Bean sprouts are a delicious and nutritious ingredient used in many Asian-inspired dishes. Their crisp, crunchy texture and fresh flavor make them a tasty addition to soups, stir-fries, spring rolls and more. But if you’re new to cooking with sprouts, you may find yourself wondering – where are bean sprouts located in the grocery store?
In this article, we’ll explore the most likely places to find bean sprouts during your shopping trips. We’ll also discuss the difference between fresh and canned sprouts, examine why fresh sprouts are so hard to come by these days, and offer safety tips for buying and storing this produce Let’s dive in!
Check the Produce Section for Fresh Bean Sprouts
When searching for bean sprouts, your first stop should be the produce section. This is where you’ll find fresh fruits, veggies, herbs and more. Scan the aisles for signs pointing you toward salad greens, fresh herbs or Asian vegetables – bean sprouts are typically displayed in these areas.
You may find them packaged in plastic clamshell containers or sitting in bunches alongside other greens. Popular varieties you’re likely to come across include mung bean sprouts, soybean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts. They’ll be found near spinach, lettuces, fresh herbs and Asian veggies like bok choy, napa cabbage and ginger root.
However, be aware that most large supermarket chains no longer carry fresh bean sprouts. Keep reading to find out why.
Canned Bean Sprouts Are More Common
If you don’t spot any fresh bean sprouts in the produce section, make your way over to the canned vegetable aisle. Grocery stores today sell far more canned and jarred bean sprouts than fresh ones.
Look for well-known brands like La Choy, Hua Hsing and Eden Foods. You’ll find cans, jars or plastic tubs containing sprouts packed in water or brine. They’ll be shelved alongside other canned veggies like green beans, corn, carrots and beets.
For the longest shelf life choose sprouts canned in brine over water. And be sure to check expiration dates, looking for the latest possible date.
Ethnic Foods Aisle Is Another Spot to Check
Some supermarkets have a dedicated section for ethnic foods, such as Asian, Hispanic and Mediterranean specialty ingredients. This aisle is absolutely worth a look when hunting for bean sprouts.
Since sprouts are an essential ingredient in many Asian dishes, you’ll often find them merchandised alongside other Asian staples like soy sauce, sesame oil, rice noodles and curry pastes. They are typically sold in cans or jars in this section of the store.
Seek out sprouts near the Asian sauces, pastes, condiments and dried goods. You may also come across them in the part of the aisle containing canned fruits and vegetables.
Why Are Fresh Sprouts So Difficult to Find?
In the past, shoppers could reliably find fresh bean sprouts in the produce aisle. However, in recent years fresh sprouts have become scarce in many large grocery store chains. There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, fresh sprouts have an exceptionally short shelf life. They wilt and decay rapidly under the bright lights and occasional mishandling of busy supermarket produce sections. This results in high amounts of spoiled, unsold sprouts that must be discarded.
Second, and more importantly, there have been a number of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to contaminated sprouts. The warm, moist conditions required to grow sprouts also enable dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli to thrive.
To protect customers from illness and avoid regulatory crackdowns, most large stores removed fresh sprouts from their offerings. Canned versions cooked by commercial processes are considered safer.
However, some smaller grocers and Asian markets still provide fresh bean sprouts. Read on for tips if you come across these fragile fresh sprouts.
Inspect Bean Sprouts Closely for Quality and Safety
If you do manage to find fresh bean sprouts, be very choosy and selective when buying them. Always inspect sprouts closely before purchasing.
Avoid sprouts that are wet, slimy or have dark brown spots. These are signs they have gone bad. The sprouts should look dry and crisp. Opt for bunches with the bud ends intact, as broken buds mean shorter shelf life.
Give them a sniff test – fresh sprouts will smell clean, without any sour, sulfurous or rotten undertones. Never buy sprouts emitting a bad odor.
And always check expiration and pack dates, choosing bunches with the latest dates possible for maximum freshness.
Follow Proper Storage Procedures at Home
Once home with your bean sprouts, proper storage is paramount for both food safety and quality. Here are some sprout storage tips:
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Keep fresh sprouts refrigerated at all times in a perforated plastic bag.
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Rinse sprouts just before using them, not when storing. Excess moisture quickens decay.
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Use fresh sprouts within 2-3 days for optimum freshness.
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Cook fresh sprouts thoroughly before eating to kill any potential bacteria.
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Canned or jarred sprouts will keep several years if unopened, and at least a year once opened. Refrigerate after opening.
Following these guidelines will help keep your bean sproutsfresh and delicious while minimizing food safety risks.
Substitute Cabbage, Onions or Celery if No Sprouts Available
Sometimes despite your best efforts, you just can’t locate any bean sprouts at your local grocery store. In these cases, try substituting thinly sliced cabbage, onions or celery in your recipes.
While the flavor won’t be exactly the same, these crunchy fresh veggies can provide a similar texture and experience. Cut cabbage or celery into long, thin matchstick strips. Thinly slice onions or shallots.
Sauté these veggie strips briefly just until tender-crisp. They can stand in for bean sprouts in many Asian dishes. Add them to pad thai, fried rice, spring rolls and more.
Order Bean Sprouts Online as a Convenience
If the selection of sprouts at your grocery store is sparse, consider ordering them online. There are many online stores that deliver an abundance of sprout varieties right to your door.
Large retailers like Amazon and Walmart sell all types of bean sprouts that are delivered fresh or canned. There are also sites dedicated specifically to sprouts, like SproutPeople.com and SproutHouse.com.
Look for organic and non-GMO options if desired. Buying online means you’ll always have bean sprouts on hand when a craving for stir fry strikes!
Nutrition FactsServing size69 g (69 g)Amount per servingCalories239% Daily Value *
Products that are dairy-free don’t have milk, butter, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, whey, casein, ghee, or lactose in them.
Rip Esselstyn started the Engine 2 Plant-Strong Diet. He is a best-selling author and Whole Foods Market Healthy Eating Partner who used to be a world-class professional triathlete and Texas firefighter. The Engine 2 way of life is based on eating whole, healthy plant-based foods and staying away from all animal products, processed foods, and refined foods.
Foods that are good for you on a plant-strong diet include whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains (whole and intact), legumes, nuts, seeds, and simple drinks like water or tea. The plan is naturally low in sodium, low in saturated fat, and has no trans fats.
Vegan foods are those without animal products, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs and honey.
Vegetarian foods are those that exclude meat, poultry and seafood. Dairy and eggs can be included.
The Whole Foods Diet is a food-based, plant-based plan that was made by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, and Dr. Alona Pulde and Dr. Matthew Lederman. The diets follows two simple guiding principles: 1. Choose real foods over highly processed foods and 2. Eat mostly plant foods (90 to 100% of your daily calories). Some of the foods that are important to their diets are oatmeal, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Ingredients: Mung Bean
Can You Sprout Store Bought Bags of Beans & Lentils? [Prep 365: EP113]
FAQ
Are bean sprouts refrigerated?
What are supermarket bean sprouts?
Why can’t you find bean sprouts anymore?
Are canned bean sprouts healthy?
Where to find bean sprouts?
When you’re in the produce section of the grocery store, you might be wondering where to find bean sprouts. You might be surprised to learn that they are not always located with the other fresh vegetables. Instead, bean sprouts are often found in the refrigerated section of the store, near the tofu and other specialty Asian ingredients.
Do grocery stores sell fresh bean sprouts?
Almost no big chain grocery stores sell fresh bean sprouts anymore. There are two main reasons for this. We’ll talk about them after we take a better look at canned sprouts. When you actually can find the fresh ones, they’ll be in the produce department by the greens and fresh herbs. Almost all bean sprouts sold today come in a can.
Where can I buy canned sprouts?
That’s on par with most other canned vegetables. You can easily find canned sprouts at nearly all grocery stores. If you can’t find them at your favorite shop, talk to the manager and ask if they’ll consider selling them. La Choy Bean Sprouts is the most common brand that you cand find at most of the stores:
Are bean sprouts available year-round?
Bean sprouts are available year-round because of how they are grown in containers that require a temperature-controlled space. It’s crucial to store bean sprouts away from any light. If they are exposed to light, then they will start to turn green. The best place to store bean sprouts is in the refrigerator.