Grape Leaves

Grape leaves may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. 

The grape vine has fed human communities for millennia, not only through its fruit and juices, but through its leaves, which have long been eaten across the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond. Preserved and fresh grape leaves are used to wrap spiced rice, grains, and meat in dishes known by many names: dolma or dolmades in Turkish and Greek, warak dawali or warak enab in Arabic, tolma in Armenian, dolmeh in Persian, and sarma in some parts of the Balkans.

• Trim the stem before cooking. The stem is fibrous and tough even when the leaf is fully cooked. Snip it off at the base before preparing the leaves for baby or for a stuffed leaf dish.

• Simmer until fully soft. Whether using fresh or jarred leaves, simmer them in water or broth until completely tender before serving to a baby or young toddler. 

• Use grape leaves to add flavor to broth. Add grape leaves to the broth or cooking liquid for soups, rice dishes, or stewed vegetables, then remove before serving. They impart a mild, savory flavor to whatever they're cooked in.

No. Cooked grape leaves present a low choking risk when safely prepared for a child's age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve grape leaves in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

No. Grape leaves are not a common allergen. While rare, allergies to grapes, grape byproducts, and grapevine pollen have been reported.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}Individuals with known allergy to lipid transfer proteins (LTP), particularly those allergic to mugwort pollen, may also be sensitive to grape leaves.

Yes. Grape leaves contain plenty of important nutrients for a developing child. They offer lots of vitamin A and carotenoids like alpha and beta carotene, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin. They are also a good source of plant-sourced omega three fatty acids and vitamin K and offer a bit of fiber, calcium, folate, and vitamin B6.^[5] Plus grape leaves are packed with antioxidants and polyphenols and are thought to be even more concentrated in these phytochemicals than grapes themselves.^{[6] [7]} All of these nutrients work to support vision, immunity, neurodevelopment, digestive health, bodily resilience, and much more.

While canned grape leaves can be high in salt, grape leaves are typically used in small amounts in dishes and are fine to offer on occasion to babies in an age-appropriate way.

Yes. Babies can have jarred or canned grape leaves when served in an age-appropriate way. Note that preserved grape leaves are packaged in a brine, which is high in sodium. If the family cooks with grape leaves regularly, consider rinsing the leaves, simmering them in fresh water, or cooking with fresh grape leaves to reduce baby’s sodium intake, although a taste of jarred or canned varieties for baby is perfectly fine on occasion.

Yes, when served in an age-appropriate way. For babies 6 months and up, the filling can be removed from the leaf and served on its own as a scoopable food, as long as the ingredients are appropriate for baby's age. Wait to serve a whole stuffed grape leaf until the child has practice with chewable foods and mixed textures, typically closer to 12 months.