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Gai Lan for Babies: When and How to Serve It

Gai lan, or Chinese broccoli, is a leafy green with thick stems and small flower buds, common in Chinese cooking. Cook it soft and chop it finely from around 8 months.

When to introduce: Around 8 months
Common allergen?: No (not a common allergen)
Texture: Cooked soft, chopped fine
Key nutrients: Vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, folate

When can babies eat gai lan (chinese broccoli)?

Gai lan, also called Chinese broccoli, is a leafy green with thick stems, broad leaves, and small flower buds. It is a staple of Chinese cooking, with a mild, slightly bitter flavor a bit like broccoli. Because the stems are firm and the leaves can be stringy, it works best from around 8 months, cooked soft and chopped fine.

How to prepare gai lan (chinese broccoli) for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées, by age

8 monthsCook until soft, then chop finely, since the stems are firm and the leaves can be stringy. Peel thick stems if needed to make them tender.

12 months+Serve soft-cooked gai lan chopped small, stirred into rice, noodles, or other dishes.

18 months+Offer cooked gai lan in small, bite-sized pieces alongside the family meal.

Is gai lan (chinese broccoli) safe? Choking & prep

Cook gai lan until soft, and chop it finely before serving it to a baby, since the stems are firm and the leaves can be stringy. Peel thick stems if they still seem tough after cooking. Serve it mixed into softer foods like rice or noodles to make it easier to eat. Skip added salt or heavy sauces on your baby's portion.

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Nutrition

Gai lan is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and folate. The vitamin C helps your baby absorb iron from foods served alongside it, while calcium supports growing bones and vitamin A supports healthy vision. It is a nutritious way to add leafy greens to your baby's plate.

Goes well with

Tofu · Chicken · Rice

Storage & freezing

Refrigerate cooked gai lan in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

More vegetables to explore

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GarlicAround 6 months, as a cooked flavoring

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Green beansAround 6 months

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Hearts of palmAround 9 months

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JicamaAround 9 months

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Kabocha squashAround 6 months

🥬

KaleAround 9 months

Frequently asked questions

When can babies eat gai lan?

Around 8 months, cooked until soft and chopped finely, since the stems are firm and the leaves can be stringy.

Is gai lan a common allergen?

No, gai lan is not a common allergen. Introduce it on its own so you can watch how your baby does.

What is gai lan?

Gai lan is Chinese broccoli, a leafy green with thick stems and small flower buds. It has a mild, slightly bitter broccoli-like flavor and is common in Chinese cooking.

Are the stems safe?

Cook them soft and peel thick ones if needed, then chop finely. Firm, unpeeled stems can be tough for a baby to chew.

Sources

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Last updated July 2026. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.

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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