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Bok choy for Babies: When and How to Introduce It

A mild Chinese cabbage that turns tender and sweet once cooked. Soften both the leaves and the crunchy stalks, chop them fine, and you have an easy, gentle green.

When to introduce: Around 8 months
Common allergen?: No (not a common allergen)
Texture: Leaves and stalks cooked until soft, chopped finely
Key nutrients: Vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium

When can babies eat bok choy?

Bok choy is a mild Chinese cabbage with dark leafy tops and crisp pale stalks. Raw, those stalks are quite crunchy, but a little cooking softens them right down, and the flavor is gentle and slightly sweet, which makes bok choy one of the easier greens to introduce. The trick is simply to cook both parts until soft, since the leaves wilt quickly but the stalks take a bit longer, then chop everything finely.

How to prepare bok choy, by age

8 monthsSeparate the leaves from the stalks, cook both until soft (the stalks need a little longer), and chop very finely into purées, rice, or mash.

12 months+Serve soft finely chopped bok choy stirred into noodles, congee, or a mild stir-fry with no added salt.

18 months+Offer softly cooked small pieces as a side or folded into savory dishes.

Is bok choy safe? Choking & prep

Cook both the leaves and the stalks until soft, since the stalks are crunchy when raw and need extra time. Chop everything finely so there are no large or firm pieces to gum. Skip added salt and heavy sauces when cooking for babies.

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Nutrition

Bok choy provides vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium, a nice combination for growing eyes, immune support, and bone development. It is low-key and mild, so it slips easily into all sorts of savory baby meals.

Goes well with

Rice · Chicken · Sweet potato

Storage & freezing

Cooked bok choy keeps 2 to 3 days refrigerated. It can be frozen but softens considerably, which is fine for baby purées and mashes.

Frequently asked questions

Is bok choy the same as pak choi?

Yes. Bok choy is also spelled pak choi or pak choy, and sometimes called Chinese cabbage. It is the same vegetable, and it is prepared the same way: cook soft and chop fine.

Do I cook the whole thing or just the leaves?

Use both, but treat them separately. The leaves wilt fast, while the crunchy stalks need a little more time to soften. Cook until the stalks are tender, then chop everything finely.

Can babies eat raw bok choy?

It is best cooked for young babies. Raw stalks are crunchy and harder to gum safely. Cooking softens them and brings out a mild sweetness that babies tend to like.

How do I clean bok choy?

Grit likes to hide at the base where the stalks meet. Separate the leaves and rinse each one, or halve the head and swish it in water, then cook as usual.

Sources

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How we write these: from widely published pediatric guidance (AAP, NIAID 2017 guidelines, the LEAP study), with sources cited on every page. Pending review by a pediatric professional.

This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

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