BabyJoy
Mackerel (Atlantic) for babies
When and how to serve mackerel (Atlantic) at every stage of starting solids.
- Introduce from
- 6–9 months
- Safety notes
- Common allergen: Fish
- Omega-3 rich
- Protein rich
How to prepare mackerel (Atlantic) by age
6–9 months
Atlantic mackerel only — never king mackerel, which is high in mercury. Bake or steam until it flakes easily, remove every bone and the skin, then offer large soft flakes or mash into potato.
9–12 months
Flake into small pieces or mix into soft fish cakes; check carefully for bones.
12 months+
Serve flaked, in fish cakes or as pâté. Canned Atlantic mackerel in water is a handy option; smoked mackerel is very high in sodium.
Common allergen
Contains fish , one of the 9 common food allergens.
Fish is a common allergen. Offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
First time with fish: Offer well-cooked, boneless fish such as salmon or cod, flaked. Choose lower-mercury fish.
If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before introducing allergens.
Nutrition highlights
- Omega-3 rich
- Protein rich
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Selenium
Serving ideas
- Flaked into mashed potato
- Mini fish cakes
- Mackerel pâté on toast fingers
Prepare these as described above for your baby’s age.
Choosing and storing
Storage: Fresh: cook within 1 day. Cooked: refrigerate and use within 2 days. Canned: once opened, refrigerate in a covered container and use within 2 days.
Recipes with mackerel (Atlantic)
Sources
This guide is based on published guidance from:
