated. "Rinsing broccoli under running water can effectively reduce dirt, bacteria, and some pesticide residues," Pallian reassures. "Rinsing for a full minute is best…and soaking it in warm water is even more effective," she adds.
Broccoli & Other Cruciferous Vegetables
However, they also contain chemical compounds called thiocyanates. “When consumed in very large amounts, thiocyanates can block or limit the body's ability to absorb iodine, a mineral found in some foods,” says Dr. Wolf.
The incident took place at the Naikaku Sōri Daijin Kōtei in Tokyo, the Prime Minister's personal residential quarters. Doctors later attributed the incident to a case of acute gastroenteritis.
Researchers from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine say it comes down to the taste gene TAS2R38. We each inherit one copy of the gene from our mother, and one from our father. The TAS2R38 gene encodes for a protein that is present in our taste receptors and lets us taste bitterness.
Our easy guide shows you how to boil broccoli in minutes. Fill a saucepan halfway with water and add a pinch of salt, this helps to soften the broccoli and keep the bright green colour. Bring to the boil over a medium heat.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook, uncovered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes depending on the size of the florets.
Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for best results, but you can also use frozen broccoli. I recommend decreasing the cooking time by 30 to 60 seconds if using frozen broccoli. Seasonings: These could include melted butter, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and/or zest, salt, pepper, garlic, or shredded cheese.