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Thyme for Babies: When and How to Use It

Earthy and savory with a whisper of mint. Thyme makes soups and beans taste slow-cooked and cozy.

When to introduce: Around 6 months
Common allergen?: No
Flavor: Earthy, savory, subtly minty
How to use: Leaves stripped from the stem, in cooking

When can babies have thyme?

Thyme is earthy and savory with a subtly minty edge that gives cooking a warm, grown-up depth. It is a lovely herb for building flavor into the foods babies already love.

How to use thyme in baby food

Stirred into savory dishesAdd stripped thyme leaves to soups, beans, or a lentil pot as they cook so the flavor melts in.

With vegetablesThyme is wonderful with roasted vegetables like potato, carrot, and butternut squash.

Fresh as a garnishThe tiny leaves grow on woody stems, so strip them off and discard the tough stems before serving.

Is thyme safe for babies?

Thyme is safe once your baby starts solids, around 6 months, and it is not a common allergen. The tiny leaves grow on woody stems, so strip the leaves off and discard the tough stems before serving, since the stems are not safe to eat. Dried or fresh both work well. Wash fresh herbs before using them. Keep added salt and sugar off the plate before age 1 and let the thyme do the seasoning.

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Goes well with

Lentils · Butternut squash · Potato

Storage

Keep fresh thyme wrapped in a damp paper towel in the fridge, or store dried thyme sealed in a cool, dark cupboard.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies have thyme?

Around 6 months, once solids begin. Thyme is not a common allergen, so a little stirred into cooking is a fine, savory early flavor.

Do I need to remove the stems?

Yes. Strip the tiny leaves off the woody stems and discard the tough stems before serving, since they are not safe for your baby to eat.

Fresh or dried thyme?

Both work. Dried thyme is more concentrated, so use a little less, and add fresh thyme leaves while cooking so they soften.

What does thyme go with?

It shines in soups, beans, and roasted vegetables, adding a warm, earthy depth to potato, lentils, and squash.

← All baby-safe spices · The full spices & herbs guide

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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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