About Yardlong Bean
Yardlong bean, also called asparagus bean or Chinese long bean, is a slender legume commonly used in Asian, African, and Caribbean cooking. When cooked until very soft, it can be a nutritious vegetable to introduce to babies who are ready for solids. Its mild flavor works well in mixed meals and helps expose children to a wider variety of tastes and textures. Yardlong beans provide fiber for digestive health, folate for growth and cell development, and vitamin C, which helps support immune function and improves absorption of iron from other foods eaten in the same meal. They also contain some iron, calcium, and potassium, making them a useful addition to a balanced diet, though they are not as energy-dense as foods like avocado, yogurt, or grains. Yardlong bean is not a common allergen, but allergic reactions are still possible. Because it is a legume, use extra caution if your child has reacted to other beans or legumes before. Texture is the bigger concern for most babies: the pods can be stringy, fibrous, and difficult to chew unless cooked very soft. Most babies can start yardlong beans from 6 months old if they are thoroughly cooked and served in safe shapes. For younger babies, offer very soft long sections or mash the soft inner beans and pod. As chewing skills improve, you can move to shorter soft pieces and then bite-sized pieces for toddlers. Avoid raw or undercooked yardlong beans for babies and young toddlers.
How to serve by age
Cook yardlong beans until very soft. Offer long sections about 4 to 5 inches for easier grasping, or mash the soft pod and beans for spoon-feeding or self-feeding. Avoid firm or stringy pieces.
Once your baby is developing a pincer grasp, serve yardlong beans cooked very soft and cut into short pieces. You can also flatten them slightly to make chewing easier.
Offer bite-sized pieces of thoroughly cooked yardlong bean as part of mixed meals, stir-fries, or grain bowls. Encourage chewing well and continue close supervision.
Toddlers can eat soft cooked yardlong beans in family dishes. Continue to avoid raw or tough preparations, since fibrous pieces can still be hard to chew safely.
Pairs well with
Safety & allergens
Yardlong beans can be stringy and tough, and short pieces may be swallowed before they are chewed well. Always cook until very soft. For younger babies, offer long soft sections or mash the beans and pod. For older babies and toddlers, cut into small soft pieces. Do not serve raw, firm, or fibrous pieces.
What to watch for
Safety checklist
Storage & shelf life
Store fresh yardlong beans in the refrigerator in a bag or airtight container and use within 3-5 days. Once cooked, refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 3 days.
Freeze cooked yardlong beans in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat until hot, then cool before serving.
Nutrition
- Provides fiber to support healthy digestion
- Contains folate for growth and cell development
- Offers vitamin C to support immunity and iron absorption
- Provides some iron, calcium, and potassium
- Can be stringy and difficult to chew if not cooked very soft
- Not very calorie-dense for babies with high energy needs
- Provides only modest amounts of protein and fat
Key nutrients
Nutrition facts
| Calories | 47kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2.8g |
| Carbs | 8.3g |
| Fat | 0.4g |
| Iron | 0.5mg |
| Calcium | 50.0mg |
| Potassium | 240mg |
| Vitamin C | 19mg |
| Vitamin A | 43.0µg |
| Folate | 62µg |
| Zinc | 0.37mg |
per 100 g
In season
Common questions
When can babies eat Yardlong Bean?
Is Yardlong Bean a choking hazard?
Is Yardlong Bean a common allergen?
More first foods
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