Cucumber overview

How to Prepare Cucumber for Baby

Cucumber 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

Raw cucumber is mild, clean, and watery with a faint grassy sweetness and a cool, refreshing quality that comes from its high water content. Cooking is rarely done with cucumber as it turns soft and loses its signature freshness quickly. It pairs naturally with yogurt, dill, mint, lemon, garlic, avocado, and tomato.

1

6 to 8 months

Peel, remove seeds, cut into thick spears. Cucumber has high water content and is cooling - great for teething. Serve chilled for extra soothing effect.

Serving ideas

  • -Halve lengthwise, scoop seeds, and serve as a thick spear with skin on for grip
  • -Grate peeled cucumber into yogurt
  • -Puree with mint and a little avocado
2

9 to 11 months

Halved slices or small dice, peeled. Skin can be offered if it's thin.

Serving ideas

  • -Cut peeled cucumber into thin strips or small dice (skin is removed at this age because small cubes of skin are tough to chew and can stick to the roof of baby's mouth)
  • -Serve with hummus or yogurt dip
  • -Mix diced cucumber into tabbouleh with soft couscous
3

12+ months

Any preparation. Raw rounds, sticks, in salads, with dips.

Serving ideas

  • -Serve cucumber sticks with dips (skin on for older toddlers)
  • -Add to sandwiches or wraps
  • -Blend into a cold cucumber soup

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Cucumber Tzatziki Dip

From 6 months

Ingredients

  • -1/2 medium cucumber, peeled and seeded
  • -1/2 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • -1 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped
  • -1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Steps

  1. Grate the peeled, seeded cucumber on the large holes of a box grater.
  2. Squeeze grated cucumber firmly in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess water.
  3. Combine drained cucumber, yogurt, dill, and lemon juice in a small bowl and stir well.
  4. For 6-8 months, spread on a preloaded spoon or serve as a dip alongside soft steamed vegetable spears.
  5. For 9 months and older, serve as a dip with soft pita strips, cucumber spears, or steamed broccoli.

Allergen note: contains dairy. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Stir before serving as the cucumber releases more water over time.

Common questions

Can babies eat cucumber?

Yes. Cucumber is safe for babies from 6 months old. For young babies, the best approach is to cut a thick spear with the skin on, which provides grip and the cool, crisp flesh is soothing for gums. Remove the seeds from the center, which can be slippery, especially for younger babies. Raw cucumber is one of the few vegetables that is safe to serve uncooked from the start, as long as it is cut correctly.

How do I cut cucumber for a 6 month old?

Cut the cucumber lengthwise into quarters, then cut each quarter into spears about 3 to 4 inches long, leaving the skin on. Remove the seedy center, which is slippery and can separate in the mouth. The skin gives baby a surface to grip. The spear is long enough to hold but with enough flesh at the end to gnaw on. Do not cut into coins or rounds, as those shapes are harder to grip and easier to gag on.

How do I serve cucumber to a 9 month old?

At 9 months, babies are developing a pincer grasp and can handle smaller pieces. Cut cucumber into small cubes or thin half-moons with the skin on. You can also continue with spears. Remove the seedy center if it is very watery. At this age you might also try thinly sliced cucumber in a yogurt dip or mixed into soft foods for texture variety.

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Growing Cucumber at home?

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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.