Thyme overview

How to Prepare Thyme for Baby

Thyme 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 thyme has an intensely aromatic, slightly floral, piney flavor with earthy and faintly lemony undertones that become gentler when heat is applied. Dried thyme is more muted and powdery but still strongly herbal, with most of its volatile oils preserved. It pairs naturally with root vegetables, white beans, chicken, eggs, butter, lemon, garlic, potato, and olive oil, contributing complexity without overwhelming mild flavors.

1

6 to 8 months

Remove the woody stems and use only the tiny leaves, finely chopped or left whole in slow-cooked dishes (remove before serving). Excellent in chicken, sweet potato, and root vegetable purees.

Serving ideas

  • -Add a few fresh thyme sprigs to the pot when cooking root vegetable soups or bean stews (remove before serving)
  • -Strip leaves from stems, mince finely, and stir into mashed potato or white bean puree with olive oil
  • -Season roasted carrot or parsnip sticks with a pinch of dried thyme before roasting
2

9 to 11 months

Strip leaves and add to roasted vegetables, eggs, or soft pasta. The earthy flavor pairs especially well with root vegetables babies already love.

Serving ideas

  • -Use thyme to season chicken broth for adding to soft pasta, rice, or egg dishes
  • -Mix into a lemon thyme butter to toss over soft steamed vegetables
  • -Add to a creamy lentil or white bean soup
3

12+ months

Any family use: roast chicken, soups, stews, focaccia, compound butter.

Serving ideas

  • -Use freely in any savory cooking: chicken, fish, vegetables, beans, soups
  • -Make compound thyme butter and toss over roasted vegetables or pasta
  • -Add to pizza sauce, focaccia, or herb bread

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Freezing Thyme for baby

Strip leaves and freeze flat on a tray, then bag. Or freeze whole sprigs and strip after freezing. The leaves fall off easily.

Thyme-Roasted Carrot and White Bean Puree

From 6 months

Ingredients

  • -3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • -1/2 cup canned white beans, drained and rinsed (no added salt)
  • -1 tsp olive oil
  • -1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 tsp dried)
  • -2 to 4 tbsp water

Steps

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss carrots with olive oil and thyme on a baking sheet.
  2. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until completely tender and caramelized at the edges.
  3. Transfer roasted carrots to a blender with white beans and 2 tablespoons water.
  4. Blend until very smooth, adding water one tablespoon at a time for a thick, spoonable puree.
  5. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Roasting the carrots before blending concentrates their sweetness and deepens the thyme flavor. This puree also works well spread on soft toast strips.

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Growing Thyme 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.