Can Babies Eat Cilantro?
By Sarah, founder of SowAndSpoon · Reviewed April 2026
Yes, safe from 6 months
Choking risk: low
Cilantro leaves are soft and thin. They pose very low choking risk when chopped or mixed into food.
Not a common allergen
Babies can eat cilantro from 6 months. Cilantro provides vitamin A, vitamin K, and small amounts of potassium and manganese. It adds brightness to dishes and may support digestion.
This guide covers fresh cilantro. Dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor; if using dried, start with a very small pinch mixed into food for babies under 12 months.
Flavor guide
Fresh cilantro has a bright, citrusy, slightly grassy flavor with a floral note that is unmistakable and polarizing. Heat dulls cilantro quickly, so it is best stirred into warm dishes at the last moment rather than cooked. It pairs naturally with lime, avocado, black beans, tomato, sweet potato, yogurt, and cumin.
How to Prepare Cilantro by Age
Finely chop and mix into other soft foods (mashed avocado, beans, rice). Herbs are great flavor exposure from the start.
Serving ideas:
- -Stir a small amount of very finely chopped cilantro into mashed avocado or black bean puree for a bright, citrusy note.
- -Blend a few leaves into a sweet potato and lime puree to introduce complex flavor during the peak flavor window.
- -Stir finely minced cilantro into plain full-fat yogurt and serve on a preloaded spoon alongside soft cooked vegetables.
Finely chop and sprinkle over meals. Mix into guacamole or bean mash.
Serving ideas:
- -Mix into rice, soft tacos, or scrambled eggs.
- -Stir into yogurt-based dips or mashed black beans.
- -Blend into a simple salsa verde with tomatillo and serve alongside soft chicken or beans.
Any family use. Stir into rice, top tacos, blend into sauces.
Serving ideas:
- -Add to salsa, guacamole, or curry
- -Sprinkle on tacos, soup, or noodles
- -Blend into a cilantro lime rice
Can You Freeze Cilantro for Baby?
Chop and freeze in ice cube trays with a little water or olive oil. Pop out cubes and bag.
Cilantro Avocado Spread
From 6 monthsIngredients
- -1 ripe avocado
- -2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- -1 tsp fresh lime juice
- -1 tbsp full-fat plain yogurt
Steps
- Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop flesh into a bowl.
- Add lime juice and mash with a fork to a smooth but slightly textured spread.
- Stir in yogurt and cilantro.
- For 6-8 months, blend smooth and serve on a preloaded spoon or as a thick dip with soft toast strips.
- For 9 months and older, serve as-is for texture practice with avocado pieces and soft crackers.
Allergen note: contains dairy. Make just before serving; avocado browns quickly. If your baby refuses, try again later as the cilantro-soap perception is genetic and may not apply.
Growing Cilantro at Home
Bolts quickly in heat. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Grows well in containers and partial shade.
Ready in ~45-70 days from planting.
Some people (about 4-14% of the population) perceive cilantro as soapy due to a genetic variation. If your baby consistently refuses cilantro, they may be one of them. No worries, it is genetic, not a preference issue.
Per AAP and WHO guidelines, most fruits, vegetables, and herbs can be introduced from 6 months as part of complementary feeding. Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods, especially allergens.