Cilantro overview

How to Prepare Cilantro for Baby

Cilantro is safe for babies from 6 months old. How you prepare it changes as your baby grows. Here is exactly what to do at each stage.

Choking risk: low

Low choking risk with appropriate preparation. Always supervise mealtimes.

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.

1

6 to 8 months

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.
2

9 to 11 months

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.
3

12+ months

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

See what's safe for your baby's age

Enter your baby's birthday and get a personalized list of foods to introduce, how to prep each one, and what to plant so the harvest lands right on time.

Freezing 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 months

Ingredients

  • -1 ripe avocado
  • -2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
  • -1 tsp fresh lime juice
  • -1 tbsp full-fat plain yogurt

Steps

  1. Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop flesh into a bowl.
  2. Add lime juice and mash with a fork to a smooth but slightly textured spread.
  3. Stir in yogurt and cilantro.
  4. For 6-8 months, blend smooth and serve on a preloaded spoon or as a thick dip with soft toast strips.
  5. 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.

Track how your baby reacts to cilantro

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Growing Cilantro at home?

Enter your baby's birthday and we'll tell you exactly when to plant so the harvest lines up with your baby's readiness.

If your baby was born early, enter their due date instead of their birth date to use adjusted age. How to calculate adjusted age.

We use this to find your local frost dates and improve timing.

Your baby will be ready for these next

Save these for when you need them, or get a personalized list by age.

Parsley

Ready at 6 months

Basil

Ready at 6 months

Chives

Ready at 6 months

Dill

Ready at 6 months

Related

Can babies eat cilantro?All foods safe at 6 monthsPrintable first foods checklist

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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods.
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