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Turnip Greens for Babies: When and How to Serve Them

Turnip greens are the leafy tops of turnips, a cheap Southern staple high in calcium, iron, and folate. Cook them until very soft and chop finely or puree for babies from around 6 months.

When to introduce
Around 6 months
Common allergen?
No (not a common allergen)
Texture
Cooked soft, finely chopped or pureed
Key nutrients
Calcium, iron, folate, vitamin C

When can babies eat turnip greens?

Turnip greens are the leafy tops of turnips, a cheap Southern staple that often gets tossed but is well worth cooking. They are high in calcium, iron, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. Cooked until soft and finely chopped or pureed, they make an easy, nutrient-rich addition to your baby's plate from around 6 months.

How to prepare turnip greens for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées, by age

6 monthsRemove tough stems, cook the leaves until very soft, then puree them smooth or blend into another vegetable puree.
9 monthsCook until soft and chop finely, then mix into mashed vegetables, rice, or beans for easy self-feeding.
12 months+Serve finely chopped cooked greens stirred into family dishes like rice or stew, still without added salt.

Are turnip greens safe? Choking & prep

Cook turnip greens until very soft before serving them to a baby. Remove any tough stems first, and chop the leaves finely or puree them, since leafy greens can be stringy. There is no need to add salt to your baby's portion.

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Nutrition

Turnip greens are a good source of calcium, iron, and folate, along with vitamin C, which helps your baby absorb the iron in the greens. They are inexpensive and very nutrient-dense, making them an easy way to add variety and minerals.

Goes well with

Turnip · Chicken · Rice

Storage & freezing

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

More vegetables to explore

🥬
WatercressAround 6 months
🍠
YamAround 6 months, cooked
🥒
Yellow squashAround 6 months
🥒
ZucchiniAround 6 months
🎃
Acorn squashAround 6 months
🥬
ArtichokeAround 9 months

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

When can babies eat turnip greens?

Around 6 months, cooked until very soft and either pureed or finely chopped, with tough stems removed.

Can I use the turnip and its greens together?

Yes. The root and the leafy tops both cook down soft, and they pair well mashed together for babies.

Are turnip greens a common allergen?

No, turnip greens are not a common allergen. Introduce them on their own so you can watch how your baby does.

How do I keep greens from being stringy?

Remove the tough stems, cook the leaves until very soft, and chop them finely or puree them.

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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