Growing Bean Sprouts at Home in Mason Jars

Do you like sprouts in soups, sandwiches, and salads? This simple guide will show you how to grow mung bean sprouts in a jar.

Sprouts are formed when seeds start to sprout into a full vegetable. Mung bean sprouts are (wait for this) — sprouts from mung beans!.

Those who have had Pad Thai or the Vietnamese soup Pho have probably had them or seen them.

If you see a recipe for bean sprouts in an Asian or Asian-inspired food, it most likely means mung bean sprouts.

When I was growing up, I loved adding bean sprouts to my sandwiches. Id pile them high, and dig in. I loved the crunchy texture and the delicate flavors.

In the late 90s, however, bean sprouts began vanishing from grocery stores. Lets call this “The Case of the Disappearing Sprouts. “.

Bean sprouts aren’t always safe to eat, so big grocery stores took them off the shelves. You can still find them in some health food stores and international markets, though. Whats the problem?.

You could get sick and feel bad about the food you ate if the seeds aren’t treated right or the sprouts are grown wrong. But I wasn’t ready to give up bean sprouts because I love the taste and many meals don’t taste right without them.

If you grow your own bean sprouts at home, will that make them healthier? No, because the problem could start with how the seed was handled.

Thats why its extra important to buy mung beans that are SPECIFICALLY meant for sprouting or eating raw. These seeds will be inspected more carefully with FDA regulations than seeds meant for planting.

Some sources recommend adding citric acid to your sprouting water to keep the sprouts even safer. I havent tried this, but it is an option.

Still, I’m not a doctor, and if a doctor tells you to stay away from bean sprouts, please do what they say and not what I say.

Bean sprouts are a super healthy and delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, stir-fries and more Their crisp texture and fresh flavor can’t be beat. But did you know how easy it is to grow your own sprouts right at home using just a mason jar?

In this simple guide, I’ll walk through the entire process of sprouting beans in a jar, from start to finish. Let’s dive in!

Why Grow Your Own Sprouts?

There are so many great reasons to try sprouting at home

Maximum freshness – Homegrown sprouts are the freshest you can get. Grocery store sprouts are often days or even weeks old.
Better taste – Freshly sprouted beans have a crisp, sweet flavor you just can’t find in store-bought sprouts
More affordable – All you need is a packet of seeds, which costs just a few dollars. Much cheaper than buying sprouts!
Fun to watch grow – It’s mesmerizing to see little sprouts emerge each day. Great project for kids.
More variety – You can sprout any bean or seed you want – try alfalfa, mung bean, lentil, radish, broccoli, sunflower and more!
Nutritious – Sprouts are packed with vitamins and minerals.

So why wouldn’t you want to grow your own? It takes just 5 minutes a day and the payoff of fresh sprouts is huge.

Step 1: Pick Your Sprouting Seeds

You can sprout any edible seed, bean or grain. Some top choices are:

Mung beans – popular, fast growing, versatile
Alfalfa – mild flavor, very nutritious
Lentils – packed with protein
Radish – spicy and adds crunch
Broccoli – for a nutrient boost
Wheat berries – for wheatgrass

Buy seeds specifically labeled for sprouting. You want seeds guaranteed to germinate. Get them from a trusted source and store them in a cool, dry place.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Sprouting beans is super simple – you likely have everything you need already!

Wide-mouth glass jar (1 quart)
Cheesecloth or sprouting lid
Rubber band or mason jar ring
Seeds for sprouting
Water

Make sure to clean and sanitize all equipment before getting started.

Step 3: Soak Your Seeds

Add 1-2 tablespoons of seeds to your sprouting jar. How much you use depends on the seed size.
Fill the jar with cool, clean water. Leave a couple inches at the top.
Secure the cheesecloth or lid on top with the rubber band or mason jar ring.
Let the seeds soak for the recommended time, usually 8-12 hours.

Step 4: Drain and Rinse

Drain off the soak water thoroughly by tipping the jar over the sink.
Run cool water into the jar to rinse the seeds. Drain again.
Repeat the rinsing and draining 2-3 times per day. This removes any enzyme inhibitors and prevents mold growth.

Step 5: Watch Them Sprout!

Keep the jar out of direct sunlight and maintain a consistent temperature around 70°F.
Most seeds will sprout visibly in just a day or two.
Once sprouts are 1-2 inches long (3-7 days), they are ready to harvest!

Step 6: Harvest Your Sprouts

Give the sprouts a final good rinse and drain very well.
Spread them on a towel to dry completely. This prevents molding.
Store sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

And that’s it! Now you can enjoy your fresh, homegrown sprouts in salads, sandwiches, smoothies and more. It’s amazing how quickly they grow, and how much better they taste than store-bought.

Once you get the basics down, you can experiment with sprouting different seeds and beans to find your favorites. Kids love watching the sprouting process unfold each day. It’s an easy, fun kitchen project the whole family will enjoy.

The possibilities are endless when you make sprouting part of your regular routine. You’ll have a constant supply of nutritious, delicious sprouts on hand to boost your meals and snacks. No more worrying about the freshness of grocery store sprouts!

Troubleshooting Common Sprouting Problems

Of course, things don’t always go perfectly when growing sprouts. Here are some common issues and how to deal with them:

Moldy sprouts – Make sure to rinse and drain thoroughly each day. Discard any sprouts with visible mold.

Smelly sprouts – A sour or rotten smell means they’ve gone bad. Toss them out and sterilize your jar.

Slimy texture – This is a sign of bacterial growth. When in doubt, throw them out.

Seeds not sprouting – Older seeds may not germinate well. Try soaking for a full 24 hours before rinsing.

Leggy or lanky sprouts – They need more light. Put jar near a sunny window after they’ve started growing.

Don’t get discouraged if you run into problems! It takes some trial and error to get the process down. The more you sprout, the better you’ll get at growing healthy sprouts.

Creative Ways to Use Your Homegrown Sprouts

Now comes the fun part – eating your sprouts! Here are some yummy ways to enjoy them:

Toss them into salads for crunch and color.
Add to wraps, sandwiches and burgers for texture.
Mix into rice, quinoa or noodle dishes.
Blend them into smoothies and juices.
Garnish soups and chilis before serving.
Pile them on top of pizza, nachos and tacos.
Stir into omelets, frittatas or scrambles.
Top pancakes, waffles and oatmeal.
Fold into muffin, quick bread and pancake batters.

With so many options, you’ll never get bored finding new ways to eat your sprouts! They make an easy upgrade to most savory dishes.

Let your imagination run wild with creative recipes using your freshly sprouted beans, seeds, grains and more. Homegrown sprouts are delicious and good for you – start sprouting today!

how do you grow bean sprouts in a mason jar
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What Equipment Do I Need?

To grow mung bean sprouts, you need food-grade mung beans.

You also need a clean glass jar thats at least 16 ounces in size. A standard Mason jar works just fine.

Youll also need something to cover the jar. A piece of cheesecloth with a rubber band works well, or you could pick up a sprouting jar lid. The sprouts need airflow, so do not use a mason jar lid.

Another option (which I love, but isnt totally necessary), is to use a sprouting jar kit. These kits typically include the jars, airflow lids, blackout sleeves and and airflow stand.