Are you looking for a super fast and hydrating food for your baby? I’ve got you! Learn how to safely serve this refreshing veggie for babies 6 months and up. Serve it as a baby food puree, as a solid for the finger food stage, or for baby-led weaning.
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Cucumber Baby Food
Are you looking for a cooling vegetable to serve to your baby?
I’ve got you!
Cucumbers are a refreshing veggie option that works well as a puree and as a finger food for baby-led weaning.
You might be wondering how to serve cucumbers for baby-led weaning. Are cucumbers a choking hazard? Can you make cucumber puree?
Then, this complete guide on how to feed cucumber to your baby is for you!
Below, you will find everything you need to know about serving cucumbers to your little one—the health benefits, how to serve cucumbers to your baby for baby-led weaning or as a puree, how to store these recipes, FAQs, and so much more!
First time making homemade baby food? Then, make sure to start by reading our very in-depth guides – Guide on how to Make Homemade Baby Food and/or Complete Guide to Baby-Led Weaning. And be sure to check out my best-selling cookbook, Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste, for even more information and recipes!
Reasons to Love Cucumber for Baby
- delicious baby food purees – 6+ months
- great for baby-led weaning – 6+ months
- also great for the finger food stage – 9+ months
- full of essential nutrients for baby
- easy stage one and combination puree
- different ways for baby to eat – spoon-fed or self-feed
- easy to prepare
Benefits of Cucumber for Baby
Cucumbers have numerous health benefits for baby, making them a great choice to add to your little one’s menu.
- They are made up of mostly water, making them a great food for hydration.
- Their combination of water and fiber helps to prevent constipation.
- Cucumbers are a good source of vitamin K, which is important in blood clotting and bone health.
- They contain antioxidants to help manage oxidative stress.
- They make a great vehicle for healthy dips like yogurt, hummus, and bean dip.
How to Pick Cucumbers
Here’s some pointers on how to pick the best cucumbers:
- Firmness: Choose cucumbers that are firm to the touch and not soft or squishy.
- Color: Pick cucumbers that are dark green without any yellow spots. Avoid those with blemishes or soft spots.
- Size: Look for those that are medium-sized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cucumber can be introduced to your baby when they are ready to start solid foods, which is typically around 6 months of age.
Yes, cucumbers can be a choking hazard due to their firm and slippery consistency. Make sure to serve cucumbers in an age-appropriate way and always be near baby or toddler when they are eating to supervise.
No, cucumbers are not a common allergen, however, as with any food, start with a small portion and be aware of any signs that might be an allergic reaction after introducing it.
No, in fact, cucumbers can help alleviate constipation due to their high water content and soluble fiber.
Tools Needed
These tools will make it a lot easier for you to serve cucumber to your baby. For more of my favorite kitchen tools, make sure to check out my shop.
Cucumber Baby Puree
Cucumber puree is super easy to make. Simply peel and slice the cucumber lengthwise to remove the seeds. Then slice and blend in a high-powered blender or food processor until smooth. You can also blend with pears or mango for more flavor and a thicker consistency.
Cucumber for Baby-Led Weaning
Cucumber is a great hydrating veggie for babies and toddlers. You can serve cucumber pureed or cut into age-appropriate sizes for babies and toddlers.
- 6-8 months – long, thick spears or wide, thin slices: You can serve the cucumber with or without the skin on, as the skin can make it a little easier to grasp. You can also roll a peeled cucumber spear in some crushed baby cereal, finely ground up nuts or shredded coconut to help them grasp it. If serving spears, cut them about the width and length of an adult finger. Cut wide thin slices about 1/4 inch thick and the length of an adult finger.
- 9+ months – wide, thin slices or thin circles: You can continue to serve cucumbers in long, thin, wide slices or for more ease when preparing, you can start to serve them as thin rounds, similar to how you would likely slice for an adult.
- 12+ months – thin circles or bite-sized pieces: Serve cucumbers cut into thin circles or bite-sized pieces. Feel free to leave the skin on or peel them.
Storage Instructions
Cucumber Puree
Refrigerator
You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer
This puree can be frozen for up to 4 months.
- Spoon puree into a freezer storage container – do not overfill.
- Place the lid on the storage container or cover it with a piece of saran wrap and label it with the date and recipe name.
- Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze completely – preferably overnight.
- Pop out the baby food cubes and place them in a zip-lock baggie or stasher bag – don’t forget to re-label the baggie or stasher bag for future reference.
Baby-Led Weaning
You can store cut cucumbers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Expert Feeding Tips
- The cool soothing texture of cucumbers can provide teething relief for swollen gums.
- If your baby breaks off too big of a piece of cucumber, try to stay calm. Allow them to work on breaking down the food or getting the food out themselves. Avoid sticking your fingers in their mouth, as this can sometimes push food farther back into the throat. Coach baby how to spit out the cucumber by sticking out your tongue and encourage baby to lean forward slightly to see if this helps spit out the cucumber into your hand.
- Remember that babies have a gag reflex to help prevent them from swallowing too big of a piece.
- Baby can have pickles (aka pickled cucumbers) around 6 months of age. Just make sure to serve pickles in developmentally appropriate sizes for their age. However, pickles can be higher in sodium and sugar, so be mindful of serving them sparingly or choose healthier brands.
- For more nutritious benefits, leave the peel on.
Cucumber Baby Puree
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- 1 cup mango chunks (optional)
Cucumber for Baby-Led Weaning
Prevent your screen from going dark
Cucumber for Baby-Led Weaning
Yield: 3 small portions for baby
How to Cut:
- 6-8 months – long, thick spears or wide, thin slices: You can serve the cucumber with or without the skin on, as the skin can make it a little easier to grasp. You can also roll a peeled cucumber spear in some crushed baby cereal, finely ground up nuts or shredded coconut to help them grasp it. If serving spears, cut them about the width and length of an adult finger. Cut wide thin slices about 1/4 inch thick and the length of an adult finger.
- 9+ months – wide, thin slices or thin circles: You can continue to serve cucumbers in long, thin, wide slices or for more ease when preparing, you can start to serve them as thin rounds, similar to how you would likely slice for an adult.
- 12+ months – thin circles or bite-sized pieces: Serve cucumbers cut into thin circles or bite-sized pieces. Feel free to leave the skin on or peel them.
Puree for Self-Feeding: Yes, it can be done! You can offer purees and still allow your baby to lead the way with self-feeding.
- Place a few spoonfuls of purees directly on the tray or in a bowl for your baby to dip fingers into. Model how to dip your fingers into the puree and bring them to your mouth, to taste some.
- Offer your baby a pre-loaded self-feeding utensil and hold it out for them to grasp or set on their tray.
- Use a solid food as a dipper. You can also offer a soft stick-shaped piece of food, such as a soft roasted carrot or bread lightly toasted and cut into strips to dip into the puree.