Portobello (Portabella) Mushroom

Fungi

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

two portobello mushrooms before being prepared for babies starting solids

When can babies have portobello mushrooms?

Portobello mushrooms (also marketed as portabella mushrooms) may be introduced as soon as a baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

More than 2,000 known edible mushroom varieties exist on our planet, each with a distinctive smell and taste, but portobello mushrooms are among the most widely consumed. Portobello mushroom is the same strain of fungus as the ubiquitous button mushroom; it has simply been allowed to grow to its mature size and develop a meatier, more robust flavor. Like button mushrooms, portobellos sprout in the wild (they originated in Europe and thrive worldwide today), but the fungi at your favorite grocer were most likely cultivated on a dedicated indoor mushroom farm, where growers can control air, moisture, and other environmental conditions.

How do you serve portobello mushrooms to babies?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.

a Solid Starts infographic with the header How to Cut Portobello for Babies: cooked slices for 6 mos+, cooked bite size pieces for 9 mos+, raw slices if desired for 18 mos+

6 months old +:

Offer long slices of cooked portobello cap for baby to munch on. If they are too slippery, try rolling them in hemp seeds or breadcrumbs to add grip. You can also mix cooked and finely chopped portobello mushrooms into finger foods like egg strips, patties, or large meatballs, or into scoopable foods like pasta or mashed potatoes.

9 months old +:

Serve cooked portobello caps, chopped into bite-sized pieces, either on their own or mixed into other dishes, like lentils, pasta, or quinoa. Or you can continue to serve long cooked slices of portobello cap for biting and tearing practice.

12 months old +:

Offer cooked portobellos (chopped or thinly sliced) on their own or folded into casseroles, eggs, grains, pastas, vegetables, or other dishes. At this age, you can also try serving thin slices of raw portobello. Explore using mushrooms as a substitute for meat in recipes. If you haven't already, this is a great time to introduce a utensil, preloading as needed for your toddler to self-feed.

Videos

Eunoia, 7 months, tastes cooked portobello mushroom slices.

Amelia, 9 months, eats portobello mushrooms for the first time.

Isar, 12 months, eats noodles with portobello mushrooms.

Are portobello mushrooms a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Portobello mushrooms can be chewy and challenging for new eaters to break down in their mouths, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve portobellos in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. 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.

Are portobello mushrooms a common allergen?

No. Mushroom allergy is rare, although not unheard of. That said, mushrooms contain chitin, a common carbohydrate also found in crustaceans and insects that may contribute to an allergic response. Spores released by many mushrooms can be allergenic and cause problems for people with respiratory issues or sensitivities to airborne allergens. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome) may also be sensitive to mushrooms. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction.

Are portobello mushrooms healthy for babies?

Yes. Portobello mushrooms offer a dash of protein and carbohydrates, in addition to fiber, fluid, folate, choline, potassium, selenium, zinc, and vitamins B6 and K. These nutrients help support baby’s gut microbiome, hydration, brain development, electrolyte balance, hormone health, taste perception, metabolic processes, and bone density. These mushrooms also contain some phytonutrients that may offer antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

Make sure to buy mushrooms from a reputable source and avoid foraged mushrooms unless an expert mycologist has confirmed they are safe to eat, as there are plenty of poisonous look-a-like species growing in the wild.

Can babies eat raw portobello mushrooms?

Yes, although portobello mushrooms are best served cooked. Cooking mushrooms helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness, while also making them easier to digest and lowering choking risk.

Our Team