Can Babies Eat Kohlrabi?
By Sarah, founder of SowAndSpoon · Reviewed April 2026
Yes, safe from 6 months
Choking risk: low
Raw kohlrabi is very hard, similar to raw turnip, and is a choking hazard for babies. Always cook until very soft. Once cooked, kohlrabi is mild in flavor and easy to mash. Kohlrabi greens are edible too and should be cooked before serving.
Not a common allergen
Babies can eat kohlrabi from 6 months. Kohlrabi is exceptionally high in vitamin C (one cup provides over 100% of the daily value), plus potassium, fiber, and B vitamins. It is a cruciferous vegetable related to cabbage but with a milder, sweeter flavor.
Flavor guide
Raw kohlrabi is crisp and juicy with a mild, fresh sweetness and a light cabbage-like note, similar to jicama but with more depth. Cooking softens it into a tender, neutral-tasting vegetable that absorbs surrounding flavors easily, much like a mild potato. It pairs naturally with butter, lemon, parsley, mild cheese, carrot, apple, and broth.
How to Prepare Kohlrabi by Age
Peel and steam or roast until very soft. Cut into thick sticks. Mild, slightly sweet flavor - similar to broccoli stem.
Serving ideas:
- -Peel, dice, and steam until very soft, then serve as mashable cubes or blend into a smooth puree
- -Boil peeled kohlrabi with potato and mash together with butter
- -Roast until golden and soft, then blend with a splash of broth or breast milk
Soft diced pieces as finger food.
Serving ideas:
- -Steam and dice soft kohlrabi into small pieces for self-feeding
- -Stir diced cooked kohlrabi into risotto or pasta
- -Mix mashed kohlrabi into scrambled eggs
Raw thin slices (crunchy, like apple), roasted, in slaws.
Serving ideas:
- -Grate raw kohlrabi finely into slaws or salads (small amounts for toddlers with good chewing)
- -Roast thick slices as a fry alternative
- -Add to stir-fries or grain bowls
Can You Freeze Kohlrabi for Baby?
Peel and slice or dice. Blanch for 2 minutes, transfer to an ice bath, drain, then freeze in a single layer before bagging.
Blanch for 2 minutes before freezing. Keeps for up to 12 months.
Batch prep tip
Peel and dice a batch of kohlrabi, steam or roast until soft, and freeze in portions. Thaw and mash, add to soups, or reheat as finger food. Keeps 3 months.
Steamed Kohlrabi and Potato Mash
From 6 monthsIngredients
- -1 small kohlrabi bulb, peeled and diced
- -1 small Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced
- -1 tsp unsalted butter
- -2 to 3 tbsp whole milk or cooking water
Steps
- Place diced kohlrabi and potato in a steamer basket over boiling water.
- Steam for 15 to 18 minutes until both are completely soft and a fork slides in without resistance.
- Transfer to a bowl and mash with butter and milk until smooth.
- For 6-8 months, blend until very smooth or serve as a thick mash on a preloaded spoon. For 9 months and older, leave textured with visible pieces for self-feeding.
Whole milk is a dairy allergen. If dairy has not yet been introduced, use the potato cooking water instead to thin the mash.
Growing Kohlrabi at Home
Underrated vegetable. Fast-growing cool-season crop. Leaves and stem are both edible.
Ready in ~45-60 days from planting.
Kohlrabi grows quickly (45-60 days) and takes up less space than most brassicas. Both the bulb and the greens are edible. It looks like something from a science fiction garden, which makes it a hit with curious kids.
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.