Can Babies Eat Pea Shoots? Yes, Cooked Soft
Pea shoots, also called dou miao or pea tips, are tender pea greens with a sweet, grassy flavor. Cook the tips soft and skip tough stringy stems from around 6 months.
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- When to introduce
- Around 6 months
- Common allergen?
- No (not a top-9 allergen)
- Texture
- Cooked soft, tough stems removed
- Key nutrients
- Vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, vitamin K
Yes, babies can eat pea shoots once they are ready for solids, usually around 6 months. Pea shoots, also known as dou miao or pea tips, are the tender young leaves and tips of the pea plant, with a sweet, grassy flavor much like fresh peas. Cook the delicate tips until soft, and discard any tough, stringy stems, which can be hard for a baby to manage.
Why it matters: Pea shoots introduce a fresh green flavor early, and their pea-like sweetness makes them an easy first green for babies who already like peas.
Prep School: how to prepare pea shoots for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées
🍴 Baby-led weaning
🥄 Purées
Are pea shoots safe? Choking & prep
Cook pea shoots until soft, and discard any tough, stringy stems, which can be a choking risk for babies.1 Chop the tender tips finely or blend them into a puree, and stir them into softer foods like rice or mash to make them easy to gum. Wash the shoots well before cooking. Pea shoots are not a common allergen, and you can skip added salt and heavy sauces on your baby's portion.
Trying pea shoots soon? Log the first taste in YummyYucky and mark it yummy, meh, or yucky to remember how your baby felt about their new green.
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Nutrition
Pea shoots are a tender green vegetable that offers vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and vitamin K, along with some fiber. The vitamin C helps your baby's body absorb iron from foods eaten in the same meal, and folate supports healthy growth. They are a light, nutritious way to add a fresh green to your baby's plate.
Goes well with
Peas · Rice or congee · Scrambled egg · Mashed potato · Tofu · Chicken
Storage & freezing
Refrigerate fresh pea shoots wrapped loosely in a damp cloth or bag for a few days. Refrigerate cooked pea shoots in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
More vegetables to explore
Related reading
- Best first vegetables for babies →
- How to cut food to prevent choking →
- Signs your baby is ready for solids →
- Baby-led weaning vs. purées →
Common questions
When can babies eat pea shoots?
Around 6 months, once your baby is ready for solids. Cook the tender tips until soft, chop them finely or puree them, and discard any tough, stringy stems.
Are pea shoots a common allergen?
No, pea shoots are not a top-9 allergen. As with any new food, offer them on their own at first so you can watch how your baby does.
What are dou miao and pea tips?
Dou miao and pea tips are other names for pea shoots, the tender young leaves and tips of the pea plant. They have a sweet, grassy flavor much like fresh peas.
Are pea shoots a choking risk for babies?
The tough, stringy stems can be a choking risk, so discard them and cook the tender tips until soft. Chopping finely or pureeing makes them easy for a baby to manage.
Do I need to cook pea shoots for my baby?
For babies, it is best to cook the tips until soft rather than serving them raw, since cooking softens them and makes them easier to gum and swallow.
How do I prepare pea shoots for a 6 month old?
Wash them, cook the tender tips until soft, discard tough stringy stems, then chop finely or blend into a puree and stir into another soft food.
Can babies eat raw pea shoots?
Raw pea shoots can be stringy and hard to chew, so for babies it is safest to cook the tender tips until soft first. Save crisp raw shoots for older children and adults.
Which part of the pea shoot should I use for my baby?
Use the tender leaves and tips. Discard the tougher, stringy lower stems, which are harder to chew and can be a choking risk.
Do pea shoots taste like peas?
Yes, pea shoots have a fresh, sweet, grassy flavor that is very similar to peas, which makes them a gentle green for babies who already enjoy peas.
Can I mix pea shoots into other foods?
Yes. Stirring soft-cooked, finely chopped pea shoots into rice, congee, mashed potato, or egg makes them easier to eat and adds a fresh green to the meal.
Sources
Further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
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Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. 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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