Tomatillo

Vegetable

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

two whole raw tomatillos still in their husks on a white background

When can babies have tomatillo?

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

The tomatillo still grows wild in regions of Central and North America, where the plant originated, but it has also been cultivated for thousands of years. Along with maize and tomatoes, tomatillos were staples of the diet and economy for Aztec, Incan, and Mayan cultures. The tomatillo is a distant cousin to the tomato, but even more closely related to the goldenberry or uchuva, another fruit that grows inside a papery husk that must be removed before eating. Unlike the tomato, tomatillos remain green and firm, even when ripe, and they lend fresh, tart flavor to salsas, moles, tacos, and much more.

How do you serve tomatillo 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 Tomatillo for Babies: sauce or salsa for 6 months+, cooked wedges or bite-sized pieces for 9 months+, and bite-sized pieces with a utensil for 12 months+

6 months old +:

Roughly chop and cook husked, washed tomatillos until soft. From there, you can stir the soft, cooked pieces into another soft, scoopable food. Alternatively, make a sauce or salsa from roasted tomatillos and drizzle onto baby’s food. If you have very large tomatillos (bigger than baby’s mouth), you can also offer soft, cooked halves or quarters of tomatillo for baby to munch on.

9 months old +:

Serve husked, cooked tomatillo that has been quartered, either on its own or as part of a meal. While you can offer cooked tomatillo in bite-sized pieces on their own, know that they may be slippery and difficult for baby to pick up. Roasted tomatillo quarters may be easier to pick up due to the ridges in the roasted skin. Or serve roasted tomatillos in a sauce or salsa over a variety of foods such as eggs, meats, or tacos.

12 months old +:

At this age, you can offer husked, cooked tomatillo in bite-sized pieces or wedges for the child to pick up with their pincer grasp or for utensil practice. Alternatively, continue to serve salsas and sauces made of tomatillo. If your family regularly eats raw tomatillo, you can also serve raw tomatillo, which has a more tart flavor and firmer texture, but make sure to blend into a sauce, finely chop, or slice thinly to reduce choking risk.

Videos

Alex, 6 months, eats chicken in a tomatillo sauce.

Juliet Rose, 10 months, eats cooked pieces of tomatillo.

Cooper, 14 months, eats a tomatillo sauce on beans.

Is tomatillo a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Tomatillos, when raw or undercooked, are firm, slippery, and sometimes small, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve tomatillo in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

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

Is tomatillo a common allergen?

No. Allergies to tomatillo are rare, but have been reported. What is much more common is a harmless rash around the mouth while baby eats or diaper rash due to the acid in the food. Rashes after contact with acidic foods are typically just skin irritation reaction to the acidity in the food and are rarely an actual allergic reaction. Talk to baby’s doctor about applying a thin layer of barrier cream or ointment—such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm—to baby’s face before meals and to the diaper area, which can help prevent contact rashes.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Are tomatillos healthy for babies?

Yes. Tomatillos are rich in fiber, fluid, potassium and vitamins B6, C, and K. Together, these nutrients support baby’s flourishing gut microbiome and digestive function, hydration electrolyte balance, iron absorption, immunity, and bone health. Both fresh and canned tomatillos are fine to share with babies.

★ Tip: Tomatillos are ripe when the fruit underneath the husk is firm to the touch and bright green in color. The fruits may be stored at room temperature for a day or so, or can be refrigerated or frozen to extend the shelf life.

What are some great first foods for babies?

There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. A few of our favorite first foods include cooked broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits.

Do I need to start solids with purees?

You can if you’d like, but there's no developmental need to start with textureless food. Babies can be served modified versions of what you eat. Use our First Foods Database to find how to safely serve any food.