Can Babies Eat Garlic?
Yes. A little cooked garlic is fine from around 6 months, and it is one of the best ways to make baby food taste good without reaching for salt. Cook it soft, use a small amount, and it adds a mellow, savoury note that babies tend to like.
There is a myth that babies want bland food. In fact, they are open to all sorts of flavours, and garlic is a lovely one to introduce early. A little, cooked into a puree, brings warmth and depth that makes vegetables far more tempting. Best of all, it does the job that salt would, without the salt.
What is garlic?
Garlic is a bulb made up of small cloves, closely related to the onion. Raw, it is pungent and fiery. Cooked, it turns soft, sweet and mellow. Because a little goes a long way, you only ever need a small amount for a baby's meal.
Garlic and onion are the classic flavour duo. Soften them together as the base for a puree, then build in soft vegetables like carrot or a mild tomato sauce.
Garlic nutrition for babies
Garlic is eaten in tiny amounts, so it is more about flavour than nutrition, but it does contain natural plant compounds.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (raw) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 149 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 33 g |
| Protein | 6.4 g |
| Fibre | 2.1 g |
| Vitamin C | 31 mg |
Typical values for raw garlic. A baby has only a small piece of a clove. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat garlic?
Garlic can start from around 6 months, cooked into food in small amounts:
Cook a small piece of garlic soft and blend it into a vegetable or meat puree for gentle flavour.
Use cooked garlic in soft pasta sauces, mashes and mild curries as part of the flavour base.
Garlic goes into family meals freely now. Keep dishes low in salt and let the garlic do the flavouring.
Tip: add garlic early in cooking so it softens and mellows, rather than at the end where it can taste sharp. Gently cooked garlic is sweet and baby-friendly.
Health benefits of garlic for babies
Flavour without salt
Garlic adds savoury depth, helping babies enjoy vegetables and meals without needing any salt.
Plant compounds
It contains natural compounds that are part of a healthy, varied diet.
Broadens taste
Introducing gentle flavours early helps babies grow into more adventurous eaters.
Garlic is the starting point for so many meals. Cook it soft with onion, then stir the base into lentils or a vegetable puree.
How to serve garlic safely
Do
- Cook garlic soft and mellow.
- Use small amounts for flavour.
- Blend it into purees and sauces.
- Add it early in cooking.
Avoid
- Raw garlic for babies.
- Large amounts at once.
- Salty garlic breads or sauces.
- Garlic salt, which is mostly salt.
Risks and safety
Garlic allergy is rare. Since it is eaten in such small amounts, there is little to worry about beyond cooking it soft and keeping the quantity small at first, so it is gentle on a new tummy.
Flavour over salt: the NHS advises keeping salt very low for babies, so lean on garlic, onion and herbs to make food tasty instead.
Easy garlic recipe idea (6 months)
Garlicky vegetable puree for baby
Makes 3 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 courgette and 1 potato, diced
- A little olive oil
- Water or unsalted stock
Method
- Cook the garlic gently in a little olive oil for a minute, without letting it brown.
- Add the vegetables and enough liquid to cover, and simmer until very soft.
- Blend to a smooth puree and cool before serving.
Garlic FAQ
When can babies eat garlic?
Babies can have garlic from around 6 months, cooked in small amounts into their food. It is a great way to add flavour without salt, and most babies take to its mellow, cooked taste.
Is garlic good for babies?
Yes, in the small amounts used for flavour. Garlic makes food tastier, which can help babies enjoy vegetables and savoury meals. It also contains natural plant compounds as part of a varied diet.
Can garlic upset a baby's stomach?
A large amount of garlic could be a bit strong for a baby's tummy, but the small amounts used for flavour are usually fine. Start with a little cooked garlic and build up as your baby gets used to it.
Can babies eat raw garlic?
It is best to cook garlic for babies. Raw garlic is very strong and pungent, which is a lot for a baby. Cooking it softens the flavour into something gentle and sweet.
Sources
- Garlic, Wikipedia.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Weaning and feeding, National Health Service (UK).
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
